August 9, 2013

"We choose our life,

not a job."

Hanni - Second grade
"I teach at Renaissance because I love the culture.
The culture we create for kids and the culture of our staff.
I love the confidence and compassion we build in children."

Julie - front office

"Why do I work at Renaissance?  Hands down, the number one reason I work at Renaissance is the people. 

 What an amazing crew .  . . parents, staff and kids . . .the WHOLE crew.  

I believe whole heartedly in the Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound part of our school, the way we interact with our kids, the 'feeling' of the school that so many new comers talk about.

  But, I am truly here because I am blessed by the people that surround me every day at Renaissance."

Kathy - kindergarten teacher
"Why I am at Renaissance -
* I came initially as a parent.
* I came again as a teacher because the Renaissance community cared about the whole child (not just academics).
*I am here now because this school is everything I truly believe in as a teacher:
a caring, small community where every child is noticed, loved, and is treated with respect;
an ELOB school where learning is relevant, engaging, children are active learners, creates and takes risks inside and outside of the classroom; the staff believe in the potential of every child and go to great lengths to support and encourage each student; as a teacher I am supported and encouraged to be a risk taker and active learner in order to be the best teacher I can for the children.

Lauren - third grade teacher
"Renaissance embodies my personal ideals- life-long learning, pushing outside comfort zone, outdoor education, health, and happiness. I feel a sense of belonging I have never dreamed possible. At Renaissance, I am home."

Lisa - Sixth Grade Teacher

"I teach at Renaissance because my educational ideals are supported and valued. The fact that we are constantly striving to make learning meaningful makes me excited to come to work each day!"

Neil- fourth grade teacher
"I teach at Renaissance because I feel like I am trusted to do my job."

Noreene - Instructional Specialist
(That's marbled paper Noreene created this summer!)
"I teach at Renaissance because this is where we can teach in a way that best serves learners young and old!"

Forrest - Fifth grade teacher

"I teach at Renaissance because this school embodies
 what I thought education should have been as a student.
This is how I want my kids to prepare for life!"

Mary Beth - First Grade
"The reason I teach at Renaissance is because we get
the deep connection between learning and community."

Tyler - Third Grade
" I teach at Renaissance because it's:
Unique
Outdoors
Belonging
Kindness
Growing Constantly

Andrea - Speech Language Pathologist
"I'm working at Renaissance to inspire students to be lifelong learners and to provide students with the strategies and skills necessary to be successful learners."

Michelle - 5/6 Discovery teacher

"I teach at Renaissance because when I walk through the front doors I feel a sense of coming home. A place where everyone is valued for who they are and where encouragement and support are offered unconditionally. We may be crew, we may be community, but we are also family."

Jill - First grade teacher
"A few years ago, my husband and I chose Renaissance for our daughter and I liked it so much that I wanted to teach here. I love our philosophy - character traits, Expeditionary Learning, Adventure Education, Morning Meetings, Closing Circles, etc."

Amanda - Second grade teacher

"I teach at REMS because I want to be a part of a school that I would choose for my children. 

 I love the focus on critical thinking, collaboration, real world problems,

 risk taking, self esteem and reflection."

Nicole - 2/3 Discovery teacher
"I teach at Renaissance because I wanted to join a culture which emphasizes both the academic and character growth."

Pam - Art teacher
"Expeditionary Learning's aim is to enable students to be more effective in handling future problems and objectives; to deepen and broaden awareness of self as well as the world; and to encourage openness to new ideas.  That's why I teach at Renaissance."

Deborah - Principal
"I teach at Renaissance because I believe so deeply in the vision and mission. We haven't set out to reform education, but rather to create. To create a place where learning is human, academic, real and purposeful. It is so much more than a school. Relationships are key to everything we do, and we honor the unique spirits of all people.
We are a community committed to our children and to one another."

Elisha - Reading Recovery teacher and Instructional Coach

"I choose to teach at Renaissance because there is a culture of kindness, compassion, excellence, and collaboration that all make teaching such a joy!"

Ann - Learning Specialist

" I am excited to join the staff and am inspired by the school’s philosophies of learning.  I admire the staff and school’s desire to foster a child’s character while exposing them to authentic learning experiences in the classroom and in nature. 

 I feel privileged to join the team of such an innovative school."         

Lori - Registrar
"I choose Renaissance because there couldn't be a nicer group of people to work with anywhere!"

