Good Morning All,

In Room 210 in the Middle School Wing of Sunnyside Environmental School we are in the middle of writing persuasive letters to someone of our choice with a message on energy. There are a variety of letters being written from advocating for renewable energy and off fossil fuels, reducing carbon footprint, stop hydrolic fracturing, why coal isn't a healthy option to why solar power...Students are learning to use multiple perspectives and form their own opinions, how to source their work and write bibliographies, make strong arguments (I know, they can argue a blue streak already!) and how to speak their opinions eloquently with a positive voice. These persuasive letters also support their action plan of choice. They will also be scored as their work sample for the state. 

Supporting 33 students in big writing projects is a huge job. It very much supports me if you read your child's work and ask clarifying questions, give some ideas of how to make their statements stronger and some editing help. The focus should be about the student's talking through their ideas and making some changes pretty much on their own. Sometimes they just need a little...perspective. An example: "I notice you jump from one big idea to the next right here, what would be a great supporting detail or example that could expand your idea?" Great! Thanks for the help!

The other thing I'd love support on is our READ-A-THON! Last year hardly any middle schoolers participated and it was a bit sad. This year, we want all students participating. Even if they get one sponsor for a flat rate of $10. It's really important to me that our whole class is involved as a community. Our students should be able to recognize the amazing programs they receive at SES by supporting our most important fundraiser! My minimum for them is they read 1 unit (20min) a night, which they should be doing anyway. Please initial their form and send it along daily and if for some reason your child will not be participating, just send me an email so I know and your child can still be recording their units read - no problem.

Oh, one last thing - we are sending a group of 50 students (they applied to go) to the State Capitol this Thursday with a message about what students think about the coal transportation proposal and coal in general. They will deliver their message in the form of Valentines, will hopefully speak with Gov. Kitzhaber and our state reps, tour the capitol and return with the news. It's a really great opportunity to empower our youth to have their voices heard. 

It has been a really intense month, students are excited about creating their own projects with messages they believe in. As well, us teachers are excited to support them in forming educated opinions, thoughtful responses, looking at all sides of an issue and talking about our earth, environment, health, and power & control! Wow!

I hope you all are well and over this flu season - wew! If your child was gone please come in and help me help them get caught up. It can be quite confusing. 

Happy February All
- Did the Groundhog see his shadow or not? I do see little tiny signs of Portland Spring! My daphne is thinking of blooming and I saw a Camilla flower the other day, so it's around the corner.

This week we are focusing on writing Persuasive Essays and Energy Action Plans. Students will have nightly homework on either or both, and they really go hand in hand especially if your child is writing his/her persuasive essay on the energy issue the action plan focuses on. We are also finishing up our conversations around biographies.

I have a huge request...Please check in with your child nightly about homework. If you have questions, please email me. We are having a homework crisis where I am receiving around 50% of each assignment. I am not piling on the homework but am asking students to take their time in doing some meaningful pieces that are needed in class when due so we can do the next piece. For example, the biography homework 1 & 2 directly feed into their final project. I hope to get back into better practice of having homework consistently done.

You may notice your child earned and I - Incomplete on his/her Service. This is because I did not receive their service reflection and/or evidence that service was completed. Please support your child in completing this so I can revise their report card.

I look forward to an interactive and fun week. We go to the Reed Reactor on Thursday which should provide some insights in Nuclear Energy!

Thanks, Cori