Study in Serbia!

Hi Will and Ken,

We have pushed back the deadline for student applications for the American Exchange to Serbia to this Friday, December 17th. So far we have not had any applications from Trillium students. If you know of any students who were interested, or who would be strong candidates, it would be great if we could get them on track to completing an application. We would love to further the connections made during the Serbian exchange. If anyone has any questions, or if they may have difficulty completing the application by the current deadline, please have them contact me and we can work something out.

Program info and applications are still available on our website: http://www.worldoregon.org/events/registration/serbian_youth_exchange.php

Thanks again for all of your help,

Andrew Neal
World Affairs Council of Oregon
1200 SW Park Avenue, Third Floor
Portland, OR 97205
Office: (503) 306-5216
Cell: (971) 227-3954
andrew@worldoregon.org

Intensives Cancelled.

Dear Families and Staff,

Tomorrow night's Intensives Meeting is cancelled. In fact, the January Intensive this year are also being cancelled. The staff met on this topic last week and voted.

A letter detailing the decision will be available soon. Thanks SO much to all of the folks who were considering helping on this all-school project.

Sincerely,
Intensives Committee

Draft Upper School Semester 2 Schedule

Check it out here.

Intensives! Hurray!

November 17th, 2010

Hello Trillium Parents & Community,

As you may or may not know we will be having intensive classes once again at Trillium. They take place Monday through Thursday the week of January 31st – February 3rd. These are classes offered during the whole day from 9:00 to 3:00 and can be any sort of focus that a teacher decides upon. Depending on our offerings this year, there is a possibility of running a half-day intensive, then handing off the second half of the day to a teaching partner (this can make schedules easier to manage). To make intensives successful we ask that parents share their talents, skills and interests by teaching a class.
With your involvement we can have small group sizes and opportunities to use the time more effectively than with a larger group. So we need your help! If you want to be involved please come to ONE of these two sessions (3:30 pm or 6:00 pm) on Wednesday, December 15th.

Some past offerings have been swimming, bowling, cultural exploration, fitness, working with horses, hands on science, claymation, hiking, acting, cooking, arts and crafts, music, RPGs, strategy games, social justice education and so much more. You may:

Teach an intensive class based on a skill, talent, focus or activity that you are eager to share with kids (that's ideally from 9-3, M,T, W and Th)
OR
Team up with another parent or teacher to offer an intensive that shares your similar interests
OR
Help with an intensive on days that work for you
OR
Help with driving, since some of them require transportation to get kids to the class locations
OR
Help with supplying/facilitating snacks

All you need to do is send a description of what you would like to teach to Kirk Ellis at kirk@trilliumcharterschool.org

IF you know what you would like to offer, or if you have offered something in the past and would like to do it again, please send the following information..

Your description should include:
Class title
Brief description of the class and what will be learned
Age of students for which it would be appropriate (it can be kindergarten to grade 12, or any smaller grouping in between)
Number of students that would be best for your class
Any additional cost for supplies
Will it be on-site or off-site?

If you are able to support an intensive or be a driver please contact Kirk as well. However, we will have a separate transportation coordinator.

We have some expectations as well:

Attend information night
Complete background check (or have on file at school)
Ideally have a partner/other adult to assist with intensive and be present
Fill out a provided assessment form about the students who participate
Commit to the entire week
Communicate needs (transportation, supplies, space etc.) at least one week prior to intensives

Thanks for helping to make Trillium an amazing place to learn!

The Intensives Committee

Sign Up for Conferences Right Here!

Hi all,

It is fall student-teacher-parent conference time! Upper school advisors host conferences in the weeks following Thanksgiving break. This should give families time to reflect on the midterm progress reports which should arrive in the next few days before conferences.

Please sign up with this form by clicking right here.

Happy Thanksgiving/Genocide Awareness Day.

Peace,
Ken

Introducing Jacob Jonas-Closs, student teacher

November 22, 2010

Dear parents and guardians of Explorers and Resistance Daily 1 students,

Hello! My name is Jacob Jonas-Closs. I have been observing and interacting in
your student’s classroom since the beginning of the school year. I have very much
enjoyed watching them learn and grow. Following Thanksgiving Break I will be
working with your students as their primary teacher for the rest of the school year.

I look forward to meeting all of you. For now, I would like to take a bit of space
to introduce myself. I am a student at the Lewis and Clark Graduate School of
Education working toward a Master of Arts in Teaching degree and an Oregon
Teaching License in Middle and High School Social Studies. Prior to entering
graduate school I attended Earlham College, a small Quaker Liberal Arts College
in Indiana, where I received a Bachelors degree in Human Development and Social
Relations, and a minor in both Education and History. After I graduated I was
pretty sure I wanted to teach but wanted to try other jobs before I went back to
school. I spent a year working in Human Services at two group homes, one for
adults with Mental Retardation and another for Children with Autism; I did these
jobs in my hometown of Boston, Massachusetts. During this year I began to apply
for programs and noticed my favorite program was the one offered at Lewis and
Clark, and I had heard that Portland was an excellent city to live in, so decided to
attend this program. I love to teach and learn, and am excited to be making this
journey alongside this great group of students.

To start things off in December we will be analyzing Current struggles of
American Indians before we delve into Celilo Falls in January. Please feel free to
express any of your questions or concerns about this change to Ken and to me, our
contact information is listed below.

I am greatly looking forward to working with this group of students!

Sincerely,

Jacob Jonas-Closs

jjonascloss@lclark.edu

Ken Gadbow

gadbow@gmail.com

Writing Contest

Write about environmental disaster, win cash. Click here.

Some great things said about Trillium

Can be found by clicking here.

Vote Mercy Corps!

Mercy Corps is so close to getting the $150K. You can vote everyday by clicking here. (www.50daysofgiving.com).

Free Thanksgiving Celebration

From one our active high school students and his family:

Appreciate the Table of Thanksgiving, community style

Talented entertainment, fun volunteering, very good food, new and old friends on their best and most real behavior - How could we not come back to a table like that? It’s a beautiful thing and we hope to see you there:Thanksgiving Day: 12-4pm FREE

-Vegan and vegetarian options
-Donations: non-perishable Thanksgiving-related food items or paper goods

-Volunteer: pass out flyers, chef, prep food, set up, serve food, cleanup, and more

-General information call Michael at 503-936-3704
-Volunteers call Sara at 503-505-1298 | se habla Espanol

-Entertainers call Robin at 503-890-5393

info@properusa.net

We’ll be celebrating at Celebration Tabernacle at 8131 N Denver, next door to Po’Shines Cafe de la Soul - as the space has become just too small for our turnouts. Come out of your self, bring what you have to the Table of Thanksgiving: Music & Storytelling | Good Food | Community. Hope all is well with you and that we’ll see you there.

Help Mercy Corps get $150,000

Trillium has partnered with Mercy Corps in numerous programs over the past years, most notably our direct student to student exchanges with youth in the Palestinian Territories and Iraq.

You can vote everyday for Mercy Corps to get $150K by clicking here. (www.50daysofgiving.com)

Letter from Stephanie to Students

Here is a link to a thoughtful, loving message from Stephanie to the students. This was read aloud last Friday at high school meeting.

Genevieve Appointed as new Executive Director

Good morning,

I'm writing today to let you know that the Trillium Board of Directors voted unanimously on Monday, November 8th to appoint Genevieve Bouwes as the Executive Director through completion of the school's Charter Renewal.

Genevieve has been with Trillium for five years, having served most recently as the preschool Director and staff development coordinator. Before that she taught a wide range of ages for ten years. In her role as staff development coordinator, Genevieve has worked with the entire staff for the past couple years to build a shared vision and turn that vision into progress within the school. She has a BA from the University of Wisconsin in cultural geography and a Masters in Education from Bank Street School of Education in NYC.

There are a number of discussion points and details regarding the appointment, expectations, and the support Genevieve is seeking that you will see in the minutes of the November 8 Board meeting when they are published. I'd like to repeat my heartfelt thanks to all of those who attended and gave their input. Please join me in congratulating and supporting Genevieve as she takes on the role.

Thank you,
James Hindes
Parent of Holden, 4th grade, and Annie, 2nd grade
President, Trillium Board of Directors

Autumn Advising Update

Find the latest advising update letter by clicking here.

