What’s happening at Journey School?

July 17, 2009

By:  Shaheer Faltas, School Administrator

 

“A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand”-Abraham Lincoln

 

Administrator’s Note

Nine years ago on Valentine’s Day a committed group of founders launched Journey School.  Their goal was to provide the children of southern California with a humane, holistic and rigorous educational alternative inspired by Waldorf education.  Following my initial visit, our retreat, and my first two weeks on-the-job, I’m convinced that it is possible to realize the full potential of this founding vision.  I’ve seen first-hand the resilience, talent and good intent of the Journey School community.  In spite of significant challenges—broken trust, unclear agreements, budget difficulties, doubts about student learning, etc.—most families, faculty, and staff have chosen to “weather the storm.” The feeling is that there is much worth fighting for—as long as we are a united front.  A school “turn around” can happen so long as we heed Mr. Lincoln’s enduring advice by restoring unity.  The Hawaiians call such togetherness in the face of hardship, lokahi.   They also say that humility is the first step towards achieving lokahi. It’s our choice. We have everything we need to succeed.  We also have long distances to travel.  It’s time to decide.  We either allow division to sink this canoe or we resolve to paddle as one.  I choose to paddle with lokahi.  I hope you do too.  I’m thrilled to be here!

Big Rocks v Small Pebbles

The most effective school community members and leaders wear “blinders” and focus with laser-like precision on top priorities, or the “big rocks.” In school “turn-around” situations like ours, there is not enough time, talent or treasure to tackle every problem, or small pebble, which surfaces.  Journey School’s big rocks, as I understand them, appear below.  They emerged from the retreat, our team timeline, Bonnie River’s informal educational audit, mentor advice, our developing strategic plan, reliable research (Marzano, Schools that Work, 2004), and my first-hand experience as a school leader who has initiated similar reform efforts.   The big rocks are:

§         Adhere to mission, core values, and reliable data when making decisions

§         Retain, hire, and support a highly qualified instructional staff

§         Guarantee a rigorous, age-appropriate, and holistic curriculum for every child

§         Establish challenging learning goals and effective assessment practices

§         Provide powerful daily learning experiences and offer comprehensive student support

§         Promote a safe, clean, and inspiring learning environment

§         Develop high levels of collegiality and professionalism within and across stakeholder groups

§         Create meaningful partnerships with families and the community

§         Leverage and grow school resources to maximize student achievement

§         Ensure healthy governance and communication

 

How You Can Help, Starting Now

 

At our community meeting on July 1st I mentioned that we’ll need everyone’s help in the coming

days and weeks. There are at least 4 ways you can help us focus on the big rocks versus less important, smaller pebbles.  They are:

§         Study the article, “The 13 Habits of Trust Leaders,” which was distributed at the retreat.  Additional copies (electronic or hard) are available upon request.  You can also visit www.speedoftrust.com to learn more.

§         Participate in upcoming community school activities—they will be well-coordinated.

§         Maintain healthy rhythms and summer activities for your child and family.

§         Support the administrator’s summer office hours:  Monday-Thursday, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. by appointment.  Simply e-mail Shaheer at administrator@ journeyschool.net.   I check e-mail daily and I’ll get back to you as soon as I possibly can.

Current Progress

                You deserve specific and timely information about all aspects of Journey School’s educational program.  Our intent is to keep you well informed regarding schoolwide progress.  As a start, we’ve listed 20 important actions that have been taken during the past 2 weeks:

Accomplished:

1.       Confirmed common purpose and values

2.       Built essential groundwork for charter reauthorization

3.       Facilitated stakeholder and schoolwide dialogue

4.       Achieved progress on teacher hiring (see next section)

5.       Secured Bonnie River as the teachers’ and administrator’s external evaluator

6.       Established financial parameters for annual audit with school audit firm (Thanks Julie)

7.       Assembled a working Financial Team and a Budget Advisory Team

8.       Adopted an important ethics policy for the Council (Council led)

 

In Active Process:

 

9.       Beginning to engage teachers in summer  trainings and studies

10.   Revising evaluation tools and starting teacher self-evaluations

11.   Improving or reinvigorating job descriptions

12.   Planning meaningful and inspiring professional development activities

13.   Finalizing school calendar

14.   Developing a “facilities readiness” action plan

15.   Clarifying curricular goals and assessment rubrics

16.   Developing draft protocols for academic progress reporting

17.   Re-establishing clear norms  for collegiality and professionalism

18.   Refining healthy communication policies (e-mail, school publications, etc.)

19.   Establishing alliances with allies or agencies (i.e. Alliance for Public Waldorf Education)

20.   Increasing school outreach efforts (media, enrollment efforts, etc.)

 

Teacher Hiring Process

                Many people have worked long hours to ensure that Journey School retains and/or hires the most effective and inspired teachers possible.  The teacher hiring process for grades positions is nearly complete.  At this time, we are pleased to announce the following decisions (biographies to be shared):

Kindergarten:  Ms. Hellene Brodsky-Blake, Ms. Gina Schneider, and Ms. Oriana Gourley

1st Grade:  Ms. Justine Maycock

2nd Grade:  Ms. Laura Bujjoni

3rd Grade:  Not yet finalized (see below)

4th Grade:  Ms. Jill Murphy Lischalk

5th Grade:  Not yet finalized (see below)

6th Grade:  Ms. Leila Harding

7th Grade:  Not yet finalized (see below)

8th Grade:  Mr. Richard Martin

 

Other Confirmed Hires:  Congratulations to Ms. Robin Langley-Davis and Mr. Gavin Keller on their recent hires (grade placements to be finalized very soon).  We are thrilled to welcome you aboard after a rigorous process!

 

Instructional Support:  Council will receive administrative recommendations regarding the master schedule of classes and proposed specialty needs on Thursday, July 23, 2009.  We thank all those who have exercised patience and restraint during this difficult process.  Unfortunately, some final decisions in this area may be postponed until late summer or even fall, but a preliminary schedule written within existing budgetary constraints will be completed.

 

A Special Message of Gratitude

 

                After much consideration, Ms. Laura Childers and Ms. Alise Kubecki will be bestowing their gifts in new places during the 2009-10 school year.  Both teachers are leaving the school on very positive terms and will always be welcomed.  We honor all they have given to our children and school.  Please expect to receive news from both of these teachers shortly.   We also wish Ms. Michele Bennett all the best as she relocates to Napa where she will continue to teach, study, and grow.  Enjoy your next chapter and thank you for all you have given! Finally, for any other members of the Journey family not mentioned here and who have chosen to move on please know that your contributions have made a difference…our door is always open!

 

 

Onwards and Upwards!

 

 

 

Shaheer Faltas

Journey School Administrator

administrator@journeyschool.net