The Thursday "Know"
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September 26, 2013
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Our teachers spend lots of time preparing homework assignments that come alive for students. They don't rely on impersonal workbooks; but, instead they strive to create lessons that are relevant, rigorous, and age appropriate.
You can help our efforts by ensuring that assignments are completed with effort and pride. Also, please allow time for your child to read a minimum of 30 minutes a night and practice his or her instrument daily. Students who fail to bring their instruments for specialty classes will perform community service on campus in lieu of class to learn responsibility.
Please remember that Middle School teachers post assignments/grades on-line to provide timely and specific feedback. Middle school students are encouraged to attend after-school Homework Clubs. You can check out our website for the school's homework philosophy and approach. Finally, click here to read Middle Schooler, Giselle Drake's, comments on recent learning.
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KNOW ABOUT THE OC REGISTER ARTICLE
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KNOW HOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE HANDWORK A SUCCESS
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Dear Parents,
Handwork is a terrific opportunity for your student to gain "hands-on-learning" which research shows enhances brain development and improves performance in many other more academic areas of the curriculum. This is why handwork is so important at Journey School. To deliver a quality program requires many hours of material preparation, guidance, and correction of children's knitting, crocheting, weaving, embroidery, etc., prior to lesson time.
The handwork teachers need your help with this work. No experience is necessary and skills will be taught in exchange for your volunteer time. We meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. outside The Oak and Acorn Store. Grandparents are welcome. Coffee and cookies are provided. Meet, chat, help an important program at Journey School, and earn your volunteer hours!
I thank you.
Liz Clark
liz@journeyschool.net
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KNOW OUR MONTH 1 ATTENDANCE RATES
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Attendance for Week 4, was 95.47%. Attendance for prior weeks was:
- Week 3 = 96.32%
- Week 2 = 97.61%
- Week 1 = 98.42%
Aside from the loss of academic and social learning, the school loses approximately $47 each time a student is absent--no matter the reason. Next week's goal is 98%.
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KNOW ABOUT STEWARDSHIP AT JOURNEY
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Journey School Garden Helpers (parent & grandparent volunteers) meet in the Green Heart Garden on Wednesdays from 8:30am to 10am to help maintain the outdoor classrooms. They are usually joined by OC Master Gardener, Erik Katzmaier, who is a wealth of information. Shaheer and the Journey Staff also help in the Garden on Wednesdays starting at 9am. Join us!
Students from grades 3 through 8 served as ecoliteracy student tour guides for the U.S. Department of Education tour. Ecoliteracy intensives by Earthroots Field School are set to begin on September 27th.
Garden Helper Orientation - no gardening experience necessary!!
Volunteer parent, Michele Whiteaker, will run a 10-minute orientation for new garden volunteers on Wednesday, October 9th at 8:45am in the outdoor amphitheater. Please sign-up on VolunteerSpot by entering your email address to attend.
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KNOW ABOUT NEXT WEEK'S PARENT CABINET MEETING
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Journey School's Parent Cabinet is meeting next Wednesday, October 2nd at 9:00am. Click here to learn more about Parent Cabinet.
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KNOW ABOUT OUR HALLOWEEN TRADITION
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Why do Journey students only wear costumes aligned to the curriculum?
Children are impressionable and are likely to follow our examples; therefore, it is important to surround them with adults worthy of imitation. That's one reason Journey School's curriculum introduces students to historical, upright human beings who have positively changed the world through compassion, good will, courage, and more. On Halloween, it is a tradition at Journey School for students to dress up like the heroes they are studying.
Thus, we invite parents to feel the spirit of All Hallows' Eve in this same way: Honor those who have made history and help your children create a school costume that they feel honored and excited to share with their peers!
- Visit our Dress Code page to discover costume suggestions related to our curriculum
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KNOW ABOUT PARENT OPPORTUNITIES
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While Journey School facilitates these parent education opportunities, we do not manage them; each provider is entirely responsible for all aspects of the class.
The Oak and The Acorn Store and Cafe offers items that enhance public Waldorf education and provides a place for community. A number of hands-on classes are offered for parents through our The Oak and The Acorn Store. Please check the online store calendar for details.
- Metal Working for Jewelry Making with Lily every Friday this fall
- Needle Felted Pumpkins with Sarah on 10/9
- Pine Needle Basket Weaving with Lily on 10/16
- "Jingle Baby" Doll Making Workshop on 11/4 and 11/5
- Candle Making with Lily on 11/13
- Winter Snowmen Needle Felting with Sarah on 11/20
Beginner Adult Yoga. On Tuesdays from 7pm to 8pm. See flyer for details.
