Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Kids for Kenya Update

29 November 2008

Dear Kids for Kenya parents,
Happy holidays to you all. This is an update on our preparations for the trip to Nairobi coming up in March. The Kenya morning class has been going relatively smoothly. Aside from some early morning struggles with tardiness, students have been engaging in learning about history and cultures of Africa. We have been looking at ancient history and are transitioning into learning about colonialism.
We were greatly pleased and honored to have hosted Beatrice Anunda, founder and director of our sister school in Nairobi, Humble Hearts. Beatrice was able to meet with the Kids for Kenya and lead a few of our classes. We are sincerely grateful for her lessons in pronunciation of Kiswahili words which far outshined our own bumbling attempts. As part of Beatrice’s visit, and as regular parts of the class, we offer a “Trip Reality” time in which we focus on the logistics, the questions, and the emotions surrounding the trip.
Polly and I were able to conference with most students individually to address concerns or questions about the trip. Many students expressed anxiety about the pending deadline for the initial payment. We have moved back the deadline for the first payment to January 10th. Parents or students should feel free to contact Polly or myself about any concerns associated with the trip, financial or otherwise. Most students have begun personal fundraising efforts, doing odd jobs, babysitting, hosting musical performances, writing letters of support to family and friends, creating online sites at which to donate money, or making crafts to sell for the holidays. We are happy to help students brainstorm and carry out fund raising schemes. Let us know if we can help.
We are about to launch this year’s Shop Africa drive in which we sell hand-made Kenyan crafts, cards, and jewelry at the display case in the lobby at Trillium in order to send money directly to Humble Hearts. We also are pleased to be offering again gift certificates for a variety of much needed items, such as food, clothing, and basic health care supplies. Items may be purchased in the name of a friend or relative and given as a holiday present.
Again, please let us know if we can answer any questions or address concerns about the trip. We are thrilled to have this terrific opportunity.

Best,
Ken and Polly
Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org, Polly@TrilliumCharterSchool.org

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Advising Retreat

November 19, 2008

Dear Families,

I love class meeting. I might be the only one in the room at times that does, but by golly, it helps me feel like the Trillium experiment is really working. We hold class meeting every Wednesday and they often last the entirety of the period. Students bring announcements, proposals, and discussion items. Today, after debating the pros and cons of the lounge/study space at the end of the hall, we transitioned to a discussion that could best be titled, “This year’s struggles.” Students candidly relayed concerns and confusions they had encountered, or heard about, during this first quarter of the year. Much of it revolved around communication, both student to student, and staff to student, as well as what is seen as the changing face of Trillium as our school further defines itself, becomes more established, and how that translates to school culture and expectations.

Our advising group has faced its share of interpersonal challenges as students attempt to define themselves and their roles within our school culture. We have been navigating social barriers between friend groups and sometimes the communication has been healthier than others. Sometimes it is kind and direct. Sometimes not so much. Sometimes we mediate. Sometimes we process as a whole group. But, we never seem to have enough time to get through as much as people would like.

I echoed the importance of the issues students brought up, and realize that advising is simply not enough time and space to sift through those topics effectively. I believe our group could benefit from dedicated time in which to address some of the issues. I proposed an overnight advising retreat to the students. Students overwhelmingly supported the idea. The other high school advisors, Elizabeth, Jess, and Will, as well as Polly, Stephanie, and I have been discussing the idea for some time. This is not a campout. The retreat will have an agenda that reflects the students concerns and will be facilitated by a group of staff. Polly, Rob, Stephanie, and I will be co-facilitating. This retreat will be just for our advising group.

I cannot require that everyone attend. But such an event is truly only successful if everyone agrees to participate. I strongly encourage each student to come and engage. I feel hopeful, based on the response at today’s meeting, that this will happen.

We have made arrangements at Silver Falls State Park, outside of Salem, for Thursday, December 4th. Each of the students will be excused from their classes for Thursday and Friday. We will leave Trillium in the morning on Thursday and return in the early afternoon on Friday. We will be staying in a cabin, not camping. I have attached a list of suggested supplies students should bring.

There will not be any fee for this event. We think we can cover everything but transportation for about $200. The funds to cover it will come partly out of the activity fee, and partly out of my own budget. As this was not a budgeted expense, I am asking any parent who might be able to contribute to make a small donation. You can do this at the front desk, or directly with any of the staff involved.
We need help with transportation. Anyone who might be able to drive, please contact Polly.

I consider this a great opportunity and look forward to using this time to support students in expressing their ideas, and finding solutions, in safe, comfortable, productive ways. Please feel free to contact me or Polly with any questions.

Best,

Ken
Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org – 503-348-9849
Polly@TrilliumCharterSchool.org – 503-459-1504


Retreat Details:

Where:
We will be traveling to Silver Falls State Park, outside of Salem. It is located 70 miles south of Portland, about 25 miles east of Salem on OR-214. We are staying in a large heated cabin with bunk beds, indoor plumbing, fireplace, and kitchen.

What to Bring:
• Bedding: Sleeping bag or blankets, pillow.
• Towel, toiletries
• Warm clothing: layers, jacket, hat, gloves, rain gear or poncho
• Sturdy walking shoes: boots or sneakers for outside. Slippers or warm socks for inside.

Meals:
Meals are being planned by staff, but each student is expected to contribute to cooking and/or clean-up.

Ground Rules:
All Trillium and PPS policies apply; absolutely no drugs or alcohol.

