from "Try to Praise the Mutilated World"

by Adam Zagajewski

New in this week's Dragon's Fire

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.

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

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.

Seattle University offers academic, credit bearing, high school summer programs. SU’s Summer Business Institute is an Albers School of Business & Economics program focused on social entrepreneurship. The program provides high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship, marketing, data visualization, accounting, economics, and more while gaining exposure to university life in the Seattle area. Scholarships are available. Application deadline is Mar 30, 2021.

Northwest Folklife, in collaboration with the Office of Economic Development and the Office of Arts and Culture, has developed a pilot internship program that provides paid internships for Seattle’s young creatives. Internships are catered for youth ages 16–25 from a variety of Seattle communities. These internships range from 12 to 24 weeks long and give youth hands-on training in various creative fields. Interns will work 12–14 hours weekly at their internship sites, and 1–2 hours with Northwest Folklife. Internships available:

Preparing a diverse pipeline of community-minded students with the leadership training they need to be successful in the workforce is vital to B of A's approach to responsible growth and helps build thriving communities. Every year, through our Student Leaders program, we help connect 225 community-minded high school juniors and seniors to employment, skills development, and service. Students are awarded paid summer internships with local nonprofits such as Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity and participate in a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C. The Student Leaders Summit focuses on skill-building and creating a more civically engaged society. The 2021 Student Leaders application period is open until Jan 31, 2021. Learn more about locations and eligibility criteria.

Teens In Public Service is a not-for-profit dedicated to developing future leaders committed to their communities. TIPS selects teenage leaders ages 15–19 for paid community service internships and pairs them with charitable organizations over the summer. Internships offer teens practical work experience, an understanding of ethical leadership, and a venue to put their values into action. Applications are due by Mar 5, 2021.

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

The College Success Foundation’s scholarship application cycle has begun. Applications will close Jan 31, 2021. Read more and apply.

Pride Foundation scholarships fund LGBTQ+ students who have faced barriers, regardless of school, major, or GPA. We see leadership, and leadership potential, in students who show up for their communities and want to help find new, better ways forward. Since awarding our first scholarship in 1993, we have awarded over $6 million to more than 1,800 students in AK, ID, MT, OR, and WA. Pride Foundation has more than 60 scholarship funds available through a single application. Applications are due Jan 8, 2021. Read more and apply.

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. Apply here.

This event is a launching point for youth action and provides an opportunity for students from across the Puget Sound to share ideas and learn from others in the environmental community. A keynote will kick off the event; then, participants will take part in three round-table discussions centered on environmental topics. Discussions are moderated by a professional from the environmental field. Afterwards, we'll enter a town-hall style reflection to share ideas and actions that address these environmental issues. This year student selected table topics will include: waste reduction, climate change, marine health, environmental justice, plastics, and much more.

The summit is for students grades 8–12 and will take place Jan 20, 2021, 1–3:45 pm. Registration deadline is Jan 15, 2021. Read more and register online.

Skyhawks Sports Academy needs exceptional youth sports coaches to lead youth sports classes and camps for ages 4–12. Read more and apply.

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