Pi Program Newsletter
March 22, 2021
Optional "In-Person" Learning Time
Dear Pi families,
Our staff has been enjoying their weekly contact with their Pi students using the synchronous meeting times on Google Meet, Zoom, and by phone. Our Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) program requires that we make weekly contact with each of our Pi students, to monitor our students' progress as well as adjust each child's learning plan as needed. We appreciate the dedication of our students and families to ensure each weekly Pi session is attended and that each Pi student adheres to their ALE learning plan.
We are thrilled to be offering in-person learning experiences to augment each Pi student's alternative learning experience. Starting the week of March 29th the following in-person learning opportunity is planned:
Pi Elementary- Mr. Thaddeus is arranging with families a half-day in-person learning option on Wednesdays in one of two cohorts:
- Cohort A- 8:45-11:15
- Cohort B- 1:00-3:25
Please let Mr. Thaddeus know if you are interested in having your child participate in our school lunch or breakfast program where students take a "sack" breakfast & lunch home at the end of their learning session. Bus transportation can also be arranged with advanced notice. If you have questions about our in-person learning offerings or would like to contact Mr. Thaddeus, please email Thaddeus_Jurczynski@csd49.org.
Pi Middle & High School- Mrs. Jensen & Mr. Berdinner are arranging in-person tutoring sessions for middle & high school students that need extra support with key academic areas. If you have questions regarding the Pi tutoring program or would like to contact Mrs. Jensen or Mr. Berdinner, they can be reached by emailing jamie_jensen@csd49.org or stan_berdinner@csd49.org
We look forward to learning with our Pi students here on campus!
Thank you,
The Pi Team - Thaddeus Jurczynski, Jamie Jensen, Stan Berdinner, Julianne Bonnell & Jason Lynch
Learning Updates From Our Pi Teachers
Pi Elementary & Middle School Science
The past year has provided teaching and learning challenges and opportunities like no other! Pi Elementary started the year with a blast, literally; as students brought in homebuilt rockets to launch on the first day of class! Besides science, students also work with math, social studies, and language arts. Our Google Classroom content frequently features Gizmos, interactive and engaging science and math simulations. In addition to the online content, I also send home occasional hands-on projects such as dissecting owl pellets, popsicle stick catapults, led flashlights, and a Conversation Hearts math activity for Valentine’s Day.
Pi Middle School Science has been largely focused on Earth and space science, including the role of gravity on Earth, as well as the solar system. We’ve also looked at how the earth has changed over time, through the study of plate tectonics; and how various plant and animal species have come and gone.
During the 2nd semester, NASA’s recent Perseverance mission has provided some rich content to dig into for both classes. These have included mission objectives, launch and rover simulations, top science findings, and prose and poetry inspired by the program.
As we return to the classroom, we look forward to being able to do more hands-on science and math activities. These could include gardening, portable sundials, kite-making, and of course, rocketry. I also hope to offer occasional field experiences and events for those not able to join us in the classroom.
Thaddeus Jurczynski
Science with Ms. Bonnell
Marine Biology:
In the 2nd semester, Pi Marine Biology students finished up their exploration of marine food webs. They looked at the kelp forests which are native ecosystems to the west coast and Puget Sound. They learned how human activity such as overfishing can be remedied by research and establishing Marine Protected Areas where marine species can thrive.
Students will be starting their Marine Phyla Project in which they choose a group of marine organisms (for example, Echinodermata which is the phylum containing starfish and sea urchins), research their features, construct a model of an organism from that group, and create a video presentation of it which will be viewable by their peers to learn about the vast diversity of marine organisms.
In April, Marine Biology students will participate in a two-week Marine Ecology program that will be led by the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Instructors from the PTMSC will be engaging students in a virtual lesson series in which they solve a mysterious case of an elephant seal stranding!
Physical Science:
The Pi Physical Science students have been learning about different types of chemical reactions. They have learned how to balance chemical equations, demonstrating how matter is conserved even within a chemical reaction. Students are currently studying reaction energy and what factors (for example, temperature) impact the rate of a chemical reaction.
