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Voyagers' Community School
PHILOSOPHY
Our Education Map:
As we teach academic subjects including reading, writing, math, history, geography, culture and society, and social justice and peace we believe that children need to take part in the entire cycle of learning:
At Voyagers' Community School...
Children throughout Monmouth County, and beyond come to experience exciting educational possibilities.
·We have created a place where children can make choices, participate deeply and share their passions, successes, and failures with confidence and support from peers of all ages.
·Children’s interests shape a diverse offering of classes. Together, in our bright, warm, and cozy space, we create a learning community where everyone is welcomed, honored and respected.
·Children join each other in challenging adventures that teach through experience. They have voice and influence among and with adults. The work is collective and the result is exciting.
·Children are trusted to make their own mistakes, work through their own problems and come to their own solutions with help when it is needed.
Our Students Are...
·curious, fascinated with the world, eager to try new things and make sense of their life experiences.
·thinking individuals, able to understand and discern; they are capable of accepting responsibility and eager to make decisions for themselves.
·the principle agents of their own education and mental development. Learning is something students make happen to and for themselves.
·unique and can learn best while following their interests at their own pace.
·learning a great deal for and by themselves through interaction with others.
From The Director:
As a mother of three, I have watched my children experience various educational philosophies from public and private to home schooling. I was inspired to create a new learning environment where children are respected as individuals and are inspired to learn from the heart. I am an advocate for children of all ages. I believe that children are filled with joy, competency, power and resourcefulness. I believe that given provocation, support, kindness, and love their accomplishments are vast and outstanding. With provocation, children together, work hard, play hard, and care for each other and the community around them while exploring new and varied topics and questions.
Karen Giuffre, MA Ed.
Founder/Director
Voyagers' Is...
·A place where a child can grow and learn as a whole person.
·A place where children can develop thinking and working attitudes that empower them to take over their own growth.
·A place that honors and encourages children’s vision, tenacity, initiative, imagination, generosity, and exploration.
·A place that is defined by the bounding level of excitement, enthusiasm, creativity, inquisitiveness, ingenuity, and individual and community satisfaction.
·A place that invokes vibrancy and trust among children and adults alike.
·A place where children can find their voices and participate in a democratic community.
·A place where learning is defined by no one and honored by everyone.
·A place where people of all ages can learn and grow in community.
Expertise is gained through a variety of specials that take us outside our facilities to explore the community around us and develop and enhance skills such as hiking, nature studies, physical education through swimming, skating and gymnastics and fine arts and fine craft.
Voyagers’ offers options for full-time or part-time participation for children ages 5 and up. In addition to our full-time students, we welcome children who are homeschooled or who are available for after school and holiday hours.
Children learn in a continuum; they move from easier to more difficult material and from simple to more complex strategies at their own pace, rather than being promoted once a year or waiting until the next school year to move forward in the curriculum.
Students are required to produce ideas, integrate knowledge, and complete tasks that have real-world applications. Assessment is ongoing and diagnostic, yielding information on a student's strengths and weaknesses so that the teacher can tailor lessons to the student's specific needs. Parental involvement and understanding is key to our program's success. Opportunities exist for parents to be involved in the learning community.
Children have access to materials for visual arts, music, movement, science and computers with wireless networking.
Our library of current fiction and nonfiction titles is carefully selected to provide for research and engaged reading.
EXTRAS
Robotics
Ages 6 - 10
Time = Tuesday, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Price = $100.00
Robotics students will learn a range of skills from the basics of construction and building to the advanced knowledge of physics and programming. Children will be challenged to consider function and design using Lego Mindstorms. Students will work in small groups to build, program, and test robot constructions considering concepts in science and mathematics. They will understand how to build sturdy robots that move independently. Our instructor is Rich Knab who currently serves as our science, math and technologies teacher. The cost of this class will include all supplies and materials. We accept cash. checks and MasterCard/Visa. There will be a 3% service charge for credit card payments.
