Monday May 7th, 2007
Dear Parents and Middle School Students,
We are going camping again! We are going to the Deschutes River State Recreation Area. We are going Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning, May 30th – June 1st. It should be great fun and much sunnier and warmer than our last few trips.
We need drivers! Our carpools will be loaded and on the way from Trillium around 1:00 Wednesday. We are encouraging the students to have already eaten lunch or eat lunch at school before leaving.
It is about an hour and a half drive depending on traffic along I-84. The campground is just past The Dalles in the Columbia Gorge. We shall leave for home from Deschutes River by 10:30 am Friday, and you can pick up your students at the usual end-of-school time (12:00 pm). Please decide on whether or not you can chaperone, help with meals and facilitate the cooking, and/or volunteer to drive back and forth. Let your advisor or liaison know as soon as possible
We also will have email sign-up, phone calls, and a list at the front desk and with each advisor. Parent support makes this trip run smoothly. Since we have about 20 more students in the middle school this year, and extra chaperone or two will be greatly appreciated.
As a staff we came up with a list of essentials for each student to bring:
Sleeping bag
Tent (please bring an extra to loan if you have one!)
Flashlight
Rain gear (you never know)
Sunscreen (it will probably be hot!)
2 pairs of pants (shorts good too)
2-3 short sleeve shirts
1 long sleeve shirt
1 jacket (this is important: it is always cold in the morning)
2 pairs of shoes
4 pairs of socks
Reading material
Journal (if you wish)
Frisbee, kite, football, games etc.
1 plastic bag
1 garbage bag
We have been asked about swimming. The Deschutes River can be unpredictable in certain times of year and we have NEVER allowed the students to swim. Wading and enjoying some calm waters is not out of the question, and the park rangers will help us make this call. It is not encouraged however, and we will have chaperones accompanying folks down to the river at all times. Please do not pack a swimsuit for your student.
It can be very chilly and windy at any time in the gorge, even when the sun is shining beautifully. Be prepared by dressing in layers, and don’t forget a jacket of some sort that will cut the wind factor. It always gets cold at night. Have warm, dry clothes available.
On this trip there will be required group activities led by parent volunteers and staff members after lunch both days (2-4 p.m.), as well as after campfire each night. This might include trips to the river, the surrounding forest (filled with Oriole nests), hiking, bacci, Frisbee, touch football, jump rope, badminton, and more. There will be plenty of time to read, hang out with friends, and have quiet time to oneself.
There are some rules of course, and some things to leave behind:
• Your teacher will be organizing the sleeping arrangements in the tents. Once this is done NO ONE may move or change tents. Consider this rule set in stone. Lights out at 10:30 p.m. and this is also the signal for quiet time. If students cannot settle, they will be moved. Boys and girls sleep separately without exception.
• Please DO NOT bring along any electronic devices (this includes Walkmans, CD players, Gameboys, PSPs etc.). We are camping. Feel free to bring an acoustic musical instrument, board games, cards, books, or a song!
• Snacks will be provided so please, NO soda, NO candy, and NO sugary snacks. If you have a student with blood sugar issues, let the staff know.
• The adults will be doing the cooking. There is no need for you to bring matches, knives of any sort (even Swiss Army or Leatherman tools), campfire hatches, or tools of any kind.
• There will be parent chaperones sleeping over and helping with the carpool. Please consider every parent as a staff member of Trillium on this trip and give him or her the attention, gratitude, and respect that they deserve.
NOTE: If you have paid the beginning of the year activity fee it covers the price for the camping trip.
We hope that you and your student will participate in this end of the year event. It is a wonderful way to relax and reflect on how we have gotten to know each other. And please let us know, again, if you would like to help in any way. We need your support. We look forward to having a great time. Thank you!
Kurt, Tobie, Nick, and Kirk
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
SOLV Down By the RIverside
On Friday, Middle schoolers and their buddies worked on creating recycling stations for our school. We got a small SOLV grant to get bins, paint, and other materials. While we didn't finish, we got a strong start. It was nice to see the big buddies work with their little buddies to improve the school. In the bigger picture, Trillium students joined volunteers from all over the state for SOLV's Down By the RIverside Event.
