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GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING! 
Journey School Newsletter
August 27, 2012
GET WELL SOON, SHAHEER!

The entire staff of Journey School is excited to welcome back to school all the returning and new Journey families. We hope that summer brought relaxation, some 'breathing out', connections with the outdoors, and adventures for all.

As most of you know, at the helm of Journey School's Administration is Shaheer Faltas. Unexpectedly, Shaheer's summer journey to Central America was cut short when he was hospitalized for a serious tropical illness. Thanks to his strength and excellent medical care, he is now home resting and recovering with his family.

Until Shaheer's return in mid September, Journey's co-Educational Directors, Bonnie River and Patti Connolly will be leading the school community through the first weeks of the new school year. Assisting them will be Franci Sassin, Administrative Consultant and one of Journey's original founders. The entire Journey staff will continue their collaborative and joyful work to bring the uniquely beautiful Journey School educational experience to the children.

We will keep the community posted with updates. All school-related questions can be directed through the office, and we will also put a drop box in the office for any personal notes that will be passed on to Shaheer to help inspire his recovery. (We ask that you do NOT contact Shaheer or Maria directly since the most important thing for the family right now is rest and tranquility). Thank you for your understanding; we look forward to seeing each and every one of you!

1ST DAY OF SCHOOL "ROSE CEREMONY"
rose budAll are invited to Journey School's cherished Welcome Assembly and Rose Ceremony. Following the traditional "bell-ringing" at 8:30, the entire school community gathers on the front lawn (bring blankets and chairs) by 8:45. The faculty shares a musical offering to the community and each teacher paints an impressionable picture of the year to come. It is the role of the new eighth graders to then present roses to the budding first graders as they begin their journey through the grades. The first graders stand in front of the school community with reverence and joy. One by one each eighth grader presents a rose to their new first grade "buddy" and then stands supportively behind him or her. Likewise, the eighth grade teacher offers a rose to the first grade teacher. To conclude, parents form two symbolic lines of "trust" which the students and faculty pass through on their way to the classrooms. 
 
This ceremony is celebrated in many Waldorf schools as a marker of an important rite of passage for the students. Entering the grades is something many of the kindergarteners have thought a lot about and looked forward to. It marks a key developmental milestone as the individuality and capability of each child emerges and grows. Roses are symbolic of this passage since they are a universal sign of love, beauty, and blossoming.
BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS

Adapted from blog.sgws.org 

 

Summer is a time for cherished freedom, slowing down and lots of unstructured play. Returning to school can be a jolt to everyone's system. Here are some gentle ways to lessen the stress as your family re-enters the school-time routine.

 

Get Organized

While the children enjoy their last weeks of summer, you gear up behind the scenes.

 

Meals

Consider meal planning for the first week of school. Making a simple menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner can make you less stressed during that hectic first week. Journey School has specific expectations for snacks and lunches. Please check our website for our nutritional guidelines.

 

Events

The school year starts out strong, so be sure to add the school's August and September events to your calendar now.

 

Clothes

Journey School has specific clothing requirements, especially for the outdoors. Please check the Parent Handbook for our dress code. Order, shop or trade now for your rainwear, coats, boots, hats, indoor and gym shoes. Avoid the last minute scramble.

 

Address Emotions

As the first day of school approaches, think back to your elementary years and remember the excitement (and sometimes fear) behind returning to school. Open communication lines now about academics, friends, and other first day or year-long issues.

 

Talk Positive

As you discuss the upcoming year and upcoming change, be sure to focus on your child's strengths and joys to build excitement for what's to come.

 

Schedule a Play Date

Back to school time is a great time to reconnect with friends. This gets children excited about returning to school and helps them feel comfortable about the first day when they will see their playmates again.

 

Get Involved

Being involved with school right away helps children see that they are not isolated from family during this busy season. Come to the work party on August 25 and/or 26 to meet old and new friends! Visit our website for our event calendar. Keep schooling a family activity and keep separation anxiety at bay.

 

Transition to New Routines

A gentle return to school-time routines makes the first weeks of school much easier on the family.

