Journey School News

Join children around the world in celebrating Screen-Free Week (formerly TV-Turnoff) by turning off televisions, computers, and video games and tuning in on the world around them.

Waldorf school communities are ideal partners in this global effort to eliminate screens for a week from the lives of children. In Waldorf schools, the human voice and human speech are cultivated through recitation and storytelling; imaginative play is a pillar of the work at school from early childhood on, transformed into drama through twelfth grade; and current brain research indicates that the curriculum in a Waldorf school supports development of the whole mind through play, the arts, and rigorous academics. Waldorf school communities already know the benefits of a week with no screens, but we can all do a bit more to focus away from the distractions of electronics that are so enmeshed in our complex and beautiful world. Join with us in working to have a completely free-of-screens week to emphasize the importance of this effort.

**PLEASE NOTE** This section of the newsletter is intended to promote awareness within our community of our wider world. JS does not intend this as a solicitation or official endorsement, but rather as a source of information and as a reminder that even the smallest of actions can make a difference. All JS community members are welcome to submit information to this section by emailing
journeyschoolnews@gmail.com

Community Outreach 2

OC EARTH DAY 2011

Sustainability Workshop

Saturday, April 23rd

Archstone Aliso Town Ctr

23511 Aliso Creek Rd

Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

2:00-4:00pm

Learn about composting using food scraps and yard waste; how to make eco-friendly purchases to reduce waste; how to re-use everyday items to reduce waste; and what can be recycled.

Every Aliso Viejo resident or household completing the workshop will receive a voucher that reduces the cost of a vermi-composter to $30. These composter units will be available the day of the workshop.

For more information about the composting workshop, click here.

FOR A LIST OF MORE EARTH DAY EVENTS, click here.

Journey School Fundraising

3 no-cost ways
to earn money for
our school !!!!

1. eScrip: Sign on to www.escrip.com enter school name register your bank and grocery cards.

2. Ralphs rewards: Sign in to www.ralphs.com go to enroll your card click on community programs and type in Journey School.

3. Purchase Scrip: Look for info and order forms sent home with your kids! Click here for order form
or
Click here for list of scrip merchants

JS Classifieds

PAST YEARBOOK NEEDED

We are still in need of a yearbook from the years 2008-2009 so we can have it copied for the school. If you can loan us your yearbook from one of these years, we promise to take good care of it and will return it shortly. Please contact Shoon if you can help.

YEARBOOK ARCHIVE

A volunteer is needed to take old yearbooks and have them reprinted and possibly laminated to preserve them for the future. Please contact Shoon for more info.

LOST & FOUND
Parents, the Lost & Found is overflowing! Please remember to look through the lost & found for your children's missing items.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

to provide teacher lunch on Wednesdays. Lunch can be as simple as a crockpot of soup and bread. Lunch is for 15 teachers. Please Email Lisa Fry for more details.

P.O.P.S. VOLUNTEERS

Parents are needed for recess duty Monday through Friday from 10:30-11:00 AM or 12:30-1:10 PM. You can volunteer weekly, bi-weekly, or as a sub. We will work with your schedule! Please email your availability to journeypops@gmail.com or sign up online here.

HANDWORKERS & READERS NEEDED:

Attention Parents: Our children are in need of parent helpers in Handwork Class. Handwork is M, T & Th from 10:55 AM - 2:45 PM. Please contact Sylvia Sandefur, Handwork Teacher, to find the best fit for you! 949.257.5335 or bunique@cox.net.

Good Things Are Happening!
April 19, 2011

Dear Journey School Friends and Family:

Good afternoon! We hope this midweek newsletter finds you well. Please review the following details carefully for important updates and information.

Onwards and Upwards!

Shaheer Faltas

STAR Testing

STAR Testing begins Tuesday, 5/3 for grades 2-8. Testing will occur in the mornings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Testing will last approximately 3 weeks. Our schoolwide approach to testing is healthy and balanced. We avoid undue pressure and cultivate calmness in the students while still expecting admirable results. Below are suggestions that have been proven to help on the home-front. Let's all implement them together starting now:

Ensure your student attends school every day and on time
Absences and tardies at this point are inexcusable (except due to serious illness, religious celebrations, or exceptionally pressing matters)
Turn-off the screens--it's that simple
Be sure your child(ren) get lots of sleep and eat healthy--breakfast is key
Focus on effort versus outcome
We want students to see that blessings and positive outcomes follow hard work
Ensure all homework and class work is prioritized
Encourage excellent classroom behavior without excuse
Support your teachers when they need help
Avoid distractions, disruptions, or unnecessary problems that sap energy

Facilities
Resolution with the district regarding our facilities situation is expected in the very near future. We remain confident that a win-win solution is about to be achieved but cannot yet relay any new news. Thank you for your patience and support during this challenging process.

Auction

"Help is only help if it arrives when needed."

Now is the time for action. Below are ways you can assist now:

Click here to purchase auction tickets for your family, friends or staff
Approach interested community members or potential supporters
If we all get 1 extra person to buy a ticket our mission will be accomplished
The goal is to have at least 100 tickets sold by tomorrow
Proceeds are used to "CLOSE THE FUNDING GAP" between the amount of revenue the state allocates per pupil (approximately $5300) and the actual cost of running a Waldorf-inspired program per pupil (approximately $9000)
Monies raised will be used to ensure Violin, Ukulele, Spanish, Spatial Dynamics and Games, essential teacher training, etc.

annual gala auction 2011 logo

The Annual Auction Gala on May 7th

is fast approaching!

