Morning Gathering this Week!

Please join the Parent Council Committee for an informal gathering the first Wednesday of every month at 8:15 AM – 9:00 AM in the lobby of the Welcome Center.  This is a time for getting to know other parents and the school in a less formal manner than Parent Council Meetings or Curriculum Nights.  We look forward to seeing you for the first gathering on Wednesday, October 4 at 8:15 AM. (Not October 2 as noted in last week’s issue).

Health Screenings Begin This Week

Volunteers Needed!

Beginning this Wednesday, students in K-12 will be screened for vision, hearing, height/weight, BMI, Scoliosis and blood pressure. PreK students are screened separately by The Learning Center. Parent volunteers are needed to help screen students…no experience needed. We’ll train you! It’s a great way to interact with the students. Call Rhonda to sign up.

When your child is absent or tardy…

It’s the season for sniffles and stomach aches. If your child is absent from school or tardy arriving at school, please call Rhonda. Once attendance has been entered in the computerized system, Rhonda calls parents of students marked with unexcused absences. A quick call or voicemail from parents before then saves time and allows us to mark your child as an excused absence. If you know in advance that your child will be absent (traveling, appointments) just let the teachers know so they can send schoolwork and mark the attendance as appropriate—no call needed to Rhonda. 

What number should I call?

There are several phone lines available. Here’s a list and when you might want to use each. You may want to post these near your phone or add them to your student directory.

733-3729: Journeys School, rings to Rhonda’s desk.

733-1327: Voicemail line, so you can go directly to a teacher’s extension (extensions are listed in the directory, first page).

733-1313: Front desk in the Welcome Center, often has a live person if Rhonda is not answering at her desk and you need a live person for an urgent situation

413-5654: Nate’s cell phone, for emergencies and when Rhonda is not at her desk.

October Lunch Menu 

October 6th: No School

October 13th: Cheese & Spinach Lasagna, focaccia bread, green salad, fruit & cookie

October 20th: Parmesan chicken strips, carrots & broccoli, potato wedges, fruit & cookie

October 27th: Pizza, fruit & cookie

After School Program

All students, K-5, are welcome to attend the after school program from 3-5:30pm Monday through Thursday.  A fee of twenty dollars per afternoon will be billed at the end of each month or fifteen dollars if your child receives financial aid. We meet outside the K-2 building at the picnic tables to have a snack and then begin our activity for that day ...Mondays: Art Projects, Tuesdays: Swimming at the Rec. Center, Wednesdays: Projects and Initiatives (Including cooking), Thursdays: Library Visit.  All pick-ups will be on campus.  Starting this week, from 5:15 to 5:30, all children will be near the upper campus parking lot for pick-up.  If you want to pick up your child earlier please park in the upper parking lot and walk down to the K-2 building.  This is due to risk involved with climbing the hill by the K-2 Building, especially as it gets snowy and icy. Please contact Nate or Erin to arrange an alternative if this is not possible for you based on specific needs. On travel days we will leave each site by 5pm. Erin Smith is running the program this year and can be reached during after school hours by cell phone at 307-690-0192 or by email erin.smith@journeysschool.org  Please try to notify her of your child's participation in the program by Monday of each week. 

Containers Needed

If you have any mason jars with lids or other similar containers with lids hanging out in a cabinet not being used we would like them.  We will be collecting these containers to make paint available for family group projects. You can drop off containers in the Pre-K mud room...we are hoping for about fifty. Thank you.

What the Research Says on Parent Involvement

From Pen Notes Published by Parent Education Network Lobban Buffalo, WY   www.wpen.net

"Parent involvement of almost any kind improves student success and self-esteem." By being present and actively involved in your child's life you increase the likelihood of them earning higher grades, attending school regularly, having better social skills and behavior, and of graduating and continuing on to post-secondary education.  "Parent involvement means being apart of every phrase of a child's education and development from birth to adulthood." At the Journeys School you can learn more about your child's life, development and education by attending Parent Council meetings, Curriculum Nights, Learning Team Meetings and by volunteering in the classroom. We welcome your involvement and your inquiries and believe those efforts enrich your child's life.

Reminder: No School on Friday October 6th or Monday October 9th, Enjoy the Long Weekend!

Support the Journeys School annual fund by 

ordering Journeys School Organic Coffee.  Online: www.FreshOrganicCoffee.com/journeys.html  

or call (307) 733-8046

Pre-Kindergarten

Announcements

Curriculum Night

On October 11th from 6-7:15pm we will host our first Curriculum Night to inform parents about our philosophy, curriculum and threads that are being followed in the classroom. Please join us in the Pre-K classroom to participate in these discussions. A sign up to volunteer to bring in light refreshments for the evening will be in the parent zone. We value this opportunity to gather and talk with all of our Pre-K parents, and we will make ample time for questions. Childcare will be provided.  Please RSVP by Friday, October 6 so we can provide enough childcare.  Look for a flyer with more information in your child's mailbox this week.

