Another winning message from Heather:
Hello Trillium!
I'm writing to you today because I love Trillium. I'm crazy about this school: its teachers, the educational philosophy, and the possibilities for its future. In a few short days we will hold our annual auction. A night devoted to showing up and loving Trillium by fundraising our hearts out.
You might be asking yourself why we're having an auction before everyone gets their taxes back, before the sun comes back, and before we know if we're getting our charter renewed? I have the answer.
Because we gotta. We are (not special here) an under-funded non-profit. The numbers don't add up. We are funded at 80% of a "regular" public school, and we must support our own building and maintenance which is costing us a bundle. $22k a month bond payment in round numbers, and we have debt. Our teachers, students, programs, facility, and future are on the line.
In response, we are continuing to develop our capacity for fundraising to ensure our survivability. We now have in place a sustaining donation program in 99 Flowers, a Board/TFT/Admin Fundraising Committee collaborating on grants and projects, and our auction team is bringing us an opportunity in the form of a fantastic party with super auction items to show our extended families and community what our kids' school is all about, and why it's worth supporting.
As you all know our 10th year charter renewal is upon us. And it ain't a walk in the park. It's a marathon. Again (nothing special here) like any organization in its 10th year we are at a point of transformation due to the inevitable maturation process and growth. We have had to become more accountable to many aspects of our operations, and as a publicly funded organization we must report on this process, our progress, and our plans to a group who will decide our fate: the PPS board.
We must stand in front of them at a hearing (we will tell you when it is and invite you to come speak up for Trillium) and account for our past, present, and articulate our future. It's a good thing. Reflecting and revising is as it should be and Trillium is learning a lot.
Personally, I'm bad at parties. I'm awkward and I tend to make it worse by talking about how weird I feel. As anyone knows who has this bad habit, it's no conversation starter, it backfires, big time. Let's hope this is the last time I mention it. For Trillium, I wouldn't miss this party. I'll be the one trying way too hard, wearing an earnest, if ill-chosen, frock, and feeling really grateful for the massive effort that has gone into giving me the chance to support my kids' school.
I beseech you to join me. Reach out to your families and community in the spirit of possibility for our school and on behalf of your student(s) and each and every student and teacher who make it great.
With you for Trillium,
Heather Blackbird
Parent Volunteer, Board Chair, Trillium News Editor, Party Blunderer, Pleader to the great parents of Trillium
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Front gate feedback
From Heather Blackbird, our amazing Chair of the Board of Directors:
Greetings!
Parent volunteer and welder on mission, Fred Thompson, has donating his time to get the front gate functional and secure. We both noticed that you all are still using the orange traffic things to prop the gate open and closed and were wanting to hear from you that use it at recess what you need in order to abandon the traffic things in favor of the gate mechanisms in place.
If you can tell me the issues you're having with the gate (positive and negative welcome) or ideas you have for it, we will be able to figure out how to really get it functional.
He also fixed the wooden door gate on the front!
See you all soon,
Heather
Greetings!
Parent volunteer and welder on mission, Fred Thompson, has donating his time to get the front gate functional and secure. We both noticed that you all are still using the orange traffic things to prop the gate open and closed and were wanting to hear from you that use it at recess what you need in order to abandon the traffic things in favor of the gate mechanisms in place.
If you can tell me the issues you're having with the gate (positive and negative welcome) or ideas you have for it, we will be able to figure out how to really get it functional.
He also fixed the wooden door gate on the front!
See you all soon,
Heather
Monday, January 23, 2012
World Affairs Councils of America’s Essay Competition to win a Study Tour of Azerbaijan.
Find out all about this exciting opportunity here.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Advising Update
January 19, 2012
Dear students and families,
Happy winter time and welcome to the end of semester two. Please find below a number of useful dates and of events of which to be aware.
High School Exhibition day is next Friday, January 27th from 9:30 to 12:00. This is a wonderful opportunity to come see what high school students have been working on this semester. Family and community members are warmly encouraged to attend. Students will be spending time in Advising this week planning their 8 minute presentations.
The Snowdays Foundation has generously offered once again to take a group of high school students on a free snowboarding outing this Saturday, January 21st. Students who have sign-up will be receiving the necessary forms today or tomorrow.
Last night’s College Financial Aid planning workshop presented useful information about paying for college. Thanks to college counselor Kerry Cohen for making her expertise available to the Trillium community.
