Enid Moore, 9th grade
Caitlin Bauermeister, 10th grade
Ramsey Fulton, 11th grade

Daetan Huck, 9th grade
Heather Pelton, 10th grade
Won Steinbach, 11th grade

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Spreading the Word About The Center School

It's that time of year again when schools introduce themselves to prospective parents and students. As a preview, TCS held a meeting in December for 8th graders in private schools who are considering moving to public school for the next phase of their education. We were pleased to see so many interested families. A lot of credit goes to the Community Relations Committee that worked tirelessly to produce a colorful new brochure and timely press releases. We also owe our thanks to Paula Tortorice and Bob Moore for our much-improved website.

The next TCS information meetings will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on February 5 and March 5. An evening meeting will be held on February 25, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. During these open houses, Brian Vance, several students and I will present our current program and a brief preview of new features that we are planning for the coming year. Students will talk about life at TCS, and we will give visitors a tour.

I'm also looking forward to our upcoming morning conversations with parents. Our parents are vital to the success of the school. Fostering greater communication helps to keep you informed about what we do and enables us to seek your input on various matters.

Starting in February, Brian Vance and I are scheduling grade-level parent coffee meetings. All meetings, which will last about an hour, will be at 9:00 a.m. in the Food Court area near Starbucks. There's no formal agenda, just an opportunity for conversation in a casual setting. Dates are: 11th Grade--February 12th; 10th Grade--March 12th; and 9th Grade--April 16th. We hope to see you there!

— Judith Peterson, Principal

TEACHER PROFILE

Brian Vance, Student Counselor

Brian Vance grew up on the East Coast, mostly in Upstate New York. After graduating from Hobart College, he decided to move down the coast to experience life in Washington, D.C. He attended graduate school at the University of Maryland to earn his degree in school counseling.

Not only did he enjoy his work as a counselor, he became very involved with student athletics - -coaching both junior varsity basketball and track and field. While living in Maryland, he pursued recreational interests in whitewater kayaking, skiing, and mountain biking. He began dreaming of moving West to take advantage of the terrain and lifestyle that is available in the Western United States. He met his future wife, Susan, in Washington, D.C. Not only did she share many of his interests, she was born and raised in Western Washington. It didn't take much convincing to get him to move to Seattle.

After spending four years as a counselor at Skyline High School in Issaquah, Mr. Vance decided it was time to change gears. He signed up to help start The Center School. This change has opened up a whole new world. He has expanded from the arena of counseling and athletics into a world of arts and academics.

Mr. Vance says, "I never dreamed of working in a high school setting in which I know every student. Because the staff is so small, it has opened up opportunities for me to explore other interests like multimedia and technology support." Last year, he taught the Introduction to Multimedia class as students explored the school's new technology.

This year, he's very busy as our full-time counselor and is pursuing certification as an administrator through the University of Washington's Danforth School of Educational Leadership.

Every Thursday afternoon he takes classes at the University. In between work and class, Brian still pursues his outdoor interests and works on projects at home in West Seattle. During the summer and on some weekends you can also find him working with high school students on environmental restoration projects as a crew leader for the Student Conservation Association. He's enjoying watching TCS develop and helping students grow into responsible citizens.

NEWS FROM OUR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Sports dominated the discussion at our December 2 meeting. Director of High Schools Sharon Wilkins was present to give us perspective on this topic. For numerous reasons, The Center School cannot participate in WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association) sports. However, there are other leagues, as well as non-league sports, which might be of interest to TCS students. Any sports program at TCS will require a lot of parent involvement.

We also discussed safety preparedness. A parent group will form to help set safety policies and procedures.

Two funding requests were granted: $1,800 in scholarships for the student trip to Costa Rica; and $450 to the Creative Writing class for a 'zine and outside instruction.

We began our January 6 meeting by talking about early release Wednesdays with staff members from the Alliance for Education. The Alliance is gathering input on early release days from twenty-six schools. We unanimously agreed that regular early release days are a good idea.

Two funding requests were granted: $340 for school busses to transport humanities classes to the Idris Mosque; and $1,950 for extra expenses of the new "Exploring the Arts" class. (Next year, the CSCA will not need to subsidize these expenses because they will be included in the school budget.) Seattle School District Board member Dick Lilly attended this meeting. We appreciate his interest. Remember that CSCA board meetings are open to all. We were heartened to see several parents at both of these meetings and hope this trend continues. Meetings are held the first Monday of the month, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in our school's art room. Dates for the remainder of the school year are March 3, April TBA, May 5, and June 2.

