aveson compass
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Aveson Summer Update
from Kate and Larry
School begins in about a month and we hope summer continues to be a wonderful experience for all our families. With the many changes taking place at Aveson this year, be assured that Aveson will be more ready than ever to provide a state of the art education for your children when school starts on September 7th.
ASL (K-5) advisors are busy preparing for our new 'paired' classrooms and are excited about building relationships with their students, supported by Aveson's low student-to-advisor ratio (22:1).
AGLA advisors are working with Larry Simonsen, our new AGLA Director, to make this year a fantastic experience our 6th-12th grade students. We continue to wait patiently for the owners of the 575 W. Altadena property to secure the financing needed to finish construction. It is our intention and plan to move forward with this location. In the meantime, we firmly believe the Boys and Girls Club will provide invaluable resources while we build relationships and culture amongst our students. Please read the following letter from Larry Simonsen, highlighting the amazing AGLA team and their preparation for the 2010-11 school year. I have spent time with the team and they are unparalleled in the secondary education field. Our kids will be in great hands!
We will keep you informed with any updates as they occur.
Regards,
Kate
Dear AGLA Families,
For those I haven't yet met, my name is Larry Simonsen, and I am the new director of Aveson Global Leadership Academy. Some of you may know my wife, Diane Simonsen, a K-2 literacy advisor. My son Andrew is going to be a 3rd grade student at Aveson this year, and my daughter Katia is starting Kindergarten at Aveson as well. So, I'm a fairly heavily invested Aveson supporter!
Although the past year has seen some unexpected changes for Aveson as an organization, namely the lawsuit and the change of location for AGLA, the greatest asset of this school remains unchanged: an unwavering commitment to a rigorous, personalized and fun educational experience for your children. Yes, I said fun. Even though I have yet to work with your children at AGLA, I have worked with the new and returning faculty, and they are smart, fun, gifted people who like working with kids. I had a great time with them in Washington DC this summer, planning and dreaming about what globally competent young people can accomplish when given the right leadership. The energy level is wonderful, and your children are very fortunate to have a group of professionals like this to guide them as they learn.
One of the things I learned about globally competent students and citizens, especially those anchored in a larger vision, is that they flex with unexpected change. If you're too locked into what has been, what could be may never have its day. The Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Pasadena may not be what you expected for your child in terms of a traditional facility, but it has outstanding potential for Aveson families to develop community both within the school itself and between the school and the city. We as a staff have worked out creative arrangements for learning spaces, learning paces, and learning experiences in and around the Pasadena area. What's more, your children will actually get to talk with their instructors, for long periods of time, thanks to our small class sizes. During this ongoing dialogue authentic learning takes place. I (as a student) learn as I discuss what I think and know with safe and knowledgeable people, so if I get only five minutes of actual face-time with my teacher each day, how can I really ever figure these things out? At AGLA, there's time.
We will be wearing uniforms, Team Wear as Kate calls it, to help us keep track of each other and to remind us that we are representing our larger community when we are traveling throughout Pasadena and LA. We'll have daily opportunities to swim in a 5-lane lap pool and play sports in a beautiful gymnasium. We even have classroom space dedicated specifically for art production for our Monday Electives Rotation. As we speak, Daniel Pelletier is beefing up the wireless capacity of the club, and working his magic on our laptops.
I'm really looking forward to meeting all of you, and diving into this new experience together. On August 21, 2010 we will be hosting an open house at the Boys and Girls Club. Families will meet the team, view the space, discuss curriculum, have some fun at the club and form action teams to get ready for the new year. Details to follow. I'll look forward to seeing you at the Boys and Girls Club on August 21th for a preview of coming attractions!
With great expectations,
Larry Simonsen
Director, Aveson Global Leadership Academy
* * * * * * * * * *
Week of May 24, 2010
Kate's Desk
Your commitment is to make others around you successful.
