Their ultimate goal is to help guide visiting families to some local kid favorites. The project was inspired by an Expedition focused on Truckee history, and exemplifies the service learning taking place across SELS K-8 classrooms. These 4-5 month-long Expeditions help ground learning by including classroom lessons, field work, and professional experts. These experiences are (mostly) shaped around our local and regional communities, helping students connect learning to what’s meaningful in their lives.

Kudos to the Welch and MinBorg Crew Leaders for creating authentic platforms for writing and expression!

Print versions are available at:

Truckee Visitors Center
10065 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161

Donner Memorial State Park
12593 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161

Expedition Express

FIRE and ICE:  Our Fall expedition is off to a great start.  This expedition explores the early days of Truckee and how FIRE and ICE have shaped the history of this quaint railroad town. We kicked off the expedition with a downtown Truckee scavenger hunt. All of the students were able to locate the 13 historical buildings on the scavenger hunt and demonstrated the SIERRA norms beautifully while out in public.  Well done, crew!  Thank you to our chaperones: Angie Perkins, Jaimie Edwards, Caren Schatz, Sarah Adams, Crescent Ferrera, Stacey Carr, Lori Franssen. 

Crew News

Student Teacher:  I would like to introduce you to our fall student teacher Brittney Banning.  She is currently in the final stages of completing her coursework through CalTeach and will be working in the Welch Crew classroom for the next 13 weeks.  Please stop by to meet Brittney.

Daily 5: A big part of our literacy block includes the Daily 5. The components of the Daily 5 include Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Someone, Writing, and Word Work. So far, our primary focus has been the reading components of the Daily 5 in order to practice selecting Good Fit Books with IPICK (I choose books to read, I figure out my purpose for reading this book, determine if I am interested, figure out if I can comprehend what the story is about, and if I know the words), and building stamina. In no time, all 5 components will be up and running seamlessly!  IPICK is a great acronym to familiarize yourself with so you know what to look for when your child is selecting books.

CAFE: Our classroom has a literacy CAFE menu posted that contains strategies good readers use when reading. CAFE is an acronym that stands for Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanding vocabulary. These become our goals, and the strategies we use to be successful with our goals are posted below them. Each child has goals and strategies specific to his/her individual needs and therefore will get the direct instruction needed to move forward and become a successful reader. We will also be focusing on specific strategies as a class, and you will see Parent Pipeline letters in weekly folders informing you of the strategy we are working on in class, complete with suggestions for assisting your child at home. Please look for these letters throughout the year and support your child in his/her quest to become a better reader.

Math: Math is off to a great start. Routines are in place, and we have hit the ground running! Thank you for any support you provided your child over the summer. Real world, hands-on experiences outside of school provide such enriching and positive avenues for learning, and keep your child active and engaged in the process.

2^nd Grade math homework has begun. You will find a calendar attached to assignments, with the weekly assignments written as a suggestion for when to complete. Math homework will alternate between games, practice pages, and contextual problems. Homework is meant as practice, and should not take longer than 20 minutes per assignment. If an activity will not be returned to school, such as with a game, please initial that your child has played the game in the appropriate space, and have your child return the calendar to school.

3^rd Grade math homework:  The first homework assignment for 3^rd grade will be coming home this week.  Unlike last year, when math homework is assigned for 3^rd graders it will be due back the next day. If questions arise, please email Diane directly and she will clarify.

Fieldwork: The 3^rd graders attended Trails and Vistas art walk at Sand Harbor.  Although we ran out of time to visit all of the stations, we participated in team building activities, saw the Sand Harbor visitor’s museum, and listened to musicians and storytellers.  Thank you to our chaperones: Monique Long, Mark Wasley, Jaimie Edwards, and Tina Cook.

Planners: Please be sure to check and sign your child’s planner nightly.  Also, please record the number of minutes your child played outside or exercised after school and the amount of time spent reading at home.  Establishing this routine in the beginning of the year will help consistency for all. Plus, each day it is signed students will get a much-desired stamp in their planner.

Book Orders:  Scholastic Book Orders are due on Friday, September 12.  You may order books online or send in the paper order form with a payment to school.