Draft Agenda:
Thursday, December 4
7:30 Leave Trillium
9:00 Arrive and settle in, continental breakfast.
9:30 – 12:00 Large/small group retreat activities: including ice breaker, discussion, reading, and
journaling.
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 5:00 Experiential activities facilitated by staff
5:00 – 6:00 Free time
6:30 Dinner
8:00 Evening activities – poetry, talent show, campfire.

Friday, Dec. 5
8:30 – Breakfast
9:00-11:00 Retreat activities
11:30 Clean up and leave by noon
1:30 Arrive back at Trillium

Conferences.

Hi Families,

I am still looking to get a couple more folks scheduled for this Friday afternoon or evening. If you have not already signed up for a conference, please call or email. 503-348-9849 - Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org.

Ken

Friday, November 07, 2008

Advising Update

6 November 2008

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope this note finds all of you healthy, adjusting to our beloved wet and rainy days, and energized by the changing face of American presidential politics. Feeling safe in our community to admit my own biases, I confess my excitement. It is an historic time in our nation's history and one at which I am personally filled with hope. Political discourse may not be the main issue of this letter, but safety and comfort to express ideas is central.

Our advising group has gotten off to a great first part of the year. We have been using the time to help ground students in new surroundings, new classmates, and new expectations, and treat advising as a place for students to land. Our Wednesday Class Meetings have become an anchor of advising and led to a number of engaging discussions and debates within our community. Through class meeting, we have established Advising as a quiet study space on all but meeting and workshop days, and gone on to debate, and define, "quiet." We have created a host of new clubs, including Baking, Craft, and Asian-American clubs. We have established the systems to allow students to access independence responsibly such as Coffee Time, and the Personal Learning time Sign Out Board.

Polly and I have been conferencing with each of the students individually to develop Personalized Learning Plans. Learning Plans focus on understanding the needs and desires of the individual student and then finding them appropriate time, space, and resources in advising to support those ideas. As expected, these are as diverse as the students themselves. According to their goals, during any one advising class, a student may be reading the newspaper, playing chess, painting, tutoring, being tutored, quietly reading, or doing homework, among other things. Through these discussions with students, we are able to make agreements about each student's expectations and how ze* will use advising to support ze's specific goals. At the top of the list of common struggles for students are organization and communication. Polly and I are designing workshops to be held during advising to address these needs with all interested students. We are also increasing our emphasis on university preparedness by hosting workshops on college options, the application process, and financial aid.

We are fortunate to have many students in our advising group this year, some at Trillium for the first time, and some simply new to our high school who have been at Trillium for years. There is an expected adjustment period as the group defines itself, and each member begins to learn more about the others. We have emphasized the need for honest, safe communication and had the opportunity to model that through facilitated discussions and mediations. In just these few weeks since the beginning of the year, we have come a long way in our our work to support each student to hear and be heard in respectful ways. As students are finding comfortable spaces and circles of friends, Polly and I are also encouraging students to reach outside of their immediate friend zone to find resources and support in both academic and personal areas.

We are able to use advising as a platform to have important discussions about maintaining a healthy class, and whole-school, community. We recently engaged in what was at times a heated discussion about the impact of Portland Public School policies on Trillium students. We specifically discussed the ramifications for harassment, bullying, and use of alcohol or illegal drugs. Polly and I explained that Trillium is bound by the processes and penalties designed by PPS in these areas. Engaging in any of these activities can lead to expulsion. While we place a great deal of value on our relationships here, and we function in a democratic structure, it is ultimately the teacher's duty, to be the authority, and to insure that unhealthy, unsafe, or illegal activities are not tolerated.

In addition to our activities within advising, advisees have begun to establish a relationship with our Lower School buddy group. We are partnered with Rob's Intermediate class and it was a rewarding experience to be a part of our Halloween pumpkin carving and food sharing time. All students participated and, if you can possibly believe it, no one even complained.

During advising time, we recently completed our fall, district-mandated, round of standardized testing in the content areas of reading, science, and mathematics. All 9th and 10th graders are required to test. Any 11th or 12th graders who did not meet or exceed the expected passing scores are also encouraged to re-take the exams. We will have another round of these tests, as usual, in the spring.

Parent-student-teacher conference time is here. We will be scheduling the hour-long conferences for Fridays the 14th and 21st, on the half hour beginning at 12:30. Most spaces are currently open. Please contact me or Polly to schedule a time as soon as is convenient.

As always, please feel free to contact me or Polly if we can in any way be of assistance.

Warm Regards,

Ken and Polly

*Ze is a gender neutral pronoun used in place of he/she.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

No Classes this Wednesday Morning - PSAT.

Hi all,

As many of you already know, this Wednesday Trillium is hosting the PSAT for all of our high school sophomores(and a few juniors). The exam will run all morning. In order to provide the most productive testing environment, all high school classes are canceled in the morning. Classes will run as usual after lunch. Students who are not testing are not required to attend in the morning. If they do attend, they must agree to work quietly on class work. This is an excellent opportunity for students to seek out help or get caught up.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,
Ken

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Local Histories Syllabus

Local Histories: The Community Preservation Project
Trillium Charter School
2008/9 Semester 1
Instructor: Ken Gadbow
Email: Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org
Phone: 503-348-9849 (mobile), 503-235-8307 (home)
Blog: http://ken-trillium.blogspot.com

Course Structure:
Students will be expected to participate in many ways: through writing, reading, listening, and small group activities. There are short listening and writing assignments each day, which may include read-alouds. Students will keep a log book of what we do each day in class and save all material they create in their files.

