August 2010 Newsletter

Welcome Back!

We hope you enjoyed your summer and are refreshed and ready for the upcoming year.  It’s going to be a great one.  We have new vendors, new teachers, new field trips, a new counselor, and a new on line library.  Read on to learn about all the exciting things happening this year.

To download this newsletter click NDA August 2010 Newsletter

Introductions

We’d like to introduce some new faces at New Day Academy…

Amber Good is a new part-time teacher in the Shasta County area.

Jared McGarva is a new part-time teacher in the Modoc County area.

Stephanie Peek is a new part-time teacher in the Shasta county area

Bob Eaton is our new counselor. Bob is a retired counselor with over 25 years experience helping students plan and prepare for their futures.

Lani Estill is our new Board President and the proud parent of a New Day Academy student.

Teacher Training

Just as New Day Academy takes care of its students, NDA takes care of its teachers too.  Teachers and staff met for a 3-day training retreat in Anderson, CA, to learn how to use our new paper-saving online archive, as well as create action plans toward our short and long term goals.

We also renewed our CPR and First Aid certification and got a once in a life time opportunity to practice our skills on our director, Laura VanAcker.  After a sprained ankle, compound leg fracture, dislocated elbow, arm abrasion, and a severe eye injury, Laura resembled an Egyptian mummy.  But it’s good to know the next time she decides to go cliff diving, the New Day Academy staff will be ready to aid her.

Let’s Get Messy

Some of the best learning happens hands on, which is why New Day Academy likes to offer plenty of workshops and vendor opportunities.

The Alturas Art class with Kelly McGarva will be starting up again this year, this time broken into two levels for elementary-age and middle/high school-aged students. These classes are held once a week at the Family Resource Center in Alturas, CA. We just ordered wonderful new supplies, so for any returning art students, get ready for exciting new projects! If you would like to sign up for this class, please email kelly.mcgarva [at] newdayacademy.net.

Attention Old Art Students: Your artwork from last year is ready to be picked up at the Alturas Office – Ask Kelly

Giddy Up!

Lisa Bernal is now offering horseback riding lessons in the Fall River/ McArthur area.  Horseback riding is not only a great form of exercise to fulfill PE requirements, but it also helps teach responsibility through caring for animals.

If interested, please find Lisa Bernal on the vendor list, or email her at Lisa.bernal [at] newdayacademy.net

Step Up to Writing

Two NDA teachers had the wonderful opportunity to attend a 3 day “Step Up to Writing” workshop, where they learned about every aspect of the Step Up to Writing program.  This is a very successful program dedicated to teaching kids to write from the very beginning, starting with simplistic sentence structure, then building grade by grade to the 5 paragraph essay.  Step Up to Writing is guaranteed to improve your child’s writing proficiency scores, as well as make writing more enjoyable with color-coded formulas and visual structure.

Based on this program, we will be offering an Alturas Writing Workshop, where students can learn all the tricks to writing a perfect essay or story.  If interested, please email kelly.mcgarva [at] newdayacademy.net

We will also be offering a separate poetry class for middle/high school aged students.

The Bookmobile is on the road again…

That’s right!  For all of you who missed Tony, our library administrator, and the bookmobile, he’s ready to come back over the mountain to serve you and your students’ library needs.

Tony and the bookmobile will be in Redding at the Sports Authority Parking Lot every Thursday from 10:00 to 1:00.

So stop by to say hello, meet other NDA families, and grab a good book while you’re at it.

The Library is also online now! Click Here!

Create an account and start checking books out today!

To Go or Not to Go?

What a silly question!  In the spirit of Shakespeare, New Day Academy is attending the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland Oregon, on September 17th.  There are only a couple spots left if you and your child are interested in going.  Tickets are covered, and it is only $25 / person to stay at the Ashland Hostel that night.  Students must find their own transportation.  If you would like to volunteer to carpool with other NDA students, please let us know!! Once all spots are full, we still encourage you to buy tickets and go.  The Shakespeare Festival is an unforgettable experience.  Please, only mature 10-year-olds and up.

You can learn more about the Oregon Shakespeare Festival by checking out their website online!

The Oregon Shakespeare Company also sent us pre- and post-play questions to help students get the most out of their experience.

More Vendors…

Would your child like to learn how to play a musical instrument?  Perhaps the violin? Or maybe the piano….well, you are in luck!  We have two new vendors in the Redding area:

Gattuso Violin Studio – Redding, CA – 530-515-5997

Becca Johnson – Piano Lessons – Oak Run, CA – 530-355-9946

Want your instructor to get on the vendor list?  Have them contact New Day Academy at: 530-233-3861

Mascot Wanted

New Day Academy needs a mascot.  So what better way to choose one than to let the NDA families pick?  It can be an animal, like the New Day Academy Kangaroos, or an object, like the New Day Academy Comets.  If your child has a suggestion for a great mascot, email their suggestion to:  kelly.mcgarva [at] newdayacademy.net, In the email title put: Mascot

Once we get all the suggestions, we will vote on the best one in our next newsletter.

Water Park Kick Off

We would like to start the year off with a trip to the Water Park in Redding, CA.  NDA will be there from 3:00 to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, the 1^st of September.  We thought this would be a fun opportunity for New Day families to meet each other and hang out.

New Day Academy will pay for any currently enrolled students.  All other tickets are between 10 and 12 dollars, based upon your height.  2 years old and under are free.

RSVP at 530-233-3861 or by email to kelly.mcgarva [at] newdayacademy.net

Lake Shasta Caverns Fall Field Trip

Come with us to the Lake Shasta Caverns in Redding, CA October 20, 2010.  We will meet at the Caverns at 9:30 AM.  The tour includes a catamaran ride across the lake and a knowledgeable guide to teach about the formation of the caverns.  Students will also get an opportunity to pan for gemstones!

New Day Academy will cover tickets for enrolled students.  Chaperone tickets cost $ 18 per person.

RSVP today  530-233-3861 or email kelly.mcgarva [at] newdayacademy.net

College Quest

College Quest will be held on Sept. 27 from 4-7 pm. at the Redding Convention Center, and best of all, it’s FREE. Good information is included for those wanting to go to a 4year university (many schools are represented); community colleges are also there, as well as specialty schools and the military.

About 2000 students attend this annually in the Redding area. It is not mandatory to stay for the full 3 hours. College Options also has a booth and can answer questions on colleges, financial aid and anything else pertaining to college.

Fun Facts About

• August August was the 6th month in the early Roman Calendar, named after Julius Caesar Augustus
• On August 24th in A.D 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted, destroying the cities of Pompeii, Stabiae, and Herculaneum.
• August 30th is National Toasted Marshmallow Day!

Joke of the Month

“Why shouldn’t you tell secrets on a farm?”

“Because the corn has ears, the potatoes have eyes, and the beanstalks…”

Online Learning

New Day Academy has an agreement with  CAVA, the California Virtual Academy, also known as K-12 and Aventa Learning, to purchase online courses for our students.  Call Laura VanAcker, 233-3861 if you are interested in learning more.

Click here to Check Out Course Opportunities

Some inspiration for the new school year:

Education is more than filling a child with facts. It starts with posing questions.
— D.T. Max

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.
— Albert Einstein