May 4, 2012

Introduction to the Nurtured Heart Approach

Erica Charlesworth, Blue Oak parent, will present an introduction to the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA), developed by Howard Glasser, in our last parent evening of the year, Tuesday May 8th, 6-7:30 pm. NHA is both a parenting and classroom management approach which emphasizes a practice of tuning into our energy as we develop relationships with our children and students. Are we giving  our energy to misbehavior, or are giving it to the greatness available within each of us?  NHA gives us strategies to create long-term transformative relationships with our children, students, and ourselves. Blue Oak is looking to implement these progressive strategies in classrooms next year and will be supporting teacher training over the summer. Erica recently completed a 6-session live webinar with Howard Glasser and has been implementing these strategies at home since January with refreshing success with her two children. Childcare available with advance notice. See Beth by Monday afternoon. 

Teacher Appreciation Baskets

It's a tradition at Blue Oak to give "Teacher Appreciation Baskets" to each teacher/aide at the end of the school year. If you would like to contribute, please consider having your child make or buy a small token of appreciation. Examples: tea, soap, lotion, candy, jam, scarf, stationary, candles, olive oil, etc... The collection period is May 7th - 18th. Please place items in Jen Vaught's reading resource room (last office on left down main hallway); in the room you will find brown bags with teacher names. This small token is not to be in lieu of any teacher gifts that you may have planned. The hope is that if most children bring a small item we can create a nice gift basket for each teacher.

If you have any questions please contact Beth Howard at front desk/ 891-6797 or Maria Amatuccio at  895-3135. Thank you for your support!  

Annual May Faire 

Our annual May Faire will be Saturday May 12th from 11am to 3pm. Please sign up in your classroom to help with your class activity and remember to make sure it is set up for visitors by 11am. It is PICNIC STYLE this year so please bring your picnic lunch to the event. There will also be a sweet and savory bake sale. Tea and Water will be provided free of charge. Bring your cups, napkins, plates and utensils.

Festivals are an important part of the life we share as a community. We hope to see you all there!

May Fair Book Sale

Teachers' Book Connection will have a booth at our May Faire on Saturday the 12th. There will be a wide variety of books to choose from representing a range of reading levels and interest areas. When purchasing books, you will receive a 30% discount from the retail price. We encourage you to consider purchasing books for your child's summer reading. We know that the more you read, the better you read. Plus, it's fun! 

Save the date! Our Spring Concert will be the evening of Tuesday May 22. More details to follow!

April 18, 2012

STAR Testing

On Tuesday, April 24^th second through eighth grade students will begin their annual STAR testing.  Teachers will be administering the tests during the Main Lesson period, from 8:10 to 10:10, over eight sequential school days excluding Monday, April 30^th.  Research has shown that avoiding testing on Mondays and administering the test in small sections over longer periods of time is less stressful and subsequently supports better student performance.  Please support your child/ren to do their best by seeing that they get a good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast and arrive on time each day.  Teachers will provide snacks and fun activities to help students have a comfortable and relaxing testing experience.

***May lunch orders are now due. Please turn them in by this Friday the 20th. Thank you!

March 26, 2012

Tidbits Week of March 26
 
Barbara Warren on Media
Next Tuesday April 3rd at 6pm our visiting mentor Barbara Warren will speaking on the importance of protecting children from exposure to electronic media. As stated in our charter, learning occurs best with home support that includes "limited exposure to the dimming effects of electronic media i.e television, computers, and video games with the aspiration that these will be replaced by creative play, recreational reading, social interest, and physical activity." One of the benefits in bringing parents together to hear a speaker and share their experiences is to foster a community where we support each other in this endeavor. Please join us! This is an extremely important way to participate in your child's education.
 
