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Oct.-Nov.
2003 Parent Newsletter
Open
House event set for October 13
Parents and community members are
invited to attend the Community Schoolhouse Open House on Monday, Oct. 13, from
6:30 to 8 p.m. at the school. The
event will feature informal tours of the school, an overview of the
instructional program, and recognition of the school’s community supporters.
Refreshments will be served. Please R.S.V.P. for this event by Wednesday, Oct. 8 by
calling 503-763-8958. Because of
limited space at the school, we are requesting that parents do not bring
additional family members to the Open House. Parent Booster Club to meet on October 16 Parents interested in participating in the Community
Schoolhouse Parent Booster Club are invited to attend the group's first
meeting of the 2003-04 school year on Thursday, October 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the
school. The Parent Booster Club was officially formed in February 2003 to assist
with and coordinate fundraising projects, coordinate school events and
activities (such as the graduation/year-end celebration), generate in-kind
contributions (such as equipment, supplies and services), and provide additional
staff support. A member of the Community Schoolhouse staff and Board of Directors are assisting the parent group.
For additional information, contact Tom DeJardin at 503-763-8958. Mark
your calendars for upcoming inservices, holidays There will be no school for Community
Schoolhouse students on the following days (please note exception on Oct.
31):
Change
in Grading Periods This year, there is a change in the grading periods and the
dates that parents can expect progress reports and grade reports.
The reason for the change is to increase communication with parents and
students on academic progress. In
addition, credit in classes will now be awarded each quarter and added to the
student’s transcripts. The goal
is to help students not fall behind in their course work.
Dates to be aware of:
School
welcomes two new staff members
The Community Schoolhouse
welcomes two new part-time staff members to the school’s Special Education
team.
Students participate in ropes course teambuilding activity
Students will be divided by class groups and will attend the
teambuilding activities on separate days. Parent permission slips, which were
distributed on September 15, must be signed and returned to the school by
September 22 in order for your student to participate.
If you have questions, please call the Community Schoolhouse at
503-763-8958. Instructional Updates
This year, the Science & Society block for the boy and
the girl groups is focusing on the historical and scientific developments of the
20th century as they relate to the United States and the world.
Beginning with World War II and ending with the turn of the century, students
will explore themes revolving around political, economic, social, technological,
and scientific changes that have shaped our lives.
The themes of study are:
Students will receive 1.0 credit
each in Integrated Science/Chemistry and 20th Century Studies II. Goals of the Course: ·
Describe the interaction of people, culture and ideas ·
Describe economic and technologic developments and their
effect on society ·
Describe the relationship of people and their geographic
environment ·
Analyze American politics and political thought ·
Describe and analyze the role of the United States in the
world ·
Describe the influence of science and technology on society,
economics, and culture ·
Use the scientific method to pose questions and conduct
investigations ·
Explore the nature, structure, and properties of matter in
order to explain phenomena in the world and the universe ·
Explore the relationship of nature, gender and society Assignments: The work students do in Science
& Society will earn credit in two classes at the same time. Because of this,
completing and turning in work is essential. All work produced in this block
should represent a student's best efforts. Neatness, organization, detail,
completeness, creativity, clarity and insight are important characteristics of
all work submitted. All assignments given in the
Science & Society Block will be posted online at: http://www.communityschoolhouse.org/science&society2003-04.htm
If you have any questions, please
contact Andrew Goldstein &
Molly Kellar
at (503) 763-8958 or by email at: molly@communityschoolhouse.org
andrew@communityschoolhouse.org n
MATH & BODYWORKS Note: There
are three teachers in the Math & Bodyworks block. One-third of the students in each of the boys’ and girls’
blocks are studying Math with Rick Schindler while two-thirds of the students
are studying the workings of the body in an integrated curriculum of Applied
Chemistry and Health with Heather Burns and
Ryan Kinnett.
At the end of each term (Fall-Winter-Spring), teachers will rotate and
students will subsequently be enrolled in that teacher’s (or teaching
team’s) specialty. Introduction
to Statistics and Problem Solving.