We are now moving into learning about acid-base reactions. Students will be conducting a Cabbage pH Lab in which they use a chemical in red cabbage as an indicator to test the pH of substances they can find around their home!
In April, we will be starting the Physics unit of the class in which students will complete at-home labs engineering small motors from their lab kits to study concepts like electrical inductance, forces, and energy transfer.
ELA & Social Studies With Mrs. Jensen
Secondary English:
Pi Middle School and High School students have been in the midst of a Literature Study Unit around Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. In addition to studying the novel, students examined complementary poems and myths and engaged in mini-lessons linked to narrative writing. The unit will end with a culminating assessment where students write their own personal narratives.
The remainder of the semester will be focused on honing students’ skills in identified areas of need. They will select a topic of interest to research, and follow the writing process, to publish a piece of informational or persuasive text that will be shared with an authentic audience.
HS World History:
High School students in this class have been working through world history from the beginnings of civilization. They have recently created slide presentations examining the development of societies and empires of Africa. Currently, students are engaged in researching a self-selected topic within the sphere of European renaissance and reformation. The rest of the year will propel them through revolution, industrialism, and World war.
MS World Cultures & Geography:
Middle School students began semester 2 by examining how geographic and economic factors influenced the development of Sub-Saharan Africa. They are currently analyzing how resources and migration shaped culture in Southwest Asia and North Africa and will then move seamlessly into the other regions of Asia.
Students are regularly given choice in how they demonstrate learning. For example, they may choose to read the textbook and answer critical thinking questions that follow the chapter, or they may elect to watch the teacher-selected video segments and answer embedded questions along the way. The creation of slide presentations and integrated art assignments are also an essential component of this course.
Other courses:
Many students are enrolled in independent study courses that allow them to earn credit based on time involved in learning activities and meeting learning objectives. Art students experiment with different media, complete assigned activities, and assessments. Family Meals students must document food safety proficiency, convert recipes to increase or decrease portions, plan and budget meals, prepare foods and make adjustments based on meal evaluations completed by various reviewers. Music and PE courses are also offered in this way.
For students who have incomplete courses from previous semesters, there is a choice menu of assignments that may fulfill their credit requirements. These independent assignments are meant to build from students’ prior knowledge and interests. Some examples of projects to complete English or US History are: African American Roots and Influences in Country Music, Five Most Significant Days in American History and Why, Most Historically Significant Individuals That No One Knows About, or U.S. History through Comic Books (or other popular culture media).
Pi High School Mathematics with Mr. Berdinner
Middle School Math students have worked their way through a variety of topics including the principles of algebra, operations with rational numbers, scientific notation, irrational numbers, and the Pythagorean theorem. They will be continuing their study of more elements from geometry, and then they will later delve into probability and statistics.
Algebra 1 students have practiced equation-solving techniques and have explored the concept of a mathematical function. They have studied the different representations of linear functions, and they have solved systems of linear equations and linear inequalities. They will now dive into a study of exponential functions and examine mathematical modeling with real-world data.
Geometry students have dug deep into mathematical reasoning and proofs and have found ways to prove triangle congruence. They have also discovered circumscribed and inscribed circles, and they will now embark on a study of the properties of various polygons.
Algebra 2 students began the year with a study of right triangle trigonometry and then moved on to a thorough examination of quadratic functions, and their place in the broader study of polynomial functions. They will move on now to inverse functions, logarithms, and rational functions.
Other students are working on the everyday use of mathematics in Consumer Math, and some are taking the opportunity to earn HS credit in online classes that Pi teachers are not offering.
Student Arrival Screening (temperature) Station
Drop Off and Pick Up For Pi Students
- Masks and social distancing while waiting for dismissal and arrival are required.
- Use Pick Up Patrol to complete the required health screening questions before your child leaves for school.
- Please drop off your child in the morning at the specified times described below. At the start of school, students will transition directly to their classroom with their Pi teacher. There is no before-school recess to ensure cohort safety.