If your child catches a cold...

If your child is sick or will be late please call Charlie at extension 1105.  He will pass on this information to Rhonda. 

Check Out the Parent Zone!

There are volunteer opportunities posted on the Table with the sign in-sheet and information on the wall opposite the blue couch, please come check it out and sign up for something that interests you.

Labels, Labels, Labels

Everywhere, Everywhere, Please!

In addition to every other place we have asked you to write your child's name, here is one more, on their Tupperware. Thank you, we really appreciate it!

Kudos!

Thank you to Chris, Kirsten's dad, for making sturdy hula hoops for outdoor play and larger rolling pins to be used in the classroom with clay and playdough. They are being used regularly!

Thank you to Ruby Jones for donating an Ant Farm to our classroom.  We have taken walks outside to look for ants this past week and hope to find some, though we are beginning to speculate that it maybe too cold.

Curricular Updates

Social Skill of the Week: Recognizing Feelings

This past week we focused on recognizing each other's feelings.  On Monday we read, "How Are You Peeling? Foods with Moods", and on Friday we acted out our feelings with our peers.  We talked about the importance of those different feelings, what they are associated with and how we can respond when our classmates feel a certain way.

Family Week

Last week, Lucy's Parents, Liza and Andrew, provided two engaging experiences in and outside of the Pre-K classroom.  On Tuesday, the four and five years journeyed to Jackson Hole Therapeutic Horse Back Riding Association and C Bar V to learn how horse back riding helps adults and children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy. They learned new "horse" terminology, helped feed the horses and watched students ride.

On Friday, Andrew visited the classroom to share his work experience. Children got an opportunity to work at different construction stations to build a coat rack and a set of stairs. It was an empowering experience for students to work responsibly with real tools and create a usable product.

Thank you to both Liza and Andrew for providing these enriching experiences.

Exploring Autumn with All of Our Senses

Throughout this past week, children have had opportunities to hike along the hillsides of Coyote Cannon in search of signs of fall...they found changing colors, falling leaves, missing ants, frosty sticks, and chiller air. Through excursions such as these children develop a greater sense of place in this world and are stimulated by the exciting environment beyond our walls. We continue to encourage children to experience their environment fully through their visual, tactile, olfactory and emotional senses. Later in the week children made visible those earlier experiences through leaf printing and splatter painting with natural objects.

Announcements

Thank Yous

A huge thank you to Jen and Walt Foley, Carin McConaughy- Munn, Dana Sara, John Speers for participating in our Journey to the Teton Mountain Resort.

Thank you to Tessa Johnson for donating some fantastic educational games and puzzles to our K-2 classroom. The students (and teachers) are thrilled! We appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Thank you to Lee Lee Robinson for donating the book,  “A Basket of Bangles How a Business Begins.”  It is written by a local author, Ginger Howard and is a book about women in Bangladesh starting a business.

Thank you to Jen Foley for taking the time to catalogue the K-2 Library in the South Den. This was greatly appreciated by all of the K-2 students and faculty.

Pre-K and Kindergarten Get Together

Each week we have two times built into the schedule for Pre-K and Kindergarten interactions.  These interactions provide a time to maintain friendships, build new relationships and give all a chance to try on new roles in a multi-age setting.  It also means the Kindergartners still get to spend time with Mandy and Charlie (Pre-K teachers) every week!  This kind of commitment to social development and community is a key part of Journeys School philosophy.  So far the group has enjoyed exploring smells together.  This blends a study of smells in Pre-K with our K-2 theme of explorations.  We have read books, had groups discussions, played games and participated in hands on experiments together.  We look forward to sharing our theme and interests with Pre-K and we look forward to learning about their interests, as well.

Long Weekend

In honor of Dia day la Raza and Columbus Day, there will be no school this Friday or next Monday. Have a great long weekend.

Curricular Updates

K-2 explores Teton Village!

Last Wednesday, the K-2 class started off their journey by exploring parents at their jobs in Teton Village. A huge thanks to the following parents who took time out of their busy work day to show us what they do all day while we are at school… Walt Foley, Risk Manager of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Carin McConaughy- Munn, Sales Manager of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and John Speers, General Manager of 4 Seasons Resort. When it was time for our tram ride, we met up with two naturalists from the Mountain Resort who joined us on our exploration of Rendezvous Mountain. Both naturalists were very impressed with our students’ knowledge of the flora and fauna of Jackson. Thanks to all parents for sending your children with plenty of warm clothes and great field lunches! We also appreciate Dean Munn, Jenn Foley and Dana Sara’s participation on our journey!