The students are currently learning the basics of data displays and
measures of central tendency. Later
in the term students will learn sampling techniques, significance testing, and
other statistical methodologies. Rick’s
Algebra I students are studying linear
relationships as they occur in business and nature. The students are learning how to recognize linear patterns
numerically and manipulate information symbolically. Applied
Chemistry. Currently, the
students have learned basic chemistry terminology that will be used throughout
the term. The focus thus far has
been on the Periodic Table of Elements and the elements that make up the human
body. Students are exploring what
makes up the human body and why. Soon
students will be transitioning into the chemistry of nutrition. They'll learn
about all the vitamins and minerals and evaluate whether they are getting what
they need to be healthy. Wellness. During
September and October students will be studying a unit titled “Brain
Basics”. During this unit
students will explore the regions of the brain and their function, the structure
of neurons and the role they play in brain activity, and the impact chemicals
have on the function of the brain and nervous system.
Students will also explore the effect of chemical abuse on individuals,
families, the local community and our society as a whole.
Classes will be required to propose solutions to the difficult problems
faced by our community and country regarding the issue of drug and alcohol
addiction. n
LANGUAGE ARTS The Language Arts team of Kristina
Keyzers and Ron Burkhart
are eagerly anticipating another great year in the
world of literature and reading. One
foundation of the program is student journaling, and like last year students are
journaling about selected topics and/or whatever is on their minds.
Coupled with journal writing will be a continued pursuit of literature.
This year one or two novels will be read to the classes. The first selection is Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. The first three weeks of Language Arts academic program are
centered around the basics of writing. Essays
focusing on nouns and strong verbs and adjectives highlight in-class writing.
Next is the exploration of individual personalities and helping students
see that different personality types often can work well together to accomplish
a task. Short story and novel units will be
interspersed with fine arts lessons in a new course (Contemporary Issues in
Literature) offered this year to all blocks.
The goal is to promote the fine arts and start discussions and dialogue
on many topics. n INTEGRATED STUDIES The new
Integrated Studies program, coordinated by teacher Diane Millican, has
been well received by the students. This self-contained classroom has a
strong emphasis on increasing skills in all academic areas with the main focus
being on reading and math. The school has implemented the READ 180 program, which is a
multi-task, computer-based curriculum. Students
rotate through three centers in the classroom. Each center has a specific
focus. The computer program was
developed to increase skills in all areas of Language Arts: Spelling, Writing,
Fluency, Comprehension, Decoding and Speaking. The Audio Center allows
student students to read any of the books available, regardless of the level of
difficulty. Or students can choose to select a book that matches their
predetermined "Lexile" score and read independently in the quiet
reading area of the classroom. From their, students move to the Direct
Instruction Area where the emphasis will be on increasing the skills needed in
written language for successfully passing state required competencies. The Excel Math program is being continued from last year.
This program was developed so that students increase concept understandings in
ever increasing levels of difficulty. Students work in three centers, the
first being the Direct Teaching Center where emphasis is on working with
hands-on materials so students can make sense of the book work. Students
then transition to the Book Center where there is a teacher available to answer
specific questions. The last group is the Independent Center in which
students continue the same work that has been demonstrated. Both of these
programs allow for the students to move from group to group throughout the
morning. The afternoon block is used to teach Science and Health.
The focus for Science this term is Oceanography. Students are involved
with the Voyage of the Mimi, a program that tracks the progress of a group of
whale researchers off the coast of Maine. They are tracking a pod of
humpback whales. As part of this curriculum students will be going to the
Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport on October 7. They will be
reconstructing the bones of a Bairds whale, taking a research tour of the
estuary and looking at specific marine habitats. The class will leave at
8:30 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. The
cost per student is $3.50. Necessary forms will be sent home by October 1.
On Fridays the students will be involved with the JASON
project, an online Geography/Science program that allows students to interact
directly with scientists doing several types of research in Panama. This
program is rich with learning opportunities and will be the focus of instruction
for classroom assistant Cynthia Barthuly, who has a Bachelor of Science
degree in Cultural Anthropology. It will be a very busy, full year for the Integrated Studies
Program and students and staff are excited about the possibilities.
Note: Special thanks to the Salem-Keizer School District Curriculum Department staff for all their assistance in setting up the Community Schoolhouse's Read 180 program. The Curriculum staff have been so helpful and responsive to our school's requests regarding the planning and implementation of the Read 180 program -- as well as any other curriculum inquiries. As one of many "clients" that the Curriculum department serves, the Community Schoolhouse sincerely appreciates their extra efforts for the students and staff of Salem-Keizer School District.
