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Parent
Newsletter – December 2000
End of Term – December 7 The
first academic term for The Community Schoolhouse ends Thursday, Dec. 7.
There will be no classes or mentorship activities for students on Friday,
Dec. 8, which is a staff work day. The
Community Schoolhouse will be closed for winter break from Dec. 11, 2000
through Jan. 2, 2001. Students are
to return to school on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001. First
term report cards will mailed to parents during the winter break. Community
Schoolhouse report cards are tailored specifically for our school’s
instructional programs. A
traditional Salem-Keizer School District report card will be distributed at the
end of the school year. The 21st Century Community Schoolhouse
Levels of Mastery system (see “Documenting Student Achievement” section on
page 19 of the Parent-Student Handbook) will be used to assign letter grades and
credits for this district report card. Tardy Policy Effective
immediately, The Community Schoolhouse is implementing
the following policy in order to alleviate disruption due to student tardies:
Schedule
Change As
we near the end of the school’s first term, Community Schoolhouse staff
has evaluated student performance in relation to the school’s daily schedule.
Staff concluded – based on the diverse educational needs of the student
population – that it is necessary to make a minor adjustment in the school’s
daily schedule. Please see the enclosed letter for important information
regarding this schedule change.
“A
Brave New World” Project Last
month parents received a letter explaining “A Brave New World” – our
schoolwide term project that each student is working on from November
20-December 6, 2000. The project is a performance task that requires students to
integrate knowledge and information acquired in classes during the first term.
The project integrates several subject areas and will be evaluated and
assessed by teachers from each of your child’s classes. This project will earn
up to 25% of your child’s grade in each of their academic blocks. Parents
are encouraged to review the project and timeline with their son/daughter.
Staff encourages parents to discuss and interact with their child as they
complete their work. Parental
guidance, support and monitoring on projects and major assignments are often the
key factors that result in success. A
link to “A Brave New World” project is on the school’s Web site at: http://www.communityschoolhouse.org/brave_new_world.htm Adopt-A-Family
Holiday Program The
Community Schoolhouse, in
cooperation with The Salvation Army and Salem-Keizer School District’s
Homeless Children & Families Program, is "adopting" two local
families this holiday season. This schoolwide project offers Community Schoolhouse students, parents and staff a unique opportunity to reach out to those in need in the Salem-Keizer community. It provides our school community with a personal way of brightening this year’s holiday season for those less-fortunate.
We are seeking cash donations to purchase food and a variety of gifts in support of our two special, adopted families. The requested gift ideas are listed on tags on our school’s Holiday Giving Tree, as well as on our school Web site. Select a tag/item and purchase a new gift for our adopted families. Please bring your unwrapped gift or cash donation to The Community Schoolhouse by 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8.
Our
goal is to collect enough contributions to help support the basic needs of these
two families, as well as provide them with an extra special holiday
experience. Please join us in giving thanks this holiday season by helping those
in need in our community. For additional information, please call The
Community Schoolhouse at 503-763-8958. Volunteers
Still Needed Volunteers are still needed in a variety of instructional and support areas at the Community Schoolhouse. Please contact Ryan Kinnett, instructional assistant, by phone at 503-763-8958, or by email at: ryan@communityschoolhouse.org if you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering at the school. A current list of school volunteers is available on our Web site at: http://www.communityschoolhouse.org/volunteers.htm.
Our biggest need for volunteers is during the school’s Enrichment and Remediation time from 1:45 – 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. (See Schedule Change is this newsletter for an explanation of the Enrichment and Remediation time.)
Additionally,
The Community Schoolhouse continues to seek parents to serve on the
school’s 21st Century Site Council and Local School Advisory Committee (LSAC).
If
you are interested in serving on either of these committees, please contact Tom
DeJardin, the school’s executive director, at 503-763-8958 or via email at
tom@communityschoolhouse.org. Mentor
Program Update
Many Community Schoolhouse students have been matched with community mentors and began their Friday internships in November. Other students will be placed as mentorship matches become available and students complete the required course assignments. Students not already participating in internships are expected to be at school on Fridays from 8:40 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
If
you are interested in becoming a mentor or receiving more information, contact
Heather Burns, Community Classroom teacher, at 503-763-8958 or by email at heather@communityschoolhouse.org. A current list of mentorship sites for Community Schoolhouse students is available on our Web site at: http://www.communityschoolhouse.org/mentoring_program.htm.
A
Message from the Board Dear
Parents: “We’ve
received so many compliments and expressions of thanks from parents of students
who are flourishing at the Community Schoolhouse! For those parents who have offered their support, the holiday
season provides an excellent opportunity to make a donation to The 21st
Century Community Schoolhouse. Our
students deserve a top-quality education, and your extra support can make this
experience even more enriching for them. Please
consider making a tax-deductible contribution to The Community Schoolhouse as a
gift to yourself, your child, and your child’s fellow students.” Sincerely,
The
21st Century Community Schoolhouse |
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contact: school@communityschoolhouse.org |
The
21st Century