Course Objectives:
Students will acquire a greater knowledge about the 20th century history of Portland, and the Pacific Northwest. Students will develop their skills as listeners. Students will develop greater abilities to express themselves through writing. Students will be able to tell historically accurate tales about specific places in and around Portland.

Course Overview:
This class focuses on developing the student’s knowledge and appreciation for firsthand experiences of senior members of our community. We will study national and international events through the lens of local historical happenings. Through interviewing community members and researching relevant events, students will come to better understand the personal impacts of the Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, the Labor Movement, and the Vietnam War, among many others.

Code of Conduct:
All students are expected to know and uphold the Rights and Responsibilities of the Trillium Constitution. We will use the non-violent conflict resolution process that includes conversations, mediations, and agreements.

Grading:
Participation: 50%
Projects 30%
Presentations: 20%

Participation will be graded according to the student’s involvement in daily class activities. Your logbook will be evidence of your participation in class.

Attendance Policy:
The majority of your grade in this class comes from your participation. If you are not here, then you cannot participate. If you cannot participate, then you cannot meet the expectations of the class. If a student must miss a class, ze must communicate with Ken beforehand. Ken’s contact information is listed at the top of this syllabus. Please use it. Failure to attend class, or to communicate clearly with Ken, will be a problem.

Course Schedule:
This semester long class is divided into 5 sections: Listening, Looking, Gathering, Recording, and Synthesizing. Through Listening, and then Looking, we will spend the first part of the semester honing our skills as “perceivers”. We will concentrate on that which we can personally hear and see in our own community, then bring that information back to the classroom to discuss the why’s and how’s of those findings. During the Gathering unit, we will uncover strange, important, and unique events that have happened right in our neighborhoods through both walking and virtual field trips, as well as primary source archival research, using diaries, journals, newspapers, and other firsthand accounts to learn about the places around us. During the Recording unit, we will then use our improved listening and looking skills to conduct interviews with senior members of the community at the Marie Smith Center on North Albina Street. We will conduct a series of interviews there, record what we learn, then use that information to create picture books based on the senior’s personal experiences. The Synthesizing unit is designed to support students in creating a coherent story, based on historical events, and first-person narrative and personal observation. The books students create will be the final project of the semester and will be offered as gifts to the seniors upon whose life stories they were based.

Weeks 1-3 (September 8-25): Listening, with week 3 field trip.
September 24-26: Upper School Campouts.
Weeks 4-5 (Sep 29 – October 8): Looking with week 5 field trip.
October 9: Staff Development Day. No school.
Weeks 6-8 (October 13-30): Gathering with week 8 field trip.
Week 9 (November 3-6): Recording, Interview Skills.
November 3-7: Mid-Semester Point. Parent conferences begin.
Weeks 10-11 (November 10-20): Recording, Marie Smith Center visits.
November 24 – 28: Thanksgiving Break. No school.
Weeks 12-15 (Dec. 1 - Jan. 15): Synthesizing.
December 22nd – January 2nd: Winter Break. No school.
Weeks 16-17 (January 12th-22nd): Working on projects.
Week 18 (January 26-29th): Presentations
Last week of term. All projects due.
Thursday, January 29th: Upper School Exhibition Day

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Senior Inquiry Syllabus

Senior Inquiry
Trillium Charter School 2008/9

Instructor: Ken Gadbow Phone: 503-348-9849 (mobile), 503-235-8307 (home)
Email: Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org Blog: http://ken-trillium.blogspot.com/

Credit available: Minimum .5 LA with .5 to be arranged depending on project focus.

Course Objectives:
Senior Inquiry is a required year-long class for all students graduating from Trillium in 2008. During this class, students will:
• Plan, develop, and carry out Senior Projects.
• Receive timely counseling to ensure satisfactory completion of graduation requirements.
• Prepare for the post high school experience: college, jobs, careers, and more.
• Plan for commencement in June.

Code of Conduct:
All students are expected to know and uphold the Rights and Responsibilities of the Trillium Constitution, and use the non-violent conflict resolution process.

Attendance Policy:
Every Tuesday, we will meet as a whole class to discuss progress on our projects and the college application process. Additionally, each student is required to meet one on one with Ken on a regular basis. It is imperative that students attend the senior class meetings as well as their individual sessions with Ken. Failure to communicate clearly with Ken will be a problem. If you absolutely cannot make a meeting, you must contact me beforehand. My contact information is above. Please use it.

Assignments and grading policies:
Students must satisfactorily complete a Senior Project in order to graduate from Trillium. This class is graded A or F. Those are your only two options. Your grade depends on satisfactory completion of the Senior Project. Students whose Project Review Committees approve their project, will be eligible to receive one full credit (1.0) for the year of Senior Inquiry after presenting the approved project to the Trillium community in the spring. Credit areas depend on project focus. At a minimum, any satisfactorily complete projected should warrant .5 credits of Language Arts and .5 credits of elective. Other credits are by arrangement.
SAT prep time and college application material are not ‘graded.’ I will help students budget time for them and lend support and resources. The reward for these endeavors, however, is securing your own future for yourself. If you dedicate the time and energy to this effort, you will reap your own reward. If you blow it off, you will suffer the consequences. No grade required.

