Dear Parents of the Adolescent Classroom,
Our Spring Odyssey to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center is approaching, as we will be going March 25-27th. Wolf Ridge is located in Finland, Minnesota which is about 3.5 hours from Ham Lake. We will depart from Glen Cary on Monday, March 25th at 8 a.m. and return on Wednesday, March 27th at 5 p.m. The Mission of Wolf Ridge is: “To develop a citizenry that has the knowledge, skills, motivation and commitment to work together for a quality environment.” This aligns well with Maria Montessori’s vision for the adolescent to be equipped to be a meaningful citizen in the world and taught the necessary practical life skills. Founded in 1971, Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center was the first environmental learning center in the nation to be accredited as a K-12 school and is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in environmental education. During the school year, more than 15,000 children, teachers and parent chaperones head to the campus to have their own adventure in learning. The campus is located south of the Boundary Waters and overlooking the North Shore of Minnesota’s Lake Superior. Wolf Ridge is a place where minds open to the joy and wonder of discovery of the natural world. The classes involve students in direct observation of and participation in the outdoors and the staff works to promote self-awareness and leadership development in the process. Our trip is sponsored by the Schultze Foundation which is a blessing. This is including transportation costs, sleeping accommodations, and meals. However, this scholarship does not include snacks. We are asking for a $15 payment with a check made out to Maria Goodwin so that we can ensure your student stays hydrated and energized throughout the trip. Please let me know if you have any initial questions. More details will follow along with a packing list. In the Father’s love, Maria Goodwin [email protected]
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Hello all,
We are venturing to Bunker Hills Park on Friday, March 1st from 12:30-2:30. Wargo Nature Center is offering a time of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Please remind your student next Friday to wear the appropriate clothing: warm layers under their Coat, snow pants, warm socks, boots, hat, gloves. It is supposed to be a high of 13 so they need to bundle up! We are looking for a chaperone and driver on Friday during that time, to arrive at Glen Cary at 12:00 and then bring the students back at 2:30 for dismissal. Please let me know if you are available to drive or chaperone. Blessings on your day, Mrs. Goodwin [email protected] Hello Adolescent Parents,
I am writing to you to offer and explain the workshop we will be offering in the adolescent environment the three last weeks of February. We will be bringing in two Abria (Christian Pregnancy Resource Center in St. Paul) educators to discuss how teenagers are made for more, made for relationships, and to develop a deeper understanding of how they are made. This includes how their bodies develop through puberty and beyond. Abria is a Christian center that works to encourage Christian and Catholic principles about relationships, morality, and essentially the Theology of the Body to all schools. They do this by presenting the information as a public health model, however the LifeEdge program, which is geared for Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers, was written by a Catholic individual who rooted the principles in the Theology of the Body. Submitting this information in a public health way enables these truth-filled teachings to enter public schools as well, bringing the truth to all school environments. We will engage in conversations regarding self-knowledge, building positive relationships, and cultivating caution towards secular culture. We will end with a discussion of puberty and the sexuality of the body as God intends it, presented in an objective and theologically-rooted way. The Way of the Shepherd Montessori Adolescent Classroom curriculum seeks to present this information in a biological, objective way, rooted in Catholic teaching. All parents have an option for their student to opt out of these six, 30 minute sessions. I completely understand if you would prefer to take this curriculum home and present it yourself or teach your adolescent as your family’s culture sees fit. However, this opportunity for LifeEdge curriculum to be presented to your student may be the best form of formal education regarding puberty and sexuality they may receive, depending on where they attend high school. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, I am happy to answer any and all. The opt-out letter is attached and the dates of workshop are below. February 13-14th: 10:00-11:00 a.m. February 20-21st: 10:00-11:00 a.m. February 27-28th: 10:00-11:00 a.m. In the Father’s Love, Maria Goodwin Adolescent Guide [email protected] The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
