Hi students,
Please fill out end of semester surveys:
Click here to take the Senior Project Class survey.
Click here to take the Global Studies Class survey.
Ken
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Exhibition Schedule
Here is the latest schedule for Exhibition Day. This will change slightly to accommodate student resource needs.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Please Come to Trillium this Friday
Hi all,
As we talked about during our conferences back in December, this coming Friday the 29th is Exhibition Day. Students will each take turn being in the spotlight in front of peers and community members presenting their work from the past semester. You are warmly encouraged to attend.
Best,
Ken
As we talked about during our conferences back in December, this coming Friday the 29th is Exhibition Day. Students will each take turn being in the spotlight in front of peers and community members presenting their work from the past semester. You are warmly encouraged to attend.
Best,
Ken
High School Newsletter
Welcome to 2010!
As many of you know, the high school ended the 2009 school year on a very positive, pro-active note, with our first ever “Social Justice Symposium”. This symposium was the culminating event in our semester long drive in our individual advisings to “be the change” that we wish to see in the world. In addition to presentations on the service work that students have been involved in all semester, we had guest speakers, exhibitions, and smaller workshops run by students that ran the gamut from short films about Gaza to workshops on hunger and the prevention of HIV / AIDS. The event was a success, in our eyes, and we look forward to other symposiums like this in the future. However, before we can start planning our next symposium, we need to finish out this first semester, and there's a long list of tasks that both students and advisors need to accomplish before Friday.
First and foremost, the All School Project Fair will be held this Thursday at 6:30pm. The high school will be participating in this event in a different way, in comparison to years past, in honor of the hard work that students did in preparation for the “Social Justice Symposium,” and the fact that our fifth semi-annual annual “Exhibition Day” will be held the following morning from 9:00am to noon. The high school's contribution to the evening will be a panel discussion about the high school, presented by several advisors and the few high schoolers who are willing to give up some of their precious, last minute work time. Parents are invited to attend both the Project Fair and Exhibition Day, if they are so inclined.
Parents and other Trillium community members are warmly welcomed at Exhibition Day, this Friday, from nine to noon. Each student will have his or her turn to present and defend his/her from the past semester in front of a group of peers and family. Please come celebrate your student.
In addition to these presentations, students are also signing up for next semester's classes during advising, which they've hopefully spoken to you about in conversation. The course catalog is available online, should you chose to walk through course sign-up with your student at home, if you wish to augment what's already happening in advising. Course sign-up will officially end on Friday, and students will receive their new semester schedule when they return to school on Wednesday, February 3rd (Remember : Monday and Tuesday are in-school service days for teachers.)
As always, we're available to talk about your particular student by e-mail, so please don't hesitate to ask questions about missing work or overall student performance.
Thank You For Reading.
The Trillium High School Team
As many of you know, the high school ended the 2009 school year on a very positive, pro-active note, with our first ever “Social Justice Symposium”. This symposium was the culminating event in our semester long drive in our individual advisings to “be the change” that we wish to see in the world. In addition to presentations on the service work that students have been involved in all semester, we had guest speakers, exhibitions, and smaller workshops run by students that ran the gamut from short films about Gaza to workshops on hunger and the prevention of HIV / AIDS. The event was a success, in our eyes, and we look forward to other symposiums like this in the future. However, before we can start planning our next symposium, we need to finish out this first semester, and there's a long list of tasks that both students and advisors need to accomplish before Friday.
First and foremost, the All School Project Fair will be held this Thursday at 6:30pm. The high school will be participating in this event in a different way, in comparison to years past, in honor of the hard work that students did in preparation for the “Social Justice Symposium,” and the fact that our fifth semi-annual annual “Exhibition Day” will be held the following morning from 9:00am to noon. The high school's contribution to the evening will be a panel discussion about the high school, presented by several advisors and the few high schoolers who are willing to give up some of their precious, last minute work time. Parents are invited to attend both the Project Fair and Exhibition Day, if they are so inclined.
Parents and other Trillium community members are warmly welcomed at Exhibition Day, this Friday, from nine to noon. Each student will have his or her turn to present and defend his/her from the past semester in front of a group of peers and family. Please come celebrate your student.
In addition to these presentations, students are also signing up for next semester's classes during advising, which they've hopefully spoken to you about in conversation. The course catalog is available online, should you chose to walk through course sign-up with your student at home, if you wish to augment what's already happening in advising. Course sign-up will officially end on Friday, and students will receive their new semester schedule when they return to school on Wednesday, February 3rd (Remember : Monday and Tuesday are in-school service days for teachers.)
As always, we're available to talk about your particular student by e-mail, so please don't hesitate to ask questions about missing work or overall student performance.
Thank You For Reading.
