Renaissance Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound School: August 9, 2013

So proud to be...

Renaissance Expeditionary Learning

Outward Bound School

This has always been the name of our school and often it is referred to as REMS - or Renaissance Elementary Magnet School - but that title leaves out the most important parts of who we are. Let's not use it anymore - let's celebrate and use our real name: Renaissance Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound School.  I know it can be a mouth full, but then, everything we do is complex and integrated!

The Framework for our school:

* Learning Expeditions

* Adventure Education

* Active and Engaged Learning

* Culture and Character

What does all that mean?

This year, I'll be sharing and collaborating on posts with Noreene, our Instructional Specialist, to share information, build background and support you in understanding just what makes us the school we are.

Our district actively supports choice, and many schools are adopting different models. It's more important than ever that you be well informed about the school you have chosen and know what distinguishes us from other schools. 

One way we are welcoming you all to this new school year is our newly designed website! 
The website goes live today!
http://www.wearecrew.org/

We are also very excited to offer you Renaissance Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound Crew Wear on our new webstore!
You likely saw staff wearing some of the new Crew Wear.
At the Carnival on Monday, you will see sizes displayed
 to better help you order your Crew Wear. 
I'm sure you'll be excited at how affordable the Crew Wear is,
 as it is being sold at cost. 
We'll be adding to the selection as the year goes on.

http://renaissance.indiemade.com/

 I also want to welcome you back to school by introducing you to our tremendously talented staff. It is essential to rekindle and create those important relationships between home and school. 

I asked all the staff to provide me with a picture of themselves doing something they love - outside of their school role. I also asked them, "Why do you choose to teach/work at Renaissance?"

Drum roll....

Hanni - Second Grade
"I teach at Renaissance because I love the culture.
The culture we create for kids and the culture of our staff.
I love the confidence and compassion we build in children."

Julie - Front Office

"Why do I work at Renaissance?  
Hands down, the number one reason I work at Renaissance is the people. 

 What an amazing crew .  . . parents, staff and kids . . .the WHOLE crew.  

I believe whole heartedly in the Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound part of our school, the way we interact with our kids, the 'feeling' of the school that so many new comers talk about.

  But, I am truly here because I am blessed by the people that surround me every day at Renaissance."

Kathy - Kindergarten Teacher
"Why I am at Renaissance -
* I came initially as a parent.
* I came again as a teacher because the Renaissance community cared about the whole child (not just academics).
*I am here now because this school is everything I truly believe in as a teacher:
a caring, small community where every child is noticed, loved, and is treated with respect;
an ELOB school where learning is relevant, engaging, children are active learners, creates and takes risks inside and outside of the classroom; the staff believe in the potential of every child and go to great lengths to support and encourage each student; as a teacher I am supported and encouraged to be a risk taker and active learner in order to be the best teacher I can for the children.

Lauren - Third Grade Teacher
"Renaissance embodies my personal ideals- life-long learning, pushing outside comfort zone, outdoor education, health, and happiness. I feel a sense of belonging I have never dreamed possible. At Renaissance, I am home."

Lisa - Sixth Grade Teacher
"I teach at Renaissance because my educational ideals are supported and valued.
 The fact that we are constantly striving to make learning meaningful makes me excited to come to work each day!"

Neil- Fourth Grade Teacher
"I teach at Renaissance because I feel like I am trusted to do my job."

Noreene - Instructional Specialist

(That's marbled paper she created over the summer)
"I teach at Renaissance because this is where we can teach in a way that best serves learners young and old!"

Forrest - Fifth Grade Teacher

"I teach at Renaissance because this school embodies
 what I thought education should have been as a student.
This is how I want my kids to prepare for life!"

Mary Beth - First Grade Teacher
"The reason I teach at Renaissance is because we get
the deep connection between learning and community."

Tyler - Third Grade Teacher
" I teach at Renaissance because it's:
Unique
Outdoors
Belonging
Kindness
Growing Constantly

Andrea - Speech Language Pathologist
"I'm working at Renaissance to inspire students to be lifelong learners and to provide students with the strategies and skills necessary to be successful learners."

Michelle - 5/6 Discovery Teacher

"I teach at Renaissance because when I walk through the front doors I feel a sense of coming home. A place where everyone is valued for who they are and where encouragement and support are offered unconditionally. We may be crew, we may be community, but we are also family."

Jill - First Grade Teacher
"A few years ago, my husband and I chose Renaissance for our daughter and I liked it so much that I wanted to teach here. I love our philosophy - character traits, Expeditionary Learning, Adventure Education, Morning Meetings, Closing Circles, etc."