We will be working over the next two weeks to finish up the project.
We will be working over the next two weeks to finish up the project.
Auction...way to go!
I attended the auction on Saturday. Five students from our advisory volunteered: Chris, Cortney, Ryan, Olive, and Isaac. I was so very impressed with all of the middle schoolers: they were focused, graceful, and hard-working. It was really awesome to see them give back to the school. The evening raised over 24,000 dollars for the Trillium.
The food and wine were excellent. It was also fun: there were great things to bid on--and great deals to be had. Put next year's auction on the calander--it was a good time.
The food and wine were excellent. It was also fun: there were great things to bid on--and great deals to be had. Put next year's auction on the calander--it was a good time.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Auction
Can you spend a few hours on Saturday helping out at the auction? If so you can get in for free or for a reduced ticket price.
There are lots of opportunities to volunteer - can you pick up items in the morning and deliver them to the site? could you spend some time decorating or setting up the silent auction? There is even the dreaded cleanup after the event!
If you volunteer for the auction you can purchase your ticket for $20.00 - this allows you a seat at a table, dinner and a bid number.
There are some volunteer jobs that won't allow you time to sit for dinner - these positions get you in for free. You will get a bid number and some dinner! If you would like to volunteer please contact Megan Dyer at benjamindyer@hotmail.com or 503-249-5880.
There are lots of opportunities to volunteer - can you pick up items in the morning and deliver them to the site? could you spend some time decorating or setting up the silent auction? There is even the dreaded cleanup after the event!
If you volunteer for the auction you can purchase your ticket for $20.00 - this allows you a seat at a table, dinner and a bid number.
There are some volunteer jobs that won't allow you time to sit for dinner - these positions get you in for free. You will get a bid number and some dinner! If you would like to volunteer please contact Megan Dyer at benjamindyer@hotmail.com or 503-249-5880.
S.O.S. (send outrageouslychocolately stuff)
Please help support the students work in their cocoa center. They created their own mugs, wrote a proposal to get it started, and created the space. But man, they burn through the cocoa. Please send in more...bulk or big containers fine. They don't seem to be picky.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Conferences are here!
We will be having conferences, no worries. Report cards were late coming out (they arrived Tuesday) and I took personal days on Thursday and Friday. But now, with the sun setting late, we have many hours of light to talk.
Like last time, please respond with a comment to "claim a spot". I will update the list as often as possible.
Wednesday May 16th
3:30 Edan's family
4:00
4:30
5:00
5:30
Thursday May 17th
3:30 Cedric's Family
4:00
4:30 Auryn's Family
5:30 Devon's Family
Monday May 21st
3:30 Chris's Family
4:00
4:30
Tuesday May 22nd
3:30 Emmoni's Family
4:00 Kennedy Family
4:30 Mira's Family
5:00 Devon's Family
Wednesday May 23rd
5:15
5:45
6:15 Colin's Family
Earlier work the best for me, but I have tried to create some later options for people on Wednesday. Call if you need a time that isn't shown.
Like last time, please respond with a comment to "claim a spot". I will update the list as often as possible.
Wednesday May 16th
3:30 Edan's family
4:00
4:30
5:00
5:30
Thursday May 17th
3:30 Cedric's Family
4:00
4:30 Auryn's Family
5:30 Devon's Family
Monday May 21st
3:30 Chris's Family
4:00
4:30
Tuesday May 22nd
3:30 Emmoni's Family
4:00 Kennedy Family
4:30 Mira's Family
5:00 Devon's Family
Wednesday May 23rd
5:15
5:45
6:15 Colin's Family
Earlier work the best for me, but I have tried to create some later options for people on Wednesday. Call if you need a time that isn't shown.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Presenting....The New Advising
Your student may be complaining about advising time. It is understandable, after all they went from having 75 minutes of unstructured social time, to a period where there are academic expectations and a need for focus. But don't despair, they still have 1/3 of advising for social time. We begin the class by checking in, getting announcements, having class meetings, and taking care of business. Then, students work on a focused choice while I hold individual conferences about framework and goals. Once students have their individual learning plan, their choices will support their learning goals. The final 20 minutes is a free time…student socialize, continue their work, or play community games.
