Chrysalis Newsletter, February 23, 2012

Submitted by ChrysalisNews on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 2:57pm

Chrysalis News – February 23, 2012

Chrysalis Announcements:

 
STAR Writing Test for 4th and 7th Graders
We need all our 4th and 7th graders (including home schoolers) at school on Tuesday, March 6th to take the California State Writing Test.   4th graders will begin their test at 8:30 a.m. so they should be on time to school at 8:15.  7th graders will take test at 9:45 a.m. (Home schoolers should arrive by 9:30).  Thank you.
Please make sure your students get a good night’s rest and eat a healthy breakfast, including a banana.
 
School Lunch Orders for March
Lunch order forms for March have been distributed to students.  Please return your orders to school by Monday, February 27.
Thank you.

Spring Electives
Our new spring electives begin on Friday afternoon, March 2.
 
Backpacking Class - Parent Community Service Opportunity - Many Hours!
Paul needs a second adult to accompany his Friday elective backpacking class during three Friday night backpack trips. You don’t have to be able to do all three; any of the three will be helpful. Contact Paul if you are interested.
Each month, students will go on an overnight backpack trip. We will leave Friday at lunch on our trips and return Saturday evening. Each trip will lead to a beautiful place and be around three miles without major elevation gains.
In March, we will backpack along the Sacramento River in the Bend district, either the night of the 23rd or 30th.
On April 27th, we will backpack up on the Hat Creek Rim near Old Station.
In May, depending on snow levels, we will backpack up near Mt. Eddy, either the night of the 18th or 25th.

Kindergarten Enrollment for 2012-2013
We have been getting in many applications for this next school year.  If you have a child who is ready for Kindergarten next year, please turn in an application for him/her.  We have applications in the office or you can get one off our web site.  Do this ASAP!  Children must be 5 years old by September 2.
 (See message below.)
 
Romeo and Juliet- Oregon Shakespeare Festival - Friday, April 13
Once again we will be taking students to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s production of Romeo and Juliet up in Ashland Oregon. The Festival is world-class theatre, providing an outstanding opportunity for students to experience the power of the stage. The Festival is very supportive of educating the next generation so the group tickets are quite reasonable and the same for students and accompanying parents alike. After the production, students will have the chance to ask questions of one of the actors. As a teacher, I have found that an especially wonderful experience for the students - to talk to an adult about their craft.
It is now time to decide if you wish to come. Though we have reserved seats in advance, we must make final payment by mid-March. Therefore, we need to receive checks from all those interested by Friday, March 9th.
Tickets are $21 each. We will try to carpool as much as possible. Add $5 per rider to help with gas costs if you ride up with someone else. Please fill out the accompanying form and return by March 9th.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Oregon Shakespeare Festival - Romeo and Juliet - April 13
Family Name _________________________________ # of tickets _____________
_____ We will drive up by ourselves.
_____ We will drive up and have room for ____________ more.
_____ We will need a ride.
Please enclose a check made out to Chrysalis Charter School for $21 per ticket.

Monterey Camping Trip
Just 96 days before our camping trip at beautiful, balmy Monterey.  Camping trip information and registration forms will come out in April.
Look at our Newsletter on February 9 for more information.  Families taking an RV will have to make their own reservations at an RV park.  Our group site only accommodates tents for 100 people.  Individual sites in the campground are first-come-first served so you shouldn’t depend on getting one of those sites.
 
Thanks Parents!
We had a great time watching Enterprise Starship perform on Wednesday.  The performance was excellent and the kids really enjoyed it.  Many families helped cover the cost of the tickets by sponsoring other students, some even sponsoring up to nine other children!  It is in moments great and small when neighbors reach out to help each other that we get to see just how beautiful our world really is.  We would like to thank the following families for their generous gifts:  Kings, Sniders, Pyles, Altemuellers, Highfills, Webers, McCrackens, Comers, Harrisons, Webbs, Spratts, Mehrs, Gabels, Wendts, Cambrin Miller Family, Riddles, Wurzers, Cliftons, McPhillips, Calls, Reisses, Campbells, Collins, Richardsons, and Fongs.

