Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, all afterschool activities will be canceled this Wednesday, November 25th. There will be no Circus Arts, Instrumental Music, Basketball, or Aftercare. Thanks for your understanding!

We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We hope it is full of family, great food, some rest, and more great food!

This is a great time of year to step back and take a moment to be grateful for all that we have—to step beyond the daily grind or the daily stressors. In that spirit, I just wanted to express my thanks to all of you—students, families, and staff. City Neighbors is a special place, and one that I am grateful to be a part of. Seldom I have experienced a place where folks work in such partnership and, even in disagreement, work for the common good. And, seldom have I experienced a place that, amidst such hard and dedicated work, we have so much fun! Great fun, great work, and a great common cause (our kids). What could be better?

Enjoy the holiday. Rest up. We’ll see you all on Monday morning, ready for the next stretch until the New Year!

Starting last week, Lost and Found Items were placed in tubs on the ramp outside of Hightman Hall. All unclaimed items will be donated on Wednesday, November 25th.

We would like to invite all 8th graders and their parents to our first Annual Alumni Night. On this evening, we have invited our first alumni class to join us. During this one hour event, we will have an opportunity to hear about each of the students’ schools—as you begin to make final decisions about high school. And, we will get to hear about what should our 8th graders be ready for!

We hope you’ll join us for this first ever event!

Our first Community Conversation of the year will be held Tuesday, December 1st. The focus of this conversation will be religious diversity! This program, sponsored in partnership with the Maryland Humanities Council, is an opportunity for the adults of the City Neighbors Community to come together, read a text related to a topic of diversity, and engage in meaningful conversation.

As always, dinner will be served at 6 pm. The conversation will begin at 7. Lydia Woods, from the Maryland Humanities Council, will facilitate again. We have room for 15 adults (so please RSVP).

We would like to invite you to our third Parent Information Night of the year on Thursday, December 3rd from 7-8:30 pm. Parent Information Night, co-sponsored by the Organized Parent Group, is an opportunity for parents to learn more about our program and philosophy or to learn more about how to best support your child.

The focus of this Parent Information Night is “Inclusion”. Together, we will watch a documentary entitled “Including Samuel” and participate in a facilitated discussion regarding Inclusion. Please join us!

Middle School Elective Forms will be distributed this week. They are due on Wednesday so that new electives can be assigned starting on Monday!

Origami Lights Party
Saturday, November 28, 2009 12:30 – 4 p.m. at Tracy Holcomb’s home. Please stop by during this time for a half hour or one/two hours and fold boxes or assist with assembling lights. Your efforts really do count!

You can contact Tracy at Tracy.Holcomb – at – comcast.net or via her contact information in the CNCS Directory (Thank you Tracy for hosting this party and for all your kindness!)

Many of you have been folding the boxes (water bombs) to make the origami lights and we really do appreciate it. Here the latest:

1. Please drop all boxes made to date, in the Parent Room in the designated box starting today, 11/23/09
2. Any lights you can donate (even 1 strand) can be placed in the designated boxes also starting today. We really do appreciate you donations.
3. There is more beautiful folding paper and directions (of how to fold the boxes or water bombs) in the Fundraising Box in the Office. So please stop by and pick up more.

These treasured origami lights will be sold at the upcoming Creative Alliance Merry Mart on Sunday, December 6, 2009, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and we hope to see you there.

Capturing Memories (School Photo Day)
To the CNCS Families, Students, Faculty, Staff and Volunteer Parents thank you all so very much for the all the support on School Photo Day. It was a success and was implemented smoothly because of your cooperation, enthusiasm and participation (which is all a part of the City Neighbors Way). Again thank you and you will be receiving your captured memories as soon as they arrive at CNCS!!

GOLD CANYON CANDLE
Pick up date Monday, November 30, 2009, 3 – 4p.m. in Courtyard.

The warmth and sweet smell of candles will soon be yours. The candles will be arriving on Wed., however too late to deliver to each family. So on Monday, November 30, 2009 from 3 – 4 p.m. you can pick up your candle orders in the courtyard. Thank you all for your support of this fundraiser!

PROJECT 52: Small Decisions Make Great Changes Happen
We will be launching Project 52 on December 2, 2009. The details of how you can participate will be in the 11/30/09 Monday Mailer. Until then remember, Project 52! Small Decisions – Make Great Changes Happen!

Happy Holidays, the Fundraising Committee

The Annual City Schools High School Fair will take place Saturday, November 21, from 9-2 at the Poly/Western complex. This is an opportunity to get more information on a wide variety of public high schools and speak to representatives from each of the schools.

We highly recommend that 7th and 8th grade parents attend the fair, as this is a great opportunity to begin your high school decision-making process (7th grade parents and kids) or get those final pieces of information in your decision (8th grade parents).

If you have any questions, please contact Mike or your child’s advisor.

Starting Wednesday, items will be in tubs at the entrance to Hightman Hall. All unclaimed items will be donated on Wednesday, November 25th.