NEW CIS TELEPHONE NUMBER: 704-455-3847
Super Job by Parents and Teachers
Our amazing parents and teachers did it again. Last weekend they moved furniture from our temporary office and storage trailers to our permanent site, under the extraordinary direction of parent Beth Garber. We’re still unpacking boxes, but feel like we’ve finally arrived home!
Beth deserves tremendous gratitude from our CIS community. She has invested many hours communicating between the school, parents, and various trucking and storage contacts. They were difficult logistics, complicated by site delays and weather problems, but Beth saw it through to completion. Thanks, Beth, for a host of jobs well done!!
Special Thanks
So many parents have contributed to our recent progress, but we need to single out a couple of other special individuals. Frank Bronander’s efforts for CIS have become legendary. We would not have occupied our campus when we did without him. He commanded subcontractors at critical times; organized many parent work crews; and did much plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work himself—all on just a few hours sleep after his nighttime work hours. His dedication has been remarkable and will be a part of our CIS legacy.
Michael Owens is an information technology expert who took on the challenge of formulating our IT plan and coordinating its implementation on site. He worked hundreds of hours on this project, and is determined to see it through to completion for the benefit of our entire CIS community. This is a complicated area demanding technical knowledge, communication skills with the various vendors, and hands-on involvement. Michaels’s commitment and persistence have been inspiring.
NEWSFLASH: Open meeting for parents, Wednesday night, 7pm at the school media center, to discuss the mission of the parent organization. All are welcome, but childcare will not be provided.
Important Pickup Time UPDATE
Yesterday we were asked by officers from the Sheriff’s department and a representative of the NC Department of Transportation to do whatever is necessary to keep the line of cars from backing up onto Hickory Ridge Road. Here’s what we are doing and recommending:
1. Come Later, Leave Sooner
One of the most important recommendations we can make to parents is to spread out the times when you arrive. Both Monday and Tuesday, parents who arrived at 3:45 only waited 5 minutes. Those who came earlier had much longer waits. If we spread out the times when you arrive, the entire process will go more smoothly and we’ll avoid traffic back-ups onto Hickory Ridge Road.
2. Two Lanes of Incoming Traffic
To maximize our stacking space, we will have two lanes of incoming traffic. Please stay to the left as you drive in, to maximize the space for outgoing traffic.
3. Carpooling
CIS supports carpooling as a way to conserve natural resources and minimize traffic congestion. We are going to reward those who carpool (or pickup more than one student) by having one lane of incoming traffic for these cars and one row for those picking up a single student. At the intersection in the parking lot, we will take two “carpool” cars and then one “single” car.
We’ll see whether these policies expedite the pickup process. It may, at least, encourage more of you to carpool. We are also considering a number system for the carpool. More on that later.
Thanks for your patience as we fine-tune this process. Call us with ideas: 704-455-3847.
Telecommunications
Thanks too for bearing with us as we adjust to our new telephone system. This technology is still being installed. It is a state-of-the-art “voice over Internet protocol” or VOIP system that provides voice and data service over one line. Soon each of our classrooms will have a speakerphone for calling and for use as an intercom. We will have six lines coming into the school so you’ll be able to call to individual staff members and leave messages on their voicemail.
Hot Lunches
Under the direction of Karen Chiuchiolo and the School Lunch and Nutrition Committee, we are about to begin our hot lunch catering service with Canteen. This week Karen will be distributing the October menu and sign-up information. Families will complete an order for EACH child indicating which days you want to purchase lunch. You’ll be asked to pay by check for the entire month. Thanks to Karen and her Committee for all their efforts to bring this valuable service to our students and teachers!
Milk-Juice-Water
We will also be offering drinks each day for 50 cents each: low-fat or chocolate milk, fruit juices, or bottled water. Like the hot lunches, these can be ordered ahead for the month.
The order forms for both these programs will be distributed with the students this week.
Before- and After-School Program
We are also refining the registration process for our Before- and After-School Program (BASP). Director Denise Schwartz will begin accepting payment for two weeks or one-month periods THIS WEEK, Wednesday through Friday. Friday is the deadline for participation in the program from September 27 – October 8.
Payment will be by check only. In the future, the registration deadline will be the Wednesday prior to the next two-week period. This allows us time to organize our staffing. Denise will provide interested parents with a schedule for the rest of 2004.
Red Apple Morley Fund-Raising Program
The sales deadline for the Red Apple Morley products has been extended to Monday, September 27th. The proceeds from this project will go to the school’s technology program. Donations, in lieu of selling these products, are also acceptable and appreciate.
Dr. Richard Beall, Director
Carolina International School
8810 Hickory Ridge Road
Harrisburg, NC 28075
Telephone: (704) 455-3847
Email: info@CarolinaInternationalSchool.org
www.CarolinaInternationalSchool.org