Project Review Committees
The Project Review Committee (PRC) is a student-created board that guides, instructs, critiques, and ultimately decides the fate of the individual student’s project. Once a student decides on the subject of ze’s project, ze forms a PRC of at least four members, and arranges the first PRC meeting date. The PRC is required to meet at least three times, in the beginning, middle, and at the end of the project. The student will formally present ze’s project to the PRC on the final meeting, during which the student will defend ze’s work. The PRC then decides whether or not the student has (or has not) met expectations. Approved projects then must be presented to the broader community at Senior Project Night. More details can be found in the “Senior Project Proposal” form, attached.
Please note: Trillium staff members are encouraged to serve on no more than five PRC’s. We have many skilled faculty. Ask potential PRC members early in order to increase the chance of getting them on your committee.

Helpful Dates
• Every Tuesday: Senior Class Meeting in Ken’s Room.
• ASAP:
o Request College Information/Applications
o Decide on Senior Project Topic
o Form Project Review Committee and set first meeting date.
• September 9th: SAT registration deadline for October 4th exam.
• September 26th: SAT registration deadline for November 1st exam.
• October 4th: First SAT exam date
• November 1st: Second SAT exam date
• November 5th: SAT registration deadline for December 6th exam.
• November 14th: Deadline for First PRC Meeting
• December 6th: Third SAT exam date.
• Friday, December 26th: Halfway point for Senior Projects.
• January 1st: Free Application for Federal Student Aid begins accepting applications at 12:01 AM.
• January 15th: College Application Deadlines Begin
• January 23rd: Deadline for Second PRC Meeting
• February 16th - Oregon Student Assistance Commission scholarship application Early Bird deadline.
• March 2nd - Oregon Student Assistance Commission scholarship application Final deadline.
• March 6th: Ordering of Caps and Gowns, and Graduation Announcement (invitations)
• April 3rd: Deadline for professional publishing of Senior Project Papers.
• April 17th: Senior Project Due.
• April 17th – April 30th: Final PRC Meetings.
• Friday, May 1st: Senior Project Fair
• May 18-29: Commencement planning and preparation, including senior speech writing.
• Friday, June 5th: Seniors Last Required Day
• Saturday, June 6th: Trillium Charter School Class of 2009 Senior Commencement

Fall HS Campout

September 8, 2008

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The annual Fall High School campout is coming up soon. We will be leaving for Cape Lookout on the Oregon Coast Wednesday, September 24th and returning Friday the 26th. Students should arrive at school by 8:30 as usual. We expect to leave around 9, and will return Friday around 1. We still need parent drivers and chaperones for the trip, as well as people to help with cleaning and organizing when we get back. Please contact your student’s advisor if you think you might be able to help.

The cost of the trip is covered entirely by the student activity fee.

A list of suggested supplies for your student is below.:

• Tent w/ground cloth and rain fly
• Sleeping bag or blanket/sheet bedroll
• Sleeping pad
• Flashlight/headlamp
• Toiletries
• Towel
• Swimsuit
• Change of clothes
• Sleepwear
• An extra pair of sneakers
• Warm clothing for potentially cool nights
• Light clothing for potentially warm days
• Sunscreen
• A rain jacket or poncho

It is pretty amusing living in the Pacific Northwest and trying to project the weather in the fall. We’ll know better as we get closer, but right now we are planning for sun, rain, cold, and hot. Students should prepare especially for cool and wet, as the Oregon Coast is notorious for delivering both in plenty. It is better to bring rain gear and extra clothes and not need them than the other way around.

All students on the trip are expected to share in cooking and cleaning duties. Drugs and alcohol are, of course, strictly prohibited on the trip. Game systems and loud music are requested to stay at home, while we encourage students to bring cards, board games, and musical instruments.

We look forward to another great high school campout. Please let your student’s advisor know if you have any questions.

Regards,

Elizabeth, Jess, Ken, and Will
High School Advisors

Monday, September 01, 2008

High School Course Catalog

Hi all,

If you have not found it yet on the Trillium website, the link for the high school course catalog is http://www.trilliumcharterschool.org/catalog/hs_catalog.pdf.

And here is the course selection worksheet: http://www.trilliumcharterschool.org/catalog/hs_signup.pdf


Ken

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Beginning of Year Conferences

Hi All,

Our beginning of year parent-student-advisor conferences are happening at Trillium this year, next week Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Conferences will be held in my room and will take the place of the home visit. I still have some slots left on Thursday, September 4th for those of you have not signed up yet. Please contact me as soon as possible to schedule a time.

Best,

Ken

Back to School!

Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome to an exciting new school year at Trillium. For the benefit of families new to Trillium, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ken Gadbow. This is my fourth year at Trillium as a high school advisor, social studies teacher, and leader of many offerings that only a unique community such as ours could accommodate. I am dedicated to this school, and honored to be a part of the relationships it fosters.

I am proud to be your student's advisor. I will be your student's advocate and your primary contact person. My job is to provide guidance and support in navigating Trillium, and life beyond, for your student. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

This coming school year, I will be working on completing my masters in education at Portland State University. In order to juggle the many duties that Trillium, grad school, and fatherhood entail, I will be working a part-time schedule at Trillium. Trillium veteran Polly Christopher will be assisting me in advising duties to ensure that all of my advisees get the care, support, and attention they deserve.

My beginning of year conferences, which have customarily taken place in students' homes, will be held at Trillium this fall. I am scheduling the initial parent-student-teacher conferences for September 2nd – 5th. We will meet in my room at Trillium. I will be calling you soon to set-up a time, or you can simply email me now with your preferences.

Whether getting re-acquainted or meeting for the first time, I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Best,

Ken

Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org

503-348-9849

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Happy Summer

Hi everyone,

Greetings from London Heathrow International Airport. En route from Nairobi to Portland, I bid ye all a glorious, safe, healthy, and prosperous summer. See you next year.

