Journey School News

The Illumination Foundation is an organization whose mission is to bridge the gap in existing services for the vulnerable members of our Orange County community.

Focusing on families with children and those with medical or mental health conditions, the Illumination Foundation's vision is to break the cycle of homelessness by lowering the qualifications necessary to receive health and housing assistance. Adults are empowered with the tools to become self-sufficient and children are inspired to grow into independent, productive adults.

HOMELESSNESS CRISIS:

21,000 - 35,000 homeless people in Orange County
Over 26,000 Orange County public school students are living in unstable housing conditions
3,400 shelter beds have high-entry qualifications that leave homeless people on the streets.

ROOT CAUSE:

A critical shortage of affordable permanent housing
A minimum wage worker has to work 125 hours/week to afford a one-bedroom apartment
A shortage of affordable housing for renters can instigate a cycle of poverty

SERVICES:

Illumination Foundation offers multiple services that provide solutions to homelessness.

For more info, please click on the links below:

Interim Housing Program

Interim Supportive Shelter

Permanent Supportive Housing

Recuperative Care Program

Medical Outreach and Care

Motel Family Outreach

**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

Good Things Are Happening!
June 17, 2011

Dear Journey School Community:

Please join us for the special "Reverse Rose Ceremony" which will take place in the lunch area today at approximately 10:30. All families in the school are invited! This special event expresses appreciation and gratitude for the 8th grade students. All grades classes will present the 8th graders with a musical or artistic gift straight from the heart. Then, first grade students will bestow a rose upon each 8th grader.

To conclude the ceremony, the entire faculty and staff will shake each student's hand in a gesture of mutual respect and to mark the end of another school year. We really hope to see you there!

If you can't make it, we wish you and your families a magical and meaningful summer!

rose bud

Onwards and Upwards!

Shaheer Faltas

Welcome Ms. Kim Torrey

We would like to introduce you to Ms. Kim Torrey, a delightful person and a highly qualified teacher, who will serve Journey School in the lower grades in 2011-12. Ms. Torrey earned a BA in Fine Arts from Arcadia University in Pennsylvania. At Arcadia, she was recognized as a Distinguished Scholar. Ms. Torrey then attended the University of Pennsylvania's MA program with a specific focus on Urban Education. At Penn, Ms. Torrey received the Dean's Urban Teaching Education Scholarship in addition to a Master's Degree. Ms. Torrey possesses three teaching credentials: the California Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Rhode Island Teaching Certificate (1-6), and the Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certificate (K-6). Ms. Torrey will join our staff for the joint Waldorf Certification and Master's Degree Hybrid Program at Rudolph Steiner College in one week.

Ms. Torrey is fluent in Spanish and infuses her classroom with multicultural learning opportunities. She is artistic, musical, and fully committed to Waldorf education within the public sector--embracing themes like transparency, accountability, evidence-based learning, and schooling the imagination. For the past year, Ms. Torrey has been employed as a Lead Teacher at The Mariposa Center in Rhode Island. Ms. Torrey has also taught in a first grade setting for two years as a substitute teacher and student teacher. Ms. Torrey has attended numerous workshops on Waldorf Education and comes highly recommended by both mainstream educators and Waldorf mentors. By all accounts, Ms. Torrey commands strong respect from the children and engenders warm feelings almost instantly. She is a natural teacher who comes across as a poised veteran. She looks forward to joining the Journey family.

Additional Class/Hiring News

Journey School has one remaining Main Class Teacher to hire. This person could be placed in either 1st Grade or Kindergarten depending upon who is the best match for each class. We have a strong pool of candidates to choose from and we are working carefully and diligently to select the right person for your child. Teacher assignments and student placements will be made once this final piece of the hiring equation is in place. Class size in first grade is expected to be between 26-28 students, while Kindergarten class sizes will not exceed 22 students. Effort will be made to keep Jr. Kindergarten (STAR) children together so long as that is in the best interest of the students and class. Additional announcements will be made in July and there will be opportunity to meet your teacher and class community in August.

School Calendar, 2011-12

The approved school calendar will be available Friday, June 24th. The 1st day of school will be Wednesday, September 7th. Important festivals, events, and community gatherings for 2011-12 will be published in July and August.

Summer Office Hours

The Journey School Office will be open for business during the summer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 - 2:00 most weeks. Please call for appointments. Thank you.

Music/Creative Arts

Thank you for a wonderful year of music and drama. Your talented students and our creative teachers brought the arts alive!

HELP US GROW! Mrs. Corbo is applying for instrument/music grants and needs skilled Assistance in Identifying Music /Arts Grants we may qualify for.

Also seeking Costume Organizer for organizing our many Drama Supplies! (2 hours- we'll do it together!). Please email dianac@journeyschool.net for more info.

A Big Thank You from Ms. Murphy

Hello Dear Journey School Community!

Before everyone heads off for Summer, I want to express my deep gratitude to all for your support and kindness to me and to my family. I appreciate all of the good wishes and prayers more than words can say. I would love to thank each of you individually, and I hope to have that opportunity soon.

This community is truly amazing. I am feeling much better, working hard to regain my health, and send you all my best.

~ Jill Murphy

Tdap needed for 7th & 8th Graders

If you have an incoming 7th or 8th grader, please get your child's Tdap Immunization NOW! Starting July 1st, 2011, ALL students entering 7th through 12th grade will need to show proof of the Whooping Cough booster shot before attending the first day of school! Please bring your child's "shot record" and the attached verification form to the office as soon as possible. Thank you for keeping our schools HEALTHY!

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.