Service – A Way of Life at Journey

Service is a word our students learn and participate in from the early age of kindergarten up through 8th grade. Every 4-6 weeks our students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of service projects to learn first hand the joy of giving and helping others. Service this year includes:

-Sang and played games with residents at a local assisted living and nursing care center

-Gathered items and assembled 120 Hygiene kits

-Organized a can food drive for Catholic Charities at Thanksgiving time

-Organized a coat drive for the homeless at Christmas

-Addressed and stamped 1200 mailers for a non-profit choir, the Desert Chorale, for their annual free Christmas show

-Organized a sock and blanket drive for newly arrived refugees in Las Vegas

-Sponsored a change drive, “Make a Change” and raised $1,780.00 to send support to our deployed service men, the Jolly Greens, based at Nellis Air Force Base

-Currently promoting a food drive, “Serving our Kids”, by gathering food and assembling meals for kids in need in our community

-Coming soon, our students will participate in a detailed cleanup and graffiti removal in Valley of Fire following our school’s annual camp out

Thinking of others is a valuable attribute. Our students embody kindness and thoughtfulness as they freely give of themselves in service. As a school we work to provide these opportunities on a regular bases. As Gandhi has famously said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

JPO Nominations

It’s that time of year to look forward to next year and plan… Plan what we will do this summer and plan for what we will do next school year. As part of next school year’s planning, we are holding nominations for the Journey Parent Organization positions. Executive board positions include the President, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.

Nominate yourself or a fellow parent who would be a great leader in the parent organization at Journey. The JPO executive board makes final decisions on how funds are spent, plan activities for our students and head fundraisers to make it all happen. Nomination forms can be found in the lobby.

Journey parents are amazing! Whether or not you hold a leadership position in the JPO, there are so many ways to be involved. Talk to one of the executive JPO board members to let them know you want to help. Many hands make light work and fun work! We need you!

Parenting Perfectly-Imperfect

In Japan they have a saying, Wabi-Sabi, which is the art of imperfection. Meaning that there is beauty in our imperfections.

Parenting is not easy or perfect! Parenting is actually very imperfect. I must admit that there are times I have tried to look and be perfect on the outside when my parenting was far from that on the inside. I have learned from mistakes and experience that it is imperfections that make raising children beautiful and fun.

Here are some suggestions to honoring our imperfections and to be a “Wabi-Sabi parent”:

  1. Be real – Sometimes we are mad, sad, or upset. Sometimes we are happy, excited, or exuberant. It’s okay for our children to see us in these different roles and learn from how we handle stress and joy. Let your children see you silly and serious. Let them see the soft side of you as well as the frustrated side.
  2. Be kind to yourself – we are human, so we make mistakes, just as our children make mistakes. This is part of the human experience. We are all on a journey and part of that journey is making mistakes and learning from them.
  3. Be willing to apologize – When you make a mistake or overreact make it right with your child by admitting you were wrong. That example not only lets them know that you are human, but it lets them know that they can also be forgiven for their mistakes.
  4. Help! – Parenting can be so challenging, especially if we feel alone. Look for help in friends, family, and even professionals when the job seems too overwhelming. There have been times that telling my frustrating parenting story to a listening ear gives me the courage to face the challenges I’m dealing with more effectively.
  5. Have a sense of humor – I was at my brother-in-law’s home one night while he was putting his child to bed. The boy was throwing a huge tantrum and screaming “I hate you! I hate you!” He was out of control. Finally, my brother-in-law told the boy in a very loving, syrupy voice, “Oh, that’s so nice of you. It’s opposite day! so that means you love me”. Whereby the boy in frustration with his dad’s patience started screaming, “I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!”

There is not one right way to parent. But as you parent the little cherubs you have charge over, do it with love, patience, and a sense of humor. All the while embracing the imperfection of the experience.

Thanks Mrs. Linda!

Students, teachers, parents, and guests all enter through the front doors many times each day. And at entrance is Mrs. Linda, our office manager, the heart of Journey.

There are moments when Mrs. Linda is answering phones, getting something done for the administration, letting a parent in the door, and putting a band-aide on a student, while getting a project with a deadline accomplished…. All at the same time!

I’m so grateful for the cheerful voice at the end of the phone or the smile that greets us day after day. I’m writing this post for no other reason than to express my gratitude and love for the work and dedication Mrs. Linda gives to Journey. She helps create a tone that we all look forward to and rely on.

Take a moment the next time you see Mrs. Linda to express your gratitude for the kind and loving way she works with us and our kids. Thanks Mrs. Linda!

DREAM BIG / THINK BIG

Can you find the words “Dream Big” and “Think Big” posted somewhere in the Journey Building? What does that mean to you?

When we first moved into our beautiful Journey campus 10 years ago, we hung several signs around the school reminding students the strength of their thoughts. Many of those signs have been replaced with similar messages, but these two still remain.

At Journey Education students are taught to work hard and be great, no matter where each child is in his/her development. It’s exciting to spend a moment in one of our classrooms and watched as students learn and discover.

