September 2015 Issue

September 2015
“Vos Meliores Excedentis Quam Eratis” — J U V E N I L E H A l l
Resilience. Responsibility. Relationships. — T a b l e M t . S c h o o l
F ro m t h e P r i n c i pa l
Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year at Table Mountain School. We had a great summer and we
have GREAT BIG plans for the new year!
First, I want to welcome Paul Olsen, our new ROP Landscape/Agriculture teacher who will start
working with TMS students any day now! It is really exciting to add the Landscape/Ag program to our
existing ROP Welding class. It is tough to enter the job market, even with traditional schooling and
resources. We strive to ensure that TMS students have real-world employability skills and job training
so that they are as competitive and qualified as students graduating from any district school.
Next, Project Based Learning (PBL) is our new instructional initiative this year. You’ll hear more
about this throughout the school year. Let me just say that PBL is much more than just an activity at
the end of a unit of study. It is an inquiry-based approach to learning that increases the potential for
our students to address real world issues and make a difference in their communities.
Additionally, we are getting very close to implementation of our Positive Behavior Interventions
and Supports (PBIS) approach. This will modify the way we respond to positive student behavior, as
well as those behaviors we would like to redirect. We’re looking forward to connecting with more
parents and families this year—for PBIS, for LCAP, and as partners to make sure that we are giving
kids the tools they need to meet their challenges. Our parent outreach committee is currently
planning our first Open House event for the year; we’re looking at the end of October for dates, and
we’ll keep you updated as we know more.
It’s my pleasure to serve the students and families at Table Mountain School. Here’s to another
awesome year! As always, feel free to contact me by phone or email.
Thanks,
FYI: The digital version of the Newsletter has
Karen Stiles
links to Important Dates and other articles on
Principal, Table Mountain School
TMS/JH. Access our digital version at
[email protected]
http://tablemountain.bcoe.org/
530-532-5833
Pictures from TMS Graduation 6/30
Karen and our four graduates—
a record number!
Wayne, Karen, and the grads
“PBL”—What is it?
Butte County
Juvenile Hall/
Table Mt.
School
41 County Center Dr
Oroville, CA 95965
JH: 530.538.7311
TMS: 530.532.5688
Tag line goes here.
We’re on the Web!
http://
tablemountain.bcoe.org/
www.buttecounty.net/
probation/Home.aspx
We have two articles in the Newsletter this month that make reference to Project-Based
Learning (PBL). Because we’re in the business of education, we’ll give you some more
information about PBL, which is currently knocking our socks off. Here’s a definition:
Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question,
problem, or challenge. In Gold Standard PBL, Essential Project Design Elements include:

Challenging Problem or Question - The project is framed by a meaningful problem to solve,
or a question to answer, at the appropriate level of challenge.

Key Knowledge, Understanding, and Success Skills – going deeply into one problem
encourages critical thinking/problem solving, collaboration, and self-management.

Sustained Inquiry - Students engage in a rigorous, extended process of asking questions, finding
resources, and applying information.

Critique & Revision - Students give, receive, and use feedback to clarify and explore their topic
and what they find in trying to address the questions the topic raises.

Authenticity - The project features real-world context, tasks and tools, quality standards, or
impact; or speaks to students’ personal concerns, interests, and issues in their lives.

Student Voice & Choice - Students make decisions about the project, including how they work
and what they create.

Reflection - Students and teachers reflect on learning; the effectiveness of their inquiry and
project activities; the quality of student work; obstacles, and how to overcome them.

