Dear TCS parents,

I am writing to let you know that we will be administering the Terra Nova Common Core Assessment for our 3rd through 8th grade studnets this spring.  This is a new endeavor for us, as we have never administered a group standardized achievement test at The College School.  This will be a great opportunity for your child to practice, and will also provide teachers (at TCS and beyond) with additional data to target instruction in the classroom.  The Terra Nova Common Core measures student progress toward national and common core standards in Reading, English, and Mathematics.  Terra Nova employs the latest advances in measurement technology and Item Response Theory to ensure that the data you receive is both valid and reliable.

The testing process will be Monday, May 13th and run through Friday, May 17th.  Please be assured that testing accommodations will be provided to any child requiring assistance.  No homework (or minimal homework – as per the Literacy teacher) will be assigned throughout the week.  I know you will make every effort to have your child arrive on time to school each day.  In addition, please be sure that he/she is well rested and given a healthy breakfast.  If you should have any questions or concerns regarding the Terra Nova assessment, please do not hesitate to contact me directly (lcd@udel.edu).

Thank you for helping us make this week of assessment a positive experience for your child.

Best,

Laura C. Dougherty

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On February 14th, our Special Events Committee helped TCS kick off their 2nd annual Healthy Heart Day. Students had opportunities to visit a variety of stations to learn more about how to live a healthy lifestyle. Some of our volunteers included: the UD Healthy HENS, UD Football, Jazzercise, Team Miller & DelPercio, and UD Nutrition. Topics such as recommended amount of
screen time, healthy food and drink alternatives, and exercise tips all added to an AWESOME learning experience for our children.

On February 21st, TCS didn’t skip a beat while our children jumped rope and shot hoops as active participants in our annual Jump Rope & Hoops for Heart event. KUDOS to all of those who took time to seek sponsorship and collect donations from family and friends.  TCS raised over $1200 for the American Heart Association.  WAY TO GO!!
Our hearts and minds remained healthy and
compassionate throughout the month of

Dine & Donate at Cucina Di Napoli
Take a break from cooking and enjoy a meal with your family, friends and other TCS families at Cucina Di Napoli Restaurant (76 E. Main Street in Newark). This is our first Dine & Donate event! Just mention The College School and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to us. No time to dine in?? NO problem! Just call in your order, (302-738-0373) as take-out is available. Choose lunch or dinner – either way TCS is the winner! Please help spread the word and mention this to your friends and neighbors. ALL proceeds benefit the students of TCS!

TCS COMMUNITY SERVICE:
REACHING OUT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE….

Sunday Breakfast Mission
On February 8th, Mr. Ray from the Sunday Breakfast Mission came to collect all of the warm clothing and coats donated by our generous families. He also thanked the students for their work making 200 sandwiches that were generously donated on February 1st. Once again, our TCS families have gone above and beyond with generosity….thank you!

On March 1st, students organized Hope Totes that will be delivered to the Sunday Breakfast Mission this week. Special thanks
to our Community Service Committee for organizing these outreach activities to help our surrounding community!
Blue Hens Read Across UD will “kick off” “National Reading Month” at TCS. Special guest readers will visit our
classrooms in the coming week. On March 1st, students had the opportunity to complete extra “AR” tests as part of Read Across America Day. Hopefully, we can all spend a little more time reading and less time in front of our
screens this month!

TCS After-School Programs
Currently, we have the following after-school programs set for spring:
Music Monday
Science Explorer Tuesday
Art Club Wednesday
Some parents have expressed interest in a Running Club or another type of outdoor sports activity. We are in the process of exploring staffing for a “Tuesday & Thursday Fitness” Club. Stay tuned!

UD Spirit Day this Thursday!
Support UD & TCS this Thursday, March 7th by wearing BLUE & GOLD!! Jeans & other non-dress code apparel will be
permitted on this day.
SHOW YOUR SPIRIT!!