Creative Arts
Ages 5 - 10
Time = Date and time TBA
Price = $100.00
Building, painting, drawing, and designing: We will inspire the imagination in all of us. Children will explore and express freely using a multitude of materials and tools. Each day children will be presented with ideas and questions to investigate through art. These big ideas will inspire children to actively participate in their own artistic and educational development. Children will work on individual and group projects for an active and joyful outcome. - Dorothy
Polymer Exploration
Ages 5 - 12
Time = Date and time TBA
Price = $85.00
Children will be taught a variety of polymer techniques. They will be encouraged to explore polymer tools and clays in different forms and to create the items they imagine. - Dorothy
Sculpting/Polymer
Ages 8 - 12
Time = Date and time TBA
Price = $85.00
Children will be introduced to the process of creating small scale sculptures of figures, animals and whatever else their imaginations can conjure. They'll explore all aspects of sculpting from making armatures, carving and sculpting features to create a finished work of art. - Dorothy
Chinese Language & Culture
Ages up to 12
Time = Wednesday 2:15 to 3:45 p.m
Price = $90.00
6 Weeks - Nov 15 - Dec 20, 2006
An exciting exploration of the Chinese language and culture. Learn basic Chinese vocabulary while having fun with weekly hands-on projects. Topics include names, where Chinese characters came from, geography & travel, food, entertainment & clothing.
Digital Movie Making
Ages up to 12
Time = "Wednesday 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Price = $90.00
6 Weeks - Nov 15 - Dec 20, 2006
Students will be a part of a production crew working with cameras, lighting while directing and editing a short film. This exciting class allows children to learn basic videoproduction and team work under the direction of our skilled and creative instructor. Weekly activities include: script writing, story boards, filming, editing, create intro & credit listing, create cover art.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Voyagers' Community School is located at the Monmouth County Girl Scouts, Camp Sacajawea in beautiful Farmingdale, NJ. Our new home in the Program Activity Center features a large gym, kitchen, outdoor veranda, library, and two comfortable classrooms. The 143 wooded acres offer hiking trails, a private stream-fed lake, and sports of all types including basketball, tennis, and soccer.
-BLOG-
FACULTY
Danielle Escayg
Danielle has come to Voyagers during an exciting time. She has been able to lend a hand as we prepare our new space for the upcoming school year. She has settled in easily expressing her opinion and sharing expertise in the design of our classrooms, in the organization of our library and in the layout of our kitchen. Currently, Danielle is focusing on establishing an educational plan that reflects the Voyagers' philosophy and practice as well as her personal teaching style.\n\nDanielle recently moved to New Jersey from Chicago where she was actively involved with the YMCA youth program. She volunteered much of her summer to the YMCA summer camp program, supervising special activities and accompanying the children on various field trips. Since moving to New Jersey Danielle has returned to school to work towards her Masters Degree in Education at New Jersey City University. During the last school year, Danielle was a private tutor and a teacher in the Holmdel district. While in Holmdel, she taught children from Pre-K through eighth grade, including special needs students.\n\nAs Danielle continues her education, she will be a fresh voice in our school, always bringing new trends and ideas with her. Danielle is eager to get to know the students and to help them develop their strengths both in and out of the classroom.
Karen M. Giuffre
Voyagers' is administered by its Owner/Founder, Karen Giuffre, who sets the philosophical foundation, guides the staff through collaboration and critical review, and informs the school community. She holds a Masters in Education taken with thesis as well as a degree in political science and advanced studies in exercise physiology. Karen travels regularly to attend conferences, seminars, and symposiums where she is participant and presenter. In 2004, she attended the international conference, Crossing Boundaries, in Reggio Emilia, Italy. In the company of acclaimed education professionals from around the world she listened, observed and absorbed a wealth of information to put into practice. Karen is a member of many professional associations and volunteers on a variety of committees and boards.\n\nKaren can often be found in the school teaching and learning with children. She also trains staff, confers with parents, and develops programs. Karen believes in the practice of listening, exploring possibilities, and problem solving with members of the school community. However, in the end, she takes responsibility for this educational institution. She is ever present and attentive.