Bridge students are enrolled in a wide range of courses
(depending on their needs for graduation) from World History to Biology to
English Literature and more. They
work at the Community Schoolhouse and also work at home vis-à-vis the
Internet.
Baseball has been an important part
of America’s pastime for more than 150 years. While baseball has influenced
many political, economic and social changes within American society, the game
and its strategies have been significantly influenced by the knowledge of
science, math and technology. In
the Bridge Program’s Science in Society class, students will study American
History and Physics through the lens of baseball. Students will complete
activities and assignments that enhance their social studies and scientific
knowledge and, at the same time, learn why Walt Whitman said, "The game of
ball is glorious." Credits Offered
All assignments given in the Bridge
Science & Society class will be posted online at: http://www.communityschoolhouse.org/science&society2003-04.htm
If you have any questions, please
contact Andrew Goldstein &
Molly Kellar at (503) 763-8958 or by email at: molly@communityschoolhouse.org
andrew@communityschoolhouse.org n
ENRICHMENT
& REMEDIATION (ER) Drama.
Drama is back! Many students at the Community Schoolhouse will be
exploring their dramatic sides in ER's Theater Arts class.
This class is held after school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Students will be participating in theater games, characterization role
plays, and short skits, and each student will be doing a monologue in front of
the class. Events planned for the
year include a guided tour of Willamette University's theater, seeing a play at
the Pentacle Theatre, possible playwriting and directing opportunities, and
hopefully a spring production! On
Fridays, students will also be participating in the film appreciation unit of
our class. We are looking forward
to a wonderful year full of laughter, tears, and great acting. Student
Organization and Yearbook. This
year, two classes were combined to form the new Student Organization/Yearbook
morning ER class. Students have the
choice to participate in one or both of the focus areas.
The Student Organization will be focusing on planning schoolwide
activities, including themed school parties and a Spirit Week in November.
They will also be working with the student body and staff to have a more
"green" school and to get more participation in community outreach
activities. The Yearbook class will be working on documenting all events
throughout the year as well as organizing and planning activities with the
Student Organization.
The
Community Schoolhouse currently has a very full P.E. class meeting at the YMCA
three times a week. Students are
attending regularly and participating in a variety of activities.
Another component of these Local Action Projects is Community
Education. Students will be
carefully documenting their projects and produce a variety of Community
Education pieces to be shared with various community members and organizations.
Also, stay tuned for an updated Web site, which will serve as the main
platform for Global Collaboration. Senior Class Information Some important information
concerning the Class of 2004:
Schedule for SAT Tests
for 4-year College Admissions
·
Senior Pictures. Students who wish to have senior pictures taken and have them
included in the yearbook will need to have their senior picture taken and
submitted to the yearbook staff by early January.
·
Graduation Orders. The representative of Herff-Jones, the company who supplies
the cap, gowns, and announcements, will be at the building in the month of
December.
·
Senior Class Graduation Committee.
Those seniors and parents wishing to be on the planning committee for
graduation, please contact Molly at 503-763-8958.
·
Mandatory Senior Class Meetings.
Seniors are required to attend senior class meeting the first Monday of
each month from 1:45 – 2:30 p.m. at the school. These meetings are for the
purpose of providing assistance and guidance for Senior Projects, as well as
planning senior class events. P.S.A.T. tests for Juniors Juniors thinking about applying for entrance to a 4-year
college or university may want to consider taking the P.S.A.T. test.
This is a preliminary SAT test for college entrance and gives students a
good indication on how well they will do on the SAT’s their senior year.
Many scholarships are also available based upon scores earned on the PSAT
test. Juniors wishing to take the PSAT
must register at their neighborhood high school (South, Sprague, North, West,
McKay, or McNary) before Saturday, October 18.
The test will be administered on that day (October 18) at the high
schools. There is a $20
registration fee that needs to be paid to the host school.
Contact your neighborhood high school for more information. |
|
contact: school@communityschoolhouse.org |
The
21st Century
Dona Aldrich
Cynthia Barthuly
Community Schoolhouse
n
n
Physical
Education
International
Schoolhouse.