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GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING!
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Weekly News
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December 5, 2012
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This week's newsletter begins with an explanation of Main Lesson since it is integral to Journey School's educational program and because campus tours are now happening for both prospective and current parents.
So, what exactly is Main Lesson, anyway? The instructional day begins with Main Lesson--an interdisciplinary study of a selected subject which lasts two hours each morning, five days a week, for approximately one month. Academic subjects covered in Main Lesson are carefully chosen based on the school's curricular co-alignment which aligns Waldorf standards to state standards.
 | | Student Work - November 2012 |
What takes place during Main Lesson? There are three primary parts to Main Lesson: - The teacher first inspires student engagement through poetry, speech work, movement, mental math, and music.
- Then, the teacher presents new content with an emphasis on promoting deep understanding at the conceptual level. This is achieved through the use of pedagogical stories, artistic representations, critical thinking strategies, science experiments, historical simulations, and a host of other learning techniques appropriate to the material at hand.
- Along the way, students summarize key understandings through written and artistic expression.
 | | Student Work - November 2012 |
What are Main Lesson Books? Each student creates a learning portfolio, or Main Lesson Book, for every instructional block. This authentic form of assessment allows students to demonstrate understanding through essays, poems, illustrations, math equations, results from lab experiments, and much more. The Main Lesson Book is an object of student pride, serves as an important learning tool for future study, and enables the teacher to monitor student progress accurately.
 | | Student Work - November 2012 |
These photos come from a Main Lesson Book recently completed during 8th grade studies of the Revolutionary era. Parents are encouraged to speak with children about Main Lesson and to enjoy their book work! Click here to see a slideshow of the Main Lesson Book.
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WINTER STRINGS CELEBRATION CONCERT
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We are pleased to announce that the Winter Strings Celebration Concert will be held on Friday, December 14th at 3:45pm in the Multi-Purpose Room. Parents of students in the 4th-8th Strings, Orchestra and Master Classes are especially encouraged to attend. We ask that you bring finger-foods and home-baked goods (nut-free) to share following the concert.
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VOTE FOR MUSIC ON BEETHOVEN'S BIRTHDAY!
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Since November 12th, Journey School has kept a lead in the top 31 among nearly 2,500 schools nominated. The grant money would boost funding of our new model for public school music education! We are still aiming for #1 in votes, but showing our commitment and keeping our momentum helps us stand out for a judge's pick, as well.
Honor Beethoven's birthday!! We are asking for everyone to text a vote together at noon on Beethoven's birthday (December 16th) and every day leading up to it! Please ask your friends and family over 13 years old to
vote via text to 95248 with the message 2579pbf every 24 hours until Dec 19th.
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The Winter Spiral Walk takes place this week. This festival is symbolic of the compassionate human spirit that shines in all of us. During the festival, each child walks a lush green path to light a candle in the center of a spiral. The child's path toward the light serves as a reminder that goodness, truth, and beauty is always carried within--even during the depths of winter.
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MANY THANKS FOR CREATING AN OUTDOOR KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM & CRAFT NIGHT
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We had a great turnout on Sunday, November 18th for our first Kindergarten outdoor classroom work day. A steady stream of willing workers (parents, children, grandparents) from all four classes lifted, moved, dug, planted, created, ate, laughed and volunteered gifts of service and merchandise to our emerging classroom. We are very grateful. As we walked around the yard in the late afternoon, we were simply amazed by the transformation, and inspired to keep dreaming and doing. We look forward to many more days of meaningful work together on behalf of the children at Journey School.
Similarly, it was a delight to host so many committed parents at last evening's Kindergarten Craft Night. Together, we read and discussed important ideas on proven parenting strategies. We also made simple yet beautiful crafts to warm the home during the upcoming holiday season. We encourage you to seek out a friend so you can be filled-in if you weren't able to attend; and, we hope to see you next time! We thank you!
The Early Childhood Faculty,
Miss B, Miss Jennifer, Miss Jill, Miss Hellene |
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TEACHING HOW TO GIVE SOMETHING AUTHENTIC: FAIRY MARKET
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Next week's annual Fairy Market is one of the highlights of the year. The magical transformation of a classroom into a white, winter wonderland of creative crafts and objects d'art, mixed with the magical fairy parent-helpers makes this an amazing event for all. Families participate by making and donating crafts and by dressing up as fairy helpers so that the children may shop for holiday gifts for loved ones. Children experience the happiness that comes from giving an authentic gift made by the hands.