Amanda - Second Grade Teacher

"I teach at Renaissance because I want to be a part of a school that I would choose for my children. 

 I love the focus on critical thinking, collaboration, real world problems,

 risk taking, self esteem and reflection."

Nicole - 2/3 Discovery Teacher
"I teach at Renaissance because I wanted to join a culture which emphasizes both the academic and character growth."

Pam - Art Teacher

"Being an artist has taught me how to look for and discover inspiration from history, cultures and peers, set and achieve goals, do a job right through the implementation of craftsmanship, rely on my own judgments and skills to develop independence, make sense of the world around through close observation and problem solve using creativity. I teach art because I believe these are the skills required for a successful life in our 21^st century world in whatever path a student chooses. 

I teach art at Renaissance because the Expeditionary Learning model 
embraces these ideals and provides the opportunities for our students 
to learn these important life lessons through learning like a professional."

Deborah - Principal
"I teach at Renaissance because I believe so deeply in the vision and mission of this school. 
We haven't set out to reform education, but rather to create. To create a place where learning is human, academic, real and purposeful. It is so much more than a school. 
Relationships are key to everything we do, and we honor the unique spirits of all people.
We are a community committed to our children and to one another."

Elisha - Reading Recovery Teacher and Instructional Coach

"I choose to teach at Renaissance because there is a culture of kindness, compassion, excellence, and collaboration that all make teaching such a joy!"

Ann - Learning Specialist

" I am excited to join the staff and am inspired by the school’s philosophies of learning.  I admire the staff and school’s desire to foster a child’s character while exposing them to authentic learning experiences in the classroom and in nature. 

 I feel privileged to join the team of such an innovative school."         

Lori - Registrar
"I choose Renaissance because there couldn't be a nicer group of people to work with anywhere!"

Lisa - Kindergarten Educational Assistant
"I love teaching at Renaissance because of our outdoor learning...hiking, rock climbing, over-nights, - are great learning experiences about ourselves beyond just "book learning".

Doug - Physical Education Teacher
"I took the job because Deborah was the first principal to not tell me I needed more experience.
I stay at Renaissance because of the people, and the supportive nature of our community."

Brittany - Discovery 4/5 Teacher
"I chose Renaissance because I love the spirit of Crew. I love the collaboration and excitement among staff, and the amazing learning experiences we are able to offer our students.
 Renaissance is an amazing place to be."

Jodie - Educational Assistant
" Renaissance is special to me because of the sense of community."

Josh - Fifth Grade Teacher
" I choose Renaissance for its culture and its values. To me, this is a love and respect for the natural world and outdoor pursuits. I also love the drumming and the freedom teachers are given. We are able to design lessons that relate to the 'real world' 
and this creates a genuine 'buy-in' for kids."

Wendy - First Grade Educational Assistant
" Renaissance is special and I choose to be here because it is:
* Creative
* The Outdoor Learning
* Sense of 'Crew'

Zina - Kitchen Manager

"Renaissance is an amazing school in so many ways. It is a school that emphasizes teamwork and  how you have much more collective power as a team to reach your goals. Students are encouraged to use and develop their creativity in a positive manner toward  achieving their goals. The provides a very caring and nurturing environment for students that encourages personal growth.  It is a pleasure for me to work in such a unique school."

Jody - Kindergarten Teacher

"My first thought was, 'Why wouldn't I teacher here?" Here everyone is accepted and respected.
Renaissance is a place where it is safe to take chances, make mistakes and still learn.
Somewhere that is is warm, welcoming and I feel I belong. I wouldn't teach anywhere else!"

Dolores - Special Education Educational Assistant"I love working at Renaissance because I feel that it is a place that allows the students as well as the staff to develop and build on their own individuality. It was a great place for my 3 children to attend, including the one in this picture!"

Eric - Building Engineer

"I love working at Renaissance for some awesome reasons.

First and foremost is the "team" or "crew" attitude for working together. My upbringing always consisted of the term "there is no "I" in the word "team".

Everyone here has such a positive attitude and energy that it makes my job so enjoyable and make Renaissance a place I can come to each day and feel appreciated.

I really enjoy the support Miss Deborah gives when it comes to the subject of personal job goals. She lets me run with it and improve upon it every year. I can tell you that I feel so blessed to be able to teach all the students about Stewardship in our "Stewardship Cafe" as well as making good choices when it comes to protecting our beautiful school."