Complete minutes of our meetings may be found on our website.

— Teru Lundsten, CSCA President

SAT Preparation Classes

SAT Prep classes will be offered by Edmonds Community College instructors on four Saturdays in March, 8 am to 1 pm, at TCS. Fee is $150, payable to CSCA. Dates: March 1 and 15, verbal; March 22 and 29, math. We need a minimum of 15 to have the class; maximum class size, 30. Sign up at front desk.

Paper Drive Update

EXTRA! EXTRA! As of January 28, 2003: A total of 241 reams of paper have been donated by all classes. Señor Murphy's advisory leads the pack with 110 reams. Many thanks to all the parents and students who responded to our plea with an avalanche of paper for TCS!

Community Partnership Program

Center School parent Hanafi Libman has designed a program which can help generate much-needed funds for our school. Mr. Libman is an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Bain. He created the 'Community Partnership Program' fourteen years ago as a way for all CBB agents to thank community organizations that are committed to local welfare. To date, agents have donated a total of $500,000 to more than 200 non-profit organizations in the greater Puget Sound area.

Participation is simple. Each time a Center School parent, teacher, friend or family member buys or sells real estate with a CBB agent, CBB will donate ten percent of the commission earned from the transaction to the Center School Community Association. An average local transaction would generate a donation of $900.

Of course, any participation in this program is completely voluntary and Coldwell Banker Bain will not solicit you in any way. For more information on this Community Partnership Program, please contact Mr. Libman at 206-930-0247. We look forward to this partnership's success in providing some meaningful donations to TCS!

Staff Appreciation Luncheon

Many thanks to the parents who helped: Winnie Bachwitz, Louise D'Addario, Pam Miles, Wendy Graff, Erica Bauermeister, and Susan Clifford. Student helpers were Helga Brose and Lise Bachwitz. Would you like to help with the Spring Staff Luncheon? If you can, contact Kathleen Brose at kbrose@attbi.com.

Sally Foster Fundraiser

Nancy Searle was our chairperson for the Sally Foster fundraiser. Thanks to her hard work, TCS will receive $1000. Our gratitude to all the parents who made purchases from Sally Foster to support TCS.

Seahawks Krispy Kreme Profits

Flora Goldthwaite and her crew ran a Krispy Kreme booth at the Seahawks stadium. Their profits totaled over $1000 for TCS. Thanks to Flora, Judy Peterson, Andy Edwards, Aaron and Gina Kaio, Tammy Banua, John and Nancy Searle, Tyler Searle, Garrett Walczyk, Norma Howard, Chloe Moore, Kathleen Greco, Chris Murray, and Sandy Needham for making this a great fundraiser.

"Hoop Shoot" Raises Funds

We've also raised several hundred dollars by helping with "Hoop Shoot" contests prior to Seattle Sonics basketball games. Thanks to all the parents and students who have helped make this a winner, too!

Reflections Update

Congratulations to all the participants in the 2002 Reflections program, "Signs of Courage." The Center School made a wonderful showing in their first year of entries. Twelve students turned in art and photography for the school. Four of the entries went on to the Seattle School District Show in the Center House, and two were selected to move on to the State level. Thank you to the parents, teachers and volunteer judges for their help.

The Center School Award and District Finalist - John Barker for "Stand Up"

District Finalist - Leah Knopf for "Making Your Way in the World Takes Courage" (photography)

School Finalist - Witney Lonseth for "The Service of Our Country"

School Finalist - Hannah Peragine for "The Courage in Her Eyes"

Participants: Molly Anderson, Alexis Daily, Ted Greeley, Christopher Hunter, Hanna Rudberg, Mollie Price, Anna Talvi, and Dalaney Trujillo.

It's not too early to start thinking about participating in Reflections next year! As soon as the theme is announced, information will be sent to the school so teachers can begin to think about the visual art, photography, literature, film/video, theatre, dance, and music that could be incorporated into student work next fall.

Debby Lierman, Reflections Chair

LOUD THOUGHTS - A POETRY READING

On January 16th, the creative writing class hosted a very special evening of poetry in the heart of Seattle's literary arts scene, The Richard Hugo House. Over seventy members of the Center School community, including students, parents/guardians, and staff, crowded into the Hugo theatre to take part in Loud Thoughts, a poetry reading that culminated a semester's worth of poetry writing.