The Trillium High School Team
Friday, January 22, 2010
Exhibition and Class Sign Up
Hello parents,
Please come celebrate your students work over first semester by taking part in Exhibition Day on Friday, January 29th. Each student will have about seven minutes to present and reflect in front of their peers on a significant project, work, or experience from semester one. Parents are encouraged to attend. Exhibitions run the entirety of the Friday half-day. A schedule will be out early next week to highlight the time-slot in which your student will appear.
Course selection sheets and catalogs are now available. I have conferenced with most students around selection and will finish up doing so on Monday and Tuesday.
And as long as I have your attention, my advising is swimming in graciously donated supplies, of all consumable varieties, for which I am most grateful. We seem to have come away with a preponderance of spreadable staples like butter and peanut butter, but nothing on which to spread it (save for Finn's daily delivery of bagels!). We need bread. Can toast. Can freeze. Not too picky, except I only want to feed the students whole grains.
Best,
Ken
Please come celebrate your students work over first semester by taking part in Exhibition Day on Friday, January 29th. Each student will have about seven minutes to present and reflect in front of their peers on a significant project, work, or experience from semester one. Parents are encouraged to attend. Exhibitions run the entirety of the Friday half-day. A schedule will be out early next week to highlight the time-slot in which your student will appear.
Course selection sheets and catalogs are now available. I have conferenced with most students around selection and will finish up doing so on Monday and Tuesday.
And as long as I have your attention, my advising is swimming in graciously donated supplies, of all consumable varieties, for which I am most grateful. We seem to have come away with a preponderance of spreadable staples like butter and peanut butter, but nothing on which to spread it (save for Finn's daily delivery of bagels!). We need bread. Can toast. Can freeze. Not too picky, except I only want to feed the students whole grains.
Best,
Ken
Course Sign Up!
Hi all,
Here is the link to course catalogs and sign up sheets. Please have them in early next week.
Ken
Here is the link to course catalogs and sign up sheets. Please have them in early next week.
Ken
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
News from Humble Hearts
Hi ,Polly and Trillium
We opened school yesterday HH was already flocked with parents and kids by the time I arrived there, everyone was eager to hear and know the way forward.
I was frank to tell them that we had been given just three months to vacate from the slum area according to information from the District Officer who represents the government
The parents not knowing where else to take their children agreed in unison that we should put up temporary structures for kids to continue with classes as we look for a way to solve the problem, parents and guardians immediately started raising money to buy poles while others went ahead to start construction. I was so shocked on how these people proved their love for the school.
The community loves and trusts HH so much that even with no proper classes right now we are getting new parents who are asking for vacancies for thier children who are either not in school or are in another school that is not performing well academically.
At HH we are putting up classes for the babies and small kids who cannot cross the road to the church that we haverented to hold temporary classes. Classes four,five,six,seven,eight,form one,form two,form three and form four are learning from the church, for us to create good learning class like environment, we need to do timber and ply wood partitions that will be put aside every Saturday to create room for the church on Sunday, the primary kids are learning from the church hall while secondary have been given each a room that is normally used by the Sunday school kids
The demolsion and the one to come in March has caused so many families to move,not all the kids have reported .I cannot tell who will be coming back but we can know this for sure at the end of this month. I feel hopeful to have had as many as we have return.
Am of the idea of us looking for land for HH, land that will not be in the slum and not far from the slums, it is difficult to get such land but we are continuing to scout around, then we can start fundraising starting with the money that has been raised for rebuilding HH, we need to look for a long term solution to this.
The present HH is made of tin roof and polythene wall we have made very temporary, we do not want to incure any cost then experience great loses later.
Beatrice
We opened school yesterday HH was already flocked with parents and kids by the time I arrived there, everyone was eager to hear and know the way forward.
I was frank to tell them that we had been given just three months to vacate from the slum area according to information from the District Officer who represents the government
The parents not knowing where else to take their children agreed in unison that we should put up temporary structures for kids to continue with classes as we look for a way to solve the problem, parents and guardians immediately started raising money to buy poles while others went ahead to start construction. I was so shocked on how these people proved their love for the school.
The community loves and trusts HH so much that even with no proper classes right now we are getting new parents who are asking for vacancies for thier children who are either not in school or are in another school that is not performing well academically.
At HH we are putting up classes for the babies and small kids who cannot cross the road to the church that we haverented to hold temporary classes. Classes four,five,six,seven,eight,form one,form two,form three and form four are learning from the church, for us to create good learning class like environment, we need to do timber and ply wood partitions that will be put aside every Saturday to create room for the church on Sunday, the primary kids are learning from the church hall while secondary have been given each a room that is normally used by the Sunday school kids
The demolsion and the one to come in March has caused so many families to move,not all the kids have reported .I cannot tell who will be coming back but we can know this for sure at the end of this month. I feel hopeful to have had as many as we have return.