SELS News

Back to School SELSebration Dance:  Join us on Friday, Sept. 12 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm for the Family Dance in the gym.  Cost is $5.00 per person or $15.00 per family.  Pizza and baked goods will be on sale so come on out and enjoy the fun. PTC needs your help to make this event a success.  Please consider signing up to help on the Google.doc link below:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Oow718F3GMuKs4Eb9KG-ehvRBwkyHLALW2sqotxBuiU/edit?usp=sharing

Play Ball!  Case Study #3 is winding down as we begin to prepare for Celebration of Learning.  Students enjoyed fieldwork to the Reno Aces vs. Salt Lake City Bees baseball game last Thursday.  The game was followed up by our Spring overnight adventure trip.  Students continued to learn the principles of physical science by completing science experiments in the campground.  A huge THANK YOU to the parents that helped organize and chaperone this trip to make it a huge success:  Erica Stein, Field Work Coordinator, Amanda Smith, food shopping, Arthur and Forrest Rader, Monique Long, Mark Wasley, Alison Schwedner, Glen Smith, SunMie Won, and Brent Ferrera.  Without the help and dedication of ALL parents, our Adventure program would not be possible.

We look forward to hosting all our families on June 5th at 6:00pm for SELS Celebration of Learning to our Science Lab (the 2/3 classrooms) to participate in some of the science experiments we have completed this spring.

Crew News:

Harvest of the Month:  This week will conclude our monthly tastings of locally grown produce sponsored by Tahoe Forest Health Systems.  A huge THANK YOU to Nikki Riley for preparing delicious dishes each month for the students to taste and try new foods.  This week, students will be tasting Greens and Radishes.

Scholastic Book Orders:  The final Scholastic Book order of the year will be coming home in the weekly folders on Tuesday and are due the following week on Tuesday, May 27.  This is your last opportunity to stock up on summer reading books for your child.  It is important to keep them reading during their summer break to avoid the “summer slide” where students lose ground due to lack of continued practice.  

Nevada County Library:  Our final visit to the Nevada County Library will be on Thursday, May 29.  Please start looking for books in your house that need to go home for the summer.  All library fines are due by this date.  If your child has any outstanding fines, I will send home a notice.  I will also be sending home all Library Cards so your child may continue to visit the library over the summer and participate in the Summer Reading Program. Angie Perkins, thanks for joining us on each of our trips to the libray, rain or shine, and everything in bewteen. You are truly amazing.

SELS News

Celebration of Learning:  Come enjoy the learning of all SELS students on Thursday, June 5 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm in this Open House style event.  Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to learn what each crew has been studying all Spring.  This is a great way to introduce new families to our school community and show them what SELS is all about.

Passages:  All 3rd grade students will participate in our annual Passage Panels on June 10-11.  Studnets will share their learning from their Portfolios over the last two years in the Welch crew.  Each Friday leading up to their Passage Presentation, 3rd graders will be working on their presentation in the Passage Elective.  They are expected to practice at home as well to make sure they are prepared and ready for this event.  I will send home the Passage schedule by email.

The Great Skate/Rolling into Summer:  On June 6th from 4:00 – 9:00pm, come join the SELS community for a fun event to celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of summer at Northstar’s Skating Rink.  This is an All-TTUSD event, hosted by SELS and we welcome all families from around the area to come out and enjoy.  See attached flier for more details:  http://www.truckeecharterschool.org/en/great-skate-2014

Dates to Remember:

• Thursday, May 22:  Harvest of the Month
• Monday, May 26:  NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day
• Tuesday, May 27:  Scholastic Book Orders due (last one for this year)
• Thursday, May 29:  Walk to Nevada County Library (last visit for this year)
• Thursday, June 5:  Celebration of Learning 6:00 – 7:30
• Friday, June 6:  The Great Skate/Rolling into Summer 4:00 – 9:00 at Northstar
• Tuesday-Wednesday, June 10-11:  Passages
• Thursday, June 12:  8th grade Graduation 5:30 pm at Regional Park
• Friday, June 13:  Passages Ceremony and Last Day of School

Expedition Express

Ready, Set, Go! : Just before Spring Break, we wrapped up our second case study “Slip-Sliding Away”.  Although we didn’t have much snow to conduct our experiments, we were able to make do!  Using the scientific method, we conducted experiment regarding how friction impacts snow sports, such as ice-skating, skiing, and snowboarding.   

Special thanks to all of the parents who joined us for our “Friction Fieldwork” at Regional Park:  Arthur Rader, Monique Long, Kris Hansen, Steve Cherneff, Alison Schwedner, Jill Penwarden, and Tina Cook.