Dolores - Special Education Educational Assistant"I love working at Renaissance because I feel that it is a place that allows the students as well as the staff to develop and build on their own individuality. It was a great place for my 3 children to attend, including the one in this picture!"

Lisa - Kindergarten Educational Assistant
"I love teaching at Renaissance because of our outdoor learning...hiking, rock climbing, over-nights, - are great learning experiences about ourselves beyond just "book learning".

Doug - Physical Education teacher
"I took the job because Deborah was the first principal to not tell me I needed more experience.
I stay at Renaissance because of the people, and the supportive nature of our community."

Brittany - Discovery 4/5 Teacher
"I chose Renaissance because I love the spirit of Crew. I love the collaboration and excitement among staff, and the amazing learning experiences we are able to offer our students.
 Renaissance is an amazing place to be."

Jodie - Educational Assistant
" Renaissance is special to me because of the sense of community."

Josh - Fifth Grade Teacher
" I choose Renaissance for its culture and its values. To me, this is a love and respect for the natural world and outdoor pursuits. I also love the drumming and the freedom teachers are given. We are able to design lessons that relate to the 'real world' and this creates a genuine 'buy-in' for kids."

Wendy - First Grade Educational Assistant
" Renaissance is special and I choose to be here because it is:
* Creative
* The Outdoor Learning
* Sense of 'Crew'

Zina - Kitchen Manager

"Renaissance is an amazing school in so many ways. It is a school that emphasizes teamwork and  how you have much more collective power as a team to reach your goals. Students are encouraged to use and develop their creativity in a positive manner toward  achieving their goals. The provides a very caring and nurturing environment for students that encourages personal growth.  It is a pleasure for me to work in such a unique school."

Jody - Kindergarten Teacher

"My first thought was, 'Why wouldn't I teacher here?" Here everyone is accepted and respected.
A place where it is safe to take chances, make mistakes and still learn.
Somewhere that is is warm, welcoming and I feel I belong. I wouldn't teach anywhere else!"

Eric - Building Engineer

"I love working at Renaissance for some awesome reasons.

First and foremost is the "team" or "crew" attitude for working together. My upbringing always consisted of the term "there is no "I" in the word "team".

Everyone here has such a positive attitude and energy that it makes my job so enjoyable and make Renaissance a place I can come to each day and feel appreciated.

I really enjoy the support Miss Deborah gives when it comes to the subject of personal job goals. She lets me run with it and improve upon it every year. I can tell you that I feel so blessed to be able to teach all the students about Stewardship in our "Stewardship Cafe" as well as making good choices when it comes to protecting our beautiful school."

Cheryl - Music Teacher
"I teach at Renaissance because it gives me the freedom to
express my passion for music in a variety of ways."

Josie - Literacy Specialist
"I teach at Renaissance because I share the school's philosophy and mission."

"I am ecstatic to be returning to REMS.  Having worked for 28 years in Colorado as a school social worker, I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to be here for my third year.  I thought a school such as this could only exist in fantasy, but here it is!  

On a personal note, I live in Monument with my wife of 30 years.  We have a son who is starting college in Texas this fall.  

I'm looking forward to being at Renaissance, the school of the ones who march to a different drum!  Here the staff is passionate about educating every aspect of your child, a passion that I share.  I commend you as parents for choosing to send your child here.  Truer words were never spoken, "We (the students, staff, parents, and community of REMS) ARE crew!"

Dana - First Grade Educational Assistant

"I choose to work at REMS because every day 

I see students take risks and achieve something new!"

Kristin - Health Assistant
" I love Renaissance because I truly feel I fit in our Crew just as I am!
It's my home away from home."

Kenny - Sixth Grade Teacher

"Why Renaissance is a place for me? In short, it's like a born again education; it's the education I would have loved to have had for myself when I was a young lad. The education provided and the teacher experience is creative, introspective, cooperative, nurturing, challenging, and inspiring."

Andrea - Principal's Secretary
"I work at Renaissance because the philosophy and culture align with my beliefs and bring joy to my life. I LOVE the people I work with."

Linda - Spanish Teacher
"I love thinking outside the box. I can be extremely creative here at Renaissance. I love to study the latest and greatest in teaching and have a place where I am supported in putting it into practice."

