Arcadia This Week 11/24/2019

Hello, Arcadia Families,

Here’s the summary of this email:

--Schedule for the week

--Mission Spotlight: WBWF and Being Community Ready

--Announcements: Last call for lunch orders, Gertens fundraiser, new dance floor

--From the PTSO: Scholastic Book Orders

--Upcoming Events (list)

Here’s what’s up at Arcadia for the coming week!

Monday, Nov. 25: Early Release (12:42pm)

Tuesday, Nov. 26: Early Release (12:42pm)

Wednesday, Nov. 27: No School

Thursday, Nov. 28: No School

Friday, Nov. 29: No School

Mission Spotlight: WBWF and Being Community Ready

It is the mission of Arcadia Charter School to prepare our students to transition intellectually, emotionally, and ethically to higher education, future employment, and engaged citizenship.

As a parent, you may have heard about education initiatives that focus on “college and career readiness.” In Minnesota, we have World’s Best Workforce (WBWF) legislation. Here is a link to the actual legislation, if you are interested, and a link to the Minnesota Department of Education’s page on WBWF.

The WBWF report (essentially, our annual report), is due December 16th, and will be presented to Arcadia’s School Board, posted on our website, sent to our authorizer (Northfield Public Schools), and the State of Minnesota.

As you can see, college and career readiness are currently a big deal in education with significant accountability measures attached to them. 

What we don’t hear about nearly as often is the idea of community readiness. This is one of the things that sets Arcadia apart. While our mission addresses college and career (“higher education” and “future employment”), it also very intentionally includes the idea of participating in a democratic society (“engaged citizenship”). One of the basic ideas behind progressive education is that children need education for a purpose beyond preparation for the workforce. Educated, engaged citizens support the continued functioning of a democratic society, and build stronger, healthier communities.

We strive to develop engaged citizens in a variety of ways, especially through projects and classes that engage students in more hands-on, student-directed learning. During the first week of December, following this week’s break, Arcadia’s students will be participating in an Innovation Day experience that includes learning about challenges the Northfield community faces, and doing service that helps address various community challenges. 

Arcadia’s staff include students’ voices in decision-making, especially around the expectations for students’ participation in the Arcadia community (captured in our social contract), and teach them the skills to build logical, meaningful responses to ideas they encounter. I am so glad that when students have an opinion about something happening at Arcadia, they stop by my office, send me thoughtful email messages, or otherwise take the time to address what they are seeing and share their ideas.

While the State may not require us to report on how we are preparing our students to be engaged, thoughtful citizens, it is one of the most important aspects of an Arcadia education. 

Announcements

December Lunch Orders (final reminder)

The December lunch order is here! The calendar is embedded in the form. Lunch order link: https://forms.gle/VF3tRtG6XmT9gUr77

Gertens Fundraiser

The winter greenery ordered from Gertens will arrive on Monday, November 25 and can be picked up between 2:45pm and 5:30pm in the Great Room. Remember you are responsible for picking up all the orders you sold and distributing them to their buyers. The original order forms will be available so you can see what you ordered. Thank you all so much for your support! If you have time, we would welcome help before and after the pickup getting things organized and/or cleaned up.  

A note from your Arts Coordinator:

I'm excited to tell you that we're in the process of installing a new dance floor/stage in the Great Room! This has been a multi-year project, funded by dedicated money from Thanks-Give. It was built by John Dennis, parent of Arcadia grad Abby Dennis. We had a lot of help from many parents and students transporting the new floor and getting it into place. Thanks to Carly and John Born, the Matney family, the Stelter family and Jennifer Wolff. 

By the way, does anyone want our old floor? It's 4x8 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood on 2x4 frames. It's yours for the taking!

From the Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO)

Scholastic Book Orders (final reminder)

If you would like to order, please order today! A Scholastic Reading Club flyer went home with your student on Thursday 11/14, along with a cover sheet/instructions. They also received e-mail information about this. Ask them to show you! Or, click on this link: Scholastic Book Order Detailed Information and Instructions 

Browsing through the paper flyer is a fun way to start looking at the Scholastic Reading Club books; online, there is a much wider selection of books.   

Browse and order at:  https://clubs.scholastic.com

Class code: WBMYJ

Due Date: Friday, November 22 

Upcoming Events

Nov. 25 and 26, Early Release (12:42pm), Fall Conferences

Nov. 25, 3:00-4:00pm, Gertens Winter Greenery Fundraiser Pickup

Nov. 27-29, No School, Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 4, (during school), Innovation Day 2: Community Problem Solving

Dec. 6, 5:30-6:30pm, Food Shelf Fundraiser with Arcadia’s Spanish classes

Dec. 6, 7:00-9:00pm, Thanks-Give, Arcadia’s Annual Fundraiser!

Dec. 7, 9:00-12:00pm, Arcadia Day of Service 

Dec. 17, 6:30-8:30pm, Arcadia School Board Meeting

Dec. 20, (during school), Middle School Field Trip to Cinderella at Children’s Theater https://www.childrenstheatre.org/plays/2019-2020-season/cinderella

Dec. 23-Jan. 3, No School, Winter Break

Sincerely,