Rummage Sale
Spring Cleaning? Down sizing? Need to get rid of stuff? The Eighth Grade class will be holding a Rummage Sale (to raise funds for their class camping trip to Big Basin), on Saturday, March 31st from 8am to 2pm in the Big Room, and would be happy to take your unwanted items off your hands. If you would like to donate items (please, no TV's), we will begin collecting them starting March 26th thru 30th in the Big Room by the Fire Exit Door, before and after school. Nothing to donate? Stop on by the Rummage Sale, you might just find that hidden treasure you've been looking for. The Eighth Grade Class sincerely thanks you for your support.

Dogs on Campus 
Please join us in keeping our facility and campus clean by not bringing dogs to school.  We have had several recent incidents where well behaved pets have succumed to the excitement of children by becoming out of control and leaving a mess for us to attend to.  As you know, many of our classroom activities have children sitting on the carpeted floor.  We make a huge effort to keep that floor clean and hygenic.  Your support of this effort by not bringing dogs to school is appreciated.

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March 20, 2012

TIDBITS
March 20, 2012

2012-13 School Year Calendar

The calendar for next year has been adopted by the Blue Oak Charter Council and is now posted for your information.  You will notice a few changes from this year such as a later start date, August 27^th, a full week for Thanksgiving Holiday, a two week Winter Break and a full week for Spring Break.  There are several noninstructional days scheduled for staff development throughout the calendar.  We anticipate an increased need to focus on the implementation of new state mandates and to further develop our Waldorf instructional methods.  

Student Tardies

As you know, the instructional day for grades 1-8 begins at 8:10am.  Teachers have been directed to be at their classroom doors welcoming students and beginning the school day at that time.  By my estimation it takes between five and ten minutes to arrive at the school entrance, drive the parking lot loop, drop children at the curb and have them walk to their class.  Administration does their best to move this process along by directing traffic, walking students across the street and opening doors at the curb.  In consideration of this information it would be reasonable to expect most families to arrive at school by 8:00am however, very few do.  The majority of families arrive between 8:05 and 8:15am which makes a large number of students tardy everyday.  One day last week there were 85 students tardy.  This is a huge concern for faculty and administration at Blue Oak and once again we ask for your help.  The solution is a simple one, plan to leave home a little earlier in the morning so you arrive by 8:00am.  Your child’s arrival at school will be less stressful and precious instructional time will not be lost.  Your help to eliminate this growing problem is sincerely requested. 

Science Program

This week we begin the second of a four week series where 5^ththrough 8^th grade students receive intense afternoon science instruction by Chico environmentalists from the Kids and Creeks Program.  Last week the sixth grade studied a full range of standards-based concepts including anatomy and propulsion.  The highlight of the week is the Thursday afternoon field trip where the Kids and Creeks staff along with the classroom teacher conduct an off campus field study.  Please talk to your teacher about how you can support the field study by providing transportation or other services which may be needed.

Completion of Trimester 2 Benchmark Assessments

The trimester 2 benchmark assessments are complete and the data is in.  Generally the data shows growth in all classes which is what we would expect, however, math continues to be an area of concern in some grades.  Second through eighth grade teachers have been analyzing their student needs and reteaching concepts which have not been mastered.  Also, individual students who require instruction in a specific concept are being supported by tutors and math/reading specialists.  Your continuing help in supporting homework assignments and volunteering in your child’s classroom is greatly appreciated by all of us at Blue Oak.

April Lunch Menus Past Due!!

Menus for April were distributed to classroom teachers on March 7^th and were due March 14^th.  If you would like to order lunches for your child in April, please complete the menu and turn it in to the front desk ASAP.

February 8, 2012

Tid Bits  for February 6, 2012

Starting the Instructional Day

A big thank you goes out you to those parents who have stepped up their efforts to leave home a little earlier each day in order to arrive at school by 8:00am.  Instruction starts at 8:10am so your earlier arrival allows children to make it to class on time.  I have observed parents attempting to engage their child’s teacher in a discussion about school related concerns before class begins.  Please understand that this practice delays the class start time and potentially deprives you of your teacher’s full attention.  Your future effort to not distract your child’s teacher from starting class on time will be greatly appreciated.  If you need to meet with your child’s teacher please see Beth at the front desk to schedule an appointment.  She will make every effort to coordinate a meeting as soon as possible.