Am of the idea of us looking for land for HH, land that will not be in the slum and not far from the slums, it is difficult to get such land but we are continuing to scout around, then we can start fundraising starting with the money that has been raised for rebuilding HH, we need to look for a long term solution to this.
The present HH is made of tin roof and polythene wall we have made very temporary, we do not want to incure any cost then experience great loses later.
Beatrice
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Freshmen Update
A note from Elizabeth Johnson, facilitator of Freshmen Inquiry:
Dear Freshmen Parents,
I would like to take a minute and update you on our work in Freshman Inquiry class so that you can support your student's learning and progress. The end of the term is just a month away and two important assignments are in progress. First, after a month of arduously following the writing process, in-class lessons on essay basics, and teacher/peer editing sessions (most) students submitted their analytical essays before we left for Winter Break. On our first day back students will have their final copy returned with an evaluation and grade attached. As clearly written on the evaluation, students may AND ARE ENCOURAGED to revise and resubmit their essay as many times as is necessary in order to receive the best grade they are capable of. Asking to review the essay and its evaluation is a great opening to supporting your students' development as a writer. As a High School program we have focused Freshman Inquiry on analytical writing skills because it is such an essential foundation for their success. Most of the students in class were writing an essay for the first time in their school experience and a learning curve is natural and okay. Those students, however, for whom this process was very difficult and stressful may benefit from additional support outside of the classroom. If this is the case for your student, I encourage you to speak with their student's Advisor about their writing (Advisors have copies of student essays and evaluations).
With essays (mostly) done we now turn our attention to our next task: independent projects. Typically, this unit is about two months long. This year, however, the group required extended time on the reading and writing unit and so our projects have taken on the exciting new requirement of a time challenge of 3 weeks. Students may do their project on any topic of their choice but must follow and document the process laid out in class: project proposal, research/gathering, planning, creating, presenting. It is this process that students will be evaluated on, which is a shift from many of their Middle School experiences where projects are drawn out over a long period of time (with a lot of socializing and procrastinating throughout!) and the emphasis is primarily on the exhibition of the final product. I will be encouraging students to make personal choices that will lead to their success, such as picking a high interest topic that requires few outside resources or in-depth research. Coming to class prepared and focused will also help them make the most productive use of our daily hour together. In class we will look at the popular website created by artists Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher “Learning to Love You More” that is filled with an extensive list of creative assignments that could be great jumping off points for a more fully developed project. This may be fun to look over as a family.... and maybe even collaborate on something together! (www.learningtoloveyoumore.com)
I hope this email leaves you feeling more informed on our class happenings and with a great opener to good communication with your child about their learning and classwork. Please let me know if you have further questions, ideas, or are wanting specific feedback on your student. We are all halfway through the exciting transition to High School freshman year provides... let's keep learning and growing together.
Best,
Elizabeth Johnson
Dear Freshmen Parents,
I would like to take a minute and update you on our work in Freshman Inquiry class so that you can support your student's learning and progress. The end of the term is just a month away and two important assignments are in progress. First, after a month of arduously following the writing process, in-class lessons on essay basics, and teacher/peer editing sessions (most) students submitted their analytical essays before we left for Winter Break. On our first day back students will have their final copy returned with an evaluation and grade attached. As clearly written on the evaluation, students may AND ARE ENCOURAGED to revise and resubmit their essay as many times as is necessary in order to receive the best grade they are capable of. Asking to review the essay and its evaluation is a great opening to supporting your students' development as a writer. As a High School program we have focused Freshman Inquiry on analytical writing skills because it is such an essential foundation for their success. Most of the students in class were writing an essay for the first time in their school experience and a learning curve is natural and okay. Those students, however, for whom this process was very difficult and stressful may benefit from additional support outside of the classroom. If this is the case for your student, I encourage you to speak with their student's Advisor about their writing (Advisors have copies of student essays and evaluations).
With essays (mostly) done we now turn our attention to our next task: independent projects. Typically, this unit is about two months long. This year, however, the group required extended time on the reading and writing unit and so our projects have taken on the exciting new requirement of a time challenge of 3 weeks. Students may do their project on any topic of their choice but must follow and document the process laid out in class: project proposal, research/gathering, planning, creating, presenting. It is this process that students will be evaluated on, which is a shift from many of their Middle School experiences where projects are drawn out over a long period of time (with a lot of socializing and procrastinating throughout!) and the emphasis is primarily on the exhibition of the final product. I will be encouraging students to make personal choices that will lead to their success, such as picking a high interest topic that requires few outside resources or in-depth research. Coming to class prepared and focused will also help them make the most productive use of our daily hour together. In class we will look at the popular website created by artists Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher “Learning to Love You More” that is filled with an extensive list of creative assignments that could be great jumping off points for a more fully developed project. This may be fun to look over as a family.... and maybe even collaborate on something together! (www.learningtoloveyoumore.com)
I hope this email leaves you feeling more informed on our class happenings and with a great opener to good communication with your child about their learning and classwork. Please let me know if you have further questions, ideas, or are wanting specific feedback on your student. We are all halfway through the exciting transition to High School freshman year provides... let's keep learning and growing together.
