Crew News
We had a great time rafting the Truckee! The sun was hot and the water was really cold (we all got wet during the many splash fights that took place). Thank you again to Kerri and Tahoe Whitewater Adventures. It was a great way to spend our last fieldwork of the year.

We released our trout on Friday, June 9 to Donner Creek!

Celebration of Learning is on June 15th, from 6:00-7:30pm. The students have worked very hard to complete their native species project as well as the other projects they did this year that are on display.

Passages will be held on June 21st and 22nd from 12:30-2:00pm each day. We ask parents to stay for all of the passages presentations during your child’s session if you are able.

The last day of school is June 23rd. We will be doing the Crew Transition Ceremony from 9:15-10:45ish. We will be holding our last morning meeting of the year, signing yearbooks, listening to music, and looking at pictures from the past year. Middle school is dismissed at 11:45am.

SELS News
• June 15th: Celebration of learning 6:00-7:30
• June 21, 22: Passages (12:30 – 2:00)
• June 23: Last Day of School: 11:45am Dismiss

Highlights
Students: I want to highlight students who presented at the SELS board meeting on Monday: Bella, Maia, Parker, and Abby presented a variety of projects that we have done during the “What the Cell?!” expedition. They were all very professional and showed an excellent knowledge of the concepts we have learned this year.

Also, Audrey presented to the SELS board on behalf of the middle school students. She and other middle school students have been working with Kim Bradley to brainstorm ideas to improve the middle school environment here at SELS.

Parent Volunteer: I wanted to highlight all the parents who helped on fieldwork this year. Thinking back over the year it is amazing how much we have done, and the adventures we have had. From bees at Grouse Ridge, to rain and no wind for sailing, to wind at half moon bay… we have had a lot of adventure. None of these exciting times would have been possible without the help and preparation from the parents of this crew. Thank you for all you do to make this school special.

We are now starting our last case study of the expedition about natural selection and evolution.

Math
Our last regular math test will be on Friday May 12. After the test we will do some overall review of math before the state test, then we will be doing fun math riddle problems for the rest of the year. There will not be any math homework after the last test, but the students will probably have some homework once we start our celebration of learning projects at the end of the year.

Crew News
State testing:
We will be doing state testing May 16-18 (English/Language Arts), and May 22-24 (Math) during the afternoons (12:20-1:30). Please make sure your child gets lots of sleep on those nights.

Also the middle school will be doing a short day trip to plant trees on Friday May 26 (from 9:30-1:30) in Waddle Ranch. We will be taking a bus and will not need parent drivers, but please make sure your child has a sack lunch, and is dressed appropriately to spend the day working in the woods.

SELS News
• State Testing May 16-18 (English), May 22-24 (Math)
• May 26 Tree planting fieldwork (no parent drivers needed)
• May 29: Memorial Day, No School
• June 2: The Great Skate
• June 15: Celebration of learning (6:00-7:30)
• June 21-22: Passages
• June 23: Last Day of School (half day, 11:45 dismiss)

Highlights
Student: For this student highlight I want to single out Parker. Parker has been a tremendous help this year. On fieldwork, Parker was always looking for ways to help the crew (putting up tents, organizing food, cleaning up trash, …). Parker also does the same in the classroom, always taking care of his job and helping anyone else that needs help, and he doesn’t expect anything in return. Parker always leads by example and demonstrates what it means to be a contributing member of the crew.

Parent Volunteer: I really want to thank all of the chaperones on the Bay fieldwork. Tim, Al, Kaitlin, Sasha, Jeff, Stephanie, Kerri, and Elizabeth. You were such a help and I think the students really came away from it with their eyes open to some of the possibilities of what is happening in genetics right now. Thank you!

I also want to thank Erica and Jen for coordinating the food and logistics, and all of the parents that shopped, organized and prepared the food for the trip. Thank you for making the trip possible.

Personal Announcement:
I want to inform you that I will not be returning to SELS next year. After the school year, my family will be moving back to Southern Oregon. It has been an honor to spend the last 6 years here at SELS, and I am very proud of all of the students that have been members of the Williams Crew. I will miss teaching at SELS and living in Truckee, but I am excited about new possibilities in Oregon and to raise our children closer to family. Thank you to everyone for your continued support throughout this transition.

