Follow-up

The email is
trilliumcharterschool@yahoo.

I don't know why it was omitted from yesterday's post.

Saturday 12/19/09

Hi everyone.
I wanted to let you know that I have the Trillium clothing order.
Sorry it was late, but it's in.

If you would like to get your oder over the break,
please email me at

and I will make arrangements to meet you.

Otherwise, it will alllbe at the school when we return on Jan. 4th.

I hope you all have a wonderful new year.
-Marianne

Tuesday 11/10

Just a few quick reminders:

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day and we are closed.

Also, today your deadline to select your favorite photos
from Kyana's website

If you ordered photos but did not select your favorite,
you will just have to trust Kyana.

If you did not order photos but wish you had, talk to Marianne.
The photos will still be available, just not for viewing on Kyana's website.

Next Friday we will have our annual Harvest Potluck.
Please join us for a family lunch at 12:45
and bring something delicious to share.

The following week is Thanksgiving Break.

We have one seat opening on our Steering Committee.
If you are interested in running in our upcoming election
or have questions about being a board membert
please talk to Marianne.

Look for more information in your parent boxes.

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Thank you.

Monday Oct. 5th

Here are the updates for this week:

Monday 10/5: Steering Committee meeting 5:30

Tuesday 10/6: Learn to Earn 3:00

Friday 10/9: K-2 class to Agate Beach
Return those permission slips!

Next week:

10/12-10/16: Minimum Days & Parent Conferences
Please sign up to meet with your child's teacher.

This is an opportunity to have a private
conversation about your student- find out how well they are doing,
if there are areas that need your support for improvement,
and how you can participate in your child's education.

Early release is at 1:10.
Aftercare will be provided until 5:30, as usual.

Bulb order forms are due 10/16- next Friday!
All of the proceeds will help pay for student swim lessons at the Arcata Pool.

Looking ahead:

10/23: Author festival at Trillium
Anne Whitford Paul will be reading and joining us for lunch.

10/30: Halloween Carnival

Tuesday Sept. 22

Happy first day of Fall!
We could not ask for better weather as the seasons change!

There is a lot going on at Trillium this fall,
so I wanted to make sure you can put events on your calendar.
Here are the late September update:

Tonight- Tuesday, Sept. 22nd:
K-2 parent meeting.
Sorry for the confusion, but there was no Monday the 22nd as originally distributed.

It is at 5:00, and childcare is available-
but please pay the aide directly for childcare,
it is not part of aftercare.

Sept.23-25:
3-5 class is leaving for Wolf Creek Outdoor Education Camp tomorrow!
This is always one of the highlights of their year and
brings the class community together.

Make sure to check your student's packing list
for supplies, sign those permission slips,
and, please give Aly your $10.00 camping fee.

Sept. 28:
Next Monday, Dr. Hudson is subbing for Aly.
The students always enjoy his company and his story-telling.

Also, Monday evening is our first Steering Committee meeting
at 5:30. All parents are welcome to attend these meetings.
Committee members-information packets will be in your boxes tomorrow.
Please look it over before the meeting.

Oct. 2:
Next Friday, the entire school is going to the pumpkin patch!
Please sign and return permission slips in the kitchen-
they will be in your parent boxes this week.

We will need drivers for this trip,
so look for sign-up sheets near the parent mailboxes.
We will leave Trillium at 9:45, and be at the patch from 10:00-11:00,
then return to school. Every student will be able to pick out a pumpkin.

Oct. 9:
The K-2 class is also going to Agate beach to go tide pooling.
Parent drivers will be needed.

Looking ahead:
Oct. 12-16 will be minimum days.
Parent conferences will be held in the afternoons.
It seems early for conferences, but it is the 9th week of school!
These conferences are a great chance
to hear the individual details of your child's school experience.

Oct. 23:
Author Festival at Trillium
This year our visiting author is Ann Whitford Paul.
Her books will be for sale at Trillium or by order beginning Oct. 12,
and there will be a book signing event at the Humboldt County Library on Oct. 24th.
Ann will be reading her books to our students on Friday the 23,
followed by a potluck lunch at the school.
Families are invited to join us.

Oct 30:
Halloween Carnival
More info. to come.