I am delighted to express my positive feelings about the Neighborhood Meet and Greet gathering held last Thursday evening at Loma Alta Park. 40 neighbors of the new AGLA location on Lincoln and Altadena were present, along with 20 parents and students of Aveson. The evening began with student comments and Caitlin Hiroto singing “Heal the World” and included a presentation highlighting our school. We ended with a 30-minute question and answer period. Not one of the neighbors had a negative comment about the school moving into the neighborhood. As you can imagine, it was enormously refreshing after our experiences with a few members of the Noyes community who consistently expressed their objection to having secondary students in their neighborhood. Loma Alta neighbors offered suggestions on mitigating potential traffic, parking, and safety issues. Many applauded our students and publicly committed to helping our kids feel at home in the neighborhood. Members from the Altadena Arts Council, Loma Alta Community Gardens and other local organizations welcomed us and asked what they could do to help us facilitate the relocation process. It was a fantastic evening and left me feeling energized and inspired by the power of a community that believes in education opportunities for all children. When a neighbor approached me after the meeting and said, “This is going to happen”, I knew in my heart the truth had been spoken. We are on our way to the right place for our amazing kids!Altadena Blog Article about the Meet and Greet:
http://www.altadenablog.com/2010/05/aveson-greets-neighbors-of-proposed-new-campus.html#more
Drama Club Work Day
According to Tom Hyatt, our wonderful Drama Club Advisor, the Drama Club Work Day held on Saturday, May 15, was a huge success. The two dozen parents and students spent the day giving the Aveson Theater a make-over. Costumes were organized, stairs were repainted, the stage floor was polished and sets for the upcoming Alice in Wonderland production were created. Thanks to all of you who volunteered your time and energy.
Aveson Garden is Ready to Grow
We held our Aveson Global Leadership Community Forum on Thursday, May 13th. It was a wonderful night of dialogue and information. The discussion items included:
- Relocation of AGLA to the new site (see notes below).
- Review of the daily schedule and curriculum for next year.
- Kicked-off our year-end giving campaign to raise $75,000. Three families contributed a total of $1000 that very evening!
- Discussed temporary site options if the new building is not ready on September 1st (see notes below).
Please follow the link below to the slide show:
http://smilebox.com/play/4d5459334d446b324e6a52384d7a59354e6a51794d544d3d0d0a&sb=1
- The club is located in Northwest Pasadena, serving the students we set out to serve.
- Students will be close to the new site and, as the building is completed in phases, they can participate in the final design of their instructional space and begin developing their individual work areas.
- The open configuration of space fits our educational model better than classrooms at a traditional school site.
- Our kids can continue developing the Aveson climate and culture
- By providing some minor upgrades, we can give back to the B and G club by leaving the facility in an improved condition.
- We will get a reimbursement from the state for lease and tenant improvement costs.
* * * * * * * * * *
Week of May 10, 2010
Kate's Desk
Vision means seeing what could be and what will be and living the difference
The Aveson community continues to live the difference between what could be and what will be. In a time of unjust treatment by some influential forces outside of our school, we have become a stronger community by upholding our guiding principles. We are now being challenged by economic scarcity and the financial burden of operating our school in two locations. It is Aveson’s commitment to provide smaller class sizes, quality teachers and personalized learning even as other public schools are expanding class sizes to 31 students while laying off teachers. We have been successful by keeping administrative and operational costs to a minimum. However, new external challenges demand more financial support from our community. I am calling upon each Aveson family to have a conversation about what they can give financially to ensure the extraordinary educational experience continues for all our kids. I know it is a tough time financially for many, but I am asking you to consider making the adjustments to your budget so Aveson becomes your primary place of giving. We must raise $75,000 by the end of the school year. If you have given this year….thank you. If you can give more or if you have not given yet, please give now.
2010-11 First Day of School
The Aveson Team is finalizing the calendar for next school year. We have set the first day of school for Tuesday, September 7, 2010. More information to follow.
Community Forums
We had our Aveson School of Leaders- K-5 Community Forum on Wednesday, May 6th. It was a wonderful night of dialogue and information. Here are some of the discussion items:
Advisory time (beginning and end of the day) for1st-2nd multi-age classes will be configured by grade level for next year
3rd-5th advisors asked for feedback on advisory configurations. Decisions will be shared at the next Community Forum in June.
Kicked-off our year-end giving campaign to raise $75,000, with two families contributing $500 each by the end of the evening.
Announcement: K-5 will remain on the Noyes campus for the 2010-11 school year.