Peace,

Ken

Sunday, June 08, 2008

Why Not Presentations

Middle East Peace Students,

We will meet in my room at 8:30 tomorrow (Monday) and leave for Lincoln from there on the Max. I have Max tickets for you. I only need your person and your speeches.

Call me with questions

503-348-9849.

Ken

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Senior Photos by Lori Threlkeld

Check out great senior shots by Trillium parent Lori Threlkeld b y clicking here.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Seniors, tell me about you.

Hi Soon to be Graduates,

I am making a program for the Project Night evening and need a brief blurb from each of you, which includes the following:

Name
Brief bio (where you are from, how long you have been at Trillium, what you like to do, what you hope to do in the future, etc.):
Project Description:
Words of Wisdom:

For example:

Name: Frank Frankman
Bio: Frank was born and raised in Portland and has been going to Trillium since 2003. He enjoys aquatic marine biology, reading science fiction, and kite boarding. After Frank graduates, he will attend Portland State University, travel to Asia, and continue to volunteer his time at Trillium.
Project Description: Frank designed and built a working biosphere in his garage. He kept a photo, video, and written journal of the project and hopes that his experience will raise awareness about the impact of individual choices on the environment.
Words of Wisdom: "Be like water."

This should take you each about 8 minutes. Please do it now. You will forever be immortalized and I will be temporarily extremely grateful.

Peace,

Ken

Senior Project Night Schedule

Tentative Senior Project Night Schedule

Wednesday, June 4th, 2008

Garden Room

Kirk’s Room

Tobie’s Room

MP Room

6:00 – 6:25

Opening and Welcome.

6:30 - 6:55

Cailie

Eric

Nolan

7:00 – 7:25

Chieko

Paige

Fiona

Riley

7:30 – 7:55

Jeff

Nina

Emily

Chris P

8:00 – 8:25

Luuk

Maria

Leila

Solomon

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Important Senior Stuff, Part II

And...

We are finalizing the schedule for commencement. Our confirmed performers are Cailie, who will be singing, and Chieko, Emily, and Luuk, who will be sword fighting.

Please email PHOTOS to Jess@TrilliumCharterSchool.org. She is helping put together the slide show for commencement. We need BABY pictures as well as any photos from your school career that are meaningful to you which you would like included.

Ken

Important Senior Stuff

Hi Class of '08.

This is very important info about graduation. Please read it all and email me back as soon as you have done so.

Congratulations to Eric for being the first to have his project approved by his PRC.

Most of you have your final PRC meetings this week. Here are the ones I know about:
Nina - Tuesday at 3:30
Paige - Wednesday at 7:30 AM
Solomon - Wednesday at 3:15 PM
Maria - Thursday at 3:30
Fiona - Friday at 12:30
Chris P - Friday at 2:00

Cailie, Chieko, Emily, Jeff, Leila, Nolan, Luuk, and Riley: I DO NOT HAVE CONFIRMED TIMES FOR YOUR FINAL PRC. Please get those to me immediately.

CAPS AND GOWNS have arrived. You may pay for them at any time, though they will not be distributed until the Friday the 6th, the day before commencement.

Graduation ANNOUNCEMENTS are still available and I recommend you purchase them as soon as possible. They are $1 each. Bring a check to the front desk and then bring me the receipt.

Tuesday, June 3rd is the SENIOR PROJECT FAIR. You will each have a table in the multi porpoise room starting at 1:30. All school community members will be coming by to check out your projects. This will guarantee that students and teachers from all age levels get to see your projects. It will also give them incentive to come the following evening for SENIOR PROJECT NIGHT, Wednesday, June 4th from 6 to 9. This is your community presentation of your project. All family members, friends, and community members are invited. You are each assigned a 30 minute time slot for your presentation.

COMMENCEMENT begins at 2:00 on Saturday, June 7th. You are all required to be there by 1:15. We are arranging a walk through rehearsal for Friday, June 6th, but the time has not been established yet.

You are all to give your 3-minute senior SPEECHES at commencement after your chosen speaker has introduced you. I MUST HAVE YOUR CHOICES FOR THE STAFF MEMBER WHO IS INTRODUCING YOU IMMEDIATELY. Please give me a first and second choice. Many of you have already made your selections and communicated that to me. Thank you. Please, all of you, confirm your selections by emailing your choices. We must make sure that many teacher voices are represented (no, you cannot all have Kirk). That is why I need your top TWO choices for speakers.

I believe Chris Pearson was spear heading a senior brunch for Sunday the 8th. Check with him for details.

It is crunch time for many of you, I know. Good luck. You can do it. Don't give up now - you are almost done. Don't forget to ask for help or support when you need it. A lot of people care about you and want you to succeed. Ask for help. You'll get it.

Peace,

Ken

Monday, May 19, 2008

Gaza Video Conference

Our first face to face with students in Gaza is happening Wednesday morning at 7:30! See you then.

Gaza Video Conference Questions

Trillium Questions for Gaza Students

For May 21, 2008 Video Conference

(Students listed in bold will ask the questions.)

