Date: Wednesday – February 1, 2012

Important Messages from The Cottage School are attached. Please sign this form indicating their receipt and return to the school

with your student tomorrow. Thank You!!

Parent Signature________________________________________

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February 1, 2012

Wednesday Packet

Important Dates/Information

Senior Night – Friday, February 3rd at Final 2012 Basketball Games Mandatory Junior Parent Meeting - Tuesday, February 7th – 6:30-8:00 PM - RCC

KidZafe Internet Safety – Thursday, February 9th – RCC – 6:30-8:00 PM Teacher Work Day – Thursday, February 16th – No School

President’s Day Holidays – Friday & Monday, February 17th & 20th – No School

Use the Amazon.com link on our website, www.cottageschool.org, and TCS receives a portion of what you purchase during that shopping visit. Click here and start shopping.

Financial Assistance Information

Financial assistance applications must be submitted by March 1st to

www.TADS.com.

The first TCS Scholarship Committee meeting will be held mid-February.

Criteria for Consideration are:

1) Enrollment Contract submitted, 2) $1,000 Enrollment Fee submitted, 3) Application completed in good standing with TADS.

Any Questions? Contact Bob Crenshaw in the Business Office.

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Before I begin any discussions about our school community and all the great things going on here on campus, I feel compelled to give you a brief report on my week in Haiti. I joined a partnership group of the Roswell and the Alpharetta Rotary clubs and a mission group known as 410 Bridge. We traveled in a well secured and prepared pod to Port au Prince and its outskirts to do eye exams and fit children and adults with glasses needed to carry out their daily routines. We also played with the orphans, did a bit of leadership training and painted a permanent home that will house a family from the new deaf community. Most of our time was spent with the newly created deaf community that has organized itself into a mostly self-sufficient extended family group and is preparing to move into the countryside and into permanent housing with sports, educational and religious components. Although marginalized and victimized by their own country, they are, I must say, a very impressive group. Of course it was difficult to spend all day among the “tent” cities that spread for acres and acres across the Port au Prince area. The needs of the citizens are beyond comprehension. However, those who had been to Haiti a few months earlier stated that they saw definite progress in cleaning up the rubble and regaining parks and shared spaces. Little by little, progress is being made. It is clear that many people have come to assist and will continue to share their skills and resources with the Haitians. If you look at the big picture, it is easy to be discouraged. If you look at one goal at a time, there is much hope. I found the leadership from the Haitians with whom we worked to be absolutely inspiring. There are few comparisons I can make to our life here…I thought I would come back with a ton of “life lessons” but the discrepancy between their life and ours is too vast to really integrate lessons. However, the power of the human spirit and the universal optimism of children everywhere was certainly a constant. I have to say that the old adage “you can’t buy happiness” was very clear. I met people who had lost more than everything but who found happiness and pride in their relationships and their ability to provide for their families. And we all know people here in our society who have more “stuff” than they can possibly use but who are lonely, depressed and unfulfilled. I will share the video that this project produces with anyone who is interested once it is available. Now to those things TCS…keep an eye on our basketball teams. They are burning up the court...and if the varsity men win Friday, TCS will become only the second school in the history of our league to sweep the conference! With the same enthusiasm, we celebrate the seniors who are raking in their acceptances, some with scholarship opportunities, like wildfire! I love the promises fulfilled that our Spring semester always holds…for our middle and high school students, the fruits of their labors are emerging week by week! Regardless of the grade level of your teen, please join us for Senior Night this Friday. Not only will you watch a great game, but you will see the end product of the investments in time, energy and resources made by our TCS students and their families.

February 1, 2012

Jacque’s Note

Character Education

Finding Flow (Flow describes the feelings and emotions we experience when

engrossed in an activity, promoting positive learning experiences)

Take a look below at what we will be discussing with your student and take some

time to continue these discussions at home!

Objectives:

Describe a flow experience they have had

Identify the necessary elements of a flow experience

Identify ways to increase the frequency of flow experiences in their lives

Discussion questions for you and your student:

What produces the experience of flow?

How can we increase the frequency of flow experiences in our lives?

Key Terms to discuss:

Optimal experiences, flow, appropriate challenge

Cupid will be visiting us during lunch starting next week.