Expert: Cooper Waldron from Smooth Rides in Truckee visited the classroom to discuss the science behind waxing skis and snowboards.   Students were thrilled to see a waxing demo and carefully took notes on the entire process.  Their detailed lists served as a pre-writing activity to write an informative paragraph using transitional words and phrases.  

Play Ball! :  Last week we launched our last case study called Play Ball.  In this case study, we will be investigating a variety of ball sports and how specific equipment help athletes perform at their best.  We are excited to continue using the scientific method with a many hands-on experiments, in and out of the classroom.

Overnight: Our spring campout will be on Thursday, May 15 in the Truckee area.  More info. coming soon!

Crew News

Scholastic Book Orders:  There are only two book orders left.  April’s book order will come home next Tuesday and will be due the following week on April 22.  We also continue to purchase new books for our classroom to keep interest levels high. New titles can be found for both comprehension check-ins with teachers, as well as in the classroom library. We are always on the hunt for great titles, and captivating content!

Nevada County Library:  We are winding down our library visits for the year with only a few left on the calendar.  Our next walk to the library will be on Thursday, April 17.  Please be sure to collect all lingering books in your home to avoid overdue fees and charges.

Swimming:  This past Wednesday we had our first of four swim lessons at the Truckee High School through TDRPD.  Students were excited about swimming and we were very impressed with how the children kept track of their belongings.   If possible, write your child’s name on their things to help keep us organized! Thank you Mark Wasley, SunMie Won, and Nikki Riley for joining us at the pool.  We are in need of a dad on Wednesday, April 23.  Please let me know if you can join us or sign-up on the Google.Doc link below.

https://docs.google.com/a/truckeecharterschool.org/document/d/1b1bVVZ8RW01A-3WycpG9wlx2k6VeEq1xSP1Aq0W3p30/edit

SELS News

Smarter Balance Test: The California Smarter Balance Testing window runs from April 28-May 9 for 3^rd-8^th graders.  This test is replacing the former STAR test and will test students on the new Common Core State Standards.  Participation in these tests is essential so please make sure your child is present at school during the testing dates above.  Specific testing dates will be given once our schedule is set.  Only the 3^rd grade students in our crew will be tested.  A well rested child with a healthy breakfast is the best way to be successful. Sign-ups for parents to bring healthy snacks will be forthcoming.

SELS Signature Event:  The PTC is working on the final details of the 1^st Annual SELS Signature Event to kick-off summer.  Dates are still tentative, so keep your eyes and ears open for the announcement.  If you are interested in helping plan and organize this event, the PTC will be meeting weekly for the next 8 weeks. Signature Event planning meetings will be held each Tuesday at 12:30 pm in M-6 at SELS.  Please consider joining in the planning stages of this great event.

Dates to Remember:

• Friday, April 11:  Welch Crew hosting SELS Community Meeting 9:15
• Thursday, April 17: Walk to Nevada County Library
• Wednesday, April 16: Minimum Day. 1pm Dismissal
• Tuesday, April 22:  Scholastic Book Order due
• Wednesday, April 23: Swimming at Truckee High School
• Thursday, May 8:  Fieldwork:  OMIS Science Festival hosted by KidZone
• Thursday, May 15-Friday May 16: 2/3 Crew Campout and fieldwork

Swifter, Higher, Stronger:  Our class has been super excited about the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Our fieldwork to Squaw Valley before Ski/Skate week was amazing.  Students rode the Squaw Valley tram to High Camp and were given a tour of the newly renovated Olympic Museum of the 1960 Winter Games. We graphed the GOLD medal count and and analyzed our data to form conclusions about the 2014 Winter Games.  Check out newly added photos to our Crew Photo page from this field work.

Gold Medalist Debbie Meyer:  We were lucky enough to have 3 time Gold Medalist Debbie Meyer drop by SELS to visit the Welch and Seaborg/Minczeski crews to share with the students what it takes to be an Olympic athlete, the Olympic experience, and sharing her GOLD medals with the students.  

Web Research:  A BIG Thanks to Megan Scott from the Seaborg/Minczeski crew for coming in to our classes and helping students research athletes on NBCOlympics.com.  Students worked together in partners to learn about the current Olympic athletes and gather information about their athletic achievements and fun facts on each person.