Aveson Global Leadership Academy- 6-12 Community Forum will be held on Wednesday, May 13th, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Aveson School of Leaders will remain on the Noyes campus
One of Aveson’s visions for the optimal educational program is a K-12 school. It is truly unfortunate a small group of people have been able to alter that vision for our students and families. We have been fortunate to live our vision for 3 years on the Noyes campus. The amazing experience our students, both young and old, have had is a direct result of nurturing our multi-age culture. After months of discussions, brainstorming and proposals, it became apparent we were not going to find a site for all of our students to be together. As a result, our K-5 students will remain on the Noyes campus, while 6-12th graders will move to a new location. Noyes is a beautiful site and we appreciate the gifts it brings to our students, but location does not define our school. We know our students will miss having their older friends and family with them on a daily basis.
A Fantastic New Facility Option for AGLA
If you head due west about 2.5 miles from our campus on Altadena Drive, you will come to the corner of Altadena Drive and Lincoln Avenue. On the Northeast corner is a new building for which construction is nearing completion. One block North of the new building on Lincoln Ave is Loma Alta Park, a beautifully renovated public park with a community garden, acres of green space, baseball fields, gymnasium, pool, tennis courts, play structures and horse riding grounds. One half block west of the new building is Odyssey Charter School. Aveson is in the process of working with the owners of the new building to develop a long term lease agreement to include building the 22,000 square feet interior space to perfectly suit our instructional model.
The location of this building supports the Aveson mission to provide educational opportunities for students who reside in the Northwest corridor of Pasadena/Altadena. Having the opportunity to build the space helps us to ensure continued personalized learning. We can design classroom space for direct instruction and open space for individual work areas and project work. Another advantage is the fact this building is subject to county vs city zoning, so the permitting process is smoother and faster. This gives us high hopes for a fall start date. We will keep the Aveson community posted on our progress. Details will be discussed at the May 13th AGLA Community Forum.
Number 2 Pencils are sharpened and our kids are ready!
There are many skills for our students to learn in order to be college ready and globally competent when they graduate from Aveson. While the mandatory state competency tests are not high on the list of what we focus on at Aveson, the California Standards Test (CST) can provide some data on the academic progress of our students. That being said, CST time is upon us and our 2nd-11th grade kids will be testing for the next two weeks. Our goal is to make sure all students are relaxed and able to show what they know even in this limited, multiple choice format. We have prepped the students so they understand the context and the content of the tests, as well as the importance of giving their best effort and being confident in that effort.
Please have your students at school on time this week. The state requires us to test 95% of our students to have valid scores and keep our school open. Please ease any of your student’s concerns and encourage them to do their best. A lot of rest and a good breakfast every morning is helpful to prepare your students. Thank you for your support.
Staff Changes for 2010-2011
We are pleased to announce Larry Simonsen will be joining the Aveson team as the Director of Aveson Global Leadership Academy 6-12 for the 2010-11 school year. Larry has too many experiences and qualifications to enumerate, but rest assured he has the exact philosophy and expertise needed to take AGLA to the next level and beyond. Please come meet him at the AGLA Community Forum on May, 13th at 6:30 p.m.
Our wonderful Bridget Hanks will be teaching/advising our new ACIS (Aveson Center for Independent Studies) 3-5 class. Her passion and energy for independent learning is a terrific fit for the class.
Kirk Melkonian will be leaving the ASL staff as a full time teacher so he can focus on educational consulting. He will be on the ASL campus approximately 30 days over the course of the school year to provide support on continuing our wonderful project based learning curriculum.
Callie White, our current 6-8 math advisor will become a 3-5 advisor in the 3-5 cadre. Callie spent her student teaching year in our 3-5 classrooms, knows many of the students and embraces our curriculum for math, projects and literacy.
As we grow into our 6-12 model at AGLA, we are in the process of hiring a few more advisors.
Aveson Performance Day
On Saturday, May 1st, the Aveson staff conducted a Performance Day for potential teachers/advisors for next year. Aveson received 600 applications and resumes for teaching positions. Through a pre-screening process we reduced the number to 30 prospective advisors who were invited to Performance Day. The applicants participated in several activites as our staff observed for evidence of strong communication skills, content knowledge and collaboration style. It was the highest quality group of educators we have seen at a Performance Day and 15 of the 30 prospective Aveson team members were invited back to teach demonstration lessons during a school day at Aveson.
