What a performance!  What an event!  By all accounts, Kuumba Day 2011 was a fantastic success. Creativity was on display all over the Rue Gym, but most especially during the spirited African dance number performed by our third graders. A right of passage since Elysian's first year, the Kuumba Dance was sensational with all the kids giving it their all.  Thanks to YaYa, our Kuumba leader, the 3rd grade parent commmitee, the PTSO, and of course, our fabulous third grade teachers, Ashley and Amanda for treating the entire Elysian community to a day of creativity and fun.  

With Halloween just around the corner, it's a great time to check out Elysian Charter School's award-winning Halloween video, "Purple Pedal Power Berry Bicycle Blender" which currently has more than 12,000 YouTube views. The link is: http://bit.ly/vDSzza. The hip-hoppy, toe-tapping video featuring Elysian's trick-or-treaters was created last year as part of our school's focus on healthy eating and nutrition. In the video costumed kids go door-to-door to collect Halloween candy but then pour it into a magical purple bicycle that pumps out healthy fruit smoothies. Elysian has the chance to earn another $500 for its Elysian's healthy eating video program if we get to 20,000 views for Purple Pedal Power by 11.15.11. Please spread the word about the video and help us reach our goal!

Recently, a first grade class went to the community garden and picked tomatoes.  They brought them back to the classroom, cut them up, added spices and other ingredients and then ate salsa.  This is an example of “learning by doing.”  

Children of all ages learn best by actually working through a process. In this particular activity children were learning about plants and the food chain (science), measurement (math) and following directions (reading/literacy).  

On the other side of the age spectrum, eighth grade students will, towards the end of the year, be studying the Constitution and the different branches of government.

Students will then “pass” legislation that may affect them.  These new “laws” will then have to be presented to a Supreme Court Justice (me) in order to determine if the current rules will allow them to be enacted.  

At Elysian one of the teaching tools is the use of hands-on activities, where children are challenged to problem-solve issues and learn by completing actual real world tasks.

Teachers also have to keep their skills updated, using the latest in educational theory and technology as well as knowing the new requirements that are coming from the State and Federal governments.

To this end, one of this year’s staff development initiatives is to expand our knowledge of hands-on and problem-based learning.  In grades K to 2 the teachers are studying ways to have students more actively engaged in the study of science. They are working together to bring in new ideas and are planning and debriefing together in order to analyze the latest strategies and techniques that they are trying in the classrooms.

In grades 3 to 8, the teachers are studying problem-based learning and how to develop long term units that not only address academic issues, but also address the building of responsibility and ownership of academic tasks.  

In addition to ensuring that all students perform to the best of their abilities on the academic side, we want to ensure that the students grow up to become responsible, have good character and are successful problem solvers.
  

Welcome Back! The school looks wonderful, with everything cleaned and the floors waxed. This year all of the children in grades 2, 3 and 4 will be housed in the Demarest Building. The special education staff has rooms in both buildings. All of the teachers have been in their rooms, preparing instruction and decorating their rooms. New this year, we will have music
and art rooms. Also new, we have contracted with Revolution Foods to be our meal provider. This is a company that focuses on healthy eating in schools. Our staffing is complete, with everyone ready to go.

Many children get nervous before school starts. Let me share a secret with you...so do many teachers (and principals). We get nervous because we want everything to go well. We want to be sure that every student learns and, at the same time, enjoys school.

School starts on Wednesday, September 7. Doors open at 8:20 a.m., as usual. September 7, 8 and 9 will be half days. Aftercare will begin on Thursday. Lunch will be served beginning on September 7.

It is with great pleasure that I announce the decision of the Elysian Board of Trustees to appoint Harry Laub as director of our school. Since joining our team in February as interim director, Harry has shown the leadership, passion and interest in progressive education that we were hoping for in an Elysian school director.  In our national search for a director we examined dozens of candidates, and Harry was always the standout. We thank Harry for his dedication over the past six months, and we look forward to Elysian's future and growth under his leadership.  Please join me in congratulating Harry!