Taunia Mann, Class Liaison Extraordinaire

Hello Ken's Advising Families-

I am Taunia Mann, and my husband Mike and I are your parent liaisons for the year. Our role is to keep you all updated with information or needs from Ken and our advising class.

Here we go:

Trillium needs PAPER! You have probably received the all school letter that went out today detailing why we need paper. The goal is for each family to purchase and bring in one box of paper this year. One box should cost $20-$30.
-
Sign up on this google spreadsheet. Drop off your box of paper at the office during the beginning of the month for which you sign up. I will send an e-mail reminder to you at the beginning of your month. If you find it on sale, let us know so we can all take advantage of the savings.

Ken conveyed some items that he and the students would love to have.
Clipboards (I started last year with 25. I started this year with 6. Where do they go?)
A steady supply of butter and peanut butter. The snack station in my room is well visited and now well-stocked with bread, thanks to John and Connie Ross. Sometimes we have things to put on the toast. Sometimes we don't.
Poster board.
Large heavy quality paper for painting or drawing.
This one is going to sound odd: squeezy things. Some jittery students can focus better if they have something to play with that will not distract them. It would be awesome to have some of those springy flexy jobbies like this one just sitting out on tables for students to use. Seems like some parents must have one of those lying around that they never use, or might find one at the Bins.
I am trying to buy extra peanut butter when it goes on sale. Butter, too. My goal is to send in a tub of PB and a pound of butter a week. No sugar in the PB, please. If you can contribute any items from this lovely list, Ken and the kids would greatly appreciate it.

Let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer them.

Thank you!!
Taunia
mama to Colin Mann- gr. 10

Oh dear, we don't seem very well liked, do we?

In cruising for Trillium reviews on the web, I found mostly unflattering comments, such as "We really feel that this school should not be operating." If you feel differently, provide your own review at education.com and city-data.com.

Coffee Time Permission Form

High School Advisors and students have made some changes to Coffee Time to make the expectations clearer. Here is the updated Coffee Time permission form, as adjusted by the High School meeting today. As before, students need signature of parent and Advisor. Students must demonstrate knowledge of the Rights and Responsibilities from the Trillium Constitution before I will sign off.

Teen Meditation Course

For any teens interested in meditation training, this is from the Vipassana meditation center up in Washington:

We still have plenty of room for teens to participate in the upcoming weekend Anapana course for teens between 13 and 16 years old taking place the weekend of November 19-21 at the Northwest Vipassana Center.

The teenagers’ meditation course is specifically designed for young people, ages 13 to 16 years. During the course, students will learn how to practice Anapana meditation. They will meditate with guided instructions for periods of up to 30 minutes. These sessions are interspersed with discussion sessions, break periods, games and art activities throughout the day.

Complete gender segregation will be maintained at all times throughout the weekend. Boys and girls will attend separate, concurrent courses in separate facilities with separate teachers.

Families with teens who might be interested in attending or who would like more information can visit the new Teens' Course Page of the Dhamma Kuñja website for more details and application materials. More information can also be found on the beautiful new international children's course website.

Best wishes,
The Teens' Course Organizers

Northwest Vipassana Center - Dhamma Kuñja
445 Gore Rd.
Onalaska, WA 98570
Phone: 360-978-5434
Fax: 360-978-5433

Leadership Transition Announcement

Good afternoon,

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to the Trillium community to let you know that Stephanie Hinkle has resigned her post at the school.

Stephanie has been thinking about her next steps for a while, and I know she has a bright future before her. Stephanie's development of and contributions to Trillium over the years have been tremendous, truly without measure. I ask that all of us celebrate her accomplishments, support and respect her decision, and support her next steps in the larger community. Stephanie has spoken to many of us in the past about staying involved in the Charter community because of her rich experience in the field. I look forward to hearing more about her next steps and successes.

We delivered the above information, along with a few brief comments on succession plans, to all students in a special meeting this morning in accord with the school’s "stop-rule" protocol. After the meeting they returned to their advising groups so the advisors could field initial questions and return to the school day. If you see your child's advisor today or this week, please take a moment to thank them.

Over the next few days, Genevieve Bouwes (our current preschool director and staff development coordinator) will act as our interim director and overall go-to person for the school. Please do all you can to support Genevieve.

Our goal, of course, is to make the next few weeks and months as smooth as possible as we transition to a successor. As many of you know, we started our search for a new Executive Director over the summer after Stephanie let us know that she was planning to leave at the end of the 2010-2011 school year. Because that search has taken longer than expected, the Board approved (at their October 20th meeting) engaging with outside services to place an interim Executive Director in the role. On Thursday, October 28th, at 6pm at the school, the Board will convene a special meeting to hear any public input on the placement of an interim Executive Director. The board will also deliberate and potentially decide on whether we should also look at people within Trillium to take on the interim position until a permanent Executive Director is hired. "Interim" in this case typically means a period of anywhere from 3-9 months.

As we proceed in the coming weeks, you will receive active and direct communications from the school frequently. If you find you still have questions, please let me know.



Thanks,

James Hindes, Trillium Board of Directors

jhindes@trilliumcharterschool.org

Halloween Parade!

I am looking forward to our Halloween-like Friday this week and want to send along a reminder about expectations.

The committe to develop Halloween guidelines came up with the following items regarding Halloween costumes and activities.
1. Costumes should be appropriate for a mixed age setting.
2. Masks are allowed only during the halloween parade.
3. Weapons of any sort are not allowed at school.
4. Accessories that are disruptive or a violation of the rights and responsibilities are not allowed or should be turned off.

Hurray for dressing up!

Best,
Ken

Trillium Website Functional

Hello Trillium Community,

When visiting our web site, you may still receive a warning message indicating the site may harm your computer. The site was re-infected over the weekend, however, Isaac did clean it up again. I am working with Google to report the site as clean again so the warning message goes away.

Thanks,

-Nick

--
Nick Fenger
-Information Technology Director
-Administrator of MS/HS Scheduling & Transcript System
-Testing and Assessment Coordinator
-Outdoor School Coordinator
-Board Member, Communication Committee Chair

Trillium website virus update.

Hello Trillium Community,

Since last night, I've been working with our site tech Isaac and our hosting company Spiretech to bring our site back up. As of right now, it appears the content is intact, however, the engine that runs the CMSMS based site was broken by an intruder.

Tonight, Isaac will begin the work to re-install the engine portion of the site and restore functionality. I will update you on his progress tomorrow. I have the highest confidence in Isaac's abilities as he has done a tremendous job at supporting the site that he built. He started this work as a PLP/ILP when he was a student here and continues to work as a paid contractor.

Thank You,

-Nick

Trillium Website Has A Virus!

Hello Trillium Community,

The Trillium Charter School web site, as of about 14 hours ago, is unusable. Another malicious web site has co-opted it, making it a potential security threat. DO NOT VISIT THE TRILLIUM WEBSITE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE! Firefox and Chrome should give you a warning but older versions and internet explorer may not.

I will inform you when the site is usable again.

Thank You,

-Nick

Campout Was Awesome

Hi all,

Our trip to Deschutes River State Recreation Area was the largest high school campout ever. We had 72 students, 6 amazing parent chaperons, a whole caravan full of parent drivers, and gear galore all loaned or donated for our good use. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was perhaps the smoothest camping trip ever.

For those of you who were kind enough to loan us gear, please come pick it up this week as soon as possible. In the mayhem of leaving on Tuesday, I confused whose pot was whose and don't know which ladle was which, etc. Please come claim your lovely stuff before my basement eats it up for use it at future campouts!

Best,
Ken

Late Start on Wednesday: PSAT!

Hello Trillium High School Parents and Guardians,

During the morning of Wednesday, October 13th, 10th and 11th grade students have the opportunity to take the PSAT (Preliminary SAT). If your student is a 9th or 12th grader or a 10th or 11th grader choosing not to test, they will have a late start with no morning classes on Wednesday. Normal classes resume after lunch. Eligible students should inform their advisor next Tuesday if they are planning on taking the test. You may also respond to this message with your student's preference.

The cost of the test for all 10th graders will be covered with district and state funds. The cost for an 11th grader to take the PSAT is $13.00 which may be paid on the day of the test. Parents/students may apply for a fee waiver for an 11th grader to take the PSAT if there is financial hardship; fee waiver requests should be made in writing and be accompanied by evidence of eligibility for the Federal Free/Reduced Lunch Program or other explanation of the circumstances. Please contact me directly for more information about the fee waiver.

