November 5, 2021 Happy November! This past month was packed with highlights, successes, events, and achievements from our amazing alumni - we are so proud of everything you continue to accomplish in high school, college, and beyond.
This month at Catherine Cook, we're excited to bring back some in-person Alumni events like our Alumni Chat for 8th Grade (which was on November 3) and our upcoming Bump, Set, ROAR! volleyball game on November 12. Keep posted with all upcoming events on our Catherine Cook Alumni Instagram page (@cathcookalumni), Facebook page (@cathcookalumni), or our Alumni Website. Megan Altmayer LS/MS Librarian
How long have you been at Catherine Cook? I have been at Catherine Cook for 8 years.
Are you a coach or club moderator? If so, for what groups? No, the library keeps me plenty busy!
Favorite piece of Catherine Cook apparel? My rainbow PRIDE Cook t-shirt.
Do you have a favorite assembly? If so, which one is it and why? While I love the Book Awards and celebrating the reading all our students do, nothing compares to the MLK Assembly. I'm always blown away by the ability of our 8th Graders to prepare and perform on such a high level to the entire community. It's powerful.
What is your favorite Catherine Cook tradition? I love Friday Assemblies. There's something really cathartic about bringing every kid and adult who learns and works in this building together for a single event, once a week.
What is your best Catherine Cook memory? My favorite memories are always of moments with students. Whether it's a hilarious knock-knock joke from a 5 year-old, a wise observation from a 2nd grader, or an outlandish comment from someone in my 8th Grade Advisory, I always love when a student surprises me (which happens every day).
What is your favorite room/space in the building? It's pretty nice working in the Library, especially on rainy or snowy days when I can answer emails sitting next to the fireplace. But I also have a special place in my heart for the Art Rooms. Art was my favorite subject when I was a student, and I feel the same excitement at the prospect of making things when I'm in those rooms.
Words of advice/encouragement for Alumni? Honestly, my students tend to be much wiser and cooler than I am. My only advice is to listen to your gut. You know what's right and true to you, or you are at least intelligent enough to have surrounded yourself with good people.
Caroline Olvera '03 Caroline recently contributed to articles in the Wall Street Journal and in People magazine about teenagers and the rise of developing Tourette's syndrome. She was also a contributing author to a Buzzfeed article around the affects of social media on young people, with an emphasis on young women and girls. She is a Movement Disorder doctor at Rush University Hospital. Alumni wishing to be involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts at Catherine Cook are encouraged to join our DEI Council. This unique opportunity brings together staff, faculty, parents, guardians, Board of Trustees, and alumni to consider how the school might move forward on key initiatives.
DEI Council is comprised of two different subcommittees:
Policies and Procedures - Finalizing work on the Gender Inclusivity Policy, generating the final version, and developing an action plan for introducing it to the whole community.
Family Engagement - Involving families in DEI-based initiatives at school, supporting the rollout of the work of the Policies and Procedures Subcommittee, growing our Family Affinity groups, and engaging more of our community in Family Action Network (FAN) events that Cook sponsors.
Please use this form to indicate which subcommittee you would like to participate in.
Meetings start next Monday. If you would need to miss the first meeting but are still interested in joining, please do! DEI Council meets over Zoom on the following dates from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.:
Reach out to diversity@ccookschool.org with any questions! Bump, Set, Roar! We hope you will join fellow alumni as we bring back this Catherine Cook tradition. Bump, Set, ROAR! will take place on Friday, November 12, at 5:30 p.m. The alumni will take on the faculty/staff in a fun game of volleyball. If you are interested in playing or attending, please RSVP!
At this time, only alumni, alumni parents, and faculty and staff will be able to attend the event. Masks will be required, regardless of vaccination status.
We Asked the Question Why do you give? The Annual Giving Campaign supports students, faculty, staff, facilities, programs, and so much more at Catherine Cook. We asked members of our community why they give to the Annual Giving Campaign – what's your why? Please join us in donating today!
Click on the video to learn more, then visit catherinecookschool.org/gift to pledge your support today.
Alumni Chat for 8th Grade A huge Cougar Roar of Thanks to the alumni who came back to campus this Wednesday to participate in our annual Alumni Chat with 8th Graders.
These alumni provided insight, knowledge, and advice on their high school admission process and their opinions on their current high school. The 8th Graders and their families walked away with a lot of great information! |