- If taking your child to school by car (which is recommended), please use the following drop off times to reduce wait time for before school temperature screenings & after school congestion:
AM(Cohort A) Pi Elementary Arrival - Please drop off at 8:45
AM (Cohort A) Pi Elementary Departure - Please pick up at 11:15
PM (Cohort B) Pi Elementary Arrival - Please drop off at 12:50
PM Pi (Cohort B) Elementary Departure - Please pick up at 3:25
Pi Middle & High School arrival & departure - Individually arranged with Mrs. Jensen & Mr. Berdinner.
- Parking - Please park in the 15 minute or visitor parking if leaving your car.
- Parking - Please DO NOT park in the red fire zones.
- Patience & Grace Requested -this process is different for everyone. Let's work together to make this process work smoothly.
PickUp Patrol
How it Works
● PUP is free to parents and is accessed from your smartphone or computer.
● To make a dismissal change, simply log in, select a date, your child, and a plan change option. Then hit submit!
● Changes and absences can be entered months in advance, but submit all same-day changes no later than 10:30 each day.
● Teachers will be automatically notified of any dismissal changes for the day and will communicate them to your child.
How to Register
- Registration Email: You will receive an email with registration instructions to set up your password. Be sure to register right away, because the link will expire soon.
- Setup Default Plans: Once logged in, review & set your child’s Default Plan. This is the normal, regular dismissal plan that they follow on a daily basis.
- Add PUP to your Phone: The PUP app is not accessed through the app stores. Instead, you’ll simply add it to your phone’s home screen for easy access.
- Make Plan Changes: Once registered, please start using PUP to report all plan changes and daily health screenings. If you have any questions, contact us here in the office at cesattendance@csd49.org
Masks Are Required
Call & Wait For Assistance
Student & Staff Temperature Screening Daily
Only Student & Staff in School Facilities
Access to School Facilities
- Masks are required for all students & staff at school & on the bus unless the exceptions listed from OSPI.
- Visitors may not visit school facilities so we can minimize exposure to our student cohorts.
- If you are needing immediate attention and are on campus (in the parking lot or near school entry), please call the office at 360-302-5855 for assistance and do not proceed directly to the main office.
- Parents and guardians are asked to wait after school in the area near the High School Auditorium and flag pole. Please observe social distancing and wear a mask.
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Upcoming Dates
- April 5-9 - Spring Break (no school)
- May 28 - Snow Make-up Day (no school)
- May 31 - Memorial Day (no school)
- June 18 - Last Day of School
School Meals
- Have you heard about P-EBT? Is your child eligible for free and reduced-price meals? If so, then your child may be eligible for P-EBT this school year!
- Has your family moved in the past two years? Make sure your address is up-to-date! (Contact your child's school office at 360-302-5855 to update your address information)
- There is no need to apply, eligible students will get their benefits in the mail. There will be more information about P-EBT coming soon watch our school websites for updates.
Food Service will be closed during the Spring Break, April 5-9. The YMCA is providing meals to families the week of Spring Break, April 5 - 9. Please click here for a SURVEY/ORDER FORM.
La YMCA está proporcionando comidas a las familias la semana de las vacaciones de primavera, del 5 al 9 de abril. FORMULARIO DE PEDIDO
The Food Service Staff would like to wish everyone a healthy and happy spring!
Chimacum School District's Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures
About The Pi Program
Email: stan_berdinner@csd49.org
Website: https://www.csd49.org/6/Home
Location: 91 West Valley Road, Chimacum, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 302-5855
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chimacum-Pi-Program-536561936836901/
School Disclaimer
Chimacum School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights, Title IX, and Section 504 Coordinator: Melinda Miller, 360-302-5886, melinda_miller@csd49.org; PO Box 278, Chimacum, WA 98325-0278.
Chimacum School District will also take steps to assure that national origin persons who lack English language skills can participate in all education programs, services and activities. For information regarding translation services or transitional bilingual education programs, contact Jason Lynch at (360)302.5855