Pictures:
There are so many good photos from our recent fieldwork, it was hard to select only one for this post. Please go to the crew website to see them all.

Questions to Ask:
I hope your child has been coming home with new ideas and information about heredity and genetics. Also the debate between nature vs. nurture has come up in the crew several times when talking about characteristics we have. I hope the conversations at home have been as interesting as the conversations we have had in crew.

Crew News
Progress reports are going home this Friday. These reports are taken directly from Aeries and are basically an average of the student’s grades in each subject. If you have questions about the grade, I recommend that you check Aeries to see a more detailed look of the individual assignments.

SELS News
4/21: Progress reports sent home
Middle school dance: 4/21, 7:00-9:00 in the gym
4/25-4/28: Bay Area Fieldwork (arriving around 3:15pm on Friday afternoon)

Highlights
Student: All of our student liaisons have worked very hard to put this fieldwork together. Marc and Declan for Stanford, Jada and Lizzy for Invitae, Lucy and Maia for UC Davis, Macy and Haley for the San Jose Tech Museum, and Abby and Audrey for the Exploratorium. Thank you for all of your hard work!

Parent: Thank you to Jen and Erica for helping set up all the logistics for fieldwork. It is so helpful to have such great organization of the volunteers and supplies so I can focus on the academics. Thank you!

The photo above is of our 150 new additions to the Williams Crew. These are Lahontan Cutthroat Trout eggs. If you look carefully, two have already hatched (they are called alevins at this stage, and have a pink yolk sack attached to them). They use the yolk sack as their only nourishment for the first couple of weeks until they start eating real food. We will be caring for them for the next 2 months until we release them into Donner Creek. Ask your child about the amazing history of this native species that at one time we thought were extinct.

All of this work will be necessary for students to understand the places we will be visiting on our spring fieldwork (April 25-28). Five pairs of students turned in applications/cover letters to me to be liaisons for our fieldwork. Those liaisons will be in charge of all of the planning coordination and logistics at each of the stops will make during the trip. As soon as the liaisons have confirmed our trip I will send out a more detailed schedule.
We are beginning to look for chaperones and other volunteers for spring fieldwork. We will be spending 4 days/3 nights in the Bay Area and camping at Half Moon Bay. Please put your name down on the google doc to sign up (or email Jen Wilkin).

Crew News
Goal-setting conferences will be held on March 29th, which is a minimum day for middle school only. I will be sending out a google doc for you to sign up for a time slot. Today I will be helping the students reflect on their goals, and they will be responsible for bringing their goals home to you and talking about how best to revise them.

SELS News
• Goal Setting conferences (middle school minimum day): 3/29/17, 12:00-5:30
• Spring break April 10-14
• Bay Area Fieldwork: April 25-28

For a full school calendar, see here: https://truckeecharterschool.org/calendar/

Highlights
I want to highlight parents and students for getting to school on time, especially with all the winter weather we have experienced. Almost all of the students get to school on time every day. Thank you for all (parents and students) respecting our crew learning time.
I also wanted to highlight the whole crew on leading a successful community meeting two weeks ago. I unfortunately had to miss it due to a family obligation, but the crew stepped up, worked together, and did a fantastic job without a lot of help. A great example of the Williams Crew students using the adventure SIERRA norm.

Expedition Express — Cartographer and Commanders:
We are in our final stretch of the Cartographers and Commanders Expedition. Last week we studied the major Mesoamerican tribes (Aztec, Inca, and Mayan). We will be using information to write an argumentative essay. The week of January 30th we will be focusing on our mentor shadowing presentations. And on the first week of February we will start our spring biology expedition, “What the Cell?!” Of course, this may change if we have more snow days.

Crew News:
I know it is not until the spring, but I wanted to remind you that spring fieldwork is planned for April 25-28, and we will need 6 drivers. We will be staying at Half Moon Bay and visiting genetics related sites around the bay area (universities, genetics companies, and museums). In February, I will select student liaisons that will be in charge of planning the fieldwork.

