Term 2 (end) Newsletter - Wolf Creek Online High School

WOLF CREEK ONLINE
HIGH SCHOOL
N EWSLETTER
WWW.TRIOWOLFCREEK.COM
January 2012
Dates to Remember -
Mark on your Calendar!
Quarter 3 Jan 24th -Mar 29th
Feb 2 Parent /Teacher Conference
Feb 9
2:30p.m. - 7p.m.
Student Art Exhibition
2p.m. - 7p.m.
Title One Meeting 2p.m.
Feb 17th & 20th No School
Feb 24th Midterm
Mar 12 - 16th Spring Break
Feb 9th
Mar 8th
School Board Meeting
3p.m. Wolf Creek Learning Suites
3p.m. Wolf Creek Learning Suites
Staff Contact Information
Tracy Quarnstrom: Director
tquarnstrom@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us
651-213-2017
Brenda Swanson: Dean of Students
bswanson@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us
651-213-2037
Learning Managers
Hanna Coleman—651-213-2055
hcoleman@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us
Sandra Flint—651-213-2067
sflint@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us
Jill Harris —651-213-2065
jharris@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us
Lindsay Jarombek—651-213-2052
ljarombek@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us
Sean Miller—651-213-2032
smiller@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us
Becki Olseen—651-213-2033
bolseen@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us
Jessie Shores—651-213-2034
jshores@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us
Laura Welciek—651-213-2035
lwelciek@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us
Director’s Notes
It is with fondness that I look back on the year 2011 and reflect on some of the changes at Wolf
Creek. With January comes the first year anniversary of Laura Welciek and Jessie Shores employment
with Wolf Creek. It is important to remember that Jill Harris, Jessie DeCorsey, and Sean Miller
have been employed with us for less than one year but all of these staff members continue to make
incredible contributions to Wolf Creek even as new staff. This year reminded me is so many ways
that the thing that makes Wolf Creek a special place is our staff members who go the extra mile to
ensure the success of each and every student enrolled in the charter school. I hope that students
and parents had an opportunity to thank these incredible staff members this year or will find time to
do so in 2012. I know this is my New Year’s Resolution to appreciate the people in my life more
and to say thank you for all the things that those around me do each and every day to make my life
better.
Some of my favorite events from 2011 at Wolf Creek include graduation and the first annual howl
fest in August which was a ton of fun. Graduation is always bitter sweet as we are so proud to see
the seniors graduate but know we will also miss seeing them so often in lab or talking to them via
online means. I look forward to 2012 and celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Wolf Creek as a
charter school in June of this year with our second annual howl fest moved to coincide with that
date. It is amazing to think that on June 30, 2002 Wolf Creek became a Minnesota public charter
school. At that time 2 staff members were employed at Wolf Creek who are still working at the charter
school. Can you guess which staff members these are?
Please mark your calendars for Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday, February 2nd from
2:30p.m. - 7p.m. Contact your learning manager for an appointment or drop in for a short visit.
From all of the Wolf Creek staff members we wish you and your
family a wonderful 2012!
Director Tracy Quarnstrom
Cory Johnston, Rush City
Cory is a sophomore who
started at Wolf Creek this fall.
Cory attends lab each week and
has an excellent work ethic.
Cory strives to do his best in
each of his courses by taking
thorough notes and completing
each assignment carefully by
paying attention to details. Cory
sets high goals for himself, as
well as, keeping track of his
short and long term plans. Cory
has been an inspiring student to
work with, and we look forward
to helping him succeed.
December Students of the Month
Michael Heinen, Almelund
Michael is a freshman who
started at Wolf Creek this fall.
Michael has been a delight to
work with this year according to
his learning manager Hanna Colemen.
He has excellent communication
skills and advocates for
himself on a regular basis. He is
very organized and works hard on
each assignment. Michael participates
in various Wolf Creek activities
such as Pumpkins for Parmly,
Let’s Go Linear, Art Lab, and Toys
for Tots. Michael always has a
positive attitude which inspires
others.
Students of the month
are honored at Wolf Creek
recognizing academic
achievements, positive
attitudes, or
contributions to the
school and community.
Students are nominated
by their learning managers
and elected through a
series of voting by the
staff.
Will you be
next?

This year Wolf Creek qualified for a Title One program. After reviewing our school's
test scores and a parent forum, we decided to focus our Title One efforts on mathematics.
Based on MAP scores, students who were not on track to pass the MCA
Math test in 11th grade were placed into Title One. Our focus for Title One was to
offer additional sessions for students to focus on increasing their skills. We have
incorporated a celebration of 11/11/2011, playing math Jeopardy, and extra lab
hours on a Wednesday. This month in January, Laura and Sandy are offering specific
math labs where students can be guaranteed a math teacher will be in the labs
to work with them. Math lab dates remaining in January include:
Thursday, Jan 19 from 7:30 am to 9:00 am
Thursday, Jan 26 from 9 am to 11 am
Tuesday, Jan 31 from 9 am to 11 am
ACT Test Dates 2011-2012
In February, we will continue to have math lab sessions, but will also
have virtual sessions.Watch the TWC News for these Virtual
Sessions and for the Great Math Games Event!