Chelsea - Kindergarten Educational Assistant
"The other day, my first grader explained her excitement for learning as "the magic of school".  I work at Renaissance because I truly believe it is one of the few schools that instills the magic of school and learning in our students everyday.  Renaissance fosters creativity and self-expression, inquisitive curiosity and problem solving, and the opportunity to challenge oneself on a daily basis.  All that...and it's FUN!!  What an amazing joy it is to be a part of something so special!"

Chris - School Psychologist

"I have had the opportunity to work in many different schools, including schools in
Washington, California, and Colorado.  I enjoy the community atmosphere here at Renaissance
and innovative approaches for helping individual students."

Cody - Adventure Education Coordinator

"Really it all comes down to purpose. After high school, I took a commercial fishing job in Alaska. This turned out to be a true once in a life time experience that will always play a part in my life. While in Alaska, I had a vision/dream that still influences my daily actions. The dream involved my grandfather that had died a few years earlier.

 He told me, among other things, to "live with purpose" and "to keep my hands open".

 My purpose has developed into helping youth to develop a love for the outdoors 

while facilitating a deeper sense of self and community

 for increased confidence and a realization of their limitless potentials. 

In order to change the world you have to work with the future and children are our future."

Diana - Librarian
"Renaissance is a place where students and teachers (and families) can grow, take risks and be challenged as learners. It feels like we are a family at Renaissance.
 I always say I GET to be the librarian at Renaissance!"

Lindsey - Fourth Grade Teacher
"I choose to teach at Renaissance because we strive to meet each child where they're at. We arm them with tools to grow their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses so that when they leave us they're confident about their potential to pursue their dreams."

What an awesome staff! If you decide you want to revise your blurb about why you choose Renaissance you can email me up until early Saturday morning. At that time, I'll finish up my Ponderings Of a Principal Blog for our community, including the pictures and quotes. I will be emailing you the link to that blog, and ask that you send it out to your parents on Saturday.

Calendar:

Week of August 12 - 16th:

Wednesday, 8/14: 
* All School Meeting 9:00 a.m.
* Professional Development:
- K-3 teachers training for MPG (Maps for Primary Grades) in library
- 4-6 teachers

Week of August 19- 23rd:

Tuesday 8/20 :
* RTI meeting 7:30 a.m.

Wednesday 8/21:
* Professional Development: CITE work session 
Explanation of what this is will be provided during our session. This initial session will be offered on two different dates (August 21st and Sept.4th) and then will occur roughly every six weeks. Again - this will be explained.

Drills:

Lock Out! Secure the perimeter
Lock down! Locks, Light out, Out of Sight
Evacuate!
Shelter!

Some changes to how we have done this in the past:

* When we have drills Andrea will announce it is a drill and then we are required to pull the alarm. The fire alarm and the alarm for Lock Down.

The Lock Down alarm announces "Locks, Lights Out, Out of Sight". Because we will announce that it is a drill before we push the alarm, I will come around and knock on your door letting you know that the drill is over. In a real lock down, you would only respond to an officier of the law.

* We will not be able to schedule and give you advance notice of a drill as we have in the past.

* We have to have a fire drill in the first 10 days of school and then every month of the school year.

* We have to have a Lock Down drill, Shelter drill, and Lock Out (secure perimeter) drill every semester.

Outdoor Learning Environment Safety:

Please remember to send a student to the office to get 

a walkie-talkie when you take your Crew outside.

You must be able to call the office if you required assistance.

 The office needs to be able to find your classroom 

if a parent comes for a student.

Professional Development:

The Circle of Courage

Hacking School Makes Me Happy:

Logan LaPlante 

by TEDxTalks

Have a great weekend!

Deborah

First Day of School

First Day of School

"Here goes something....I guess...

I can do this."

" I got it."

"Okay...here...I...go."

"Yeah!"

" Just the suspense at the top that freaks you out!"

"Woo hoo!"

What an incredible pleasure and honor to step into a new school year with such an exceptional staff!
In case I forget to tell you later,
it was a great first day!


Professional Development this afternoon:

See you in the library at 1:30 to celebrate! 

Please remember to wear one of your Renaissance t-shirts to the school Carnival/Picnic.

May 31, 2013

What I Know For Sure

Ah, the last week of school. What a special week it will be with rituals that ground us in who we are and how special our school is to all of us. Certainly the Portfolio Showcases were a demonstration for us in how incredible the learning experiences are that we create. Student after student talked with pride about the culture of our school and how much they value it. We felt renewed in purpose and commitment. Boy that felt good! From the hearts and voices of our students it was easy to reconnect with our core values. Bless them for they always bring us back to what matters most. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our students. We touch each of them, just as they touch us. Together we have created a safe, nurturing, and inspiring learning environment.