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BUSINESS MATH PROJECT: SWEETIE PIES
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Several Main Lesson Blocks in Middle School focus on Business Mathematics. Teachers challenge students to learn important concepts in depth by applying their skills to relevant, real-world situations. One of the projects that has emerged from these studies over the years is the all important and delicious 'Sweetie Pie' fundraiser. In the coming days, 8th Grade students will transform their classroom into a thriving pie business as they have for several years running. Click here to support their efforts by purchasing delicious and affordable pies as holiday gifts.
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ALL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
BENEFITS OUR 8TH GRADERS
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All School Lunch Program Benefits Our 8th Graders
* * * ORDER LUNCH TODAY - DON'T MISS OUT * * *
WAHOO'S LUNCH IS OFFERED DAILY, EXCEPT WEDNESDAY
GO ONLINE TO GET YOUR ORDER FORM AND LEARN ABOUT THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF THESE LUNCHES THEY ARE HEALTHY AND TASTE GREAT
A WIN-WIN! *** SAME DAY ORDERS ACCEPTED UNTIL 10:30 AM ***
CALL OR EMAIL STEPHANIE
(949) 887-9947 or Did you know that 8th grade students run our lunch program? They provide nutritious and affordable meals and have fun serving the young ones. Proceeds support their culminating class trip which is a week-long trip to Eel River geared toward strengthening the eighth grade student's mind, body, and spirit in preparation for high school. Your participation helps our students. Click here to download an order form.
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Prospective families interested in enrolling their child in the 2013-14 school year are advised to sign-up now for a school information session or campus tour. The purpose is to provide an opportunity to more fully grasp the educational program, school culture, and expectations before submitting an application for next year's lottery. We look forward to welcoming you to campus.
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Little Acorns Has Openings
There are openings for Kindergarten after-school care with Ms. Tammra Tanner. See the website for details.
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Garden Tree Trimming Workshop Open to Parents and Community
Our Master Gardener volunteer, Erik Katzmeier, invited a rare fruit specialist to educate the school community and help us prune our 30 fruit trees on Wednesday, December 12th at 9:00 a.m. in the Green Heart Garden. Please come - and invite a friend - to learn the finer points of pruning from a real expert! Bring your enthusiasm and get questions answered so you can apply your new knowledge to your backyard fruit trees at home.
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Deadline extended for Magic Cabin and Hearthsong
PLEASE NOTE: Tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM is the last chance to place orders for Magic Cabin/HearthSong catalogs. We will place one final order this Thursday morning, Dec 6th. Please bring your order and payment to the school office after drop-off. Kindy and lower grade parents, please check in with your child's teacher to see if she has a Wish List. Remember, NO TAX AND NO SHIPPING CHARGES! We appreciate your support! Any questions? Contact Lisa Thornburg (text OK: 680-6762), Lisa Crow (661-1020) or Lisa O'Neill (498-5657).
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Handwork
Contact Liz Clark for details.- Parent Handwork Classes every Monday 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Saturday Parent Handwork Workshop on Saturday January 19th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- A handwork "Knitting Fairy" is needed to help behind the scenes, fixing first grade knitting each week. Great to have a fairy or two ready for a good start in January. Great job for contributing volunteer hours
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IMPORTANT DATES AND UPCOMING EVENTS:
- 12/5 - Deadline for Magic Cabin/Hearthsong orders
- 12/6 & 12/7 - Spiral Walk
- 12/10 - 12/12 - Fairy Market
- 12/14 - Winter Strings Concert
- 12/16 - Beethoven's Birthday (everyone text a vote at noon)
- 12/19 - Voting Ends for the Clorox Music Grant
- 12/21 - Winter Break Begins - NOTE THIS IS A FRIDAY
- 1/7 - School Resumes
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.
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- Carpool, Bike, Walk Mondays - Try an alternative form of transportation!
- Handwork Mondays at 8:45 in the Handwork Room - Contact Ms. Liz Clark to RSVP and learn which topic will be covered. $15 fee for this adult workshop.
- Gardening & Composting Wednesdays - Meet in the Green Heart Garden after drop-off to lend a hand maintaining our outdoor classrooms.
- Jamba Juice Wednesdays - Jamba Juice sale proceeds help Parent Cabinet fund the events and festivals it sponsors each year.
- Recycling Thursdays - Every Thursday morning at drop-off our 4th grade team collects CRV labeled plastic bottles and aluminum cans. No glass please.
- Community Support Agriculture (CSA) Thursdays - Every Thursday - order your box today from Tanaka Farms to benefit Journey and your family.
- Lunch Form Fridays - Every Friday lunch order forms are collected for the following week's or month's lunch orders.
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