A Final Note from Liane Pace, Collegiate Kindergarten New Families Representative 

Summer is here…can you believe it!!!  Time flew by…how do we have ALMOST FIRST GRADERS -- "AFGs"!  

That was it - Kindergarten at Collegiate - wasn't it amazing!?  

So, here I am writing the last Kindergarten blog entry of 2014 to wish you all a fun, safe and relaxing summer, with admittedly a few tears rolling down my cheek.  It has been my pleasure and joy to have had the opportunity to get to know you and your children this school year.  I am very proud of our children, for becoming confident students, as they are indeed "AFGs!"  It's so wonderful, watching them take on this responsibility with pride and knowing they are doing it together!  :)

Thank you for your time and participation this school year.  I have enjoyed seeing you at football games, playdates, Mom's Night Outs, class parties, lunches in Burke Hall, field trips, Cougar Pause, Christmas Chapel, Cougar Classic, VGF, Art Walk and most recently at Mother's Day Tea.  Collegiate is a very special place with so much to offer.  I hope you and your children continue to enjoy every moment of this wonderful Collegiate Community! 

Thank you again for your support.  I look forward to spending the next 12 years getting to know you and your children more! 

Go Cougars!

Regards,

Liane Pace

A message from Charla Eastep, one of our Parents' Association's Lower School Coordinators:

Hello Kindie Moms!  

Can you believe this year is already half over?  Didn't you just love the special things like the Halloween parade and Christmas Chapel back in December??  

You still have so much to look forward to in Kindergarten yet...just thinking about Mother's Day alone is enough to make me weepy with nostalgia...

I'm writing today because I wanted to tell you:  did you know that it's around this time of year that the Parents Association Committees start thinking about NEXT school year?!  And did you know that as a parent, you are automatically a member of the Parents' Association and VERY welcome to volunteer for these jobs?  Volunteering is a wonderful way to learn more about the school, to feel like a part of the community, and to make some awesome friends...it has really made a difference in my experience as a Collegiate parent!

I especially wanted to tell you that there are some volunteer opportunities that are not offered to Kindergarten parents but are available in First Grade and beyond, such as PAVE.  PAVE is the "Parent Assistance Volunteer Experience" and is the committee that helps out by working lunch duty, recess duty, and more.  These sign ups can be found by clicking on the "Lower School" link on the Volunteer Opportunities page.

Here is the Volunteer Page link:

http://www.collegiate-va.org/volunteer

But don't worry if you don't sign up right this minute--these sign ups are ALWAYS open and are checked all the time by the committee leads--you do not have to worry about missing your chance if you don't commit right now!  But if there's something that you really want to throw your hat in the ring for, go ahead and take a look at the sign ups--there's a ton to do and we need a ton of people pitching in to keep Collegiate the amazing place it is!

You can also find great descriptions of the various Parents' Association jobs and committees in the GREEN pages of your school DIRECTORY.  You may have never known that information was in there, but it's really quite helpful and informative, so take a look!  And if I can help answer any questions you have, please reach out to me personally.  I might not know the answer myself (there's plenty I am still learning about), but I will find someone who does.

Thanks for sending your children to Collegiate and for choosing to be part of this community--I hope to see you at Cougar Classic or around school soon!

Charla

February at Collegiate! Info. from Liane Pace

Happy 2014!

Snow, snow, snow!!  Wow!  It has already been an eventful 2014!  I hope everyone is enjoying the start of the new year and that you have happy Kindergartners back in school!  It is wonderful to see their growing maturity, as well as their academic and social transformation after the holiday break.  They are growing up very quickly and are hard at work preparing for the next school year - reading, writing, math, music, Spanish, science, art, PE, computer...the list continues!  I hope your children have enjoyed every bit of learning, getting to know their school and classmates, cheering on the Seahawks :), and are looking forward to the second semester.  In addition to all of the wonderful academic activities, we have some fun school-wide activities to look forward to…


Chipotle Spirit Night!

Chipotle Mexican Grill at Stony Point Mall, Monday, February 17th 4-9 pm
Join Collegiate friends and families at Chipotle and mention that you are with Collegiate School and the Parents' Association will receive 50% of all sales!


Cougar Classic!
   
Don't miss this FUN night on campus - Thursday, February 27th!!  Watch the faculty and staff play an intense basketball game!  Don't forget to make signs to cheer on the players!  Concessions start at 5:30 pm in front of Jacobs Gym, Knock-Out starts at 6:00 pm in the Seal Athletic Center (all K-8 students), and the "big game" starts at 7:00 pm in Jacobs.  $4.00 for unlimited Knock-Out games (with prize opportunities) and $5.00 for admission to the basketball game ($20 limit charge per family).  Proceeds benefit the Collegiate Parents' Association.  Wear your favorite Collegiate t-shirt that night!  Hope you can make it!


Also, for all Collegiate Parents -- the Winter Party and Auction!

38th Annual Winter Party and Auction - February 22nd at the Westin Hotel.  The evening will begin with cocktails, live music and a silent auction from 5:30- 8:00 pm, followed by a sit-down dinner and live auction.  Proceeds will support the Centennial Campaign.  Please be on the lookout for your invitation or email proberts@collegiate-va.org with any questions.