February 6th to February 13th

The Interact club is selling candy grams for Valentine’s Day

How much? $1.00 per candy gram

What do I do?

1. Present your dollar to Cupid and he will give you a piece of paper.

2. Fill out who the candy gram goes to and a small message if you’d like.

3. Return the paper to cupid and he will deliver the message along with a bag of treats to your friend during PM homeroom on Valentine’s Day.

Cupid is delivering to everyone…friends, teachers, staff and counselors!

All the money that is raised will be donated to The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

TCS is pleased to announce that Mr. Roddy Freeman, in association with the TCS Parent Association Committee and KidZafe, will be presenting an evening of internet safety for parents. The KidZafe Program, founded in 2009, is an online service that helps parents protect their children from predators and bullies, and to manage their children’s privacy and reputation online and on the mobile phone. Come and hear from the experts what you can do to keep your children safe.

StarStruck Senior Night

2012 Join us as we celebrate our Senior Stars!!!

February 3, 2012 Between the Varsity Ladies’

and Varsity Men’s Games. V Ladies tip-off at 4:30

V Men tip-off at 6:00

Parents of Seniors must be there by 5:00 P.M. Dinner will be provided for Seniors and their Families. Please provide a count to

your homeroom teacher.

TCS Golf

Team Information

We are very excited about your interest in the Cottage School Golf

Team. There are some things you and your parents will need to know

before you get started.

1. There is a cost associated with participating in this sport.

a. Students qualifying for the team will need to pay a one-time fee of $100. This cost covers

greens fees as well as entry fees for all tournaments throughout the season.

b. Students will need to furnish their own equipment. This will consist of clubs, gloves,

appropriate footwear, tees, balls.

c. Practices will be held at Steel Canyon Golf Course Tuesday through Friday and pickup will be

at The Cottage School at 6:00 PM.

2. Because of the nature of golf as a high school sport, the team may consist of only seven players. In

the event that there is an extraordinary amount of interest, we will be holding open tryouts to

establish our team roster.

a. Team selection will be based on a number of factors:

i. existing skill and understanding of the game

ii. availability to participate in practice and competition

iii. apparent potential

iv. conduct on the course

We look forward to having you as a part of our Cougar Golf Team and we are very excited about the

upcoming season. If you or your parents have any questions, please contact me during the school day. I am

available at my school phone number (770)-641-8688 ext. #5122, or by e-mail JamesP@cottageschool.org.

HIT EM’ STRAIGHT!!!

Aerie Experiences for

Teens and Families

Spring 2012 Events

Aerie Experiences are experiential, adventure based, wilderness and

therapeutic activities for learning disabled teens and their families. If you are

interested in their programs available this spring, please visit their website:

www.aerieexperiences.com

Make a Note and Spread the Word

IDA-GA's 22nd Annual Dimensions of Dyslexia Conference at Cobb Galleria Conference Centre - Registration NOW open at www.idaga.org. Dyslexia Legislation: If you are interested in volunteering to help with a grass roots effort for a dyslexia bill in Georgia, please email us at info@idaga.org, and we will put you in contact with the parent who is spearheading this effort, Tina McGinley.

Calendar Notes:

February 25 IDA-GA's 22nd Annual Dimensions of Dyslexia Conference at Cobb Galleria Conference Centre - Registration NOW open at www.idaga.org.

March 8 IDA-GA Outreach Meeting - Video and Discussion at a venue in Gwinnett County (more information to come)

March 31 Parent Information Class: Understanding Dyslexia for Parents (Same class as the one offered on January 20 by Georgia Educational Training Agency) www.idaga.org

April 14 IDA-GA Outreach Meeting* for Adults and Older Teens, Decatur Library. At this Saturday afternoon meeting we'll explore technology. We will have a panel of presenters and then allow time for attendees to visit technology tables to ask questions, watch further demonstrations, and have hands-on time with technology.

April 17 Open Membership Meeting, Location and Speaker TBA

Early June IDA-GA Outreach Gathering for Teachers and Tutors, The Schenck School

2012 Northeast Georgia

Transition Expo and Conference

On Saturday, February 4, in the Tate Center at the University

of Georgia in Athens, families of students with learning chal-

lenges or disabilities can “build their teams” by visiting exhibitors

of interest, exploring options for college and life after high school,

attending learning sessions, and planning for the future!

