The Thursday "Know"

January 9, 2014

CHLOE'S PASSION FOR SURFING LEADS TO SERVICE

8th Grader, Chloe Simpson, started surfing before she could walk. It is this passion that inspired her yearlong culminating 8th grade project. In cooperation with Waves 4 Water and surf company Hurley International, Chloe is raising money through a volunteer program called Clean Water Couriers. Later this month, Chloe will travel to Nicaragua with 25 clean water filters that will provide 2500 people water for the next 5 years! Chloe is featured on Waves for Water's website and is just 5 filters away from reaching her goal. Chloe is also collecting clothing, school supplies and art supplies.

Chloe with rain barrels donated by Hurley

Please click here if you are interested in supporting Chloe's efforts financially or if you would like to send her a note of encouragement. Chloe's project also served to inspire Hurley to donate 5 rain barrels to Journey School. Chloe's peers will incorporate the rain barrels into their water conservation eco-literacy curriculum. The barrels will serve as useful learning tools and demonstration sites.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: A GROWING MOVEMENT

In case you missed it, check out Coast Magazine's article about the importance of environmental education and how Journey School is in the vanguard. Our 'virtual' newsroom is host to many helpful readings.

STRIVING TOWARDS EXCELLENCE: SCHOOL AUDIT & PARENT SURVEY

In an effort to ensure continual school improvement, Journey School is engaging in a 3-day voluntary self-audit conducted by Patti Connolly. Patti is looking at all aspects of Journey's educational program to identify strengths and needs. Patti has already collected insightful information from many stakeholders and now needs your help. Parents, please be on the lookout for Patti's anonymous email survey that will go out later this week. Don't hesitate to share your reflections about the State of the School. Specific results will be published as part of the annual All-School Community Meeting on Wednesday, February 12th. Mark your calendars now for this important and mandated parent meeting.

LIGHT OUR JOURNEY UPDATE: THANK YOU FOR BLAZING A BRIGHT FUTURE

On behalf of all the students, thank you so much for rallying together to support our most ambitious development campaign in school history. In less than 6 weeks, well over one hundred individuals, foundations, and companies stepped forward to donate tens of thousands of dollars. Please be on the lookout for specific details and next steps in the coming days. For giving information or to learn more about the campaign click here.

AUCTION IN ACTION

Get ready for an evening of mystery and merriment at Journey School's Annual Auction and... Masquerade. All the fun will take place on Friday, March 7th as we bring teachers, staff, parents, alumni, relatives, neighbors and local businesses together to create our biggest and most important FUNdraising event of the year. Last year, we raised nearly $33,000 to support teacher training, the gardens, field trips and our specialty classes. Here's how YOU can help the auction committee top last year's success:

Invite your auction-loving friends and family outside of Journey School to the event. The link to an digital invitation and ticket sales will be available soon.
Gather donations from local businesses (restaurants, movie theaters, spas, retailers, summer camp providers, etc.). Click here for a donation appeal letter.

Join us on Wednesdays at 9am to get involved. Computer savvy volunteers who are willing to learn our new auction software (we're going to online bidding!) and help enter all the amazing donations into the bidding system are especially welcome. Please contact Auction Chair, Sunny Bothwell, for more information and to learn how you can help.

JANUARY'S VIRTUE: COMPASSION

Parents, please reinforce compassion as this month's virtue of the month.

Compassion is understanding and caring when someone is hurt or troubled, even if we don't know him or her. Compassion is the desire to help, even if all we can do is listen. Compassion is forgiving mistakes. Compassion is being a friend when someone needs a friend. Other examples of compassion in action include: noticing when someone is hurt, imagining how another person must be feeling, and forgiving others or oneself when mistakes are made.

TEACHER GROWTH & STUDENT LEARNING GO HAND IN HAND

Like all successful Waldorf educators, Journey teachers aim to model the Renaissance example of lifelong learning and strive for betterment. To this end, Journey parent and educator, Jeff Hruby, joined us this week to teach Common Core math understandings. In December, Journey teachers participated in Dr. Anita Archer's workshop about teaching English Language Arts in the Common Core era. Emphasis was placed on strong teacher leadership and effective classroom management.

Thank you to the entire community for supporting teacher enrichment that translates into student success. It is helpful when students witness their teacher's commitment and passion for learning.

As a reminder, more than 75% of our teachers now possess a Waldorf certification and Master's Degree in addition to mandated State credentials. You should know that 2013 teacher evaluations were completed in December, and each teacher is in the process of revising concrete and measurable goals for improvement that are student-centered.

DAVID LINES TALKS ON TM

Please join Journey parent, David Lines, next Thursday, 1/16 at 6:30pm for a presentation on the educational application of Transcendental Meditation and its benefits for teachers and parents. TM is taught in a structured course in sessions over several days and has proven to be an invaluable educational tool. TM educates children from within as it improves focus, alertness, motivation, and enjoyment in learning. TM is not a belief or a philosophy, but rather, it is natural and enjoyable and has been successfully introduced to 100's of 1000's of children all over the world.

SIMPLICITY PARENTING BOOK STUDY FOR PARENTS

Tammra Tanner's Simplicity Parenting book study is designed to bring peace, less stress and joy back to your family life and parenting. Students benefit as parents learn to model behavior at home that aligns with student learning. For the study on January 15th at 9am in the Parent Cafe, please read the first 2 chapters.

LUNCH FUNDRAISER ON 1/15

Purchase your lunch at the Laguna Niguel Chipotle Mexican Grill next Wednesday 1/15 between 11:30-3pm and Chipotle will give back 50% of the proceeds to Journey. Click here for the flyer or verbally communicate to the cashier that you are supporting the fundraiser for Journey School.

RESPECTFUL ATTENDANCE & TIMELINESS

Thanks for supporting your child's education and honoring our hard working staff by ensuring excellent student attendance.

WHAT'S NEW

We are thrilled to welcome baby Harrison--our 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Smith's son--to the world. 9lb. 7oz. Harrison arrived with the sun on Wednesday morning. Aly, Justin and Harrison: We wish you all a wonderful adventure.

LOOKING BACK

The Winter Middle School Dance was a hit! Students, you did a great job organizing it and we're also thankful for the great photos from Pradhan Studios.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS

Many great things are happening on Wednesdays: gardening activities, Compassionate Campus assemblies, craft classes and parent gatherings, and Enrollment Tours which provide prospective parents an opportunity to see the Journey School community in action. Parents, we invite you all to get involved and join in the fun. Please park off campus since the lot is especially full on Wednesdays.

LAST MINUTE LUNCHES AVAILABLE

Place your Wahoo's order online by 9:30am and a hot, healthy meal will be waiting for your child at lunchtime. Payment can be made online or you can pay by cash/check later in the week. First graders and kindergarteners now have their very own 8th grade helper.

SAVE THE DATES

Please calendar the upcoming events...