Mission and Vision - Every Child, Every Day, Every Way.

We are a Whole Child school focused on providing an engaging learning environment for students, based on differentiated instruction. We do this through enrichment opportunities as well as extra support with close links to the local community. More detailed information provided below.  

Engaged/Challenged - Each student is: actively engaged in learning; connected to the school and the broader community; challenged academically through our curriculum and instruction which provides the opportunities for students to develop critical thinking and reasoning skills for problem solving competencies and technology proficiencies.

• Problem-Based Learning 

• Community Partnerships - both to enrich school day and provide support with after school clubs

• Volunteering

• Partnerships with area high schools

• Enrichment and Intervention

• Art, Music, PE and Library - enrich and support the learning in the classroom 

• A well-rounded hands-on curriculum that is integrated with S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts, math), health and wellness, civics, and outdoor “adventure learning” where students have learned to be advocates for their own learning needs

• Students’ passions are integrated into the curriculum

Supported/Safe - Each student: has access to personalized learning; is supported by highly- qualified and caring adults who focus on their academic and personal growth through strong, positive relationships; learns in an environment that is physically and emotionally safe for students and adults.

• CWCC Counselor

• NCSD Counselor and Social Worker

• Community-based Family Nights

• Student Showcases

• On-site Boys and Girls Club

• Preschool program 

• Multi-age school communities encourage character development

• Growth mindset

• School-wide communication system (ClassDojo App)

• Big Brother/Big Sisters

• Coordinated interventions among service providers (community service providers, community resource officers, etc.)

• Identify and collaborate with community agencies, service providers and organizations to meet goals for students

Sustainable - The Whole Child approach is a cornerstone of our school improvement plan and is included in our data collection and analysis process

• Identifying social, emotional, physical and academic needs through the MTSS Model 

  • SABERS

  • SIMS

Healthy - Our school supports health in each student by teaching correct practices for healthy lifestyles.

• Various school clubs (Examples: Greenhouse & Garden, Chef’s, Sports, Dance & Yoga)

• FFVP - Fresh fruit and vegetable grant program (daily snacks)

• Mindfulness 

• Cent$ible Nutrition

• Indoor and outdoor physical activity

• Meeting expectations of health curriculum standard

• Character building activities to support mental, emotional, physical and social health

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Journey is a school of choice within the public school system in Natrona County. Any PK-5 child residing in Natrona County may attend on a basis of availability of openings. At the beginning of each school year, at least one parent/legal guardian is required to attend the annual Back-to-School Night where the parent/legal guardian will sign a Contract of Mutual Responsibilities also referred to as the school compact (example included in this handbook).

The expectation of Journey’s faculty is to behave in a professional manner.  We are models for children.

Excellence – self-improvement and adaptability

• Be here 100%

• Positive role modeling

• Honesty

• Respect

• Follow through

• Positive team attitude

• Attends meetings, TEAM JOURNEY, family nights, performances.

• Reads literature on best practice.

• Accepts constructive feedback without being defensive.

• Modifies behavior based on feedback and formative evaluation.

• Demonstrates continuous learning and professional development.

Integrity – display honesty in all situations and interactions

• Character

• Honesty

• Listening

• Respect

• Communication

• Confidentiality

• Compassion

• Is able to identify information that is confidential 

• Arrives on time and actively participates

• Completes tasks promptly and well.

• Follows through and is reliable.

• Trust

Initiative – ability to assess and initiate things independently

• Follow through

• Team players

• Responsibility

• Communication

• Acknowledges limits in knowledgeable skills

• Performs duties promptly and efficiently.

• Is willing to spend additional time and to assume new responsibilities.

• Recognizes when help is required and when to ask for guidance.

• Observe each other and give feedback.

• Researches best practices in effective teaching.

Attitudes - relationships with students, faculty, staff, colleagues and parents

• Positive attitude

• Sense of humor but not at the expense of others

• Voice

• Open minded

• Respect for all students, staff, parents and each other

• Own your attitude

• Say what you need to say appropriately

• Communicates professionally in a nonjudgmental and non-defensive manner.

• Maintains positive outlook towards others and toward assigned tasks.

• Recognizes and admits mistakes.

• Seeks and accepts feedback and uses it to improve performance.

• Demonstrates respect and earns respect.

Tolerance - willingness to tolerate differing opinions or behaviors

• Agree to disagree

• Demonstrates ability to accept people and situations.

• Control own behavior and accept what you can’t control 

• Compassion

• Caring, respect

• Communicate in a non-defensive and non-judgmental manner

• Comfort zone for expression of ideas and knowledge

• Honesty

• Acceptance

• Be open to other opinions (listen with soft eyes)

• Attack the problem not the person

Function Under Stress – maintains professional composure

• Communication- be sure to ask all of your WHY questions 

  • In large group meetings to prevent some “parking lot” conversations

  • Transparency of WHYs~ ask, ask, ask!

• Being supportive

• Turn to wonder

• Positive outlook

• Don’t panic

• Self regulate and breathe

Student: As a student at Journey Elementary, I agree to:

(Parents, please read and discuss with your child.)

Be Safe:

• Use playground equipment appropriately

• Keep hands/feet to self

• Use healthy habits (wash hands, cover your mouth, use a tissue etc)

Be Respectful:

• Be kind

• Help others in need

• Include others

• Treat others with respect

• Use appropriate voice level and tone

• Listen to the staff members

• Wait your turn to talk

• Use manners

Be Responsible:

• Be a trustworthy person

• Keep track your belongings

• Read 20 minutes daily

• Clean up after myself

• Be at school every day, on time and prepared

• Speak up for myself and ask for what I need

• Talk to a staff member if there is a problem

• Use a growth mindset and be mindful

Parent/Guardian: As a parent/guardian at Journey Elementary, I agree to: 

Be Safe:

• Talk to my child about positive ways to solve problems at school

• Direct my child to speak to a staff member when there is a problem

Be Respectful:

• Be a positive role model for my child by accepting responsibilities for my actions

• Address problems, concerns or ideas with the appropriate staff member in a respectful, calm manner

Be Responsible: 

• Have my child at school every day, on time and prepared

• Communicate with teachers on a regular basis (Infinite Campus, DOJO, phone calls, notes, emails etc.)

• Make every effort to attend conferences, Back to School Night, Showcases and Family Nights or make other arrangements

• Talk to my child about his/her goals

• Ensure teachers and school office ALWAYS have updated contact information in case of an emergency

Staff: As a staff member of Journey Elementary, I agree to:

Be Safe: 

• Provide a safe and positive environment for learning

Be Respectful:

• Respect and value the uniqueness of students, parents/guardians and staff members

Be Responsible:

• Be at school every day, on time and prepared

• Be professional,  both academically and behaviorally

• Provide quality instruction with evidence based practices

• Communicate with parents/guardians on a regular basis (Infinite Campus, DOJO, phone calls, notes, emails etc.)

• Provide meaningful, data driven conferences at least twice a year

• Use a growth mindset and be mindful