Questions of the Week:

• According to Debbie Meyer, what does it take to be an Olympic athlete.  Hint:  The 3 D’s (Desire, Determination, Dedication)
• What was the most interesting fact you learned about a current Olympian from your research on NBC Olympics.com

CREW News

Upcoming Fieldwork:  Arts for the Schools performance of Living Voices will be next Tuesday, March 4 at the Community Arts Center.  If you would like to help transport students to this event, please sign up on the google doc link below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FBWa1a4-7R1etBAd8vuLfZjFSggK5oJZ4L1KB9gBY4w/edit?usp=sharing

Squaw Valley Giant Slalom and meet the athletes:  On March 21, Squaw Valley will be hosting the U.S. Nationals for Giant Slalom.  We are currently working on the details to get students up to Squaw Valley to watch the men’s race at 12:00 noon.  Following the race, there is an opportunity for students to meet the atheletes.  For this to occur, we need a couple of parents to volunteer to cover the Friday afternoon Electives classes for Welch and Seaborg.  Please contact us if you are willing to help out.  More information will follow as we get details nailed down for this fieldwork.

Goal Reflection Meetings:  The week of March 10, we will be holding our Spring Goal Reflection meetings. This meeting is designed to facilitate a discussion between parents and students regarding their goals set in the fall.  Next week, students will bring home a copy of their Fall goals to reflect upon with you prior to our meeting.  If your child has met their goals, we will determine new goals to work on for the remainder of the year, if they have not met their goals, this gives us a chance to revisit and revise the action plan to help them be successful.  Please sign up on the Google doc for a time to meet and reflect upon these goals.

https://docs.google.com/a/truckeecharterschool.org/document/d/1-cLqo8OYZGMciNrYpDqHCohaSLEsHfhiVxTvaXrHM3M/edit

Nevada County Library:  Our next visit to the Nevada County Library will be on Thursday, March 6.  Please remember to have your books at school so you do not accumulate a library fine.

SELS News

SELS-abration Family Dance:  This dance has been rescheduled for Friday, March 21 at 6:00 pm in the school gymnasium.  Remember, it’s a Sock Hop, so get your dancin’ socks ready and come out for a good time.

Dates to Remember:

• Tuesday, March 4:  Arts for the Schools, Community Arts Center
• Thursday, March 6:  Nevada County Library
• Monday-Thursday, March 10-13:  Goal Reflection Meetings
• Wednesday, March 12:  Minimum Day, School dismissed at 1:00
• Friday, March 21: Fieldwork at Squaw Valley, US Nationals Giant Slalom
• Friday, March 21: SELS-abration Family Sock Hop dance  6:00pm

READY!, SET!, GO!  And we’re off.  Our Spring Expedition kicked off this week for a fun-filled Spring Science Expedition.  Yes, there is  a sports theme to this Expedition.  I’m sure the crew will enjoy the Scientific Explorations we have planned for the next few months.

Swifter, Faster, Stronger:  Case Study #1 will focus on the Winter Olympics.  We will continue to focus on the Common Core State Standards for Language Arts (Reading and Writing) in this portion of the Expedition. Students will take a closer look at the history of the Ancient and Modern Games, the countries participating in the Winter Games, and local athletes competing in Sochi 2014.  We will look at team commonalities and sportsmanship among athletes from around the globe.

Fieldwork: We have many great activities planned for FIELDWORK during this expedition.  As soon as we have dates confirmed, we will get the information out to you so you can make plans to join us.  Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on these Fieldwork opportunities.  FUN, FUN, FUN!

CREW NEWS

Progress Reports:  Students brought home thier Fall Progress Reports today.  Please take the time to sit down and review your child’s progress with them.  We will have Spring conferences in March to revisit and set new goals for all students.

Empathy and Caring:  This month’s Design Principle is Empathy and Caring which will encompass the celebration of our crewmates.  This week’s homework will include a list of crew mates and a template for our Empathy and Caring cards.  Each student will write a meaningful note to their crew mates on the heart shaped templates and distribute them to their crew mates on Friday, February 14.  Please make copies of these hearts onto colored paper and be sure to assist your child in wriitng an original message for each crew member.  Please do not send store bought Valentine’s to school on Friday, February 14.

Electives Block #5:  Students will choose their upcoming Electives this week in class.  I will send home an electronic version of the Elective choices for you to review with your child along with the students that will be assigned to REQUIRED elective for Block 5.  Check you email for more information.

Scholastic Book Orders:  The February book order will come home this week with your child’s Yellow Folder. Book orders will be due on Tuesday, February 11.  To order online, go to www.scholastic.com/readingclub and use the classroom code: HLNVT to place your order.  Remember, each time you order books, we earn books for our classroom library.

