| Events & Festivals |
| School Calendar |
1/13 Campus Tours by RSVP 1/15 Annual Conference at Steiner College
1/18 Holiday - NO SCHOOL TODAY
1/19 Connolly Parent Training, 6:30 pm
1/20 Campus Tours FULL TODAY
1/20 Head, Heart, & Hands, 9:00 am
1/21 JS Council Meeting, 6:30 pm
1/23 All-School Work Party, 8:00 pm
1/25 1st Grade Meeting, 6:00 pm
1/26 Parent Coffee & Connolly Parent Training, 8:30-12:00
1/27 Campus Tours by RSVP
1/28 JS Council Training, 9am-4pm
1/30 Enrollment Open House for New Parents
2/4 JS Council Special Meeting,
|
|
Research, Resources & Readings
|
|
|
Sign-up for
Lunch Programs
|
|
|
|
Sign-up for Outstanding, Professional After- School Programs. Simply click below, contact the provider, pay & play! |
|
|
|
|
Good Things Are Happening!
January 2010
|
Dear Friends,
We're pleased to launch 2010 with our new and improved Journey School Newsletter, Good Things Are Happening! The intent is to inform, inspire, and grow our community by providing timely and specific information or resources. Electronic links and supporting documents will also allow us to become the green school we aspire to be. We hope you enjoy this inaugural edition; and, we welcome your feedback. Let's shoot for the moon in 2010, even if we miss we'll land on a star. |
|
Getting Things Done!
Focus On Learning: 1st graders are discovering the magic of letters and numbers through story, paint, movement, sculpture, their own writing, and the reading which naturally springs forth from these rich activities. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders are studying English Language Arts in Main Lesson using story, metaphors, role-playing, collaborative reading and writing exercises, poetry, spelling games, and many other strategies to grow their abilities and an authentic love of learning. 5th grade students have delved into the ancient wisdom of Persia while their 6th grade counterparts are engaged in a hands-on science block about core concepts like acoustics and magnetization. 7th graders are exploring the fragile relationship between humans and the environment in world geography, and our 8th grade student-leaders are investigating the complex science behind meteorology.
Teacher Development: Support for teachers continues as the Connollys are back for another round of coaching. Through observation, dialogue, co-planning, and team-teaching instruction is strengthened. Teachers are also excited about heading for Steiner College at 2:00 p.m. this Friday alongside parent, staff, and council partners (school ends at regular time). At Steiner College we will encounter cutting-edge teaching methodologies and schooling best practices during the annual Alliance for Public Waldorf Education Conference. Next month, teachers will begin to visit colleagues in nearby schools to build connections and to see other instructors in action. Internal peer observations will once again resume in the coming weeks. And, Bonnie River-the school's external evaluator-will join us in March to ensure high-quality instruction, administration, and parent participation.
Enrollment: Demand for enrollment in 2010-11 appears to be high even though Open Enrollment doesn't begin for two weeks. We've more than doubled the number of campus tours on Wednesdays and space for our upcoming Parent Development Series and Book Study is going fast. For returning families, it's essential to submit Intent to Re-enroll Forms now, as we cannot guarantee space without one. As a courtesy, we will accept late forms through Friday, January 22nd. If you have any questions email Julie, Enrollment Coordinator.
Facilities: In case you haven't heard, the staff now has the lounge and professional development library they deserve. The imagination, vision, and hard work of Holly H., and her impressive supporting cast, made the transformation possible. What a gift! 
2nd Graders in Awe of New Staff Lounge
Room 9 has also changed dramatically and is now Handwork Headquarters! Many people made this possible behind the scenes over the past few months. As a result, students have a nurturing environment to create and concentrate under the leadership of their giving teacher, Ms. McGee...Thank you so much, Linda!
If you're smelling delicious aromas while on campus you could probably track them to our school kitchen, which has been dramatically improved thanks to Tammra T, Kimberly M, Billy M, and others. The kitchen is now a clean, well organized, and inspiring setting for students to calculate measurements, cook delicious recipes, and break bread.
Thanks to dozens of unsung heroes, campus continues to shape up! Consider that: We now have a state-of-the-art drinking fountain with cold, clean water. Also, irrigation in the budding garden has become a reality. And, 850 watts of solar energy is now flowing into the Science Room each day thanks to Norm Crow. Norm stepped up over break and made use of a $10,000 grant before it dried up! Students will now have the opportunity to experience the awesome power of nature close up as they evolve into stewards of our world!
District Partnership: Finally, the entire school community thanks Dr. Bobbie Mahler (CUSD SuperIntendent), Jolene Daugherty (CUSD Charter School Officer), and Franci Sassin (Organized the Event) for an uplifting visit to campus yesterday. It was a pleasure showing you the power of Waldorf education in the public sector! We appreciate your support and leadership. |
A United Front
As we've reiterated throughout the year, nothing is more crucial to our school turn-around efforts than unity, common purpose, and effective communication.