Several years ago I was trying to figure out how we could know for sure that the vision, purpose and ownership had been created. The most authentic and obvious answer was to ask the kids. During both the third and sixth grade portfolio presentations, and a plethora of other opportunities, the kids speak to what it means to be Crew; they speak of how they have been challenged and grown; they speak of what they know about themselves as learners; they speak in detail to the culture of our school and how much they value that; and they speak with pride. Our departing sixth graders speak of how much they are going to miss this special place. Each of us have stories to tell with heartfelt passion about inspiring moments with our kids. We are exceptional - this I know for sure.

Calendar

June 3 - 7th:

Monday:

* 6th grade to St. Mary's Glacier
* Discovery 2/3 & 4/5 hike

Tuesday:

*No RTI
* 4th grade hike

* Sixth Grade Closing Ceremony 6:30 p.m. (Come if you can)

Wednesday: Last Day of School for students

* All School Drum Circle led by 6th grade (Can't wait!)

* Kona Ice - consult the schedule 

* Report Cards go home with students (hold report cards in office for those students who are on the list who have outstanding fees)

* Drums do not go home with returning students (you may see a few going out with those leaving and not returning which becomes confusing for kids who are staying next year)

* Closing Circle @ 3:00 p.m.

Thursday:

* Gather in library at 8:30

* Move classrooms

* Closing down your classroom and checking out

* Skip to your car

Guess who's staying at Renaissance?

That's right - our very own alligator wrestler is staying on
 to be our social worker next year!
He will continue to play Texas Hold 'em
and serve cookies to kids!!!

A table full of portfolios - authentic, purposeful demonstrations of learning.

Reviewing portfolios

Impressive that the kids revised from the feedback they were provided.

Thanks for the leadership you each provided on the panel you led.

Balancing work with play :)

Some of us just had to try that Ga-Ga Ball!

Thanks Kenny for leading your Crew in creating
this new place to play! And we know how important play is for all of us!
Our entire community is loving it!

Sharing good times together

Thanks Noreene for hosting a wonderful time!

Inspiring role models

Nothing better for us than exercise and the great outdoors!

Add in a bit of challenge...

and have lots of fun!


Have a great weekend!
Deborah

May 24, 2013

Finish Strong

Thanks Doug for reminding us all during All School Meeting that while we have a few weeks of school left we don't want to ease up - we want to finish strong!

And how perfect - Alex Frary said it best in his Adventure Education reflection in his portfolio. Don't you love how he stepped out of the normal reflection format and was creative with the way he expresses his learning! Notice how he uses font to give his reflection voice.

(if you click on the poem it will get larger)

Voyage Reflection

6th Grade

We are currently living in one phase of our work and working hard daily for a strong finish. In addition,we are also looking forward and putting structures and plans together so we can have a strong start to a new school year when we return from a rejuvenating summer break.

One of those structures is the formation of a new Leadership Team. Noreene, Elisha, Jill, Pam and Julie will remain on the team for continuity. Hanni, Brittany, Kenny and Neil join the team. Each of these team members represents unique perspectives of our staff. We have representation for primary and intermediate levels; Discovery; Integrated Arts; Classified staff; and new teachers. These folks will also be our representation on district level committees. Information will be shared from the district level and it will be the role of these team players to make decisions about what initiatives fit our needs and how we will make plans for implementation. When you have concerns, ideas, suggestions, and input please seek out one of these folks to share your thinking so they can bring your thinking to the team.
The Leadership Team met for the first time Wednesday afternoon. Our agenda included:
* End of year plans
* Technology order
* Financial needs for the 13-14 school year
* Plans for the first days of school
* Enhancements to ASM and incorporating Service Learning into our Wednesday structure

Renaissance Educational Alliance (REA) is also undergoing some changes. There is new leadership on this team as well. Krista Zizzo has embraced the role of president, with Amy Stuart as Vice-President, Carrie Hinton as secretary, and Brian Barr remains on the board as treasurer. We've had a few meetings  to develop a stronger structure and have some improvements underway. We have several more meetings planned so that we have a stronger start to the new school year.
Included in REA will be the addition of a marketing group. The marketing group will have several areas of focus. The outcome of this group is to promote our school. In addition, to be able to take the work we already do and see if there are some nationally recognized awards that we could receive for our work. Ryan Stuart is chairing this committee.
Would any of you like to take an active role in this group? If so, come visit with me and I can tell you more about the vision of this group. When it comes to marketing our school it will be essential to have some knowledgeable staff people involved. I'm sure it's easy to conclude why this is important.