End of the semester is upon us. Last day of the term is Wednesday, February 1st. There are no classes that Thursday or Friday; those are teacher in-service days. Final exams/presentations will run on a modified schedule that short week: Monday (All classes meet); Tuesday (Finals for Block A, D1, D2); and Wednesday (Finals for Block B, D3, D5).
Trillium will be hosting observers from the School District during finals’ week as a routine part of the charter renewal process.
Second semester begins Monday, February 6. Students have begun signing up for classes. Course sign up sheets may be found on-line on Ken’s blog (http://ken-trillium.blogspot.com/).
Many updates specific to the Class of 2012 went home this week in an additional letter to parents. This is also available on Ken’s blog.
We are proud to introduce Steve Otis as our new long-term sub for Advising and Language Arts teaching in the high school. Steve will be covering for Miranda while she is on leave. We look forward to working with this energetic and dynamic teacher and welcome him to our community.
May 23-25 Spring Camping Trip planning is in the works. As has been the tradition for the past several years, the spring camping trip is planned by students. Expect more information about location soon. Be assured that we will need help driving and chaperoning the event. Please contact your student’s advisor if you might be available to help.
Best wishes for a healthy and happy winter. Please feel free to contact your student’s Advisor with any questions or comments you might have.
Warmly,
Christina, Jess, Ken, and Steve
High School Advisors
Dear students and families,
Happy winter time and welcome to the end of semester two. Please find below a number of useful dates and of events of which to be aware.
High School Exhibition day is next Friday, January 27th from 9:30 to 12:00. This is a wonderful opportunity to come see what high school students have been working on this semester. Family and community members are warmly encouraged to attend. Students will be spending time in Advising this week planning their 8 minute presentations.
The Snowdays Foundation has generously offered once again to take a group of high school students on a free snowboarding outing this Saturday, January 21st. Students who have sign-up will be receiving the necessary forms today or tomorrow.
Last night’s College Financial Aid planning workshop presented useful information about paying for college. Thanks to college counselor Kerry Cohen for making her expertise available to the Trillium community.
End of the semester is upon us. Last day of the term is Wednesday, February 1st. There are no classes that Thursday or Friday; those are teacher in-service days. Final exams/presentations will run on a modified schedule that short week: Monday (All classes meet); Tuesday (Finals for Block A, D1, D2); and Wednesday (Finals for Block B, D3, D5).
Trillium will be hosting observers from the School District during finals’ week as a routine part of the charter renewal process.
Second semester begins Monday, February 6. Students have begun signing up for classes. Course sign up sheets may be found on-line on Ken’s blog (http://ken-trillium.blogspot.com/).
Many updates specific to the Class of 2012 went home this week in an additional letter to parents. This is also available on Ken’s blog.
We are proud to introduce Steve Otis as our new long-term sub for Advising and Language Arts teaching in the high school. Steve will be covering for Miranda while she is on leave. We look forward to working with this energetic and dynamic teacher and welcome him to our community.
May 23-25 Spring Camping Trip planning is in the works. As has been the tradition for the past several years, the spring camping trip is planned by students. Expect more information about location soon. Be assured that we will need help driving and chaperoning the event. Please contact your student’s advisor if you might be available to help.
Best wishes for a healthy and happy winter. Please feel free to contact your student’s Advisor with any questions or comments you might have.
Warmly,
Christina, Jess, Ken, and Steve
High School Advisors
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Class of 2012 Parent Letter
January 17, 2012
Dear Parents of the Class of 2012,
Happy snowy days of winter to you all. It is my sincere privilege to be working with this year’s graduates. The Class of 2012 is an amazing group of human beings, and I am proud that Trillium has gotten to work with, and help support, such creative, fun, and generous people.
This is a full and exciting time of year for our future graduates. I have included a few important items below that might be helpful to keep track of as we move toward graduation.
Trillium is hosting a College Financial Aid Workshop this Wednesday, January 18th from 6:15 to 7:30.
Students should now be meeting regularly (at least every two weeks for at least 15 minutes) with their Project Consultant to check in with progress and problem solve any issues they might have. As students are responsible for these meetings, there is sometimes a tendency to overlook them, but in my experience it is extremely helpful for a student’s organization and overall progress to maintain this schedule diligently.
Your student should be well under way with his/her senior project. We have just now passed the half-way point for projects. Final Project Review Committee (PRC) meetings happen during the week of April 22nd. Projects are due to all PRC members sufficiently in advance of the final PRC meeting to allow PRC members to look over the work ahead of time. Those final weeks can be a stressful time for many seniors as the Monday April 16th deadline for projects approaches.
