Currents

Watershed Happenings

Mar 1 Finance Committee Mtg, 3:45
Mar 16 Info Night, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Mar 29 – April 2 Spring Break

A NOTE FROM OUR TREASURER
–Ann Moore

Two factors have combined to present Watershed with difficult financial challenges this year. First, the governor decided to delay paying an additional 17% of school funding until the following school year. Second, our enrollment, which determines the amount of funding Watershed receives from the state, was lower than we had anticipated. This left Watershed in the same fix as many of our families and businesses currently find ourselves – working to do the most we can with resources more limited than we’d expected.

I’d like to thank the Watershed staff, who have worked extraordinarily hard to address these concerns, considering a variety of options before shaping a course that best meets our students’ needs. In addition to hours of time spent on these issues, all staff have taken pay cuts. Their dedication and flexibility have laid the foundation for an excellent educational experience for our current students and for those who join us in the fall. I’m honored to have the opportunity to work with professionals who are so committed to ensuring an enriching and creative educational opportunity for our kids!

Additional financial updates are available on the school’s website at http://watershedhs.org/currents/lyceum/financial

ADMIN NOTES
–Phil Grant, Administrator

Enrollment 2010-2011
Open spots are now on a first come, first serve basis. We have limited space in all grades. For more information, call Rachel, our enrollment coordinator, at 612-871-4363 x219, or email her at rkoniar (at) watershedhs.org. Interested students are welcome to shadow by prior arrangement. Families are invited to our upcoming Info Nights or to call for a tour. Our next Info Nights are March 16 and April 13.

Lunch Invoices
Lunch invoices have been sent and are due March 1st. If you have any questions or concerns about your bill, please contact Kristin at kaa321 (at) gmail.com; otherwise, payments are expected by March 1st.

By the end of the year, all outstanding bills must be paid. This is especially important for graduating seniors as well as students who may wish to transfer. Diplomas, transcripts and grades are not released until all outstanding invoices have been paid. Thank you so much.

Music at Watershed • New programs!
Our partnership with West Bank School of Music continues to grow. WBSM will be offering drums, voice and guitar lessons on Monday afternoon and evening, as well as the Composer-Performer Orchestra. Scholarship assistance is available; check directly with WBSM. Older students (juniors on up) may apply to volunteer during WBSM hours, in return for discounts on lessons. Call WBSM at 612-333-6651 or visit www.wbsm.org for more information.

Kudos to Our Chemistry Teacher
David Kimori, our chemistry teacher, serves on the Content Advisory Committee for the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations (MTLE). MTLE is a statewide panel developing materials for entry level chemistry teachers. David received a special “Thank you!” from the MTLE for contributing his time and expertise to this important professional activity.

Beautification Class
The Beautification Class would love your extra paint and bed sheets. We are ready to beautify the walls and do something about the overhead lighting. We’ll accept paint of any color and plain colored bed sheets of any size. Drop off items in the lobby or give directly to Kristin. Our eyes thank you!

NEWS FROM THE FACULTY CHAIR
–Matt McElrath

Athletics
The Waves completed their season by adding a third victory to their winning streak. The Waves beat the Na-Way-Ee Center School on Tuesday afternoon after trailing by one point at half-time. Congratulations to the Waves!!

After the snow melts, Watershed’s athletes will make the transition back outside for golf and ultimate Frisbee. Both teams will have organizational meetings in early March.

Independent Study
Several dozen students are pursuing Independent Study projects this spring. Students have had the last three weeks to develop proposals for Independent Study. Students must submit their proposal form this Friday, with the approval of their sponsor, parents/guardians, supervising teacher and credit-granting teacher. Students are allowed to pursue certain projects off-campus with parent and school permission. After this Friday’s deadline, all Independent Study projects will be scheduled to start at the beginning of new blocks or quarters.

IN OTHER NEWS

First Annual Garage Sale
Coming up in May, Watershed’s First Annual Garage Sale will be a major fundraiser for the school. That’s so important in this difficult economy. To make the event a success, we need your help with donations and the event itself.

We’ve begun accepting items and will continue through mid-May. We are accepting toys, games, clothing, small appliances, household items, knick-knacks, furniture, tools, etc. Donations may be dropped off during school hours. Please see the front desk for a tax deductible donation receipt. Pick up for larger items can be arranged. Thanks to those who’ve already brought items in!

The week before the sale, sorting of the donated items begins. Volunteers are needed to work morning, afternoon and evening shifts.

Pricing will take place the Monday before the event. Much of the merchandise will be generically priced. Volunteers are needed for morning, afternoon and evening shifts.

The day before the event, volunteers, students, and faculty will place items into the appropriate classrooms during afternoon and evening shifts.

The Garage Sale will be conducted on a Wednesday in late-May, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to work the floor with students and faculty, monitoring sale activity and straightening up as needed. Teams are also needed for check-out and bagging.

A clean-up crew will begin packing up immediately after the sale. Any unsold items will be donated to a local thrift store.

Please email Ann Goehner at anngoehner (at) msn.com for more information, to volunteer or to arrange for pick up.

Watershed Happenings

Feb 22 School Board, 3:45 p.m.

