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Table of Contents Page

Jacque’s Note 2 Community News 3-7 MS News 8-9 HS News 9-10

Senior News 11

February 25, 2015

Wednesday Packet

Important Dates/Information *MARCH AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM begins Monday. Be sure to submit your payment online or directly to the Business Office. PAC MEETING Thursday, February 26 8:00am CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION Saturday, March 7 9:00am-12:00pm

FOUNDER’S DAY CELEBRATION Tuesday, March 10 1:30-3:00pm

GLITTER – Back to the Future! Saturday, March 14 6:30-11:00pm TEACHER WORK DAY Friday, April 3 No School SPRING BREAK Monday-Friday, April 6-10 TCS Office Open

1. Please return your

re-enrollment contract

as soon as possible.

2

In the last few years we, in the Atlanta Independent School community, have lost two great heroes. Elliott Galloway and David Schenck, with the support of their wives, created educational safe havens for students who were unique learners before being a unique learner was cool. In the sixties, independent education across the nation was very tightly defined. The goals were often to create a homogeneous student body and mold the student into the image of a high achieving Ivy Leaguer. Curriculum was often based on the classics. Rules of comportment and well established routines/traditions abounded. Both Mr. Galloway and Mr. Schenck had other ideas. For Elliott, the classroom was to be comfortable and encourage creativity. There were already many traditional schools that fostered academic excellence. These schools advertised their excellence with formal uniforms and daily routines that followed a very consistent pattern. Elliot wanted to offer the same academic challenges to bright students, but with lots of room for their creative spirits, as well. He threw out the rules regarding dress code and experimented with more experiential teaching methods. His students were inspired to succeed because the excitement of learning was voluntarily welling up from their very souls. He encouraged comfort and acceptance, exploration and risk taking. He offered an alternative that changed the nature of independent schools in Georgia. And, by the way, he was one of the very first headmasters who came to visit our small newly formed school in the mid-eighties. He expressed his support for our mission and served as a mentor and encourager throughout our history. The educational world decades ago had no room for students who learned differently. It was a “One Size Fits All” approach and if your child did not meet expectations, then they lost out on the opportunities that an education provided. David Schenck saw a need to provide an excellent education for those bright students who struggled with reading. He understood that dyslexia was not a predictor of failure. He offered specific training that unlocked the abilities and talents of dyslexic children and opened the doors to the world they had been denied access to for so long. His staff and his methods changed the outcome for thousands of students throughout the years. His mild manner and collaborative style also changed the face of independent schools in Atlanta. Both men set out on a journey without a map or a clearly marked trail. They followed their hearts. They created schools committed to students, not statistics. They raised the standards for excellence in education for all schools. We miss them but the legacy both men so lovingly left will endure.

February 25, 2015

Jacque’s Note

BEST LAID PLANS

Thank you all for your patience in the chaos of yesterday! As you know, it is our

intent to allow each parent the leeway to determine if it is safe to travel on

inclement weather days. We do not delay opening as we know our parents who

work cannot delay getting to work. Rather than have a student sit home alone all

day or have the parent take time off to wait until school opens, we choose to open, if

we can, and leave the decision up to the individual families who are traveling from

all over the metro area. Yesterday, due to an accident on Grimes Bridge Road, our

plan was complicated! We certainly regret the stress caused by that additional

obstacle. All in all, our staff was able to get here. The vast majority of our students

made it on time or later. We enjoyed a full school day and all was well! My hat is off

to our parents, staff and students who did everything they could to keep things

organized, calm and safe! A stellar job!

SEARCH UPDATE

After many interviews and discussion, The Cottage School Search Committee for

Executive Director is pleased to announce our decision to narrow our candidate pool

down to two potential directors. Each is an excellent candidate that we feel

confident embodies the ideals of our program with an eye to continued success of

our community. You can expect an announcement on the final selection in the next

few weeks. Opportunities to meet and greet will follow the announcement.

The TCS Advancement Angle

News you can use to help raise money for The Cottage School

Do you think TCS is a great school? We do too! Post your opinions on

GreatSchools.org (http://www.greatschools.org/georgia/roswell/2073-The-

Cottage-School/) and let the world know! Prospective parents read this web-

site for honest feedback about schools. Let’s tell the world how invaluable a

TCS education is!

Its Not To Late To Give To The Key Annual Fund!

We know that in the hustle and bustle of life, its easy to over look

your Key Annual Fund donation.

You have till May 31, 2015 to make your

donation. Click here to donate today!

Thank you to all who gave to

Georgia Goal 2015!

Your contributions will make sure that

more students can attend TCS and benefit

from the educational and life skills they

receive every day.

Remember! It’s Re-enrollment Time!

The TCS staff is busy creating the foundation on which our annual program-

ming depends. As you know, a major component in this process is student

enrollment. Since we tailor such a large portion of our program to the in-

dividual student, we need to know for whom we are planning.

Please return your re-enrollment contract and fee to Sandy McKinney at your earliest

convenience. If you did not receive the original email containing your contract or if it has

been misplaced, please contact Sandy at sandym@cottageschool.org.