For free or reduced lunch students:
Carry-over eligibility for free or reduced lunchfrom last school year
will end on October 1st.

if you have not filled out a new application, your student will
automatically revert to full-price status.
There are currents applications near the K-2 parent cubbies
or in the office.

Fieldtrip drivers-we appreciate you taking the time
to make travel possible.
Please be sure that a copy of your current car insurance
is on file in the office. Thanks!

The aftercare staff would like to thank Shelley & Stephanie
for donating tea to the kitchen.

The 3-5 class would like to thank everyone who made their
bake sale a success- the bakers, eaters, and coffee-drinkers all helped
raise $350 for the Wolf Creek camp out.
Thank you!

Look in your parent boxes for our fall bulb sale fundraiser paperwork.
Last year, we raised $1200 from these sales.

This year's sales will go directly to pay for swimming lessons
at the Arcata Pool. We usually go for eight sessions as a PE unit
in February or March, and
we need $800 to make this happen.

If we exceed our needs for swimming,
we will use the funds to offset the costs of future fieldtrips.

Of course, fundraising is not for everyone.
You can always make a direct
donation to the student fund, if your prefer.
Thanks for your help!

Wednesday, August 12th

As many of you know,
we like to begin the school year with a family gathering
so families can meet one another
and the staff can share information about the upcoming year.

Because we are in the midst of major rennovations,
we have decided to do something a little different this year.

Rather than meet before school begins,
we are having a family potluck and informaiton sharing afternoon
on the first day of school.

Lunch will be at 12:30
and we will be serving school lunches as usual,
but we are inviting parents to join us for a potluck lunch, as well.

We will have paperwork available:
free and reduced lunch applications,
school calendars,
emergency contact updats,
aftercare paperwork,
etc.

PLease join us.

We will be at the school every day getting ready to open
on Monday, August 24th.
Feel free to come by and lend a hand.

Thanks!

August 10th

Can you believe summer is almost over?
We open in two weeks!

There is sooooooo much to do before then,
so we are still trying to recruit help
to pull it all together and make the school look great.

As of this week, we need help with:

* Finishing painting-
girl's bathroom,
kitchen cabinets and trim,
boys bathroom trim,
front hallway.

* Lay floors in Aly's classroom,
magic room, and bathrooms.

* Move furniture and supplies back into classrooms.

* Dump run.

If you can help, please don't wait. We need help tomorrow
and every day until school starts.
The sooner we can get the construction finished the sooner
the teachers can get back in their rooms and get ready to teach!

Thank you all in advance,
especially those of you who have been already working so hard.

This Friday is Arts Arcata, and the 3-5 grade class will be showing their
bird art projects from last spring at the Co-op.
Come on out and support our young artists.

See you there!

June

Hi everyone,

It is so quiet and a little lonely around here
without all your smiling faces.
We are wrapping it up for the year and
already looking forward to next year!

Thanks to everyone who came and made the
End of the Year trip so much fun.
I always enjoy the opportunity to get to know you better,

This year's trip was so relaxing and mellow.
I hope you had as much fun as I did-
now I am left with the great memories and the poison oak.

If you forgot anthing at the camp site I probably have it in the kitchen.
I know I have a pair of boys sneakers, a jacket, and maybe more.

There is also quite a lot of stuff in student and parent cubbies.
Please come get your stuff.
It will not be here next year.

I am mailing out the final billing for aftercare and lunch this week.
Please try to make prompt payments on these accounts.

With the recent budget cuts, we are having to be extremely careful with our finances.
Right now, the aftercare program is barely breaking even because of outstanding balances.

We know that many of you need this service,
but we cannot offer it for free.

In fact, next year, the cost is going up $.75/hr.
We have not raised the rates in 8 years,
and unfortunatley it's now necessary.

If you have a very large bill, please arrange to make payments.
We are very flexible about this.
Just call or email.
Thanks.

If you have know that your child is not going to return in the fall,
please let us know right away.
Enrollment is going to be crucial next year,
and I have people who want those spots if you are leaving us for any reason.
We appreciate it.

The office will be open from 10:00-3:00 through the end of June.
After that, we will check phone messages weekly,
or email every day.



I hope see you out and about this summer.
We will be in touch in August about our
beginning of the year picnic.

Enjoy!
-Marianne

End of year trip

So, just a last minute reminders before
we leave tomorrow for Pamplin Grove.