Admission is FREE. Exhibits will open at 9:00 am and will pro-

vide information on education, employment, recreation, health

care, and much more. Learning sessions will begin at 9:30 am,

and will cover Medicaid waivers, transition at every stage of edu-

cation (in English & Spanish), wills and guardianship, and a

panel discussion on post-secondary options. For details on learn-

ing sessions visit www.negaresa.org.

Explore College Support

Resources

Education Options

Employment Options

Community Recreation

Support Groups

Applying for Medicaid Waivers

Student Transition at Every Age

… and much more!

Conference Coordinator: Pam Moore pmoore@madison.k12.ga..us (706) 795-0120 x 1459

ADMISS ION I S FREE !

Conference Promotions: Amy McCollum amccollum@oconeeschools.org (706) 769-5130 x 1210

“Recr uiting Your Team - For Life!”

To request a sign language interpreter or assistive listening device, contact Pam Moore no later than January 27.

Saturday, February 4

9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Sponsors: The University of Georgia College of Education; The NE Georgia Transition Team; The NE Georgia Learning Resources System; Parent to Parent of

Georgia; The Council for Exceptional Children

SCORE!

MS February Activities

DATE TIME Activity RAIN-

OUT

TCS$ Things to bring/Information

Friday

2/3

Clubs

Academics

$156.40

$165.60

Friday

2/10

Braves Museum &

Hall of Fame

Dr. Who On Campus

Academics

$160.08

$156.40

$165.60

All students going off campus

must bring a sack lunch unless

pre-ordered through lunch

program. There will not be

microwaves.

Mon-Wed

February

13-15

Psychological

Education

Week

Thursday

2/16

Teacher Work Day

NO SCHOOL

Fri & Mon

2/17 & 2/20

Presidents’ Day

Holidays

NO SCHOOL

Friday

2/24

Journey Through

Justice

Academics

$240.12

$248.40

All students going off campus

must bring a sack lunch unless

pre-ordered through lunch

program. There will not be

microwaves.

Students who earn Academics will

need to bring extra reading

material because he/she will be in

academics all day.

High School February

Date Time December Rain out TCS $ Things to bring/US$

Friday

2/3

Academics

8:15

10:00

12:00

12:45

2:40

Levels

Academics

Lunch

Academics

Homeroom

$336.89

Academic material to complete

work and spare reading

materials, if you will be in

academics all day!

Off-Campus

10:00-

2:00

2:40

Climbing at

Escalade Climbing

Gym Homeroom

$326.03

Waiver due to HR teacher by

8:15 A.M. on Tuesday 1/31;

Waiver on TCS website under

‘Forms/Permission Slips’

Money for Pizza,

Appropriate shorts or jeans to

change into. *Closed-toe shoes

On-Campus

10:00

12:00

12:45

2:40

T-Shirt Painting Lunch

Relay Games Homeroom

$315.16

White or light color T-Shirt

And appropriate gym attire to

wear in the afternoon.

Friday 2/10 1:10-

2:40 Clubs Materials for your club

Saturday

2/11

Saturday School For students who owe

hours

All textbooks, notebooks,

planner, lunch and a change of

clothes for P.M. work detail

Monday 2/13 8:20

12:30

1:15

Sex Ed.; Internet safety Lunch

Electives

Tuesday 2/14 8:20

12:30

1:15

Sex Ed.; Internet safety Lunch

Electives

Wednesday

2/15

On-Campus

8:20

11:30

12:30

Sex Ed.; Internet safety

Levels

Group Activities

Cookout

$245.12

Winter jackets for outdoor

activities

Thursday

2/16 Teacher Work Day

No school

Friday 2/17

Monday 2/20 Mid-Winter Break

No school

Don’t forget HS Ski Trip leaves 2/21 at 1:05 P.M. !!!

College visit to Georgia Gwinnett College

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

We will leave at 7:45 a.m. and have lunch at the College

(cost of lunch is $6.25 or you may bring a lunch from home)

Please see Lori in the loft to sign up and get a copy of the college visitation form!

Visitation forms for this visit are due to Lori no later than

Tuesday, February 3, 2012

If you have any questions or concerns please call Lori Dasher at 678-250-5113 or email lorid@cottageschool.org

Looking To

The Future!