Test Date Registration
Deadline
(Late Fee
Required)
Parent Involvement Meeting
February 9th 2p.m. to 3p.m.
April 14,
2012
June 9,
2012
March 9,
2012
May 4,
2012
March 10-
23, 2012
May 5-18,
2012
Title One Parent Involvement meeting to be held at Wolf Creek Online High School. Title One
funds are designated to assist students who need academic supports. Wolf Creek Online High
School has made the decision to focus on math supports and interventions this year. Please
attend the meeting to hear about the Title One programming and interventions that have been
put into place for the 2011-2012 school year. Input from parent on future programming will also
be a large portion of the agenda at this meeting.
Any questions contact Tracy Quarnstrom at tquarnstrom@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us
GRADUATION CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School diplomas will be granted when the student meets all graduation requirements
and/or obligations.
It is the Charter School’s district policy #613; to graduate and receive a diploma, a student must:
1. Pass the MCA in reading, math, and written composition, per state requirements or higher guidelines.
2. Complete a minimum of 26 course credit requirements in specified classes, as established by the school board; see chart below
for details.
3. Return all materials and pay all fines, charges, etc.
For students to be listed in the commencement documents they must have earned at least 21.0 credits by the end of term 3.
For students to participate in the commencement ceremony, students must complete at least 25 credits by the deadline.
Seniors will be mailed their graduation plan in February; please review it and ask questions. Any question about course requirements should be addressed
with Learning Managers as students work on the Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) process or contact Brenda Swanson, Dean of Students.
4.0 credits Social Studies 1.0 credit Phys Educ .25 credit OTIS
4.0 credits English 1.0 credit Art 8.25 credits Electives
3.0 credits Mathematics .5 credit Careers
3.0 credits Science 1.0 credit Health
Graduation 2012 will be held on Friday, June 8 th ; more details will be coming soon.

Community Awareness = ½ credit elective
A reminder that all students can enroll in the Community Awareness
class. Students should keep a log all year and participate in 15 events/
activities as well as write responses to the activities. If you are highly
motivated in this area and complete activities early in the year they can
enroll in Community Awareness 2 and complete more activities. Both
classes are worth one half credit. Watch the TWC news and calendars for
events.
How does this class work?
Students click on the class link in Moodle and review the required log and
expectations. Students document and check in with their LM on activities
that meet the log requirements all year. Students write up a summary
and evaluation of the activity for each log event. Students earn one half
credit in Term 4 and have some fun along the way. If you are interested in
this course please email or talk to your Learning Manager today!
February 2 nd : College and Career Month kick-off
February 7 th : Career Advantage Speaker
February 9 th : PeaceCorps Speaker
February 14 th : Resume Writing Workshop
February 15 th : Interview Skills (Virtual meeting!)
February 16 th : Career Panel
February 21 th : Online Colleges
February 23 rd : Wolf Creek College Fair
(and Financial Aid speaker!) Families are
welcome!
February 28 th : Big Goal Day
DEMOCRACY NEEDS YOU!
On Tuesday, February 7, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., five of Minnesota’s political parties
(Constitution, Democratic- Farmer-Labor (DFL), Green, Independence and Republican) will
hold precinct caucuses to begin the process of selecting legislative candidates and shaping
public policy issues for this year’s elections. It is an especially important year as all (67) state
senators and (134) state legislators, as well as members of the U.S. House and one U.S.
Senate seat are up for election.
Every person eligible to vote in the general election on November 6 th and who resides in the
precinct in which he or she is eligible to vote can attend and vote in precinct caucuses.
Precinct caucuses are grassroots democracy at the most elemental level – it is you and your
neighbors discussing candidates and policies that will shape the future of our state and nation.
For more information about precinct caucuses and the location of your precinct caucus of the
political party of your choice: http://caucusfinder.sos.state.mn.us
Remember – we cannot and will not have a ―Government of the people, by the people and
for the people,” as President Lincoln eloquently described our nation over 150 years ago, if
people (that means individual people) do not get involved in the process of choosing the
government.
Wolf Creek Student
Art Exhibition
This year’s Student Art Exhibition will be
held Feb 2nd - Feb 16th.
Please join us for our artist reception on
Thursday, February 2nd 2p.m.-7p.m.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be awarded in
each category.
People’s Choice Award will be announced
On February 21st, 2012
End of Term Reflections
By Melody Krueger
Sitting in my father’s lazy-boy recliner and finishing up the last few assignments I had forgotten to do or simply put off, I reflect on
the last quarter of my schooling.
