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A CSCA Publication

What's HOT the week of June 13, 2022

This Is Your Chance

by Jill McDonough

English Composition at South Middlesex Correctional Center.

Julie reads out loud, and I praise her super thesis, then show

how her paragraphs veer away from it, just summarize.

And is she pissed! Too pissed to listen when her classmates try

to help. Amanda offers Act 2 Scene 1—"Now I do love her

too"—as evidence of Iago's state of mind. But Julie's

shutting down, frowning at her handwritten draft, writing

that took her weeks. Hey Julie, I say. Julie doesn't look up.

Says What. Says I hate this stupid paper now. So I say

Hey Julie. Amanda's helping you—write down

what she's saying. She says I'm aggravated. I think

they take classes on naming their feelings. I say I know it

but you need to pull it together, or you'll end up screwing

yourself. This is your chance. We're all quiet, breathing

together, willing her to break out of this. Then:

a little miracle. I look around the room and see

that everyone is beautiful. Each did something special

with her hair. Hey, I say, again. I say hey a lot in prison.

Hey wait a minute. What's up with everybody's hair?

Mabel got a haircut. Ellie's hair is long and black and gleaming

down her back, Amanda's in French braids. Julie's freshly

blonde, down to the roots. You guys all look great!

They laugh. They're happy I noticed.

Thank god I noticed; now, for a minute, we

are women in a room, talking about their hair. Julie says

Amanda did her highlights, and Sandy blew it out. Good job, guys;

she looks great. And then I say, Julie. Look at you

all pissed off over your paper when you're so lucky!

Look at all these good friends you have. Helping

with your paper, doing your hair . . . She nods.

She looks me in the eye, back with us, back on track.

I know, she says. I need to work on my gratitude.

Congratulations Class of 2022!

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters

compared to what lies within us."

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thank You Teachers and Staff!

It's been a long, tough year. We are so grateful for all the work (academic, social, emotional) you all put in to keep our students coming to school and moving forward. We hope you are all able to chill and recharge this summer.

New In This Week's Dragon's Fire

• Welcome New TCS Families
• New Date for Final CSCA Meeting
• 504 Plan Families, It's Your Chance to Weigh In
• Skills Center Summer Program: Apply Now
• Looking for Summer Service Opportunities?
• Lots of New Summer Opportunities on the Bulletin Board

Welcome New TCS Families!

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the orientation and family social on Jun 9. TCS is a school that was started by parents to serve the unique needs of our unique kids. And it does. But that depends on the support of our community. Please take a moment to join the CSCA (Center School Community Association), our version of a PTSA. Let us know if you can help by serving on the board or a committee or just lending a hand now and then. If you can't do more, please attend our monthly board meetings (all community members are welcome) and periodic family meetings to connect and learn about what's happening at school. Have a great summer and we'll see you back in the fall for a fabulous school year!

New Date for the Final CSCA Board Meeting

We have moved our final board meeting of the year to this Thu, Jun 16. Everyone is welcome to join us at the meeting. Look for the invite in your inbox 48 hours in advance.

School Day Schedule Changes

Week of Jun 13:

504 Plan Families, It's Your Chance to Weigh In

Does your student have a 504 Plan? Now is your chance to give feedback at the federal and local levels. Please weigh in to improve educational access for all students.

Federal: The US Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has announced that it intends to propose amendments to the Department’s regulations at 34 C.F.R. pt. 104, implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. As part of this process, OCR is seeking written suggestions from the public about how best to improve the current regulations. It would be appreciated if longer and more detailed comments were submitted by the end of June 2022, but all comments submitted prior to the issuance of any notice of proposed rulemaking will be reviewed. Click here for instructions and cautions for submitting comments.