1. How was your day? TIMOTHY

2. What do you do for fun? LEILA

3. What are your parents’ occupations? TIMOTHY

4. Marriage: are marriages arranged by parents? JIM

5. Media: how much faith do you have in your news outlets? OCEAN

6. What images do you see of American youth and culture in your media? How are Americans portrayed? CHRIS

7. What involvement do your parents have in Why Not program? What do they think of it? CHRIS

8. What problem do you face with school? CHAU

9. How active are the women in the community? CRYSTAL

10. Do you ever have contact with students in the West Bank? SOLOMON

11. Where is the nearest security wall to you? How close is it? JIM

12. How do you feel about Hamas and the services they provide? HANNAH

13. Is there a specific set of rules and laws dictated by Israel that Palestinians have to live by? HANNAH

14. Do you know people in Israeli prisons? CHRIS

15. Is violence happening on a daily basis? IAN

16. How has the violence affected you and your community? LEILA

17. Do you have any Israeli friends? LEILA

18. Could you leave Gaza if you wanted to? SOL

19. Do people want to leave? CHAU

20. What conflicts are there within the Palestinian community? HANNAH

21. How active are youth in the intifada? IAN

22. What do you think Gaza will be like in ten years? CARMELA


Video Conference Questions for Trillium Students

Written by Gaza Students

(Students listed in bold will prepare responses to the questions.)

May 13, 2008

General+ Culture

  1. What’s up? How are you feeling these days? What’s new? TIMOTHY
  2. Do you enjoy education in the US? Do you face any problems? CHAU
  3. Do you work voluntary activities or a job? CARMELA, HALSTON
  4. What do you wish to be when you finish your school? CRYSTAL, IAN, HALSTON
  5. What is your favorite band? TIMOTHY, HALSTON
  6. What sports do you practice in your schools? HANNAH
  7. Have you ever seen any Palestinian Folklore dance show (Dabka)? Or the Palestinian Traditional Embroidery? SOLOMON
  8. What are your hobbies? Do you have much time to practice? LEILA, OCEAN, HALSTON
  9. Do you like to travel? What's your favorite place to visit? Where have you traveled? LEILA

Family+Society

  1. Do you face the conflict of generations between you and your parents? In which ways? CHRIS
  2. Are you very much connected to your family? Do they affect your decisions? CHRIS
  3. In your perspective…What does life mean to you? TIMOTHY
  4. Do you face problems related to discrimination issue? TIMOTHY
  5. What are the things you most don’t like about your country? TIMOTHY, CHRIS, HANNAH
  6. Is there much violence at your school or neighborhood? If yes, how are you affected? HANNAH
  7. How many friends do you have? Do you hang a lot with them? IAN
  8. Do you think that the American Society can thrive with so many different cultures in it? JIM

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

  1. Do your parents and community know anything about the Palestinian Intifada or the Palestinian issue in general? HANNAH
  2. Few days ago was the 60th anniversary for the Palestinian Catastrophe (Nakba) do you know anything about it? CHRIS
  3. Have you heard about the severe siege imposed on Gaza strip since last June? And are you aware of the Gas and fuel problems that we in Gaza are facing nowadays? CHAU
  4. Can you imagine how your daily life would be without fuel? CRYSTAL?
  5. In your opinion…What is the best solution to end the Palestinian Israeli conflict? SOLOMON (This is the only question.)
  6. What do you know about the apartheid wall in the West Bank? CARMELA
  7. Do you think Palestinians enjoy their human rights?

Elections+ Foreign Policy

  1. Who do you support the most in the presidential elections? IAN
  2. Do you support all of the government actions? CHRIS
  3. Are you for or against the war in Iraq? Why? (This is a doozy.) Ken, SOLOMON, CHAU

Monday, May 12, 2008

Security Wall Assignment II

Security Wall Assignment II

Middle East Peace

May 8, 2008

Due: Tuesday, May 13th

We have discussed the Israeli justification for the building of the Security Fence, based in part on the film, produced by the state of Israel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w587gNnuGLU.

Attached is an excerpt from President Jimmy Carter’s book, Palestine Peace Not Apartheid explaining his perspective on the Security Wall.

You should also consider the map and quote below before answers:

“Everybody has to move, run, and grab as many hilltops as they can to enlarge the settlements because everything we take now will stay ours… Everything we don’t grab will go to them.”

- Ariel Sharon, then Israeli Foreign Minister, November 1998.

After analyzing these four documents, the film, the Palestine excerpt, the map, and the Ariel Sharon quote, answers the following questions:

  • What do you believe is the reason for building the Security Fence?
  • Why is Israel building it?
  • What does it accomplish?
  • What evidence can you use to support your opinion?
  • Do you think having a Security Wall is a good idea? Why or why not? If you support a security barrier, where should it go?

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Trillium and West Bank Help Break World Record

Trillium and Gaza students partnered to raise awareness about unequal access to education and put ourselves into the Guiness Book of World Records in the process. Click here to learn more: http://www.campaignforeducationusa.org/portland.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

ME Peace: Conflict Now Assignment

Conflict Now Assignments

Middle East Peace Class

May 6, 2008

Due date: Every Thursday

Points: The four assignments will be worth 10% of the final grade.

The assignment:

In order to stay current on events that are happening right now, today, in Israel and the Palestinian territories, you are to find, read, and respond to one news piece each week.

What you need to do:

  1. Find an article about events or conditions in Israel, Gaza, or the West Bank in the Oregonian, the New York Times in print or online (www.newyorktimes.com) or the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) news service (www.bbc.co.uk).
  2. Read the article.
  3. Write down the:
    1. Headline
    2. Author
    3. Date
    4. Publication (BBC, Oregonian, etc.)
  4. Create a standard response. Write:
    1. A 2-3 sentence summary
    2. Wow – interesting things
    3. Huh – confusing things or questions
    4. Hmm – connections to something you already knew.
  5. Bring your response and a copy of the article to class each Thursday, prepared to present.