In spite of the progress mentioned above, our school continues to face significant challenges. For example, we're only now learning how to engage in difficult conversation in constructive ways. And, we're still working hard to grow our resources so schooling practices are improved over the long haul.
For this reason, we've chosen to put 4 school leaders "In The Spotlight" together. Each individual represents a different part of the school, yet they stand united by their commitment to move Journey forward as a cohesive entity. They are:
- Marc Damkiliokas, JS Council President
- Lisa Skibsted, Parent Cabinet Chairperson
- Gina Vander Kam, Teacher and JS Council Faculty Rep
- Shaheer Faltas, School Administrator
At the heart of their commitment to the school, and each other, are core principles, including: safe yet straight dialogue, hard work, and high levels of joy in the workplace. In the coming days, please reach out to Marc, Lisa, Gina, or Shaheer to learn more about their hopes and dreams for the school, or to learn how you too can get more involved! If you ever doubt that you have something important to contribute, remember what the great Brazlilian educator, Paulo Freire, once said: No one knows everything, and everyone knows something. |
|
Classroom Connections: What is Main Lesson, Anyway?
As you may already know, Main Lesson takes place in the first 2 hours of the grade school day, when children are at their most alert and focused. Academic subjects such as history, literature, mathematics and science, are taught in blocks of three to five weeks.
Mr. Martin Hard at Work at the Chalkboard Main Lesson begins the moment students arrive at school, as they are greeted by a warm teacher handshake and sparkling eye contact. Next, students often recite an inspirational passage or poem to build community, strong speech skills, and to cultivate a sense of reverence for learning. Kinesthetic learners also benefit from intentional movement and music activities. Teachers then present important material; a review and discussion follow; and then time is provided for students to develop their own work.
The Main Lesson is approached through the arts, as drama, music, drawing and sculpture are used to inspire students. Main Lesson is an integrated and multi-faceted approach that supports intense engagement and fosters deep understanding because students are challenged to activate all of their senses. Learning is both rigorous and relevant.
Following Main Lesson students enjoy recess, when they benefit from active play and healthy socialization. Next, they participate in a variety of practice periods and specialty subjects, including: Mathematics, English Language Arts, Science, Civics, Foreign Language, Games, Movement (Eurythmy), Handwork, Singing, Music, etc. To learn more about Main Lesson and the rhythm of the school day please ask your teachers. Also, it's important that you too do your own homework by accessing the links contained in this newsletter. |
|
Council Corner
The JS Council provides fiduciary and legal oversight for school operations, and ensures that Journey fulfills its purpose as stated in our charter documents. The council typically meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Meetings are open to the public and you are highly encouraged to attend! Agendas are posted in advance near the Kindergarten area. Important council information, such as officer biographies, supporting documents, and meeting summaries will be provided on the school website in the coming weeks giving parents and community members ample opportunity to become meaningfully engaged in our governance systems.
The council is currently comprised of six volunteer members with widespread expertise in areas such as: business development and management, finance and accounting, education, marketing and media relations, architecture, and the law. A comprehensive search is underway for additional council members. The ideal candidate possesses: high levels of competence and integrity; enough time and energy to make a positive difference; a can-do attitude coupled with a bridge-building approach to relationships; and 100% commitment to Waldorf-inspired education in the public sector. Please forward nominations to Mr. Shaheer.
We're also pleased to announce that we're in the midst of developing a 5-year strategic plan, thanks to a cutting-edge governance grant known as GRASP. This plan will include measurable educational goals, a clear business and marketing strategy, a blueprint for using technology appropriately, and much more! We look forward to your increased involvement in these efforts! Our next council meeting is very important in that we will determine next year's grade configuration after a month-long analysis. |
|
Gratitude
Parent Partners Make the Difference
Once again, the JS Community rallied during Annual Giving. We raised over $33,000 in donations and pledges with nearly a 70% family participation rate in spite of the difficult economy. The monies will target teacher development, parent development, and specialty classes. Thank you for doing your part to close the funding gap! If you are still inspired to give, it's not too late. Simply click here. |
|
The Last Word
You may recall that one of my favorite all-time books is The Alchemist. Its central theme is simple but profound: When talented and commited people pursue their purpose with passion and persistance the sun shines brightly upon them.
This is how I feel about Journey School right now. Yes, we have lots of hard work ahead of us, including: charter re-authorization, open enrollment, strategic planning, debunking Waldorf misunderstandings, STAR readiness, etc. Yet, what can really stop our positive momentum but ourselves? I have no doubt that if we stay disciplined, driven, and dignified we're going to hit the ball out of the park! Thank you for your contributions and the opportunity to serve your wonderful children.
Onwards and Upwards!
Shaheer Faltas
Journey School
| |
|
|
|