Our minds are amazing tools held back only by our lack of confidence and fear of failure. Next time a discouraging or negative thought holds you back, remind yourself that your dreams are only as big as your thoughts.

So make big dreams and think big thoughts, and then go to work realizing them!

Family Time! What’s your sweet spot?

Doesn’t life seem to run at the speed of light? There are days I dread getting out of bed, because once my feet hit the ground I know there is no stopping. It can be exhausting and nearly impossible to find family time. In this crazy, busy world, it is vital to find time to connect with our family. This can be a difficult challenge. And what connecting looks like for each of us is different as well as how much time makes us feel connected is different.

Consider what you are doing with your family when you feel a connection with them. Is it in the morning when you are all getting ready, in the car as you drive from place to place, going for a walk, over a meal at the end of the day, or maybe doing chores together? Don’t laugh at that last one. Read on.

Research has shown that when we are actually working as a family or doing something difficult together that we tend to grow closer. A study once followed families on several different kinds of vacations. One group of families enjoyed vacations at a resort or theme park or beach… the typical relaxing vacation. While another group chose a vacation that was more difficult, like hiking for several days and camping in the open, or going to an underdeveloped country and doing humanitarian work. The results… the families with the atypical, not so relaxing vacations, actually showed results of greater unity and concern for one another. I’m not saying that you should throw away your plans to sit on a Hawaiian beach together, but this is good backing for making sure we are finding time to work or do physically activities as a family.

Every family is special, unique, and different. We all have our unique challenges and concerns in raising our family. As we work to do our best in the day to day hurry of life look for ways that unites your family. Find your family’s sweet spot.

Thank You Journey Teachers!

Teaching is one of the most difficult jobs out there, and one that makes the most difference in a child’s life. We have all had a teacher that is an important part of our growing up and learning. One that made us feel important, that sparked a joy for learning, or that we felt safe to learn with or fail with.

At Journey our teachers are the very best! I wish every parent could sit in a Journey Education staff meeting and hear the discussions of pride over a students’ success, or the concern over a struggle, you would be in awe at the loving and nurturing place your student is acquiring their education.

The biggest payoffs of teaching are seeing the “ah ha” moments in a child’s face or watching a child blossom as they learn to read and write. I love to visit our kindergarten class and see the wonderment in those children’s eyes, or walk into a middle school class and hear a discussion on literature, or listen to a 3rd grade student explain how excited she is about writing.

Next time you are visiting with your child’s teacher, make sure to thank him or her for the wonderful experience your child receives every day at Journey.

HAPPINESS AND GRATITUDE: A PERFECT PAIR

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” ~ Melody Beattie

As we roll headlong into the holiday season, I’m thankful that Thanksgiving comes first. It is a regular occurrence to be asked “what are you grateful for”.

Think about that for a moment.

What are you grateful for?

Considering what you are grateful for increases your happiness level.

 

“Smelling the roses”

When I have a grateful heart, I am more mindful of the many blessings in my life, big and small.

When I have a grateful heart, any lack in my life diminishes.

When I have a grateful heart, I am in more of a space to feel real love for those around me.

When I have a grateful heart, I am happier!

Our students and staff shared what they are grateful for. Here are a few of their responses:

  • I am grateful for my mom because she gives me food, water, and shelter. – Nicholas, 5th grade
  • I am grateful for my family because my mom and dad work hard so I can go to Dave and Busters. – Ace, Kindergarten
  • I am grateful for modern conveniences because life without heating, a/c, transportation, medicine, running water, sewer, etc would be incredibly difficult and uncomfortable. Prayers for all of those living without. – Mrs. Swallie, Teacher
  • I am grateful for the Springs Preserve because it gives me an opportunity to learn when I’m not at school – Sara, 3rd grade
  • I am grateful for gymnastics because it helps me to learn very cool, but scary tricks. – Ethan, 2nd grade
  • I am grateful for my family because they hug me a lot of time. – Chelsea, 1st grade
  • I am grateful for my parents because they are the best thing that has ever happened to me. – Anastasia, 6th grade

I am grateful for Journey Education because this school has given me a new outlook on life. It’s not only a job, but friends that have helped me, and my sons are at their best. This school has improved every aspect of my life – Mr. Bryant Teacher

OUR THANKSGIVING PLAY – TRADITIONS THAT WARM THE SOUL

2018 Journey Thanksgiving Pageant – A Pilgrim boat

Did your early school days include a traditional holiday play? Do you remember wearing a turkey or celery costume or playing some silly part? Childhood memories to cherish!

2018 Journey Pilgrims and Indians

This past week was Journey Education’s 10th annual Thanksgiving play, a fun tradition I look forward to every year.  It’s a heartwarming evening that create funny childhood memories. And whether the play runs seamlessly, or is full of mishaps, I enjoy every moment because the students are so cute and really put themselves out there.

This year we even had a band of semi-non-professional musicians, some who have never performed before, hello bells.

2018 Journey Indian Solo

Our Thanksgiving annual play is the best way to welcome the start of the holidays. I hope every part of the next few months brings lots of good memories.