Class of 2012 Commencement will be held Saturday, June 2nd at the Moriarty Arts and Humanities building at PCC-Cascade.
Caps and gowns have been ordered, and will be black. We use a cap and gown company that rents us high quality robes and caps. Rental cost is $25. Students will be able to keep the tassles. Checks should be made payable to Trillium Charter School, and given to the front desk.
We currently do not have a printer selected for graduation announcements. Historically, we have used a local printer to create simple, yet beautiful announcements and the cost runs about $1 each. I will gladly facilitate this happening if there is sufficient interest from families. Please let me know by Thursday, March 1st if you are interested in ordering announcements, and how many you would like.
Senior Project Night is a wonderful showcase of students' work and will take place on Friday, May 11th. 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. Please tell family and friends to mark their calendars as this event is amazing and should not be missed!
This information, as well as a the senior calendar, and other senior resources, are available on my blog (http://ken-trillium.blogspot.com).
I would be happy to help with any questions you might have around your graduates’ experience. Again, it is a blessing to work with this group of students. Thank you, parents for creating such amazing people.
Best,
Ken Gadbow
Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org
Dear Parents of the Class of 2012,
Happy snowy days of winter to you all. It is my sincere privilege to be working with this year’s graduates. The Class of 2012 is an amazing group of human beings, and I am proud that Trillium has gotten to work with, and help support, such creative, fun, and generous people.
This is a full and exciting time of year for our future graduates. I have included a few important items below that might be helpful to keep track of as we move toward graduation.
Trillium is hosting a College Financial Aid Workshop this Wednesday, January 18th from 6:15 to 7:30.
Students should now be meeting regularly (at least every two weeks for at least 15 minutes) with their Project Consultant to check in with progress and problem solve any issues they might have. As students are responsible for these meetings, there is sometimes a tendency to overlook them, but in my experience it is extremely helpful for a student’s organization and overall progress to maintain this schedule diligently.
Your student should be well under way with his/her senior project. We have just now passed the half-way point for projects. Final Project Review Committee (PRC) meetings happen during the week of April 22nd. Projects are due to all PRC members sufficiently in advance of the final PRC meeting to allow PRC members to look over the work ahead of time. Those final weeks can be a stressful time for many seniors as the Monday April 16th deadline for projects approaches.
Class of 2012 Commencement will be held Saturday, June 2nd at the Moriarty Arts and Humanities building at PCC-Cascade.
Caps and gowns have been ordered, and will be black. We use a cap and gown company that rents us high quality robes and caps. Rental cost is $25. Students will be able to keep the tassles. Checks should be made payable to Trillium Charter School, and given to the front desk.
We currently do not have a printer selected for graduation announcements. Historically, we have used a local printer to create simple, yet beautiful announcements and the cost runs about $1 each. I will gladly facilitate this happening if there is sufficient interest from families. Please let me know by Thursday, March 1st if you are interested in ordering announcements, and how many you would like.
Senior Project Night is a wonderful showcase of students' work and will take place on Friday, May 11th. 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. Please tell family and friends to mark their calendars as this event is amazing and should not be missed!
This information, as well as a the senior calendar, and other senior resources, are available on my blog (http://ken-trillium.blogspot.com).
I would be happy to help with any questions you might have around your graduates’ experience. Again, it is a blessing to work with this group of students. Thank you, parents for creating such amazing people.
Best,
Ken Gadbow
Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org
Sunday, January 08, 2012
Financial Aid Night at Trillium
Planning to attend college in 2012-13?
You are invited!
College Financial Aid Workshop
Who?
Experienced High School & College Counselor, Kerry Cohen
Trillium Students Planning on College 2012-13 & Their Parents
What?
Presentation (National Association of Financial Aid): How financial aid is determined; Where & how to apply; Additional scholarships
How? Overview of Financial Aid (FAFSA), FAFSA Forms available onsite, Question/Answer Session
When? January 18, 2012; 6:15- 7:30 PM
Where? Trillium Charter School
You are invited!
College Financial Aid Workshop
Who?
Experienced High School & College Counselor, Kerry Cohen
Trillium Students Planning on College 2012-13 & Their Parents
What?
Presentation (National Association of Financial Aid): How financial aid is determined; Where & how to apply; Additional scholarships
How? Overview of Financial Aid (FAFSA), FAFSA Forms available onsite, Question/Answer Session
When? January 18, 2012; 6:15- 7:30 PM
Where? Trillium Charter School
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