The testing day will begin at 8:30 a.m. Testing is limited to 30 students from grades 10 & 11. There is basic information for parents below; 11th grade PSAT participation is mandatory to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Thank You,

Nick Fenger

About PSAT/NMSQT
The Preliminary SAT®/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.
The PSAT/NMSQT measures:
* critical reading skills
* math problem-solving skills
* writing skills

You have developed these skills over many years, both in and out of school. This test doesn't require you to recall specific facts from your classes. The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are:
* to receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
* to see how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
* to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11).
* to help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
* to receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service.

--
Nick Fenger
-Information Technology
-Testing Coordinator
-Trillium Charter School Board Member, Communication Committee Chair

Not Waiting for Superman

Find excellent critique and poignant response to the new documentary condemning public education "Waiting for Superman" here at notwaitingforsuperman.org

Trillium Receives Outstanding Rating from State

Hi all,

The state report card which just came out ranked Trillium as "Outstanding" in all three categories: Achievement, Graduation, and Participation. You can view a copy of the report card by clicking here. For information on all schools, visit the Oregon Department of Education website here.

Camping Gear Needs

Hi Parents,

The fall camping trip is next week, and we are excited. In trying to round up the right gear to take 80 students camping, we are running into a couple shortfalls, and are hoping you can help:
We need silverware. A fork and a spoon for each student. Please send your kid with one of each (or more to share if you are able!).
Hot cups. Mugs or metal cups suitable for hot beverages like tea and coffee. Please send your kid with one (or more to share if you are able!).
We also need:
more big cooking pots, with lids
1 really big one
1 not so big as that one one
1 big big cooler
1 big container for holding and dispensing water
A hot pot for serving coffee or hot water
3 Ladles
2 more can openers
2 more peelers
2 graters

Thanks for the help! Any of these we could borrow, or even have donated, we would be thrilled. Just send me a note, as I am the gear master.

If you are interested in seeing everything we DO have, click here.

Again, thanks.

Peace,
Ken

This Friday: Assessment

Hi all,

This Friday, in accordance with our rotation this year, is an Assessment day. ALL students will be working on writing work samples. Hurray!

Best,
Ken

Seniors Storming the Brain

Hi Class of 2011,

Please remember to notify me of the date of your brainstorm session. Thanks to those of you who have gotten them to me already. Right now I just have confirmation on Finn and Lilly. I know there are more out there, and they are due by the end of the week!

As a reminder, all senior project documents, including the online calendar are available in the link list below.

Just email, or facebook, the date and time to me.

Peace.
Ken

Fall Campout Letter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The annual Fall High School campout is coming up October 5-7. We will be leaving for Deschutes River State Recreation Area on Tuesday morning and returning Thursday afternoon. Students should arrive at school by 8:30 as usual. We expect to leave around 9:30, and will return Friday around 1. We still need parent drivers and chaperons 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.

We are expecting around 75 students to come on the trip. Drivers must be over 18 and have a legal background check. If you are willing and able to drive, please email Ken at ken@trilliumcharterschool.org. We would greatly appreciate drivers, and this campout would not be possible without that assistance.

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, but theoretically the location of the Deschutes River increases our chance of having a dry time. Of course, we cannot count on that, and should prepare for wet, dry, warm, and cold!

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.

Warm Regards,

High School Advisors

Back to School Night this Thursday

Dear Families,

Back to School Night is this Thursday, Sept 23rd at 6:30pm. It will be so great to see all of you. We have organized the event differently than in years' past. The time will be divided into two identical sessions, to accommodate for parents who have students in multiple age levels. The format will be:
*6:30-7:10 Session 1
*7:15-8:00 Session 2
Please report directly to your student's classroom teacher for one of the sessions. Teachers will go over age-specific content and program goals. The evening has been designed for parents and is generally not well-suited for students (it's usually best to leave the kids at home!). Parents who would like one-on-one time with teachers will be warmly welcomed to do so during Parent-Teacher-Student conferences later in the fall.

We look forward to seeing you all soon.

Warm regards,
Stephanie

Peace Youth Summit this Thursday

Students wishing to attend the Peace Youth Summit this Thursday may be excused from regularly scheduled classes once they get permission from their advisor, parent, and classroom teachers.

Peace Youth Summit
September 23, 2010 — 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Concordia University
Keynote Speaker: Former First Lady of South Korea, Mrs. Kim Dae Jung
Click here for more information.

Service Day Tomorrow

Hello families,

What a great first week of school - I am enjoying the newness and excitement of it all.

Tomorrow is our first Friday Service Day. Thanks to our many parents that have offered to help drive students out to the Sandy River for our clean up adventure. Those of you who indicated you might be able to help are listed below. Please email or call me (503-348-9849) to confirm and to let me know the number of students you could transport. We are also looking for one or two adults who would be willing to stay with us for the morning as support/chaperons.

Jennifer Gaddy
Polly Christopher (Sam and Abbie)
Maureen O'Dea
David Herzfeld
Shelley Curtis
Yvonne Rodrigue
Jason Hill
Barbara Liles
Becky Grunest
Sheila Guardino
Ginny Elliott
Amanda Fletcher

We meet at the school at the regular start of the day, 8:30, and leave by 8:45. It takes about 30 minutes to drive out there and we want to be back to school by noon, so pickup will be at 11:20.


Thanks again for the help.


Best,
Ken



--
Ken Gadbow
High School Advisor and Social Studies Teacher
Trillium Charter School
Portland, Oregon

Beginning of Year Ice Cream Social

Hi folks,

It's almost that time again! To ease everybody back into the school year, Together for Trillium will host our annual Back-to-School Ice Cream Social on Saturday, September 11th, 2-4 pm. This year, we're finally going to do it at the school--in our lovely new Front Yard! You don't need to bring anything but yourselves. We'll have ice cream (including dairy-free options), napkins, etc. It's a time to see old friends and welcome new community members!

For parents who have time on the first day of school, there will be coffee, tea, & donuts in the Multipurpose Room at the school, starting at 8:30. We'll have some introductions and words of welcome. You can meet other parents, ask questions, and just hang out for a bit celebrating the start of school. :)

One last bit of info: the Together for Trillium meetings have been happening on the second Monday of each month, but since that's the first day of school this year, we're rescheduling the September meeting to Tuesday, September 21st, 6:30 pm.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

-Kerri

Kerri Creager
mom to Curran Chapman (7th grade, Amy's advising) and Henry Chapman (1st grade, Beth's advising)
Together for Trillium president
kerri@trilliumcharterschool.org

Course Catalog and Home Visit Packets

You can find the new course catalog by clicking here.
Families should also print out all of the other Beginning of Year documents (Home-School Contract, Field Trip Permission Form, etc.) in preparation for conferences.

An opportunity for alumni

Dear Trillium Alumni,

I hope you are all doing well and doing something you are passionate about. For those of you who are in college and are eligible for work study, we are hiring for several work study positions and would love to give you first opportunity at those spots. Please contact me right away if you have a work study grant and would like to do that work at Trillium.

Stephanie

Sign Up for Conferences Right Here!

Or rather, by clicking here.

Welcome to the new year!

August 30, 2010

Dear Students and Families,

Happy shorter days of summer to you. I hope this letter finds each of you in good spirits, enjoying time with family and friends and looking forward to the school year.

I am pleased and honored to be serving as your Advisor. For those of you new to high school at Trillium, I offer a special welcome. I am here throughout your High School experience to offer support and guidance for all things academic and personal. As a group, advising embodies the heart of Trillium's democratic community - small, committed groups working through issues and ideas to nurture the growth of our school. But, like all families, we will sometimes be at odds with one another. The tools of peaceful conflict resolution, mediation, and one on one conferencing empower us to address problems, reflect on ourselves, deepen our understanding of each other, and develop our communication skills.

Each year traditionally begins with an Advisor-student-parent conference. We discuss your academic path, review your transcript and assess your progress towards meeting graduation requirements. We also discuss learning interests and goals and collaboratively sign-up for a Semester 1 schedule designed to best meet your needs.