We WILL be adding more things to advising, once we get into some good focus habits. We are (or okay, I am) currently working on transforming the expectation from "just hanging out" to one where students are meeting learning goals: independence, academic, and social. Basically, I envision an empowered learning community. It is hard to compete with My Space, but I think when student really start to feel how cool it is to take charge of their own learning, it will be worth it.
Once learning plans are created and students are in a good rhythm, then we will be expanding activities. We will be doing some role plays and creative learning games, looking at some social issues through a critical lens, organizing community service, doing art, etc. If we don’t get to this during q4, then we can hit the ground running come fall.
So far things are feeling better. The very chaotic feeling of the afternoons is being replaced with something calmer and more focused. Today I saw students read, draw, work on their ILP, and play games. It isn't perfect, but slowly students are starting to bring work or projects they want to do. It has been cool to see them look at the framework and begin to set goals. For Trillium to live up to its vision—creating a personalized, community based, independent learning environment, students need to develop and practice skills. Advising is where we begin.
“Our school treats students as actively involved learners who are building a personal knowledge of the world around them through action, experience, and reflection. The educational philosophies used are centered on contextual teaching and learning and constructivism. Contextual teaching and learning utilizes problem-based learning, collaborative/cooperative learning, project-based learning, service learning, and work-based learning.”
We WILL be adding more things to advising, once we get into some good focus habits. We are (or okay, I am) currently working on transforming the expectation from "just hanging out" to one where students are meeting learning goals: independence, academic, and social. Basically, I envision an empowered learning community. It is hard to compete with My Space, but I think when student really start to feel how cool it is to take charge of their own learning, it will be worth it.
Once learning plans are created and students are in a good rhythm, then we will be expanding activities. We will be doing some role plays and creative learning games, looking at some social issues through a critical lens, organizing community service, doing art, etc. If we don’t get to this during q4, then we can hit the ground running come fall.
So far things are feeling better. The very chaotic feeling of the afternoons is being replaced with something calmer and more focused. Today I saw students read, draw, work on their ILP, and play games. It isn't perfect, but slowly students are starting to bring work or projects they want to do. It has been cool to see them look at the framework and begin to set goals. For Trillium to live up to its vision—creating a personalized, community based, independent learning environment, students need to develop and practice skills. Advising is where we begin.
“Our school treats students as actively involved learners who are building a personal knowledge of the world around them through action, experience, and reflection. The educational philosophies used are centered on contextual teaching and learning and constructivism. Contextual teaching and learning utilizes problem-based learning, collaborative/cooperative learning, project-based learning, service learning, and work-based learning.”
Events of Importance
Report Card out within the Week (next 7 days)
May 19th
Trillium In Bloom Auction
Outdoor School
Sunday 20th-Thursday 24th
May 25th
Africa Night 6-9pm
Fundraiser for Student's Trip to Kenya
May 28th Memorial Day
Middle School Camp-Out
(THIS IS A DATE CHANGE TAKE NOTE)
May 30-June 1st
June 8th Talent Show
June 8th Field Day
June 9th graduation
June 9th
Possible 8th grade graduation trip
June 15th last day of school
May 19th
Trillium In Bloom Auction
Outdoor School
Sunday 20th-Thursday 24th
May 25th
Africa Night 6-9pm
Fundraiser for Student's Trip to Kenya
May 28th Memorial Day
Middle School Camp-Out
(THIS IS A DATE CHANGE TAKE NOTE)
May 30-June 1st
June 8th Talent Show
June 8th Field Day
June 9th graduation
June 9th
Possible 8th grade graduation trip
June 15th last day of school
My Big Trillium Lesson
This is a democratic school. There are many awesome things about Trillium, and there are many growing pains and challenges. Most problems will not be fixed for us, most challenges with not be solved by an administrator . If you or I see something we don’t like, it is on us to change it. I have not worked at a school that gives so much power—and responsibility-- to its staff and families. It can be overwhelming, because some thing you just want to be taken care of. But most experienced staff members at Trillium are dedicated to the democratic process, that answers come from the ground up. That means teachers and students and families are in change of creating the school they want to see. When there are problems, it is expected that solutions will come from the ground up, rather than the top down.