Friday, May 02, 2008

Senior Stuff

Graduation Announcements have arrived, cost $1.oo each and are available in Ken's room. Simply bring in cash or a check made out to Trillium.

Caps and gowns will be here at the end of the month and will cost $30.

- Ken

Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences

Hi families,

It is conference time again and I am scheduling our half-hour slots starting the beginning of next week. As you will see, I am limited primarily to mornings and Friday afternoons. Please choose the soonest available time you can meet and let me know. The times I have right now are:

Mondays May 5th or 12th: 7:30, 8:00, 8:30
Wednesdays May 7th or 14th: 7:30, 8:00, 8:30
Thursday May 8th: 7:30, 8:00, 8:30
Fridays, May 9th or 16th: 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00

Best,

Ken

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Peace Not Apartheid Assignment

Palestine Peace Not Apartheid Timeline Assignment

Middle East Peace Class

April 29, 2008

Due: Next Class, Thursday, May 1st, 2008

Read the attached timeline, then define and describe each of the terms below based on the reading. There will be a quiz on Thursday over this material.

  1. Balfour Declaration

  1. United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194

  1. Palestinian Liberation Organization

  1. 1967 Six Day War

  1. United Nations Security Council Resolution 242

  1. Hezbollah

  1. Intifada

  1. Hamas

  1. Yasir Arafat

  1. Oslo Agreements

  1. Ariel Sharon

  1. Separation Barrier

  1. Mahomoud Abbas

  1. Ehud Olmert

Monday, April 28, 2008

High School Campout!

April 28, 2008

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The annual Fall High School campout is coming up. We will be leaving for Milo McIver State Park Wednesday, May 21st in the morning and returning Friday the 23rd in the afternoon. Students should arrive at school by 8:30 as usual. We expect to leave around 9, and will return Friday around 1. Milo McIver is located near Estacada, about a 45 minute drive from Portland. We still need parent drivers and chaperones for the trip, as well as people to help with cleaning and organizing when we get back. Please contact your student’s advisor if you think you might be able to help.

The cost of the trip is covered entirely by the student activity fee.

A list of suggested supplies for your student is below:

  • Tent w/ground cloth and rain fly
  • Sleeping bag or blanket/sheet bedroll
  • Sleeping pad
  • Flashlight/headlamp
  • Toiletries
  • Towel
  • Swimsuit
  • Change of clothes
  • Sleepwear
  • An extra pair of sneakers
  • Warm clothing for potentially cool nights
  • Light clothing for potentially warm days
  • Sunscreen
  • A rain jacket or poncho

It is pretty amusing living in the Pacific Northwest and trying to predict the weather in the spring. We’ll know better as we get closer, but right now we are planning for sun, rain, cold, and hot.

All students on the trip are expected to share in cooking and cleaning duties. Drugs and alcohol are, of course, strictly prohibited on the trip. Game systems and loud music are requested to stay at home, while we encourage students to bring cards, board games, and musical instruments.

We look forward to another great high school campout. Please let your student’s advisor know if you have any questions.

Regards,

Elizabeth, Jess, Ken, and Will

High School Advisors

Senior Stuff: Projects, Commencement, and more.

April 18, 2008

Dear Parents of the Class of 2008,

There are a few important things to keep track of as we move towards graduation.

  • Senior Pictures are happening the week of April 27th, individual as well as a whole group shot. Contact senior Chris Pearson for the schedule at Sk8element195@yahoo.com.
  • Commencement will be held at Hoffmann Hall on the campus of Portland State University on Saturday, June 7th. Exercises begin at 2 o’clock.
  • Graduation announcements are being printed now and will be delivered May 1st. Please make sure Ken knows exactly how many you would like for your student. Announcements are printed on beautiful, one hundred percent post consumer material with soy based ink, come in envelopes, and will cost one dollar each.
  • Students elected that this year’s Caps and Gowns be purple. They will be delivered in the end of May and cost $30 each. Students may keep the cap and gown.
  • All checks should be made payable to Trillium Charter School.
  • Your student should be nearly done with ze’s[1] senior project. Final Project Committee Review dates happen during the beginning of May. Once the project is approved by the Committee, seniors will exhibit their work to a larger audience the week before commencement. Students will each have one 30-45 minute slot during the afternoon the week of June 1st. Parents, family members, and friends are encouraged to attend.

This is an exciting time of year and of life. I would be happy to help with any questions you might have around your graduates’ experience.

Best,

Ken Gadbow

Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org



[1] Ze is a gender neutral pronoun used in place of he/she.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Trillium Parent Survey

Families,

Please, please, please fill out the parent survey.

(http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=PHeDpnxrfmq_2bwGQnFeHiNA_3d_3d),


It will be open until May 11th and it doesn't take long to fill out.
It is all on-line, simply click on the link above. If you prefer a
paper copy you can get them in the lobby of the school. The surveys
are an important part of how we assess parents' thoughts about what is
happening at Trillium.


Thanks,

Ken

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Middle East Peace Make Up Assignment

Make Up Assignment

Middle East Studies

Student Name _______________________

Book title __________________________

Author _____________________________

Minimum number of pages ___________

Due Date for Assignment ______________

  1. Choose a book from the selection available. Choose one that seems interesting and might be appropriately challenging for you.
  2. Be sure to sign the book out.
  3. Read the introduction (if applicable) and the appropriate number of pages for class or project time missed. You should read about 20 pages for each hour missed. Write the agreed upon number of pages above.
  4. As you read you may want to take notes to help you recall what you have been reading in order to do the following:
  5. Write a brief summary about what you are reading that includes:
    1. The title and author of the book.
    2. A description of the characters, events, places, and times described in the book.

i. Who is in it?

ii. What is happening?

iii. Where is it taking place?

iv. When is it taking place?