In case you need directions:
Take 101 south
3 miles south of Fortuna,
turn left on rt. 36 toward Bridgeville.

Go 12 miles east.
The grove is on the right and is marked with just a small
forest service sign.
If you get to the big ranger station at Swimmers Delight you passed it.

There is a gate that will be open while we are all arriving,
but closed the rest of the time.
It will be unlocked during the day.

Our first stop on the way down is at Chapman's Rock & Mineral Museum.
We will be there at 10:30 and stay for sack lunch.
That is 2 miles past the turn to the 36 on your right off the 101.
If you are meeting us at camp- we will be there after 12:00 noon check-in.

Tuesday night's dinner is a potuck BBQ.
Please bring food to share.
We have food for all other meals,
and are asking for a $10.00 kitchen contribution from each camper.

Also, remember to pack plates, bowls, and utensils for your family.

I just camped at Richardson Grove last weekend,
and the mosquitos are out!
Pack accordingly.

Copies of the directions will also be posted at Trillium.
See you there!

Friday Night

Tonight is Arts! Arcata, and the Trillium kids are having an art opening
at Kyana Tallion's studio: 920 Samoa Blvd. Suite 218.

Last weekend we had the Reggage event,
which was a huge success and a lot of work.

Tonight you don't have to buy or sell anything,
you don't have to work,
and you don't have to pay.

Just come out and support your kids artwork.
6:00-8:00 PM.

May Day

Hi everyone.

Don't forget about our exciting fundraiser happening tomorrow night!
This is the biggest event Trillium has hosted in years
thanks to our hard-working fundraising committee.
It's at the D St. Community Center from 5-10 this Saturday.

Please come out and support the event,
either as a patron enjoying the food, reggae music, and stimulating company,
or you can volunteer to work at the event in exchange for your entry fee.

This fundraiser was planned to raise money for
much-needed building improvements.

Of course, time is often short, so if you cannot attend the benefit
you can always make a private donation to the
fundraising committee, which helps pay for fieldtrips, special supplies,
and other areas that our budget cannot afford.



Also, the 3-5 grade class has an afternoon fieldtrip next Wednesday
to the Samoa recycling facility for a tour and a paper making project.
We will leave right after lunch and return by 2:45.
We need parents to drive and chaperone this trip.
Please sign up on the classroom door.


Next Friday is Arts Arcata,
and our students are having an art show at Kyana Taillon's studio.
More information will be distributed next week.

Please check your parent boxes for daily updates.
There are only six weeks left of this school year
and we are busy!

Here is a preview:

May 15th: 3-5 graders to Trinidad Marine Lab
June 4th: Graduation & student award ceremony
June 8th: School clean-up & Water Day
June 9th-11th: End of the year trip to Pamplin Grove

Tuesday March 31

Happy Spring Everyone!

Today is Cesar Chavez Day, and Aly's students shared power point
presentations about his life and how he made a difference.
Ask your kids about their projects!

Please sign up for parent conferences next week.
Every day will be early release at 1:10.

These are the last conferences scheduled for this year,
so please take advantage of the time the teachers have set aside
to meet one on one with each family.
3-5 students will take part in their conference.

April 13--17 is Spring Break.
We will be closed that week.

There are some great field trips and presentations scheduled in April.
These are the dates for your calendar:

Monday April 6th: K-2 in-class presentation "Where does our garbage go?"
Wednesday April 8th: K-2 in-class presentation "Thank you trees".

These are both facilitated by the the Arcata Recycling Center's educational outreach.

Monday April 20th: K-2 trip to Samoa Recycling Plant for a paper making workshop and tour of the facility
This is where all of Arcata's recycling goes.
We will need parent drivers for this trip after lunch.
The 3-5 students will visit the recycling plant in May.

Wednesday April 22nd: 3-5 trip to HSU Natural History Museum
The bus will leave Trillium at 10:45.

Wednesday April 29th: K-2 trip to HSU Natural HIstory Museum
The bus will leave Trillium at 9:45.

STAR testing is coming right up.
We will do the testing at the end of April and beginning of May.

For those of you who are new to Trillium,
PLease be assured that we make this as low-stress as possible.

You can help your students by
making sure they get good sleep,
eat breakfast, and telling them to just try their best.
That's all we ever ask.
Details of the STAR test schedule will be in parent boxes soon.