 
And for my fellow Kindergarten Moms…

Save the date - Thursday, February 20th 7-9 pm, American Tap Room, 1601 Willow Lawn Drive - Mom's Night Out!!  I look forward to an opportunity to catch up with fellow Collegiate Kindergarten Moms!!  Invitation via email will follow in the next week with more details.

Lots of fun winter activities! I hope you can make it to some or all of them!  As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions regarding the above events and/or any additional Collegiate inquires.

Happy February!

Regards,

Liane Pace
Collegiate Kindergarten New Families Representative

Hi Kindergarten Families!

Below are the details of the wonderful winter activities you and your children can participate in at Collegiate.  You should receive the 'Tis the Season packet this week, if you have not already, and I would suggest browsing through all of the fun opportunities!  Please let me know if I can answer any questions.

Thanks,

Liane Pace

Kindergarten New Families Representative

The Collegiate Parents’ Association invites you to join us for

‘TIS THE SEASON…

Saturday, Dec. 7

8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Lower School Campus

Holiday Greens Sale

Friday, Dec. 6

8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

100 Luck Hall (New Location!)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! A Collegiate tradition you don’t want to miss! Shopping, entertainment for the kids, music and food, a day of fun for the entire family! Sponsored by the Parents' Association, proceeds from this event go back to Collegiate to fund programs and projects that directly benefit the entire Collegiate community. For more information and to order online, visit the Collegiate website here. 

New this year:

SUPERSTARS SPIRIT NIGHT –  Wednesday, Nov. 20, 4-9 p.m.

Nothing like a good pizza and subs to get you in the holiday spirit! Join your Collegiate friends at Superstars on Nov. 20, 4-9 p.m., 5700 Patterson Ave. Call ahead and take-n-bake your pizza at home if you are in a rush! A percentage of all sales go back to Collegiate!

HOLIDAY GREENS

Pre-sale pick up and shop on Friday, Dec. 6, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 100 Luck Hall

Shop on Saturday, Dec. 7, 8:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. in 100 Luck Hall

Take advantage of the easiest way to buy your holiday greenery like classic wreaths and roping, fragrant paperwhites and flashy poinsettias! Quantities of some items are limited, so pre-order to be sure or shop the Greens Sale on Friday, all in a new location in 100 Luck Hall! 

All sales benefit the Parents’ Association!

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE 

Shop on Saturday, Dec. 7, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Estes Building

The Estes Building will be filled with all kinds of unique and exciting gifts for everyone! You might even finish your holiday shopping! 15% of all sales go back to Collegiate! For a complete list of vendors, please visit here.

CUB BOUTIQUE

 Shop on Saturday, Dec. 7, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Nunnally Hall

No grownups allowed! Your kids will enjoy secret shopping for family, friends and pets! Elves will be there to assist your child. All gifts are $10 or less. Gift-wrapping is included! Print the sign-up form and shopping list here.

JINGLE MINGLE

Saturday, Dec. 7

First Seating: 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Second Seating: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Third Seating: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

The holiday hot spot for family fun! Join us in Burke Hall where we will be encouraging culinary creativity, listening to beautiful live music or watching a fun holiday movie.

First Seating: “Decorate your own waffle” stations for the entire family! While enjoying your waffles, enjoy music by our very own Robby Turner.

Second Seating: The Lower School Cantorion is sure to pack the house again with their beautiful holiday music. “Decorate your own waffle” stations will still be in business for this seating!

Third Seating: Popcorn and drinks will be served, while your children watch a fun holiday movie and you shop BY YOURSELF! Children must be at least four yrs. old to participate.

Each seating is $5/person. Reservations are due by Tuesday, Dec. 3. Please make reservations through the ‘Tis the Season… packet, or online here.

Items to Pre-Order

PORTICO GOURMET DINNERS

Stock your freezer with delicious dinners compliments of the chefs at Portico Restaurant, formerly known as Franco’s Frozen Foods. Enjoy these delicious Italian classics that feed a family of five. Reheat and serve, providing the perfect answer to the eternal question: What’s for supper? To order online go here.

PLANTATION PEANUTS

The Plantation Peanuts Company offers a variety of gourmet peanut products cooked to perfection in small batches. Orders of six or more cans receive free personalized holiday labels! To order online go here.

‘Tis the Season 2013 Schedule

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 4-9 p.m. Superstars Spirit Night

Friday, Dec. 6, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Holiday Greens

Pre-Sale Pick Up and Shop

100 Luck Hall

Saturday, December 7, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. 

Cub Boutique – Nunnally Hall

Jingle Mingle – Burke Hall

Holiday Boutique – Estes Building

Holiday Greens Sale – 100 Luck Hall

Grab a Bite - Food for the kids (and grown-ups too!) available all day. Delicious donuts, coffee, drinks and other food offerings available for purchase throughout the day!