Best,
Elizabeth Johnson
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Writing Contest!
Multnomah County Library is sponsoring a writing contest for people in grades 6-12. Winners take home a $75 Powell's gift card. Entries are due by January 18th. Check it out by clicking here.
A Holiday Thank You
Happy New Year everyone,
I am grateful this holiday season for the generosity of the parents who graciously donated supplies for our classroom. In an environment where we emphasize creative expression of learning through projects, it is a wonderful gift to offer students rich resources. We now have wonderful acrylic paints and brushes, amazing high-quality colored pencils, a plethora of colored tapes, card stock, poster board, an array of Sharpie markers, needles and thread, construction paper, and much more. I was also fortunate to receive gift cards to Powell's and am thrilled to be able to buy some additional books for the classroom. Thank you for taking the time and thinking of your student's classroom.
Best wishes for a safe and peaceful year,
Ken
I am grateful this holiday season for the generosity of the parents who graciously donated supplies for our classroom. In an environment where we emphasize creative expression of learning through projects, it is a wonderful gift to offer students rich resources. We now have wonderful acrylic paints and brushes, amazing high-quality colored pencils, a plethora of colored tapes, card stock, poster board, an array of Sharpie markers, needles and thread, construction paper, and much more. I was also fortunate to receive gift cards to Powell's and am thrilled to be able to buy some additional books for the classroom. Thank you for taking the time and thinking of your student's classroom.
Best wishes for a safe and peaceful year,
Ken
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Sad News from Humble Hearts
Dear community,
We have received terrible news about Humble Hearts, our sister school in Nairobi, Kenya. The school and surrounding neighborhood was flattened by bulldozers just a few days ago. It has been difficult to get information, but it has been confirmed that the school has been destroyed. The slum in which the school had been located, Sinai (Paradise), is a narrow, seven-mile long area atop a buried petroleum pipeline managed by the federally-owned Kenya Pipeline Company, to which all of the residents pay rent. There are no laws in Kenya protecting against forceful evictions, or even requiring that residents be notified before such evictions take place.
Below is the latest update from our dear friend, Beatrice Anunda, the director of Humble Hearts, who discovered what had happened to her school upon the return from her wedding. This is of tremendous impact for the surrounding community, as well as the students and their families. Humble Hearts had been the primary source of water for the neighborhood, and the source of the only daily meal taken by many of the children.
I will continue to post updates here on the blog. If you are moved to assist the Humble Hearts community, Kids for Kenya sends 100% of all donations directly to Humble Hearts. Checks should be made payable to “Kids for Kenya” and sent care of Trillium Charter School, 5420 N Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR 97211.
Peace and blessings this holiday season,
Ken
Hello friends of Humble Hearts,
The information you got is very true, the school was completely flattened while I was in the remote interior of Malindi coast where my husband George comes from after my wedding. When it all happened at 3am, my mum and my sisters were called and ran to the scene. They found the bulldozers and armed policemen streaming in - not even the wails of women and children could stop them. As they were demolishing the neighboring houses, people were helping to remove the desks and books. It is only the school that was allowed to removed some of the belongings in a hurry, but the residents were not given even a second families were left homeless in a blink of an eye.
I am so mad at the government because they they now say all the demolition was done by mistake: the pipeline company has nothing to do with it. No one seems ready to tell the truth. We are being told to rebuild again with no compensation at all. All the affected persons have been called for a meeting tomorrow. Some residence have started rebuilding. I want us to wait and hear what the government officials have to say and am working on strategies of raising funds to rebuild by approaching local companies and banks to assist in which ever small way, unfortunately many offices are on Christmas break and they say we should try January.
Thanks so much for your encouraging words and concerns. The whole of HH is mourning. I am being asked so many questions on the way forward from both the children, parents and the community, it is now that people have realized that HH has had a positive impact on many.
So far nothing has been done. Its just today that i have been able to get some money for internet. We will appreciate any help you can offer towards this. I will keep you posted. I continue approaching more and more people for help as school must open come January.
My wedding was great George's family helped in making the day a success we are grateful to God and all of you who contributed through gifts and well wishes.