Chrysalis Family Needs Help
Many of us are following the story of Marcella Wagner and her baby son and the car accident that changed their life. There are several ways you may help the family:

  1. Go to www.youcaring.com, search for Marcella Mae Wagner to make a donation on line.
  2. Contribute to the Marcella Wagner New Beginning Fund at any North Valley Bank.
  3. Give your time to help with the construction. Builders, electricians, those who know about handicap regulations and building codes, etc. are needed. Call Melissa Campbell at 524-4702 to leave a message.
  4. Donate handicap equipment or custom items to make life comfortable, safer, and easier for a paraplegic. Donate building supplies.
  5. Donate baby things. Needed right now are preemie size clothing and diapers. The family is registered at Target. Look under Marcella Wagner or David Campbell.
  6. Send cards to Chrysalis and we will get them to the family.
  7. The family requested all the prayers they can get.

Lost and Found
Mt. Everest has just moved into our Lost and Found bins.  The jackets, sweaters, and other belongs are numerous.  Please check here if you are missing items that belong to your children.  Lost and Found is located in or near room 7A.
 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 6TH GRADERS AND THEIR PARENTS
Please get your 6th grader into your doctor, a clinic, or to the public health Immunization clinic to get a Tdap Immunization and while there check if any other immunizations are needed. All 6th grade students will need proof of a Tdap Immunization before starting the 7th grade in August 2012. It is suggested that you get the Tdap during spring break and bring the documentation to our office when the student returns to school. Getting this Tdap immunization and the documentation to our office before June will really help us be ready for the new school year.

SALE! SALE! SALE!
We have Chrysalis long sleeved T-Shirts for sale at $10.00 each.
Youth sizes – small, medium and large, Adult sizes – Medium, Large, XLarge
 
We have Short sleeved T-shirts as well for $10.00 each.
Youth Sizes - Xsmall, small, and Xlarge

Love & Logic:

Privacy: How Much Should Kids Have?
Have you ever heard a parent say something like, "I don’t feel comfortable searching my daughter's room. I don't want to invade her privacy."?
Perhaps you know a child who is severely bent out of shape because their "Neanderthal" parents won't allow them to keep a computer in their bedroom.
 
Where do I stand on this issue?
It's our job to do our best to know what's going on in our children's lives.
It's our job to know what's in their rooms.
It's our job to do our best to know what they are doing on their computers and their phones.
It's our job to do our best to meet their friends and understand what they are involved in when they are hanging out.
 
When we do these things, we send the message that we love them enough to be involved in their lives.
Parents who do such things will likely hear, "You don't trust me!" If so, respond with the following:
We love you. Do you think we do these things to be nosey and obnoxious… or do we do these things because we love you and want to help you stay safe?
This question is not designed to change their mind. It's simply designed to plant a seed within it. When we consistently demonstrate love and concern…rather than a dictatorial attitude…this seed has a chance to grow.
As a society, we've lost far too many good kids to drugs, alcohol, pornography, suicide, video game addiction, etc., because we've been afraid of invading privacy. In our Teen Package you'll find a treasure chest of ideas for staying highly involved in your teen's life…without creating massive power-struggles and rebellion.
 
Dr. Charles Fay

Community Announcements:
Bananas are Great Food!  Read This –
Gives instant and sustained boost of energy.
Relieves depression, helps you relax and feel happier.
PMS?? Anemia??? High blood pressure???    Eat a banana
Increases brain power.  Eat bananas before tests and classes.
Constipation, Heartburn, Morning Sickness???  Try a banana
Mosquito bites – rub affected area with inside of banana skin.
Ulcers? Stress? Trying to quit smoking?  Eat a banana!
Warts – put a piece of banana skin over a wart with inside of skin on the wart.  Hold in place with bandaide or surgical tape.
Shine your shoes???? Rub inside of banana skin on the shoe. . . polish with dry cloth.
Eat Bananas – they are an AMAZING fruit!!!!

