New in this week's Dragon's Fire

Getting your flu shot is more important this year than ever! Schedule your drive-through flu shot appointment now! There are 12 locations in Seattle to choose from. Everyone over the age of 4 is welcome in a car or on foot. Please bring insurance information if you have it. There is no cost if you don't have insurance. An appointment is required. Please register in advance.

Join Mr. Alex and Mr. Chipps on Thu, Oct 29, 4–5 pm for an Animal Crossing virtual event!

Find links for the Teams meetings and Dodo codes for the Islands on The Commons channel. The Teams meetings are for students who are visiting our islands so we can chat. Students will need to be logged into their SPS accounts. Dodo Codes to our islands will be posted in the channel chat just prior to 4 pm.

This semester, 5th period Beginning Drawing and Painting will be partnering with the Vera Project for a month-long project exploring fiber arts, stitching, and watercolor as expressions of line, composition, and self-care art. This partnership will begin in-class on Tue, Nov 17 and end with a short period (due to early release for winter break) on Fri, Dec 18. During this time, each lesson will be led by Vera teaching artist Shannon Bodrogi, a specialist in fiber arts with me acting in a support role.

In preparation, Vera Project staff are preparing art kits for each student. We are planning an art kit pick-up event outside of the Vera Project on the Seattle Center campus on Sat, Nov 7, 11 am–3 pm with additional pick-up windows available until the Nov 17. We will create proper social distancing and provide some PPE. Please wear a mask to this event. To help with our planning, please (students and parents together) complete this brief survey. When taking this survey, please note for yourself (in your phone or calendar) which day and time you intend to pick up your art kit.

The Vera Project address: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109

Phone: 206-956-8372

Mr. Alex's phone number: 206-999-4257

SPS has delivered the first of three short "pulse" surveys to students and families asking about your experiences with remote learning. The feedback will be used to help TCS and the district monitor progress and make adjustments throughout the year to improve remote learning and supports. Students will complete surveys during synchronous learning. Parents and guardians should have received the survey via email last week. Please complete the survey to help improve learning for our students in this unprecedented time. If you have any questions, email SPS at research@seattleschools.org.

Graduation dates are available on the SPS website. TCS graduation 2021 is scheduled for Tue, Jun 15 at 8 pm. No further information is available at this time. Let's hope we can graduate in person!

Get the help you need navigating financial aid at one of our upcoming workshops:

The Seattle Promise Scholarship provides the first two years (up to 90 credits) of tuition, additional financial support for books, transportation, housing, and personal guidance for college success to those with financial need. Learn about the Seattle Promise Scholarship and how to apply for it at two upcoming workshops:

Upcoming Events:

Seniors and their parents are invited to attend one SPS's many upcoming financial aid events. Experts will be on hand to offer support with completing the financial aid forms required to access money for college. Multiple languages supported. Read more on the SPS College Preparation Events page.

Upcoming Events (all events are virtual):

More statewide events are listed on the flyer in English, Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, or Amharic.

Join the SPL's service learning program to gain job skills and earn service learning credit. Opportunities include being a Learning Buddy to help other students succeed in school or participating in Teen Service Learning to work on service projects with other teens. Service Learning will be held weekly on Mondays 4–5 pm, Oct 5–Dec 14 via Teams.

Be a pen pal with a resident at one of Merrill Gardens' many senior living communities in the Seattle area! Students can benefit from intergenerational relationships, contribute to the social and emotional health of an isolated senior, and earn service credits. Apply online.

Beverly Lackey loves working with kids: seeing their growth, witnessing the “Aha” moments, and watching them come alive on stage gives her the same feeling she used to get when she was on stage. “This is my jam,” she says of teaching.

After college at a small liberal arts school—Hendrix College in Conway, AR, known as the Ivy League of the South—she was accepted into the St. Louis Black Repertory’s Professional Internship program. The program involved a comprehensive theatre format, including assignments from the administrative, educational, and artistic departments. As an intern she traveled throughout the region, performing in touring productions at area schools, community centers, and other organizations. It was during the rehearsal process for a holiday show, an original play called The Christmas Story, where she met Charles Lackey, her future husband.

Ms. Lackey and Charles moved to Seattle in 1998 and have worked at many different theater organizations in the area. She started in company management, babysitting visiting artists at the Rep and got to meet all the stars. Then she moved into education. She has worked with Seattle Children’s Theater, Book It, ACT, SPT, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, Perseverance Theater in Juneau, AK, and the 5th Avenue Theater. She was first introduced to TCS in 2001 while subbing for a friend who was a teaching artist for Seattle Rep which had a partnership with the school. From 2004–2009, Ms. Lackey was a teaching artist at the Rep and taught Intro to Theater and Theater for Social Change, and also coached actors.

Ms. Lackey is excited for the opportunity to grow the theater arts program at TCS. She has set up her virtual classroom to be inviting by having music students have chosen playing when they enter. She has also established a partnership with Freehold Theater for this year and is helping develop an original student-written musical to be performed this winter. She loves producing and working on new works—new territory that has never been stepped on before.

Ms. Lackey is a Freehold Studio diversity scholarship recipient and is excited to enter this partnership. Freehold theater describes itself as “a destination where anyone with an inquisitive spirit can join in the celebration of the inherent risk of being human.” She wants students at TCS to be able to develop their resumes and follow their passions whether in a university program or by staying and building up the Seattle theater scene.

Ms. Lackey comes from a small country town called Natural Steps, Arkansas. She grew up with woods behind her house just like in Little House on the Prairie. She describes herself as a simple person, not complex, no piercings or tattoos. She has a beautiful fourth grade boy named Langston who goes to John Hay Elementary School. In her free time she likes camping, playing bocce ball, exploring the nature of the Pacific Northwest, and playing her ukulele (badly). She is a Seahawks fan and loves reading “nerdy” books about theater.

To join online, go to MemberPlanet. Click "View The Packet" and then follow the prompts to log in or to set up your new account. It's easy to sign up and there are a lot of great member benefits!

 A great way to feel more connected to The Center School is to join the CSCA Board! We need new people to fill positions that are still open.

If you'd like to volunteer contact Molly Goldman at molly.goldman@gmail.com.

TCS families are welcome at all CSCA board and parent/guardian meetings. Please join us via Zoom!

Upcoming meetings are posted in the Important dates section at the top of the Dragon's Fire and on the TCS website. Zoom links will be sent out via the Dragon's Fire distribution list prior to each meeting. See the list of dates for the full school year.

Amazon donates .5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the CSCA. Donations allow CSCA to fund the programs that make TCS the amazing place it is!

The Seattle Public Library has launched Tutor.com! Tutor.com has over 3,000 vetted expert tutors to help youth with schoolwork via tutoring and academic coaching in a variety of subjects in a safe and secure online classroom. One-on-one help is available in math, writing, science, history, foreign languages, college essay writing, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and more. The service is available 7 days a week, 2–10 p.m. in Spanish and English, and 4–7 p.m. in Vietnamese. Teens and adults can also use this service to get help filling out job applications and writing a cover letter and resume. Read more and connect.

Looking for a post high school career with a steady income? The US Army provides free training and skill development so you can launch the career of your dreams. Join us at the US Army Career Expo Nov 10 at 10 am to find out what the Army has to offer. This is a virtual event hosted by Northgate Army Recruiting. Register now.

AIGA Link is a Seattle-based program that connects high school students with art and design professionals through creative workshops. High school students are invited to join to participate in upcoming virtual workshops. The November workshop is printmaking with Fred Lisaius. Students must register to apply for workshops.