Mar 1 Finance Committee meeting, 3:45 p.m.
Mar 9 Charter School Day
Mar 16 Info Night, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Mar 29 – April 2 Spring Break

ADMIN NOTES
–Phil Grant, Administrator

Enrollment
For next year, 2010-2011, open spots are now on a first come, first serve basis. We have limited space in all grades 9-12.

For the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year, we have limited space in grades 9 and 11 only. There is a waiting list for grade 10.

For more information, call Rachel, our enrollment coordinator, at 612-871-4363 x219, or email her at rkoniar (at) watershedhs.org. Interested students are welcome to shadow by prior arrangement. Families are invited to our upcoming Info Nights. Our next Info Nights are March 16 and April 13.

Music at Watershed • New programs!
Our partnership with West Bank School of Music continues to grow. It looks like WBSM will be offering drums, voice and guitar lessons on Monday afternoon and evening, as well as the Composer-Performer Orchestra. Scholarship assistance is available; check directly with WBSM. Older students (juniors on up) may apply to volunteer during WBSM hours, in return for discounts on lessons. If interested, please call Phil at 612-871-4363 before contacting WBSM.

First Annual Garage Sale
We’re planning to make Watershed’s First Annual Garage Sale in May a major fundraiser for our school. That’s particularly needed in this difficult economy. To make the event a success, we need your help with donations and the event itself.
• Acceptance of Garage Sale items has begun and continues through mid-May. We are accepting toys, games, clothing, small appliances, household items, knick-knacks, furniture, tools, etc. Donations may be dropped off during school hours. Please see the front desk for a tax deductible donation receipt. Pick up for larger items can be arranged. Thanks to those who’ve already brought items in.
• The week before the sale, sorting of the donated items begins. Volunteers are needed to work morning, afternoon and evening shifts.
• Pricing will take place the Monday before the event. Much of the merchandise will be generically priced. Volunteers are needed for morning, afternoon and evening shifts.
• The day before the event, volunteers, students and faculty will place items into the appropriate classrooms during afternoon and evening shifts.
• The Garage Sale will be conducted on a Wednesday in late May, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to work the floor with students and faculty, monitoring sale activity and straightening up as needed. Teams are also needed for check-out and bagging.
• A clean-up crew will begin packing up immediately after the sale. Any unsold items will be donated to a local thrift store.
Please email Ann Goehner at anngoehner (at) msn.com for more information, to volunteer or to arrange for pick up. Those of you who’ve worked other Watershed events know how enjoyable it is to meet other members of the community. Don’t miss this chance!

Special thanks. I want to recognize senior Terrance D. for his extra help after our recent Medieval Feast. He stayed to the absolute end of the unpacking late Saturday night. Great job and many, many thanks, Terrance!

Charter School Day is Tuesday, March 9. This is a day the Minnesota charter public school community, including Watershed, visits our legislators at the capitol. Call Phil at 612-871-4363 for more info.

NEWS FROM THE FACULTY CHAIR
–Matt McElrath

Athletics
The Waves eked out a nail-biting overtime victory against Groves Academy on Wednesday, February 3. The Waves were behind the entire game, but with a patient approach to their offense and an aggressive approach to defense they slowly recovered ground during the second quarter. With a couple minutes left in the game, the Waves took the lead for the first time in the game and almost held out, but Groves surged to a tie in the remaining seconds of regulation play. The Waves dominated the overtime period and came away with a victory. The Waves are looking to close their season with a scrimmage against Na-Way-Ee Center School next week. Athletes will likely be released early from school for the scrimmage to accommodate Center School’s available court time.

Schedule and Electives
We spent several days last week modifying schedules to ensure students are in both appropriate and engaging courses. Many students have elected to pursue independent study projects and service learning. These students should be bringing home the outline of their independent study for parents to review and sign. We also started our Friday elective offerings last week with the following options:

Two-Hour Electives
- Driver’s Ed with Silver Lake Driving School
- Watershed Beautification with Kristin
- Movies that Matter with Matt
- Cooking with Rachel
- Home Repair with Mark

3rd Hour Electives
- Algebra with Linda
- Japanese with Becky

4th Hour Electives
- Gardening with Emily and Rachel
- Art Studio and Costume Making with Maggie
- Locker Design with Linda

A Look Back at J Term
–Maggie Rozycki

My two favorite quotes from students who went to the Philadelphia Farm for J-term:

“We became a family.”

“I learned to appreciate dirt!”

We worked in the greenhouse at the farm sifting dirt. (It was mostly compost and manure.) As students ran their fingers through the dirt, many commented on the pleasure of the experience.

We discussed bio-dynamic farming with Roland. This form of sustainable farming was created by Rudolf Steiner, the Austrian philosopher responsible for the educational philosophy behind Waldorf education.

Due to student interest these gardening practices will be used on the Watershed garden this spring. Dennis Deitzel, a parent who practices biodynamic gardening, has agreed to volunteer some time and teach us how to do this.

“Taking students to the farm for J-term was a wonderful experience for me, too,” commented Maggie. “There is something about being out in the country surrounded by the beauty of land, trees, and space, being around animals and dirt, living together, and gathering around a fire in the evening instead of a TV, which is truly transformative.”