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GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING!
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Weekly News
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October 11, 2012
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ECO-LITERACY PROGRAM KICKS OFF
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Our innovative Ecoliteracy program kicked off last week with 2nd and 3rd graders working in our outdoor classrooms with Jodi Levine from Earthroots Field School. 1st graders (shown here) and 4th graders planted seeds in the Green Heart Garden raised planter boxes. 5th graders prepped the soil in the Sunny Patch Edible Garden. The OC Register will be here tomorrow as they prepare to feature Nature Studies at Journey School for an upcoming article.
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HARVEST FESTIVAL COMING SOON!
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PARENT CONFERENCES & MINIMUM DAYS
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Journey School recognizes the vital role parents play in the educational process. That's why annual Parent Conferences will take place during the week of October 29-November 2 between 1:00-4:00 p.m. Main Class Teachers will be in contact about parent sign-ups.
Over the past couple of years, the staff has worked hard to enhance the conference and progress-reporting processes to maximize educational benefit for all children. We are very excited! When you meet with your teacher you will:
- Discuss your child's academic and personal development.
- Receive a Trimester Report with thoughtful, timely, and specific feedback.
- Gain new insight by studying your student's work.
- Co-create personalized goals for the coming months.
In order to make meaningful conferences possible, school will end at 12:30 PM the entire week for all students, K-8.
- Most after-care classes will be canceled except for the Wednesday's classes and Mr. K's classes. Please check directly with your after-care provider.
- Mr. K will be offering drop-in childcare for the duration of conference week at very reasonable rates. Information and a sign-up sheet can be found in the school office.
- We look forward to working together to ensure Conference Week is highly successful and runs smoothly.
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CALL TO ACTION - ABSENCES
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Month 1 Schoolwide Attendance Rate was 96%
We're grateful to all parents who prioritize excellent attendance. And, we now need to rally together to reach our goal of 98%. Research and common sense tell us that when children miss school they fall off track in many ways; this includes their social and academic progress. Moreover, the hard truth is absences deplete the school's resources quickly. Every time a student is absent for any reason (excused or not) the school loses more than $40.00. So, one student absence is the cost equivalent of:
- 1 decent recorder
- 2 sets of high-caliber colored pencils
- 1.3 specialty teacher hours
- 4 literature books for middle school
- 1 week's worth of organic snacks in Kindergarten
Unless there is a very legitimate reason (click here for Parent Handbook), we ask that you ensure your child is here everyday.
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NEW PARKING LOT PROCEDURES
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We are well aware that the current traffic flow and parking situation in the lot is definitely a work in progress. Please continue to bear with us as we iron out the bumps. You have been very patient and polite, and it is much appreciated. The good news is we are seeing steady improvement.
As you may have noticed this week, we have created a 2-lane entrance upon approaching the front of the building; the right lane is to be used for 1st grade drop-off/pick-up and also for entering the kindy parking lot. (Please refrain from blocking handicap spots).
The left lane has been created to take you directly to the grades drop-off area--please pull forward fully and exit with care. 5th-8th grade--please drop-off in the cul-de-sac in front of school. This way we can cut down on congestion. There is no parking along the playground fence at all--except for kindergarten parents at lunch time.
Kindy drop-off: We have double load parking to accommodate all families. If someone has parked behind you, please pull into the grass and drive around to the exit. Also, please be sure to remove your car from the playground lot by 9am so it doesn't interfere with student activities. Again, we thank you for your cooperation.
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HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES - TIME TO PLAN
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Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA)
Preview Days: 10/14/12, 11/17/12, and 1/5/13 @ various times
J Serra High School
Open House: 11/4/2012 @ 11:30am in the J Serra Gym
"Lion for a Day" student visitation days began October 1st
St Margaret's Episcopal School
All School Open House: 11/10/2012 Grades 9-12 @ 9:30am - 12:00pm
Class Visitations begin 12/10/2012
Waldorf School of Orange County
Open House: 10/28/2012 @ 2:00pm
Must RSVP
Sage Hill High School School
Admission Fall Open House: 10/13/2012 @ 11am or 1pm in the Student Lobby
Tours & Shadow Days Begin 11/5/2012
Must RSVP
Tarbut V' Torah Community Day School
Open House & Tours are scheduled weekly
Must RSVP
Saddleback Valley Christian School
Private Orientation & Tour Only
949.443.3941
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LEE STURGEON DAY WORKSHOP
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All Journey families and friends are invited to join us on October 25th at 6pm as we welcome Lee Sturgeon Day for her Biography Workshop: Connect to your community and yourself through this enlightening workshop. This extremely popular event will explore the theme of learning to read our destiny through those whom we meet along the way; focusing on who we are and what we have come on earth to do.
By way of background, Lee was born in England in 1941 and educated in England, France, and Italy. She is an acclaimed author, storyteller, and international speaker for Waldorf schools and communities. Lee has also served as personal assistant to Sir John Betjeman-Britain's revered Nobel Laureate. Read more on her website.
