INTEGRATED NEWS Boulder Community School of Integrated Studies May 25, 2006 LEAD TEACHER REPORT Dear Parents, It is with great honor, and a healthy dose of humility, that I wholeheartedly accept the position of principal for BCSIS. The interview process was a one-of-a-kind experience. It was thrilling and challenging simultaneously. More than anything, however, it was an opportunity to sharpen my dedication to this amazing school and community. I want to start by thanking you deeply for your support and encouragement through this hiring process. The district's decision to bring forward a leader from the school to the role of principal is a strong affirmation of the success of our entire Shared Leadership model that has been in place for the past two years. In this sense, I view this decision as a shared celebration of the strength of our school, including the collective energy and heart of the parent community. The core of our successful, unique focus program is our exceptional faculty and staff. Their talent and intelligence creates the true magic that occurs every day in our classrooms. In this sense, I view this decision as a strong recognition of the powerful structure and collegial network of relationships that have developed for our teachers and staff. I am grateful to contribute what I can to this outstanding learning community. Throughout this entire process, I have been struck by the open-handed support from the district for our unique arts-focus program. The decision to hire a principal from within our community confirms that our program is both valued and supported by district leadership. Sabine and I have worked hard over the past two years to build a bridge of understanding between the school and the district. Although differences of opinion exist in any healthy organization, in reality the district has consistently demonstrated strong support for our efforts to bring art and beauty to the classrooms. District leadership recognizes that we have successfully integrated our unique Arts-Integration and Waldorf practices with the important standards and excellent curriculum programs required of all Boulder Valley Schools. My hope is that we all continue to build a bridge of understanding between our school and the district as a whole. I will continue to clearly communicate our program to other educators in the district so that assumptions about our school are reduced. Most of all, the district has faith in our ability to extend our unique arts-focus program to a more diverse community of students. Research and experience are showing that both low-socioeconomic students and ELL students benefit from practices we are currently offering. We have an opportunity to move forward with an open partnership with the district. When Sheri Williams joined the staff on Wednesday morning to announce my appointment, she expressed a genuine appreciation for the beauty we bring to the lives of children. She expressed that "we can no more afford to exclude beauty from our schools than to exclude diversity." She invited us to get on board and support the effort of the district to beautify the schools with a bond to improve the condition of the district's facilities and to destratify the schools with new programs for students who live in the neighborhood of BCSIS. We can make an important contribution to both of these district goals with our one unified voice. I am very excited about the work we have ahead of us. We will continue our shared decision-making model in order to benefit from the collective gifts and talent of our teachers, staff, and parents. We will continue to provide learning opportunities for the heads, hearts, and hands of our children. Once again, I am honored to play a key role in this important work, and I thank you for this opportunity. Phil Katsampes 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY THANKS The Party Committee would like to thank everyone who helped us pull off the 10th Anniversary Party on May 11. Many, many thanks to all the teachers, parent volunteers and students who made it possible. A huge thank you also goes to the local businesses who donated all that yummy food and drink! Next time you visit the following restaurants and stores, let them know what a great party it was. - Robyn Griggs Lawrence Ben & Jerry’s Breadworks Costco Casa Alvarez Eco-Products Efram's Illegal Pete’s Juanita’s King Soopers Masa Grill Mimi’s Cafe Safeway Wild Oats MARK YOUR CALENDAR June 7 (Wed) Ed Council meeting 4-5:30pm in the Library June 8 (Thurs) Last day of school for students June 9 (Fri) Teacher Appreciation Day -lunch will be provided to our teachers on their last day of the year July 20 (Thurs) Taste of the Season to Benefit BCSIS at Whole Foods, 4-6pm. Sept 9 & 10 (Sat & Sun) Parent Volunteer Work Weekend - help install playground equipment and plant trees NEWS AND NOTES Playground update The Playground Committee has been working hard in these last few weeks of school. Playground renovations are becoming a reality! A proposed timeline for the project could look something like this: JUNE - We are awarded the GOCO grant for equipment (everyone keep fingers and toes crossed) JULY - School District does some site work on the grading issues of the West playground AUGUST - Site work continues SEPTEMBER - Save the weekend of September 9th - 10th for a Parent Volunteer Work weekend! We will install some play equipment and plant trees. OCTOBER - District approved large play equipment installed professionally. NOVEMBER - Celebration!!! We have $6300 worth of Grocery Certificates to sell and are trying to get them all sold by the end of the school year. They are available in the office, and look for parents selling them after school some days. Sharon Tuck <>