Advisors do home visits only for students who are new to the Advising group, or to whose homes I have not yet had the chance to visit. Returning 10-12th graders and parents whose homes I have visited in the past will have a scheduled conference in the classroom.

You may sign up for a one-hour classroom conference:
Tuesday, September 7th from 7:00 AM til 1:00 PM
Wednesday, September 8th from 2:00 PM til 7:30 PM.

You may sign up for a one-hour home visit:
Thursday, September 9th from 9:30 AM til 5:00 PM.
Friday, September 8th from 8:00 AM til 11:00 AM.
Saturday, September 9th from 9:30 til 11:30 AM.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience so we can work out a time that best meets your needs. If I have your correct email address, you should have received an email inviting you to sign up online through a Google spreadsheet. This is the simplest way for me to manage the schedule. You may also find a link to it on my blog at http://ken-trillium.blogspot.com/.

Please note that the first day of school is Monday, September 13th. Class starts at 8:30am. Students are to report directly to Advising rooms.

Trillium continues to offer an enriching academic experience in the midst of the budget stress all schools are experiencing. Significant cuts have been made to teaching budgets which have been used for the purchasing of books, curriculum, project supplies, basic classroom supplies, and room improvement. As teachers do with less, we are asking students and families to shoulder greater responsibilities in supporting the classroom. To assist in this planning I have written two lists below. One is what I have seen, over the years, as the basic school supplies students use the most. Also, I have included a classroom “wish list” that includes the supplies that support the creative hands-on projects and art that enrich your students' learning and that I have, in the past, purchased from my budget to stock the “art boxes” in the room. You will also notice that there are some food items on the list. I like to keep some staples in the class. Fed students are better learners than hungry students. Please do not feel pressure to purchase these “wish list” items, but do look around your house, keep an eye on yard sales, pick up something extra at a craft shop, or take a family trip to SCRAP to see if you can make a great score to pass on to our classroom.

I look forward to meeting with each of you soon to discuss all of the things that are going to make next year one of tremendous creativity, community, growth, and learning. Enjoy the last days of summer.

Peace.

Ken Gadbow

Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org,
503-348-9849 (mobile)
http://ken-trillium.blogspot.com


School supplies High School students commonly use
• a lot of pencils and a good eraser
• a couple of good pens, especially black ink
• college-ruled lined notebook paper
• black sharpies
• if you often choose visual projects, a set of high quality color art pencils or markers
• highlighters and/or sticky-notes to support reading strategies and research
• a water bottle 
• a personal organization system for classes: notebooks/binder/folders... something that works for you and keeps each classes' work separate and organized
• a planner notebook – ones with calendars are the most useful (store-bought, hand-made, SOMETHING!)
• a personal journal or notebook to capture ideas and expression
• a personal library card free of fines

Project Wish-List for our classroom
• Colored paper.
• Tape: scotch tape, blue masking tape, duct tape.
• Felt squares of all colors.
• Fabric scraps of all varieties.
• Needles and thread.
• Poster board and large paper.
• Surfaces to paint on... canvas, wood, recycled materials, etc....
• Art paper- Big sketch books, watercolor, charcoal, etc....
• Fabric scraps, screen printed patches, needles, thread.... all sewing stuff
• Black Sharpies of fine and wide tips
• Tissues.

• On going:
 Natural peanut butter
 Whole grain bread.
 Honey
 Herbal Tea
 Fresh flowers are always a nice touch.

* And if you might be willing to help buy books for the classroom, a Powell's gift card is always a delightful contribution.

Front Space Update

Hello Trillium Families,

I hope everyone is having a fabulous summer. With the sun beating down for the past month or so the cob has had a nice chance to dry. There are several more steps before it will be finished and there will be several chances for families to participate in that process. Below is a list of things that we would love your help with.

#1. THE COB ROOF AND BEAUTIFYING THE SPACE. On August 28th (from 9 am to 4 pm) we will be having a Front Yard work party to beautify the space and finish putting on the cedar shakes for the cob roof. We won't be doing any cobbing, but rather cleaning up the space and getting it ready for the first day of school. If you have experience with putting on cedar shakes or other kinds of roofing, (or just want to come give it a try) please join us. If you want to just lend a hand in the clean up or have some ideas for ways of making the space (including the Maryland side) sparkle and look more inviting that is great too (We would love to think about plants, a better way to organize bike parking etc). An rsvp to me would be helpful so I can get a sense of the numbers. ( I have attached a picture of the finished roof and the unfinished roof.)

#2. MAKING THE MAIN GATE A team of welders and artists in our community are working to get the metal gate ready to be hung and would also welcome new members. Contact Jon Molenkamp at jonmolenkamp@mac.com if you are interested. The gate will initially be a skeleton, which will be filled with metal designs and "scenes" created by the community. The work on the designing for the artistic part of the gate will start once school has begun.

#3. PLASTERING AND PAINTING THE COB: The intermediate class (3rd-5th) have taken on the challenging of orchestrating the plastering and painting of the cob wall and the trillium flower bench located inside the wall. This work will begin the first weeks of school and we will be inviting the community to be both a part of the plastering and the painting. Look for information about that in early September.

#4. REMOVING THE GREEN GATE: Once the cob is finished the main gate is in place, we plan to remove the green cyclone fence that separates the front yard from the back. We hope that we can find someone who would like to dig it up and take it away, but if not, we may be asking for help with that process some time in last September.

#5. NEXT YEARS BIG PROJECT!! The cob wall was just the first step in a long term effort to really make the outside and inside of Trillium much more community friendly and aesthetically magical. The process of creating the wall really brought the community together and has done wonders for the feel of the space already. I often see people stopping to poke their heads in and see what we are doing or reading about the project in the unfinished kiosk outside the gate. There is nothing set in stone for next years big project, but I would really love to see an outdoor classroom built from cob and lumber. I am putting my intermediate class to the task of beginning the process of making that happen starting in September. I would love any and all feedback. I really want this to become an even bigger community involved event than last year.

Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions, comments or want to lend a had.

See you in a month or so.

Rob van Nood

Amazing science opportunity coming up SOON.

From the National Hispanic Environmental Council:

Dear Students, Educators, NHEC members, and Community Leaders:

For those who may not have seen our previous email, the National
Hispanic Environmental Council (NHEC) is still accepting applications
from students to participate in our upcoming 9th annual "Minority
Youth Environmental Training Institute", to be held August 13--22,
2010 in beautiful Glorieta, New Mexico.

Like our NYC and CA regional Institutes, the national Institute in New
Mexico is an intensive, residential, multi-day, science-based
environmental education AND environmental career awareness program for
talented teens, aged 16--19, selected competitively from all across
the U.S. Note that students in both high school and college are
eligible to apply.

Through a full scholarship NHEC will COVER ALL COSTS for accepted
students, including round-trip airfare, housing, meals, books, science
equipment, and more for the 10 day long Institute.

The NM Institute is being funded by a number of sponsors, including
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the
National Park Trust. Like past Institutes, we use a variety of
facilities as learning sites, including national parks, national
forests, national laboratories, and more.

Students will be housed at the Glorieta Conference Center and closely
supervised by NHEC instructors and staff. The Institute is designed
to help build the next generation of environmental leaders and
professionals. Students learn about key environmental, energy, and
natural resource topics, as well as the wide range of careers in the
environmental, natural resource, and energy arena. Students also
receive information about college majors and universities in these
fields.

In addition to our Instructors, NHEC also has an overlay of "role
models" -- working minority professionals from every environmental
field -- who each year participate in the Institute as volunteers. A
number of role models are present every day to inspire the students,
help teach the curriculum, and share their environmental expertise,
technical knowledge, and cultural heritage.

The attached pdf files contain all materials necessary for students to
apply to the Institute. Please read the "Fact Sheet" first, as it has
key information about the program. Interested students should apply
as soon as possible as the Institute is fast approaching.

We also ask that you forward this email on to those you think might be
interested in this highly educational program, including qualified
students, fellow educators, high schools, colleges, youth
organizations, and more. We appreciate your help.

Feel free to contact NHEC, especially our Programs Coordinator, Juan
Rodriguez, at jrodriguez@nheec.org or myself, at rrivera@nheec.org if
you have any questions. Thank you.

Roger Rivera

President, NHEC

New High School Advisor Sample Lessons TOMORROW!