Invitation from our Math and Reading Specialists

Happy fall, everyone! What a beautiful day.  I loved watching your sweet children climb aboard their buses for the field trip to the apple orchard today.  What a perfect day to head up to Charlottesville and enjoy this crisp fall weather!

I wanted to pass along an invitation from our reading and math specialists. 

On Thursday, October 3rd, from 7 - 8 pm, Frances Coleman and Anne Gray Siebert will host a program in the Lower School cafeteria (Burke Hall) for all new parents.  Hopefully you have heard about this event.  I encourage new parents to attend if you can! 

Frances is our Lower School math specialist, and Anne Gray is one of our Lower School reading specialists.  The purpose of this parent program is to give you an overview of the math and language arts curriculum in our Lower School, with specific emphasis on the role Collegiate's math and reading specialists play in our student's lives.  Frances and Anne Gray will speak to some specifics of what to expect in Kindergarten.  They will also answer any questions! 

I hope this is helpful.  Please feel free to email Frances at fcoleman@collegiate-va.org or Anne Gray at asiebert@collegiate-va.org if you have any questions.

Enjoy the rest of this wonderful week!

Anne Bruce

A Welcome from the Parents' Association

Welcome Class of 2026!  Does it seem hard to believe that your child is in Kindergarten?  I know this is an exciting time for you and your child.

You and your child have such wonderful things in store in the coming year.  Not only is Collegiate going to be a great environment in which your child can grow and learn for the years to come, but you will find that it will also be a great place for you.  As a Collegiate parent, you are automatically a member of the Parents' Association, and we are thrilled to have you on board!  We have an amazing group of parents who really make our school community special.  I encourage you to meet as many other parents as you can.  They will be a source of support for you as your child progresses through school. 

There are many ways that you can get involved at Collegiate.  There are many opportunities to help in and outside of your child’s classroom, and I encourage you to do so. Volunteering is a great way to get connected to the Collegiate community.  Please refer to the Volunteer Opportunities link on the Collegiate website under "Parents" (Click here to access the link directly).  This site lists many ways to get involved on different levels, so please take a look.  You also will been informed of classroom volunteer opportunities by your teacher and room parent.  

I enjoyed seeing many of you at the kindergarten welcome reception in August, and look forward to getting to know you in the months to come.  In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact me at kmhidell@gmail.com. 

I looking forward to meeting you soon.

Kristin Hidell 
Parent's Association Lower School Coordinator

Happy Fall from Liane Pace

Happy Early Fall!

I hope this blog entry finds you all well and enjoying your second week of school!  I want to thank those of you who were able to join us over the summer for the playground playdate and Mom's Night Out!  It was wonderful to have the opportunity to get to know one another and let our children become buddies!  Since we had such a fantastic turnout, we will have additional get-togethers as the school year progresses.

So, we are off to a GREAT start ~  I saw many, many smiling faces walking through Luck Hall (might I add in a very neat line :)) the other day!  What fun it is to be in Kindergarten!!

I would like to pass along some helpful tips for fun Collegiate fall events! 

    ▪    Home football games and other athletic events ~ Come cheer on the Cougars!  A fun way to build the Cougar spirit in your little one!  Please view the Collegiate website here for the full Collegiate sports schedule as well as information on how to volunteer to work the football concession stand if you are interested.  I have two football fans in my house, so we will be sure to make a lot of games.  Hope to see you there!

    ▪    September 13 ~ Convocation! An exciting event that your children will love and remember always!!  School-wide (K-12) fun participation!  Your children are allowed to wear Collegiate t-shirts and jeans. 

    ▪    September 26 ~ Cougar Pause! Celebrate the beginning of the school year with the whole family on the Lower School Lawn!  DJ, games, and dinner - always a good time!  Rain or shine.  Please sign up here if you are interested in attending. 

    ▪    October 25 ~ Pep Rally!  Yes, similar to what you may remember having when you were younger, but increase the participation and excitement by 100%!!!!  Lots and lots and lots of green and gold!!  This is a moment to take pictures before school!  I am giving you the scoop - sometimes Kindergarten parents are not aware of how much green and gold to dress their little ones in - answer is - there is never enough on this day!!  Have fun with it!  Also, Collegiate t-shirts and jeans are allowed.
   
    ▪    October 30 ~  Kindergarten and First Grade Halloween Parade!  As a suggestion, after normal scheduled drop off, find a place to park or return quickly after grabbing a cup of coffee, because around 8:30 your little Kindergartner will parade through the entire school with their class to show off their fun Halloween costumes!  They will make their way from the kindergarten building, past the library and then across the football field on their way to the Upper School to fill their bathtub with their "Tons of Coins! "  You will receive more information regarding the coins and the parade from your classroom teacher.  Another fun photo opportunity!  :)      

    ▪    Also, after September is over and schedules become routine, you are allowed to come and have lunch with your child.  They LOVE to have you, a grandparent or a special friend come eat lunch with them!  And it's a great way for you to get to know some of their pals. 

As you can see there are many different and fun ways for your child to start to feel more and more like a part of the Collegiate family- we hope you do too!  It is a wonderful place to be a part of.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Take care and hope to see you soon! 

Liane Pace