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Table of Contents Page

Jacque’s Note 2 Community News 3-8 MS News 8-9 HS News 10

February 18, 2015

Wednesday Packet

Important Dates/Information PARENT SOCIAL *Postponed* Thursday, February 19 AAC ALL STAR GAME AT TCS Saturday, February 21 See Flyer for Details PAC MEETING Thursday, February 26 8:00am CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION Saturday, March 7 9:00am-12:00pm

FOUNDER’S DAY CELEBRATION Tuesday, March 10 1-3:00pm

GLITTER – Back to the Future! Saturday, March 14 6:30-11:00pm

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I am not sure we can pack one more thing into this month! All Star Tournament this weekend; baseball, tennis and track and field are gearing up; grades have been tabulated; PAC meeting scheduled for the 26th; major donor reception next week; and staff for the Beacon summer dual credit course are visiting to finalize details. I hope you are keeping up with the rapid pace of celebration and success that is TCS. The Cottage School has thrived, in part, due to the partnerships that have developed over the years. One very enjoyable partnership is with local colleges who have Education Departments and train teachers. KSU, Georgia Perimeter, Agnes Scott and Georgia State all send prospective teachers out into the community to observe for a day, spend extended time in field experience or complete their practicum. While many schools consider the visitors to be an unnecessary distraction, we consider it a responsibility. Teachers who wish to be effective and impactful must understand the diversity of the learning profiles they will have in their classrooms. The negative stereotypes of children (and adults) with learning disabilities will only be transformed when the greater public, and especially our educators, view them from the standpoint of their capabilities and talents. Regardless of how much is written about the abilities and contributions that LD people make, many people still operate under the expectation that a learning disability translates into academic and social problems. Research into neurological profiles and successful management techniques has not remedied the bad reputation that has plagued this field for decades. By inviting teachers from all disciplines into our classrooms we are exposing them to the reality of the LD student. They see responsible, creative, respectful, intelligent and engaged students who are enjoying their school day. They see excellent teachers who are innovative, agile, respectful and fulfilled. If they are lucky, they meet a visiting parent who can convey the confidence and relief they experience knowing their child is celebrated and challenged to grow in all areas. They experience our environment of pride, comfort and progress. They leave knowing that there are a multitude of opportunities for success. One of the visitors this week works at the Tellus Museum. She mentioned that our students tour often. The mother in me asked “are they well behaved?” and she responded “Absolutely. That is why I chose the school. I wondered what you were doing here that created such respect and interest. When the Cottage School name showed up on the list, I signed up!” That is what it is all about! Our environment fosters pride and respect. Our staff set high expectations and model mature and respectful interactions. Our students know who they are and are comfortable being themselves. They are beginning to understand the impact of their choices on their own life and on the lives of others. It is no surprise that it is our students who are our best advertisement! It doesn’t get better than that!

February 18, 2015

Jacque’s Note

GLITTER GOES BACK TO THE FUTURE 1985-2015

Dress the part!

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Just some ideas to get you thinking......

Tickets only $50 for current parents, $75.00 for alumni and $100 for friends of the school.

Be there or be square!