SELS News:
February 2nd and 3rd: Middle School Minimum Days
February 3rd: End of the semester, progress reports will be sent the following week.
February 20-24: Ski Skate Week

Highlights:
I want to highlight all of the students in our crew for the hard work they put into the KidZone Exhibit project. There were a lot of challenges during the planning and building process, but in the end the final products turned out great and they will enhance the already great environment at the KidZone. Also, thank you to the parents who helped at home: gathering supplies, cutting wood, and encouraging your child. We could not have done it without your help.

Here is a link to the Sierra Sun article about the project:
http://www.sierrasun.com/news/education/seventh-graders-donate-medieval-exhibits-to-kidzone/

Math:
We finished chapter four last week. Many of the students are starting to understand that if you keep up on the math, and work hard to fully understand each lesson/problem, you will be successful on the test.
Chapter five will start when we return from break, and focus on algebraic equations, as well as probability.

“Who am I?”:
Students were assigned the mentor shadowing assignment at the beginning of this month. They need to shadow their mentor sometime before the end of January.

End of the semester:
The official end of the semester is January 27. Teachers will be compiling grades and sending home progress reports in the beginning of February.

Crew News
Our next expedition “What the Cell?!” (focused on cellular biology) will start in February. Students will also begin planning Bay Area Fieldwork (taking place April 25-28) in February.

SELS News
• 12-17 to 1-2: Winter Break
• 1-16: MLK Jr Day, No School
• 1-26 and 1-27: Minimum Day (for middle school only)

Highlights
I wanted to highlight all of the student groups and the strength that they have shown during the KidZone project. All of the groups have had their share of mistakes and failures. Some of the failures include restarting the project 3 times, making the wrong cut (too many times to count), having the wood stain or spray paint not look right, and just learning how to use the various tools necessary to complete a project like this. The students have all bounced back to create a better product because of those experiences.

I wanted to thank and highlight all the parents who helped gather supplies and make cuts for the KidZone Exhibits. I don’t know all of the parents that contributed, but I know that boards, plywood, and wood stain among other things showed up at the class on Monday. All of those supplies have been crucial in making these exhibits so high quality.

Coming up in expedition we are continuing through European history. We are finishing medieval times and then on to the Renaissance.

“Who Am I” Expedition:
Thank you for your support in helping your student find and interview their mentor. We will be taking the information they gathered in the interview to write an informative essay about their mentor in the next couple weeks.

The next assignment with their mentors I will assign in December, it is to shadow their mentor at their place or work/volunteering. It will be due at the end of January to give them plenty of time to coordinate schedules with their mentor.

Math:
We are half way through chapter 3, the test will be on Wednesday November 9th. I want to remind everyone (both students and parents) that every homework assignment is a chance for your student to test their knowledge. They should be able to do it independently (without help from parents, or finding answers/clues online). If they have trouble on a question, I hope they use strength to do their best. If they are totally confused they can write (in place of their answer) why they don’t understand the problem. We give the correct answers every day in class and review any problems that students have difficulty with. After the students correct their homework, it is their responsibility to re-do the problems they miss (or don’t understand).

Also, if your child misses school it is their responsibility to make up the lesson in math. The curriculum moves very quickly and if they miss a lesson and don’t make it up, they can fall behind rapidly. Please help you child catch up if they miss school.

Writing:
We are now working on informative writing. Students will be writing informative essays in book club and on demand writes.

Crew News: 
No big events planned this month. I will be sending a midterm progress report home November 18th to update you on how your student is doing.

SELS News:
• Nov 9: Minimum Day
• Nov 11: No School, Veterans Day
• Nov. 18: Mid-term progress reports come home
• Nov 21-25: Thanksgiving Break

Highlights: 
A parent I would like to highlight is Anna. I came to Anna on Wednesday afternoon after I found out that our reservation at the campground was lost. Anna and I furiously searched the internet for another option that would work (Who knew finding space in a campground on a rainy Thursday night in the bay was so hard?). Even though we had to deal with a little traffic, the camp worked great and the fieldwork was a success.