Those families that have contacted me with concerns and ideas—I have really tried to honor you by acting on them. I have learned change is slow and democracy is frustrating—but also that change is possible and happening. Keep letting me know about your experience, both positive and negative. I will do my best to represent you well. If you feel very strongly, I would love to work on a proposal with you.
Over this year I have see Trillium grow, settle, focus on things that have worked, and try new ideas when things haven't. It has been up and down at times. But the spring has really good energy, so I am excited about the last quarter of the year.
Those families that have contacted me with concerns and ideas—I have really tried to honor you by acting on them. I have learned change is slow and democracy is frustrating—but also that change is possible and happening. Keep letting me know about your experience, both positive and negative. I will do my best to represent you well. If you feel very strongly, I would love to work on a proposal with you.
Over this year I have see Trillium grow, settle, focus on things that have worked, and try new ideas when things haven't. It has been up and down at times. But the spring has really good energy, so I am excited about the last quarter of the year.
Exit Grant, Enter Trent
Grant, our Boffer and sometimes science teacher, took an exciting position on a research vessel. Trent will be stepping in to teach his vessel and science of metal armor class. Trent has over 14 years experience with the Society For Creative Anachronism (sword fighting and making his own armor), so the Boffer crew will have an experienced teacher.
Other Happenings of Interest (Catching Up)
Other pretty cool things that have been going on:
-Field trips. I have to say our advising has had a great quarter of field trips. Some of them have been wacky, some have been wet, but we have gone to many different places in the community and done things from fun and irreverent to serious and educational. The students did great by contributing to the planning process. We still have the next quarter which is empty, but some students have not planned their trips yet. I look forward to helping steer the upcoming adventures.
-Buddies. Not only have buddies gotten off the ground, this is now a student lead project. Each week we meet with the k,1,2 to do different activities. Auryn White is our Buddies Leader, and each week his is assisted by a different class member.
-Class Meetings. They can be painful and tedious. They can also be awesome when students bring up and discuss issues that are important to them. Your children have been running them, and they are getting better. Our discussions are more real, and proposals are happening. We should be drinking cocoa, finally, when our water cooler arrives next week.
-Service Learning. This year we did not get this off the ground. Next year I hope it will be a monthly—as it is supposed to be—element of our advising. I still have hopes to do a follow up service project in the upcoming months as a follow up to our last field trip to Northwest Medical Teams International. It was a pretty stark and moving exhibit that reminded us that Fridays are meant to be more than just field trips. Please keep you eyes open to see how you can help.
-Community Partnerships. As a science teacher I have a pretty cool partnership build with Purdue University and some local environmental groups to look at brownfields—local areas that have abandoned and often polluted. With this comes funding for some cool science experiments, and many great speakers from the community. This should be a very cool science experience.
There is still so much to do as an advisor, from making our space more pleasant, to being in better contact with families.
-Field trips. I have to say our advising has had a great quarter of field trips. Some of them have been wacky, some have been wet, but we have gone to many different places in the community and done things from fun and irreverent to serious and educational. The students did great by contributing to the planning process. We still have the next quarter which is empty, but some students have not planned their trips yet. I look forward to helping steer the upcoming adventures.
-Buddies. Not only have buddies gotten off the ground, this is now a student lead project. Each week we meet with the k,1,2 to do different activities. Auryn White is our Buddies Leader, and each week his is assisted by a different class member.
-Class Meetings. They can be painful and tedious. They can also be awesome when students bring up and discuss issues that are important to them. Your children have been running them, and they are getting better. Our discussions are more real, and proposals are happening. We should be drinking cocoa, finally, when our water cooler arrives next week.