Cheryl - Music Teacher
"I teach at Renaissance because it gives me the freedom to
express my passion for music in a variety of ways."

Josie - Literacy Specialist
"I teach at Renaissance because I share the school's philosophy and mission."

"I am ecstatic to be returning to REMS.  Having worked for 28 years in Colorado as a school social worker, I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to be here for my third year.  I thought a school such as this could only exist in fantasy, but here it is!  

On a personal note, I live in Monument with my wife of 30 years.  We have a son who is starting college in Texas this fall.  

I'm looking forward to being at Renaissance, the school of the ones who march to a different drum!  Here the staff is passionate about educating every aspect of your child, a passion that I share.  I commend you as parents for choosing to send your child here.  Truer words were never spoken, "We (the students, staff, parents, and community of REMS) ARE crew!"

Dana - First Grade Educational Assistant

"I choose to work at REMS because every day 

I see students take risks and achieve something new!"

Kristin - Health Assistant
" I love Renaissance because I truly feel I fit in our Crew just as I am!
It's my home away from home."

Kenny - Sixth Grade Teacher
"Why Renaissance is a place for me? In short, it's like a born again education; it's the education I would have loved to have had for myself when I was a young lad. The education provided and the teacher experience is creative, introspective, cooperative, nurturing, challenging, and inspiring."

Andrea - Principal's Secretary
"I work at Renaissance because the philosophy and culture align with my beliefs and bring joy to my life. I LOVE the people I work with."

Linda - Spanish Teacher
"I love thinking outside the box. I can be extremely creative here at Renaissance. I love to study the latest and greatest in teaching and have a place where I am supported in putting it into practice."

Chelsea - Kindergarten Educational Assistant
"The other day, my first grader explained her excitement for learning as "the magic of school".  I work at Renaissance because I truly believe it is one of the few schools that instills the magic of school and learning in our students everyday.  Renaissance fosters creativity and self-expression, inquisitive curiosity and problem solving, and the opportunity to challenge oneself on a daily basis.  All that...and it's FUN!!  What an amazing joy it is to be a part of something so special!"

Chris - School Psychologist

"I have had the opportunity to work in many different schools, including schools in
Washington, California, and Colorado.  I enjoy the community atmosphere here at Renaissance
and innovative approaches for helping individual students."

Cody - Adventure Education Coordinator

"Really it all comes down to purpose. After high school, I took a commercial fishing job in Alaska. This turned out to be a true once in a life time experience that will always play a part in my life. While in Alaska, I had a vision/dream that still influences my daily actions. The dream involved my grandfather that had died a few years earlier.

 He told me, among other things, to "live with purpose" and "to keep my hands open".

 My purpose has developed into helping youth to develop a love for the outdoors 

while facilitating a deeper sense of self and community

 for increased confidence and a realization of their limitless potentials. 

In order to change the world you have to work with the future and children are our future."

Diana - Librarian
"Renaissance is a place where students and teachers (and families) can grow, take risks and be challenged as learners. It feels like we are a family at Renaissance.
 I always say I GET to be the librarian at Renaissance!"

Heidi - Camelot Director"I joined Renaissance because I love being around kids, and I've been working with them my whole life.  Renaissance feels like home to me."

Lindsey - Fourth Grade Teacher

"I choose to teach at Renaissance because we strive to meet each child where they're at. We arm them with tools to grow their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses so that when they leave us they're confident about their potential to pursue their dreams."

Acknowledgement and Appreciation

Thank you to Renee McGee for her initial and on-going contribution of creating and supporting Crew Gear,
available at cost through the Webstore she has created
 for our community!
http://renaissance.indiemade.com/

Colorado weather forced our School Carnival
 to be postponed until Monday.
We are all looking forward to it!

Thank you Suzi Rush for your leadership chairing this event!

A heart felt thank you to Lisa Emery, Ule Logue, Diane Sparks, Cheryl Dallas, Tiffany DeYoung, Autumn Burke, Kara Boyd, Leora DiGiacinto and Lorann Sadozai - parent volunteers involved in supporting our carnival and your work over the summer.

Thank you to the families of Adrienne Graves and Dana Diedrich for the tender care you gave our school garden over the summer and into the school year!

Thank you to Karen Shirley for her coordination of Gear Swamp and to Tracy McCracken, Bill McCracken, Michelle Tocchini, Kerry Trietley, Marci Campagnola and Tara Ricciardi - parent volunteers on this committee.

Welcome to the New School Year!
We Are Crew

Warmly,
Ms. Deborah