Community Highlights

Faculty/Staff Appreciation

Since parents have not been able to demonstrate appreciation for the faculty and staff in-person through the usual Monthly Lunches, Appreciation Week, and in passing conversations and encounters at school, the Parents’ Association chose to spread out their appreciation throughout the spring of 2021.

Each faculty and staff member received a beautiful succulent arrangement to take home or display in their classroom or office. The committee also sponsored regular visits this spring from Arrvo Coffee cart, which provided morning espresso and tea for many happy teachers! There were always extra smiles on ‘coffee mornings’ this spring — some of which even included CEE donuts from SK’s as a sweet treat.

The committee also created a large banner of thanks and love featuring portraits of every student at CEE. The banner greets employees when they arrive in the front lobby each day and is a reminder of The Center’s warm community. Many thanks to the Staff Appreciation Committee headed by Jamie Greenspan, Hofite Huddleston, and Rui Liu for their creative and thoughtful efforts!

Welcoming New Families to The Center

What’ s it like to start at a new school—from home? Unusual, to say the least! Throughout the summer of 2020, the CEE Admissions department hosted a virtual “Summer Connect Series ” for incoming families as a chance for parents to meet each other and learn more about daily life at CEE before the start of the school year. Presenters included program administrators and faculty who shared different aspects of life at The Center. New families were also matched with their Host Families, who help new families navigate the first year at The Center on an individual basis. New families attended Virtual Welcome Parties on Zoom in September, and will come to campus for in-person, distanced New Parent Parties this June. Students admitted for the 2021-22 school year received welcome packages with Center t-shirts and other goodies to help them feel connected to their new school, too!

CENTER TOGETHER: 2020-21 ANNUAL FUND DRIVE

CEE’ s Annual Fund Drive kicked off in early October with an ‘80 Hours of Giving ’ event in honor of 80 years of joyful learning! The theme of ‘Center Together ’ resonated strongly with our community as students and families had not yet returned to campus. Current families and annual fund chairs helped inspire others to give by sharing their love of CEE through a video series that was shared throughout the week. The videos showcased the sense of community, diversity, and excellence that defines CEE, whether on-campus or off! Over the four day giving drive, current parents, alumni, alumni families, grandparents and friends all pitched in to support The Center. This year, 813 donors participated in the Annual Fund Drive, the most donors we have ever had in the history of the AFD!

A Cappella Hits a High Note

CEE’ s A Cappella choir, under the direction of Ellen Gerstell, Upper Elementary Music Specialist, was awarded Gold at the World Strides Heritage Festival for their submission in the middle school competition. This competition was for junior high and high school orchestra, instrumental and vocal ensembles, and choirs who entered from across the United States! The festivals are held four times each year and all of the groups submitted three songs. Each choir member recorded their performances at home, which were compiled by Center Parent Corey Britz in their individual frames for the virtual performance. Their Gold medal means they scored overall between 90-100 and high enough to be once again invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City!