Aveson Yearbooks are Now on Sale!
Order your yearbook by May 14th to take advantage of the special pre-sale price of just $20. After May 14, the cost is $25. Order forms (available in the school office) and payment should be turned in to your student's advisor.
Thanks for your generosity
Every gift that Aveson receives is important and appreciated. It was brought to our attention that some of our donors were not properly recognized in a timely manner. We apologize and assure you that we now have an efficient system in place to ensure timely acknowledgment of your gifts and ongoing support to Aveson. If you have questions about giving or have not received a response to your gift, please call Alice Kechichian in the Aveson office. Thank you for all you do for Aveson!
Coffee with Kate
Every Wednesday from 8:00-8:45 a.m.
In the Aveson Theater/Culinary Arts area
Bring your questions, positive stories, concerns, problem solving skills and vision
* * * * * * * * * *
29 April 2010
Kate's Desk
How you say it is as important as what you say
As you all know, the quest for a facility for our 6th-12th grade students has been the prime focus of my attention and time over the past 2 months. Honestly, I have struggled with deciding how much information to share during this arduous process. I want to inform our community of ideas which may turn into real options but am also cognizant of contributing to false hopes. One example was the possibility of leasing space at the Pasadena Playhouse tower. It had many attractive features and seemed very doable until the process of getting permits with the Pasadena City building and planning began. After many hours of working with city staff, it became evident we were not going to be able to get a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for that space. It also became clear, with the stringent codes of the City of Pasadena, we have no chance of getting a CUP for any property within the city in time for our students to have a home in the fall. After this steep learning curve, we immediately switched gears to the other leads we were following. We now have a legitimate option located in Altadena/LA County which could be completed by September. I will discuss this option in the next section of this Compass. Please remember, my intention is to keep everyone informed with the latest information and at the same time not induce additional stress for our students and community. This I know… we will find a location for our kids which will promote learning, a sense of ownership and a srong community.
A Fantastic New Facility Option for AGLA
If you head due West about 2.5 miles on Altadena Drive from our school, you will come to the corner of Altadena Drive and Lincoln Avenue. On the Northeast corner you will see a new building which is about 75% complete. If you travel one block North on Lincoln Ave you will find yourself at Loma Alta Park, a beautifully renovated public park with a community garden, acres of green space, baseball fields, gymnasium, pool, tennis courts, play structures and horse riding grounds. If you travel one half block West you find Odyssey Charter School. Aveson is in the process of working with the owners of the building on developing a long term lease agreement which would include building the 22,000 square feet interior space to perfectly suit our instructional model.
The location of this building supports the Aveson’s mission to provide educational opportunities for students who reside in the Northwest corridor of Pasadena/Altadena. Having the opportunity to build the space helps us to ensure personalized learning. We can design classroom space for direct instruction and open space for individual work spaces and project work. Another advantage is the fact this building is located in the county rather than the city so the permitting process is smoother and faster. This gives us high hopes for a fall start date.
We will keep the community posted on the progress. Details will be discussed at the May 6th and May 13th Community Forums.
SHINE…Did they ever!
If you chose to start your weekend off by attending the SHINE variety show on Friday night, you definitely made the right choice. The event was fantastic! K-6th grade students showcased talents ranging from Taekwando to hula-hooping. The event was hosted by the Performing Arts Action Team. Margaret Wood, Annika Rahe and Tom Hyatt orchestrated a show which was professional and organic. The student performers were confident and the audience was more than enthusiastic. The evening exemplified Aveson’s commitment to individual strengths and honoring participation and courage over competition and arbitrary “bars of excellence”. Way to go Aveson School of Leaders!
Aveson Picnic/BBQ
Everyone who attending the Aveson Picnic/BBQ this past Saturday enjoyed a perfect day of weather, food and camaraderie. Kids were running around, people were chatting and multi generational drumming was providing background energy for the festivities. Thank you to Michael Greiner for bringing his instruments and leading the music. Thanks also to Jennifer Bruckner and the Culture and Climate Action Team for hosting the event.
Aveson Yearbooks are Now on Sale!
