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GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING! 
Special Edition Newsletter
September 8, 2012

Dear Journey School Friends and Family, 

 

What a special beginning we had this past Wednesday, welcoming 58 new first graders and their families to our school community! Our student leaders, the eighth grade, presented the welcome roses two by two to our newest grades students.

 

When we looked around at all the new and returning students, we felt honored to work with such a fine faculty. The teachers' enthusiasm and dedication to all that a Waldorf curriculum entails inspires us. And we sense that you, too, feel this, and thus have entrusted your children into their care and guidance. All of us thank you for this commitment and look forward to your participation in Journey School life!

 

So read on! We have so many 'great happenings' going on that you need to know about. Most importantly mark your calendars for our Back to School Night this coming Thursday, September 13. We hope to see at least one parent from every family in attendance!

 

With enthusiasm,

Bonnie and Patti

Education Directors 
'BACK TO SCHOOL' NIGHT IS NEXT WEEK 
We request the presence of every family for "Back-to-School Night" which will take place next week. Our meeting will begin with a whole community conversation and celebration. Your child's teacher will then host you in their classroom for a presentation.  

 

WHEN?

Thursday, September 13, 6:00-7:30pm for Kindergarten parents and 6:00-8:00pm for the Grades classes.

 

WHY?

Find out about all the amazing things your child will be learning this year, what's new at Journey School, and how you can be involved in the Journey School community!

 

WHO?

Parents only

Are nursing babies welcome? Of course!

 

IS THERE CHILDCARE?  

Childcare for children ages 2-12 is available at PlayMates on the corner of LaPaz and Pacific Park at a discounted rate.  Click here to RSVP or call (949) 448-0814 by September 10 to reserve your spot. Please note that Journey School cannot provide childcare for this event and cannot allow unsupervised play. Thank you for your understanding!


NEW FORMAT 

Yes, it's true! This year you will only visit one class after our whole community gathering. The teachers want to spend more time with parents sharing what will be happening in our classrooms and how you can be of help! If your family has more than one child in the school, handouts will be provided.

WESTERN DIGITAL SCIENCE AWARD
A recent survey of Waldorf high school graduates found that 42% major in the sciences or math at the undergraduate level. More than almost any other subject in the curriculum, Waldorf school science is experiential and hands on. 

  

Thanks to Journey's Moadelli family for leading us to the Western Digital science grant opportunity and the big part they played in getting $3700 for Journey's science program. Our gratitude to Amy Capelle for putting in the volunteer hours to craft the grant application. Journey parent volunteers, Greg and Amy Ruth's budgeting expertise and proposal feedback were invaluable in securing this grant.  

  

Unlike the traditional curriculum in the United States, high-performing (science scores) nations "spiral" their science education, revisiting core science topics each year and introducing increasingly complex concepts as students progress through the grades. Journey School's science curriculum similarly builds on itself, starting in kindergarten, and spirals or scaffolds upward in subsequent grades to enable students to explore topics in life, physical, and earth sciences in greater depth. 

  

If you know of any grant opportunities Journey might pursue this year or if you would like to learn more about volunteering as a grant writer, please contact Amy Capelle at  [email protected]. 
ALL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
Wahoo's Logo
Journey School's All School Lunch Program is managed by our 8th graders to earn money for their annual class trip. A big thank you goes out to Wahoo's for continuing to offer nutritious and affordable hot lunches for children in every grade.
 
  • We will officially launch our 'All School Lunch Program' & begin serving lunch on Monday, September 17th.
  • Order forms will be available beginning September 10th. Please check the "Popular with Parents" sidebar on the website to link to the lunch forms.
  • The cost is the same as last year: $4.25 per meal. No refunds for missed lunches.
  • More details will be available next week. Thank you for your patience.

 

Contact Stephanie Rocha at [email protected] with questions.   
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
We are excited about the high-quality after school program to be provided in 2012-13. The program will begin on Monday, September 10th. Detailed flyers and information about how to sign-up directly with the providers can be found on the After School Programs page of our website. If you have any questions about our class list, please contact [email protected].
 
Mondays 
Little Acorns - Kindergarten Program, 12:30-3:00 p.m.
Clay Time Ceramics - K -Grade 4, 3:00-4:15 p.m.
After School Athletic Program (ASAP)
Grades 4-8, 3:00-4:15 p.m.
Extended Day with Mr. K - Grades 1-8, 4:15-5:30 p.m.

Tuesdays
 
Little Acorns - Kindergarten Program, 12:30-3:00 p.m. (FULL)
Handwork - All Grades, 3:00-5:30 p.m.
ASAP - Grades 6-8, 3:00-4:15 p.m.
Extended Day with Mr. K
- Grades 1-8, 4:15-5:30 p.m.


Wednesdays 
Claddagh School of Irish Dance - K-Grade 5, 12:30-2:00 p.m.
ASAP with Mr. K - Grades 1-3, 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Extended Day with Mr. K - Grades 1-5, 2:00-5:30 p.m. 

