"New Dawning of Hope"

by Dr. Barbara Casey

inspired by Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem

New in this week's Dragon's Fire

From Mr. Alex's beginning drawing and painting class.

Join us this Tue, Jan 26 for a General/Parents and Guardians meeting. The meeting will be held via Zoom from 6:30–8:30 pm.

We are so excited about 2021 at TCS! While this is the time of year when we normally gear up for our big annual community event, the Center School Auction, we all know that large gatherings are a no-go these days. But we also know that our students are relying on us to fundraise so we can enrich their high school experience. Our students are working hard, and we are not going to let them down!

There may be a pandemic, but the Auction Team has gotten creative. We're planning some community celebrations and fundraising events, and we need volunteers. There are lots of ways to help. Can you help us plan an event? Can you host an event? Can you provide supplies or make a donation so we can buy the supplies for an event? Do you have a fundraising idea you’d like to share with us?

Here are some of the ideas we're considering:

Do any of these sound intriguing? Want more info on how you can help, in ways big or small? Email Rosina at RosinaAuction@gmail.com.

And finally, in the past we have been able to offer a weekend or even a week in a vacation home as an auction item. In 2021, many families will be looking forward to a safe change of scenery when that is possible. If you have a vacation home available for a weekend or a week, please email Angie at auctionprocurementtcs@gmail.com.

Covid-19 testing is available for all students, staff, family, and community members in this outdoor event from Neighborcare Health and Seattle Public Schools. Everyone is eligible to receive a free test regardless of insurance or immigration status. We will bill your insurance if you have it, but will not charge a fee if you do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover testing. On-site interpretation services available through phone. Tue, Feb 2, noon–4 pm

at Madison Middle School (3429 45th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116). Questions, please contact:

Neighborcare Community Access Team at 206-333-2524.

The end of first semester is right around the corner (Jan 27). Students, if you are receiving below a C- in any of your classes, please communicate with your teachers for support in raising your grade. Any grades below a C- at the end of the semester will be converted to an “I” for Incomplete. Students will have one semester to work with their teacher to create a learning plan outlining the expectations to change the “I” to a letter grade above a C-. If students do not fulfill the expectations of the learning plan after one semester, then the “I” will remain on their transcript, and they will not be able to convert the “I” to a letter grade. Parents can assist their students with being successful by helping create a daily schedule for class time, homework, leisure, and sleep. Thu, Jan 28 is a day off. Second semester begins Fri, Jan 29.

Tenth and Eleventh graders, if you are interested in Running Start for the 2021–2022 school year, please attend the Running Start Information Meeting via Teams on Wed, Mar 10 at 12:30 pm to learn about the program and the application process. Parents are welcome to attend.

Interact is a service club for youth ages 12—18 who want to connect with other young people and have fun while serving their communities and learning about the world. Clubs, which meet at least twice a month, are sponsored by local Rotary clubs. Interact Club is an excellent way to get involved in your local community while completing your 60 service hours required for graduation. Join us on Mon, Feb 1 at 12:30 pm via Teams to learn more.

Seattle Public Schools is committed to building a Black Education Program in response to the insights and asks of Black students, families, and community across SPS. This program will be for student credit and will be led by SPS’s community partners and staff across departments. SPS has developed a Black Studies US History A and B course that we will begin offering second semester of the 2020-21 school year. The course will focus on the Black/African American experience from a national and global perspective. This includes, but is not limited to African History, American History, Critical Race Theory, American Enslavement, Black/African American-led social movement, Black/African American social autonomy and economic development, Black/African American Innovation, as well as Black/African American leadership nationally and globally.

This course will count for the 11th grade US history requirement. The second semester course will be a district-wide offering that will be available before school (0-period) or after-school (8th period). It will count for US History 11B and we will prioritize enrollment for interested students who need to meet that credit. Online registration for the second semester course is open now. Priority will be given to 11th graders who respond first. Read the Black Studies FAQ.

For more information contact Manal Al-ansi at maalansi@seattleschools.org and Caleb Perkins at cbperkins@seattleschools.org.

SPS is facing turnover in two key leadership positions:

Check the Career Center page for more information. Questions? Contact Mr. Rho at ewrho@seattleschools.org.

Seniors, please join the Seattle Promise student panel Jan 22 during Mr. Greenberg's MASH (1–2 pm). You’ll meet former TCS students and hear their experiences as Seattle Promise students. We will also be having workshops on completing the Seattle Promise Application and Admission Application before the Feb 1 deadline.

January Scholarship Bulletin is here! There are a variety of scholarship opportunities.

Join Larry Davis and Steve Gill for a webinar focusing on what you can do as an advocate for your student in these unusual times. Key areas of this presentation will be:

COVID-19 has affected Seattle residents in many ways. Many people, including older adults and families, are facing tough times due to job loss. The City of Seattle can help people who are struggling to pay their electricity and utilities bills. Read more.

Seattle Public Library has retooled itself as a robust online community resource. Check out its many offerings for high school students, including academic support, projects, learning guides, and mental health resources.