A merry Christmas to you and your families
Beatrice
We have received terrible news about Humble Hearts, our sister school in Nairobi, Kenya. The school and surrounding neighborhood was flattened by bulldozers just a few days ago. It has been difficult to get information, but it has been confirmed that the school has been destroyed. The slum in which the school had been located, Sinai (Paradise), is a narrow, seven-mile long area atop a buried petroleum pipeline managed by the federally-owned Kenya Pipeline Company, to which all of the residents pay rent. There are no laws in Kenya protecting against forceful evictions, or even requiring that residents be notified before such evictions take place.
Below is the latest update from our dear friend, Beatrice Anunda, the director of Humble Hearts, who discovered what had happened to her school upon the return from her wedding. This is of tremendous impact for the surrounding community, as well as the students and their families. Humble Hearts had been the primary source of water for the neighborhood, and the source of the only daily meal taken by many of the children.
I will continue to post updates here on the blog. If you are moved to assist the Humble Hearts community, Kids for Kenya sends 100% of all donations directly to Humble Hearts. Checks should be made payable to “Kids for Kenya” and sent care of Trillium Charter School, 5420 N Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR 97211.
Peace and blessings this holiday season,
Ken
Hello friends of Humble Hearts,
The information you got is very true, the school was completely flattened while I was in the remote interior of Malindi coast where my husband George comes from after my wedding. When it all happened at 3am, my mum and my sisters were called and ran to the scene. They found the bulldozers and armed policemen streaming in - not even the wails of women and children could stop them. As they were demolishing the neighboring houses, people were helping to remove the desks and books. It is only the school that was allowed to removed some of the belongings in a hurry, but the residents were not given even a second families were left homeless in a blink of an eye.
I am so mad at the government because they they now say all the demolition was done by mistake: the pipeline company has nothing to do with it. No one seems ready to tell the truth. We are being told to rebuild again with no compensation at all. All the affected persons have been called for a meeting tomorrow. Some residence have started rebuilding. I want us to wait and hear what the government officials have to say and am working on strategies of raising funds to rebuild by approaching local companies and banks to assist in which ever small way, unfortunately many offices are on Christmas break and they say we should try January.
Thanks so much for your encouraging words and concerns. The whole of HH is mourning. I am being asked so many questions on the way forward from both the children, parents and the community, it is now that people have realized that HH has had a positive impact on many.
So far nothing has been done. Its just today that i have been able to get some money for internet. We will appreciate any help you can offer towards this. I will keep you posted. I continue approaching more and more people for help as school must open come January.
My wedding was great George's family helped in making the day a success we are grateful to God and all of you who contributed through gifts and well wishes.
A merry Christmas to you and your families
Beatrice
Monday, December 14, 2009
Financial Aid Night this Wednesday
Hi Parents of the Class of 2010,
As many of you hopefully know, Trillium is hosting a Financial Aid Night this Wednesday at 7:00. It is an on-line interactive video program put on by NELA and will be held in my room. Families and students are encouraged to attend. More information can be found below.
Please let me know if you plan to attend and how many you will be.
Best,
Ken
At the NELA Center for Student Success, we believe every student should have access to unbiased and accurate college information, no matter how large, small, or isolated the school they attend.
On December 16th at 7:00 pm, we will be hosting “FAFSA Night with the NELA Center”, a virtual financial aid night, available to high schools in communities all over the Northwest. As always, there is no charge for services offered through the NELA Center.
During our one hour session, we will go over the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process and the individual FAFSA questions, so that by the end of the session, families will:
· Develop a personal plan to complete the FAFSA
· Identify which family members’ information should be reported on the FAFSA
· Identify which data will be required to successfully complete the FAFSA
· Register for a PIN with the US Department of Education
This will be a facilitated discussion; each site will be able to type in questions for the presenter. In addition, we will have financial aid administrators available by telephone to answer more detailed questions.
As many of you hopefully know, Trillium is hosting a Financial Aid Night this Wednesday at 7:00. It is an on-line interactive video program put on by NELA and will be held in my room. Families and students are encouraged to attend. More information can be found below.
Please let me know if you plan to attend and how many you will be.
Best,
Ken
At the NELA Center for Student Success, we believe every student should have access to unbiased and accurate college information, no matter how large, small, or isolated the school they attend.
On December 16th at 7:00 pm, we will be hosting “FAFSA Night with the NELA Center”, a virtual financial aid night, available to high schools in communities all over the Northwest. As always, there is no charge for services offered through the NELA Center.