Nevada County Library:  Thanks to mother nature, we missed out on our last visit to the Nevada County Library last week due to the Snow Day.  Teri, the children’s librarian, renewed all the books for our crew. Our next trip to the Library will be on Thursday, February 13.

SELS News

February Lunch Orders:  If you would like to order lunches for your child at school, please download the Febraury lunch calendar that David emailed earlier this week.  Circle the dates your child would like lunch and write your child’s name and crew at the top of the menu.  Menus are due by this Friday (or sooner).

SELS-a-bration SOCK HOP: Don’t miss out on a good ol’ fashioned SOCK HOP at SELS this Friday night, February 7 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.  The PTC is still looking for volunteers for all areas to help make this a memorable night for all.  Thirty minutes is all it takes to make this a great evening for all.  Please sign up on the Google Doc to help out.  

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gbGmcRhj3IvgDEHDZou_M3KZSpXkpDsX5DYIcOWcYDc/edit?usp=sharing

Dates to Remember:

• Wed. Feb. 5:  Minimum Day – School dismissed at 1:00
• Fri. Feb. 7:  SELS-a-bration SOCK HOP from 6:00 – 8:00 pm
• Tues. Feb. 11:  Scholastic Book Orders due
• Thurs. Feb. 13:  Nevada County Library
• Fri. Feb. 14:  Empathy and Caring celebration 
• Mon. Feb. 17 – Fri. Feb. 21:  NO SCHOOL – Ski/Skate Week

Railraod:  Good or Evil?  Case Study #3 takes a final look at how the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad affected the Native Americans in the western frontier.  Students are looking carefully at the changes that occured in the American West once the railroad was completed.  Each student will use non-fiction text to write an opinion paragraph arguing if the Transcontinental Railroad was GOOD or EVIL.  Be sure to ask your child their opinion on this topic and engage in a conversation about their reasoning.  This is a great skill to begin developing in your child……using evidence to support an arguement.

Spring Expedition:  The Kick-off to our Spring Expedition will happen in early Febraury.  Keep tuned for more information.  Hint:  Go USA!

Crew News

Community Meeting:  The Welch crew will be facilitating the Friday morning Community Meeting.  If you can spare 30 minutes, come spend the morning with us.

Mid-year Assessments:  While we are finishing up our Fall expedition, studnets are also being assessed in DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment), Writing progress, Spelling, and Math.  Keep helping your child stay healthy by making sure they get plenty of rest, lots of fluid, and washing their hands frequently. 

Library Visits:  We continue to enjoy our walking trips to the Nevada County Library.  I love watching the crew choose new books to read at home to themselves and their siblings.  Keep up the encouragement.

Scholastic Book Orders:  Book orders for January are due next Tuesday, January 21.

Harvest of the Month:  Our crew will be tasting Mandarins this week for our January Harvest of the Month tasting…..YUM!

SELS News

Progress Reports:  The end of the Fall Semester is here.  Wow!  That went fast.  Friday, January 24 marks the halfway mark of the school year.  Mid-year Progress Reports will be sent home on Monday, February 3rd with the students.

Family Dance:  Put on your dancing shoes and get ready go dance the night away at the SELS Family Sock Hop on Friday, Februay 7th in the school gym.  The PTC is looking for volunteers to help with this dance.  If you can spare some extra time (or need a break from dancing) contact the PTC to sign up for position.

Dates to Remember:

• Friday, January 17:  Welch Crew – Community Meeting
• Friday, January 17:  Harvest of the Month
• Monday, January 20:  NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
• Tuesday, January 21:  Scholastic Book Orders due
• Friday, January 24:  Last day of Fall Semester
• Thursday, January 30:  Nevada County Library
• Monday, February 3:  Progress Reports go home
• Friday, February 7:  ALL school Dance

I’ve Been Making $$$ on the Railroad:  Now that the railroad is complete, with this new means of transport, Truckee was born.  In Case Study #2, students are learning about the economic influence of the railroad through the Sierra Nevada.  

Questions of the Week:

• Name three industries that started following the completion of the Railroad.
• What was the summer industry and the winter industry?
• Which of these 3 industries is still a main part of today’s economy in Truckee?

I’ve Been Working on the Railroad:  The task of constructing a Transcontinental Railroad was truly a “crazy” idea by Theodore Judah, but the students in our crew have embraced the challenge to learn about the people responsible for the completion of this monumental project.