K-2 fall journey NEXT WEEK!

Our essential question this week is, Who were Olaus and Mardy Murie? On Wednesday, October 4th, we will be journeying to Kelly Campus of Teton Science Schools to explore the Murie Museum and then continue our exploration at The Murie Center in Moose to answer that important question. That evening, from 5:00 until 5:45, we will have a spaghetti dinner for students and their families here in the Jackson Campus’ Dining Lodge. Thank you in advance to parents who offered to bring dessert or salad, OR if you offered to help prepare the spaghetti on Wednesday! Be on the lookout for a reminder note in your child’s folder today with more details.

Announcements

Grades 3-5 Curriculum Night

Thank you to all the parents who joined us for our first Grades 3-5 Curriculum Night last Tuesday.  If you were unable to attend, information about the Fall Journey to the Murie Center (including a supply list and a Murie Center risk release form) was sent home in your child’s folder last week.  Parents, please note that Grades 3-5 will not host a curriculum night on the evening of October 19, as originally scheduled.  This meeting was moved to September because of conflicting Journey dates.

Fall Journey Payment

If you have not already done so, please send in your child’s Fall Journey fee and the Murie Center risk release form as soon as possible.  Checks for $75.00 can be made out to Journeys School or Teton Science Schools, and should be sent to school in your child’s folder.  Thank you for being prompt!

Curriculum Updates

Cozy Up Day

Families, please join us for Cozy Up Day from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. this Thursday, October 5th.  Cozy Up Day is a Journeys School tradition, during which we will celebrate our hard work in reading and writing workshop.  The schedule for the morning is as follows:

                  8:15-8:45 Morning Meeting

                  8:45-10:00 Reading Marathon

                  10:00-10:30 Recess/Snack

                  10:30-11:30 Writing Workshop Story Share

                  11:30-12:00 Writing and Reading Pathways Parade

                  12:00-12:30 Lunch with Book Share

Families are welcome to join us for all or part of the morning on Thursday.  If you do join us, please bring a book to read!  Students have the option of wearing their pajamas to school on Cozy Up Day.  Even so, please make sure your child is adequately dressed to go out to recess.  If you prefer, feel free to send your child with a change of clothes to wear later in the day. If you are interested in providing a special snack for Cozy Up Day, please contact Sarah at extension 1127. 

Everyday Mathematics Parent Homeroom

We would like to inform parents of an online resource

available to assist with Everyday Mathematics questions that

might arise as parents help children with homework.  At everydaymath.uchicago.edu there is a Parent’s Homeroom section where parents can find a glossary, sample games, background information, and the family letter for each unit of each grade level.  We encourage you to use this resource!  You will also find links to supplemental materials if you should find yourself in need of math tools or reinforcement work at home.

Announcements

Ask you kids about Dia de la Raza!

Curricular Updates

Because of the multiple levels of courses now available in the Middle School, we have decided to report on math, language arts and life skills one week and science, social science and Spanish the next.  Stay tuned for more after fall break!

Level 1 Math

Level 1 math class is exploring and reviewing prime numbers, factors and multiples. These foundations of mathematics are essential for working with fractions and understanding numeric patterns that appear in everyday life. Ask your child to teach you the factor game or product game and see if you can win (they have all become quite good).

Level 1A Math

Level 1A math is off to a great start.  We have begun the year by reviewing concepts that students were introduced to last year, and are now beginning to build off of these familiar concepts and principles as new material is introduced.  Topics covered thus far include reviewing multiplication tables and patterns, reading number ranges and calculating averages, examining arrays and factors, and manipulating fractions.  There is a fun and positive family atmosphere that seems to pervade our small class, and the students are enjoying it thus far. 

Level 2 Math

Level 2 math has begun our first unit of the year, Variables and Patterns. These investigations help students understand that variables are those quantities that change, such as time, temperature, a TV show’s popularity, distance traveled and speed. Students also learn that patterns describe a regular or predictable change in data as well as show relationships among the variables. Students are also learning essential math skills such as using algorithms and their graphing calculators for finding the least common multiple and the greatest common factor.

Level 3 Math

Level 3 math has just completed examining linear relationships and moved into nonlinear relationships. By measuring the strength of paper bridges compared to their thickness or length, students are using tangible data analyze relationships using equation models and graph models. It is extremely challenging to maintain close translations between the real world and mathematical models, but by constantly explaining and connecting our answers to the original scenario, we are making headway to close the gap! Ask your child to tell you my favorite school. (Hint: it starts with a “b”).