During our one hour session, we will go over the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process and the individual FAFSA questions, so that by the end of the session, families will:
· Develop a personal plan to complete the FAFSA
· Identify which family members’ information should be reported on the FAFSA
· Identify which data will be required to successfully complete the FAFSA
· Register for a PIN with the US Department of Education
This will be a facilitated discussion; each site will be able to type in questions for the presenter. In addition, we will have financial aid administrators available by telephone to answer more detailed questions.
Intensives Shout Out
Hi All,
We had our first day of intensives today and it went great. We are needing some extra help with a few things.
First -I need a adult to go swimming with the swimming intensive. The intensive has a leader but needs another adult in the water.
Second - We need some drivers for drop off and pick up.
If you are available for either of these please let me know.
Thank You,
Polly
Service Coordinator
Polly@TrilliumCharterSchool.org
We had our first day of intensives today and it went great. We are needing some extra help with a few things.
First -I need a adult to go swimming with the swimming intensive. The intensive has a leader but needs another adult in the water.
Second - We need some drivers for drop off and pick up.
If you are available for either of these please let me know.
Thank You,
Polly
Service Coordinator
Polly@TrilliumCharterSchool.org
Sunday, December 13, 2009
This Great Week
Hi all,
Almost there, almost there..... As we all think deep thoughts of snowstorms that cancel school and the break that is right around the corner your students and I are preparing for a creative break from the usual routine.
No regular academic classes are happening during this week The last month of Semester 2 is in January, when we return from break. Instead, we will be participating in school wide Intensives every morning and Advising projects in the afternoons. Your student is expected to attend and participate fully all week. Here's our schedule
Monday- Thursday
Advising morning check in 8:35-9:50
Intensives 9-12pm
Lunch 12-12:30pm (this is a little shorter than usual, so students should plan to bring their lunch, have school lunch, or get to-go close by.
Advising 12:30-3:15
Friday
High School Social Justice Symposium 10-12pm
Your student found out on Friday which of their three Intensive choices they were placed in. Students are expected to participate fully in Intensives. While they are not, by default, available for credit those options may be possible. Your student should ask their Intensives teacher if there is extension work available (in addition to full attendance and participation in the class, for .25 credit.
9th and 10th graders will continue to complete their statewide reading, math and science tests throughout the week.
The main focus of our Advising afternoons will be for students to complete their groups work in preparation for Fridays big event- the High School Social Justice Symposium. Your students will be presenting, teaching, making art, and educating at literature tables. Students have been given invitations to share with people outside of school whom they would like to attend.
In our group we also felt that we needed some holiday cheer and fun in those long afternoons together. So this is what we came up with (and notice the places where we could use your support!)
Make holiday cards (I have some supplies, but would love to get block printing goods like linoleum squares and knives!)
Make holiday cookies (borrowed cookie cutters or other decorating things would be great!)
Make dip candles (tapers). We are asking for a $5 donation to help offset the cost of supplies for this.
Watch a film a little bit each day IF symposium work is rolling along well.
Have a potluck on Thursday (help your student make or buy something to bring in!)
Draw random names and gift each other with the theme of "Bringing in the Light" (should be handmade or no more than $3.... a joke, a poem, a drawing, a lightbulb ;)
It's going to be a great week!
And on December 18-20, Elizabeth's advising is spear heading a great opportunity to share our time again in service with the farmworking community. Volunteer students and parents can help to sort and package toys gathered in a toy drive (we are not doing a lrage scale drive but welcome any donations in order to bring a small box with us. There will also be a collection box with Adib, Cody and Fabian at their table on FSSW and WFWA during the Social Justice Symposium... bring something by when you come to visit!). We can also spend a day cooking and preparing for a huge Christmas feast and then serving and cleaning up from the event (which gathers several hundred people.... families within the farmworker community). I am excited to share in the spririt of giving during the holiday season and hope your student will join in.
Please let me know if you have any questions or thoughts. Thank you for supporting your student during this busy busy week.
Peace.
Ken
Almost there, almost there..... As we all think deep thoughts of snowstorms that cancel school and the break that is right around the corner your students and I are preparing for a creative break from the usual routine.
No regular academic classes are happening during this week The last month of Semester 2 is in January, when we return from break. Instead, we will be participating in school wide Intensives every morning and Advising projects in the afternoons. Your student is expected to attend and participate fully all week. Here's our schedule
Monday- Thursday
Advising morning check in 8:35-9:50
Intensives 9-12pm
Lunch 12-12:30pm (this is a little shorter than usual, so students should plan to bring their lunch, have school lunch, or get to-go close by.
Advising 12:30-3:15
Friday
High School Social Justice Symposium 10-12pm
Your student found out on Friday which of their three Intensive choices they were placed in. Students are expected to participate fully in Intensives. While they are not, by default, available for credit those options may be possible. Your student should ask their Intensives teacher if there is extension work available (in addition to full attendance and participation in the class, for .25 credit.
