The Thursday "Know"

March 13, 2014

FIELD TRIPS BUILD RESILIENCE

At Journey, we intentionally push students out of comfort zones and into confident zones. The season for adventurous field trips has arrived. Please click here to learn more about our trips or visit our website for alumni reflections. Remember, no child is left behind for financial reasons. Everyone is asked to cover what is possible financially for your family. All for one, one for all. Please email Cindy immediately if you need to discuss financial support privately.

GALLERY WALK & ALUMNI PANEL 3/26

Student Artwork

Plans are in the works for our upcoming Gallery Walk, or Open House. Current and prospective families are invited as well as community partners. At 7:15 PM, Alumni will share their reflections on Journey and life beyond. Every current student should be represented by at least one family member. Unfortunately, childcare is cannot provided due to the large nature of the event. Please expect limited parking and a BIG crowd.

CLASS PLAYS REINFORCE

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND HARMONY

Play Season is also upon us. Please click here to read about Journey's approach to class plays and visit the school calendar to plan ahead. It is tradition for parents to attend.

COMMON CORE FAQ

Do you have questions about the Common Core Standards? Do you want to know how Journey School implements them? What about new State testing procedures? Click here to read Mr. Keller's recent blog.

TODAY'S ENROLLMENT LOTTERY

Journey will serve nearly 400 bright students next school year! Over 250 prospective students and their parents had their fingers crossed during today's public lottery. About 40 total seats will be available in 2014-15, predominately in Jr. Kindergarten. Please click here for FAQ. Kris Reynolds, our Enrollment Coordinator, will return messages in the order they are received. Please only contact her if it is truly necessary as this a very busy season.

AUCTION THANKS & RESULTS

Thank you! Approximately $40,000 was raised at the Auction for the kids. This represents an approximate 20% increase in revenue over last year. We are grateful to the Auction Committee, Parent Cabinet, parent volunteers, and our fabulous community partners. Visit the PC website to read more.

PARENTS AS PARTNERS

Parent Coffee #3: HIGH SCHOOL READINESS. Our goal is to ensure all students head to high school poised for success and leadership. Join us on 3/21 at 8:45am to discuss current strengths, needs, and plans for middle school. You may research current curricular standards and offerings too.

Head, Heart, Hands (HHH): A new book study with Tammra Tanner for Stairway of Surprise by Michael Lipson will launch 3/26. Read the flyer.

Patti Connolly at Waldorf School of Orange County (WSOC): You're invited to join Patti for her talks on What Current Brain Research Tells Us About How the Brain Learns Best (3/17 at 6pm) and Five Secrets to Happy, Less-Stressed Parenting (5/19 at 6pm).

ALL SCHOOL WORK DAY 3/22

Lend a hand as we ready our campus, classrooms and gardens for our Gallery Walk and our visiting Alumni. Please show up on Saturday, March 22nd between 9am and 2pm to help out. Watch your room parent emails and next week's newsletter for more details.

PARENT CONFERENCES & REPORT CARDS

Parent Conferences are now in full swing. Teachers have completed meaningful progress reports to inform parents of academic achievement, work habits, and behavior. Teachers will send these progress reports home no later than Monday 3/17.

ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS

Trends are improving following a tough February, when rates dropped to 92%. Students with excessive absences will be required to show proof of medical treatment. Instruction at Journey is not easily "made-up." Therefore, students must only miss for reasons justified in the School Handbook. Attendance records are part of your child's permanent cumulative folder and high schools examine them carefully.

California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, is making truancy and chronic absenteeism one of his top priorities. He says: "A lost school day is a lost opportunity for our students to learn. We cannot afford these losses. We must do more to ensure our students are in the classroom and ready to learn."

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR TIMELINESS

Instructional time is precious. Students with excessive tardies will serve detention in a renewed attempt to hold students, parents, and staff accountable. Please support our efforts by shifting responsibilities for school preparation to your children (lunches, clothes, alarm clocks, etc.). Anticipate traffic.

JOURNEY SCHOOL BOARD

The Journey School Board is humming! President Corbo, as well as all Board Members, invite stakeholders to attend Board Meetings. An important Allergies Policy is being contemplated and more parental input is encouraged. Click here for published minutes from past meetings.

CALENDAR & EVENTS

3/17 - Patti Connolly Talk at Waldorf School of Orange County
3/21 - Coffee with Mr. Shaheer: High School Readiness (8:45am)
3/26 - Gallery Walk/Alumni Panel (6pm) (parents and prospective parents welcome)
3/26 - Book Study with Tammra Tanner (9am) in Parent Cafe
4/2 - 6th Grade Medieval Games
4/4 - Student Holiday - No School
4/7 - 4/11 - Spring Break
4/30 - May Faire (10am)
5/19 - Patti Connolly Talk at Waldorf School of Orange County
6/4-6 - 8th Grade Projects