Community Newsletter August 2000

Hope your summer has been going well and that you have had time to relax and unwind. We are having a pretty full and busy summer at CLC, putting closure on last year and getting ready for the new school year. I thought an early August newsletter would be the best way to get some general information out to all of you to answer some questions and to catch you up on what's happening at CLC.

-M.J.

We've grown!
On September 5, CLC will open its doors to 96 students in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8. We have added a fourth class (Team 4) and have expanded our space upstairs in the white building to make room for the extra classroom. Our faculty and staff have also grown in number to accommodate these changes. Below, I have listed the teams as they stand now. New students or changes made by returning students are denoted by an (*).

The "pods"
We have created "pods" of two teams that will work together by sharing projects, space and teachers. Teams 1 and 2 will form a "pod" and will be located on the second floor of the white building. Teams 3 and 4 will form the other "pod" in the UBBC building across the street; Team 3 upstairs and Team 4 downstairs.

NEW FACULTY:
Lisa Sharfstein will begin her tenure as the first Associate Teacher at CLC, working mostly with Teams 1 & 2. Lisa received her B.A. in English from Ithaca College and obtained her M.S. in English Education and C.A.S. in Reading from Syracuse University. After teaching at a middle school in the Syracuse area, she was a Peace Corps teacher for 2 years in Uzbekistan, a former Soviet republic.

Sara Barley is a May 2000 graduate of Penn State University, earning a B.S. in Elementary Education with Honors in Curriculum and Instruction. Sara completed her student teaching in a fifth grade State College Area School District classroom during the entire 1999-2000 school year. Sara was formerly involved with CLC as an aide during the 1998-99 school year while conducting research for her honors thesis.

Jalynn Woleslagle recently graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Elementary and Kindergarten Education. She completed her student teaching in a first grade classroom in Altoona, PA. Jalynn was a presenter at the Children's Lit Matters conference in April, and is excited to assist the CLC students with their presentation this year.

Kathryn Murphy graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with highest distinction in the Spring of 2000. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education, and a PA Instructional I Elementary teaching certificate. Kathryn successfully completed her semester of student teaching in Bognor Regis, England.

Denise Kochersperger has spent thirteen years working in paid and volunteer positions at the State College Friends School. She and her husband have raised five children, all of whom spent their elementary years in alternative education. She holds a bachelor of science degree from PSU in Business Logistics. Her middle child, Devan, completed his 5th grade year as a student in Team 3.

Lunch Program
CLC students have two options - they can either buy their lunch from the SCASD or they can bring their own lunch to school. (We have refrigerators and microwaves for student use.) Recently, a packet was sent to you from the SCASD that explained the meal purchase procedure and included ticket order forms and an application for the free/reduced lunch program. If you have any questions about the packet, please call the office.

"Labor Week"
In preparation for the start of the school year, we have set aside the week of August 21-25 as "labor week". The plan is to do deep cleaning, to set up the classrooms and to get the technology ready to go. If you're able and willing to help with any part of this week, please call the office to let M.J. know. (Kid labor is welcome, too!)Tammy Gentzel (Tyler's mom) is our volunteer coordinator and she will help to organize and coordinate the efforts.

New Staff
Ann Bolser is our new Director of Business Operations. Ann graduated from the Arizona State University Management Institute and the Arizona State University Leadership Academy. She was employed at Arizona State University for 25 years in business and business management positions, including Business Manager for the University President and Director of Business Operations for Public Events.

Standardized Test Results
We are still in the process of reviewing the results of the tests students took at the end of last year. You will receive a letter with all of the results as soon as we can compile the data.

Extended School Program (ESP)
The CLC doors opens at 7:30 a.m. each morning with the regular school day beginning at 8:15 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. The extended school program begins at 3:00 and runs until 5:30 p.m., free of charge. This year's program will be run by Diane Lehman (Adam's mom and Josephine's teaching assistant for the past two year's in Team 1.) Diane chose to not have a full time job this year so that she could home school her youngest daughter, Hannah. Diane will send out more information about the ESP later in the month along with a survey.

Family/Teacher Conferences
At the start of the school year each teacher will schedule a family conference with the folks in their team. For returning students and families, it's a chance to review the past year and set goals for the upcoming year. For new folks, it's a chance to begin to get to know each other and to discuss goals and hopes. Josephine will begin Team 1 conferences at the end of August and Mark, Glenn and Theresa will schedule their meetings once school begins.

Calendar/Upcoming Events
During the year, CLC follows the State College High School calendar. I have included our 2000-2001 school year calendar with this packet of information. I also regularly post reminders and special events on the home page of our web site, which is www.clccharter.org.

Upcoming Events:
Saturday, August 19 New Student/Family Gathering
Join us for the afternoon as we begin to get to know each other while having lots of fun! We will meet at Spring Creek Park (in Houserville) at 2:00. Here's a chance to meet the faculty and other new students and families before classes begin. Call M.J. at the office if you plan to attend (or email her at mj@clccharter.org).

Sunday, August 20 Altoona Curve Baseball Game
We thought it would be fun to spend an afternoon together out at the ballpark. If you would like to join us for this informal, unstructured good time, meet us in the bleacher section of the stadium. The game starts at 1:35 and bleacher seats cost $3.82. We'll see you there!

Monday - Friday, August 21-25 "Labor Week"
Volunteer opportunities for folks who would like to help get the school ready (physically) for September. Call the office to sign up!

Thursday, August 24 CLC Board Meeting
We will review the 2nd Annual Report that will be presented to the State College School Board at their monthly meeting, August 28.

Saturday, August 26 CLC Hike at Stone Valley
Join us for the third annual CLC Hike! We will meet at the boat launch at the Stone Valley Recreation Area at 2:00 p.m. for a hike around the lake (actually the lake has been drained this summer, so it looks really cool!) There are picnic tables and grills out there if you want to hang out for dinner.

Tuesday, September 5 1st Day of School!

Sunday, September 17 CLC Family Picnic (more details to come)