JS header
GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING! 
Weekly News
November 1, 2012
JOURNEY IN THE OC REGISTER
Journey just appeared in an O.C. Register article outlining why charter schools are on the rise, filling unique niches for students and parents. The article emphasizes the school's commitment to public Waldorf education and environmental stewardship--without the price tag of a private school. 
JOURNEY IN OC FAMILY MAGAZINE
Hot off the press, our school and Waldorf Education are featured in the November issue of OC Family magazine. This is a helpful introduction for new or prospective families. We also encourage everyone to read the Journey School Charter and study guide.   
8TH GRADE STUDIES
Student Work Sample
Almost two weeks ago, the 8th Grade students began studying the settlements of the 13 Colonies--examining the reasons why people chose the bold venture of a journey to the New World in order to make a better life. The quest for riches influenced the triangular trade between Britain, Africa, and the Americas, leading to the forced removal of millions of Africans from their homeland. The students read primary sources relating to the slave ships and slave auctions. The students also examined the expansion of the frontier and skirmishes between the British, French, and Spanish leading into the Seven Years' War.  
Student Work Sample
After the British defeated the enemy, they gained control of New France, and the Spanish relinquished Florida. Presently, the class will learn about the Stamp Act, an attempt by the British to recover some of the money they spent on the war. The new taxation, and the Boston Massacre, inflame the Colonists. A Revolution is born! Click here to read more about the 8th Grade curriculum.
7TH GRADE STUDIES
In a previous block, students learned about Ancient China. In the Ancient China block, we explored the effects of natural geography on ancient settlers, swept through China's dynasties, and focused on famous figures and facets such as Confucius, Emperor Qin, the Great Wall, and the Silk Road. One highlight of this block was learning to paint ancient pictograms and more modern Chinese calligraphy with tiny brushes! 
 
Student Work  Sample 
 
Now, students are in the midst of the Age of Exploration. We've just revisited the Vikings, Marco Polo, and China's famous Admiral Zheng.  We are launching into the explorers who discovered whole continents previously unknown to Europeans, and through their explorations, changed the world forever.  Click here to read more about the 7th Grade curriculum.
Student Work Sample 
6TH GRADE STUDIES
The 6th Grade just launched a block related to Business Math. The students created their own city known as "Little Big Town." They have been hired to work with a partner to build a storefront, determine the goods or services they will sell, and establish prices and discounts. Store managers create a catalog of goods while office managers prepare the tools they will use to perform their service.  

 

Once the businesses are created, students take turns in roles as Buyers and Sellers. Salaries are earned through work in the stores as well as class work (e.g., homework). Sellers track and calculate daily sales, apply taxes, calculate discounts, and make change. Buyers make purchasing decisions, use cash, checks, and debit cards to make purchases, and to track daily spending. Buyers are also subject to "situation cards" that add unexpected events to their shopping experience.

Through these relevant experiences, students learn how to manage their money on a tight budget by determining what they "need" versus what they "want." For example, they need to have a place to live, a food budget, and money to pay their bills; they may want a pet or to go out for a French seafood dinner. They are focusing on strengthening their math skills, specifically in fractions, decimals, and percents, in a fun and engaging way.
Click here to read more about the 6th Grade curriculum.
HARVEST FAIRE


Who:
Everyone! Alumni, students, parents, teachers, staff, community members, neighbors, family, friends, and anyone you'd like to invite. 
When:
Saturday, November 3rd from Noon to 4 p.m. 
Parking:
Arrive early and park on the street. It's a popular event! 
Volunteers:
We'll gladly accept help for set-up and clean-up if you'd like to arrive early or stay late. Sign up HERE - or just show up!  
 
Click here to read more about this favorite community event which kicks-off the Thanksgiving season. Everyone is encouraged to bring many friends and family members.

IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE
One of our Dandelion Kindergarten students, who has been vaccinated, may have a case of the mumps. The family, which has been especially responsible and cooperative, is in daily communication with the school and regularly consults their doctor.

To be clear, no case has been confirmed to date. But, we are writing to be prudent and to exercise an abundance of caution.  Additionally, in order to play it safe, the Kindergartner's sibling in 2nd grade was not in school yesterday and was officially cleared by her doctor with no symptoms. 