Because I enrolled in Wolf Creek Charter School four weeks into the second quarter I was only assigned three classes due to my
late start. I came from a school known for its bomb threats, racism, a great debate team, and newspaper. It wasn’t all bad, but it definitely
wasn’t right for me. I transferred to Wolf Creek in November and things have already been looking up. This school has been very accommodating
to my personal needs and wants, the teachers and staff, in just over one month of my attendance, has already proved more helpful
and caring then I have ever experienced.
Having been in five different school districts in my life, I’ve seen a lot of different types of learning and teaching; some great, and
some not so. I was first interested in the school not only because your managing yourself, but not unlike any other person attending, I loved
the idea of being able to flip on Netflix, grab my laptop and casually do some homework at my own pace; maybe even get ahead in my assignments
a little so I can have a free day in the future.
Upon walking into Wolf Creek you step into a cozy building, greeted with a genuine smile, and are free to be responsible for yourself.
Without the constant nagging of teachers, stepping on your heels to get work done that you’re far ahead of, you’re given the respect and
courtesy of being in charge of yourself which for me, at least, is more motivation than any adult hawk-eyeing your every move and direction.
Wolf Creek Charter School has been a fantastic new page in my life. I am still very happy that I made the choice to attend and hope
that I continue to be challenged and pleased with my learning here.
The opinions and views listed above are those of the student and not the views of Wolf Creek High School

Understanding Anxiety Management
by Stuart Sorensen – RMN
There are many types of anxiety disorder ranging from mild feelings of ‘worry’ at one end of the scale to complete panic attacks at the
other. Although these extremes are very different in severity the basic ‘process’ of anxiety is the same for both. It is the awareness of this
process which forms the basis of anxiety management techniques.
Let’s begin by understanding what anxiety is not. ANXIETY IS NOT OUR ENEMY. In fact, we all need a certain amount of anxiety in our daily
lives just to keep us going. It’s the little ‘worries’ and trivial concerns of everyday life that motivate us to get out of the bed in the morning.
APPROPRIATE AND INAPPROPRIATE ANXIETY
The first person to meaningfully classify anxiety was the Austrian psycho-analyst Sigmund Freud. He divided it into two broad areas which
are still accepted today. These are the areas of appropriate and inappropriate. Let’s look at what this means.
When we are faced with threatening situations we need to be aware of the dangers they represent. The way we recognize them as dangerous
is by our feelings of anxiety. It can be thought of as a call to action warning us that something is wrong and prompting us to act. This
is called appropriate anxiety because it helps us to stay safe.
Sometimes however people become anxious inappropriately. They perceive or imagine a threat which isn’t actually there. This is called
inappropriate anxiety because it prompts us to act inappropriately, running away or losing control of ourselves for example.
The way to decide whether or not anxiety is appropriate is to carefully weigh up all the information logically. Also see if other people think
the situation is actually threatening or dangerous. If not it’s likely that your anxiety is inappropriate. Later we’ll look at ways of combating
anxiety but for now it’s enough just to learn how to recognize it. Below are some questions you can ask yourself about your anxiety.
What’s the worst that can happen?
What can I do to cope if the worst were to happen?
How likely is it that the worst will happen?
What’s most likely to happen?
Am I worrying about a problem (which can be solved) or a fact which can’t be altered?
If it can’t be altered (something in the past perhaps) is it appropriate to worry about it or should I just move on?
If the situation can be altered isn’t it better to act instead of just worrying?
MANAGING ANXIETY
Because the system can only be on or off we don’t need to control all the symptoms of anxiety at once. In fact we can’t – that would be
impossible. Fortunately for us all we need to do is control one or two key symptoms and the rest will fall into line. Remember – we can’t
be half anxious any more than an electric light can be half on.
The easiest thing to control is breathing. When we are anxious we breathe rapidly and shallowly. Combat this by making a special effort to
breathe slowly and deeply. This will slow your heart rate at the same time, reduce the flow of blood and nutrients to your muscles and
begin to reduce the anxiety. At the same time concentrate on counting as you breathe. Slowly breathe in as you count four – slowly. Then
slowly breathe out as you count four. Every time you exhale let the muscles in your shoulders drop and relax your arms as much as possible.
You should find that your arms, neck and shoulders will become a little more relaxed with each breath. Do this as many times as you
need to until you feel the anxiety disappear.
This technique is called quick relaxation and with a little practice you’ll find it can be done anywhere at any time without anyone else noticing.
It’s also helpful to lie down for twenty minutes or so each day
and either listen to a taped relaxation exercise or relaxing music. Music which has sixty beats per minute in 4:4 time such as baroque is
most effective as it mimics the rhythm of a relaxed heartbeat.
http://www.mental-health-today.com/articles/anx1.htm