DATES TO REMEMBER!!
* March 4th: “Read Across America”/Student Teacher “Solo” Week/Music Monday (Free Class)
* March 7th: Blue & Gold Spirit Day
* March 8th: Friday Half-Day (Noon Dismissal)
* March 11th: Cucina Di Napoli~ “Dine & Donate”
* March 15th: Student Teacher’s Last Day
* March 18th: New Student Teacher Placement Begins/ Used Book Sale (ALL WEEK!)
* March 22nd: Progress Report Conferences (No School for students)
* March 22nd through April 1st: TCS Spring Break

Summer Camps at TCS:
With summer right around the corner, it’s time to think about how your child will spend his/her time off. Consider signing up for Robotics, Multimedia, or Jump Start to September camps right here at TCS. Just go to our website to register:
www.summercamps.tcs.udel.edu

Click here to download the Early March Newsletter.

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During the next few days, you may notice your child has an added interest in reading books. Why?

As the kick-off event for our Read Across America Celebration of reading, your child is preparing to take part in a nationwide challenge called Read The Most From Coast To Coast set for Friday, March 1, 2013.

This national celebration of reading challenges students at all grade levels to join together and break the record for the number of Accelerated Reader^™ Quizzes taken in one day. The record to top this school year is an amazing 3,581,992 quizzes. Our school is among thousands of U.S. schools that will help top this national record.

You can join in the excitement by encouraging your child to read even more on the days leading up to the big event. You can further your involvement by reading with them, discussing books and authors, and asking what quizzes they plan to take on “Read The Most From Coast to Coast” Day.

All students who take an Accelerated Reader Quiz on March 1, 2013, will be eligible to receive a “Certificate of National Participation.”

Thank you in advance for helping your child prepare to take part in this fun event and shared challenge designed to accelerate learning on a national level. If you like, you may track national progress on the big day at www.renlearn.com/readthemost and on your website at www.collegeschool.udel.edu.

Sincerely,

TCS Literacy Teachers

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Dear Parents,
As we enter 2013, we want to thank you for entrusting us with the educational and social development of your child.  Our teachers and staff remain committed to give our students the quality attention and instruction that they SO deserve.  We wish your family happy, healthy, and prosperous days in the New Year ahead!!
In Kindness,
The “TCS” Staff

Our 19th annual Talent Show, “LET IT SNOW TALENT” attained RAVE reviews!  TCS students, Jillian, Max, and Dominick set the tone and charmed the crowd as this year’s emcees.  Our change of venue to Mitchell Hall’s Little Theatre was a beautiful setting to watch our performers come alive on stage!  Congratulations to every child for exhibiting confidence, talent, and most importantly the spirit of support for one another.  I am SO proud of the cohesive efforts our students put forth to make this year’s show another success!!  Thank you TCS families for being such a supportive audience!!

What an incredible achievement to hold our first annual holiday fundraiser for The College School!  Thanks to the dominant leadership from Donna—–Kyle’s Mom and Sally-­‐-­‐Ryan’s Mom, our fabulous (tireless) Fundraising Committee raised over $3,000 for TCS!!  The incredible outpouring of love and commitment from our parents was TRULY amazing to watch, as 18 beautiful gift baskets and 10 silent auction items came to fruition in less than 2 weeks!!  TCS is truly grateful to all of our families who made contributions to this amazing event!!  We will inform you of our purchases towards new playground and athletic equipment in the coming month.

Our Scholastic Book Fair in late November was another successful fundraising event!  Because of YOU we were able to earn cash to purchase new books and literature for our Literacy Link and classroom libraries.  A BIG “Thank You” to all of our parents who helped with set‐up, break‐down, publicity, and sales throughout this busy week.  Your assistance was crucial to the success of this event!!

Thank you to Sue (Lizzie’s Mom) who continues to keep our Hot Lunch desserts flowing in every Tuesday!  And, kudos to all parents who have volunteered time to bake and/or purchase items for our children. They TRULY look forward to these Tuesday treats!! “Shout Out” to Pasquale & Darla (Filamena’s Dad & Mom), owners of Trattoria de Napoli who make sure our pizza is delivered “piping hot” every Tuesday!!

Click here to download the complete January Newsletter.

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Thanks for your support and see you on the 19th in Mitchell Hall Auditorium!

Listed below are the Silent Auction items:

**(Just added)  – Choice of one week at any of the Summer Camps at TCS – Camp offerings include: 21st Century “Robotics”, 21st Century Multimedia and Academic Skills Building.