Hi everyone,

We are in the process of hiring a new high school advisor/MS math teacher, and a part-time MS science teacher. Elizabeth Johnson has taken a new position at the Native American Youth Association Early College Academy and will no longer be with us. Elizabeth has been a powerful voice of support and advocacy, and a brilliant teacher during her 5 years at Trillium. Her legacy will continue to be felt for years to come.

We have had more than 150 applicants for these positions and are excited at the array of experience these candidates may bring to the position. Through the interview process we have narrowed down the candidates to 5, all of whom will be doing sample lessons tomorrow, Wednesday, July 21st at Trillium, starting at 9:30. WE NEED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS to come give feedback on who they see as the best fit. And we will feed you lunch.

Let me know if you can make it. Hope to see you there.

Peace.
Ken

Trillium Board of Directors Update

Good afternoon,

I'm writing today to provide an another update on our school director succession plans and financial picture.

The Board has approved the Personnel Committees recomendation that in the long run, we should have two separate director positions: an Executive Director and an Educational Director. We will begin the hiring process for a new Executive Director immediately, and will pursue an Educational Director later in the year as finances allow. For those of you with some history at the school, you may recognize that this is a familiar refrain - this desire to pursue two positions has been articulated in the past, but never executed. The Board also decided to commit to the two positions financially, as you'll see in the plan below.

Because of our financial constraints and the desire to manage a smooth transition, this is the plan that we have agreed to follow:
- We will begin the hiring process to bring in a new Executive Director now with the hope that they will start in August, 2010
- The position will be half time now, and will convert to full time no later than July 1, 2011
- Stephanie's stay with the school at half time for transition purposes through the end of the 2010-2011 school year
- The new Executive Director will be immediately vested with the decision making authority of the job.
- We will hire a full time Educational Director to start in early 2011
- The new Executive Director and the board will work closely to close budget gaps necessary to finance both positions fully. If necessary, class size (enrollment) will be raised again for the 2011-2012 school year.
- The Board will work to design and clarify any necessary decision rights for the two director positions as we hire the Education Director

We are assembling a small hiring committee and interview team immediately and hope to be conducting interviews in early August. We'll be seeking a mix of upper school and lower school staff and parents to participate in the process. If you are interested, and particularly if you have interviewing and hiring experience, please contact David Poe as soon as possible.


Regarding the school finances, the current budget looks stable for now (thanks to staff and board members who've worked so hard on this), but we will be running very close to the edge and making no substantive improvements in major issues such as the overall debt load of the school or teacher pay equity with PPS pay. We have more to do in the coming year to overcome these hurdles. Much will depend on the state budget scenario as it gets finalized, as well as our ability to raise funds in the coming year.

Thanks,
James Hindes
Chair, Trillium Board of Directors
Parent to Annie (Beth's advising) and Holden
jhindes@trilliumcharterschool.org

We did it again.

Another great year. Thank you, everyone. Best wishes for a loving, learning summer.

Ken

Graduation Follow Up

Commencement was great! Thank you all.

Please upload any photos or video you took to the Picasa folder. If you do not have access to it, email me at Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org and I will fix that.

Please return Caps and Gowns to Trillium as soon as possible. Keep the tassles. Return the other stuff!


Commencement Slideshow
Check out the slideshow of students young and old by clicking here.

End of Term Course Assessments

Click here.

Or if you already started one and need to do another one, click here.

Or if you got really crazy and need to do it a third time, click here.

Or for Ken's ADVISING self assessment, click here.

Senior Dinner Tonight, Caps and Gowns, Graduation

Hi all,

Remember, senior and alumni dinner is tonight at 6:00 at Trillium, up on the roof garden, rain or shine.

Come eat.

Caps and Gowns have arrived. Come pick yours up today, tomorrow, or at graduation on Saturday. Their use costs $30 - pay Ramona and bring me the receipt. You can pick up the gowns at the front desk.

Seniors need to be at Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building Room 104 at 12:00 noon on Saturday.

Peace.

Ken

Last Week of School Schedule

Hello Parents. Pasted below is the plan for our last week of school. Classes will have all concluded, Seniors are done. Knowing this will be a fairly unstructured week, please support your students in making good decisions about their attendance, work and play.

High School
THE LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL

Here's What's Happening in the Schedule...

MONDAY JUNE 14
8:30-9:30 Advisor Office Hours and Study Hall
9:30 until End of Day Choose from:
Miniature Golf Field Trip (Ken)
Indoor Games (Jess and Will)
Study Hall (Elizabeth)
2:30pm Field Day Planning Meeting for Students and Teachers


TUESDAY JUNE 15
8:30-9:30 Advisor Office Hours and Study Hall
9:30 until End of Day FIELD GAMES at Peninsula Park

WEDNESDAY JUNE 16
8:30-9:30 Advisor Office Hours and Study Hall
9:30-12:00 Clean classrooms, hallway, school
12:00 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

THURSDAY JUNE 17
ADVISING BREAKFAST FEASTING

YEARBOOK SIGNING

Middle East Studies Make-up Assignment

For students needing a make-up assignment for missing class last week, click here.

Board Update from Chair James Hindes

June 4, 2010

Dear Trillium community,
I’m writing to provide you an update on the school’s financial condition, an update on our plans regarding a successor for Stephanie (our Director) and a request for parents who may be interested in serving on the board in coming years.

Regarding our financial condition, here are the key actions taken or underway:
Enrollment: the board decided in early May to increase enrollment across the school (roughly 20 more students). This will still keep us well below typical PPS class sizes, while helping shore up a substantial portion of our core funding gap.
The Building: a building use subcommittee of the board is exploring a number of building use ideas. The initial objective is to setup a process to rent the multi-purpose room and/or the kitchen. The board also approved a proposal in May to increase the size of the preschool and have it utilize one of the rooms in the building. This latter change also has a favorable impact on our funding gap.
Fundraising: There are several activities underway in this arena. However, our first objective is to setup some system basics, e.g. the ability to track donors and potential donors, and the ability to easily accept recurring donations – whether online (picture a Donate Now! button) or in person.
Unfortunately, the state budget has dealt us another setback for the coming year in the form of a 9% budget cut, which amounts to about $100,000. We’re currently working to balance our budget around the enrollment change, the preschool change, and the state budget cut.

Regarding our plans for a successor for Stephanie, here’s what we can share so far: the Personnel committee of the board has recommended that we divide the administration of the school into two key roles, an Executive Director and an Education/Curriculum Director, and that we begin searching for a new Executive Director as soon as possible. We have a lot of planning to do regarding how the transition will work and what the timing will look like, so stay tuned. The next step is collecting staff input before they leave for the summer.

Regarding board membership, we’ll soon be looking for some new board members from our parent community. We typically have 1-2 openings per year. Serving on the board is a tremendous way to get involved and make a lasting contribution to Trillium. If you’ve been a Trillium parent for at least one year, have an interest in serving on the Board in the 2010 or 2011 school years, and you’ve got prior non-profit board or business leadership experience, please reply to this email and let me know.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me, Stephanie, or any Board member with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
James Hindes, Chair, Trillium Board of Directors
Parent of Holden (Jenny’s class) and Annie (Beth’s class)
jhindes@trilliumcharterschool.org

End of Term Course Assessments

Click here.

Or if you already started one and need to do another one, click here.

Or if you got really crazy and need to do it a third time, click here.

Good Senior Info, Said Better

This went out to Elizabeth's advising and repeats most of the information found elsewhere on this blog, only it says it better:

Hello Parents of Seniors:

What a pleasure it was to see you at Senior Project Night supporting your students in one of several culminating moments happening. The combined emotions of stress, accomplishment, pride, worry, and excitement will be with use for two more weeks as we near Graduation on June 12th.

This Friday, June 4th, is the last official day of school for Seniors. By the end of this school day teachers will have reported to HS Advisors whether Seniors are PASSING or NOT PASSING classes. With this information I will be evaluating transcripts and credits once last time to officially declare students' graduation status. As we have discussed, this falls into three categories: graduating with a signed diploma, walking in the graduation ceremony with an unsigned diploma (no more than 1 credit outstanding and a plan for completion), or not graduating this year (more than one outstanding credit). I will be mailing you out official letters that afternoon and welcome all needed phone (503-287-0740 H) and email conversations.