Our School Accountability Committee (SAC) has voted and has a few new voting members as others rolled off their term. Kerry Trietley remains the SAC President, Keith Harman is VP, Amy Stuart is new to the board and will be secretary, Jan McDonald is our community rep, and Krista Zizzo is REA rep. MarySue has served as our teacher representative and we need a teacher representative to replace her. Please let me know (soon) if you are interested in serving on SAC. You would be making the commitment to attend four meetings (Sept. 10, Nov. 12, Feb. 11, April 15) from 5:30 until 7ish. Your role would be the voice of our teaching staff and a voting member on this board that serves as an advisory board to the principal.



We are making a shift in how we will collect all that paperwork for Voyages. Julie will be preparing the packets of paperwork that parents need to complete for students to attend Voyages and giving them to you. They need to go home with students. Here is what looks different:

* Students/parents will return them to the front office - not to you.
* This paperwork is due BEFORE the end of school. If it is not returned, we will hold report cards. (We'll need your help communicating this important message to families)
* We will let you know which report cards need to be held back.
* Did you notice this is actually easier for you?
* We need to make this shift because we simply do not have adequate time at the beginning of the year to manage this huge task.

Enhancements to All School Meeting is a bit too complex to clearly describe here. But the gist is to consider how we might mix the kids up (matching with an older buddy) at All School Meeting and to add a structure of a service component, that follows ASM each time, where students will be assigned to a service group for 30 to 45 minutes. Small groups of multi-age students would have service projects throughout the school during that time, and each group would have an adult facilitator. Everyone - students and staff will all be involved in service of our school at that time. Some service projects would last longer than others. Again - a complex idea that's tough to really explain here. The purpose of bringing it up is to see if any of you are interested in working on a task group to put the details and plans together for next year along with me. We wouldn't implement this immediately when school starts up (whew).
I'm thinking the task group would meet for the first time on Monday afternoon, July 29th, and there would be a stipend of $50 for that half day. Let me know if you get excited by this idea and would like to be apart of the development of the plan. :)

So what do the last days of school look like for teachers?
* Wednesday afternoon we will gather together in the library at 2:30 to honor those staff members who won't be with us next year. I'll be emailing you the details.
* Thursday morning we will gather in the library for a few minutes so I can give an information update on new hires, etc. then we will undertake assisting folks in moving classrooms, moving out and moving in! The rest of the day will be yours for cleaning up and checking out.

Fish - Do any of you have a passion for fish so that MarySue can hand over this responsibility as she leaves us? (This is a potential service job but would need an adult lead...)

Of course there's more to share....there's always more! However - enough for now!

Calendar

May 27th - 31st:

Monday:

* No School

Tuesday:

* RTI to review student assignments

* Lost Coffee for staff  7:45 a.m.

Wednesday:

* Page to Stage  9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

* 6th Grade Portfolio Showcase Presentations 1:30 p.m.

June 3 - 7th:

Tuesday:

*No RTI

* Sixth Grade Closing Ceremony 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Last Day of School for students

* All School Drum Circle led by 6th grade

* Kona Ice - see schedule

* Report Cards go home with students (hold report cards in office for those students who are on the list who have outstanding fees)

* Drums do not go home 

Report Cards:

A reminder that you need to make TWO copies of both your report and IA report. One copy goes home to parents and one copy needs to be filed in their cum file.
Only on  the copy being sent home, will you need to hand write the teacher assignment for next year.

Peek Into Classrooms

Kindies prepare to leave for Camp Elim

Parents everywhere...who was experiencing the challenge?

Gear everywhere

Look what is on the gear list!
(That's a stuffed cow)

On the bus - Doug was driving

On the bus - Julie was driving

All School Meeting drummers

Providing the little extra for a student who needs it so much.
This is Madeline Frary in the lap of MaryBeth.
  I use a quote from Maddie, that I stole from her brother's portfolio,
 at the close of this weeks blog post.

Amazing how the kids remembered all the wellness challenges!

Ga-Ga Ball pit - exciting service learning addition to our 
Outdoor Learning Environment


Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend!!
Deborah




"Your Crew is like your daytime family"
Madeline Frary