By way of reminder, an official doctor's clearance is always necessary for any infected student carrying a contagious illness to return to school per the school
School Handbook.  Again, no confirmed case has been established. Please know the school has also been in daily communication with the Orange County Department of Health.

NOTE:  If your child happens to be lacking immunizations, it's especially important that you maintain close communication with us in the coming days. Remember too, your child may still be susceptible to infection even if vaccinations have been received. Since the incubation period for mumps is typically 16-18 days, all families should observe your child closely. Notify your primary health provider immediately if you notice any symptoms of MUMPS, including: swelling of salivary glands, headache, sore throat, chills, tiredness, muscle aches, loss of appetite, or chills.
HALLOWEEN


During yesterday's annual Halloween Assembly, classes presented artistic and fun gifts to the entire school community.  Students also delved into the history of Halloween.

Following the assembly, a parade occurred to give students the opportunity to show their costumes.  In keeping with tradition, all costumes were related to grade-level curricular themes to bring learning alive! As the older students enjoyed the younger students' costumes, they cheered for their buddies and reflected on past lessons learned. Similarly, the younger students looked to their older buddies with admiration as they wondered what intrigues may lay ahead in the upper grades.

On a special note, Jamie Halverson, wore an authentic US Army uniform in remembrance of his grandfather, Jim Johnson, who served in the military as a linguist.

ENCHANTED WALK
The Enchanted Walk took place this week for the Kindergarten children. The Enchanted Walk allows young children to experience the transformation of their outdoor classroom into a magical land full of interesting characters, sights, and smells. We thank our dedicated parent volunteers and staff.
PARENT CONFERENCES
Thank you for your time collaborating as educational partners with your child's teacher during goal-setting conferences this week.
VOTE
The stakes are extremely high for schools this election.  Please click here to become an informed voter, as EdSource.org offers an infographic to clarify Prop 30/38 confusion.
SUPPORT LOCAL FARMING & JOURNEY
 csa basketTanaka Farms CSA (community supported agriculture) boxes will be available at Journey beginning November 8th! Subscriptions to small ($23) and large ($33) boxes are paid weekly (no need to pay a whole quarter in advance). Follow the school calendar (no pick-ups when school is out). Bring back 10% to Journey School! Sign-up here and choose Journey School as your location to get your organic-method farmed goods subscription!  Tell your non-Journey neighbors -- it's open to anyone to benefit our school!  See the attached flier for more information.
GREEN TEAM GATHERING ON WEDNESDAY
Journey School has the term "stewardship" written into its school charter document as "a primary goal of the practical curriculum."  Although we've been true to this in action, we are working to set benchmarks and actually track our progress on the road to taking better care of ourselves, our campus, our community, and our world. Specifically, we are setting more measurable goals to:

  • Reduce our environmental impact
  • Improve campus health and wellness
  • Integrate the eco-literacy curriculum

If you are a parent who is interested in helping the middle school students become leaders in recycling and composting, please join us on Wednesday, November 7th at 11:30 a.m. in the Green Heart Garden.  

If you have any questions call or email Michele Whiteaker at [email protected].
6TH LIAM'S MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Mark your calendar for the 6th Annual Liam's Memorial Golf Tournament being held on Friday, November 16th, 2012 at Aliso Creek Golf Course. We look forward to another great year with a few twists to be announced!  The profits will benefit the
UPCOMING EVENTS
IMPORTANT DATES AND UPCOMING EVENTS:   
  • 10/29 - 11/2 - Parent-Teacher Conferences, 12:30pm dismissal all week
  • 11/3   - Harvest Faire 12-4pm
  • 11/4   - Daylight Savings Time Ends
  • 11/7   - Green Team Gathering - 11am, Green Heart Garden  
  • 11/12 - No School
  • 11/13 - 16 Book Fair
  • 11/14 - Head, Heart and Hands Fall Workshop Series Begins: Waldorf 101 Q & A - "I turned off the TV and we simplified. Now what??"
    9am, New Parent Cottage     
  • 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 [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.  
Quick Links