9th and 10th graders will continue to complete their statewide reading, math and science tests throughout the week.
The main focus of our Advising afternoons will be for students to complete their groups work in preparation for Fridays big event- the High School Social Justice Symposium. Your students will be presenting, teaching, making art, and educating at literature tables. Students have been given invitations to share with people outside of school whom they would like to attend.
In our group we also felt that we needed some holiday cheer and fun in those long afternoons together. So this is what we came up with (and notice the places where we could use your support!)
Make holiday cards (I have some supplies, but would love to get block printing goods like linoleum squares and knives!)
Make holiday cookies (borrowed cookie cutters or other decorating things would be great!)
Make dip candles (tapers). We are asking for a $5 donation to help offset the cost of supplies for this.
Watch a film a little bit each day IF symposium work is rolling along well.
Have a potluck on Thursday (help your student make or buy something to bring in!)
Draw random names and gift each other with the theme of "Bringing in the Light" (should be handmade or no more than $3.... a joke, a poem, a drawing, a lightbulb ;)
It's going to be a great week!
And on December 18-20, Elizabeth's advising is spear heading a great opportunity to share our time again in service with the farmworking community. Volunteer students and parents can help to sort and package toys gathered in a toy drive (we are not doing a lrage scale drive but welcome any donations in order to bring a small box with us. There will also be a collection box with Adib, Cody and Fabian at their table on FSSW and WFWA during the Social Justice Symposium... bring something by when you come to visit!). We can also spend a day cooking and preparing for a huge Christmas feast and then serving and cleaning up from the event (which gathers several hundred people.... families within the farmworker community). I am excited to share in the spririt of giving during the holiday season and hope your student will join in.
Please let me know if you have any questions or thoughts. Thank you for supporting your student during this busy busy week.
Peace.
Ken
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Intensives and You.
Hi all,
Intensives week is coming up soon (Dec. 14-17), and we have some fabulous offerings to look forward to. Polly, the organizer of Intensives (Polly@TrilliumCharterSchool.org) is asking for a few more hands to finish getting things together. Needs right now:
* Spaces! - We have so many offerings and so few places to put them! If you have a warm sheltered area (house, business, studio, etc.) not terribly far from school that could house an Intensive, please let us know.
* Drivers! - If you might be willing to shuttle some students just once (or even every day), that would be stellar.
* Hands! - There are always small tasks to be done. Whatever the time you have to volunteer with us, your work will be appreciated.
* Phones! - We have a long list of community partners that we need to keep in contact with to run this smoothly. If you have a moment and willingness to make some phone calls, that would be great.
Again, please contact Polly (Polly@TrilliumCharterSchool.org) or find her at the Kids for Kenya cases in the lobby in the mornings if you might be able to lend a hand.
Ken
Intensives week is coming up soon (Dec. 14-17), and we have some fabulous offerings to look forward to. Polly, the organizer of Intensives (Polly@TrilliumCharterSchool.org) is asking for a few more hands to finish getting things together. Needs right now:
* Spaces! - We have so many offerings and so few places to put them! If you have a warm sheltered area (house, business, studio, etc.) not terribly far from school that could house an Intensive, please let us know.
* Drivers! - If you might be willing to shuttle some students just once (or even every day), that would be stellar.
* Hands! - There are always small tasks to be done. Whatever the time you have to volunteer with us, your work will be appreciated.
* Phones! - We have a long list of community partners that we need to keep in contact with to run this smoothly. If you have a moment and willingness to make some phone calls, that would be great.
Again, please contact Polly (Polly@TrilliumCharterSchool.org) or find her at the Kids for Kenya cases in the lobby in the mornings if you might be able to lend a hand.
Ken
Two Changes to the High School Social Justice Symposium
Hi all,
With the collision of testing week, Intensives, and Symposium, we have decided to make two changes:
First, we have moved the Social Justice Symposium to Friday, December 18th.
Second, parents are invited. We will open the symposium at 10:00 and will run until 12:00.
Students have been working hard to synthesize the work they have done through our Be the Change theme in advising over the past several weeks. We will have speakers, multi-media presentations, posters, tables with information on hunger issues, gardening, conditions facing migrant workers, and much more. We hope you can make it.
Best,
Ken
With the collision of testing week, Intensives, and Symposium, we have decided to make two changes:
First, we have moved the Social Justice Symposium to Friday, December 18th.
Second, parents are invited. We will open the symposium at 10:00 and will run until 12:00.
Students have been working hard to synthesize the work they have done through our Be the Change theme in advising over the past several weeks. We will have speakers, multi-media presentations, posters, tables with information on hunger issues, gardening, conditions facing migrant workers, and much more. We hope you can make it.