Peter Stone brilliantly emceed Loud Thoughts, which was divided into two distinct parts. The first consisted of a more traditional poetry reading where each of the students shared one of his or her favorite pieces. Students introduced each other with witty introductions and read about a variety of topics, such as: life from the perspective of a coffee bean and the unrealistic beauty standards imposed by Barbie.

The second part of Loud Thoughts consisted of a poetry slam, a dynamic form of poetry that combines competition and performance with writing. After two rounds of four poets each, the competition narrowed to two finalists, Dalaney Trujillo and Alex White. Dalaney emerged from the evening as The Center School's first official slam champ and was awarded a plaque to prove it.

In addition to the readings, students also sold their poetry collection/zine, titled Burst. The money raised will help fund a second semester literary journal, which will be a joint effort of two creative writing classes.

Burst is still available for a suggested price of five dollars. Contact Mr. Greenberg to purchase one: jtgreenberg@seattleschools.org.

Special Insert to this Month's Newsletter

Parents Request More Information about Drug and Alcohol Use

More than forty parents joined TCS Counselor Brian Vance on January 15 for an information session about drug and alcohol use among adolescents. The parent session was organized by Mr. Vance with the support of the Community Relations Committee following concerns about the recent hospitalization of a student for alcohol poisoning at an unchaperoned party. Parents were reminded that they are liable for underage alcohol use in their home, even if they are not present, and that providing alcohol to minors is illegal. Although concerned about embarrassing their children, parents encouraged each other to keep in contact and share information regarding parties and supervision.

Alcohol use is common among adolescents, Mr. Vance said, but marijuana is more accessible. He also stated that parents may not realize that today's marijuana is twenty to thirty times more potent than the weed that was available in the 1960s and 1970s, which means it is also more addictive.

Parents said they are hearing from their students that there are several websites which say that marijuana is a safe drug and not as harmful as smoking cigarettes. Other websites offer a different opinion. Mr. Vance pointed out that marijuana users hold smoke in the lungs, which increases the risk of lung cancer. The drug also affects short- and long-term memory and impairs the body's production of dopamine which is needed for motivation.

School policy regarding drug and alcohol use requires a ten day suspension for any student caught under the influence, or in possession of alcohol or drugs. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications without permission forms on fie with the nurse. If the student agrees to a substance-abuse assessment and follows the recommendations, the suspension can be reduced to four days. This policy applies to students anywhere on the entire Seattle Center campus. Police are not contacted unless a significant amount of the illegal substance is found. So far this school year, The Center School has had only one suspension.

Statewide, statistics for high school seniors show that more than seventy-five percent have tried alcohol, more than fifty percent have tried marijuana, twenty seven percent smoke cigarettes, and more than thirteen percent have used club drugs such as Ecstasy. Mr. Vance said drug and alcohol use at The Center School doesn't seem to be a bigger problem than at other schools. Drug and alcohol education for students will be included in health units of the science curriculum this spring.

Mr. Vance presented some facts about drug and alcohol use by teens:

• Ninety-two percent of marijuana addicts started smoking before the age of 18.
• Marijuana smoke contains fifty to seventy percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke.
• All drugs impact the ability to learn by impairing detection of stimuli, attention span, short- and long-term memory, and higher order functions.
• Ecstasy and other club drugs are increasingly popular. Symptoms include: jaw-clenching and hyperthermia, preventing the body from regulating its own temperature, which can result in loss of consciousness and even death.
• Symptoms of drug or alcohol use include dropping grades, lack of motivation, absenteeism, declining involvement in activities, bloodshot eyes, clothing promoting drug use, sudden changes in friends, problems paying attention, and defiance of rules.
• Crack cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine have not been problems at TCS.
• Addiction is a treatable disease. Many resources are available.

Parents said they were glad to hear from their students that they feel The Center School is a caring community where students can rely on one another for help. But they would like the school to do more to empower students to take action. Mr. Vance plans to start a student assistance program to ensure that students fell safe in asking for help. The Community Relations Committee plans to offer additional parenting sessions this year.

Parents offered several suggestions to help students avoid drug and alcohol use:

• Take responsibility for finding out where your students are going and who they are with.
• Call parents at a home hosting a party to ensure it will be supervised.
• Let your student make the parent into the 'bad guy' to avoid peer pressure: "I have to call home or I'll be grounded."
• When hosting a party for teens, lay down ground rules ahead of time, such as: no leaving the party early, no uninvited guests, etc.
• Develop code words to use with your students so they can ask you for help without being embarrassed or ostracized by peers.
• Maintain confidentiality to encourage teens to confide in parents, unless something becomes a danger to the teen or others.
• Create a culture where drug and alcohol abuse is not accepted.
• Keep in touch with teachers, counselors and other parents if you suspect problems.