Parent Enrichment not scheduled in February

We will not have a parent enrichment event this Tuesday the 14^th. If you would like to be part of a committee to identify needs of parents in our community and host parent evenings once a month, please contact Laurie at laurie@blueoakcharterschool.org. This is an area of our community life we would like to develop further and it can’t happen without volunteer support.

Benchmark Tests

Trimester two Benchmark Tests will be administered next week, February 13-17.  The Benchmark Test is a parallel test which covers all standards-based material to be taught during the entire school year.  The results of this test will provide teachers with student performance data to inform instruction that is presented over the next four months.  With the rapidly approaching STAR tests scheduled for April, faculty recognize the importance of teaching skills that students previously didn’t master or skills which haven’t yet been taught.  The Benchmark Tests are one instrument that provides teachers with that information.

Lost and Found

The last time I walked past the lost and found rack in the back corner of the great room I wondered if we had decided to open our own thrift store.  If you haven’t been back there you’re in for a surprise.  The collection of lost and forgotten clothing is huge and growing by the day.  If you’re asking where my child’s second jacket or scarf disappeared it is most likely in our Lost and Found.  If you’re wondering why I’m telling you this, well in the interest of space and fire safety we’re planning to donate all of the items to a real thrift store in the next several weeks.  Please consider this the last call to reclaim lost clothing.  Friday, February 10^th a store will be scheduled to pick up what is here.  Your assistance in reuniting with those lost and lonely items is appreciated in advance.

Playground Use After School

We have recently been receiving complaints from our CARD Aftercare folks and our neighbors behind the playground regarding unsupervised children playing on the playground and along the back fence after school is dismissed.  Please know that children are not permitted to play outside the school while waiting for pick-up.  The only children permitted on the playground at that time are those who are registered to attend the CARD Aftercare Program and those children who are being closely supervised by a parent or guardian.  Please ask your child to wait in the front office in the event of a delayed after school pick-up.  We will supervise their safety and call parent contacts if necessary.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Waldorf Parent Education at the Steiner College

This Saturday the 11^th there will be a class offered at the Steiner College in Sacramento titled “Fundamentals of Waldorf Education, An Introduction.” Find out more by visiting www.steinercollege.edu. Learning about Waldorf education is one of the best ways to support your child and our school. If you are interested in finding carpool buddies for this or other educational events at the college, please contact Beth in the front office and we will do our best to connect interested parents. This is also an area for volunteers to really have an impact on our community by promoting and coordinating educational opportunities for parents.

Lunch Program Changes and Call for Volunteers!

As you hopefully are aware by now, the online system for ordering lunches has been retired by our vendor.  Each month lunch menus will be distributed to classrooms no later than the 10^th, and need to be returned the following week to the front office with any applicable payment.  We have worked hard to implement the paper order & tracking system to minimize changes experienced by students and teachers.  Please help by returning your orders as soon as possible and notifying us of changes (adds or cancels) early.  When you call to report your child absent, please remember to cancel lunch if one is ordered.  The school is liable for the cost of any meals ordered & delivered whether a student receives it or not.

Volunteers are needed to help distribute lunches daily.  This volunteer post involves packing bags with bento boxes according to class order sheets and delivery to lower grade classrooms.  We are in need of people to help 12pm–1:30pm on Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri.  Please contact Amanda at: amanda@blueoakcharterschool.org for more details and to sign up for a regular shift!

Fall Enrollment Update

The end of our open enrollment period is fast approaching.  If you have not already returned your “Intent to Return for Fall of 2012” form to your teacher, please do so by Wednesday, February 8^th.   This helps us determine the number of seats available to incoming students.  If you do no intend to return next year, please inform your teacher.

Admission Forms for siblings entering Kindergarten are due by Thursday, February 9^th.  If you intend to enroll a Kindergartener, please bring your form to the office ASAP to ensure your child’s seat.