Mandatory Junior Parent Meeting

*Sophomore parents encouraged to attend*

Tuesday-February 7, 2012

6:30-8:00 PM in the RCC

Information To Be Covered:

*Planning for Senior Year

*SAT & ACT Testing Procedures & Registration

*Georgia College 411 and GCIS

*2 and 4 Year Colleges

*Vocational Rehabilitation

*Co-Op

We look forward to seeing you there!

TCS Counseling Staff

SKI TRIP INFORMATION

Feb 21st – 24

th

Please read the following information carefully in regard to this trip:

1. When you get to school on Tuesday, you will drop your gear off at the buses by the gym. You

will put your gear on your assigned bus. We will have 4 students (plus James) facilitating this

effort. Please remember that we have LIMITED space with 19 students. Please do not over pack

and pack in a soft duffle so that we can “CRAM” your gear. Anything that you need for the bus

ride (meds, pillow, $ for dinner, etc.) needs to be packed in a small carry-on.

2. After lunch (1:05pm) you are to report to the buses by the gym.

3. Please remember that you are responsible for meals this trip. Bring approximately $10.00 per

meal. (9 meals- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners)

4. We will have designated “meeting times” where everyone is expected to check-in with the

group. Please be prompt or risk the possibility of losing ski/board privileges.

5. Please use “the buddy system”- don’t go anywhere without your “buddy”. This is because we do

not want anyone to have an accident and be alone. We want everyone to be with another member

of the group.

6. No Smoking, No Alcohol, No cell phones – school policies apply during the whole ski trip. HS

exception of Tobacco policy: Smoking may be allowed only with parent and staff permission and

only by students who are at least 18 years or older. (You can pick up a permission slip in Ivan’s

office.)

7. In the houses, be respectful of others’ belongings and keep track of your own. You are expected

to be with the group, and couples should not be isolated from the group at any time.

8. There are double, queen and king beds in the rental houses. If you do not feel comfortable

sharing a bed, we suggest you bring an air mattress with a blanket and pillow or a sleeping bag.

9. It is each student’s responsibility to make sure that they have all of their work either re-

contracted or completed. Academics Sign-off sheet needs to be handed in to Ivan prior to leaving

for the ski trip.

10. If you need to contact your child, you are welcome to call the houses. There are two properties

and your student can reside in both of them based on the time of the day and the package that

they purchased. 165 Fox Run – 1-828-898-5985; 157 Creekside Circle – 1-828-898-3130. Please

send a phone card with your child if you are unable to accept collect calls, and you feel they may

need to contact you. Staff members will have cell phones in case of emergencies.

If you have any additional questions do not hesitate and call Ivan at 678-250-5110.

Attention All Seniors!

Congratulations to the following seniors on their post-secondary acceptances!

Trey Baron – Reinhardt University Jason Benator – Florida Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State University, Oglethorpe University, Embry-Riddle Griffin Boven – Andrew College, Beacon College Peyton Gomez – Clark Atlanta University Brendan Jagielski – Reinhardt University Janet Keller – Kennesaw State University Adult Inclusive Learning Jonathan Oakes – Drexel University, Roanoke College, Mercer University, Colorado School of Mines John Peaden - Johnson & Wales University and The Art Institute of Atlanta Kristina Tull - Young Harris College, Truett-McConnell College, Georgia Southwestern State University, Western Carolina University, and Reinhardt University.

The remaining seniors’ applications are still in process. Stay tuned!!

Senior Scholarship Awards 2011-2012

Please congratulate our seniors on their scholarship awards so far…we are so proud!

Trey Baron - Reinhardt University - $1,000 per year Jason Benator – Florida Institute of Technology - $10,000, Oglethorpe University - $7,000 per year, Embry-Riddle - $5,000 per year. Brendan Jagielski – Reinhardt University - $3,000 per year Jonathan Oakes – Mercer University - $17,000 per year, Drexel University - $13,000 per year, Roanoke College - $15,500 per year Kristina Tull - Young Harris College - $12,000 per year

If your senior has a post-secondary acceptance letter or has been awarded

scholarship money please contact Lori Dasher at 678-250-5113 or

lorid@cottageschool.org so we can share their accomplishments!