Order your yearbook by May 14 to take advantage of the special pre-sale price of just $20. After May 14, the cost is $25. Order forms and payment should be turned in to student's advisor.
June Jubilee is Coming!
It’s a team effort, Aveson Community. We need your help to make this important fundraising and community building event a success. Thank you!
We are currently collecting:
CONFETTI EGGS
- empty eggshells for confetti eggs -- follow these instructions, through step 4: http://www.project-tnt.com/fiesta/Make%20Eggs.htm- eggs can be delivered in cartons to the office or to D2
SMALL TOYS/TRINKETS
- such as Happy Meal toys & party favors
- mark "June Jubilee" and deliver to office
STUFFED ANIMALS
- gently used, preferable 10 inches or smaller
- deliver to office or to Mary Nunez at K-2 pick-up
USED BOOKS:
- send them to school with your child to deliver to the advisory book box in each classroom
CLASS BASKET DONATIONS:
-each advisory is putting together a themed class basket for the silent auction
-check in with your advisor or class basket coordinator for ideas on what to contribute
Coming up right before June Jubilee:
PLANTS
- these will be collected June 1-4 at all pick-up areas
DESSERTS
- these will be collected June 4th at all pick-up areas
YOUR TIME
-help will be needed for the event: staffing for booths, set-up/clean-up and more…
Special Booth at June Jubilee
Do you make something? Do you knit, work with wood, weave baskets? Do you make jewelry, ceramics, paper? Are you a painter, a glassblower, a whittler? What are your hidden talents? Aveson would like to use them to help raise money at our June Jubilee this year!
Community Forums
Aveson School of Leaders- K-5…Wednesday, May 6th
Aveson Global Leadership Academy- 6-12…Wednesday, May 13th
Coffee with Kate
Every Wednesday from 8:00-8:45 a.m.
In the Aveson Theater/Culinary Arts area
Bring your questions, positive stories, concerns, problem solving skills and vision
* * * * * * * * * *
10 March 2010
Kate's Desk
Our growth together requires us to grow individually.
During this time of uncertainty, I continue to draw inspiration and focus from our community. Stories of personal growth among parents, students and staff are evident everywhere I turn. Often I hear parents talk about their journey from initial trepidation about a new multi-age charter school to an inspired commitment to the Aveson model. Students of all grades speak up about their vision for a supportive new campus and advisors demonstrate their flexibility as they re-envision our schools as two separate sites. These examples speak to the power of a collective desire to learn and grow. Little did I know Aveson would be the catalyst for individual growth at every age. Who says personalized learning is just for kids?!
~Kate
Changing for the Better: Aveson School of Leaders Kinder- 5th Grades
The staff at Aveson is constantly reexamining our educational model to ensure we are providing the right instruction for the right students at the right time. In response to many, many hours of reflection, community feedback, data analysis and dialogue, we are excited to announce the following changes to our K-5 educational model for the 2010-11 school year. These improvements are driven by our commitment to realizing the following objectives:
Increased literacy instructional time per student
Decrease number of students per advisor
Increase the amount of advisor collaboration.
Our ability to adapt to new insights and data accounts for a large part of Aveson’s success. Please be assured these improvements are in line with our core principles and guarantee students continue to experience personalized learning in Literacy, Math and Projects. Advisors will also continue to bring passion to their area of expertise and multi-age cohorts will continue to foster personalized small group instruction.
We will provide more details in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the chart below offers a comparison between our current model and the improvements slated for the upcoming school year.
2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
2 teams of 3 advisors each | 3 teams of 2 advisors each |
Each student has 3 advisors | Each student has 2 advisors |
Students transition between 3 classrooms | Students transition between 2 classrooms |
Students have 3 academic blocks | Students have 2 academic blocks |
3 advisors share 60-66 students | 2 advisors share 44 students |
Defining Home: AGLA Relocation Update
A fantastic AGLA Relocation Action Team has been hard at work for the past three weeks. Happily, we have received dozens of leads and prospects for relocating our 6th-12th grades students for the 2010-2011 school year. At this time we are exploring shared space, commercial space and, of course, any new offers from the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD).