Public Product - Students make their project work public by explaining, displaying and/or
presenting it to people beyond the classroom.
If this type of learning process doesn’t seem like a brand-new concept...it’s not. In the past,
it’s been called “inquiry-based learning,” and this process of inquiry can be applied to any
topic throughout one’s lifetime. The skills learned through this process are not limited to the
classroom, and are designed to be used in real-life situations. PBL dovetails neatly with
Common Core’s focus on critical thinking skills, and students are more willing to participate
when they have a say in designing projects. Learning for life (beyond school): We love it!
Have you ever climbed up to the “O”?
It’s a hike!
BGC: “Lights on afterschool”
Butte County
Juvenile Hall/
Table Mt.
School
41 County Center Dr
Oroville, CA 95965
JH: 530.538.7311
TMS: 530.532.5688
Tag line goes here.
The Boys and Girls Club (BGC) is participating on October 20-22 in an event to celebrate the value of afterschool programs. Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is
the only nationwide event to promote these crucial programs and their important role in the
lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the
afterschool movement, and generates media coverage across the country each year.
The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many
ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new
things—such as science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do and poetry—and
discover new skills. The events send a powerful message that millions more kids need quality
afterschool programs.
In the Hall, BGC activities planned for the event include mural-painting in the pods and
Eco Team programming. Since their arrival at the Hall, the Club has brought awesome activities, life skills support, and homework help to the students here. Additionally, being able to
attend BGC when kids return to the community provides them with much-needed continuity in their daily lives. We recognize and celebrate BGC for their service and support!
The shadow project
We’re on the Web!
http://
tablemountain.bcoe.org/
www.buttecounty.net/
probation/Home.aspx
What if your shadow could talk? What stories would it remember as the most pertinent to
your life? What advice would it give?
Students at Table Mountain School are in the process of learning to write an autobiographical
narrative, taking the voice of their shadow and describing their own lives. This project is one
of many activities that TMS hopes will help students answer the questions, “Who am I?” and
“How do I stay out of incarceration?” Students will even do a presentation to the class from
behind a hanging sheet with their shadow projected onto it like a screen.
Table Mountain staff have embraced the Project Based Learning approach to education and the
Shadow Project is one of the first such events of the 2015-16 school year. Students will have
the opportunity to research detention policy, juvenile crime rates, to explore the mathematical data from this information, and to write various essays and pieces about their own lives
through the Writing Exchange and classroom assignments, incorporating English, Math, and
Social Studies into the project. Ultimately, students may even explore ways to help other
young people by using their shadow project stories as presentations for marginalized youth.
Butte County
Juvenile Hall/
Table Mt.
School
41 County Center Dr
Oroville, CA 95965
JH: 530.538.7311
TMS: 530.532.5688
Tag line goes here.
We’re on the Web!
http://
tablemountain.bcoe.org/
www.buttecounty.net/
probation/Home.aspx
TMS: Going to the dogs
Juveniles Caring for Dogs (JCFD) is a project-based learning (PBL) module
that Camp Condor has created. Our focus question was, “Why should we help our
community?” and then, “How can we help?” With our previous experience making
dog bones, the students quickly started forming ideas. We decided to make dog
bones and create “Just Adopted” bags to give to families and their new furry family
member at our local SPCA. Eventually, we plan to sell our dog bones to raise
funds for the Shelter; to bring in dogs that need socializing for better adoption
outcomes; and to volunteer at the shelter, working with animals that need
socializing.
Isha, a member of the Oroville SPCA, came in and gave a great presentation on
the shelter’s function and needs. We discussed responsible ownership, and just
what an owner needs to be aware of to prepare for the responsibility of owning a
pet. We all were surprised by the number of animals that go through the shelter,
and we learned that the #1 thing we can do is spay and neuter our pets, and
encourage others to do the same.
Another guest speaker was Nancy, who brought three dogs: her dog friend
Otto, a young foster dog going by the name Momma Dog, and a puppy from the
shelter. We learned what behaviors dogs need to have a better chance at adoption.
We talked about positive reinforcement, shaping, and the consequences of
incorrect training. We even had some hands-on experience using these new skills.
What do the kids say about this PBL?
“This program has helped me and dogs in many ways. I am enjoying JCFD.”
“JCFD has been a life changing experience in getting me to realize the importance
of dogs.” “ It’s fun helping out the community.”
It’s been said that helping others is often the best way to help ourselves. Our
kids are helping the critters who help us by giving us the unconditional love that
makes life sweeter. We can all learn from that.
Learning to speak Dog
The Puppy
Butte County
Juvenile Hall/
New r.o.p. Program
Table Mt.
School
We are excited to welcome Paul Olson to Table Mt. School! Mr. Olson will be
teaching the Regional Occupational Program’s Diversified Occupations class, which
will begin this September. The class will emphasize job skills development and
career education. Students will participate in activities both in the classroom and
outside in the school garden. There will also be community-based opportunities
available.
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a horticulture program.
The class will grow vegetables for school gardens both at Table Mountain School and
at other sites. Additionally, students will propagate and grow native plants for local
habitat restoration projects with community partners such as California Department
of Parks and Recreation.
We look forward to getting this new class up and running as we work with Mr.
Olson and Butte County Staff.
41 County Center Dr
Oroville, CA 95965
JH: 530.538.7311
TMS: 530.532.5688
We’re on the Web!
www.bgcnv.org
Summer Farm season ending
Thanks to everyone who
contributed to this issue of
the Newsletter. Working
together, we model the
value of RELATIONSHIPS
to each other, and to the
youth we serve.
The produce sales from Fresh Start Farm are winding to a close this week; this
Thursday’s Fresh Start Market will be the last of the season. Students at Table Mt. School
have participated in Fresh Start Farm since its inception in 2014. In addition to working
in the garden preparing soil, planting, and weeding, students also built the garden boxes
and laid irrigation.
Deputy Probation Officer Michelle Gonzalez says that talks are underway for a
possible winter garden, and that the Farm will definitely be starting up again in the
spring. We “dig” this garden project and its delicious result; and participating in the
project is a treat for students. Growing food is a deeply nourishing practice in more ways
than one.
September 2015 Issue 6
IMPORTANT DATES:
 September 21—Regional Testing Center
Open House, Butte College 12-5
In this issue:
From the Principal………………... 1
What IS PBL, Anyway?……………. 2
 September 23—Fall Job Fair,
Butte College 10-1
* September 24-October 22—Fiction 59 Contest
Lights On for Afterschool………….. 3
* September 28-October 16—MAP Assessments
The Shadow Project……………….. 3
TMS Going to the Dogs……………. 4
* October 1—North State Mfg. Expo,
CSU Chico, 9-3
New ROP Program……………….. 5
 October 6—LCAP Committee Meeting
Farm Season Winds Down
 October 9—TMS Fall Quarter 1 Ends
Graduation (Photos)………………. 1
5
 November 11—Veterans’ Day (Holiday)
For more information, please contact:
TMS at 530.532.5688 or BCJH at 530.538.7311
 November 25-27—Thanksgiving (Holiday)
To our BCOE Family at
Oroville, CA 95965
41 County Center Dr.