Updated 2/10/2015 subject to change

The Cottage School 2015-2016 Parents Abbreviated Calendar Semester 1 August 5 H.S. Registration (returning students) 9am-11am August 6 H.S. Orientation (new students & rising 9th graders) 9am-11am August 7 M.S. Orientation (all students) 8am-12pm August 10 First Day of School August 12 New Parent Evening Reception 6pm-7:30pm, RCC August 20 PAC Parent and Family Social, 5:30pm-7pm, Cougar Center September 3 Curriculum Night for M.S. & H.S., 6pm-7:30pm September 7 No School – Labor Day Holiday September 18 No School – All School Teacher Work Day October 3 2nd Annual Cougar Classic Car Show & Bazaar, 10am-4pm, TCS Campus October 12 No School – Columbus Day Holiday October 30 No School – All School Teacher Work Day November 2 No School – GISA Conference November 14 3 on 3 Turkey Tournament, Cougar Center November 20 Grandparents’ Day, 8am-10am, Cougar Center November 23-27 No School – Thanksgiving Break December 15-17 H.S. Sem. 1 Final Exams - ½ days December 17 No M.S. School – M.S. Teacher Work Day December 18 No School – All School Teacher Work Day December 21-Jan 1 Winter Holiday for All Students Semester 2 January 4 First Day of 2nd Semester January 18 No School – MLK Holiday January 21 – 23 Homecoming Weekend February 12 No School – All School Teacher Work Day February 15 No School – Presidents’ Day Holiday March 10 Founder’s Day March 12 Glitter April 1 No School – All School Teacher Work Day April 4 - 8 Spring Break May 16 - 18 H.S. Sem. 2 Final Exams - ½ days May 17 M.S. Awards and Graduation, 6:30pm, Cougar Center May 18 M.S. Last Day of School - ½ day May 19 M.S. Teacher Work Day May 19 H.S. Last Day of School - ½ day May 19 Senior Luncheon, 12:15pm, Doubletree in Roswell May 20 TCS Graduation, Cougar Center

IN CASE YOU WANT TO KNOW CHAPTER TWO

When we started the school in 1985 we offered the traditional academic classes, but we also visited

Vickery Creek for PE and hired drama and low ropes consultants to enhance our experiential curriculum.

Both of those electives were designed to restore trust in the school environment and, subsequently,

increase self-esteem. As time went on, students suggested courses for electives and, as long as we had

a qualified instructor, we were happy to oblige. In our thirty years, we have offered courses in aviation,

scuba diving, swimming, drafting, and more.

In the mid 90’s we added the middle school to address the plummeting performances of ADHD MS

students who were trying to cope in schools of over 1000 students. The MS took over the small house

that looks onto Grimes Bridge Road. We started with six girls. By 2000 we had 70 MS students in the

single house at the front of the campus. The adjacent cottage was built in the next two years!

It was very heartening to see how many community leaders agreed to serve on our Board of Directors.

Many of them had family members who had languished in traditional schools and they were happy to

help TCS get established. We were also very pleased with the caliber of teachers who applied to work

with our students. We partnered with several professionals as we crafted our program and created a

structured but nurturing environment. Although we began with students primarily from Cobb and

Fulton counties, the word spread and we had families move in from out of state and drive from

Gainesville, Stockbridge and Peachtree City to allow their teen to attend TCS.

Our first building project was to replace an old chicken house with an art building. Our carpentry

students designed the building and, except for the plumbing and electrical work, they built the building

from scratch. The gym is in that space now. That was followed by the Greenhouse project. At that time,

the space was in full sun and our horticulture department was thriving. We hosted spring plant sales

and garden parties! Neither of these projects required going before the city for approval. When we

decided to build our cottages to give us more space, our neighbors (no longer here) raised their negative

heads and put up quite a fuss, again! By then our students had won the hearts of the local community

so it did not take long for the resistance to die down. We constructed the two cottages and experienced

a huge surge in enrollment. The fully furnished science labs and the dedicated computer lab enhanced

our faculty’s ability to provide the challenging academic experience our students require. Renovating

the administrative building to house the media center and expand the central meeting space also added

value to our campus. The gym followed several years later and that facility has been transformative!

We finally had a place to center our spirit and pride!

Each year we moved closer to our long range goals…every step was carefully planned and every dollar

raised was cherished. We owe so much that we have to the sacrifice of time and talent, as well as

financial resources of our parents and our Board of Directors. Philanthropic foundations have assisted

us in extraordinary ways. Every accomplishment was the result of a strong and talented team.

PAC PICKS THIS WEEK

There is a lot happening with PAC in the next few weeks….

PAC Meeting on Thursday, February 26 at 8am in the conference room at the Admin. Building. This is great way to get involved at TCS.

Breakfast Club at Thumbs Up. Drop by for an informal gathering on Friday, February 27 and meet with other parents.

We're collecting Boxtops for Education. Bring your Boxtops to your Homeroom the week of February 23 - 27. With over 250 participating products, it’s an easy way to earn cash for our school. Remember to trim off the excess around your Boxtops and get them in now before they expire.

