Thinking critically and exploring the world outside the classroom through in-depth expeditions fosters love of learning and deeper understanding.
Using guiding questions, students work together on expeditions and with experts to find information and answers, rather than just memorizing facts. Student discoveries build educational experience and desire to learn more.
SELS students share responsibility for helping each other learn. “We are Crew, Not Passengers.” Environmental and local projects that serve the community build pride and show students the relevance and importance of their studies and work in everyday life.
Hope everyone had a nice holiday break. Many thanks to all for your kind words and gifts; staff very much appreciate your recognition of their efforts.
Lots to share in this new year. First, we would like to welcome back Ms Brisbin to the 4/5 classroom after her leave of absence; please help her feel welcome as she re-integrates into our community. Second, we are trying to streamline our information so lines of communication are more clear and email clutter is reduced. An overview:
We will be rolling out a new website in later January; when this happens we will send out navigation tips. We plan to have the website as our primary information location. Emails will generally link to the information on the website.
Access to classroom crew email lists are now restricted to only those families who are members of that classroom crew
Please refrain, unless absolutely necessary, from “reply all” to emails; send only to teacher or selected individuals when you can
Information which needs to get to the whole school (this includes PTC information) needs to come to me (dmanahan@truckeecharterschool.org) first and I will consolidate it all into the Director's Notes.
Director's Notes will go out on Tuesdays, so any information needs to be to me by Monday noon
Tuesday was chosen since K-3 have folders which go home on that day; we will make sure any hard copy information is in those folders, so please be checking
** There will be occasions when all school information needs to be communicated at times other than Tuesdays. Please know we will try to keep this to a minimum. Classroom crews may have a few more of these, especially around planning fieldwork.
** This process may take a couple of weeks to become efficient, so please bear with us.
Other information to share:
Mon, Jan 9 from 5:30-8:30 pm is our next Board Meeting. The first 1-2 hrs will be a workshop on school configuration; in other words, how do we want our classrooms/mixed-grades to look, including our middle school, and how do we want to expand over the next two years. All are welcome to attend; we encourage community participation in this process
Wed, Jan 11 is a Minimum Day
Mon, Jan 16 is a holiday; NO SCHOOL
Thurs, Jan 26 from 6-7:30 pm we will be holding a workshop on Expeditionary Learning (EL); the workshop will provide more insights/information on EL in general and more specifically on the implementation of EL in our program
** Reminder: every Friday from 9:15-9:45 am is Community Meeting, with Coffee House staring at 8:45 am.
Lets all hope for some snow soon.
David
Our mission is to inspire a diverse group of learners to achieve academic excellence while developing a strong sense of character and community. Our goal is to preserve each child’s natural curiosity and love of learning. Read more >
We are an Expeditionary Learning School. EL strives to foster academic achievement and character growth while instilling a love of learning and a sense of community. Read more >
SELS
11603 Donner Pass Road
Truckee, CA 96161
Portable buildings M3-M7
Email: truckeecharter@gmail.com
Phone: (530) 448-8115
Fax: (530) 448-8223
Find us on a map
On top of all the teaching and learning, I'm struck by the joy in the faces of all the children as they go about their quest for knowledge. Thanks to all the courageous and energetic people who had the vision to make this school a reality. With all the challenges the world faces today and predictions of disaster, these committed teachers/staff, these engaged families, and these beautiful children are a beacon of hope.
SELS embodies everything that I feel is important in my child's education and I am so grateful that she has the opportunity to learn in such an enriching environment. Teaching our children how to think and how to treat others is critical to their future success. I am thankful every single day for all the wonderful staff at SELS.
What an amazing place. It has been everything for my son that I had hoped he could experience in school. Great teacher, stimulating learning environment, and a deeply caring and nurturing place.
I am grateful that my child is encouraged to interpret concepts and think about how they apply to his life, not just memorize and repeat material. I love that SELS asks kids to think about who they are and how they contribute to the community, locally and globally.
I greatly appreciate that SELS is a heart-centered school that teaches ethics and values along with academics. That approach makes SELS a unique and special place.
I appreciate all the teachers and staff and their responsiveness. I also appreciate all the work the staff are doing to help the kids figure out how to fill each other's buckets!
Our son is bubbling over with excitement for learning. This environment is gifting him with life long skills to succeed. We are so thankful for this school.
All the Adults and students challenge each other the THINK!
SELS is amazing in the way they teach topics hands on and allow the children to learn in practical settings. We couldn't be happier seeing our son flourish so much! Thank you.
I am very grateful to the SELS staff for offering my 5th grader their hearts, as well as their knowledge. Better yet, they make learning fun and adventurous! My youngster is THRIVING at your wonderful school!!
We are thankful for many wonderful ideals and principles at SELS, but what really brings those into reality is the caring, hard-working teachers and staff. We wouldn't have thought that someone else would care as much about the whole education of our daughter as much as we do, but there is a whole team of such people at SELS.
I am so thankful that my 5th grade daughter is a member and student of this beautiful community and school. She is receiving a fantastic education with hands on learning, caring, understanding, creative, out of the box thinking and intuitive teachers. She feels included, important, confident and is growing tons in her knowledge and place in this wonderful community. Thank you SELS for being an amazing part of my daughter's education and Life!
I truly appreciate all the staff, students, parents and families at SELS. It is these people that make SELS so wonderful.
This has become a new 'family" for us!
I am so grateful for the amazing staff; they are the most amazing guides. It is an inspiration to watch them help our children learn and grow into thoughtful, independent, productive human beings!