More information about drug and alcohol abuse by adolescents is available on-line at:

www.nida.nih.gov
www.drugabuse.org
www.clubdrugs.org
www.marijuana-info.org

Marijuana, Alcohol, and Our Teenagers

Some Facts

• While some parents and guardians may feel relieved that their teen is "only" drinking, it is important to remember that alcohol is a powerful, mood-altering drug. Not only does it affect the mind and body in often unpredictable ways, but teens lack the judgment and coping skills to handle alcohol wisely.
• Kids who drink are more likely to be victims of violent crime, to be involved in serious traffic accidents, and to have serious school-related problems. Anyone can develop a serious drinking problem, even teenagers.
• Marijuana also puts kids at risk. It is the most widely used illicit drug among youth today and is more potent than ever. Studies estimate that marijuana use by 10th graders has doubled in the last 10 years. Despite many myths, kids can get hooked on pot. Research shows that marijuana use can lead to addiction. More teens enter treatment for marijuana abuse each year than for all other illicit drugs combined.
• Marijuana use can lead to a host of significant health, social, learning, and behavioral problems at a crucial time in a young person's development. Getting high or drunk impairs judgment, which can wreak havoc on teens in high-pressure social situations, leading to risky decision making on issues like sex, criminal activity or riding with someone who is intoxicated.
• Research shows that the earlier people start drinking and using marijuana, the more likely they are to go on to experiment with other dangerous drugs. When young people start using marijuana regularly, they often lose interest in schoolwork. Alcohol and drug use can place students at risk of school problems, possible encounters with law enforcement, and can seriously jeopardize their safety.

Warning Signs and Prevention Tips

• Parents and caregivers should be aware of changes in their teen's behavior. They should look for withdrawal, depression, fatigue, carelessness, hostility, changes in grooming habits, or deteriorating or changing relationships with family members and friends. Changes in academic performance, increased absenteeism or truancy, lost interest in favorite activities and changes in eating or sleeping habits could be related to drug or alcohol use. Other signs that may indicate drug or alcohol use are irritability, defensiveness, switching friends (along with a reluctance to have you get to know the new friends), a "nothing matters" attitude, and physical or mental problems, including memory lapses, poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, and lack of coordination or slurred speech.
• Parents and caregivers should also be aware of signs of drugs and drug paraphernalia (e.g. pipes and rolling papers), odors on clothes and in the teen's bedroom, use of incense or other deodorizers, use of eye drops, and clothing, posters, jewelry, etc., promoting drug use. Finding alcohol or drugs in a teen's bedroom or backpack, or smelling alcohol or marijuana on his/her clothes or breath are good indicators that a teen is using substances. That they are "holding" the stuff for a friend is unlikely.
• First, understand that your teen is growing up. Offer guidance and support to your teen while also making effort to respect his or her growing need for independence and privacy.
• Talk to your teen. Research shows that parents and caregivers can be very influential just by talking to their kids about the dangers of using alcohol and other drugs. Some things to remember when having discussions with your teen are: listen without judgment or interruption, ask open-ended questions, control your emotions, acknowledge and validate feelings, and avoid lectures. If you show respect for your teen's viewpoints, he or she will be more likely to listen to and respect yours.
• Appropriate adult monitoring can reduce future drug and alcohol use, even among those adolescents who may be prone to substance use, or who are already using. While conversations about drinking and using drugs are essential and effective, talking is not enough. Parents and caregivers need to take concrete action to help teens resist alcohol and drugs.
• Encourage healthy and fun alternatives to drinking and using drugs. Set a good example regarding your own alcohol and drug use and your response to teen usage. Do not communicate to your teens that alcohol is a good way to handle problems (e.g. "I've had a hard day. I'm going to make a drink."). Do not tell stories of your own alcohol use that makes drinking seem glamorous or funny.
• Talk with your kids about drugs and alcohol, reasons not to use, and ways to avoid using in difficult situations. Be involved in your kids' lives. Know their whereabouts and activities. Reinforce that you care so your kids do not feel mistrusted by your increased concern. Connect with other parents and make common policies about teen alcohol and drug use. Set clear and realistic expectations and guidelines for your kids. Establish appropriate consequences for breaking rules and consistently enforce them.