Calendar of Events:

March 6                      STAR Writing Test (4th and 7th grades)
April 2-9                      Spring Break
April 13                       Romeo and Juliet
April 30-May 4            STAR Testing
May 24                       Talent Show at 7:00pm
May 28                        No School - Memorial Day
May 31-June 3            Spring Camping Trip
June 5                         Graduation

Chrysalis Newsletter, February 16, 2012

Submitted by ChrysalisNews on Thu, 02/16/2012 - 5:34pm

 Chrysalis News – February 16, 2012

Chrysalis Announcements:

REMEMBER – NO SCHOOL MONDAY, February 20 - PRESIDENTS’ DAY HOLIDAY. SCHOOL WILL RESUME ON TUESDAY; REMEMBER SCHOOL IS OUT AT 2:00pm ON TUESDAY. THANKS!
 
Chrysalis Parent Club Meeting
Attention all Chrysalis Parents! Our Chrysalis Parent Club (CPC) meeting this month will be Tuesday, February 21st 6pm at Chrysalis. Please plan to attend if at all possible. We will be addressing several important decisions that need as much input as possible. Topics to be discussed include budget amendments, distribution of existing funds and planning for the rest of the year. Thank you in advance for taking time out to attend and have your voice heard!
 
Enterprise Starship Concert Field Trip – Shasta Learning Center
On Wednesday, February 22nd, all of our students will attend a concert by Enterprise High School Starship music organization. It is always a great concert. Sara, Cheri, and Crystal’s classes are attending the first performance in the morning. They will leave campus at 8:25am and return at 10:45am. All other children, from Emily’s class up, will leave campus at 10:15am and will return at 12:15pm.

Romeo and Juliet - Oregon Shakespeare Festival - Friday, April 13
Once again we will be taking students to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s production of Romeo and Juliet up in Ashland Oregon. The Festival is world-class theatre, providing an outstanding opportunity for students to experience the power of the stage. The Festival is very supportive of educating the next generation so the group tickets are quite reasonable and the same for students and accompanying parents alike. After the production, students will have the chance to ask questions of one of the actors. As a teacher, I have found that an especially wonderful experience for the students - to talk to an adult about their craft.
It is now time to decide if you wish to come. Though we have reserved seats in advance, we must make final payment by mid-March. Therefore, we need to receive checks from all those interested by Friday, March 9th.
Tickets are $21 each. We will try to carpool as much as possible. Add $5 per rider to help with gas costs if you ride up with someone else. Please fill out the accompanying form and return by March 9th.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
OregonShakespeare Festival - Romeo and Juliet - April 13
Family Name _________________________________ # of tickets _____________

_____ We will drive up by ourselves.

_____ We will drive up and have room for ____________ more.

_____ We will need a ride.

Please enclose a check made out to Chrysalis Charter School for $21 per ticket.

Chrysalis Family Needs Help
You may remember a news report from a week ago about a pregnant woman who was involved in a hit and run accident here in Redding. Her car was hit by another car which caused her car to flip over. The woman, Marcella Mae Wagner, is the aunt of one of our students and the sister of Melissa Campbell who was an instructional aide for us last year and now substitute teaches for Chrysalis.
 
Though Marcella’s baby had to be taken by C-section a month and a half early, we are happy to report that the little boy is doing well. He is the first child for Marcella Wagner and David Campbell who have been married for 2 years. Unfortunately, Marcella has a great challenge ahead of her because she has suffered a broken neck and spinal injuries that have left her paralyzed from the chest down.
Marcella does not have medical insurance. Friends and family have begun remodeling their home so it will be wheelchair accessible when Marcella is able to go home. All of this costs money.
 
There are several ways you may help the family:

  1. Go to www.youcaring.com, search for Marcella Mae Wagner to make a donation on line.
  2. Contribute to the Marcella Wagner New Beginning Fund at any North Valley Bank.
  3. Give your time to help with the construction. Builders, electricians, those who know about handicap regulations and building codes, etc. are needed. Call Melissa Campbell at 524-4702 to leave a message.
  4. Donate handicap equipment or custom items to make life comfortable, safer, and easier for a paraplegic. Donate building supplies.
  5. Donate baby things. Needed right now are preemie size clothing and diapers. The family is registered at Target. Look under Marcella Wagner or David Campbell.
  6. Send cards to Chrysalis and we will get them to the family.
  7. The family requested all the prayers they can get.

