Nettelhorst Community Group April 2008 ProposalThe to NettelhorstBaxter International, School Inc. NettelhorstFive-Year Science Vision Vision – Summary Laboratories aboratories “Nettelhorst is a shining example of what a school with a strong vision for the future can accomplish.” Alderman Tom Tunney “Mayor Daley should be proud…” Kate Grossman Sun Times educational reporter, in reference to Nettelhorst “We were impressed the moment we walked into the school…” Steven Anixter Anixter Foundation Nettelhorst Community Group TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ................................................................................. 1 Science .................................................................................................... 2 Science Objectives .............................................................................................. 3 Arts ......................................................................................................... 4 Auditorium Objectives ........................................................................................ 5 Music Objectives ................................................................................................. 5 Performance Objectives ...................................................................................... 5 Arts Objectives .................................................................................................... 5 Health and Wellness ............................................................................... 6 Physical Education Objectives ............................................................................. 7 Health Education Objectives ............................................................................... 7 Organic Food Objectives ..................................................................................... 7 Community Kitchen Objectives ........................................................................... 7 Reading and Language Arts ..................................................................... 8 Reading Objectives .............................................................................................. 9 Handwriting Objective ........................................................................................ 9 Computer Integration Objectives ........................................................................ 9 Foreign Language Objective ................................................................................ 9 Math ..................................................................................................... 10 Math Objectives ................................................................................................ 11 Social Sciences ...................................................................................... 12 Social Science Objectives .................................................................................. 13 Special Education and ELL Students ...................................................... 14 Special Education and ELL Students Objectives ................................................. 15 Appendices Appendix I: The Nettelhorst School Quick Facts ................................... 16 Appendix II: Press Quotes ..................................................................... 19 Nettelhorst Community Group 1 Executive Summary Nettelhorst has established itself as a success story in the public education system, pioneering and rolling out programs for students and community alike. To sustain and supercharge this momentum, the school has established long-term visions and goals for each and every discipline, and will create partnerships with organizations that share in the promise and power of these visions and their positive impact on both children and adults. While this brief document includes examples of specific programs and tactics, it is our hope that the visions themselves will inspire conversation, collaboration and commitment as we work together to create new and better models for education in the new millennium. “If all my schools were like Nettelhorst, I'd have fewer gray hairs. Nettelhorst has hit a home run.” Arne Duncan, CEO Chicago Public Schools Nettelhorst Five-Year Vision Summary • April 2008 • File: NettelhorstFiveYearVision042108.doc • Nettelhorst Community Group Nettelhorst Community Group 2 Science Vision: Inspire students to become stewards of the earth by becoming scientists in the classroom, through inquiry and application of scientific concepts and methods. Nettelhorst Five-Year Vision Summary • April 2008 • File: NettelhorstFiveYearVision042108.doc • Nettelhorst Community Group Nettelhorst Community Group 3 Science Objectives Build a new K - 3rd grade lab with age and size-appropriate equipment and furniture. Bring current 4th - 8th grade lab up to standard and supply with new furniture, table space, and equipment. Incorporate “green” initiatives and literature into the school curriculum, including: - Installing solar panels and driving use of alternative energy. - Installing green roof to reduce energy usage and costs. Incorporate computers into science through the use of computer software, probes, and graphing capabilities. Offer Mad Science after-school activity to multiple skill levels. Create team-based competitions (e.g., robotics, Lego). Create a family science night that would increase interest in science and provide information for families. Nettelhorst Five-Year Vision Summary • April 2008 • File: NettelhorstFiveYearVision042108.doc • Nettelhorst Community Group Nettelhorst Community Group 4 Arts Vision: Inspire students to appreciate all art forms with performance participation, exposure to all art media, and learning fine arts in all subject areas. Nettelhorst Five-Year Vision Summary • April 2008 • File: NettelhorstFiveYearVision042108.doc • Nettelhorst Community Group Nettelhorst Community Group 5 Auditorium Objectives Replace existing outdated and damaged seats and flooring; create mixed-use space. Improve acoustics and purchase sound system. Install additional seating and lighting. Music Objectives Purchase band instruments and hire a director. Establish a choir program and hire a director. Performance Objectives Enhance dance program with additional forms. Produce several plays a year, including set production. Arts Objectives Incorporate computers into the arts, including: - Videography - Digital Photography - Image Manipulation Offer more arts-based after school activities. Provide additional funding for family programs during after-school hours. Nettelhorst Five-Year Vision Summary • April 2008 • File: NettelhorstFiveYearVision042108.doc • Nettelhorst Community Group Nettelhorst Community Group 6 Health and Wellness Vision: Inspire students to understand the impact of life-style choices on their bodies and make wise decisions that will lead to their social, emotional, and physical well-being. Nettelhorst Five-Year Vision Summary • April 2008 • File: NettelhorstFiveYearVision042108.doc • Nettelhorst Community Group Nettelhorst Community Group 7 Physical Education Objectives Purchase basic team equipment. Build and equip fitness room. Purchase physical fitness analysis for all students. Offer more opportunities for students to participate in after-school sports. Health Education Objectives Partner with specialists for age-appropriate education, including: health, relationships, sexual education. Offer nutritional-based programs that include cooking and nutrition to establish healthy eating patterns. Develop family programs for healthy eating. Organic Food Objectives Initiate organic gardening project on school property. Purchase organic food curriculum. Introduce more nutritious options for school lunch. Involve student council in the process of researching various food service programs for nutritional content. Community Kitchen Objectives Purchase new appliances, cabinets, and other necessities. Install new HVAC system. Upgrade plumbing. Nettelhorst Five-Year Vision Summary • April 2008 • File: NettelhorstFiveYearVision042108.doc • Nettelhorst Community Group Nettelhorst Community Group 8 Reading and Language Arts Vision: Inspire students to develop a lifelong love of and advocacy for reading and be able to comprehend, interpret, and analyze a variety of literature. Nettelhorst Five-Year Vision Summary • April 2008 • File: NettelhorstFiveYearVision042108.doc • Nettelhorst Community Group Nettelhorst Community Group 9 Reading Objectives Develop a supply of fiction and non-fiction reading books for all levels in K – 3rd grades to promote integrated reading. Replenish supply of age-appropriate novels, trade books, and other literature for lower and upper grades. Continue to offer opportunities to appreciate literature through provider programs. Develop a family reading night which would include providing materials for families to foster reading. Handwriting Objective Offer handwriting course across lower grades. Computer Integration Objectives Develop and upgrade computers in library and computer lab for: - Research - School Newspaper - Web Development - Informational Literacy Foreign Language Objective Offer foreign language programming before and/or after school for multiple languages and levels. Nettelhorst Five-Year Vision Summary • April 2008 • File: NettelhorstFiveYearVision042108.doc • Nettelhorst Community Group Nettelhorst Community Group 10 Math Vision: Inspire students to understand the daily and greater value of math concepts and application.