To date, PUSD has informed us that their decision to relocate AGLA to Muir High School is still their best and most viable offer. In light of our community’s strong and steadfast desire to keep our 6th-12th grades together, we do not believe a traditional 9th-12th grade campus is appropriate for our model at this time. This belief has no reflection on the Muir community or their students. In truth, the space being offered at Muir simply does not provide the appropriate learning and play space for 6th-8th grade students.
If you have ideas for space or contacts that may help us identify a new home for AGLA, please contact Jessica Coker jessicacoker@aveson.org.
Mark Your Calendar: Community Forum for AGLA families
On Wednesday, March 1oth, support staff and advisors will discuss the most recent information and plans for AGLA. Please join us in the auditorium from 6:00-7:30.
Mega Progress
21 Aveson Action Teams are up and running strong. If you have not joined a team and would like to direct your passion to support our school, please contact the facilitator for the team of your choice listed below. Most facilitators can be reached via e-mail firstnamelastname@aveson.org. If you are unable to connect by e-mail, please call the school office at 626.797.1440 and leave a message for the facilitator.
ACTION=RESULTS!
| Aveson Action Teams 2009-10 | |||
| General Operations | Personalized Learning | Healthy Living | Global Leadership/Learning |
Fund Development
| Visual/Media Arts
| Culinary Arts
| Students Travel
|
PR/Marketing
| Performing Arts Tom Hyatt Myshia Moten | Gardening
| World Language
|
Fundraising
| Literacy
| Physical Education
| Green/Environmental
|
Maintenance
| Learning Differences
| Playground
| |
June Jubilee
| Music
| Culture and Climate
| |
AGLA Relocation
| Classroom Volunteers
| ||
English Language Learners
| |||
If you don't see your passion represented on this list, please submit a proposal to form your own action team. We know everyone can find a channel to support our children's school experience.
Rave Reviews for “Dinners To Go”!
Everyone is raving about Aveson's Dinners-to-Go. Please support our Culinary Arts Education program by purchasing a Dinner-to-Go for your friends and family!
Here is what you need to know:
· Only 30 dinners will be sold each Wednesday of the program
· Dinners will feed 4 people
· Dinners cost $35.00
· Dinners must be pre-ordered and pre-paid. Orders must be placed at the Aveson office
· Dinners must be picked up at the Aveson kitchen between 1:00-2:00
The Menus:
March 10, 2010
Traditional Lasagna/green salad
Or Roasted eggplant Lasagna/green salad
March 17, 2010
Oven roasted salmon/stewed lentils/braised greens
YUM!
* * * * * * * * * *
17 February 2010
Kate's Desk
When identifying problems offer strategies and solutions.
Every life challenge delivers opportunity. As we work to overcome the challenges presented by the PUSD Board’s decision last week, we are inspired by the vision and strength of our community. We will continue to keep you informed of our progress as we move closer to articulating a solution. In the meantime, our campus is humming with a collective excitement for exploration and discovery. From the theatrical stage to the global stage, Aveson students demonstrate again and again the joys and rewards of project based learning. Read on for a good reminder about why Aveson Schools are a cause worth championing.
~Kate
AGLA Community Forum - Thursday, February 18th
On Thursday, February 18th, support staff and advisors will discuss the most recent information and plans for AGLA next year. Please join us in the auditorium
from 6:30-8:00.
Bring your positive minds, strategies and solutions!
Limited Engagement! An Aveson Actor's Nightmare - Friday & Saturday, February 19-20th
"Mom and Dad, you HAVE to see this!" ~ Wyatt, Grade 3
Aveson students were treated to performances of the DRAMA CLUB's rib tickling one act comedy, An Aveson Actor's Nightmare, this week. This weekend, Aveson's Drama Club opens the doors to the entire community. Come support the Aveson DRAMA CLUB and our cast of rising thespians. The one hour show includes performances from Charlie Brown, Willie Wonka, Little Orphan Annie and William Shakespeare, among others.
Starring Helena Pickerell, Izzy Bishwakarma, Ellis Eckles, Dylan Jack, Asha Wafer, Amirah Shakoor, Emily Pacini, Shelby Clark, Christine Wheeler, Milo Schureman, Ian Lacy, Josef Weismuller and Andrew Latreille.