STAR Writing Test for 4th and 7th graders
We need all our 4th and 7th graders (including home schoolers) at school on Tuesday, March 6th to take the California State Writing Test. We will let you know the time for testing next week.
 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 6TH GRADERS AND THEIR PARENTS
Please get your 6th grader into your doctor, a clinic, or to the public health Immunization clinic to get a Tdap Immunization and while there check if any other immunizations are needed. All 6th grade students will need proof of a Tdap Immunization before starting the 7th grade in August 2012. It is suggested that you get the Tdap during spring break and bring the documentation to our office when the student returns to school. Getting this Tdap immunization and the documentation to our office before June will really help us be ready for the new school year.

Love & Logic:

Taking Away Privileges VS. Energy Drain Technique
Today I am responding to a question that was posted on the Love and Logic Facebook page.
"Ok, I need some help here. I cannot get my kids to stay in bed after I put them to bed. They come out 5 times a night to go to the bathroom, open my bedroom door to ask questions, and are loud and wake people up. No matter how many privileges I take away, they are still coming out."
After reading this question, I have some guesses, and several suggested strategies to try.
GUESS NUMBER ONE
This parent answers the kids' questions when they call out from the bedroom and reminds/begs them to stay in the room. This encourages them to continue doing that.
It helps to put the kids to bed with this statement: "You've had your time, now it's my time to rest up." When they open the door to ask questions, they don't get answers because this is the parent's time. Don't reward them by answering. Remember that this is now "your time."
GUESS NUMBER TWO
This parent tries to stay calm while dealing with this problem.
Don’t believe the myth that Love and Logic parents are always calm and sweet. Love and Logic parents are calm when delivering consequences, but they are human and their voices are sometimes stern and forceful when necessary.
If one of these children comes out of their room they are met with a parent who gets right in their face and orders them back into the room. The voice is low, determined, and unpleasant. "Bad decision! You get back in that room! This is my time! See you in the morning."
TAKING AWAY PRIVILEGES VS. ENERGY DRAIN TECHNIQUE
Love and Logic does not teach parents to take away privileges as a disciplinary technique. We use the Energy Drain Technique instead. Even though it is similar, the wording creates a different thought process.
If any of these children were to come out of the room for a second time, they would hear, "Bad decision! That's draining my energy! You're going to need to put that energy back tomorrow. I'll let you know how in the morning. Now, back to bed!" If necessary they are physically escorted back to the room.
Plan on consistently using this approach. Expect the kids to keep testing you on it for a while, but don't give in. Keep it simple.
Occasionally we have strong-willed children who need a Strategic Training Session. I will write about that in the near future.
 
Jim Fay

Community Announcements:

Guitar Teacher, Mike Gregory 229-0419
Mike Gregory is a guitar and electric bass teacher who has worked and taught at Bernie’s Guitar for 10 year. Unfortunately, Bernie’s Guitar store is closing so Mike will be relocating his studio to Music Maxx here in Palo Cedro. He has room for new students. Call him at 229-0419 or 547-7070.

Calendar of Events:

February 14-17          Parent/Teacher Conferences
February 20                No School – Presidents’ Day
April 2-9                      Spring Break
April 13                       Romeo and Juliet
April 30-May 4            STAR Testing
May 24                        Talent Show at 7:00pm
May 28                        No School - Memorial Day
May 31-June 3             Spring Camping Trip
June 5                          Graduation
 

Chrysalis Newsletter, February 9, 2012

Submitted by ChrysalisNews on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 1:08pm

 

 Chrysalis News – February 9, 2012

Chrysalis Announcements:

No School - Monday, February 13
The next two Mondays are holidays so school is closed on February 13th and 20th.
 
Parent/Teacher Conferences Next Week - February 14-17
Please be prompt to your appointments.
 
Minimum School Days Next Week- February 14-17; School Will Be Out at 12:15 for All Students

  • Project SHARE will begin at 12:15pm Tuesday through Friday next week.
  • Minimum Week Afternoon Bus Schedule: Leave Chrysalis -12:25pm; Shasta View – 12:35pm; Lake Blvd.-12:45pm; Pine/Trinity- 12:55pm.
  • Book Fair during Conference Week – Buy books and earn new books for Chrysalis.

