Champion Donor Plaque Updated

Channing Hall Donors over $500- 2009-2011

We have the plaque updated with our 2011 donors from the end of last school year. I like to see the trend of increasing names each year. The value that CH provides to our children is becoming more apparent by the increasing giving we are seeing.

THANK YOU ALL WHO DONATED!  (Check it out in the Lobby)

Everyone and every little bit makes a difference.

Let's keep up the trend for this year!

Welcome Back CHanning Hall Families!

It's time to kick off a new year!

We had a partial week of school last week to ease us all back to learning and teaching. The excitement is in the air and determination to make another great year is palpable! We had our first board meeting of the school year Thursday and are very excited for this year. As one of our board members said, "We've tackled major things over the last 5 years, but now we can begin fine tuning what we do." It is really true. We have a lot of small improvements planned that alone may not have the flash of a new addition or field but we hope will add up to a great year for our students.

We want to return focus back to the students. And to begin with we want to highlight some examples of our students. Last year we asked you to give us examples of how our IB attitudes are being reflected in your children's actions. We got tons of great examples that have to be shared. Here are a couple to start with and we'll try to bring new ones up often here on the blog. Let us know what you think, or please share your examples. After all, we are all about the kids here at Channing Hall.

RISK-TAKERS

"My Channing Hall student believed that she had been teased for something she truly loves and believes in while at school. That night she put together a talk about respecting others beliefs, tolerance and understanding. This was something she felt so strongly about that she wanted to talk to the class about it. The next day, with the permission of Miss Winnie, she presented her thoughts to the class. I wasn't there to see it, but I'm sure she did a great job and I am so proud of my little risk taker(she was so nervous)."

"My Channing Hall student is a great example of the goals being met and exceeded. When she is afraid and doesn't want to try something new (a new food or a new activity) I often hear her say "I am a risk-taker and I can do this". More often than not she is surprised at how good a new food tastes or how exciting a new activity like a huge waterslide can be. Channing Halls program has given her the best start for education and successful learning, that will stay with her throughout her schooling. I feel the IB Attitudes make the students at Channing Hall better people as well as courageous, responsible and aware citizens of the world. They are our future and the leaders of tomorrow and Channing Hall gives them the opportunity to be the best they can be. Thank you and keep up the great work."

"I was standing with a group of friends at a church-sponsored party recently when a woman I know walked up and said that she wanted to share something. My Channing Hall student had been hanging out with six friends in a corner of the gym where the party was being held. They'd just been introduced to a new girl in our neighborhood--a girl not of our faith and from another country--and had chatted briefly. The girl now stood somewhat awkwardly on the edge of the group when a man who was photographing the party in action asked the girls to pose for a picture. All of the other girls clumped together, leaving the new girl standing 10 feet away and no doubt feeling doubly awkward. My Channing Hall student had her arm around on of her friends just as the photographer was to take the picture but upon noticing the girl, she asked the man to wait a second and walked over to her. My Channing Hall student asked the girl to come get in the picture, but the girl shyly refused. My Channing Hall student then hooked the girl's arm through her own and walked her over to the group of girls. They all posed for a picture with huge grins on their faces.

The woman who told me this story then paused and said, "She had no idea anyone was watching her, but I saw it all. I just hope that one day my (younger) girls can be so caring. That was truly awesome to watch."

While my Channing Hall student is caring by nature, I believe the IB attitudes confirm and encourage her natural tendencies. I really appreciate that Channing Hall stresses the importance of being a well-rounded human being as well as great academics."

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.................