-Service Learning. This year we did not get this off the ground. Next year I hope it will be a monthly—as it is supposed to be—element of our advising. I still have hopes to do a follow up service project in the upcoming months as a follow up to our last field trip to Northwest Medical Teams International. It was a pretty stark and moving exhibit that reminded us that Fridays are meant to be more than just field trips. Please keep you eyes open to see how you can help.
-Community Partnerships. As a science teacher I have a pretty cool partnership build with Purdue University and some local environmental groups to look at brownfields—local areas that have abandoned and often polluted. With this comes funding for some cool science experiments, and many great speakers from the community. This should be a very cool science experience.
There is still so much to do as an advisor, from making our space more pleasant, to being in better contact with families.
Liason
Liaison. Thanks to Genevieve for taking up the gauntlet. Thanks to those that help her out and make her job—and mine—easier.
Long time, No Blog
Yes, it has been a while since I have updated the blog. Since I no longer have email at home, newsletters have been easier to put together than blogs... Since, for the first time this year, next quarter will give Trillium advisors some prep time, I hope to attend to both Blog and still produce our middle school newsletter.
So starting next quarter, check in on the Blog once a week or so to get the up to the minute update, or just catch up once a month—whatever works for your family. I am also available directly at trillium.science@gmail.com and by my cell number 503.522.3392. Communication is great. I really listen to the feedback I have gotten from families, and have advocated this year for some pretty big changes. Here are a few things I have written proposals for, or been advocating in the middle school—much directly due to family input on their needs and concerns at Trillium, and some for the professional needs of the staff:
-Lunch breaks twice a week. This gives staff time to eat—and deal with pressing advising issues during the day. For the beginning of the year we had no breaks.
-Change of afternoon schedule. For those who have braved the upstairs around 3:00pm, you know it can be a kind of overwhelming place. While some of that comes from cramming 160 adolescent bodies in limited square feet, some of the feeling of chaos (and, lets face it, chaos) comes from the lack of structure during the afternoons. With our new schedule most Trillium students will have more structure throughout their day. For some this will be guided classes, for others actual time to work in a focused way around ILP—supervised by a teacher of their choice.
-Addition of daily classes. This was added to address the needs to build key skills during middle school in math, language arts, or foreign language. Shorter blocks, but more consistent meetings should be a boon to the subjects offered. Other subjects, which do better in blocks, will remain in the longer bi-weekly a/b schedule.
-Plan time for staff. Yes, this seems selfish. Why is she writing to tell me she worked and got plan time for herself and other teachers? The biggest boon will be to instruction. When teachers teach 6 different classes, students are offered great variety. For the quality to be consistently higher, teacher need time to prepare lessons for the day. I know science this year has suffered from lack of set up time. Additionally, advisors need time to support their advisees —whether through mediations, stronger home connections, or just checking in. This plan time should increase everyone's positive experience.
-Change of advising. While we will have less time together as a group, the quality of time should be higher. Advising will function, for us, as more of a class, and less of a chaotic hang out time. High school advising in also becoming mandatory, which should help middle school focus. All of the Upper School will be able to work on community building, creating stronger school identity, and on focusing on the framework and individualized learning plans.
-Changes to the middle school. For many different reasons, middle school at Trillium has been melded in with the high school. Over the year it has become more clear that the needs of the different age groups are different: developmentally and academically. We will be working on creating a stronger vision for the middle school: finding a schedule and crafting a identity that fits the needs of our age group, rather than expect all of our new 6th graders to just “fend for themselves around seniors”. While we will still be constrained by shared space, there should be lots of room to figure out who we are. I will be sending home a survey soon to get family feedback: what are the parts of Trillium that have been working? What are the concerns you have? Where do we, as a middle school, need to change? The survey will be in more detail, and your feedback will be key in help create the middle school you want to see.