Our fundraising committee is hard at work organizing a benefit concert and raffle
scheduled for the first weekend of May.
They could always use more help making phone calls,
soliciting raffle donations, and planning all the small details
that will make this a successful event.

We are hoping to raise enough money to make some large facility improvements.
Please talk to Neeve, Ciara or Suzanne to find out how you can help.
Or, come to the school on Fridays at 3:00.
They are meeting weekly.

Looking ahead: We are planning a Trillium student Art Show for Arts Arcata in May.
We will keep you posted with details.

Also, our end of the year trip is coming soon.

We always end the school year with an all-school, family camp out.
We have already booked Pamplin Grove for June 9-11.
We had such a great time there we're going back!

Every student will need an adult chaperone that is not a staff member,
so please put this on your calendars.
It is always so much fun for everyone- just ask returning families if you're skeptical.

We have openings in all grades for next fall.
PLease spread the word.

The students are gardening every week during buddies- Thursday afternoons.
We need garden donations- plant starts, mulch, amendments, and tools are on our wish list.
Also, parents are invited to join us during that time.

That's all for now.
Thanks for sharing your kids with us!



.

Tuesday

Don't forget that tonight is Science Night.
The kids worked really hard and have great projects.
Please come out and support their love of science!

Monday's Mistake

There was a mistake on the earlier blog.

The 3-5 trip to the Arcata Math Fair
is on Friday March 13th- not February 13th.

I guess we have plenty of time to get parent drivers.
Sorry about that.

February 9-13, 2009

Reminders for this week:

Monday at 5:30: Steering Committee Meeting

This month's meeting will include updates about the budget,
upcoming STAR testing, and fundraising.
We will also review our Single Plan for Studnt Achievement.
Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings.


Wednesday and Thursday: School Pictures
Wed: K-2 pictures
Thurs: 3-5 pictures

We will also take class picutres on these days.
Please send your order form and payment on picture day.
Pictures will be back the week of Feb. 23-27,
and we will also do retakes if needed.

Friday at 9:30: 3-5 class is going to the Arcata High Math Fair
We need signed permission slips and parent drivers.
PLease sign up if you can drive.

Next week is Presidents Week.
School is closed.

I wanted to remind everyone that lunches are ordered
every morning at 9:30.
If your child is coming to school late but needs to order lunch,
please call ahead.

Snack does not need to be ordered in advance,
but we cannot guarantee your child can order lunch after 9:30.
Thanks.

Science Fair is coming up soon.
Trillium's fair is on March 3rd,
and the winning projects will go to the county fair the next day.

All students should be well underway with their experiments or research
working on their backboards.

Remember that everything needs to be in the logbook,
including research, trials, graphs, observations, and a bibliography.

Every time your student even thinks about their project, they should log it.
At the county science fair, the majority of scoring is based on the logbook,
and the backboard is secondary.
The backboard is just a visual a summary of the project.

If you need any help with this, Aly and Marianne are available.

January 27th, 2009

Hi everyone,

Just a few updates for our busy winter weeks.

This Friday we were invited to join the students at Pacific UNinon
for a concert by singer & songwriter Joe Craven.

This was just scheduled today,
so permission slips are now in your boxes.
PLease return them ASAP.
Thanks!

Also, it is returning enrollment time again.
Returning studnets and thier siblings get priority
for next year. Please return those forms
before Frbruary 15th to the bottom of the office stairs.
After Feb. 15th enrollement will be open to the general community.

It is science time again for alll students.
The K-2 class has been exploring matter in it's changing forms
in their classroom through experimenation.

The 3-5 students are getting ready to do thier science experiments.
All students should have an idea by now
and be ready to start experimenting.

Because we are low on funds this year,
any parents who can purchase their own backboards
are encouraged to do so. They can be found at Staples.

Each student has a staff member available to help
with science projects, but support and help from
home is essential to this process.
If you need any guidance, please come see Aly or Marianne.

Science Night will be held on Tueday March 3rd at Trillium.
We are also inviting any interested families form the community
to join us for open house.

This is an opportunity to see our kids shine
and get a sense about what we do at our school.
We are hoping that poeple will come and get excited about Trillium for next year.

Also, word of mouth always helps, so please spread tell
people about our program. We need full enrollment
to combat all the butget cuts next year.
Thank you!