An essential part of being eligible for a diploma this year is successful completion of the Senior Project. Some of your students have met this expectation and been approved by their PRCs in a final meeting. Others are still working on writing and need to schedule that final PRC. Again, passing the Senior Project is a graduation requirement.

Whether or not your student continues to attend school after June 4th will vary from individual to individual. It is my hope that Seniors will continue to be engaged with the community up until the last day of school on June 17th. I have advised Seniors to be sure they have clear expectations from each teacher... some teachers may say they are done and others may need them to continue to attend. Please support your student in this important comunication about expectations.

In Senior Inquiry class students will be finishing up the last parts of their projects and preparing for graduation, which includes writing and rehearsing their short graduation speech.

PLease send all questions and needs my way. Let's continue to work together in supporting these amazing people through these last days of their high school experience (WOW!)

Best,
Elizabeth

Seniors, oh how I salute thee.

Candidates for the Class of 2010 and your beloved supporters, I bring yet more dates and reminders:

* Your Senior Project Night presentations were amazing. There's a slideshow of a few of the captured moments running to your right.
* Seniors' last official day at Trillium is this Friday, June 4th. This is also the last day for seniors to submit work to be considered for graduation!
* Senior and Alumni Dinner is Thursday, June 10th at 6:00 at Trillium. No families or friends for this one, just Trilliumites past and present.
* Senior Commencement is Saturday, June 12th at 2:00. Seniors need to be there at 12:00. The event is held at Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building room 104 (pictured above) at Portland Community College Campus, on the corner of Albina and Killingsworth. Click here for a map of the campus.
* I need your baby, childhood, and life PICTURES to make into a slideshow for graduation. Please email them to me in large file sizes, give them to me on a disk or flashdrive, or bring in hard copies by Thursday, June 3rd.
* Seniors must ask someone to speak for them on graduation. Most students choose a teacher. Please let me know by Thursday who your person is, so I can make the schedule for commencement.
* Seniors should be preparing their own 2 minute speeches to give at Commencement. Yes, everyone has to give one. Sequence of events: You are spoken about, you receive your diploma, you speak.
* The program for commencement will not be finalized until next weekend, but we know that there will be an opening by the Drum Choir, and we will have student performances by Carly & Max, Mariah & Kirk, and Katerina interspersed among the student and staff speeches.
* Seniors may pick up caps and gowns on Thursday, June 10th. The cost is $30 and should be paid to the front desk.
* Seniors who picked up graduation announcements and have not yet paid for them (they are $1 each) should do so at the front desk. FYI: You don't get your diploma until you do.

Best,
Ken

Parent Survey

You can fill out this year's online survey by clicking here.

Intensives Additions

Greetings!!

Due to the short timeline for catalogs and a missed communication, the offering for 6-12th graders to work on the Killingsworth Mural with Jeremy, Lyndsey, and Jenny's classes was omitted.

Please "Write In" this choice of Mural Project to your list of choices. THANKS!!!

Killingsworth Mural Project: We have space and welcome artists from grades 6-12 to help with the mural painting project. We will be using stencils to paint a repeating pattern of Trillium flowers across the lower part of the wall (up to the windows.) The inside of the petals will convey beauty, creativity and all things Trillium. Your creative expression will come into play here! Come help younger students carry out this ambitious project to help beautify Trillium for years to come.

-Jenny

And from Art Teacher Andrea:
Thousand Cranes Set Crew - This is not the same as the Thousand Cranes Actors Session.

I need a creative team of 5-15 students to help as a set crew for A Thousand Cranes Play! Students in this session will be helping stage the play- doing fun behind the scenes stuff. Students will need to be available to attend the play on June 11th at Da Vinci Middle School, and arrive at 5:00 to help get the stage, sound, and lighting ready!

Intensives Sign Up

Hi all,

Click here to view the catalog of offerings form Spring Intensives.

Click here to view the Intensives Choice Worksheet.

Choices are due TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 25th. Students must select multiple offerings.

Ken

Trillium Front Yard

Hey Everyone,
We need volunteers at school Tuesday morning at 9am to help set the posts in the front yard space. You don't need any experience just be willing to use some muscle. It should take about 2 hours if there are lots of hands.
Contact me or just show up to help.
Thanks!
Megan Klepp

Ken adds: The Front Yard is looking awesome. Many people braved the Oregon wonder weather this weekend to lay the foundations for the benches. So exciting. The posts for the main gate are massively big and metal. Putting them up will be fun.

Senior Project Night Schedule

The long awaited schedule can be found here.

Seniors need to show up at 5:15. Families and friends will be welcomed at 6:00.

A happening week.

I wanted to remind everyone about the events this weekend.

Friday at 6pm - Senior Project Night at school. Everyone welcome

Saturday 9-3 or any amount of time during the day, Work Party on front space

Sunday 9-3 Work Party on front space
Sunday 1-6 Frisbee Team Championship Tournament - Cook Park Tigard
Sunday 4:30-7 Blues fundraiser at Krakow Cafe for Trillium front yard.

It is definitely a Trillium weekend. Hope to see you all here and in Tigard.

Spring Campout Letter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The annual Spring High School campout is coming up May 26-28. We will be leaving for Eagle Creek Lookout Wednesday morning and returning Friday afternoon. 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.

We are expecting around 50 students to come this spring session, but we still need drivers (and chaperones). To be a driver, you have to be over 18 and have a legal background check. If you are willing and able to drive, please email Ken at ken@trilliumcharterschool.org. We would greatly appreciate drivers, and this campout would not be possible without that assistance.

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, but a few showers are predicted for our first 2 days with the temperature projected around the 60's.

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,

The Student Camping Committee and High School Advisors

Campout Attendance Proposal

To be voted on during an all-high school meeting Thursday, May 20th:

Camp-out Attendance Proposal
Ken Gadbow
May 18, 2010

I propose that any student who does not attend the campout must attend school during those same days. A high school staff member will stay at school in order to facilitate this new part of our program. Students' work during those days will be determined jointly by the student, parent and the high school team.

Intensives!

Hello Trillium parents,

As you may or may not know we will be having intensive classes once again at Trillium. They take place Monday through Thursday the week of June 7th-10th. These are classes offered during the morning from 9:00 to 12:00 and can be any sort of focus that a teacher decides upon. To make them successful we ask that parents share their talents, skills and interests by teaching a class. This makes it possible to have small group sizes and opportunities to use the time more effectively than with a large group. We need your help. If you can be involved let us know by this Friday May,21. This is how:

• Teach an intensive class based on a skill, talent, focus or activity that you are eager to share with kids (that's from 9-12, M,T, W and Th)
• Team up with another parent to offer an intensive that shares your similar interests
• Help with an intensive on days that work for you
• Help with driving, since some of them require transportation to get kids to the class locations

All you need to do is send a description of what you would like to teach to Polly at polly@trilliumcharterschool.org
Your description should include:
Class title,
Brief description of the class and what will be learned,
Age of students that it would be appropriate for, (It can be K to grade 12 or any smaller grouping in between.)
Number of students that would be best for your class
Any additional cost for supplies.

If you are able to support an intensive or be a driver please contact Polly.

Thanks for helping to make Trillium an amazing place to learn.

If you have further question or would like additional information about helping or leading an intensive please attend a brief informational meeting on Thursday May 20 @6:00. ( If you are chaperoning on the 1st 2nd grade camp out
and can not attend the meeting please contact Polly .)

Seniors, fill this out: it's EASY.

I need this little bio on all seniors. Most have done it. If have not, click here and fill it out.

Ken

Seniors!

Senior Project Night is this Friday, at Trillium at 6:00. All candidates for graduation MUST have PRC approval to present there: If you haven't had a PRC meeting lately, you have to have one this week.

The last service day - this Friday

This Friday, May 21st is our last advising-based service day. We will be working at, and saying goodbye to, Ariadne Gardens.

More Senior News

Howdy and bless your working hearts Class of 2010,

For some of you this information is more pressing than others. Here it is:

Ken dearly needs to know how many graduation announcements you would like and how many people will be attending commencement. Check your email for a message from him AND RESPOND TO IT pretty please.

Time is of the essence, as you all know. Your PRC members are running out of it, just like you are. You must schedule your final PRC meeting TODAY, if you have not already done so.

