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Happenings
September 9, 2013
'BACK TO SCHOOL' NIGHT IS WEDNESDAY
We are pleased to invite you to "Back-to-School Night" which will take place on Wednesday, September 11th. Since we hope for all parents to attend, childcare for Journey School students (no non-Journey children) will be provided on a limited basis. Please RSVP to [email protected].

SCHEDULE  

5:30 PM
Kindergarten parents will meet in their child's classroom 

6:00 PM
Community Meeting for all Kindergarten and Grades parents in the lunch area

6:30 PM
Grades parents to attend meeting in child's classroom to find out what's happening in the class and how you can be of help! If you have more than one child in the school please attend one child's class only. Handouts will be provided for parents who are unable to attend a class due to multiple children. Please contact your teacher for a meeting if needed.

7:15 PM
Conversation with specialty teachers and after school providers in the lunch area. (Optional)

7:20 PM
Middle School Orientation to our online grading program in the 8th grade classroom. (Optional) 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO VISIT
We're pleased to announce that U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, is sending a delegation of national, state, city, and district delegates to Journey School on Monday, September 16th to glean and exchange best practices for environmental education and stewardship for the benefit of other schools in the area and our nation.

Journey student ambassadors will lead small groups of visitors on a tour of our campus highlighting important features, including: Cyreine's rainwater harvesting site, Journey's six gardens, and the outdoor kindergarten classroom.
Click here to read our Eco-Literacy curriculum and our Green Ribbon Award.

The latest draft of our "Stewardship and Sustainability Handbook for Journey School Earth Keepers and Garden Helpers" will take its place on a new stewardship resources page on JourneySchool.net next week. This is a living document which not only serves as a resource for our school, but will hopefully inspire others to adopt a model similar to ours.
 
STEADY ACADEMIC PROGRESS
At Journey, student learning is demonstrated in many ways, including: interdisciplinary projects, main lesson books, artistic performances, and teacher-generated assessments. Another assessment tool that the State uses to measure the effectiveness of all public schools is the Academic Performance Index (API) system.

The API system is based on year-over-year STAR Test results through a two-year cycle. While Journey School does not emphasize standardized testing, we are more committed than ever to ensure that students learn rigorous standards so they are prepared for tough academic challenges ahead.

Thanks to the efforts of students, staff, and parent partners, Journey's 2013 API score grew by 14 points to reach 872--the highest in school's history. In 2012, Journey School's API score was 858 and in 2011 it was 794. Few schools in the region have demonstrated such improvement over time. We are especially proud because our students are exposed to a rich array of learning experiences without a narrow focus on standardized testing.
ATTENDANCE & TIMELINESS
Each month the community will receive an attendance and timeliness report. Please aim to have your child at school everyday on time with no absences in September and October except for religious holidays, illness, and emergencies. You can expect more traffic now that the high school next door is back in session. Also, please do not pull students out of class early so learning is prioritized. Thank you.   
PARKING & TRAFFIC FLOW
We realize parking is tight so thank you for your cooperation thus far. Please note: 
  • Parking is no longer allowed on the basketball courts to keep kids safe.  
  • Students using the back gate need to be accompanied by an adult or middle school sibling. First grade and kindergarten children must be accompanied by a parent.    
  • The back gate is open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM, 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM and 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. A staff member will greet students.  
  • As a reminder, parking is allowed in white spaces only, the yellow curb is designated for drop-off/pick up for the Grades, blue spaces are reserved for handicap parking, and there is no stopping along the red curb.  
  • Beginning immediately, kindergarten families will be permitted to park along the yellow curb after drop-off for the Grades has been completed. Kindergarten parents who park along the yellow curb are asked to move their cars right after drop-off or pick-up. 
STAY IN THE LOOP
Stay in the loop by reading our newsletter and visiting JourneySchool.net. Be sure to check out the Calendar & Festivals page.
SCHOOL CALENDAR & BELL SCHEDULE
DRESS CODE
Please send your child to school in appropriate attire. Click here to read Journey School's dress code or discuss your questions with your child's teacher. The staff will work hard to be fair and consistent.
AFTER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

Most aftercare programs will begin next week. Detailed flyers and information about how to sign-up directly with the providers can be found on the After School Opportunities page. If you have any questions about the list of classes, please contact [email protected].