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KNOW ABOUT WAYS TO SUPPORT JOURNEY
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Here are 3 opportunities to support Journey School in BIG ways:
1) This school year the OC Register will continue with their Laptop Program. The program is simple--sign up as a new subscriber or upgrade to a 7-day subscription and the Register will gift a Google Chromebook to Journey School.
A new proposal regarding middle school media guidelines is currently underway at Journey School. One of the objectives is to support student growth in using technology and digital media strategically, capably and in a responsible manner.
Our hope is that students will leverage technology to create, collaborate and communicate. With that said, laptops would strengthen our middle school program, especially in areas of Digital Media Literacy, research, typing skills, and in our transition to from State Standards to Common Core Standards.
Subscription forms will be coming home today or click here for the Laptop form. Please return the subscription forms to Journey School or mail directly to:
Register Laptop Program
625 N. Grand Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Attn: Gail Courtney
2) If you're not ready to commit to an OC Register subscription for a whole year, new subscribers may also start a 4-week OC Register subscription for $19.99 to get 7-day delivery of the paper and the OC Register will give Journey School a $100 (one-hundred dollar) voucher for Jim's Music Center for musical instruments and equipment. This offer is valid until October 31. After 4 weeks, the subscription will continue for $1/day until you cancel it. Forms are available in the office or click here for the Music form. Print and complete this form and send in with payment directly to the OC Register, 625 N. Grand, Santa Ana CA 92701.
3) And don't forget!! September 30th is the last day to vote for Journey School in the current Target Campaign.
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KNOW THE DIFFERENCE IN DIANA'S
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We have two founding parents who are amazing advocates for our school and students: Diana Corbo (music coordinator and teacher) and Diana Graber (CyberCivics teacher). Last week, we mistakenly reported that Diana Graber helped on the application for the Assistance League of Capistrano Valley Links to Learning grants for our middle school grades that were awarded in games ($1500) and music ($3000).
Of course, it was our "musical" Diana (Corbo) who helped write the application. So thank you!
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KNOW ABOUT AFTER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
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While Journey School facilitates these after school opportunities, we do not manage them; each provider is entirely responsible for all aspects of the class. Contact class providers with questions.
We are excited to announce that Earthroots Field School will be offering an after school class featuring nature stories, games, and crafts on Wednesdays from 12:30-3:30pm. See flyer for details.
Did you know the following after school classes are also offered throughout the week? |
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KNOW ABOUT GREENING OUR LUNCH PROGRAM
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In keeping with the environmental efforts of the school, the Journey/Wahoo's Lunch Program fundraiser for 8th graders has taken two steps to be even more environmentally-conscious.
- First, all bowls, tacos and quesadillas are served in recyclable containers. Please reinforce with your children the importance of recycling these containers in our Blue Recycling Cans.
- Second, rather than distributing forms to every student, forms are available online or in the Lunch Drawer of the office. Online ordering is also available. Please be aware that the current ordering period is through October 11th so to get lunches after that you'll need to pick up a form, print out a form or order online.
Check out the Lunch program page.
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KNOW ABOUT PARKING SAFETY
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If you are picking up your child on the Foxborough hill, please make your U-turns at the end of the cul-de-sac instead of the middle of the hill. By following the traffic flow directed by Sarah at the end of the street, we'll reduce dangerous situations, lessen congestion and respect others looking for street parking while abiding by the rules.
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Fall is now upon us and the weather is changing. At Journey, the students spend a lot of time outside, so please be sure your child has the rain gear he or she needs to fully enjoy all that the season has to offer!
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No School Holiday on Columbus Day: Please note that Columbus Day is NOT a school holiday. School will be in session on Monday, October 14th.
Halloween Costumes: Please remember our Halloween traditions as your children are thinking about their costumes. See the dress code page for suggestions.
- 9/23-27 - School Pictures
- 9/26 - Journey School Board Meeting at 6:00pm
- 9/27 - Journey School Directory deadline (click here to enter your family information so that you can be in the directory.)
- 10/2 - Parent Cabinet Meeting
- 10/7 - Reclaim Lost and Found items from front fence near Sarah
- 10/9 - 10-minute October Garden Helper Orientation at 8:45am
- 10/7-11 - School Pictures Make-up Dates
- 10/10 - Parent Movie Night at 7:00pm
- 10/31 - Halloween Parade 11/2 - Harvest Faire
- 11/11 - No school - Veteran's Day
- 11/18-22 - Scholastic Book Fair is coming during conference week
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