Book Fair February 14-16
This coming Tuesday through Thursday, February 14th-16th; we will be holding a Book Fair to earn free books for Chrysalis.  Last year Chrysalis earned over $400 in free books!
Ms. Dawn, (Derrick's mom) will be there with wonderful books from Usborne & holding daily Chrysalis Only Book Specials.  Why not get your son or daughter the perfect Valentine's or Easter's Day Gift!  Book Fair hours are from Noon to 3:00pm daily; we accept cash, credit cards & checks and are conveniently located in the office.
 
HomeSchoolFamily Night – February 16
Our next Home School Family Night is coming up on Thursday, February 16th 6:30-8:00pm. The whole family is invited. For those of you new to the program, this is your child’s chance to give a 3-5 min. presentation to an audience. It could be reading an original story, reciting a memorized poem, explaining a science experiment – anything that they’ve been learning! You can also come and just be audience. This is also a great chance to meet the other Chrysalis Home Schoolers. We will do a science activity together: WAVES IN THE AIR. Please bring something to snack on afterwards if you can.
 
Sewing Project Help Needed for Cheri’s Class
Cheri’s class needs sewn dog booties for their study of the Iditarod race. The booties are needed by Feb 24th.  If you sew and can do this job, please contact Miss Cheri ASAP.  Parents could also count volunteer hours for purchasing the supplies needed to make the booties.
 
Friday Electives
Last day for this Semester is Friday, February 10th.  Electives will resume for 2nd semester on March 2nd.  Parent teachers needed.  Call Karen Howe, Cheri Relph, or the office if you can teach an elective class on Friday afternoons March – May.
 
NorCalGrade SchoolChallenge
Does your child like to run?
There will be a 1 mile race for students in grades K-8 Saturday, March 3rd at 8:30am at Lake Redding Park Pavilion. It is free to participate and there will be a lot of prizes for the winners. If you plan to take your child to this event, notify Miss Emily by February 18th so she can sign you up. You can write a note to Miss Emily, go to her website, or leave a message at the office (547-9726).
 
PE Program Needs
Our new PE teacher, Dianne would like to introduce some “life related” physical education activities into our PE program.  If you have golf clubs and/or tennis rackets to donate, please send them to our office.
 
Dianne needs a Parent Volunteer to assist during the middle school PE class from 2:45-3:15pm a few days a week.
 
Parent Service Opportunities
Volunteer Help Wanted to do one or some of these jobs:

  1. Set thermostats in our classrooms so they work consistently.
  2. Listen to Love and Logic CDs and take typewritten notes.
  3. Wash and dry our school rain jackets.
  4. Rake wood chips on our playground.
  5. Casey needs help copying materials.
  6. Chrysalis has educational videos and Chrysalis historical videos we would like to convert to DVD's.  If anyone has the technology for converting VCR tapes to DVD's, talk to Paul about this project.

Monterey Camping Trip
Plans for our camping trip are coming together. Today we confirmed that we have a group camp site at the Veterans Memorial Park which is a lovely little campground very close to town. We will have room for 100 people for tent camping. There is hot water and showers and flush toilets. The cost is $6.00 per person per night. Families will sign up for camping at our group site in April when we get out the camp information and reservation form. We will send out our campout forms and information in late April.
 
The park has about 30 camp sites that are large enough for trailers. The cost is $27.00 per night. But – there are no reservations; it is first come, first serve. Since we will be there the beginning of the summer season the single camp sites could be full. It is suggest that if you have an RV, you should find an RV Park. Search the web and see what you find. One place that may be available is Laguna Seca Race Track if there are no major events that weekend. You can check out the Fairgrounds too, and there may be private RV Parks as well. You can try Sunset Beach State Park, but it is a 45 minute drive from Monterey.
 
