Getting Ready for the Fall Overnight!!!

Getting ready for our amazing fall overnight!!!

At the bottom of this blog is the packing list and links to all the places we will be visiting during our trip.

Things to remember:
A. PACK FOR WARMTH
B. DAY PACK (Lunch, Water, Snack, Warmth + Flashlight for our first stop at the Lava Tubes, Book for the bus ride)
C. Label your stuff (all of it!)
D. Get plenty of rest tonight
E. MORE WARMTH (I will be sleeping with a hat/gloves on)

Tomorrow show up at school at 7:45. Please drop your stuff in the gym in a straight line under my name sign. Once you have dropped your stuff please come up to the classroom (bring your day pack with you). We will leave to get on the buses at 8:15.

Middle School Fall Trip - LaPine Oregon Packing List

DAY OF DEPARTURE:

Backpack

•  Lunch
•  Water bottle
•  Personal snack
•  Pencils and sharpener
•  E-Core journal
•  Book to read

CAMPING GEAR:

Clothing

• Comfortable hiking/walking shoes (No open toe sandals, no canvass shoes (Converse etc.), no bare feet or flip flops)  
• Long underwear
• 2 pair of jeans/pants
• Long sleeve, warm (wool) layers to wear
• 2 Hats (night and day), gloves, scarf (wool is preferred)
• 2-3 pair of WOOL or synthetic socks
• WARM jacket and sweater/sweatshirt ~ we expect temperatures to be around 40 degrees
• Warm pajamas (sweatpants (with longjohns) work great!)
• Plastic bag to put dirty clothing into

Toiletries

• Toothpaste & toothbrush
• Toiletries (Deodorant, no perfume, no makeup, or unnecessary items)

Sleeping / Around Camp

• WARM Sleeping bag and pad
• Pillow (optional)
• Mug/to go cups for hot beverage
• Flashlight/headlamp (check for brightness and extra batteries)

Do not bring

• Absolutely no electronic equipment (NO cell phones, walkmans, Discmans, IPODs, mp3 players, headphones, radios, game boys – nothing)  Cameras are OK.

Remember it can be very cold in Central Oregon

Wearing layers will keep you warm!

Medication: We will collect medication(s) the morning of departure.  Please leave medication in its newest, original container.  Staff will be on-site to review dosing instructions and obtain authorization for medication to be administered by school personnel.  

Departure Date: Tuesday, September 30th. Please be at SES at 7:45am.

Return Date: Thursday, October 2^nd – 1:00 PM

Check Out:  Students must be checked out with their CORE Teacher before leaving school grounds.  Please be certain to pick up medications  and loaned equipment at check out.

DON’T FORGET TO LABEL YOUR BELONGINGS!

Links to where we will be going during out trip...

LaPine State Park (where we are camping!)

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=32

Boyd Cave Lava Tube... http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110601&ttype=recarea&recid=39276&actid=102&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110250000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&pname=Central+Oregon+-+Boyd+Cave+Day+Use+Area

Lava Lands Visitor Center

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110601&ttype=recarea&recid=38394&actid=50&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110000000000000&pnavid=&pname=Newberry+National+Volcanic+Monument+-+Deschutes+NF+-+Lava+Lands+Visitor+Center

Big Obsidian Flow - Newberry Caldera

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/big-obsidian-flow-newberry-crater

First Weekend HW 9-6

Sorry for the late blog post everyone!

Here is the weekend HW:

Due Monday:
1. Fountain Field Study Questions
...Remember to focus your energy on the essential questions. That is where I expect to see the most thought, detail, and effort. The response should have AT LEAST 3 complete sentences.
...You can respond to the other, assignment questions anyway you want, including written, drawn, spoken (and recorded), or anything else you feel inspired to do.

2. Perspective.... One your 1/2 sheet of paper create an image of the word perspective (example: give your perspective on the word of perspective). If you need ideas, simply look up the word perspective on google images.