All are welcome to join us for Journey School's biggest celebration of the year! Experience an unforgettable night brimming with good food, great friends, and lots of laughter.

Incoming families are especially invited as a great way to meet other Journey families and get acquainted.

Remember to RSVP online or in the drop box in the ofﬁce.

Donations are needed for our wonderful auction baskets. Please bring your donation to the ofﬁce basket or your classroom basket before April 20th.

CLASS BASKETS 2011 AUCTION

Kindy, Daylily: Books, Fairies and Gnomes, grades K-4th

Kindy, Morning Glory: Garden or Ecology inspired items

Kindy, Sunflower: Baby items

1st: Waldorf inspired Toys and Activities

2nd: Health, Wellness and relaxation

3rd: Gourmet - Cooking

4th: Games

5th: Arts and Crafts (adults or kids)

6th: Picnic and/or Camping

7th: Breakfast in Bed (think Mother's Day!)

8th: Beach, Sports, Outdoor activities

Each class basket will be displayed on the silent auction tables and will be open to bidders on the night of the event.

Proceeds from the auction benefit Journey School.

You may purchase an item to donate or solicit donations from a local business.

Journey School is a 501(C) 3 non-profit and donations may be tax deductible.The school tax I.D. number is # 33 - 0912707 and may be given to donors for tax purposes. Letters and donation forms are available in the office.

If you have other items to donate to the auction or would like to help the committee, please e-mail journeyauction@cox.net.

Thank you for your support,

The Auction Committee

Progress Reports
Ongoing assessment and effective feedback of student progess are essential. You should receive your student's second trimester report directly from the teacher in electronic format this week. To ensure a smooth process, please check in with the teacher early next week if this does not occur.

Attendance
Remember that it is important for your child to attend school each day on time. Please do not to pick up your child from school early unless absolutely unavoidable or there is an emergency, etc.

If a child has to miss school, it is the parent or guardian's responsibility to call the office that morning and leave a message with the reason for the absence. If the school is not informed of the reason, the absence will be considered unexcused.

Garden and Ecology Program
Green Heart Garden is Growing more fruit trees
A big thank you to Tom Spellman of Dave Nursery for donating several varieties of fruit trees for our green heart garden. Master Gardeners Erik Katzmaier and Mary Gorelick helped the 6th graders plant the trees prior to Spring Break. Take a stroll back to the garden to check out the planter boxes and new fruit trees. A compost training class is being organized for the 6th graders and parents. Date to be announced soon.

Garden Tree Planting 01

Garden Tree Planting 05

Hot Lunch Days
Sharky's Mondays -- New forms went home last week for Sharky's. Some children have credit balances due to early dismissal and the games hosted at Journey School. Please check with your child to see if they were given a form with credit. Click here for the new form that will be good until the end of May.

Z Pizza Fridays -- The new pizza form begins this week. Click here to download the form.

As always, forms will go home with the children and are available in the office in the drawer marked Sharky's & Z Pizza. When completing your order forms, please take into consideration any field trips your child's class may have and remember not to order on those days!

Community Supported Agriculture

Starting Tuesday, April 26th, CSA baskets will be delivered to school by 2:30 PM. Click here to download the sign-up form.

CSA members can choose to receive a regular or large size basket of seasonal organic foods once a week or bi-weekly. A regular basket averages about 15-20 different items and a large basket averages 17-22 items. The large baskets also include more of certain items. Memberships are purchased and renewed on a quarterly basis, with a one-time registration fee of $15.00. New members can join our program at any time, and pay only for baskets left in the quarter.

A TYPICAL BASKET

Contents of CSA baskets change seasonally, an example basket in spring quarter would include: chard, onions. beets, broccoli, lettuce, parsley, kale, avocado, navel oranges, lemons, apples, grapefruit, pears, potatoes, kiwi and cabbage.

With each basket, you will receive an email listing the items contained in your box along with a few recipes to help ensure that all of your healthy produce is enjoyed.

CSA POLICIES

Your CSA commitment lasts for one season and prepayment is required before your basket delivery begins. If you are unable to pick-up our basket at your designated location on your designated day, it is your responsibility to have a friend or family member do so. Any unclaimed baskets will be donated at the discretion of the site host. Refunds are not available for unclaimed baskets.

csa basket

Regular: $238.00 (7 baskets x $34)

Large: $287.00 (7 baskets x $41)

*one time registration fee of $15.00

To register, please click here to download the sign-up form. If you have more questions please do not hesitate to phone Telie or Rebecca at 949-661-9381 or email the farm directly at scfcsa@yahoo.com.

Check out the web site http://www.southcoastfarms.com

Community Discount Cards for Sale

Each Discount Card Only $10.00

We offer discount cards from Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente and Ladera Ranch. Please see attached flyer for discounts. All discount cards are valid through 08/31/2011. To purchase your discount cards, please contact Bettina Spretke at matashis@cox.net.