You may wonder what is happening this Friday. I want to reemphasize that Fridays are different than last year. While we often do field trips, community service, and other advising activities, it isn't always a day where we go places.
For the next few Fridays, there are students planning. If they don't follow through, the logical consequence is that we do not have a Friday plan and revert to my backup. My backup is PLP time, reading/writing workshop, advising building activities and Buddies.
Thanks,
tobie
Friday, November 30, 2007
Conferences
Dear Families,
Conferences are coming up!
We do sign ups over the blog.
You will see various times available.
You will use the comment section on the BLOG (NOT EMAIL) to sign up for a time.
As you sign up, please check other comments to ensure there isn't a conflict.
I will check regularly and update the list.
(It will make sense once you see it happening).
Check back here this weekend for the schedule.
Conferences are coming up!
We do sign ups over the blog.
You will see various times available.
You will use the comment section on the BLOG (NOT EMAIL) to sign up for a time.
As you sign up, please check other comments to ensure there isn't a conflict.
I will check regularly and update the list.
(It will make sense once you see it happening).
Check back here this weekend for the schedule.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Report Cards are Coming, Report Cards are Coming!
Get ready for a Mailbox surprise. Report cards are coming, and they represent a new turn in the Trillium Vision. These report cards look different. They represent our desire to connect classes to the framework, help make "keeping track" of framework goals easier for students, and create more concrete information to families and advisors (in addition to the narrative).
This first round way a work in progress. I know my narratives were not as solid as usual (nor typed...welcome to my terrible handwriting), students can work of the process of self-reflection, and we are figuring out how to make the new system electronic and more efficient.
Despite the learning curve, we hope you will feel good about the additional information you receive about your student. Feel free to post comments that I can pass along to the upper school staff.
This first round way a work in progress. I know my narratives were not as solid as usual (nor typed...welcome to my terrible handwriting), students can work of the process of self-reflection, and we are figuring out how to make the new system electronic and more efficient.
Despite the learning curve, we hope you will feel good about the additional information you receive about your student. Feel free to post comments that I can pass along to the upper school staff.
Subject: New Report Card Format
Hello Upper School parents and guardians,
This packet is the new Upper School report card. We are phasing in a new format, which includes the End of Term Self Reflection and Assessment (R&A) and the Teacher Assessment of Course Goals. R&A gives students a consistent way to assess themselves and to directly communicate that analysis with parents and teachers. Every Upper School student fills one out for every one of his/her classes at the end of the term. The Teacher Assessment portion is used by the instructor to assess the student’s skills specific to the course, which are tied directly to skills from the Trillium Framework. These, collectively, all go home to parents as the report card. The Narrative/Grade report currently in use will serve as a cover sheet to indicate final, amount of credit, and credit area. High school transcripts will not be affected by this change as they will continue to include only the basic information. This new format is designed to give students, parents, and teachers greater insight into what the student is learning and how we can all better support him/her.
Benefits of the new system:
*Gives predictable, uniform way in which students assess their own progress, and get teacher feedback, across classes.
* Supports assessment of progress over time.
o Keeping these forms (which are currently paper copies) as part of the student’s report card will allow the viewer to readily see how the student is developing in specific areas such as participation in discussions or focusing during activities, for example.
*Assessment data is readily apparent to parents.
* Ties classroom learning directly to Framework goals.
Future modifications:
*Have R&A on-line, as part of a database:
o Students would fill out forms on-line. This would save paper as well as sorting time.
Quarter 1 will be a transitional period from the old format to the new. You will notice that most, but not all, of your student's course will be covered by an R&A and Teacher Assessment form. Beginning Q2 we should be using them across the board. Please let your student’s advisor know if you have questions.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Upper School Staff
Hello Upper School parents and guardians,
This packet is the new Upper School report card. We are phasing in a new format, which includes the End of Term Self Reflection and Assessment (R&A) and the Teacher Assessment of Course Goals. R&A gives students a consistent way to assess themselves and to directly communicate that analysis with parents and teachers. Every Upper School student fills one out for every one of his/her classes at the end of the term. The Teacher Assessment portion is used by the instructor to assess the student’s skills specific to the course, which are tied directly to skills from the Trillium Framework. These, collectively, all go home to parents as the report card. The Narrative/Grade report currently in use will serve as a cover sheet to indicate final, amount of credit, and credit area. High school transcripts will not be affected by this change as they will continue to include only the basic information. This new format is designed to give students, parents, and teachers greater insight into what the student is learning and how we can all better support him/her.
Benefits of the new system:
*Gives predictable, uniform way in which students assess their own progress, and get teacher feedback, across classes.
* Supports assessment of progress over time.
o Keeping these forms (which are currently paper copies) as part of the student’s report card will allow the viewer to readily see how the student is developing in specific areas such as participation in discussions or focusing during activities, for example.
*Assessment data is readily apparent to parents.
* Ties classroom learning directly to Framework goals.
Future modifications:
*Have R&A on-line, as part of a database:
o Students would fill out forms on-line. This would save paper as well as sorting time.
Quarter 1 will be a transitional period from the old format to the new. You will notice that most, but not all, of your student's course will be covered by an R&A and Teacher Assessment form. Beginning Q2 we should be using them across the board. Please let your student’s advisor know if you have questions.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Upper School Staff
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thank Goodness for Thanksgiving Break
Have fun next week. Eat well, enjoy friends and family. Stay/get healthy. And don't come to school.
If you have spare Turkey's carcasses let me know. I make stock out of them. Yum!
If you have spare Turkey's carcasses let me know. I make stock out of them. Yum!
Rad in the Rain
Despite drizzling misgivings about todays field trip to the great outdoors (as well as pleas to spend four hours in the library instead), we packed it up and headed to Jean's farm. At the farm we chose secret/special spots, removed some invasive plants, and learned more about moving, listening, and observing in nature. I was very happy to see everyone with their game face on despite the rain.