Cornelia Mazzan
Cornelia joins Voyagers with her Bachelors Degree in Fine & Studio Arts from Montclair State University, and as a partner in her own graphic design firm. Prior to the birth of her daughter, she taught preschool and was an early literacy consultant in the Washington, DC area, helping to create literacy rich environments and incorporating performing arts into daily classroom life.\n\nAs an artist and a designer, she enjoys making pottery, creating found object collage and taking photographs. She also likes creating beautiful, functional websites. Her artwork has been included in several shows, including a recent statewide Vermont Art festival and at a Student/Faculty Show at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA.\n\nCornelia serves as a teacher/researcher with a focus in expressive arts, and as the studio advisor for Voyagers'. In these roles, she wishes to show that art is broader than paper, pen, or paint--it is an outward expression of internal gifts and experiences, and can be expressed in myriad ways. She brings her varied art background, her love of children, and her active sense of wonder to share with the group.\n\nShe continues to read extensively in the fields of education, art therapy and psychology. A lifetime learner and 'synthesizer', she is always looking for the best combination of ideas to spark the spontaneous inner creator in herself and in each child she nurtures.
Rich Knab
Rich Knab studied Mechanical Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology. He worked for many years doing design work as a contractor to telephone companies. He discovered his love of teaching when he was assigned to teach new employees how telephone systems worked. Rich then worked for several software companies troubleshooting technical problems and giving sales presentations. At each company one of his additional responsibilities was to train new employees as well as customers.\n\nIn 2002 Rich shifted gears and decided to turn his woodworking hobby into a business. He designed and built many custom pieces from jewelry boxes and humidors to furniture and built-in cabinets. Much of the furniture in the Voyager's Learning Center was built for this space by him.\n\nOver the past two years Rich has taught a 'Fun Math' class to 4-6 and 7+ year olds. He also ran a Robotics workshop where children learned to design, build and program robots to perform assigned tasks.\n\nRich will be teaching Science and supplementing the Math-U-See learning system with real world examples and experiments. He looks forward to exploring with the kids the natural wonder that the Voyages campus offers.
CONTACT
Phone: 732-842-1660
staff@voyagerskids.com
Program Activity Center:
127 Yellow Brook Road
Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Mailing Address:
Voyagers' Community School
P.O. Box 450
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
ENROLLMENT
Voyagers’ Learning Center offers both full-time and part-time enrollment for children ages 5 – 12. We accept new students throughout the school year. Stated fees are based on annual enrollment and will be prorated according to your child’s enrollment date.
Our school day begins at 9:30 a.m. and finishes at 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:30 to 12:30 on Fridays. We also offer enrollment in specialty classes. Please refer to the Classes Tab on our home page.
Full-Time Enrollment
In the 2006-07 school year, full-tuition is $8,500.00.
We offer two payment options. You can pay in full by September 15th or you can pay in three installments of $2,833 on September 15th, January 15th and March 15th. We accept Mastercard or Visa payment in full or in installments. There is a 3% service charge.
Part-Time Enrollment
Home school students may join for one to four days a week. This provides opportunities for exploring questions, studying subjects, presenting work, and problem-solving in community with all Voyagers’ students. Part time fees are as follows and can be paid according to the schedule stated inside the Full-time enrollment details.
3 Days + Fri. Per Week $6,760.00
Three days per week: $5,645.00
Two days Per Week: $3,800.00
One day per week: $1,950.00
PHOTO GALLERY
This page shows various photos from our school days.
PROBLEM OF THE DAY
Each day we share a Problem of the Day. These problems involve critical thinking and nurture problem solving skills. Here at the Voyagers' website we will post a daily problem and the answer to the previous day's problem. We welcome submissions from children. Please include the child's initials and age