CH Yearly Board Planning Meeting

2011-12 CH Board of Directors

 

Karl Vizmeg, Matt Haines, Heather Evans, Debra Didier, Michelle Crowly, Rachal Milford, Heather Shepherd, Einue Piper

Tonight we had the annual CH board retreat. As you can see the theme was the celebration of our 5 years of serving our children. The board for this coming year will be leaner than in the past. Three of last years board members are leaving: Deena Pyle, Angie Lylewhite and Greg Featherstone. We want to sincerely thank them for the incredible service they provided to our school. Unlike the picture shows this was a working meeting and below is the recap of the 4 1/2 hour "retreat".  It is a recap of our past year and our hopes and aspirations for the next.

Channing Halls fifth year of existence has been tremendous! The year started out with completion of the 4000 sf addition to the West side. Then we got IB certification, a beautiful annual giving brick walkway and the most successful fund-raising campaign yet. Internally, in the boardroom (library) the not so evident- but significant- accomplishments included streamlined meetings, important policy updates, an Annual report, and most importantly maintaining our financial stability. Indeed, we were even able to provide the teachers with a much deserved bonus after having their pay frozen the last few years due to the recession.

Now for the next year. Under the professional moderation of Kathy Gowans, the new board brainstormed the needs and goals for the next year. We identified the basis of our success so far- financial responsibility, governing by policy, adhering to our vision statement and commitment to the IB principles. These, obviously, would be the core we will continue to focus on.  But to continually strive to improve and provide more for our children we searched for further goals. This centered around encouraging more participation of our families in the learning experience of our students. The more parents are involved in their childrens education the greater the outcome- mentally and emotionally. To do this we will seek to improve our communication with the families so they know what is expected, what options there are and how to get involved. Parental involvement at school gives the message to our students that we care. If we show that we care what happens at school, they will care to do better.

We are looking forward to working with more parents on our committees and in the school. We hope to develop an informed community of responsibility, caring, and giving at Channing Hall.

Annual Giving Update 2011

THANK YOU! THANK YOU ALL!

We had the best and funnest Annual Giving Campaign at Channing Hall this year! This was our fifth year since opening our doors and we wanted to do something special to commemorate the anniversary. So we decided to give our front walkway a face lift by adding a beautiful brick pathway with MEANING! The pathway would showcase our families, businesses and children as part of our Annual Giving drive.

Here is the chronicle of the events as they unfolded.
Eunie Piper and her great committee of volunteers (Wendi Whittaker, Stacy Conologue, Alicia Riddle, Nicole Hawkins, Michael Stout, Monique James, Karl Vizmeg) spent hours meeting and planning the events, mailings and the multitude of details needed to under take the month long fund-raising campaign.

Then there was the planning and work to place the 22o feet of brick pathway. To save significant labor costs and to engage our community in volunteerism we decided to do the pathway ourselves. The preparation day on April 30 started out challenging after 3 inches of snow had fallen overnight! But most of the volunteers showed up and began to work in the mud and snow with a great attitude. (Volunteers: Mike Stout, Jeff Milford, Eric Whittaker, Eric Hacking, Sanford Barrett, Nicole Hawkins, Lynda Shen, Bo Xiu, Juan Rios, Stuart Zeeh and Karl Vizmeg)

Volunteers started working early in the cold snowy morning

Special Thanks to Mike Stout's in kind donation of Cameron Dirt Works Excavator, truck and Skidsteer

With all working almost nonstop for 10 hours the base was finally ready

The following Friday (May 6th) there was a great turnout to lay all the bricks
Over 240 bricks were engraved!

With a lot of work, dedication, caring and community from our Channing Hall families we were able to raise over $60,000. AND able to leave a pathway (both literally and figuratively) for our childrens future.

IB Primary Years Program (PYP) Certification- Achieved!

After many years of living and learning IB we have achieved certification! As many staff and students can attest it is not an easy process, but it is worth it! Our wonderful, thoughtful students prove it.

So what does this certification really mean?

The short answer is that we have implemented the IB philosophy successfully at our school.

The long answer is explaining what the PYP IB philosophy is. Here's a start:
The goal of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program is to develop learners who become inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and risk-takers who are knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded and well-balanced.

Can you see your CH child demonstrate the above characteristics?

Answering this question is the next step. We need to see and demonstrate the IB principles in our children. Then we will have a succeeded.

Implementing IB is above and beyond the core state curriculum and it takes dedication from everyone- teachers, board, staff, parents AND children- to make it happen. Through this our students will have the best opportunity become great citizens.

Thank you ALL, who so faithfully worked on accomplishing this goal.

EXTRA! EXTRA! GET YOUR BRICKS HERE!

This is the final week for annual giving. We have some sample bricks made up for you to get an idea of what you will get for your donation! They look really sharp and strong! They will leave a lasting impression-literally- for years to come! Come into the front lobby and take a look! Put your order in now! Fill in your donation forms and send them in with your students or drop them off.

Oh and your donation is not limited to just the brick costs, we are trying to raise money for YOUR school for YOUR kids to help THEM. There are no administrative costs in this fundraiser so all the money is going directly to benefit the school. There are not many charities that will give you such direct impact. Please donate to the best of your ability.

Thank You

5 1/2 in x 8 1/2 brick: $500


5 1/2 in x 5 1/2 in brick: $125 or 3 for $300

One Brick At a Time

Forget about politics, Forget about the legislature, Forget about taxes (for now), Forget your anger, Forget your troubles..... BUT

DO NOT FORGET YOUR KIDS!

As you must already know it is Annual Giving time and this year it's being built one brick at a time!

In a short 5 years Channing Hall has made incredible strides and achieved wonderful things. Most of it has been due to parents like you and I. From the parent founders to all the volunteers to our great donors, we have done wonders for our school!

Take the opportunity to stamp your name on our school and continue to build it one brick and one donation at a time.

Thank you for all that you've done.................

Happy Valentine's- Teachers!

A Valentine for my Teacher

Every day I come to school;
I spend a lot of time
Learning all the things you teach,
Which is the reason I’m
Sending you this Valentine;
It’s meant to let you know
I’m happy you’re my teacher
And I want to tell you so! Happy Valentine’s Day
To my favorite teacher!

By Joanna Fuchs

Cultural Awareness Family Night - Around the USA

Wow! What an incredible turnout there was for our Cultural Awareness Family Night, Thursday! The gym was packed with activity, excitement, learning and laughter! This year the Cultural Awareness theme was the USA. It was evident that there was A LOT of work put into the events this year! The planning committee; Michelle Crowley, Shauna Brown, and Sueann Fraga worked tirelessly for months to make it happen. But you could also see that there were MANY other volunteers involved. Also, the teachers and students worked hard to make some great exhibits and to help this great cultural experience happen. This has been a very successful event every year which is rich in IB elements of international mindedness and real life education! And it keeps getting better and better!

Here are some images of the great night:

Great Job of describing the fun stuff in our region!

What a yummy way to experience the rest of our country!

A look at the other side of the country and it's rich history

An example of our indispensable volunteers!

Entertaining and educational experience from the "Spirit Eagle Dancers"

The whole night was a celebration of our patriotism for our nation

THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPING, LEARNING AND ENJOYING!