~Wendell Berry, "Grace"

New in this week's Dragon's Fire

Join Seattle Council PTSA Director, Eden Mack, for a district 4 community meeting tonight (Dec 7), 6:30–8 pm to discuss issues facing our students and families.

This year has been a struggle for all of us, and more than ever CSCA needs your support for our Annual Fund drive. The CSCA seeks funds from families twice a year: the Annual Fund in the fall and the Auction in the spring are the primary ways the CSCA raises money. Last spring we had to cancel the auction because of the Covid-19 lockdown. This means that the CSCA has not raised any funds so far this year. While we're not physically in school, we use those funds to support our teachers and students in a variety of important ways. We know these are very challenging times for families, we ask you to give what you can.

Can't donate right now? That's okay! You can also donate anytime via the link on the school website. Or contribute by check or credit card using the form in the Annual Fund letter that went out last week.

Did you miss the Nov 9 presentation from Dr. Jason Kilmer on stress management, student anxiety and depression, and ways parents can help? You can still view the slide deck to see what Dr. Kilmer discussed. Dr. Kilmer is an associate professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington. Read Dr. Kilmer's biography.

This is a strange and unusual year. Volunteering doesn't look the same as before, but we need volunteers just as much as ever. While we don't need you for baked goods or in-person events, there are still many ways to help. Maybe you can even create a whole new way for us to do an event virtually or in a socially distant way. We need your time and creativity!

Please fill out the survey to indicate what events or types of events you are interested in being part of. We also want to know what untapped resources you have to offer (for example, special skills or expertise in an area of interest to students or parents). And who knows, maybe at some point we might want you to send in cookies again!

Thanks for participating in this survey. It will take all of us coming together to make this year a success for our students and community!

While it's easy to focus on all the things we can't do right now, getting outside is one of the things we all can do. And even better, there's lots of evidence that being outside is good for you! Here are some of the mental and physical benefits of getting outside:

So, the next time your teen is feeling stressed or stuck, suggest a walk outside. Among all the other benefits of being outside, walking has been shown to improve creativity. Just for kicks, check out these wonderful old words for walking. Then get out there and take a hike!

(Sources: Business Insider and Mental Floss.)

All immunizations available for children. Flu shots available for adults.

Meridian Center for Health

10521 Meridian Ave N

Call 206-296-4990 to schedule.

Yes! this wonderful tradition is still happening. We may not be able to offer you bagels and fruit, but we can still gather virtually and learn what our alums have been up to! TCS 11th and 12th graders, please join us via Zoom (Dec 16, 9:30 am) to learn what some of our graduates are up to in their post TCS lives. BYOCAB (Bring Your Own Coffee And Bagel).

Meeting ID: 868 1359 8736

Passcode: 334743

Please join us Dec 9, 5:30–7 pm for an evening of learning about how you can help your 9th grade student have a successful high school experience. We will discuss graduation requirements, homework and study strategies, college readiness and more! Read the flyer.

Or call in (audio only):

+1 206-800-4125,,565580431#  United States, Seattle

Phone Conference ID: 565 580 431#

The new ASB website is up! It includes up-to-date information on ASB meetings and events. There are also resources for clubs as well as students interested in joining ASB. (The Dragonwear submission form is on the "Upcoming Events" page for easy access.) We hope this website will be convenient for you and future students/families!

Because SPS will not return to in-person instruction during the first semester, the Jan 26, 2021 school day PSAT and PSAT/NMSQT have been canceled. While these are not required tests for college admissions, the PSAT and PSAT/NMSQT help students prepare for the SAT and are offered to all SPS sophomores and juniors. Read more.

The current plan is for SPS to administer the SAT to juniors on a regular school day, Mar 3, 2021. The SAT is offered to all juniors free of charge. No pre-registration is required. Questions about specific administration details should be directed to the testing coordinator at TCS. This plan could change to ensure that Seattle Public Schools meets all established health policies and protocols. Read more.

