This Great Week

Hi all,

Almost there, almost there..... As we all think deep thoughts of snowstorms that cancel school and the break that is right around the corner your students and I are preparing for a creative break from the usual routine.

No regular academic classes are happening during this week The last month of Semester 2 is in January, when we return from break. Instead, we will be participating in school wide Intensives every morning and Advising projects in the afternoons. Your student is expected to attend and participate fully all week. Here's our schedule

Monday- Thursday
Advising morning check in 8:35-9:50
Intensives 9-12pm
Lunch 12-12:30pm (this is a little shorter than usual, so students should plan to bring their lunch, have school lunch, or get to-go close by.
Advising 12:30-3:15
Friday
High School Social Justice Symposium 10-12pm

Your student found out on Friday which of their three Intensive choices they were placed in. Students are expected to participate fully in Intensives. While they are not, by default, available for credit those options may be possible. Your student should ask their Intensives teacher if there is extension work available (in addition to full attendance and participation in the class, for .25 credit.

9th and 10th graders will continue to complete their statewide reading, math and science tests throughout the week.

The main focus of our Advising afternoons will be for students to complete their groups work in preparation for Fridays big event- the High School Social Justice Symposium. Your students will be presenting, teaching, making art, and educating at literature tables. Students have been given invitations to share with people outside of school whom they would like to attend.

In our group we also felt that we needed some holiday cheer and fun in those long afternoons together. So this is what we came up with (and notice the places where we could use your support!)
Make holiday cards (I have some supplies, but would love to get block printing goods like linoleum squares and knives!)
Make holiday cookies (borrowed cookie cutters or other decorating things would be great!)
Make dip candles (tapers). We are asking for a $5 donation to help offset the cost of supplies for this.
Watch a film a little bit each day IF symposium work is rolling along well.
Have a potluck on Thursday (help your student make or buy something to bring in!)
Draw random names and gift each other with the theme of "Bringing in the Light" (should be handmade or no more than $3.... a joke, a poem, a drawing, a lightbulb ;)

It's going to be a great week!

And on December 18-20, Elizabeth's advising is spear heading a great opportunity to share our time again in service with the farmworking community. Volunteer students and parents can help to sort and package toys gathered in a toy drive (we are not doing a lrage scale drive but welcome any donations in order to bring a small box with us. There will also be a collection box with Adib, Cody and Fabian at their table on FSSW and WFWA during the Social Justice Symposium... bring something by when you come to visit!). We can also spend a day cooking and preparing for a huge Christmas feast and then serving and cleaning up from the event (which gathers several hundred people.... families within the farmworker community). I am excited to share in the spririt of giving during the holiday season and hope your student will join in.

Please let me know if you have any questions or thoughts. Thank you for supporting your student during this busy busy week.

Peace.

Ken