-- Dramatized by Don Quinn from the story by C.S. Lewis This new dramatization of C.S. Lewis' classic, set in the land of Narnia, faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch, and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia. The intense action features chases, duels and escapes as the witch is determined to keep Narnia in her possession and to end the reign of Aslan. This story of love, faith, courage and giving, with its triumph of good over evil, is a true celebration of life. Performances at Totino-Grace High School February 8, 2019 - 7:00 pm February 9, 2019 - 7:00 pm February 10, 2019 - 2:00 pm Our own Ben Fruke (A1) is playing the role of Peter. Come out and support him in his dramatic performance. You are welcome to order tickets on the Totino Grace website for any performance…we thought it would be fun if some of his classmates were at the Sunday afternoon performance. https://sites.google.com/a/totinograce.org/tg-theatre/home/spring-play Then, look for Ticket Information on the left side of the page. Tickets are $8/Adult and $6/Senior or Student. Hello all,
I just wanted to update you that I will be in Ohio for my Montessori Training from Thursday, February 7th, to Monday, February 11th. I have arranged proper substitutes to manage the classroom and am grateful for their support. This Intensive Weekend is a requirement of my Montessori Certificate and once completed, I will be one step closer to finishing! I would appreciate prayers for my preparation and travels. Don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions. Blessings, Mrs. Goodwin Catholic Schools Week 2019
Monday, January 28th Sports Day: Students may wear a uniform from their own sports team or fan gear Tuesday, January 29th Mismatch Day: Wear clothes that don’t match! Wednesday, January 30th Official School Uniform 8:00AM Mass at COSP Thursday, January 31st Jelly Bean Day: Each student should pick a single color & dress monochromatically! Friday, February 1st Pizza Lunch and Movie, Ice Skating for A1 Students: see email regarding pizza payment, students may wear athletic clothes and bring their ice skates as well. Saturday, February 2nd Family Bowling at Ham Lake Lanes from 3-5PM sponsored by WOS Community Life Committee This Monday, the 14th, I will not be at school as I am attending a funeral up North. Prayer for my husband's "adopted" grandma Betty Lou who passed away this week. Mrs. Ballin will be my sub for the day and the students will do community service at WOS. They may bring their athletic clothes and also some potential painting clothes (clothes they could get dirty).
Secondly, I will be leaving for my training in Ohio early February and they have required me to video the students in my classroom while I am teaching. At the beginning of the year you should have signed a waiver allowing photography of your student for advertising purposes. The videos I take in the classroom will only be of instructional techniques that involve the students and the only viewers will be the mentors I have through my CMStep training program. If you are concerned about this videoing and do not want your student in the video, please let me know at your earliest convenience as I will begin videoing next week. Christmas is NEXT week.
Perhaps you have all your gifts purchased or perhaps you are scrambling to get them all done but I would like to challenge all of our families to see how the gifts we give encourage the Catholic and Montessori principles of our school. Ask the question: Does the gift help the adolescent become a better person? Does it draw them closer to God or away from God? Does it involve their creativity? Does it involve their imagination? Does it challenge their spatial skills? Does it widen their world view? Is it a work with their hands or bodies? Does it help them discover a gift or talent they have? Does it help them discover their cosmic task? Does it encourage group work in the family? Does it teach them something new? Does the clothing encourage modesty and order? Does the hero/heroine display traits that are admirable? Is the gift dependent on technology? Does the gift encourage community (versus solitude)? I love giving gifts but am careful that the gift I give is actually for the GOOD of the other (willing the good of another is the true definition of love). I would encourage you to ask yourselves the same questions with the gifts you give this year! Thursday Fun Day:
Last Thursday we attended our Advent retreat, THIS Thursday the adolescents will go to the Mall of American on a scavenger hunt. NEXT Thursday we will have a Christmas party in the classroom. Oh what fun. Just a few details about this upcoming Thursday's outing to the Mall in Bloomington. Myself and Mrs. Ballin will be driving. The scavenger hunt is the main activity planned. We will divide into two groups, one group with myself, the other with Amy. We will come together for lunch - please remind them to bring some money to purchase lunch otherwise they may bring a sack lunch and we can store it until lunchtime! Following lunch, they will have an hour to be in the mall in small groups independently and will meet back together to depart. A provision: I am asking that if your student has a phone, that they bring it on Thursday as a safety precaution for communication. I will share my number with them as well as Amy's so that if there is an emergency - they can contact us both. If you have any concerns with letting them be independent from us at the end of the day (for 1 hour) in small groups, please let me know and I can make sure your student stays with an adult. Blessings, Maria |