Enjoy your weekend... Hope you all enjoyed some amazing fist pumps Friday!

9-4

Come ready to rock and roll for our first field study to the Moda Center fountain!!!!

Please bring:
-a lunch (or get a 'to go' lunch from the cafeteria in the morning)
-appropriate clothing (that can potentially get wet should you choose to play in the amazing fountain)
-water bottle

HW due Friday:
1. Using a notecard (or any sheet of paper if you don't have your notecard) create an image (drawn, painted, printed, however you want to do it) for one of the following four major expectations for field studies... BE PREPARED, BE AWARE, BE ENGAGED, BE POSITIVE... The image should represent what you think that expectation looks like in action!

Looking forward to a fun, community building first field study!

9-3-2014

Day #2 - DONE! Two days in and it already seems like we are getting into a great "core class flow." Thanks all for being amazing, bringing your engagement, and positivity!

Also, thanks for checking the blog.

Once the homework picks up, the routine of checking your planner/the blog will prove helpful!

HW due Thursday:
1. Give the pink parent intro letter to a parent at home

Optional
-Bring in your summer memento (sorry we didn't get a chance to share today)

Tomorrow we will start Math/Spanish/Friendship (after morning meeting and 1 hour of core)

Friday we will go to the Moda Center (formerly known as the Rose Garden) Fountain with Asa's class four our first field study. Make sure you have turned in your permission forms if you have not already done so :)

As a check in tomorrow when you walk in the door show me what you think a radical fist pump would look like OR share with me one thing you learned from this Kid President video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwlhUcSGqgs...

Cheers :)

First Day of School HW

Hooray! We all survived our first day of school!

Read the post before this to get your "welcome" to the class blog.

HW due Wednesday:
1. Fill out permission forms (yellow med form, blue walking form, white field study permission forms)
2. Check the class blog (if you are reading this then you have successfully completed this assignment!)

Optional:
1. Bring in summer memento (item that represents your summer) to class to share (this will be due Monday, September 8th)
2. Give Michael a high five upon walking into core class tomorrow morning to show him that you read the blog :)

Friday, September 5th = Fountain Field Study... We will be going on our first field study with Asa's class to the Moda Center fountain (where the Blazers play)... Permission forms must be turned in by this time to go on the trip!

You are all awesome. Thanks for making the first day so engaging, positive, and successful!

OOOOOPS!!!! I forgot to send home the parent intro letter tonight. I will send it home tomorrow. If anyone in your family wants to read the letter it is pasted below... Sorry for the delay (and for the poor pasting of this document)

The Year of the Mountain - 2014-2015 - Michael’s Class

Michael Jansa

mjansa@pps.net 

503.916.6226 (School)

503.901.9775 (CELL)

BLOG- www.ses211.blogspot.com

Welcome to the Year of the Mountain!  I look forward to getting to know you as we work together with your child to make this a joyful and enriching year of learning and growth.

The Year of the Mountain at SES focuses on the land and the connection between people and the land.  This fall we will explore the geography and geology of our Pacific Northwest while looking at how this land influences the people who live here now and in the future as well as those who have lived here in the past. We will also explore the people, cultures, ecology and climates that are associated with some of our mountain features. Additional studies throughout the year will take us on journeys to explore narratives of self and coming of age, world conflict and refugees, ancient cultures and many other engaging and worthwhile topics.

Our large integrated units are supported throughout the year by literature investigations, morning meeting, writer’s workshop, service learning opportunities, gardening, science and computer lab, art, weekly field studies, cooking from our garden, P.E., and SO MUCH MORE… Within all that we do there will be an emphasis on critical thinking, multiple perspectives, inquiry, resilience, and practice moving mindfully within the class, school, local, and world-wide community. 

            The first weeks of school are used for building community, strong habits, and figuring out the rhythm of the school. Please know that it is normal to feel overwhelmed at first and that I will do whatever possible to help ease the transition for you and your child into this school year.