And of course, thank you to ALL the parents who helped out: Sasha, Erica, Judy, Tina, Steph, and Jeff for driving and chaperoning. Elizabeth, Susanna, Maria, and Kaitlin for organizing food/gear before and after the trip. All of the parents that took the sloppy tents home to dry. And a big thank you to Jen for coordinating the whole trip. We could not have done it without all of your help.

I would also like to highlight the whole crew. All of the students did a great job of being respectful on all of our stops and worked together in difficult situations: like setting up camp in the rain, in the dark, and staying focused on a wet sailing trip. The students are growing in their mental strength and cooperating with each other.

Grouse Ridge
What a great trip we had. I have uploaded all of the pictures from the trip, if you have time, go to this link and check it out. I want to again thank all of the parents that helped to make this fieldwork possible. Again if you would like to see pictures of the trip please visit our crew website.

Math
We finished our first chapter and we are on to our next which focuses on adding and subtracting integers (positive and negative) and ratios/proportions. I want to remind parents that the best way for you to help our child on their math homework is to ask them questions like:
“How did you get that answer?”
“Did you do something similar to that in class?”
“What other ways could you solve that?”
I try to never pick up a pencil when I am working with students on their work. The reason for that is when I hold a pencil, I end up doing the work, and the student does not have to. There is no penalty for missing homework problems, and usually the students learns more from a missed problem.

Expedition
We have finished our mapping and navigation case study last week. This week we will begin our European history section of our expedition. Last Tuesday we took a short walking fieldwork to the Kid Zone to brainstorm ideas for exhibits the students could make that display ideas and lessons we have learned in class, that also tie into their already existing theme of fairytales and sailing. This will be part of our culminating project for celebration of learning.

Writing
I was so impressed at the quality of writing that was shared at Grouse Ridge, as well as how eager many of the students were to share it with the crew. We are continuing to work on our narrative writing, and specifically using sensory language (how it feels, sounds, looks, tastes, smells) figurative language (similes, metaphors, alliterations, personifications, hyperbole), how to write dialogue, and how to establish an effective plot. We will continue to work on skills and practice them.

Crew News
Goal Setting Conferences: (October 24-25) Goal setting conferences will take place after school on the Monday and Tuesday of minimum day week. Please follow the link to the sign-up sheet HERE and sign up. Two families can set goal each half hour. I will be talking to the students about goal setting at the end of this week.

Bay Area Sailing Fieldwork: We are preparing for the Bay Area Sailing fieldwork (October 27-28) Jen Wilkin is coordinating it and it looks like we have plenty of volunteers already (THANK YOU!!). We will be sending out more information about the trip soon.

Mark Your Calendar
• 10/12: Minimum Day
• 10/25 and 10/26: Goal Setting Conferences
• 10/27 – 10/28: Bay Sailing Fieldwork
• 10/31: Bear Walk
• 11/11: No School, Veteran’s Day
• 11/21 – 11/25: No School Thanksgiving

Highlights
I wanted to highlight all of the students that chose to share their writing on the fieldwork. One piece of writing that stood out was Jack’s. He took the opportunity to write a poem about our trip. It is below:

3 days spent here,
Looking at the water smooth and clear
These mountains, they stay the same
It has little in its rise to fame
The huge trees green and tall
Now the shadows will cover all
At night we all go and rest
This place puts us to the test
The mud squelches in my toes
Snot has overcome my nose
What a challenging place this has come to be
Yet it sets your spirit free
The fire lookout on the hill
And now the world is still
With all the beauty I have not seen a bridge
This beautiful place called Grouse Ridge
– Jack

I would also like again highlight everyone that helped with the fieldwork especially the coordinator Erica, and the chaperones: Kerri, Sasha, Jeff, Amber, and Chris. The trip went so smoothly and the kids came home with a great experience.

Questions to Ask Your Child:
Where is north (without a compass)? How do you know?
Why did you spend a whole day looking at a shadow? What did it tell you?
What is the flight simulation game? What is your team’s strategy?