Midnight, Reggie and Kailyn were in nature-girl-bliss and would probably be happy even if we had been caught in a snowstorm. Ray found a unique balance in his spot, which was quiet small in circumferance. Gaije might have found his true calling tying Ivy knots. Isaac almost caught a chicken, but then they ganged up on him. He was lucky to escape with his life. Everyone survived with a smile on their face (mostly because they were afraid of my fire boots).
During the deep winter months we will be taking a break--and staying more indoors. Our year long partnership will pick back up in a few months. We will have more learning, farming, eating, time in our secret spots to enjoy. I am thinking of ways to reduce travel time (like meeting at my house in the morning and sharing cider and muffins--which would put us right on the bus line and hack off at least 30 minutes from the trip) (or hijacking the Sleep Country Van---inside joke). More on that later.
Midnight, Reggie and Kailyn were in nature-girl-bliss and would probably be happy even if we had been caught in a snowstorm. Ray found a unique balance in his spot, which was quiet small in circumferance. Gaije might have found his true calling tying Ivy knots. Isaac almost caught a chicken, but then they ganged up on him. He was lucky to escape with his life. Everyone survived with a smile on their face (mostly because they were afraid of my fire boots).
During the deep winter months we will be taking a break--and staying more indoors. Our year long partnership will pick back up in a few months. We will have more learning, farming, eating, time in our secret spots to enjoy. I am thinking of ways to reduce travel time (like meeting at my house in the morning and sharing cider and muffins--which would put us right on the bus line and hack off at least 30 minutes from the trip) (or hijacking the Sleep Country Van---inside joke). More on that later.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Farm Reminder
Because it takes up so long, we discussed as a class leaving early for the farm to have more time there. All farm trips will leave a little early.
Please meet AT 8:00 at the school. We will meet in the parking lot and go directly to the max.
If you are dropping off your child, you can meet us at the Lombard Max stop (right by the Fred Myers).
If our group has left, please take your student directly to the max. You should see our group by the 75 bus stop (next to the gas station).
Last farm trip we were late as we waited for students who did not arrive at 8:15. I appreciate everyone being on time, despite the late reminder.
Thanks for you support. This partnership is working out very well. Right now we have a monthly trip planned. Don't worry, there are many non-farm activities being planned as well.
Please email me tonight if you plan on meeting us at the farm or at the Lombard stop.
For those who live in SE...you may want to meet us directly at the Farm (feel free to hang out with us for the two hours we are there). The address is SE Johnson Creek & 40th. Jeans farm is right now a unpaved driveway by the bus stop. There is a sign.
As always warm clothes and shoes make a good trip.
You can also call me if you miss us. Since we are on bus, it would be easy to catch us in route. 503.522.3392.
thanks.
Please meet AT 8:00 at the school. We will meet in the parking lot and go directly to the max.
If you are dropping off your child, you can meet us at the Lombard Max stop (right by the Fred Myers).
If our group has left, please take your student directly to the max. You should see our group by the 75 bus stop (next to the gas station).
Last farm trip we were late as we waited for students who did not arrive at 8:15. I appreciate everyone being on time, despite the late reminder.
Thanks for you support. This partnership is working out very well. Right now we have a monthly trip planned. Don't worry, there are many non-farm activities being planned as well.
Please email me tonight if you plan on meeting us at the farm or at the Lombard stop.
For those who live in SE...you may want to meet us directly at the Farm (feel free to hang out with us for the two hours we are there). The address is SE Johnson Creek & 40th. Jeans farm is right now a unpaved driveway by the bus stop. There is a sign.
As always warm clothes and shoes make a good trip.
You can also call me if you miss us. Since we are on bus, it would be easy to catch us in route. 503.522.3392.
thanks.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Q2 begins
Check in this week with your MSer to see how their quarter is going. They have a week to add drop and find their ideal class for the quarter.
Email me with any issues, questions or concerns,
tobie
Email me with any issues, questions or concerns,
tobie
Fridays
This Friday we will return to Jean's farm for more eating veggies and fun. Wear warm clothes that can get a little dirty. In order to have enough time on the farm, please plan on being at school BY 8:00.
Future Fridays are being planned by students.
Zack--Shanghai Tunnels.
Auryn-- Nadanoff gymnastic center.
Colin--climbing
Devon-Dark Horse Comics
In our advising last year each student planned/co-planned an outing. This year, since not every Friday is off-campus, students are volunteering to plan Fridays.
Please discuss ideas with your student...what would be a Friday that would be both fun and educational? A possible community service activity? A buddy event? A games or sports day? An art project? We will brainstorm next class meeting (after Thanksgiving).
Future Fridays are being planned by students.
Zack--Shanghai Tunnels.
Auryn-- Nadanoff gymnastic center.
Colin--climbing
Devon-Dark Horse Comics
In our advising last year each student planned/co-planned an outing. This year, since not every Friday is off-campus, students are volunteering to plan Fridays.
Please discuss ideas with your student...what would be a Friday that would be both fun and educational? A possible community service activity? A buddy event? A games or sports day? An art project? We will brainstorm next class meeting (after Thanksgiving).
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Gleaning Trip
by Kailyn
Friday was great. We went to a farm and did a lot of
gleaning. We all got our own squash and most
of us got our own separate food that we
harvested. It was hard and cold but I think we
all warmed up and up to it at one point. I bet
we all had a great Friday!
Friday was great. We went to a farm and did a lot of
gleaning. We all got our own squash and most
of us got our own separate food that we
harvested. It was hard and cold but I think we
all warmed up and up to it at one point. I bet
we all had a great Friday!
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