This year has been tough for many reasons and that toughness has been punctuated by our inability to convene for our beloved LGBTQ+ Families Dinner event. Know that we miss you all and that we are still dedicated to holding virtual space for our families! With this in mind, we share our new plan with you!

The LGBTQ+ Families Dinner Series is a virtual opportunity for people to connect across shared identities and experiences. Each event in the series is specifically intended for the group highlighted by the event. If you belong to more than one group, you are welcome to come to each event that aligns with your experience. 

Questions? Contact Brennan Ham, Health Education Specialist/Trainer, Health Education Department at brham@seattleschools.org.

Youth in Focus is excited to announce a new free 18-week career-connected learning program for BIPOC students interested in creative career fields. This creative cohort will combine photography, graphic design, and creative direction with mock interviews, portfolio development and more. We are partnering with Seattle-based outdoor recreation retailer, evo, to complete professional projects and provide hands-on experience with professionals in the industry. This program is offered to students free of charge. Participating students receive a $1,200 stipend and all materials/equipment are provided during the program including a camera, laptop, and digital editing software. Open to 8 BIPOC students aged 15–19. Program runs Jan 11–Jun 11, 2021, Thursdays 4:30–6:30 pm. (Session 1 is virtual to ensure student and staff safety during COVID-19. As soon as it is safe, we will resume in-person programming at the Youth in Focus studio.)

Deadline for interest forms: Dec 11 (candidates notified by Jan 4, 2021)

Are you a high school sophomore or junior interested in becoming a professional pilot, air traffic controller, airline dispatcher, or airport or airline manager? If so, then you and your parent are invited to Aeronautical Science Pathway (ASP) Info Night, Tue, Dec 8, 6 pm. (remote). Join us for a presentation and Q&A about how you can join the 2021–2022 ASP class to jumpstart your career in aviation. Read more about the program.

RSVP by completing the student inquiry form and indicating that you are able to attend. A link to the video conference will be distributed via email the morning of Info Night.

Free two-year college program offered in Seattle Colleges with 130 programs to choose from. Learn more about Seattle Promise and apply! If you have any questions, contact TCS Seattle Promise Outreach Specialist, Ms. Savannah Daniels (she/her):

The bulletin shows scholarships with a due date in Nov or Dec. See Naviance for a comprehensive scholarship list with due dates beyond Dec 2020.

Learn about the world by living in it! Amigos International provides volunteers ages 13 to 22 the safest, most authentic service and immersion experiences in Latin America and the United States. Living and working in a new community gives you the chance to improve your Spanish, make an impact, gain confidence, and build leadership skills. You'll get to see the world in a truly unique way.

About Scholarship is offering a $1000 cash scholarship to support students during COVID-19 so they can continue their education. Any student currently enrolled (during the 2020 school year) in an American high school, college, or university may apply. Simply fill in our short application form—no essay required. Winner(s) will be announced once the scholarship application deadline passes. Deadline: Apr 30, 2021.

The Washington Youth Academy's mission is to provide at-risk youth a quality education, positive values, and life and job skills training that will change their lives and give them hope and opportunity for a new future. This is a free life intervention, credit recovery program that requires cadets to live in provided housing in Bremerton, WA for half a year. Any WA state resident can apply. The program is highly-structured with an emphasis on personal responsibility to provide a positive, safe, and secure learning environment.

TeenTutoring was created by a trio of students at Roosevelt High School to help other students succeed in the online school environment. If students need a little extra help or parents need a little extra time (for those elementary school parents), TeenTutoring.org is here for them. We have tutors available to help with a variety of subjects, and appointments can be booked online. Tutoring is virtual, using whatever video conferencing platform works for the student. All tutoring sessions are free.

Becoming a TeenTutoring tutor also offers an opportunity to earn service hours.

Instagram: teen tutoring_

Email: teentutoring20@gmail.com

Website: Teentutoring.org