The fall Open House is one of our most important opportunities to recruit new students. We have a few spaces open for mid-year transfers in the elementary classes, and we are now accepting applications for students in all levels for fall 2008. Full enrollment means lower tuition costs for everyone, as well as greater availability of financial aid for families in need. Current families can earn a $250 tuition credit for referring a new student who enrolls at C.S. To receive the credit, you must turn in a parent referral card to Victoria before the student applies.

      Please help us in our recruitment efforts by telling your friends about our upcoming Open House. Place flyers in your place of business, church, synagogue, local coffee house, library, etc. Give invitation postcards to your neighbors, friends and relatives. Flyers, invitations, and referral cards are available in the office. If you have any questions about the Open House or admissions in general, please give Victoria a call in the office. Thank you for supporting our extraordinary school!

Parents: Your children may be participating in some of the special events scheduled during our book fair at Barnes & Noble. Please see the attached flyer for a listing of special events and contact your child’s teacher if you have questions. All events will take place at Barnes & Noble (Valley View Mall). Extra book fair vouchers are available in the school office.

As the holiday season approaches, our parents often want to give their child’s teacher a gift. The teachers greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness, but ask respectfully that if families are so inclined, they please buy something for the classroom. Books are something teachers and children always enjoy, and the book fair is the perfect opportunity for some early holiday book buying for the classroom.

 Holiday gifts, birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, indulging yourself, etc. -- CS will get up to 25% of the value of everything you buy during the dates of our book fair. You can even use B & N gift cards and/or your

B & N Reader’s Advantage discount card when making purchases. Keep in mind that Barnes and Noble carries a whole lot more than just books:  CDs, DVDs, stationery, magazines, greeting cards, games, toys, puzzles, mugs, diaries, bulk coffee and tea, and on and on. Please note that you can order books now that may not be in stock, and, as long as you pick them up – using a voucher – during the dates of our book fair, CS will get credit for your purchase. 

The Middle School Choir is singing at the B&N book fair (Valley View) on November 17 at 10:00 a.m. Please mark this date on your calendar and let me know if your child will or will not be singing at that time. Also, for communication purposes, it would be great to build a list of parents’ email addresses, so I can get you information easily. Please send your email address to kimmuch@communityschool.net with your child’s name in the subject matter, and then you can receive choir information via email instead of paper. Thank you! Kim M, music teacher

 On Saturday, October 27, several members of the People of Peace and their families volunteered their time at Q99 and CHIP’s Pumpkin Fest, a fundraiser for CHIP (Child Health Investment Partnership).  The group donated $150 for prizes and worked from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. running carnival games and handing out prizes. Thank you to P.O.P members Amy R., Caleb A., Samantha S., Adeyla P., Sarah S., Molly D., Celine A., Austin M., Maggie H., Aidan W., Devin W., Keith Y., Brian S., Pete T., Alex T., Emily F. and Jay F.  A thank you also goes to the following family members and staff: Randy F., Debby M., Yasmine A., Moss S., Ruth Ann H., Beth R. and Pattie S. 

Caregivers of students with learning disabilities will meet to share strategies and tactics for helping their children on Wednesday, November 14. C.S. teachers Gretchen and Lucia will host the event for adults in Room 103, and childcare will be provided nearby. If your child has a diagnosed or suspected learning disability, please join us.

Please take a few moments to complete the website survey that went home with Quick Notes last week. Your comments are an invaluable tool as we redesign and upgrade the Community School site. For those of you who would prefer, the survey may also be completed online.

The Community School Board of Trustees is conducting a Food Drive to benefit area food banks and shelters. Non-perishable food items and paper products will be collected from now until Thanksgiving. Containers will be available next to the office for easy drop-off. Items most needed are canned soups, vegetables, fruits, tomato sauces as well as dried pasta and paper towels and toilet paper. Larger canned goods are preferred, but all donations will be appreciated. Our goal is to collect 500 or more items. Please consider supporting this project!

Our Lost & Found box is overflowing! Please remember to check for your child’s missing clothing, backpack, lunchbox, etc. The box is located outside, to the right of the office door. All items not claimed before the Winter Holidays will be donated to a local charity.