With that in mind, I am looking forward to working with all of you throughout this year.  I GREATLY value communication, structure, and flexibility.  I work best through email (mjansa@pps.net). If you don’t have email access or prefer not to check your email, I will send a hard copy of my communication home in addition to occasional phone conversations. Above all else, please know that I am always open to communication and the more we connect the better. Together we play a critical role in your child’s education and growth!

At SES we believe that many of the best learning experiences take place outside of the school building.  That is why we will travel once a week during the fall and spring out in the field where the city, parks and wilderness areas become our classroom.  Thursdays will generally be our field studies day.  On the back of this letter is a schedule of our outings.  The school district requires us to have at least one other adult present on these trips and so it’s only with your help that these learning experiences can happen. Please look at the schedule to see if you can help out on any of our trips. I will be in touch with your shortly as I attempt to secure my parent volunteers for the fall.

I will work to create a strong sense of self and community within our classroom and school while building an academically challenging year full of engaging topics to grapple with, opportunities for academic and personal growth, and many moments to have fun and challenge ourselves.

I am thrilled to be entering my 6^th year at Sunnyside. After a year teaching in Maine and a year spent traveling in South America I was fortunate to receive the opportunity to teach here at Sunnyside Environmental School. I have LOVED being a part of the incredible SES community as a middle school core teacher the past five years. This is a special school and I am excited to work with all of you during the 2014-2015 school year!

Regards,

Michael Jansa

Here are some beginning of the year details:

• Back to School Parent Night is Thursday, September 11^th from 6:30- 8:00. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see you all there!!!
• I will send consistent emails sharing what is happening in the class, upcoming events and field studies, covering important classroom news, and discussing anything else that will inevitably arise.
• Your child will have a daily planner in which they will record each night’s homework assignments. In addition, I will update the class blog (www.ses211.blogspot.com) daily with homework, service opportunities, and important dates/events.
• In accordance with the district, students will be graded on a quarter system this year
• We will always be reading a novel, either all class, small group, or individual choice.  Students are expected to read at least 20-45 minutes per night and can have another book they are reading besides the class book.
• We will go on weekly field studies (mainly on Thursdays) for much of the fall. We depend on parent chaperones to make these trips possible. Please help out wherever and whenever you can.
• We will be implementing a VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) curriculum through monthly lessons to develop critical thinking skills (http://www.vtshome.org/)
• We are Buddies with Kelly/Sarah’s 1^st/2^nd class.
• I appreciate your input, communication, and support. Never hesitate to get connect with me if you have questions, concerns, comments, thoughts, or anything else.
• I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT YEAR!!! Thank you in advance for your commitment, support, and communication!!!

Fall Field Studies and Events

DATE	LOCATION	TIME
Sept. 5 (Friday)	Rose Quarter Fountain (bus safety/community building)	10:15-2:00
Sept. 11 (Thursday)	Site Monitoring #1	10:00 – 2:30
Sept 18 (Thursday)	Mt. Tabor	10:00-2:00
Sept. 25 (Thursday)	Jean’s Farm	9:15-2:30
Sept 30 – Oct 2 (Tues - Thurs)	Fall Overnight Camping Trip – LaPine State Park (Central Oregon)	OVERNIGHT!!! More info to come
Oct. 9 (Thursday)	Columbia Gorge	9:00 – 3:00
Oct 16 (Thursday)	Mt. St. Helens (day trip)	9:00 – 3:00
Oct. 23 (Thursday)	Jean’s Farm #2	9:15 – 2:30
Oct. 29-Oct. 30 (Wed - Thurs)	Fall Parent Conferences	8:00 – 8:00
Nov 6 (Thurs)	Zoo Tunnel	10:00 – 2:00
Nov 12 - 14	OUTDOOR SCHOOL 6th grade only!!!	OVERNIGHT More info to come
Nov 20 (Thursday)	Downtown Geology	9:30-2:30
Dec 4 (Thursday)	Plant Restoration	10:45 – 2:30