Charter Chatter
A weekly newsletter written to parents of the TLC
Nov. 3, 2017 Vol 13
| Virginia Stewart |
As the first trimester comes to a close in Discovery and Primary and the final weeks of the Semester approach in the high school, I would like to remind each of you that we are using a different approach to discipline this year. It is called Restorative Justice. In other words, we are punishing less and reflecting more. The responsibility for behavior rests with the student. The student needs to see how the behavior exhibited hurts the entire classroom or learning environment.
In Discovery, I believe we have been very successful. We use a review panel approach in which any student who scores a negative 20 or more is reviewed. The review consists of looking at the negatives and seeing what suggestions can be made for improving. After two or more times with the negatives still over twenty, we ask for a parent meeting. To date we have held about 32 of these meetings. They have been wonderful. It is so good to have parents, staff and the student working together to find ways to make things better. The student is then put on probation for two weeks. It is amazing, but most students truly change. The support from parents has really made a difference. It has been rare that we have gone beyond the notice of probation. In fact, we have so many success stories of students improving.
Restorative justice is based on helping students restore the classroom or the school to a fair and just place with maximized learning time. Students have learned that being off task, talking out of turn, walking around the classroom, not being prepared for class does not just affect that student but takes away from the entire class. They have learned that a negative twenty means they have had four infractions in one week. (Only increments of five are given at a time).
The primary students are learning what restorative justice is and how to excel in their classes so everyone can learn and stay focused. When a primary student is in the excellence box, that student has been a model to the others.
As we proceed in this process, we believe less students will be suspended because they will know how to regulate themselves and understand how they affect the entire class. We are already noticing the introspection of students and their willingness to accept responsibility for what they are doing.
| Misc. Announcements |
Production
Pleased to Announce: Choir and Drama Students will be presenting their first
Discovery Performance Showcase on November 6, 2017
At Kimball Auditorium in two sections;
Mr. Dougherty will offer his choir performance from 6:30-7:15 or 7:30
A short intermission will follow
Ms. Dane’s Drama classes will perform from 7:30 or 7:45 – 8:30
Singing, Dancing, Poetry, Reader’s Theater and Video will show what students have been working on during the trimester. Tickets are free to family and friends.
Special performances include; dances, piano, trumpet, ukelele, American Sign Language, My Shot from Hamilton, You’re Welcome from Moana, Lightning Larry and Monkey’s Paw reader’s theater plays and examples of video taped classroom performances.
Next Holiday
Veteran’s Day Friday Nov. 10, 2017
November 20 – 24 Thanks Giving Week – no school all week
Board Member Opening
The Tracy Learning Center is now accepting applications for a TLC board member. All interested applicants please send a letter of interest and a resume to 51 E. Beverly Place Tracy, CA 95376- ATTN: Human Resources. Board meets once a month.
| PCS/DCS Lunch Menu Week Nov. 6 – 10
Mon. – Pizza Tues. – Beef Tacos Wed – Chicken Corn Dog Thurs – Beef Noodle Stir Fry Fri. – Holiday |
T K
This week on TK island was very mysterious. All the little fishies were disguised as different characters in their wonderful costumes. They enjoyed doing the parade and singing 5 little pumpkins for their parents. The fun didn’t stop there they did Halloween Bingo, made slime, and created a skeleton picture and a bat hat. Also, this week they became astronauts and explored the solar system. They climbed about their rocket ship and explored outer space. They learned facts about the planets and the sun and why we live on planet Earth.
Primary Charter
Thank you to our PCS parents who generously donated to the Read-a-Thon prize ceremony. We were able to make this a great event, because of you!!
Thank you
Brantley Family Fisher Family
Moore Family Ramos Family
West Family Real Family
Bhalla Family
What fun we had on Halloween! Teachers loved seeing all the P6 students dressed up in their costumes on Halloween! Everyone looked great marching in the parade and the kids did such a good job performing the Halloween dance! Thank you to our amazing PE coaches for putting together the parade and dance! We had so much fun and the kids left school with a ton of treats!
Wow! We can’t believe it’s already November! Time is going by so fast! The end of trimester one is near and parent-teacher conferences are coming up quick. Check your student’s Monday red folder for your assigned date and time!
Phase 2:
Thank you to all of our field trip chaperones. We had a great time at the Oakland Zoo on Wednesday! Our 3rd and 4th graders loved seeing all the animals that we’ve been learning about, up close and in person. We are still in need of 2 liter bottles for an upcoming project in science. Please send them in by Monday, we appreciate it!
Discovery
Charter Chatter
What a fun Halloween week. Primary was dressed up and trick-or –treated the 5-8 grade classrooms. This is always a good time. 5/6 enjoyed decorating the classroom doors for this occasion as well.
Things to remember:
It is time to Fall Back. Remember the time changes on Sunday, 11/5. We gain an hour but it will be getting darker earlier.
Be looking for information on your child’s conference for trimester 1. Let your child’s teacher know as soon as possible if you can make the allotted time for your conference.
Remember that Friday, November 10th is a holiday (Veteran’s Day) and there will be no school.
Thanksgiving vacation is 11/20-11/24/2017. School resumes 11/27.
Please continue to check your child’s agenda for important information and due dates.
DHSP
General Info:
- Grades drop 11/6-11/8
- Trimester ends 11/10
- Thanksgiving Break begins 11/20
- Parent-Teacher Conferences are 11/14 (7th grade students) 11/15 (8th grade students). Times to be announced
Language Arts:
Students taking their first trimester finals this week on the following subjects: grammar and diagramming, Humanities, and vocabulary. Students also presented their final projects for the first novel of the year, A Long Walk to Water.
Students are also wrapping up their first trimester SWO projects and turning in their community service hours. Don’t forget, all students need 30 hours of community service by the end of the school year.
| MHS |
8th Grade Parent High School Information Night
On Wednesday night, the Counselors hosted a parent information night for families of prospective incoming 9th graders. The purpose of the meeting was to share information about what Millennium has to offer as a high school of choice. We were pleased to have current Millennium students as guest speakers, as well as great questions from families considering Millennium High School for their children.
College Early Start Forms due Monday!
Please note that College Early Start forms for Spring classes are due to the Counseling Office on Monday, November 6th!
Those who have signed up will take the Delta assessment on Saturday, November 4th at 8:30am on the Delta Mountain House campus. These students have been sent a reminder including specific details.