Love and Logic Seminar – Great Information!
Most of our teaching staff and classroom aides attended a Love and Logic seminar last Saturday. We received positive feedback about what they learned. Tim Fay shared a couple of simple ideas, one of which he said is the most important thing to learn first. If children are whining, or complaining, or tattling, or being just annoying, the parent should look brain dead and say in a quiet voice with no inflection, “I know.” And then leave the presence of that child. No arguing. Don’t let the child pull you into that trap!
When children are disobeying or misbehaving; Casey liked the response, “I have lost my trust in you. Think about what you can do to gain my trust back.”
Love and Logic has some great books that share these simple approaches to teaching children self discipline. Check out their website at www.loveandlogic.com.
 
Student Work
Middle school students invented words using the Greek and Latin word parts they are studying this year:
Will Hoxie: Endomegaphoto- (endo meg photo) powerful light within. We all have endomegaphoto; it’s what makes us all different and unique.
Taye Falconer: Ducmortbiofer – (duc mort bio fer) to lead while carrying life and death.
Kara Stewert: Contrainterhood – (contra inter hood) opposition between members of a group. The group was in contrainterhood about what their symbol should be.
Cambrin Miller: Hypermicrobiologist - (hyper micro bio ologist) One who studies excessively small life. The hypermicrobiologist tried to see the virus.
Kaela Jacobson: depathopan – (de patho pan) to reverse the world’s suffereing.
Jon Weber: Missmalregtemp – (miss mal reg temp) to send bad kings through time. The boy got mad and missmalregtemped the king.
 
8th Grade Analogies:
School is to learn as job is to money. Austin
Elevator is to stairs as first class is to coach. Josiah
Attitude is to drama as emotion is to singing. Caitlin
Cow is to milk as cloud is to rain. Mackenzie
Kermit the Frog is to Miss Piggy as Ken is to Barbie. Mackenzie
Jello is to rock as water is to fire. Damian
Iron is to steel as pen is to marker. Damian
Superman is to Batman as tank is to car. Cameron
Federalism is to anti-federalism as black is to white. Caleb

Love & Logic:

You Can Do It!
Do you ever feel discouraged because you’re having a tough time remembering to use a Love and Logic skill? Does it make you feel any better to know that I experience the very same challenge? Experiencing setbacks doesn't mean failure. It simply means that the road to personal change is always under construction. You can be successful…as long as you remember the following:

  • Take it slow.
    The most successful people experiment with one skill at a time.
     
  • Focus on the controllable.
    We're far more successful when we focus on our own behavior rather than on the behavior of other people. For example, we can't make our kids behave respectfully. We can control whether we say, "I'll be happy to do the extra things I do for you when I feel respected."
     
  • Don't be surprised when others don't thank you for changing.
    When we change…even for the better…it typically leaves others a bit off balance. Their natural human tendency will be to get you back to your old way by complaining, arguing, or acting out. Don't let this scare you. They'll just need some time to get used to you and your new Love and Logic skills.
     
  • Don't look back.
    Unsuccessful people focus on trying to stop doing what they've done in the past. Successful ones focus on doing what they want to do in the future. For example, instead of saying to yourself, "I'm not going to get angry anymore," say to yourself, "I'm going to say 'I make better decisions when I'm calm. We'll talk later.'"
     
  • You only fail if you give up.
    One of the most important things you can model for your kids is perseverance.

Dr. Charles Fay

Community Announcements:

Parents Helping Parents – Discipline that Works!
Free training for adults taking care of children.  Drop-in format; come once or come often. Free Childcare Provided. Wednesdays from 6:00 – 7:30pm at Lassen View Elementary School (705 Loma Vista Dr.).  Classroom and parking are to the left of the playground area. For more information contact Bridges to Success at 225-0350.
 
Nurturing Fathers Group – Every 3rd Saturday of the Month
Fathers supporting fathers.  Free pancake breakfast and free childcare.
For more information on location and time call Eric Friend 242-2020, ext. 241.
 
