Hi all,

Lots of very exciting news and happenings from our school community.

  • Students have been doing a wonderful job of presenting their views on our SIERRA norms at Community Meetings on Friday mornings. Please come by and participate in the meeting and Coffee House (free coffee and snack for parents, plus an opportunity to meet more of your school community).

  • The Brisbin Crew has been busy presenting to various local organizations (Rotaries, Soroptimists, etc.) in an effort to raise funds for a Spring trip to Yosemite Valley. They have been awarded 4 students scholarships so far.

  • SELS was well represented on Friday at the Dia de las Muertas celebration in downtown Truckee. All shared in the recognition of alters and many performed with singing and dancing. Great job by Rubi Sanchez to organize our participation and train our dancers and singers. To see an article in Moonshine Ink, please visit: http://www.moonshineink.com/articles.php/6/2539

  • The PTC has a lot going on and has been very active with events and fundraising. They put on a fantastic Bear Walk, awarded a scholarship to the Brisbin Crew, just completed an eScrip sign-up contest, and are currently planning several future events. Please see their meeting minutes on the SELS website: http://www.truckeecharterschool.org/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&id=206:ptc-meeing-minutes-nov-7-2011

  • The McMains Crew is beginning some long-range fundraising for a culminating 8th grade excursion. The are selling trees as their first project. Flyers are being sent home this week. If you are planning on buying a tree this year, please think about supporting this effort.

  • The cold weather looks like it is here to stay. Please make sure your children are dressed appropriately.

  • Our hot lunch program is going well. To reiterate the process: we send home menus at the beginning of the month; students circle the days they want lunch. I put in orders on Fridays, so if you need to change your order, you can let the classroom teacher know the Friday before the change (once the orders are in to the District, they are not changeable).

  • Sadly, Denise Strecker is leaving us this week. She has done a superb job of helping all our students improve their reading and writing.

  • As a replacement, we have hired Zach Williams to continue improving our reading and writing achievement. Mr Williams recently moved here from Oregon where he has taught 2nd and 3rd grade for several years. We are very excited to have him join our school community.

Important Dates: (please get these into your calendars)

  • Tomorrow, Wed Nov 9, is a minimum day; 6th graders out at 11:45 am and all elementary students released at 1 pm. There is busing for all so no Kinder after-school program.

  • Fri, Nov 11 is Veteran’s Day – NO SCHOOL

  • Tues, Nov 15 at 3:30 pm we will be having a school configuration meeting. We will be discussing how we would like mixed age classrooms to look, and what grades to mix, given our current scheduling, busing, and other constraints. All are welcome.

  • Nov 21-25 is Thanksgiving Break – NO SCHOOL

  • Tues, Nov 29 from 5:30-7 pm all are invited to participate in a Diversity Awareness workshop facilitated by Alfredo Vergara-Lobo. He recently led our Board retreat and has offered to present this workshop through Skype. We are very excited for what we believe will be some valuable information and learning.

  • Fri, Dec 2 is our Gratitude Dinner from 6-8 pm in the campus gymnasium. This is an all school potluck to give appreciation for many things. All Crews will also be performing songs with the help of our current enrichment teacher, Emily Tessmer. More information will be sent on this.

  • Wed, Dec 14, is a minimum day; 6th graders out at 11:45 am and all elementary students released at 1 pm. There is busing for all so no Kinder after-school program.

  • Thurs, Dec 15 is our first Celebration of Learning. This event highlights all the wonderful work students have been doing. Classrooms will be open from 5:30-7:30 pm.

  • Dec 19 – Jan 2 is Winter Break – NO SCHOOL (you will notice Jan 2 is a Monday, so break is one day longer than usual)

Thanks to all for your efforts to help our school community be as enriching as possible. Additional thanks to parents for making sure your children arrive on time; our tardies have decreased dramatically.

Wishing you all a nice November.

David