Message to the Middle School 

Dear Middle School Families:

As you may already know your child is participating in classroom lessons this year in Digital Media Literacy and Citizenship (for you 7th grade parents, we are in our 2nd year of what we've been calling "Cyber Civics"). The overall goal of this curriculum is to educate and empower our middle school students to harness the power of the Internet and digital technology for learning, and for them to become safe, responsible, respectful and ethical digital citizens.  

What is digital citizenship?  

YouTube. iTunes. Twitter. Facebook. Club Penguin.  

Even with the media policies that Journey School has in place, your child is likely familiar with some of the above due simply to the culture they are growing up in. Digital media and technology is evolving at a dizzying pace, bringing with it extraordinary opportunities as well as real risks for our children. On the positive side, young people are using the immense power of the Internet and mobile technology to create, connect, explore and learn in ways never before imagined. On the negative side, harmful behaviors aided by digital technology, from cyberbullying to digital cheating, are surfacing in schools and in homes across the country. Young people face ethical challenges daily, without a road map to guide them. And many of us - public and Waldorf parents and teachers alike- are struggling with how to help our children thrive in this brave new world. That is why we are embarking on this exciting program.  

Click here to read the full letter

Compassionate Campus Project (CCP) has been launched! 

Our year-long project is off to a good start on the Journey School Campus. At the first assembly of the year, the Eighth Grade Class presented their understanding of Student Leadership and are preparing to assume this leadership this year. The words they shared to identify a leader were: honest, brave, dependable, fair, understanding, caring, having courage, not afraid to venture out and try something new, strong-minded, revolutionary, having wisdom...  

Using these words as their guidelines, the 5-8th grades will elect members to the student council. Eighth grade members will be the decision-makers, 7th will be the listening-circle advisers, 6th and 5th the campus temperature-takers. These students will do various tasks in the student government structure.  

Another component of the CCP is the partnering system between the grades. Each of the upper grades are partnered with a class in the lower grades: 8th & 4th, 7th & 3rd, 6th & 2nd, 5th & 1st. The partners are taking "partner-walks" every-other week when the older students check-in with the younger partners. Knowing that the older students, too, need some place to go and to talk, we are concentrating on developing a Care Curriculum through which the collaboration of Digital Literacy (ethics), Eco-Literacy (ethics) and Compassionate Campus Project (also ethics) identify ways to bring groups of older students together to learn more about self-care, care for friends, care for campus and care for our world.  

Each 3-4 weeks, the campus will work together to manifest a virtue. The first virtue that we are attending to is Courtesy. The younger grades have done beautiful freely rendered projects about how we live and work together in recognition of differences and samenesses between us. We acknowledge that everyone needs Courtesy. You will soon see the signs made by the 5th and 6th grade reminding everyone of the courtesy that we all deserve and expect from one another.  

Next week: More about student government, listening-circles, and all that we are doing to manifest Courtesy on our Campus!

Journey's Back to School Night Experience  

By Cyreine Adams, 8th Grade Student  

Last Thursday night, Journey School hosted Back to School Night, leading a parade of parents and visitors onto a welcoming campus. At our makeshift parking lot/playground, parents were greeted by eighth graders recruited especially for this task. From there they were led to the garden. Then fourth grader, Grace, shared her lovely voice with Journey, and her song ended in a shower of applause. Everyone was impressed by her obvious talent.  

Next, parents, board members, and founding families all shared their heartfelt stories about Journey's past, present, and optimistic hopes for our future. Humorous tales from our frequent transitions were told, from our legendary catapult (bought on Craigslist) to our dedicated gardeners who worked so hard to make Journey a home. Parents shared how they met kindred spirits at Journey and graciously thanked Journey for giving children the chance to enjoy childhood. Ms. Bonnie River told how Waldorf education began, taking us all the way back to World War I and messages of hope on packets of cigarettes. Eighth graders were then asked to tell why they loved Journey. They expressed their love for Journey's art and friends, telling just how special Journey is.  

Next, Mr. Shaheer took the podium and promised a bright future for Journey school. "Millions by May," he declared, will be made in hopes to find a permanent campus solution. Forms were passed out to help us raise money. Also, if you or someone you know can help with donations, please make an appointment with Mr. Shaheer. Mr. Shaheer also reminded us just how a student reminded him that we should, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll still land on a star." He shared this year's school-wide theme of "Purpose" and our mascot this year is the porpoise.  

After the school-wide sharing in the garden, parents were asked to visit their child's classroom and learn more about the goals and plans for the year.  

New parents met with Ms. Bonnie River who explained how Journey protects childhood and imaginative spirits. She reminded us how important it is to turn off the television and video games during the school week.  

Journey School thanks you all for coming to Back to School night and we missed those who could not make it. We hope you had a great time and we'll see you at our next event!

• Students will transform their classrooms into an educational "gallery" on October 26th.  
• All parents and school friends are invited to eat finger food and walk through the grades starting at 6:00 PM.  
• We encourage you to bring prospective new parents as well.  
• Learning displays wil be on exhibition for all to see!  
• Student main lesson books, writing, art, poetry, math, science experiments, and more more will be set up for viewing.  
• Teachers will also hold short class meetings.  
• An all-school 15 minute educational presentation will also occur.  
• Be on the lookout for more information about this exciting evening!  
•  Limited child-care activities will be available for Journey students only.  
• You will need to RSVP ahead of time.

We are also hoping to provide Wednesday lunch for the teachers several times throughout the year. A simple Pot of Soup or Salad is greatly appreciated by our hardworking teachers. Simply pick a Wednesday and contact lisamariefry@yahoo.com with the date. 

Several of our high-quality aftercare programs still have openings. Please visit our website for more information about our providers and how to sign-up for their wonderful enrichment classes.   

THURSDAY VIOLIN/VIOLA MASTER CLASS

             Janet Poth, String Instructor, will teach short private lessons to a class of 4-6 beginning and intermediate students from 3:00-4:30PM Thursdays.

The successful player will:

*bring own instrument and notebook

*practice at least 5 days per week

*share favorite music with the class

* listen and observe the other lessons with courtesy

Parents are welcome at all lessons and are asked to provide an appropriate place and time for regular practice.

Ms. Poth enjoys seeing the success of her students and will use a variety of games, exercises and music to achieve real growth.

Cost: One time $15 fee for registration and music plus $50 per month

Contact her at janpoth@aol.com or (949)922-6388

Resume and references available upon request