Affordable Counseling for Families – Call 226-5100
Couples counseling to improve your relationship, and your children’s behavior will improve!
Counseling services include issues concerning depression, anxiety, trauma, child abuse, sexual abuse, Marriage and Family, Parent and Child interaction, Behavior Problems, Anger Management.
Supervised Visitation is also provided in a safe neutral setting.  Affordable rates based on family income and size.
REFLECTIONS
3328 Churn Creek RD, Suite C, Redding, CA 96002, 226-5100, www.ReflectionsCounseling.org

Calendar of Events:

February 13                 No School - Lincoln’s Birthday
February 14-17           Parent/Teacher Conferences
February 20                No School – Presidents’ Day
April 2-9                       Spring Break
April 30-May 4           STAR Testing
May 24                         Talent Show at 7:00pm
May 28                         No School - Memorial Day
May 31-June 3            Spring Camping Trip
June 5                           Graduation
 

Chrysalis Newsletter, February 2, 2012

Submitted by ChrysalisNews on Thu, 02/02/2012 - 4:51pm

Chrysalis News – February 2, 2012

Chrysalis Announcements:

More Friday Elective Teachers are Needed for our New Elective Program
We do not have enough elective classes to make this program beginning March 2nd successful.  If you would like to teach a class, please contact Cheri Relph, Karen Howe or our office and view the attached form/application for additional information.  
http://chrysalischarterschool.com/sites/default/files/Teach%20an%20Elective.docx
You receive volunteer hours for teaching these classes.  If you would like to volunteer but don’t have any ideas of what you could teach, we have a solution. You could supervise children while they build models with Lego’s, Connects, or Kapla Blocks.  Many children enjoy this activity.

Love and Logic Seminar
Dr. Charles Fay of Love and Logic will be in Redding for a seminar on Saturday, February 4th. You won’t want to miss this presentation if you need help and ideas on how to teach your children responsibility and self-discipline.
Some of the topics that will be addressed are:

  • How to avoid unwinnable power struggles and arguments.
  • Techniques for teaching respect and responsibility.
  • A step-by-step plan for gaining cooperation from the most challenging kids.
  • How to stay sane even when nothing seems to be working.
  • Many more Love and Logic skills for parents and educators.

Most of our classroom aides and teachers will be attending. Not only is this presentation informative, it is very entertaining.
 
Location: Red Lion Hotel, 1830 Hilltop Drive, Redding
Date and Time: Saturday, February 4, 8:30am – 2:30pm
Cost: $99.00
Register: Phone: 1- 800-338-4065 or online at: www.loveandlogic.com.
 
Parent Math Classes
Help your child do better in math. Several parents have recently commented on how strong their children are doing in high school because of our math program. Do you know that our program is very rare and is designed to create understanding and mathematical power not simply a pile of memorized recipes?

On February 9th, Alysia will be teaching about one of the strongest parts of our math program, Fractions. If you had difficulty in Algebra it is nearly certain that part of the problem is that you didn't really understand fractions. Alysia's way of teaching is not scary and can help even those of you who think you are weak in math. COME LEARN ABOUT OUR MATH PROGRAM. There will be two classes on fractions, one on Jan. 9th and the second on March 8th. PLEASE RSVP to Alysia at akrafel@gmail.com.
 
Monday Holidays are Coming Up
We will not have school on February 13th and 20th.  March will be a full month with no holidays then our Spring Break is April 2nd – 9th.
 
Parent/Teacher Conferences February 14 – 17 Minimum School Days – School is out at 12:15
Parent/Teacher conferences are coming up quickly.  Most of you have probably received appointments from your children’s teachers.  If you have not received an appointment, please email the teacher, or leave a message at our office.  Please be prompt to your appointment.
 
Minimum School Days February 14-17 – Project SHARE
School will be out at 12:15pm (after lunch) on these days. Project SHARE will begin supervision of the students at 12:15pm.  Please be prompt picking up your children if they do not participate in Project SHARE.  All children who are on campus after 12:30pm must be in Project SHARE.
 
Book Fair Coming to Chrysalis February 14 – 16 During Parent /Teacher Conference Week
A display of beautiful Usborne books will be set up and on sale at our campus on the afternoons of February 14 – 16th. Thank you to Dawn Suttmoeller for providing this service. Last year our school received $500 worth of free books as a result of the sales.
 
