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St. Louise Chess Club Fall Session - Week 7 Summary November 13, 2008

November 14, 2008

Hi Parents,

Just a few announcements:

1. If your child is in the white (1R) or blue group we are targeting the Sunny Hills Chess tournament coming up on Saturday December 13th. Please call Chess4life at 425-283-0549 to register at no charge (assuming this is your child's 1st tournament of the season!). For red group students, please ask Coach Brad at the next class to see if this tournament is appropriate. Please check www.chess4life.com for a more complete list of tournaments.

2. I will be placing our t-shirt order by next Tuesday November 18th. †Look for an e-mail summarizing the current order to follow this weekly summary.

3. The final three classes will be on December 1, 8 and 15. No Chess Club for the next 2 Mondays!

Finally, if you happen to see our new janitor David in the school hallway, give him a big THANKS! for setting up the tables and chairs prior to our Chess Club classes!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Dan Strash
Gary Makowski
Margaret Reutter
Marj Kerstetter
Pat Kunz

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St. Louise Chess Club Fall Session - Week 6 Summary October 27, 2008

October 27, 2008

Hi Parents,

Please remember, there will be NO CHESS CLUB next Monday November 3rd. †Our next meeting is in the Hall on Monday November 10th.

I have received Chess Club t-shirt orders from the following families:

Baradi
Bruce
Munoz
Phillips
Witherspoon

If you would like to order a t-shirt, please let me know.

We'll see you all on the 10th!

Take care,
Dan Strash
Gary Makowski
Margaret Reutter

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October 22, 2008

Hi Parents,

Don't forget the upcoming Beginner Tournament at Chess4life on November 22nd and the Sunny Hills Tournament on December 13th.

Generally speaking, most if not all students in the White group (Coach Bert, Room 1R) and all students in the Blue group (Coach Gregg, Hall stage) should sign up for the Sunny Hills tournament (via phone, 425-28 3-054 9). Red group students (Coach Brad, Parish Hall) who have participated in a tournament before should also be ready for the Sunny Hills tournament. If your child is a beginner in the Red group, I think it would be best to talk to Coach Brad and get his advice. Here is a list of upcoming tournaments:

http://www.chess4life.com/chess-events/tournaments

Also be sure to check out the St. Louise School Website (administered by Gary Makowski):

http://www.stlouiseschool.org/chessclub/index.html

If you go to "Articles and Reference" you can download a copy of the Chess Club Handbook which goes over some Chess basics or if you go to "Past Club Events" you can view photos of past tournaments and events. Have fun!

See you all next Monday October 27th.

Take care,
Dan Strash
Gary Makowski
Margaret Reutter

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October 7, 2008

Hi Chess Fans,

I have to lead by saying thank you to my "support staff" for making Chess Club work yesterday! I was not able to make it due to a 24-hour flu bug and on top of that, we were squeezed into the library and reading room (Thank you Mrs. Carson and Mrs. Regalia!). I thought everything worked like a charm until Mr. Fitz "caught me" after Chess Club playing catch with my son. I guess my excuse that it was my carpool day had little effect... he still gave me a timeout think sheet!

Anyway, back to business. †For planning purposes, the remaining Chess Club dates are shown below. †Please remember that you (or your carpool driver) needs to come to the Hall to pick up your child after Chess Club is over. †The official pick up time is 3PM, but no later than 3:15PM. †We do our best to end by 3PM, but we have to put the Hall and 1R back together and some of the kids are finishing up games. †However, with changes to Kid's Club policies we can no longer "drop off" kids that are not already registered.

Remaining Chess Club Dates:
October †13, 20, 27
November 10
December 1, 8, 15

If you would like to order a St. Louise Chess Club T-shirt, please let me know. Cost should be less than $15 per shirt (price depends on the number of shirts ordered). Give me the size (Youth XS,S,M,L,XL or Adult S,M,L,XL) and number of shirts ordered. Club members are encouraged to wear these shirts (or a red St. Louise sweater) at chess tournaments or special events. Students who have already been in Chess Club are certainly welcome to wear shirts from previous years.

As far as Chess Tournaments, now is the time to start planning. This Fall, it looks like we will target the Sunny Hills Tournament being held on Saturday, December 13. Beginners or any students who have never participated in a tournament should consider any of the Beginner Tournaments at the offices of Chess4Life in Bellevue. For more information, please contact me or go to www.chess4life.com, click on "Tournaments". Remember, your first Chess4Life hosted tournament is no charge! I recommend against online registration to get this discount.

Have a great week!
Dan Strash
Gary Makowski
Margaret Reutter

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St. Louise Chess Club Fall Session - Week 2 Summary September 30, 2008

Hi Parents,

The second week of Chess Club has the students settled into their ability group and beginning a routine. †The coaches usually start the class with a lecture on tactics, then the students demonstrate with a partner that they understand the lesson. †The last 20 minutes of class are usually spent playing a match with an assigned partner. †

We have two new weekly volunteers helping us during Chess Club. †Thank you to Pat Kunz and Marj Kerstetter for stepping forward! †Thanks also to Kathleen Barth for stopping by to help yesterday! †We can always use the occasional volunteer to fill in when one of us cannot make it, please let me know if you would like to be on standby. †

Next Monday the Hall is unavailable, so we will be meeting in the library and in Mrs. Regalia's room. †Please remember to pickup your child near the library entrance on Monday, October 6.

Have a great week!

Dan Strash
Gary Makowski
Margaret Reutter

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September 23, 2008

Hi Parents,

Maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part, but it now looks like we will need one or two parents to help out during Chess Club. †Previously I had requested that parents could help at the end of Chess Club with the "safe exit" of the students for about 15 minutes. †This is still the case. †However, with changes in employment schedules, etc. our management team of 4 has dwindled to 2. †

What I am looking for is one or two parents who can be at Chess Club from about 1:45 to 3:15PM on the Mondays that Chess Club meets in the Hall. †Duties would mainly involve observing that the students are making their best effort to focus on the coach, monitoring students coming and going to the restroom and just a general presence. †No knowledge of Chess is required! †

If any of you are able, please contact me and we can discuss details. †

Take care,
Dan Strash