2014 community information session
TRANSCRIPT
2014
www.sierraacademy.net
Community Information Session
Activator
Conversation Café Style
Reading:
“There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.”
—Kurt Hahn, Founder of Outward Bound
Agenda Outline
Introductions
Short Video about Expeditionary Learning
Status Update
Learning model activity
Key Components
Nuts and Bolts
Time for Q & A and sign up!
www.sierraacademy.net
Who Are We? / Introductions
Sierra Academy's School Board: Alex Ezzell, Brian Martinez, James Berardi, Helene Fellows,
Adam Krusi-Thom, Rachel Pena-Roos
Sierra Academy’s Staff: Erica Crane-Principal Peter Gammelgard-Math Teacher Michelle O’Shea-Science Teacher Jeannie Urbina-Humanities Teacher Lisa Lehr-Office Manager
Expeditionary Learning School Designer: Deborah Pinto
www.sierraacademy.net
Expeditionary Learning in Action
PBS news report on EL in Action at King Middle School in Maine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i17F-b5GG94
The Status of SAEL
www.sierraacademy.net
Status Update
Students: Currently enrolling students going into 9th and 10th grade for up to 120 students
Funds: Received our notification of our $575,000 start-up funds in February 2013 (applied in October 2013) and received these essential funds this summer
Facilities: Deciding on renting commercial space or using offered space from NJUHSD district on an existing campus
Staff: Currently advertising for 1 more humanities teacher and part time staff for electives, adventure, and counseling
Future: We are committed to opening the very best Expeditionary Learning High School for our community.
www.sierraacademy.net
Learning Model Activity
Key Components of SAEL
Strong Academics
A National Network of Support
Adventure in Spirit and Action
Students are CREW
Service is a Standard
Justice is the Means
So what does that all really mean?
100% College AcceptanceIt means we start with the end goal in mind.
Strong Academics
We use Expeditions to reach standards. These are interdisciplinary and semester-
long in order to allow students and teachers to delve deeply into a topic with
real world connections.
www.sierraacademy.net
National Network of Support
There are 165 other schools using Expeditionary Learning because we
believe students and teachers should be empowered to make decisions about how they teach and what they learn.
www.sierraacademy.net
Adventure in Spirit and ActionEL has its roots in Outward Bound, but it is more than just going camping. It is a
way of approaching mental learning and using physical challenges to push past
what was once thought possible.
www.sierraacademy.net
Students are CREW
At SAEL, we are CREW, not passengers. This means we expect students to play an
active role in our community and the greater world. Students will fully engage in their education, through the pursuit of
both academic and character development.
www.sierraacademy.net
Service is a Standard
We will serve an authentic need in the community in order to learn what it takes
to do real work. Instead of only talking about what it takes to help or do, we will
help and we will do.
www.sierraacademy.net
Justice is the Means
We will study social and environmental justice topics by engaging with real world problems through multiple perspectives. Activism and advocacy will be a part of
how we approach our work.
www.sierraacademy.net
Nuts and Bolts Gallery Walk
www.sierraacademy.net
Staffing
Sierra Academy’s Staff: 4 Full-Time Teachers: English, Social Studies, Math,
Science 1 Full-Time Principal Part Time Teachers: Adventure, Spanish,
Visual/Performing Arts, Counselor, Intervention 1 Full-Time Office Manager Part Time Support Staff 2 Expeditionary Learning School Designers Charter Council/Board of Directors
www.sierraacademy.net
Scheduling
Student Hours (subject to change): Monday thru Thursday – 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Fridays – 8:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Daily Schedules (Monday - Thursday):8:00 – 9:30 Core Academic Block 19:35 – 11:05 Core Academic Block 211:05 – 11:35 Lunch11:35 – 12:30 Crew Class12:35 – 2:25 Elective Block (part-time teachers)2:30 – 3:15 Advisory
www.sierraacademy.net
Scheduling cont.
Daily Schedules (Friday):8:00 – 8:45 School-wide Crew Meeting8:50 – 9:50 Core Subject Block 19:50 – 10:00 Nutrition10:00 – 11:00 Core Subject Block 211:05 – 12:45 Expedition / All Crew Extension
Block Schedules All Core academics are in 1 ½ hour blocks All Electives are in 1 hour 50 minute blocks
www.sierraacademy.net
Courses for 9th/10th
Mathematics – Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry*
Science – Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science
History – Geography, World History
English – 9th Grade, 10th Grade
Spanish I/II
Adventure PE
Art (Visual and Performing)
www.sierraacademy.net
Intensives
Intensives allow students to gain additional credit while participating in engaging courses. These happen at the end of each semester. All students participate so there is no “regular” student schedule on those days.
Sample Intensives:•Ecosystem Restoration•Snowshoe Physics•The History of the Yosemite Environment•Literature of the San Juan Ridge• Creative writing and Backpacking•Fashion and Culture
www.sierraacademy.net
Mission Statement
The mission of Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning is to inspire students to achieve high standards, create quality work, develop quality character, and embrace lifelong learning and service through Expeditionary Learning.
History of SAEL
SAEL started as an idea from parents at Grass Valley Charter School, a top scoring, K-8 Expeditionary Learning school in Nevada County. Their desire was to provide a similar outstanding educational experience to high school students. The founding group has grown to include other parents, teachers, and community partners interested in having and Expeditionary Learning high school as an option for students in Nevada County. We believe this model of education is effective for all students, including those with differing backgrounds and abilities. We seek to have a diverse student population for the richness that it brings.
Gallery Walk Debrief
Noticings and Wonderings Share some out that you wrote or saw Answering of some wonderings to
whole group
Contact Us
Website: www.sierraacademy.net
Email: [email protected]
Principal email: [email protected]
Mail: 11645 Ridge Road, Grass Valley
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Thank you for your time!
www.sierraacademy.net