Campus Beautification on Saturday, March 7 from 9am – 12pm. Help with spring clean-up at TCS.

Thnk

PAC PARENT SOCIAL IS POSTPONED! More info to come.

Thank you PAC!

You are great! The staff loved the

cupcake surprise at the Teacher Workday on Friday!

‘Orange’ you wonderful for remembering some of our staff

with the cupcake substitution!

6th Annual AAC All Star Game

When: Saturday, February 21, 2015 Girls Practice: 10:00am & Boys Practice: 11:00am *Lunch will be provided for players and coaches at 11-girls/12-boys

Skills Challenge & 3-Point Contest: Noon Girls Game: 1:00 P.M. Boys Game: 3:00 P.M.

Where: The Cottage School Admission: $3.00 students, $5.00 adults (coaches/players free)

7 Cougars will represent TCS:

*Kelly MacDonell-Senior *Ellie Rappoport-Sophomore

*Dinara Rothman-Senior *Asa Branch-Senior *KJ Powell-Senior

*Kia Smith-Sophomore *Chris Taura-Junior

**FANS: PLEASE ARRIVE NO EARLIER THAN 11:45am

Hospitality Room! Please help make the All Star Game experience best for all coaches, players, and officials. Contact Lyle Cutchin-Assistant Athletic Director for donations/volunteer

help for Concessions and Hospitality Room! 770-313-8458-lylec@cottageschool.org

Please contact for questions:

Richie Briggs Athletic Director & AAC Co-Commissioner The Cottage School-770-313-8459-richieb@cottageschool.org

TCS needs a 4-seat Golf Cart for use on campus. If you have one in good condition that might be donated

or know of one at a good price, please contact Bob Crenshaw at 770.641.8688 or

bobc@cottageschool.org.

Thank you!

MS February Activities

DATE Activity TCS$ Things to bring

Friday

2/20

Off Campus

Tellus Science Museum $377.58 All students going off campus must bring a

sack lunch unless

pre-ordered through the lunch program.

There will not be microwaves.

Friday

2/20

On Campus

Paint Day $368.90

Friday

2/20

Academics $390.60 Academic Materials

*Remember to bring an independent reading

book if you complete your work early.

Tuesday

2/24

Savings Trip

Tennessee Aquarium $806.95 from

TCS Savings Please see previous WP flyer for

additional information.

Friday

2/27

Clubs $210.80 Club Materials

Friday

2/27

Academics $223.20 Academic Materials

*Remember to bring an independent reading

book if you complete your work early.

VALENTINE’S

“MIX IT UP AT LUNCH”

TCS MIDDLE SCHOOL

DATE TIME Activity TCS$ Things to bring/U.S. $

Friday

2/20

Afternoon Clubs Bring Needed Club Materials

“Reward

Off

Campus”

Thursday

2/26

6:30

pm

8:00

pm

to

6:00

am

7:00

am

Bus Departs Campus

Escalade Lock In Night of repelling and rock

climbing fun

Pick Up at I Building

*Students Excused Friday

$341.78

*Pizza Supper Provided

*Bring additional food items and beverage

*See previous packet for eligibility

Academics

Friday

2/27

8:15

10:00

12:00

12:45

2:40

Levels

Academics

Lunch

Academics

Homeroom

$353.17

Academic material to complete work and

spare reading

materials, if you will be in academics

all day!

Off-

Campus Friday

2/27

10:00-

2:00

Kennesaw

National

Battlefield Park *Hike Kennesaw Mountain

*Museum – Atlanta Campaign

*View The Battle of Kennesaw

Film

$341.78

Fully enclosed shoes *change into athletic pants or shorts with

a Spirit Shirt *Bring a sack lunch and money for snacks /

souvenirs

On-Campus Friday

2/27

10:00

12:00

12:45

2:40

Name that Tune

Lunch

Improvisational Comedy

Homeroom

$330.38

Appropriate jeans or shorts to change into

with TCS spirit shirt

HS Activities for February