    1. How you think this material is related to what we have been studying in class.
    2. At least 2 questions you have about the people, places, or events.
    3. Who you think should read this book and reasons you might or might not recommend it.
  1. Return the book and assignment to Ken by the agreed upon date above (generally one week after missed material).

Wall Assignment

Separation Barrier Assignment

Middle East Peace Class

April 24, 2008

Due: Tuesday, April 29th in class

This assignment is designed to introduce the student to the physical barriers in place in and around the West Bank. Students are to view and reflect on the three image links below by answering all of the questions that follow.

Look at the following map and answer the questions below:

http://www.mideastweb.org/betselem_fence_06.gif

  1. Locate Jenin, Hebron, Jerusalem, and Ramallah on the map.
  2. Trace the route of the Separation Barrier in and around the West Bank.
  3. Estimate the number of established Israeli settlements within the West Bank. How many are there?

Watch the following short film and answer the questions below:

http://www.btselem.org/english/video/200803_Road_443.asp

  1. To where does route 443 go?
  2. Why did the Israeli military close route 443 to Palestinians?
  3. How do the Israelis pictured in the film feel about route 443?
  4. How is travel different for Palestinians and Israelis within the West Bank?
  5. Why are there walls built along route 443? What purpose do they serve?
  6. From whose perspective is this film made? Whose is left out? How do you or do you not feel this film is biased?

Watch the following short film and answer the questions below:

http://switch5.castup.net/Customers/Castup/v_round_320x240/Design.asp?clipurl=http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ClipMediaID=1221451&ak=null

  1. Where is the Security Fence?
  2. According to this film, what purpose does the security fence serve?
  3. From whose perspective is this film made? Whose is left out? How do you or do you not feel this film is biased?

Please feel free to write any additonal thoughts, reflections, or questions you have based on viewing these images.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Middle East Peace Class Question

Hi Middle East Peace Students,

Julia Silverman, a journalist for the Associated Press, is interested in covering our video conference during the world's largest lesson plan. Mercy Corps approves and has asked for my permission. We are a democratic school so it is up to you. I am in favor of it. I have read some of her writing and feel that she would represent this project, and its participant, respectfully. It could be good publicity for the Palestinian students'[ struggles, the Mercy Corps Why Not program, and Trillium. If you are interested, below are a few links from articles she has written recently:

http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8RDFLA02.html
http://abcnews.go.com/us/wirestory?id=3076338
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20071005/a_libraries05.art.htm
http://uvlightburns.com/page3.html

The question is, "Do you support having Ms. Silverman present during our video conference?" Please respond as soon as possible.

Peace,

Ken

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Video Conference RE-SCHEDULED

The video conference with the Palestinian students has been rescheduled! It is NOT tomorrow, Wednesday, morning. It IS THURSDAY, the 17th at 7:30 at Trillium

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Tai Chi Syllabus

Tai Chi

Trillium Charter School

2007/8

Instructor: Ken Gadbow Email: Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org Phone: 503-348-9849

Course Structure

We will study the art of tai chi through both group and one on one instruction. This class is non-competitive. Evaluations will be based on individual progress in understanding and performing parts of the exercise. Students will spend ten minutes each class period making detailed notes on new moves or corrections. There will be a mid-term exam and an end of term exhibition in front of the school community.

Course Objectives

Students will learn a series of movements in the tai chi chu’an yang style long form. Students will be able to practice tai chi at school, at home, or in line at the grocery store. Students will develop their understanding of the philosophy of meditative martial arts.

Course Overview

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese exercise focusing on relaxation and power. The exercise, which takes about 25 minutes to complete, is designed to facilitate physical, mental, and emotional development. Consisting of 124 movements, Tai Chi is performed in a slow, smooth, and continuous manner. This non-competitive class allows students to progress at their own rate, utilizing one-on-one as well as group instruction. Students should wear loose fitting clothing and socks.

Code of Conduct

All students are expected to know and uphold the Rights and Responsibilities of the Trillium Constitution. We will use the non-violent conflict resolution process that includes conversations, mediations, and the OVRR system.

Framework Concentrations:

Independence:

  • Know where to find places that will help you stay focused
  • Seek assistance when needed
  • Be willing to try new activities.
  • Assess your present performance
  • Demonstrate awareness of what you’ve learned and why it matters

Community Membership:

  • Be willing to try new activities.

Health, Wellness, and Safety:

  • Have a personal fitness program

Cooperation:

  • Make choices about seating, partners and groups that have academic and social benefits

Grading:

Participation (based on student self-evaluation*, page 5) 80%

Mid term exhibition 10%

End of term exhibition 10%

*There are 306 points possible in the self-evaluation. Each student gets evaluated at the end of the quarter, out of a possible 288 (everyone gets 2 freebies). Therefore, in the self-evaluation, an “A” = 288 – 259, “B” = 229 – 258, “C” = 228 – 199, “D” = 198 – 169, “F” = <169.

Attendance Policy:

The majority of your grade in this class comes from your participation. If you are not here, then you cannot participate. If you cannot participate, then you cannot meet the expectations of the class. This class is graded on a pass/no pass basis.

§ If a student misses more than 3 classes, ze[1] cannot pass.



[1] Ze is a gender neutral pronoun.