Students are currently working hard on their scripts that they will perform during our Celebration of Learning.  Each child has selected a major player on the railroad and is writing a Chautauqua historical fiction narrative based on that character.  They will transform into that character next month.  

Questions of the Week:

• Describe the character you will portray at Celebration of Learning on December 19?
• What important role did that person have in the construction of the railroad?
• In your opinion, what was the most difficult part of the building of the railroad in the 1860’s?

How can I help my child prepare for their Chautauqua?

1. Begin by thinking about what your child would like to wear to Celebration of Learning to dress in character. This should not be a BIG deal, but rather look in your closet for time period clothing of a railroad worker in the 1860’s.  Flannel shirts, overalls, work gloves, tools, etc.  If your child is Abraham Lincoln or a business man, a more business type attire would be great.  A button down shirt and tie would do the trick.
2. Practice at home each evening.  Scripts will come home after Thanksgiving break.  

The story of the transcontinental railroad is one with triumph as well as defeat, danger and excitement. With the help of the graphic novel: “The Building of the Transcontinental Railroad,” our crew has been able to learn more about this historical event from the perspective of the railroad’s leaders. This includes: The Big Four, Theodore Judah, railroad crew managers and more. As we read this story as a crew, we are able to focus on the strategy of determining importance. In order to execute this strategy correctly with nonfiction text, crew leaders explicitly and systematically teach how to pull the most important information from the book. While it can be difficult to determine important information from interesting, our scaffolded approach will help crew members when it comes time to support their own understanding with other nonfiction texts they read.

Questions to ask your child about the Transcontinental Railroad:

• Who were the Big Four?
• What were some of the problems encountered when the railroad was built?

Crew News

Introducing Katie Groden, Student Teacher:  As most of you know, we are pleased to have Katie Groden, a Truckee native in our crew for 6 weeks.  She spent the first 6 weeks of school with the McMains crew.  

Goal Setting Conferences:  Thanks to all of you form making our Goal Setting Conferences a successful part of your child’s education.  Coming prepared to discuss your child’s strengths and challenges was very helpful.

Reading at HOME:  Please remember the best way to get better at a specific skill is to PRACTICE.  It is important to remember that RE-READING is a skill we encourage.  Having your child re-read familiar books increases their fluency.  Chunking 3-4 words together at a time, reading with inflection, and correcting miscues are all areas we are working on in class. Your child should sound as if they are telling a story when they are reading.

Snow Clothes:  OK – it’s starting.  The unpredictable weather we all know and love here in Truckee.  Please be sure your child has proper clothing for outside weather. We send kids outside to play everyday, so it is important to have jackets, snowpants, gloves, hats, and snow boots.

Indoor shoes/slippers are recommended:  Sending a pair of indoor shoes or slippers to school for the winter makes the learning environment more comfortable.  Send in a pair of rubber soled shoes for your child.

Fieldwork/Outings: The following fieldwork and outings are scheduled for our crew:

• November 7:  Walking to Nevada County Library
• November 8:  Arts for the Schools

Expeditionary Learning National Conference:  Last week, David Manahan, Julie Brisbin and myself attended the Expeditionary Learning National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.  We spent 3 days learning new protocols and strategies for “Digging Deeper into the Common Core.”  I presented literacy strategies for reading closely non-fiction and informational texts and incorporating academic vocabulary into our Expeditions.

Annual Bear Walk:  Thursday, October 31, SELS will hold their annual Bear Walk from 10:00 – 11:30 am.  This is a walk-a-thon designed to raise classroom funds for the “little extras” for our crews.  Students received donation envelopes last week and should be asking for per lap donations.  Students may wear costumes to school as long as they are appropriate for young children.  Please no masks or bloody costumes.

Tardies:  School begins at 9:15.  That means they should be at school ready to line up by 9:10.  There are a lot of students strolling in around 9:20 or later.  This causes a disruption to our Morning Meeting which is a large part of our character building time in the classroom. Please make every effort to have your child to school by 9:10.

Dates to Remember:

• October 31:  Bear Walk from 10:00 – 11:30
• November 7:  Dental Talk
• November 7:  Nevada County Library
• November 8:  Arts for the Schools – Story Pirates
• November 11:  No School – Veteran’s Day
• November 20:  Minimum Day – School dismissed at 1:00
• November 21:  Nevada County Library