You MUST have a PRC meeting prior to presenting at Senior Project Night (SPN). Your PRC must approve you to present there, which they might do even if your project is not totally complete. Students not approved to present at SPN still have a chance of passing their project, but it gets considerably more difficult to do so. In these extremely rare cases, arrangements are made with the PRC, the entire high school team, the director, the student, and his/her parents to determine precisely what the student would need to do in order to satisfactorily fulfill the requirements of the Project. This is not a pretty scenario. Avoid it at all costs. But, if you find yourself there, know that there is still hope, and that you have work to do.

Senior Information

May 6, 2010

Dear Parents of the Class of 2010,

Happy spring and welcome to the home stretch. This is a very busy time for seniors as we move toward graduation. Here are a few important things you'll want to keep track of:

Your student should be done, or very nearly done, with his/her senior project. Projects are due to Project Review Committee Members before the final PRC meeting, which must be completed prior to Senior Project Night.

SENIOR PROJECT NIGHT will take place Friday, May 21st at six o'clock. The event will be held at Trillium. There will be multiple projects presented throughout the building at any one time, with each senior having 25 minutes to present his/her work. Seniors are expected to attend for the entirety of the evening, regardless of the time of their presentation slot. This is a wonderful event for families and friends to honor the hard work and persistence of Class of 2010. Please come celebrate with us.

Commencement will be held at the Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building at Portland Community College Cascade Campus on Saturday, June 12th. Exercises begin at 2 o’clock.

Graduation announcements are being printed, and we need to know how many you each family would like. Please make sure Ken knows exactly how many you would like for your student (call or email him ASAP at the contact information below). 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 have selected that this year's caps and gowns be black and that tassles be dark green. They will be delivered in the end of May and cost about $30 each. We use a cap and gown company that rents us high quality robes that we then return to them.

Senior Prom is June 4th and tickets are on sale now. The theme is "Living Dead Romance."
Class of 2010 member James McKinley's final work, the Peace and Love Concert will take place the following Saturday, June 5th at Trillium.

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
503-348-9849

Trillium Finances, Increasing Enrollment

Click here to read a letter from Board of Directors Chair James Hindes on the state of Trillium's budget and what we can do about it.

$20,000 for Trillium

Hello parents,

As I hope your student has told you, or you have seen in the front lobby, Trillium is putting on our one and only big fundraiser of the year right now, the Trillium in Bloom Raffle. There is over $8000 worth of great stuff in four different collections: Gardening, Alternative Transportation, Best of Portland, and Cooking and Kitchen. Tickets are only $5 a piece and the number of tickets sold for each collection is limited to 1000, so your odds are pretty good. Better yet, the money directly supports our great school.

Most students in our advising have elected to take tickets home to sell. Please ask your student about them, or stop by the table just inside the front door before or after school to make your purchase.

Historically the high school has the lowest parent buy-in for fundraisers, and we want to change that. Our advising has challenged Jess's advising to see who can sell the most tickets in the one week remaining before the raffle closes. Please consider helping us beat Jess's group, change the reputation of high school involvement, and raise up tp $20,000 for Trillium.

Details about the raffle can be found by clicking here.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this event.

Best,
Ken

Senior Meeting: Project Night Date Change

Hello seniors and advocates,

Responding to student request to push the date of Senior Project Night back, the high school team met to debate the idea, and the entire Trillium staff was been given the opportunity to weigh in on this decision. The greatest reservation on behalf of staff was how to best respect the hard work and commitment that students have put into getting their work ready for the May 7th Project Night. While moving the date may come as a great relief to some, it might be seen as an insult to the work of others.

Ultimately, we made the decision to move Senior Project Night to Friday, May 21st.

I invite any and all seniors to voice any opinion, concern, or appreciation about this decision to come to a Senior Class Meeting tomorrow, Monday, April 26th during senior project class. I specifically would like to hear suggestions on how to best to honor the hard work of students who have, or will, meet the original deadline.

Best,
Ken

Jess's Advising is Going Down

The following was sent via email to Jess just moments ago:

Dearest Jess,
Your advising said my advising could decide what the next competition was for our friendly rivalry.

We have chosen.

On Monday, Mary Drinkhouse will be visiting my room at the beginning of advising. She will have with her all of the supplies to get us started selling raffle tickets. You should be there too. With your advising.

And, you should prepare for a battle. We are ready to bury your advising in a mountains of raffle tickets. They will be so thick about your face, neck, chest, and head that you will scarcely be able to call for help.

You will be pleased to know that your suffering will not be long lived: ticket sales end Friday. In the interest of fairness, we will not begin our selling onslaught until Monday.

It is so.

UPDATE: Jess has accepted the challenge. It is on.

Trillium's Front Yard

Hello Trillium Community

What better way to celebrate May Day than with a chance to do some real work for your community! On May 1st, from 1 pm until 4 we will be meeting in the multipurpose room.

Come join us as we work to finalize plans for the converting of Trillium's front space into a beautiful FRONT YARD.
( I have included a small drawing to give everyone the "feel" of the front yard with a cob wall and gated entrance way.)

I encourage you all to come a join us. Everyone in the community is invited. This is your chance to be part of something that will have a major impact on the look and feel of Trillium.

Here is a list of the work we will be accomplishing:

1. For the artist and design types we will be creating a scale clay model of the cob wall we want to build, including benches, windows, kiosks, and magical spaces for kids to play. Bring your creativity!

2. For those with welding skills we are forming a group of welders to design and plan the 12 foot still fence that we want to create as the main entrance to the school. Don't have welding experience but have ideas for the gate or want to learn from some pros, we'd love to have you.

3. For those who want to reach out to the community we will be working to organize volunteers for the upcoming work parties and finding ways to encourage local businesses to participate in our effort.

4. For those with construction interest and experience we will be planning the foundation of the cob wall that will need to be in place by the time of the Village Building Convergence (when all the cobbing will take place) on the 28th of May.

Please let me know if you have any questions, ideas or suggestions.

Rob

--
Rob van Nood
Trillium Charter School
Intermediate Advisor (8-11 year olds)

High School Campout

The Spring High School Campout will take place Wednesday May 26 through Friday May 28 at Eagle Creek Overlook in the Columbia Gorge. Click here for more information about the location. Please mark your calendars, and let your student's advisor know if you may be able to help drive or chaperon the trip.
As the date approaches, students will bring home more information, and it will be posted here.

High School Meeting Notes

These are the meeting notes.

Big Mural Survey

We are making a mural and we need your opinion. Please take this survey to provide information and feedback. To do the survey go to:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GSGG95T

Thank you,
Lyndsey's, Jeremy's and Jenny's advising teams

Free Money: Youth Action Grants

The Youth Planning Program are excited to announce that money is now available directly to youth to improve their communities!

2010 YOUTH ACTION GRANTS PROGRAM

Click here to view the grants guidelines & sample application

A pool of $7,000 is available for community-based projects initiated, designed, and run by youth 21 and under. The Youth Action Grants Program will provide grants of up to $1,000 to youth or youth groups who want to take action that makes Our Bill of Rights: Children + Youth and Portland's community vision a reality.

Upcoming YOUTH ACTION GRANT Workshops

The City/County Youth Programs are also pleased to offer three free grant workshops designed FOR YOUTH to answer their grant-related questions. You must attend at least one workshop to apply for a grant.

Email Pam Phan to sign up for a workshop!

　　　
YOUTH ACTION GRANTS APPLICATION FORM

Apply Now! to view and download application!

Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted to Pam Phan, Youth Planning Program c/o Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 7100, Portland, OR 97201 by 8PM on Thursday, May 6th.

Please contact Pam Phan at (503) 823-9912 or pam.phan@portlandoregon.gov with any questions about the YOUTH ACTION GRANTS Program or to RSVP for a YOUTH grant workshop.

An Opportunity from Planned Parenthood

This from Bianca Taveras, Community Education Coordinator for Planned Parenthood Columbia, Willamette:

Hello all,

I hope this email finds you all well. As some of you know it’s that time of year when we recruit for our new Teen Council members for 2010-11. We will be collecting applications until mid-May and then conducting interviews before the end of the school year for next year’s Teen Council. If you know some amazing youth ages 14-18 who think would love to be a part of a peer-education team and learn about sexual health, then this is the activity for them!