Local: Seattle Council PTSA is hosting a number of drop in Zoom sessions for families to share their thoughts and experiences. SCPTSA will then pass that feedback along to OCR. There is one remaining drop in session this afternoon (Jun 13), 2–4 pm.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://waoeo.zoom.us/j/835491050

Meeting ID: 835 491 0500

One tap mobile + 12532158782,,835491050 0# US (Tacoma) Find your local number: https://waoeo.zoom.us/u/kkrCXfOnM

Skills Center Summer Program: Apply Now

The Seattle Skills Center prepares students for college, career, and life through advanced Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses with introductory versions of our school year career-connected classes at several locations around the city. Students can take classes like Maritime Vessel Operations, Careers in Education, and Construction Trades. Check out our application for all the course offerings. All Seattle Public Schools high school students are eligible to apply for summer Skills Center courses.

Summer schedule is Jul 7–Aug 3. In-person classes are Mon–Thu, 10:30 am–3 pm. Asynchronous (independent learning time, like homework) work each class day, 8:15 am–9:30 am. (Two classes, Maritime Vessel Operations aboard the schooner Adventuress, and Launch206 Internships, have different schedules and other requirement. See application for details.) 

Summer Skills Center courses are open to all incoming 9th–12th grade SPS students

and are free. Students can earn 0.5 high school CTE credit for all summer Skills Center classes. All summer courses are in-person but also include asynchronous work that will require a laptop or other device. Students must attend class regularly and participate to earn credit. Transportation is not provided, but we can help you get an Orca card if you do not already have one

Learn more and apply at on the Skills Center website.

Watch a video about Seattle Skills Center.

Questions? Email skillscenterinfo@seattleschools.org.

Looking for Summer Service Opportunities?

SPS waived the service hour requirement for the graduating classes of 2021 and 2022, but that's not likely to continue as we are renormalizing. Rising seniors in particular should think about getting on top of their service hour requirement (60 hours), but summer is a great time for all students to get a jump on volunteer work. Check out these opportunities:

• Parent Map has a great list of service activities for teens
• City of Seattle can also connect you with volunteer opportunities
• Teens in Public Service
• Seattle Tilth
• Camp Fire of Central Puget Sound

SPS Summer Credit Recovery Program

Dates: Jul 6-29

Times: Mon-Fri 9 am-1 pm

Who: Current SPS 9-12 students who need credit recovery

What: Students will have the opportunity to recover up to 1.0 credits (two .5 credits) for graduation requirements. Courses will be provided through Apex Learning. Courses are supported by Seattle Public Schools’ teachers who will provide intervention, direct instructional support, and progress monitoring to assure on-time completion of the class. They will provide additional instruction to build and strengthen academic skills throughout the course.

Where: Roosevelt HS, Franklin HS, West Seattle HS

Classes offered:

• English: 9 A/B, 10A/B, 11A/B, 12 A/B
• Social Studies: World History 1, 2, 3, US History 11 A/B, American Government & Economics
• Math: Algebra 1A/B, Geometry A/B, Algebra 2A/B
• Science: Biology A/B, Physics A/ Chemistry A, Physics B / Chemistry B
• Health
• WA State History

How to Sign Up (choose one):

• Option #1: Families sign up through a survey that will be sent out by the district.
• Option #2: Contact Ms. Hayes at mrhayes1@seattleschools.org and let her know which classes you would like to take

Orientation for students is Jul 6 at 9 am. Students that have not received orientation will need to check in with the site lead at their building between 9 am and 12 pm on Jul 6. Laptops will be provided to all students on the first day of the program.

Learn more at SPS Summer School Information.

Senior Celebration

Please encourage your senior student to attend this inclusive, free event put on for them by parent volunteers from the CSCA and powered by our community’s generous donations! This will be the last all-class hang out, and it will be a ton of fun. Students will board the charter bus by 4:30 in the Memorial Stadium Parking lot after the ice cream social, post commencement. We will proceed to Southgate Roller Rink, where we will party from 5-8 pm. We will have pizzas and an open snack bar (free). For those not familiar with this rink, there are video games, pinball, and plenty of places to hangout and chill. There will be no student ins/outs at the venue. Please plan on picking up your student at 8 pm. If you need support with transportation or have questions, please contact (text preferred) Beezus’s mom, Shawna 206-696-4665.