 

Note: Journey School facilitates these opportunities but does not manage them as each provider is entirely responsible for all aspects of the class.
LUNCH PROGRAM
Journey School's lunch program will begin on Monday, September 16th. Ordering information will be sent out this week; be on the lookout! In the meantime, please continue to pack your children healthy snacks and lunches following our agreed upon healthy foods guidelines.
ENROLLMENT & SCHOOL TOURS
The application window for the 2014-15 school year will begin on October 1, 2013 and applications will be available online at that time.  Contact Kris Reynolds at [email protected] to schedule a Walk Through the Grades tour.
YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
Click here NOW to vote for Journey School in our current Target Campaign. For information about Journey School Development, see our Foundation page.
UPCOMING EVENTS

THIS WEEK 

 

Wednesday, 9/11

  • Parent Cabinet Social is this Wednesday morning at 9am in the Green Heart Garden! Everyone is welcome to meet the Parent Cabinet class representatives and learn about all the fun events and festivals of the year. Treats, coffee, and tea will be served.
  • "Back to School Night" is this Wednesday night.  At least one parent from every Journey family is expected to attend this informative gathering to get details on their students' curriculum, important dates, field trips and classroom needs.
  • Oak and the Acorn store will be open from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM  

Saturday, 9/14

 

Garden Workday 9:00am to noon - Join the Garden Helpers in sprucing up our six gardens for an upcoming Green Ribbon Garden Tour where a delegation from Washington DC and several state, city, and district officials will visit to glean best practices and learn about our triumphs and challenges in offering our Ecoliteracy curriculum at Journey.

 

NEXT WEEK  

 

Monday, 9/16

  • "Education Built to Last" Green Ribbon Best Practices Tour
  • Wahoo's School Lunch Program begins  
  • Oak and the Acorn Parent Workshops: 
9:00 AM - Metal Working & Jewelry making in our Green Heart Garden will be taught by Lily Baker. A $15 class donation is suggested.

9:30 AM - Phyllis Gilmer will offer her Fairy of the Pumpkin Patch doll class in the Indoor cafe. $7 class donation is suggested.
  

Wednesday, 9/18

 

Harvest Faire Committee Meeting at 9am - All hands on deck as every parent at Journey works together to host the Harvest Faire for the public community on 11/2. We are expecting 1000+ attendees and need a solid team to make this the biggest and best Faire yet!  Parents are invited to learn how they can best serve the Journey community in putting on this festive event!

 

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES

 

9/23-27 - School Pictures - a class schedule will be published soon. Make ups will be held 10/7-11.

 

9/26 - Journey School Board Meeting at 6:00pm -

an agenda will be available prior to the meeting in the office and on our website. 

 

10/10 - Parent Movie Night at 7:00pm - Save the date for an evening in our Outdoor Theater as Parent Cabinet presents a documentary on an education-related theme.  Past movies have included Race to Nowhere and Play. Look for more info to come.

 

11/2 - Harvest Faire from noon-4:30pm - Celebrate the bounty of the land and connect to the rhythm of nature in Orange County's most unique fall school festival.  Bring your friends and family to spend the afternoon making keepsake quality crafts, playing traditional games, shopping for handmade toys and treasures, listening to local musicians, and feasting on seasonal foods.
CARPOOL ANYONE?
If you are looking to find a carpool or to help lessen the drop-off and pick-up congestion, check out the carpool database on the Parent Cabinet website. 
Quick Links
Journey is Hiring
Do you know an experienced Waldorf educator with a great track record and passion for excellence? Please pass this email on to anyone who may be interested in employment at Journey School or direct any candidates to our website.
   
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