Here is the link to print off an application;

Just have them send it to; Bianca Ryan Taveras, 3727 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, Or 97217

Thanks,
Bianca
Bianca Ryan Taveras
Community Education Coordinator
Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette
3727 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Portland, OR 97212
p: 503.775.4931 x 3252
f: 503.280.6151
c:503.250.3819
bianca.taveras@ppcw.org www.ppcw.org

visit www.takecaredownthere.org

The Planned Parenthood Promise:
Creating hope for humanity: The freedom to dream, to make choices, and to live in peace with our planet.

La Promesa de Planned Parenthood
Creando esperanza para la humanidad: La libertad de soñar, tener opciones, y vivir en paz con nuestro planeta.

Campout Consolidation Proposal

Hi all,

Click here to see a HS meeting proposal which will be discussed in Advising Meetings then voted on in High School Meeting this Friday. There is also another proposal from the campout committee advocating that the event take place at Eagle Creek Lookout in the Gorge.



Best,
Ken

Planned Parenthood Prep

This is the assignment.

Progress Reports and Spring Conferences

Hi Parents and Students,

Mid-Semester Progress reports went home with students on Tuesday and should be arriving in the mail to homes by the end of the week.

Spring parent-student-teacher conferences start next week. Please sign up here as soon as you are able.

Best,
Ken

Meditation and Tai Chi Weekly Observation Survey

Click here to fill this out.

Health Care Law Resources

Here are but a few links on the new health care law:

President Obama speaking in Iowa after health care bill passed.

White House - What will health reform mean for you?
What and When? - Washington Post
What it means to me - Washington Post
New York Times Health Care Reform Coverage
American Association for Retired Persons - Health Care Explained
CBS News health care reform summary

Here is the list of health care scenarios.

Snowdays Trip POSTPONED (and the forms)

Due to a paperwork mess up somewhere between Timberline, Trillium, and Snowdays, our trip has been rescheduled for NEXT Saturday the 10th. We will again have 10 spots available, and will most likely do a drawing to determine eligibility once students can confirm their ability to attend.

The trip will leave Trillium at 7:30 Saturday morning and return about 5:00 that afternoon. Snowdays provides EVERYTHING one could possibly need for a trip up and down the mountain (board and boots, jacket, snow pants, goggles, gloves, lunch, instruction, transportation, snack, oh my!). Find out more about Snowdays here

For those of us lucky enough to get to go, here are the forms that must be filled out ahead of time:
Snowdays Form
Timberline Release Form
Timberline Rental Form

If you are going, please also make sure the information on this form is correct. If it is not, email me (Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org) to make changes.

Teen Weekend Meditation Course Next Fall

There is a weekend meditation course for teens (age 12-17) at Dhamma Kunja, the Northwest Vipassana Center, in Onalaska, Washington November 19-21, 2010. Here is the application packet which has more information. This organization is non-sectarian and non-religious.

Video Story Telling Workshop

Here is a cool weekend opportunity from Mercy Corps. It starts soon, and runs through April. Click here for additional information.

Teacher of the Year Award

Hey all,

Your favorite teacher could win free money.

OnPoint Credit Union is putting up $45,000 for teachers that wow the crowds. The selection criteria is: "(a) demonstrated examples of the teacher’s creativity and enthusiasm in the classroom; (b) exemplary teaching methods and effectiveness; (c) examples of teaching methods that have a lasting impact on students, parents and peers (d) three letters of recommendation from teacher’s principal, a peer and a student/or student family member" (http://www.onpointprize.com/official-onpoint-contest-rules.aspx) You can find out more about nominating a teacher by clicking here. Completed nomination packets are due by April 16, 2010.

Ken

Mini Med School

Here is a cool opportunity for those students considering careers in the medical field. It is a weekend introduction into the field of medicine, and scholarships are available to defray the $300 price tag. This is a cool thing to have on a resume.
Click here to learn more.

FREE Snowboarding Trip

Thanks to the generous folks at the SnowDays Foundation, Trillium high school students once again have the opportunity to take part in an all-expense paid trip up the mountain! Our trip is at the tail end of Spring Break, on Saturday, April 3rd. We will meet at Trillium in the morning (check this blog, or with Ken for a more specific time as we get closer to the date). SnowDays volunteers provide students with all the gear, instruction, food, and support we could dream of. It is an amazing opportunity for students who have never been up on the mountain to get up there with their friends who many already know their way around the snow. This is the fifth year in a row Trillium has partnered with SnowDays: their dedicated group of volunteers has helped make each trip a memorable success for the students and staff who are lucky enough to participate. We are grateful. If you are interested in going on the trip, contact Ken via email (Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org), or catch him in the hallway.

Senior Project Survey

Hey seniors,

Fill this out.

Love,
Ken

This Week: Service, Forms, Photos, and more

Hey all,

As this Friday is the third of the month, it is our regularly scheduled trip to Ariadne garden.

Returning student forms are due to the front desk by this Friday.

Advising class photos are this week Thursday.

Spring break is the next two weeks!

Ken

Mid Term Course Assessment Surveys

Click here to complete a Course Assessment Survey.

Senior Class Photos

Hi all,

Senior class pictures have been confirmed for this Thursday during senior project class (12:15-1:45)! I look forward to the whole class of 2010 being able to gather for a group shot, as well as their individual pictures. We are truly fortunate to have parent and photographer Lori Threlkeld volunteer her time for this.

Ken

Senior Parent Letter

Dear Parents of the Class of 2010,

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

* Your student should be on the home stretch with his/her senior project. Final Project Committee Review dates happen during the last two weeks of April. Projects are due to all PRC members sufficiently in advance of the final PRC meetings to allow PRC members to look over the work ahead of time. This is a stressful time for many seniors as the deadline for projects approaches. Students should be communicating regularly with a member of their Project Review Committee to problem solve any issues they might have around their project.
* Senior Pictures are happening soon. Lori Threlkeld, a professional photographer and Trillium parent, has been generous to do our senior photos for the last two years, and we are fortunate to have her services again this year. Lori will take a series of individual as well as a whole group shots. These will be used in the yearbook, Senior Project Night and Commencement programs. Lori offers this amazing service free of charge. Should you desire to print some of the photos yourself, she will provide students with digital copies.
* Commencement will be held at the Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building at Portland Community College Cascade Campus on Saturday, June 12th. Exercises begin at 2 o’clock.
* We will be ordering graduation announcements soon and generally have them available to parents and students by 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 are selecting the color of this year's caps and gowns in the next couple days. They will be delivered in the end of May and cost about $30 each. We use a cap and gown company that rents us high quality robes that we then return to them.
* All checks should be made payable to Trillium Charter School.
* Senior Project Night is a wonderful showcase of students' work and will take place on Friday, May 7th. Students will each have one 30-45 minute slot to present their work to parents, family members, and friends. The event takes place at Trillium. We are currently working in developing an additional opportunity to showcase students' work during the weekend of commencement so that visiting friends and family may also celebrate theses enormous efforts and great accomplishments.
* This information, as well as a the senior calendar, and other senior resources, are available on my blog (http://ken-trillium.blogspot.com).


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

Jacob Friedman Holocaust Writing & Art Contest 2010

In honor of Anne Frank and the Anne Frank Tree sapling which will be planted in Seattle:

How would your life be different if people were more respectful and tolerant of each other's differences?

How does change begin with you?


Deadline approaching! Entries accepted now through April 2, 2010.

Open to students in grades 5-12 in the Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID, AK).

Sponsored by the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center, this annual contest encourages students to connect the lessons of the Holocaust to their own lives and the world today.

More information and details here.

Stephanie announces her transition from Trillium

You can read Stephanie's letter to parents here.

Student Survey: High School Core Values

Hi all,

With the help of students, we have been formulating a survey over the past couple weeks to help high school advisors in formalizing the core values of the high school. The survey is available to view here, if you would like to look at it. All students will have the opportunity to fill it out today during class meeting.

Best,
Ken

Retruning Student Forms

Hello Families,

Please turn in your Returning Student Form by March 19, 2010 to ensure that your student has a spot next year!

You can find forms at the front desk. I have also passed them out to Advisors.

Turn them in to the front desk.

Thanks,

--
Cailie Madigan
Admissions
Student Records
Trillium Charter School
503-285-3833
cailie@trilliumcharterschool.org