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NEW JOURNEY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
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Parent and community leadership provides Journey with a strong foundation for decision-making. We'd like to welcome our new board and thank them for their important service to our school. Read more about our board at: http://www.journeyschool.net/about/our-team/board-of-directors/
Michael Corbo (President)
Sue Vaughn (Vice President)
Kimberley Springer (Treasurer)
Alyson Smith (Faculty Member/Secretary)
Lisa O'Neill (Parent Cabinet Member)
Colleen Patterson (Member)
Jon Kaplan (Member)
Michelle Spieker (Member)
Many thanks to outgoing board members - Kris Powell, Ed.D. and Jan Geisendorfer - for their invaluable service to our school.
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KINDY EVENT REMINDER - ALL ARE WELCOME
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Media and Nutrition: How too much of one and too little of the other can impact your child's development
Dear Kindergarten Families and all interested adults,
We invite you to join us for our first Kindergarten Community Parent Education Evening tonight, Thursday, October 11th beginning at 5:45pm.
Your Kindergarten teachers request that at least one parent from each family attend, yet we would love to see both parents come if possible.
- Make it a date night!
- Very limited childcare for the Kindergarten families will be available for a fee, $5.00 per child, $10.00 per family with more than one child. RSVP to your K teacher.
- Of course, home is the best place for the children in the evening, so if you can arrange care at home, we highly encourage you to do so.
- All the best meetings begin with food, more to follow about that soon!
Looking forward to seeing you there! We are all available for inquiries.
Miss Hellene, Miss Jennifer, Miss B, and Miss Jill
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HEAD, HEART & HANDS WORKSHOP
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Rhythm, Celebrations, and Daily Life: Making the Mundane Magical
Join Tammra Tanner on Wednesday, October 17th at 9am in the New Parent Cottage for an interactive talk that will address daily living--including sleep, play and making choices. This "parent favorite" workshop will feature tips and ideas for making magic in your daily life--from transitional times of day, to verses for meals, to the ever-present bedtime; plus a little Waldorf 101 will be thrown in.
Tammra Tanner has been involved in the Waldorf movement for over 13 years. As a parent at Journey for 8 years, she has served as the parent education facilitator offering her Head, Heart and Hand Workshops/Talks, as well as a handwork assistant, cooking teacher for 3 years, and recently Kindergarten assistant. She has served as a past Parent Cabinet Chair and is currently on the Parent Cabinet Executive Board. Enrolled with the Rudolf Steiner College Hybrid Program, she will complete her Waldorf Teacher's Certificate and Masters in Spring 2013. She is also involved in the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education. You may find her at her Beauty, Harmony and Order blog.
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NEW YOGA AFTER SCHOOL CLASS
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Calling all Middle Schoolers! Come relax and build strength in an afterschool yoga class taught by our very own Miss Elisabeth. Beginning next Wednesday, October 17th, come get your yoga on! Please click here for details.
Several of our other 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.
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ORDER YOUR JOURNEY T-SHIRTS TODAY
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The deadline for Journey T-shirt orders has been extended to Friday, October 12th - so get your order in today! Now you can wear your Journey school pride "on your sleeve." Parent Cabinet is offering adult and children's sizes in a variety of colors, including rainbow and single color tie-dye. Visit the Parent Cabinet Website to see the choices and prices.
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PARENT HANDWORK CLASS ON MONDAYS
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| The Journey School Parent weekly handwork class got off to a great start last week. The class will be offered each Monday from 8:30-10:30 am continuing through October 29th. This series will focus on knitting, felting and crocheting. All classes are $15 and will be held in the Handwork Room. For details contact Liz at lisclark@yahoo.com or Uschi at friebauers@sbcgloabal.net. |
Photo proof sheets were sent home with your child last week and are due back by October 24th. All photo orders are guaranteed. If you are not satisfied with your child's portraits, please contact Joy Halverson at (949) 697-9625 or email circusjoy@mac.com for a retake. Retake day will be scheduled in the next few weeks.
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| Make Your Own Mess Kits with our wonderful Kindy Teachers, Mrs. B and Mrs. Jill, on Tuesday, October 23rd from 3:00-4:30 PM at the lunch tables. Kits are $7 each. Please click here to sign-up online or in the front office. |
IMPORTANT DATES AND UPCOMING EVENTS:
Thursday, Oct. 11
Friday, Oct. 12
Next Week and Beyond
- 10/17 - Head, Heart & Hands Workshop with Tammra Tanner - 9am
- 10/23 - Mess Kit Making Workshop - Help Mother Earth by making a re-usable mess kit (plate, cup, utensils, napkin)
- 10/25 - Guest Speaker: Lee Sturgeon Day
- 10/29-11/2 - Parent-Teacher Conferences - 12:30pm Dismissal all week
- 11/3 Harvest Faire 12-4pm
- 11/4 Daylight Savings Time Ends
- 11/12 No School
- 11/13-16 Book Fair
- 11/14 Lantern Walk 5pm for Kindy, 6pm for 1-4th Grades
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 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. BLOG:
Click to read our latest blog entry: http://www.journeyschool.net/education-is-a-journey/.
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