We look forward to a continued partnership as we work together to build a successful future

for your student.

DON’T FORGET!!!

BRING IN ITEMS FOR YOUR HOMEROOM’S GLITTER BASKET THIS WEEK!!

Your student’s homeroom teacher can

tell you your “basket theme” if you don’t already know what it is.

We will auction off all beautiful gift baskets at Glitter on March 14th and

it will be TOTALLY AWESOME!!

Also, don’t forget to send in your RSVP!!

PAC PICKS THIS WEEK

BOXTOPS FOR EDUCATION

We're collecting Boxtops for Education. Bring your Boxtops to your Homeroom this week by Thursday, February 26th. Don't let them expire! Don't have time to count and clip or check expiration dates? Don't worry, just send them in

and we will get them counted, clipped and bundled.

PAC BREAKFAST CLUB

The Breakfast Club will meet this Friday, February 27th right after carpool. We'll be having an informal gathering at Thumbs Up Diner. Hope you can join

us for breakfast!

PAC MEETING

Our next PAC meeting is Thursday, February 26, at 8:00am. We're meeting in the conference room at the Admin Building. This is a great way to get involved

at TCS!

CAMPUS

BEAUTIFICATION Spring is right around

the corner and we're gearing up for Glitter.

Let's clean up winter and get our great campus ready to show

off! Come join us on Saturday, March 7 for

Campus Beautification Day from 9a – 12p! We would love your help.

Even if you can only make it for an hour!

Summer is almost here…

Wondering how your students

can fill their days? Want to

know about the best camps?

Please visit the

Summer

Opportunities

Display in the

Media Center

MS March Activities

DATE Activity TCS$ Things to bring

Friday

3/6

Off Campus

Lazer Tag $215.76 All students going off campus must bring a sack

lunch unless pre-ordered through the lunch

program. There will not be microwaves. Students

are allowed to bring money for a snack bar and

arcade games.

Friday

3/6

On Campus

On Campus Activity $210.80

Friday

3/6

Academics

Academics $223.20 Academic Materials

*Remember to bring an independent reading

book if you complete your work early.

Tuesday

3/10

1:30-3:00

“Footloose”

Founder’s Day Dance

The Cougar Center

All school dance in the Cougar Center to

celebrate The Cottage School’s 30th

Birthday!

Friday

3/13

On Campus

Clubs $210.80

Club Materials

Friday

3/13

Academics $215.76 Academic Materials

*Remember to bring an independent reading

book if you complete your work early.

Monday-

Wednesday

3/23-3/25

8th Graders Observe

High School Classes

On an assigned day, students who have returned

contracts will observe classes at the high school

and then have lunch with a high school buddy.

Friday

3/20

Off Campus

Hiking-Red Top

Mountain

$215.76 All students going off campus must bring a sack

lunch unless pre-ordered through the lunch

program. There will not be microwaves.

Students will need to dress accordingly for

the activity.

Friday

3/20

On Campus

Spring Activities $210.80

Friday

3/20

Academics

Academics $223.20 Academic Materials

*Remember to bring an independent reading

book if you complete your work early.

Thursday

3/26

On Campus

“Masquerade!”

Middle School Sock Hop

7:00-9:00 PM

$210.80

($10 cash) Flyer with additional information will be posted

in the next Wednesday Packet.

Friday

3/27

Academics

Academics/

Campus Beautification

$223.20 Students who earn Academics will be allowed

to attend the dance but will need to come to

school on Friday, March 27th.

*Remember to bring an independent reading

book if you complete your work early.

MS February Activities

DATE Activity TCS$ Things to bring

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.

HS FEBRUARY PAYOFFS

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

“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 Wednesday 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

Congratulations to the Class of 2015

on their acceptances and scholarship awards to the following

post-secondary programs!

Austin Baker: Andrew College

Asa Branch: Fort Valley State University, Alabama A&M University

Diego Cervantes: Culinary Internship

Courtney Connell: Kennesaw State University, The University of Alabama, Columbus State University,

University of North Georgia & Georgia Southern University.

Mary Anna Faulk: Coastal College of Georgia

Will Hall: University of West Georgia, University of Mississippi - $6,000 scholarship, Louisiana State

University, Georgia Southern University, University of Alabama, Valdosta State University & Auburn

University

Zak Kitzler: Hood College - $60,000 scholarship, Young Harris University - $52,000 scholarship & Eckerd

College - $68,000 scholarship

Alex Lee: Southern Polytechnic State University, Reinhardt University & Wingate University - $64,000

presidential scholarship

Noelle Mace: Kennesaw State University Academy for Inclusive Learning

Ethan Menaker: Georgia College and State University, Kennesaw State University, Elon University,

George Mason University - $32,000 scholarship, High Point University - $40,000 scholarship

KJ Powell: Piedmont College - $36,000 Piedmont Pride scholarship & $2,800 Georgia Tuition Grant

Kyle Simon: KSU Academy for Inclusive Learning, College of Charleston REACH

Noah Storm: Green Mountain College & Colorado Mountain College

Joseph Thompson: CAPStone Program

Victoria Wood: Coastal College of Georgia