 

Rest and Nourishment

Earlier bed and wake times are tough with the summer sun in the sky, but trimming even 20 minutes off a late night can make a big difference. Consider meal times as well and begin feeding kids according to school breakfast, snack and lunch schedules.

 

Shifting Priorities

Summers are not always ideal. Media can creep into a schedule, academics can be forgotten, small motor skills play second fiddle to large ones. Oh yeah . . . the fiddle is still in the case. As school approaches, gently reintroduce some old priorities. Returning to outdoor play followed by some focused work, getting the nature table ready for new additions, and reviewing a few academic basics can be very valuable for boosting confidence and building excitement.

 

New Beginnings

Remember how each year felt like a fresh start? Well, it is! Don't forget that new routines and habits can begin now. Talk about goals, create a new homework spot or file system, discuss new school year challenges and rewards.  

TOGO'S BACK-TO-SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
Please join the Parent Cabinet for a Back to School Picnic fundraiser on the first day of school, Wednesday, September 5th at 12:30pm. 

Just pick up your lunch at Togo's (Alicia Pkwy & Pacific Park), bring it back and grab a Jamba Juice on campus for an all-school picnic on the grass.

Be sure to bring your flyer to Togo's as 20% of sales from Togo's and Jamba Juice are donated back to Journey.

Flyers will be available Wednesday on campus or you can print your flyer here.  Also, don't forget to call in your order --(949) 448-0418--so it's ready when you get there.

WELCOME BACK EVERYONE, IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR!
A WORK PARTY "THANK YOU"
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who came out this weekend (and especially those who came out both days) to help beautify our campus! New and returning families joined together to tackle projects both big and small. We accomplished a lot and the teachers are grateful to be a few steps closer to being ready for the start of school. There are still a few tasks that need to be done, so if you have time this week to help out, please contact Sara at sjbeebe4journeyschool@gmail.com for more information.   
ENROLLMENT
Our "Last Chance" Lottery was a success and our classes will be at capacity for the upcoming school year. If you participated in the lottery and were not placed in a class, you will receive a waitlist letter shortly. Please remember to return your signed letter by the due date in order to save your place on the waitlist.  
CLOSE THE GAP
The 2012-13 Close the Gap Campaign got off to a great start in July. Thank you to all who are participating. As a friendly reminder for those of you who are paying monthly by check, please send or drop off your payment to the school office. For those of you who have not turned in your Close the Gap forms, please keep in mind that even the smallest donation is greatly appreciated and will benefit the school. Please contact Cindy at cindy@journeyschool.net for more information.   
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Our afterschool programs will begin the 2nd week of school. We are still securing a few of the classes, so please look for an email soon for an updated list of our class offerings and registration information. In the meantime, please contact journeyschoolnews@gmail.com for more information. 
HELPING JOURNEY
There are a number of ways you can support Journey without direct giving. 

 

GOODSEARCH.COM

Journey School is registered with GoodSearch.com, a company that helps non-profits like ours raise funds through the everyday actions of our supporters.

Here is how you can help:

  • Use GoodSearch when you search the internet-they will donate a penny to us every time you do.
  • Use GoodShop.com when you shop online - they work with more than 2,500 major retailers, have over 100,000 coupons, and donate a percentage of every purchase you make to us.
  • Enroll in the GoodDining.com they will donate up to 6% of every dollar you spend when you eat at one of 10,000 participating restaurants Get started by clicking the "Become a Supporter" button on our profile page here!

REGISTER JOURNEY SCHOOL WITH YOUR TARGET REDCARD

 

SHOP AT REUSEIT.COM (use code: L11Journey) 

2012-2013 CALENDAR
Key dates for the 2012-2013 school year are posted on the calendar page of the website. Our communications team works hard to keep these dates current and accurate. Please email journeyschoolnews@gmail.com
if you find a mistake and we'll correct it as soon as possible. Please bear in mind that specific dates for festivals or special events may change depending on unpredictable circumstances.    
 
The calendar is meant for parent-eyes only.
Many of our activities, festivals, and traditions are meant to be introduced to the children by their teachers. Your cooperation in being discrete at home is appreciated. (We give parents advance notice as a courtesy to help in planning and volunteering). The goal is to maintain the awe and wonder of childhood--especially in Kindergarten and the lower grades!  
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