Best,
Ken
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Hurray for Intensives!
A note from Polly:
Hello Everyone, I am writing inform everyone that all school intensives are coming up in December, from
Dec 14-17 From 9:00 to 12:00. As many of you may know intensives are week long classes that are offered to our student in a mixed age grouping taught both by our staff and volunteer parent and community member based on there interest and talents . The goal of these classes are to provide students the opportunity to work in small groups of about five to ten students per class and have the time to explore a subject deeply. In order for this exciting opportunity to work we need you to volunteer.
There are many ways to get involved.
- You can volunteer to teach a class for all four days.
-You can volunteer as a helper for as many day that can work with your schedule.
-You can volunteer as a driver as many days as you can.
-You can volunteer to help with logistics and set up and clean up , mostly done Dec11-13 and Dec18.
If you are available in any of these ways or have additional question please respond to this email.
Thank you in advance,
Polly
Polly Christopher
Service Learning Coordinator
Kindergarten Advisor
Trillium Charter School
Hello Everyone, I am writing inform everyone that all school intensives are coming up in December, from
Dec 14-17 From 9:00 to 12:00. As many of you may know intensives are week long classes that are offered to our student in a mixed age grouping taught both by our staff and volunteer parent and community member based on there interest and talents . The goal of these classes are to provide students the opportunity to work in small groups of about five to ten students per class and have the time to explore a subject deeply. In order for this exciting opportunity to work we need you to volunteer.
There are many ways to get involved.
- You can volunteer to teach a class for all four days.
-You can volunteer as a helper for as many day that can work with your schedule.
-You can volunteer as a driver as many days as you can.
-You can volunteer to help with logistics and set up and clean up , mostly done Dec11-13 and Dec18.
If you are available in any of these ways or have additional question please respond to this email.
Thank you in advance,
Polly
Polly Christopher
Service Learning Coordinator
Kindergarten Advisor
Trillium Charter School
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Teaching About Thanksgiving
Happy Day all,
Here is a wonderful resource for understanding the complicated, and oft overlooked history of this day. A great story to share with family and friends.
Blessings,
Ken
Here is a wonderful resource for understanding the complicated, and oft overlooked history of this day. A great story to share with family and friends.
Blessings,
Ken
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Middle School Social Studies Sharing Photos
Hi all,
Thank you to the students and visiting parents and staff for making our project sharing in middle school social studies a success. I particularly appreciate the hard work that students put into their independent projects, and am thankful that parents could take time out of the middle of their day to stop in and share with us. We are sure to to do it again.
Here are a few of the photos from the event.
Best,
Ken
Thank you to the students and visiting parents and staff for making our project sharing in middle school social studies a success. I particularly appreciate the hard work that students put into their independent projects, and am thankful that parents could take time out of the middle of their day to stop in and share with us. We are sure to to do it again.
Here are a few of the photos from the event.
Best,
Ken
Friday, November 20, 2009
The Winter Time Wish List
Project Wish-List for our classroom
If you might be interested in contributing to the classroom, here is our latest list of items that would help make the day better (and the projects richer) for your student.
We would be thrilled to have:
* Black Sharpie fine point pens
* Colored construction paper.
* Art paper- Big sketch books, watercolor, charcoal, etc....
* Tape: scotch tape, blue masking tape, duct tape.
* Needles and thread.
* A few yards of some fun fabric.
* An hour or so of time from a confident sewer (I need some pillow covers).
* Poster board and large paper.
* Acrylic paints in all colors and brushes- artist quality (oil and watercolor paints are good, but not used as often)
* High quality colored pencils.
* Tissues.
On going:
* Natural peanut butter
* Whole grain bread.
* Honey
* Herbal Tea
* And if you might be willing to help buy books for the classroom, a Powell's gift card is always a delightful contribution.
If you might be interested in contributing to the classroom, here is our latest list of items that would help make the day better (and the projects richer) for your student.
We would be thrilled to have:
* Black Sharpie fine point pens
* Colored construction paper.
* Art paper- Big sketch books, watercolor, charcoal, etc....
* Tape: scotch tape, blue masking tape, duct tape.
* Needles and thread.
* A few yards of some fun fabric.
* An hour or so of time from a confident sewer (I need some pillow covers).
* Poster board and large paper.
* Acrylic paints in all colors and brushes- artist quality (oil and watercolor paints are good, but not used as often)
* High quality colored pencils.
* Tissues.
On going:
* Natural peanut butter
* Whole grain bread.
* Honey
* Herbal Tea
* And if you might be willing to help buy books for the classroom, a Powell's gift card is always a delightful contribution.
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