Expedition Express

Successful Fieldwork:  Last week, our crew participated in a Downtown Truckee Photo Scavenger Hunt looking for familiar buildings that have historical contexts.  Students were instructed to find each building, take a photo, and identify the 2012 buisness of that site.  It was a great learning experience for all students. We learned some ways to improve our photographic skills as well as beginning to critique our crewmated to help improve the quality of our work.  

Trails and Vistas:  Today we explored the wonders of Trails and Vistas with the Seaborg Crew at Donner State Memorial Park.  Students were greeted by Mother Earth, heard music by the Banana Slug String Band (twice), wrote poems about trees, made peace sign decorations for Peace Day, heard stories about Dreams and so much more.  Have your child share with you their favorite part of their field experiences to gain a better knowledge of what we are learning in class.

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS:  These fieldwork experiences would not be possible without the wonderful support we receive from our parent volunteers.  I would love to send a shout out to the following parents for taking time out of their busy schedules to make our fieldwork successful”

Downtown Truckee Volunteers:  Forrest Rader, Jill Penwarden, Tina Cook, Jen Wilkin, and Araceli Alvarez.

Trails and Vistas Volunteers:  Erica Stein, Arthur Rader, Nicole Martin, Angie Hunter, and Gina Coronel.

Crew News

New Welch Crew Students:  I would like to send a warm welcome to two new Welch Crew members that will become members of our crew this week.  Evelyn and Parker, we look forward to having you join our crew and experience the adventures that await in our future.  WELCOME!

Responsibilty for Learning:  Expeditionary Learning follows 10 Design Principles as a basis for our character education.  In September, our focus is Responsibility for Learing.  Students are learning how to become responsible students, citizens, and community members in our school and the community.  It is important that you help foster this skill in order to help your child become an independent indiviual.  We spend time each day talking about our RESPONSIBILIES and how we can improve these skills.

SELS News

STAR Test Results:  Parents of 3rd grade students that attended SELS as 2nd grade students may pick up their STAR test results in the office.  I am very proud of the achievements your child made last year, but if you have questions, please feel free to come see me.  I would be happy to explain these results to you.

PTC Meeting:  This is your chance to get involved and make a difference in your child’s school experience.  Come to the PTC Meeting next Monday, September 17 at 5:00 pm.  You can help organize events and participate in your child’s educational experience.  Make it a priority!

Capital Campaign:  Next year (2012-2014) SELS will be expanding for the final time by adding a 4/5 multi-age class and an 8th grade self-contained classroom.  In order for this transition to be smooth, we need to move and position more portable classrooms.  SELS is planning a Capital Campaign to help raise funds to move the classrooms needed to make this expansion seamless.  If you have ideas, or would like to be a part of the campaign, please come to the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 17 at 5:00 pm.

Dates to Remember:

  • Wednesday, September 12:  Minimum Day.  School Dismissed at 1:00 (K-5)
  • Thursday, September 27:  School Picture Day – Remember to wear your smile
  • Tuesday, October 2 – Wednesday, October 3:  Overnight Fieldwork to Boca Springs Campground