Thursdays
 
Little Acorns - Kindergarten Program, 12:30-3:00 p.m. (FULL)
ASAP with Mr. K - Grades 4-8, 3:00-4:15 p.m.
Guitar 
- All Grades, 3:00-4:15 p.m.
Strings - All Grades, 3:00-4:15 p.m.
Handwork - All Grades, 3:00-5:30 p.m.
Extended Day with Mr. K - Grades 1-8, 4:15-5:30 p.m.

Fridays
 
Little Acorns - Kindergarten Program, 12:30-3:00 p.m. (FULL)
ASAP with Mr. K - Grades 6-8, 3:00-4:15 p.m. 
Extended Day with Mr. K - Grades 6-8, 4:15-5:30 p.m.

NOTE: While Journey School facilitates these after school opportunities, we do not manage them; each provider is entirely responsible for all aspects of the class.  
ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL
Arrival
Thank you to all of our families who have made the effort to get your children to school on time. Please remember that main lesson begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. so we suggest that you arrive 8:15 a.m.  We don't want any student to miss out on the important morning activities, nor can we allow this instructional time to be interrupted.
 
Here are the steps if your grades 1-8 student arrives after 8:30 a.m.: 
  • The parent (or other adult bringing the child) is required to walk the student to the Before School Coordinator or the office to sign-in, indicating the reason the student is tardy.
  • The student will receive a pass that will permit them into the classroom and will wait with the Coordinator until a messenger from the class invites them in. 
  • The student's parent or guardian is to sign the appropriate list at the office.   
The parent of a kindergarten student is required to bring the child to his or her classroom.

Dismissal 

Kindergarten dismissal is at 12:30. Grades 1-8 dismissal on all days but Wednesday is at 3:05 p.m. Dismissal on Wednesdays is at 12:35 for ALL grades classes. We are striving to be timely with our end of the day and need your help. Let's help each other and teach the children the importance of being on time and respecting other peoples' time. Towards this end, we have a ten-minute grace period for parents to pick up their children before they walk back to the picnic table area to wait for you. If you arrive after 3:15, please park and sign your child out in the office.

PICK-UP & PARKING PROCEDURE

Wow! With our increased attendance we have more cars! We are looking at a number of creative ideas from staff and parents on how to solve our traffic issues.

 

Beginning Monday, September 10, please help us trial PLAN A for three weeks. At that time we will assess its success and move forward to PLAN B if needed.

 

PLAN A:

  1. Please carpool with someone in your local area or neighborhood! Grades families strive to park on Foxborough before parking in the lot. That way you get a little more exercise in your day!
  2. Kindergarten parents - Park in the new designated Kindergarten parking in the BB court and drop off or pick up your children in front of their classrooms.
  3. Grades 1-8 parents, your system is two-fold
    Drop off:
    • 1st grades: School entrance by the Parent Cottage
    • 2nd-8th: 'Drop Off' area (same as always)
    Pick up:
    • 1st grades: School entrance by the Parent Cottage
    • 2nd-4th: 'Drop Off' area (same as always)
    • 5th-8th: Foxborough gate (same as always)
  4. Families with more than one child in the school: Please have your older child pick up your younger children and meet you at your oldest child's area.
Thank you for your patience, understanding and slow driving on Foxborough and in our parking lot!  
HELP CLOSE-THE-GAP
The voluntary "Close-the-Gap" pledge program is now in full-swing!  Journey School is tuition free and donation dependent. Donations are entirely confidential and have zero bearing on your standing in the Journey School community.  
 
Our goal is a 95% family participation rate. Remember, generosity could mean $10.00 per month or $10,000. Please keep in mind that automated monthly payments are available. Also, some employers will provide matching funds. Contact [email protected] for more information.   
ENROLLMENT
Journey School will continue to accept applications for kindergarten and first grade for the 2012-13 school year until October 1, 2012. Visit our website for an application. For more information, contact Kris at [email protected].
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Volunteers are needed to help finish the painting of our school offices from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, September 15 & 16. Please come by and help if you can. Contact Sara at [email protected] for more information and be sure to log your volunteer hours on the PC website at www.journeyschoolpc.net. 
CARPOOL ANYONE?
Parent Cabinet is creating a Car Pool Database. If you are looking to find a carpool or to help lessen the drop-off and pick-up congestion, check it out on the Parent Cabinet website
2012-2013 CALENDAR
IMPORTANT DATES THIS MONTH:

Wednesday, Sept. 12th
Parent Cabinet Meeting (8:45 a.m. in the Parent Cottage)
 
Thursday, Sept. 13th 
Back to School Night (6:00 p.m. - parents only)

Thursday, Sept. 27th

JS Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.


Thursday & Friday, Sept. 27th & 28th 
Class Photos
 
CALENDAR:
More 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 [email protected]
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.    
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