-Reading assessments. Our TESA reading scores were less than impressive. To understand what was going on with literacy I have been assessing all students who did not meet benchmarks in reading, using a tool that gives us more detailed and concrete information. It will show teachers where we need to be focusing instruction. Often students who have not yet met benchmarks have tested at or close to grade level, showing the need for test prep skills—which were taught to some students this quarter. I will be analyzing each test and highlighting individualized areas of focus for each student—places they need support. One huge issue that already jumped out...struggling readers—students not meeting benchmarks—are not reading much at home. Most middle schools require a minimum of a half an hour of at-home reading a day. For Trillium students to make gains, they will need to do this at home work. If your student isn’t meeting benchmarks, this is one of the best ways we can support them—reading a just right book for a half an hour a night. Yup, weekends included.
So starting next quarter, check in on the Blog once a week or so to get the up to the minute update, or just catch up once a month—whatever works for your family. I am also available directly at trillium.science@gmail.com and by my cell number 503.522.3392. Communication is great. I really listen to the feedback I have gotten from families, and have advocated this year for some pretty big changes. Here are a few things I have written proposals for, or been advocating in the middle school—much directly due to family input on their needs and concerns at Trillium, and some for the professional needs of the staff:
-Lunch breaks twice a week. This gives staff time to eat—and deal with pressing advising issues during the day. For the beginning of the year we had no breaks.
-Change of afternoon schedule. For those who have braved the upstairs around 3:00pm, you know it can be a kind of overwhelming place. While some of that comes from cramming 160 adolescent bodies in limited square feet, some of the feeling of chaos (and, lets face it, chaos) comes from the lack of structure during the afternoons. With our new schedule most Trillium students will have more structure throughout their day. For some this will be guided classes, for others actual time to work in a focused way around ILP—supervised by a teacher of their choice.
-Addition of daily classes. This was added to address the needs to build key skills during middle school in math, language arts, or foreign language. Shorter blocks, but more consistent meetings should be a boon to the subjects offered. Other subjects, which do better in blocks, will remain in the longer bi-weekly a/b schedule.
-Plan time for staff. Yes, this seems selfish. Why is she writing to tell me she worked and got plan time for herself and other teachers? The biggest boon will be to instruction. When teachers teach 6 different classes, students are offered great variety. For the quality to be consistently higher, teacher need time to prepare lessons for the day. I know science this year has suffered from lack of set up time. Additionally, advisors need time to support their advisees —whether through mediations, stronger home connections, or just checking in. This plan time should increase everyone's positive experience.
-Change of advising. While we will have less time together as a group, the quality of time should be higher. Advising will function, for us, as more of a class, and less of a chaotic hang out time. High school advising in also becoming mandatory, which should help middle school focus. All of the Upper School will be able to work on community building, creating stronger school identity, and on focusing on the framework and individualized learning plans.
-Changes to the middle school. For many different reasons, middle school at Trillium has been melded in with the high school. Over the year it has become more clear that the needs of the different age groups are different: developmentally and academically. We will be working on creating a stronger vision for the middle school: finding a schedule and crafting a identity that fits the needs of our age group, rather than expect all of our new 6th graders to just “fend for themselves around seniors”. While we will still be constrained by shared space, there should be lots of room to figure out who we are. I will be sending home a survey soon to get family feedback: what are the parts of Trillium that have been working? What are the concerns you have? Where do we, as a middle school, need to change? The survey will be in more detail, and your feedback will be key in help create the middle school you want to see.
-Reading assessments. Our TESA reading scores were less than impressive. To understand what was going on with literacy I have been assessing all students who did not meet benchmarks in reading, using a tool that gives us more detailed and concrete information. It will show teachers where we need to be focusing instruction. Often students who have not yet met benchmarks have tested at or close to grade level, showing the need for test prep skills—which were taught to some students this quarter. I will be analyzing each test and highlighting individualized areas of focus for each student—places they need support. One huge issue that already jumped out...struggling readers—students not meeting benchmarks—are not reading much at home. Most middle schools require a minimum of a half an hour of at-home reading a day. For Trillium students to make gains, they will need to do this at home work. If your student isn’t meeting benchmarks, this is one of the best ways we can support them—reading a just right book for a half an hour a night. Yup, weekends included.
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