Math
We are just beginning the CPM math curriculum. The lessons in this first chapter are meant to challenge students on their idea of variables and probability. I include an optional bonus question in every homework assignment for students who would like to go above and beyond.

English/Language Arts
We are starting the year with narrative writing. We will be talking about ways to improve our narrative writing, including plot, point of view, figurative language, and using events/emotions in our own life to improve our writing. Book clubs start next week! Students will be in groups of six and read the same book at the same pace. Book club is meant to help with student comprehension of complex literature, all while practicing high quality writing.

“Who am I?”
I introduced the “Who am I?” project on Friday. The first task is for students to find a mentor who they will need to meet with THREE times this year (October, December/January, March). I encourage you to help your student brainstorm ideas of who would be a good mentor, but allow them the opportunity to contact the possible mentor and ask them on their own. Hopefully all of the students will be able to find their mentor by the end of this month.

Crew News
The crew has gotten off to a fantastic start! I am so pleased with the Habits of Work (HOWs) and character that students have shown in their first week.

Grouse Ridge Fieldwork
Our Grouse Ridge fieldwork is September 28-30. We are still in need of a Fieldwork Coordinator for this fieldwork, as well as volunteers (6 each day) to chaperone, and parents to shop and prepare for the fieldwork. So far I have not heard from any volunteers for this fieldwork. If you are available to help organize or volunteer, please let me know as soon as possible.

Mark Your Calendar
For all school dates, please refer to the calendar on our website: https://truckeecharterschool.org/calendar/
• Minimum Day: September 14
• Grouse Ridge: September 28-30
• SELS Summit Day: October 7
• Minimum Day: October 12

Highlights
I wanted to highlight a new student to our crew. Vanessa is the only new student this year, but she has fit into the crew seamlessly. Often it is difficult for new students to adjust to the change in culture of our school, this has not been the case with Vanessa. I have also noticed all of the students doing everything they can to make Vanessa’s transition easier. Great job crew!

I would also like to highlight Jen for volunteering to be our Fieldwork Coordinator for the Bay Sailing Fieldwork on October 27-28. It is incredibly helpful for me to have a Fieldwork Coordinator that can organize parent volunteers (drivers, food shoppers, gathering any extra gear, etc). This allows me to focus all of my energy on the curriculum I will doing with the students. Jen and I will send out more information about the Bay Sailing Fieldwork in the beginning of October.

Also thank you to all of the parents that made it to back to school night!

I wanted to take this opportunity to go over a few points regarding our upcoming expeditions this year. I have been improving our fall expedition “Cartographers and Commanders” about Navigation, European history, and the Age of Exploration. I am looking for guest speakers that have experience in navigation, cartography (map making), the Age of Exploration (1400-1600 Europe), Sailing, or related subjects. If you or someone you know would be interested in coming in and doing a presentation on one or more of these subjects, please call or email me.

Fall Fieldwork: Our first fieldwork will be a 3 day, 2 night trip on September 28-30 (Wednesday – Friday) on the Sierra Crest at a place called Grouse Ridge. I will send out more details soon, but we will need at least 6 parents to volunteer and take part in the fieldwork. For parents that enjoy hiking and the outdoors, this field work should be a lot of fun for you as well.

We are also planning a short 2-day overnight fieldwork to the San Francisco Bay on October 27-28. I will provide more details about these trips once we get closer. Also, for those people planning well in advance, spring fieldwork will be April 24-28.

One skill that middle school students often need help with developing is organization. To help students stay organized the school will provide a calendar/planner that the students will be required to use. You do not need to get one.

If you have questions or need to get in touch with me, email is the best way. I check my email very often and should get back to you within a day, although on weekends (and during holiday breaks) I am often out of cell phone range (hopefully doing something fun), so I may not get back to you until Monday.

Cell Phone Policy: Students are asked to leave their cell phone in their cubbies during the school day and can only use them if they ask for permission. If you need to get in touch with your child during the day you can call the school’s number (530-582-3701) and leave a message.

Important dates for the first month of school:
September 28-30: Grouse Ridge fieldwork