Along with a strong Academics and Athletics program, Country Day is fortunate to have a robust Arts program with enough choices for students and a schedule full to keep family calendars busy.

VOTE NOW

Adrian Evarkiou-Kaku ‘13 has made the semi-finals in an important violin competition. It is sort of the equivalent of “American Idol” for the violin! If he wins, he gets to solo with the Orchestra Nova here in San Diego. The results will be based on judges and public votes. He needs everyone’s help! Click here  to vote and to view Adrian’s video, click here to go to Country Day’s YouTube page, click here to view. Please submit your vote by this Saturday, January 30.

OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

Join Upper School English teacher Dr. Gideon Rappaport, and Middle School English/Drama teacher Ms. Lauren Kaushansky on a family trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon, this June for an exciting and unforgettable adventure organized especially for our LJCDS community:

The SHAKESPEARE INTENSIVE (or the SHAKESPEARE INTENSIVE PLUS)

We will learn about, see, and discuss brand new, professional productions of four of Shakespeare's finest works: Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night and Henry IV, Part I, while enjoying some of the Pacific Northwest's most glorious scenery and partaking in behind-the-scenes talks and backstage tours.

Participants will have the opportunity to see additional (non-Shakespeare) plays, including Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and a charming, romantic Musical, She Loves Me

Participation is limited to 25 people, and we will be accepting sign-ups on a first come, first served basis. Click here for more information. This exciting event for Summer 2010 is open to Middle School and Upper School families.

SINGING IN SPAIN SPAIN 

Choir Director, Jennifer Boyum along with Director, Visual & Performing Arts, Barbara Weinstein and Middle School Strings teacher put together and pulled off a trip of a lifetime for our Madrigal group and our Women's Ensemble  in Spain at the British Council School.

Ms. Weinstein gushed, "Without a doubt the most beautiful and memorable concert was at the Cathedral of St Tomas in Avila." It wasn't all work for the students, they did take some time to visit the sites with their advisors.

• E-Update has been revised to be distributed once a month as we work to communicate in a more efficient manner with our Country Day community
• Computers2SDKids Computer Drive for tomorrow, Wednesday, is postponed due to predicted rain! We will be rescheduling the drop off date – it will most likely be February 3, but we will alert the community with the specifics as soon as we know them
• La Jolla Country Day Golf Classic presented by the Fathers' Club, April 26th at La Jolla Country Club - 12:00 shotgun start.More information to come. If you would like to reserve a spot, please contact Rod Jemison, Upper School Director!
• In response to a call for winter jackets and warm sweatshirts, the middle and upper school students are collecting gently used, warm weather clothes to be given to students living in San Ysidro. We are collecting all week in the community service office and in Ms. Deutz’s office. We will be delivering the jackets after school Monday, Feb. 1. Please be sure the donations are clean and still in style! We want to be sure we are giving items that kids will love to wear!
• The Parents' Association is accepting donations now for all Rock n' Roll items for the gala in May. Samples of items are, musical equipment, old rock t-shirts, and even albums.  Bring your items to the Administrative office or contact Belinda Donner for more information
• The Country Day Arts Alliance (CDAA) is once again proud to be selling note card sets that feature the art work of Ann Chaitin's students in Grades 5-8. Each set is $20.00 and includes envelopes, and all orders will be billed to your student account. Orders of 2 or more will receive a 10% discount. Click here for more information and to view the cards

• 01.25.10 - 01.27.10 - LJCDS JACKET DRIVE - Clothes should be gently worn and still in style for a 5 - 12 th grader. All warm clothes (jackets, sweaters, hoodies, etc.) will be accepted and donated to the San Ysidro School Disrtict. Drop -off in the Middle School Office
• 01.27.10 - Lower School Parent Coffee will be held at 8:00am in the Multipurpose Room. Dr. Chris Miller, founder of the Boys’ Institute for Growth (BIG), will be speaking on the topic of “Raising Boys”. Come hear about the cognitive, social and emotional development that is unique to boys and bring all your questions.
• 01.27.10 - A meeting for fourth grade parents at 6:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room. Middle School Director Brian Murphy and Dean of Students Chris Moeller will talk about the transition from Lower to Middle School. This meeting is for parents only.
• 01.29.10 - NO CLASSES for Professional Growth Day
• 01.31.10 - New Parent/Second Year Parent Social from 4 - 6 p.m. in the Jacobs Family Library/Academic Center Lobby
• 02.04.10 - "Spring Scenes" performance in the Dance Studio at 8 a.m.
• 02.04.10 - Parents' Association meeting from 8 - 9 a.m. in the Jacobs Family Library/Academic Center Multipurpose Room
• 02.04.10 - 02.07.10 - Upper School Drama performance in the Four Flowers Theater from 7 - 9 p.m.
• 02.09.10 - Lower School (Grades K - 4) Family Reading Night at 6 p.m.
• 02.10.10 - Grades 9/10 College Night - College Counselors meet with Freshman and Sophomore Students and parents. Contact Ginny Perry, 858.453.3440 x292 if you have questions
• 02.12.10 - 02.15.10 - SCHOOL CLOSED for Winter Break

Please check school calendar for updates to events at Country Day

Only 2 weeks left until the LJCDS Wine Tour. February 4, 6:00 p.m. at the beautiful home of Christine and David Ashworth. Enjoy delicious food from Vigallucis restaurant and wine tastings from these committed wine vendors ; Gargiulo, Grassi, Jericho Canyon, La Sirena, L'Angevin, Patz & Hall, Spottwood, Vesant, Vineyard 29, Pax Cellars, Roessler, Relic, William Cole, Vision Cellars, Shane Cellars, Merryvale, Clos Pepe and Rasa. Also enjoy music from our very our talented student Elli Choi. Limited tickets are still available online. *Please note, this event is in lieu of the wine cellar at the gala auction.

The 2010 Rock the Blue Gala auction is right around the corner. We need your support. Here is how you can help;

1. Make a tribute to your favorite teacher, your children or administrator, in our auction catalog..

2. Be a community sponsor or help find a corporate sponsor

3. Donate items for our silent and live auction.

4. Volunteer

We need your help in order to make this a successful event. Please call Belinda Donner at (858)755-4980 or email her at Belindasdonner@aol.com. If you have any questions or suggestions.

The monthly LJCDS Parents' Association News Brief contains articles and information written for parents by parents.

The Gala website is also up and running so check back often for updates!