 “Take Me Out to the Ball Game!” – Two tickets to a 2013 Phillies game located in the Diamond Club section.  Take your pick of several dates available to you and enjoy access to the exclusive Diamond Club, located behind home plate in the heart of the ballpark.

- University of Delaware Basket – This basket includes 4 UD men’s basketball tickets, a very nice classic tote from Vineyard Vines, and other items to help show off your UD Spirit!

-  Hand Knit Sweater and Hat – Handmade by TCS’s very own Christine Chapman.  This beautiful set is a must have for the chilly days ahead.

-  Holiday Cheer – There are lots of holiday goodies to enjoy and share with your family and friends.  The basket includes $20 in Amazon gift cards, $25 Starbucks gift card, Peppermint Arbonne Foot care kit along with lots of other holiday goodies.     

-  Stampin’ Up! – Complete starter kit to get you creating your own fun and creative projects.

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The College School is bustling this week as we prepare and practice for our Annual Talent Show.  Returning families know how special this event is, and for our families who are new to TCS this year, you will soon realize how much this performance means to the growth and confidence of the children.  It’s a morning that you won’t want to miss, so please plan to come and bring grandparents, family members and friends.

This year’s Talent Show will be held on Wednesday, December 19th at 10:00 AM in Mitchell Hall.  This is a change in location from previous years, so we want to be sure everyone knows where to go and park.  Below is a link that will take you to a campus map, marking the exact location of Mitchell Hall.  The building fronts on UD’s main Green, with the back of the building facing South College Avenue (Route 896).

Please check the following link for a map and specific directions: http://www.udel.edu/nationalagenda/National_Agenda_at_the_University_of_Delaware/Parking.html

The website above was made available just before the elections, when the Road to the Presidency speaker series was held in Mitchell Hall.  When reviewing the website, please pay attention to all the directions EXCEPT instructions for parking.

For our show, we are recommending that you utilize free parking provided by the City of Newark.  From December 16 – 26, the City of Newark is offering free parking at meters and in city parking lots.  There are quite a few metered spaces available along South College Avenue, Kent Way, and Amstel Avenue.  In addition to these free spaces, there will likely be open spaces available in the parking lot on Delaware Avenue behind Grotto’s or any other city lot along Main Street.  Obviously, these free parking spaces will be on a first come, first served basis.  If, for any reason, you choose to park in one of the UD lots, you will be required to pay the fee required.  The two UD lots closest to Mitchell Hall are indicated on the website map…..one on South College Avenue is the Visitors’ Center Lot, and the other is on Main Street in the Trabant Parking Garage.

Please feel free to call the office at 831-0222 if you have any questions.

We hope to see everyone next Wednesday at the Talent Show!

Marty McDonough
The College School
University of Delaware
459 Wyoming Road
Newark, DE  19716
(302) 831-0222

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If you know of a child struggling with math, or even one who really enjoys it, be sure to check out the Saturday Morning Math program at the Math & Science Education Center (MSERC). By providing problem-solving math activities, one-on-one sessions and computer activities, children in grades K-6 can learn to master basics or improve their skills. Enrollment for the Jan/Feb Session is open now.
For older kids, MSERC has partnered with the Department of Mathematics to offer UD Math Circle, an opportunity for students in grades 8 to 12 to discover and develop new mathematical knowledge. This is accomplished through a lecture and problem solving session every Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm. No fee or registration required.

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 On Friday, November 16^th, the EHS Department will present certificates and treat the children to a pizza lunch in honor of their wonderful participation in the Fire Safety Program.  ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16^TH, PLEASE SEND A DRINK FOR YOUR CHILD.  If he/she does not want pizza for lunch, you will also need to provide lunch, as usual.

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Click here to download the November Newsletter.

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I hope everyone has weathered the storm–I know many families are still without power–hopefully, this will be restored shortly.  Just to clarify…with UD classes cancelled for students tomorrow and the Christina School District closed, The College School and The Lab Preschool will both be closed on Wednesday, October 31st.  Our plan is to reopen on Thursday, November 1st.

Thank you….and we look forward to seeing your child on Thursday morning.

Best,

Laura Dougherty

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