Algebra 1

The middle school is offering an algebra 1 tutorial for those students who have completed all three levels of middle school math. This course is computer-based and Margot meets one-on-one with her students. We have just finished a unit on real numbers and currently are working on a polynomials unit. Periodically, we will work on joint projects with other classes, practicing presenting and teaching algebra concepts to other middle school students.

Language Arts

We are using a new program this year to review and reinforce basic skills in areas of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar and usage. Daily Oral Language Plus gives students repeated opportunities to develop and to practice oral language and proofreading skills. Every language arts class (we have 4 classes a week) we do a 5-15 minute mini-lesson from this program. These mini lessons consist of 2-4 sentences that the students proofread and correct individually in their personal workbooks. The class then corrects the sentences on the board, discussing and debating why the sentence is corrected in a particular way. Once the class has determined the proper revisions, and we have explained the various rules and concepts involved, we rewrite the sentences correctly in the space provided in their workbooks. We began this program the second week of school and was pleasantly surprised at how excited the students were to proof, edit and discuss the corrections. They were engaged and talking about the nitty-gritty of writing! Fun for all—not just the language arts lover!

Life Skills

Life Skills kicked off the year during the fall journey in Yellowstone, where students were introduced to the class and some of the curriculum that will be covered.  Students were introduced to the concept of social cognition, and the development of social cognition during this period of their life.  A lively discussion ensued on the topic of "coolness", and what exactly it means to "be cool".  It appears that there may be many different interpretations of this term!  Approximately half of the middle school students will continue with life skills class for the next 6 weeks, while the other half will be participating in P.E. with Ryan Bolton.  At the end of the six week period, the two groups will then switch.  Life Skills will meet every Wednesday afternoon.

Announcements

Speech and Debate

Journeys upper school students are eligible to participate as members of the Jackson Hole High School Speech and Debate team. Interested students are asked to meet Monday afternoons at 3:30pm in the JHHS library. There will be a mandatory parent meeting on Oct. 4 at 5:30 pm at the JHHS library at which time team coaches Mark Houser and Matt Daly will introduce themselves, the program, and expectations they hold for student participants. More information can be collected from Mark at safeschools@wyoming.com.

Thank you

Thanks to Patricia Rocha for meeting with upper school Spanish students at the library to give a tour of the Spanish language materials and an overview of their Latino services. She brings wonderful wisdom and encouragement to why we are learning Spanish!

Upper School Speakers

United Nations Presentation: Bill Yotive, of the United Nations Department of Public Information, provided upper school students with an opportunity to learn more about the UN this past week. His talk was especially practical in that 9-11th graders will be taking part in a Model UN Simulation in mid-November. Mr. Yotive gave an interactive speech that was both engaging and educational for the students. Among other topics, he discussed peacekeeping, human rights work (touching upon the complexity of humanitarian aid within this issue), environmental issues and reform. Within each of these topics he also addressed UN successes and failures and the criticisms specific to each topic with the hope it will help students understand the limitations of the UN system. The students asked many poignant questions of our guest and should be proud of the way the represented our school.

The upper school would like to thank Danielle Maloney and Susie Rauch of Inter-Connections 21, a local non-profit, for making the United Nations visit possible.

Curricular Updates

Math 5: Geometry

During the first weeks of Math 5, we have been introducing the terms and tools of geometry. Students have worked on making geometrical designs with straightedge and compass, begun to use the dynamic software “Geometer’s Sketchpad” and carefully defined and practiced the basic concepts on which the rest of the course will be built.  In the following weeks we will introduce the techniques of inductive and deductive reasoning.  We will also begin learning how to construct many different geometric relationships, using straight edge and compass, Sketchpad, and paper folding.  The course will then focus extensively on discovering and proving properties of geometric figures.

Math 6: Advanced Algebra/Pre-calculus

What do sine, cosine, and tangent really mean?  The Math 6 class has been exploring the foundations of trigonometry using the “Trig Trainer”, a hands-on, detailed tool for understanding how trigonometry is built on the idea of angles in a unit circle.  These activities provide an opportunity to review previously learned concepts while deepening understanding and introducing new topics, such as radian measure and basic trigonometric identities.  We have applied trigonometry to find the height of campus buildings using a homemade sextant.  Next week we will derive and apply the Laws of Sines and Cosines and see if we can use them to design a way to measure the height of the butte on campus.  Students will also explore what is meant by the “Ambiguous Case”, and find a new formula for the area of a triangle.   The course will then move into graphing and applying trigonometric functions, modeling situations with parametric equations, and graphing equations in polar coordinates.

Look for the editorial next week.

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© 2005, Basecamp News, Journeys School of Teton Science Schools.