Yearbook Time
We are working on the 2011-12 yearbook. This year’s yearbook will be a little bit different. Students will all have their picture in the yearbook as usual; however, instead of a student yearbook page for each student, we will feature selections of student art and writing in a separate section. Students who choose to, may submit their own artwork or writing. Art may be in color and must be no more than 1/4 of a page. Writing must be typed or neatly written on a ½ page. Writing must have correct grade-level spelling and grammar. Student’s first and last name must be clearly marked on the front of the submission. Only submissions that are very neat and thoughtful will be considered for inclusion in the yearbook. All art and writing submissions are due by Wednesday March 28, 2012.

WE REALLY NEED PICTURES TO INCLUDE IN THE YEARBOOK. All pictures will help, but we especially need pictures for grades k-5. Some of the events we have had this year are: rafting, camping, Christmas Program, Fall Festival, Field study, Veteran’s Day Tribute, option classes, community tree meetings, trip to Sacramento Wildlife Refuge and class parties. Pictures of everyday classroom activities are great too. Pictures can be submitted on CD or flash drive or Karen can download pictures right from your camera. If you need help copying to a flash drive or CD, Karen can help, you can find her in room 6B.

We are now taking yearbook orders. Yearbooks will be $15.00. Yearbook orders are due by Wednesday May 2, 2012. Fill out the attached yearbook form and return with your check. http://chrysalischarterschool.com/sites/default/files/Yearbook%20Time.docx

STAR Writing Test – March 6
The California State testing for this year will begin on Tuesday, March 6th.  All 4th and 7th graders only will be taking the writing test. It is very important that your child be at school on that day. Please don’t make any appointments or plan to be away at that time.
 
Holiday Market WOW! Points
Holiday Market has a program "CASH for KIDS". For every 1,000 WOW! Points, they will donate $20 to a local school. To donate to Chrysalis Charter School, tell the cashier when you check out, you want to donate your WOW! Points. Our school code is 387.

PE with Teacher Dianne
When we get a chance to watch the children while they have PE with Ms. Dianne, we are truly grateful that she has joined our staff. She is full of energy and has developed a PE program that addresses the needs of children at each grade level. She has a heart for making children active and healthy. It is fun to watch the activity and hear the happy sounds of children engaged in the games they play. Thank you Ms. Dianne!

Do you have a new phone or address?
If you have changed your phone number or moved to a new address, please let the office know.

Check our 'Lost n Found'
The number of items in our 'Lost n Found' has grown. Please have your student check the 'Lost n Found', often students find items they didn't know were lost. We have jackets, sweaters, lunch pails, books, notebooks and even completed assignments.

Wish List
Ms. Emily's classroom would appreciate a CD player.

Love & Logic:

The Basics of the Love and Logic Approach
When you tell people you use Love and Logic techniques in your home or classroom, do they really know what "Love and Logic" means?
Do some think it is a cult you joined?
Do some say that "Love AND Logic" is an oxymoron?
Do you sometimes find it difficult to explain?
With a flexible menu of skills in our approach, and common sense at work, adults using Love and Logic skills may come across quite differently at times. Nevertheless, the "Love and Logic" approach should always look like the following:

  • A loving attitude toward the young person. A key principle of the Love and Logic approach is that we preserve the dignity - of the child AND the adult. Does yelling and threatening preserve kids' dignity? How about ours?
  • Shared thinking and control. Adults using Love and Logic techniques resist the urge to come up with all the answers and solve all the problems. Instead, they give kids the gift of thinking about and solving problems. They ask lots of questions and give lots of choices so kids stay in on the action.
  • Empathy before consequences and bad news. We are sad for kids and we hurt for them when they struggle. Our sadness (instead of our anger and frustration) helps them own problems and learn from the consequences. None of this works without empathy.
  • Relationships are paramount. If we are not preserving or enhancing relationships, we are not really using Love and Logic techniques.

Take heart! This is a process, not an instant transformation. them remember to consistently apply these very important basics of the Love and Logic approach.

Community Announcements:

None this week.

Calendar of Events:

February 13                No School - Lincoln’s Birthday
February 14-17          Parent/Teacher Conferences
February 20               No School – Presidents’ Day
April 2-9                     Spring Break
April 30-May 4          STAR Testing
May 24                        Talent Show at 7:00pm
May 28                        No School - Memorial Day
May 31-June 3           Spring Camping Trip
June 5                          Graduation