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