Limited Engagement: Friday, February 19th and Saturday, February 20th at 7PM
The Joy of Giving: Ms. Casey’s C6 Advisory Provides Relief to Haiti
For the past three weeks the third graders of C6 have been working very hard to rally our community to donate money, food, and clothes to the people of Haiti, and boy, oh boy, have they succeeded! When the earthquake hit Haiti, my third graders saw a need and immediately, thought of two of Aveson's more important Guiding Principles: "When identifying problems, offer strategies and solutions" and "Our commitment is to make others around us successful". So with these principles guiding the way, my third graders set a great plan in motion. All on their own doing, my third graders:
*Made posters and fliers to distribute to the community
*Made announcements in every advisory class (yes, even the middle school and high school classes!)
*Collected food, clothes and money and helped store these items in our classroom
*Donated items.
It has been amazing to see the outpouring of community support on behalf of this student-led and student-centered project. All in all, we collected two cars and one large truck worth of clothes and food and raised a total of $554.45 for the people of Haiti! My third graders have been inspired by the generosity of our Aveson community and are eager to find new causes to support in the upcoming weeks of school.
All of us from C6 want to thank each member of our community who took the time to think beyond themselves and donated to a very important and worthwhile cause.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
~Casey and all of the C6 Third Grade Students
Coffee with Kate
Every Wednesday from 8:00-8:45 a.m.
Next Wednesday, February 24, 2010
In the Aveson Theater/Culinary Arts area
Bring your questions, positive stories, concerns, problem solving skills and vision.
Put on Your Mega Action Gear! Mega Action Team Meeting this Saturday
Our long anticipated Mega Action Team event will be this Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 9:00-12:00. Our goal is to have a member from every family and every staff member participate on an Action Team. The following teams will assemble, brainstorm and define next steps this Saturday.
General Operations Personalized Learning Healthy Living Global Learning
Action Teams Fund Development Visual/ Media Arts Culinary Arts Field Trips
Public Relations Performing Arts(Drama) Gardening Students Travel
Fundraising (Events) Literacy Physical Education Green/Environment
Neighborhood Math Playground World Language
Maintenance Music Culture & Climate
June Jubilee Learning Differences
AGLA Relocation English Learners
Classroom Volunteers
If you don't see your passion represented on this list, please submit a proposal to form your own action team. We know everyone can find a place to support our children's school experience.
3-2-1 YUM!
“YUM!!! Thank you for this great dinner! This pasta is amazing. I can't stand it, it's so good. I am a fool for not cooking with Paul today to learn how to make it. The garlic bread was a hit, and that salad... Thank you guys!!!” ~ Aveson Family
Only three amazing Dinners-to-Go meal services remain. Don't miss this delicious opportunity to nourish your family and your school. Paul Rosenbluh, Aveson parent and owner/chef of South Pasadena's celebrated Firefly Bistro, will be preparing three more meals in our Aveson kitchen. Please support our Culinary Arts Education program by purchasing your Dinner-to-Go!
The Details:
Dinners feed 4 people
Dinners cost $35.00
Dinners must be pre-ordered and pre-paid. Place your order at the Aveson office.
Dinners must be picked up at the Aveson kitchen between 1:00-2:00p.m on Wednesday.
The Menus:
March 3, 2010
Oven Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes, Gravy & Cole Slaw
March 10, 2010
Traditional Lasagna with Green Salad OR
Roasted Eggplant Lasagna with Green Salad
March 17, 2010
Oven Roasted Salmon with Stewed Lentils & Braised Greens
Top Chef Aveson
Time is running out. If you have always wanted to learn more about flavor profiles, overcome your fear of cooking for large groups or sharpen your knife skills, then don’t miss this unique opportunity to volunteer in Aveson’s Culinary Arts Kitchen under the tutelage of Firefly Bistro Chef/Owner Paul Rosenbluh. Chef Paul is offering five people the sweet chance to work with his guidance as he prepares Aveson’s “Dinners to Go” (DTG).
If you can commit to working in the Aveson kitchen on one of the DTG Wednesdays from 10:00a.m. to 1:00p.m., drop in the office to sign up or zip an e-mail to almacielo@aveson.org
We are accepting the first five people who sign up for each Wednesday. Find a group and cook together!