Plan Ahead for the 2022/23 School Year

SPS has approved and posted key dates for the 2022/23 school year here. See the calendar on the SPS website. School will start Sep 7!

Internships for Teens

Looking for career oriented learning opportunities? See this list of internship opportunities curated by SPS.

Keeping Kids Safe: Connection Through Listening

Recent studies show a rise in the number of children attempting to take their own lives. The Washington Poison Center reports cases of self-harm or suspected suicide rose 37% in adolescents from 2019 to 2021. That number jumped 58% in patients between the ages of 6 and 12. For many parents of children who attempt suicide there's a common refrain — they didn't see the signs. KUOW’s Kim Malcolm talked to Dr. Kira Mauseth, co-lead of the Behavioral Health Strike Team at Washington's Department of Health, about why this is happening, and how to address it. Read more.

The Bulletin Board section publishes information about art, photography, film, theater, writing, and other programs and competitions outside of TCS that might be of benefit and interest to our students. If you know of an opportunity that our students might want to hear about, contact the Dragon's Fire at dfsubmitarticle1@gmail.com.

foundry10 & Short Run Seattle Comics Workshops

foundry10 is proud to partner with Short Run Seattle for a series of comics workshops leading up to the opportunity to exhibit at the 10th annual festival along with hundreds of independent comic, zine, and bookmakers from all over the world. Over the course of four sessions you will learn how to design, print, and sell your own zines, comics, and art books. Seattle has a rich history of independent publishing and Short Run Comix & Arts Festival is nationally recognized as one of the best of the smaller, alternative comics fests. Exhibiting with your foundry10 peers offers great experience for young artists to sell their work and interact directly with the public, and create new fans for their work. Participants choose which round of workshops to attend and post-completion will be eligible for the final month of drop-in only sessions.

Details:

• Must be ages 14–19 to participate
• There will be two rounds of the workshop, (4) two hour sessions, once a week, throughout Aug or Sep
• Oct sessions will be drop-in only, and open to those who have participated in the Aug or Sep sessions
• All applicants will be able to exhibit and sell their work at the festival
• foundry10 will cover all printing costs and table fees
• Participants will have the option to print 2 stickers along with their books

Important dates:

• Accepting applications until Jul 15
• First round of sessions is Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, 4–6 pm
• Second round of sessions is Sep 6, 13, 20, 27, 4–6 pm
• Drop-in days are Oct 4, 11, 18, 25
• Short Run Comix & Arts Festival (Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center) will be Sat, Nov 5, 10 am (set-up)–6 pm

Participants will have to sign all necessary media releases and paperwork to participate.

Apply now.

Everyday Unseen Youth Leadership Council

The foundry10 Artistic Design Team is excited to announce that our annual youth art gallery, Everyday Unseen is open for Youth Leadership Council applications again! This will be our second year having a group of emerging artists help form the vision and theme of the gallery. Apply now.

Vera Project is commissioning artists for an upcoming event! Design posters, t-shirts, pins, and buttons around the theme of "civic engagement". Artists will be paid by the piece. Deadline is Jun 19. Get more details and apply.

ACT Theatre Youth Programs

ACT Theatre is launching youth programming! Website and signup are still under construction, but if you're interested in participating in these new programs, contact Shana Bestock at Shana.Bestock@acttheatre.org.

The Seattle Artist League is a new art school in Georgetown. Our small class sizes and studio workshops provide hands-on education accessible to anyone who endeavors to make art a part of their daily life. Professional artist-instructors at the League teach drawing, painting, printmaking, and more. Summer youth art camps provide a variety of art opportunities, now including pottery. Learn more.

Reel Queer Youth Summer Camp (Hybrid)

Reel Queer Youth (RQY) is a video production and media literacy program for LGBTQ+ youth and allies grades 9-12. Brought to you by Three Dollar Bill Cinema, NWFF, and NFFTY.

