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.
Hi all,
With the change in weather and our first snow day behind us, a few things to remember:
Make sure your child comes dressed appropriately: jacket, snow pants, gloves, and hat. They will continue to spend most recesses outside.
Your teachers may have already mentioned this, but please have your child bring shoes/slippers to wear inside. They must cover the foot and be warm enough the student could be outside in them in case of an emergency. Wearing these inside will protect our carpets and we have trays for the wet outside boots and shoes.
This week marks mid-year; our first progress reports will come out on Friday. We will hand these to parents or send them home with students in sealed envelopes.
There has been a problem with lunch invoices, for which I apologize. I had been sending them home with students, but it seems many parents are not getting them. I will go through the year and send a total from November through January, which seem the problem months. Please be patient as I figure this out; I will email and send home hard copies so hopefully everyone gets theirs. I will hopefully have this finished by next Tuesday's folders.
Please remember to have your child at school on-time. Also, please do not drive up to the gate as that is off limits to all but TTUSD workers.
Message from a SELS parent: (I am including this message as I also encourage the volunteer help outlined below. As a small school, parents have increased opportunities to help guide the students and create the type of program they hope to see for their children)
Hello Crew Parents,
I want to encourage you to help out during recess: 11:15-11:50, 4th-6th and 12:10-12:45 for K-3rd. It is a great opportunity to observe the classes, get to know children in various grades and help the community at SELS.
The students could benefit from having more adult hands to help them. The recommendations for California schools is to have the same ratio of teachers to students as inside the classroom. On most days at recess, there is 1 teacher to 60 children, and when we have a parent volunteer we then have a 1 to 30 ratio. The students are guided by our words, modeling, and help.
When I examine the objectives of SELS character traits (strength, integrity, empathy, respect, responsibility, adventure), I see recess as a key part of their day to foster and encourage the students.
SELS provides examples of these character traits in action; we are asked to practice these for good role modeling and community building:
Takes risks but does not endanger self and others
Tries different approaches and solutions before giving up
Stands up for beliefs
Accepts constructive criticism
Pitches in without measuring contribution against that of others
Works toward personal best
Respects the space and belongings of others
Takes care of the environment and community
Concentrates on being on time
Accepts consequences for actions
Listens to and speaks kindly to others
Looks for ways to include and help others
Makes eye contact and greets others by name
Celebrates differences
I honestly find opportunities to help them build all of the above in 35 minutes of eating and playing, it happens every time! They are building forts, playing games that they initiate, have periods of redirection when they are struggling, clean up the trash, and get to know us as parents and supporters of the school.
I encourage you to take a look at the volunteer page on-line and sign up when you have a moment. Volunteer page is here.
Thanks, a SELS parent
PTC
Meeting to discuss the CRAB FEED AUCTION fundraiser on Tues, Jan 31 at 3:30. This is a big event for us and we need lots of help. If you are unable to make the meeting, please contact Marcy Thompson at mlttruckee@yahoo.com to let her know how you can help. There is a info flyer going home this week as well.
Important Dates
Thurs, Jan 26 Expeditionary Learning Informational Workshop, 6-7:30 pm in M-4
** If you have specific things about EL you would like to know more about, please email Adam and let him know: akrusi-thom@truckeecharterschool.org
Monday, Feb 6 Board of Director's meeting from 5:30-8:30 pm in M-4
Wed, Feb 8 is a Minimum Day
Mon-Fri, Feb 20-24 is Ski/Skate Week – no school
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!
