Our Kid's Capacity For Innovation And Creativity

Hi all! Just wanted to share something that has been bouncing around my brain since last week. Last Thursday we read a book entitled "Willow." (http://www.librarything.com/work/5407321) Its a wonderful book about a child's capacity to be creative and about how that creativity often inhabits a realm that us grown ups might not view as "traditional art." It concluded with a great quote by Picasso: "Every Child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."

This quote reminded me of something that our outstanding Trillium teacher Rob shared with us via a video during our staff retreat last year. The video is from The Ted series (if you are unfamiliar with this organization, get ready to for hours and hours of intellectual excitement). In this particular segment, Ken Robinson talks about his belief that modern day education strangles creativity out of our children. He uses the same Picasso quote in his presentation. I would really love for all parents to watch this video and even comment on it. Now, I cannot say that I whole heartedly agree with everything Robinson says, but I still think the point he puts forward is very valid.

I am so delighted with how successful our class blog has been this year, but I think the one thing that might be missing is more feedback/comments from you, Trillium parents. Do not, by any means feel required to respond in the comment section about this video. But if you do, I cannot wait to read what you have to offer. Thanks! (PS I am new to this blogging stuff and really hope that the video works!)

SCRIP - you can do it!

Greetings Trillium Families-

There have been many communications via email about the SCRIP program at our school. I'd like to take a moment to explain to you why it so important for families to get involved. SCRIP is a national fund raising program. SCRIP is an easy and painless way to give money to Trillium. When you order SCRIP, you order gift cards from various local merchants who have discounted these cards to TFT. You pay face value for the cards, nothing more. TFT, then, gets to keep the profits. Percentages given back to the school aren't huge, but the more we order, they add up fast. More information can be found at ttp://www.trilliumcharterschool.org/tft-scrip

Our biggest sellers are New Seasons and Fred Meyer. At the moment we have New Seasons on hand every Monday and Friday morning. I am working on making that happen with Fred Meyer as well. I know it is difficult to budget and to have a check book available at the right times to get SCRIP that is why we also have a SILVER drop box in the front lobby on the glass case to the right. There are order forms there as well. You can drop your order anytime. If your order includes New Seasons or Fred Meyer, please include your contact info so I can get it to you sooner than the regular monthly order dates. All other gift cards are ordered and picked up from the SCRIP office once per month.

Sometimes budgeting is the hardest part. So, I am available via email or phone to make special arrangements like, take your SCRIP order or deliver your order to you. For example, if you know you spend $100 per week at Fred Meyer and $100 at New Seasons but don't necessarily have $800 to fork out once a month, I can make sure to have that $200 order available to you every Monday or Friday. Make sense?

For the upcoming holidays there will be additional SCRIP orders. The next one is due next MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18 for pick up before the Thanksgiving break. Get your SCRIP to buy holiday groceries, going out to eat or holiday gifts. You can also order SPIELWERKS gift certificates by writing them on the bottom of your SCRIP order form.


Please pass the word on about the importance of using SCRIP even if it is only for groceries. If you don't see a retailer on there that you frequent, get a prepaid VISA card to be used wherever VISA credit cards are accepted.

Order forms can be printed from
http://www.ttsd.k12.or.us/get-involved/scrip/11-01-09%20Personal%20Order%20Form.pdf

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions at mausjuli@gmail.com or call me at
503 735 3040

Thank you so much-
--
Juli Maus
Mama to Eleni in Beth's advising and Danica in Preschool

Monday

Today is Monday November 9, 2009.
We will have menu groups. (math games)
We will have snack and recess.
We will have GARDEN with Amanda.
We will have lunch and recess.
We will have read aloud. (peter and the starcatchers)
We will have a class meeting. (proposals presented and voted on, moderated by one of the students)
We wil have writing workshop.
We will have elective blocks.
We will be kind to each other.
We will have fun!! Love, Whitney

Mytery Word:
RIDMAEM

Question of the day:
How did the continents get their names? (everyone will need to be detectives to find the answer today.)

We will not have school on Wednesday.

Sign up for conferences. The sign up sheets are outside the classroom.

Be sure to remember to put on indoor shoes as soon as you come into class.

Mystery Word:
MERMAID (from Peter and the Starcatchers)