During this week-long camp (Aug 1–5, 11 am–2 pm), participants will create a film using available media and tools, under the guidance of Reel Queer Youth facilitators and special film industry guests. We'll learn about different forms of filmmaking (narrative, documentary, experimental), and how story and identity can be shared through each. We’ll also cover planning a production, recording video and sound, and editing to create dynamic films.

Celebrate your story and connect with other young LGBTQ+ and ally filmmakers this summer! More information and registration.

PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival Call for Entries

Young filmmakers, the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival is now accepting video submissions from young filmmakers about the pressing social issues of migration, diversity, social inclusion, the prevention of xenophobia, and coexistence between religions. Learn more and submit. Deadline: Jun. 17

OneWorld Now’s Summer Intensive Language & Leadership Program

Students can study beginning Arabic, Korean or Mandarin Chinese. They will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and experience new cultural practices and traditions. They will also meet students from across the county.

Dates: Level 1A: Jun 27–Jul 8, Level 1B: Jul 11-Jul 22

Time: Mon-Fri, 9 am-1 pm

Location: Zoom

Eligibility: Any student in 7th-12th grade in the 2021/22 academic year

Cost: Sliding scale based on family size and income

Credit: up to 1.0 world language credit in just 4 weeks (equivalent to 1 year of study)!

Application deadline: Jun 5

Learn more and apply: oneworldnow.org/summer

TeenTix New Guard Applications for 2022/23 are Open

Are you interested in Community Building, Hands-on Experience, Teen Leadership, and Centering Youth Voices? Join our community of the next generation's arts leaders and help us create a more arts accessible arts scene for youth! Click here for more information and how to apply.

Y-WE Presents Black Girl/NB Summer

Carefully Curated Black and BIPOC Healing Spaces. For Us. By Us. With Us. This Summer Y-WE is taking our affinity programming to the next level and inundating Seattle with all Black everything. Brought to you by the creators of Blackout Healing, we will be curating awesomeness all summer long for Black girls, women, trans, and gender expansive humans ages 13-19. It’s giving joy, wellness, activities, vibes, and an opportunity to simply be in community. Everything is free and folks can sign up for as many or few programs or experiences as they want. Learn more and register here. Programs go from May through Aug!

LawYours: Diversifying the Legal Profession

LawYours is a free event dedicated to helping underrepresented Puget Sound-area high school students explore the field of law. This event takes place at Seattle University School of Law on Wednesday, August 10th, 2022. Register by Jul 1. Questions? Email vot1@seattleu.edu.

Skate Like a Girl Skate Camp

Community-led non-profit Skate Like a Girl proudly announces their annual Skate Camp offering, including camps at a variety of locations throughout the Seattle area! In addition to a diversity of sites, specialty weeks for GRRLZ, and Queer &/or Trans skaters, along with All Gender weeks, provide an experience for everyone! Partial and full scholarships are available, as well as free loaner gear for any skater in need! GRRLZ* WEEKS are an exclusive space for all girls, non-binary, and/or trans skaters ages 6-16, led by a team of women and non-binary staff and volunteers. All skateboarding skill levels are welcome! QT WEEKS are an exclusive space for queer and/or trans skaters ages 6-16, led by a team of queer and/or trans staff and volunteers. All skateboarding skill levels are welcome! Registration here.

Mural Painting Internship! (PAID)

Work with YES Farm, a local Black-led farm in Seattle, to create design and paint a colorful mural centered around farming, creativity in nature, land justice, and community! Click here for more information.

Listings in the Bulletin Board section for any specific commercial or organizational product, process, or service, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by The Center School or the CSCA.

Dragon's Fire wants to hear about what's going on in our school community. Please submit articles and images to Dragon's Fire by 5 pm Friday afternoon for inclusion in the next newsletter. Read our submission guidelines.

If you have comments, corrections, or additions to Dragon's Fire, please contact the editor at dfsubmitarticle1@gmail.com. We welcome your feedback!

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