The Parent Community Organization newsletter of Imagine Environmental Charter School DECEMBER 2009 Vol. 2, Issue 2 A letter from Jon SWAP In the coming weeks, we will be embarking on a new phase of our work here at ECS. With this in mind, Exchanges Pull-Outs I wanted to take a moment to explain our mission as we move forward. for Achievement Why does ECS have to expand? Our waiting lists are long and inquiries into current available space and future enrollment opportunities are constant. Our front office fields calls from across the nation from families relocating to Pittsburgh who are looking for quality choices in public schools. ECS continues to grow in stature and influence due to a learned and dedicated faculty that works closely each day with parents to ensure all students’ needs are met. Student achievement results have outpaced many local schools and we anticipate similar outcomes at the conclusion of year two. Each Friday since early October our staff conducts tours for prospective parents all seeking to enroll their children in the ECS program. It is See A Letter from Jon, page 8 In this issue... BY MIKE BENNETT Calendar ..................................... 4 RiverQuest .................................. 6 Since special and gifted education became a typical feature of ECS Marketplace ........................ 7 American education half a century ago, students and teach- ers alike have had to cope with “pull-outs” from the classroom. Field Guide ................................. 9 Teachers would pull small groups of students, or even individu- Green New Year ....................... 10 als, out of the classroom for part of each day to receive instruc- Get Fresh: Recipe ..................... 11 tion specific to their skills or ability level. The rest of the students Book Nook ............................... 11 would remain and become, by default, the “mainstream”. New Book Program .................. 11 Naturally, this situation creates problems for both students and Just 4 Kids ............................... 12 ECS Recess ............................. 15 See SWAP, page 2 5 Questions .............................. 16 SWAP Achievement continued from page 1 his or her level and end the practice improve performance in reading and teachers. Teachers have to cope with of “pull-outs” for good. Federal Pro- math. However, students still cover interruptions of their classes and recre- grams Coordinator and Literacy Coach these subjects in their regular classes; ate their lessons later for the students Dwight Laufman describes SWAP as an SWAP is designed to supplement, not who were pulled out. Special and gifted educational environment in which “each replace, classroom instruction, to give education students are separated from child is met where they are” in terms of teachers support focusing on strengths their peers, removed from the lesson, academic ability. “This is a time to look and weaknesses of each student in and often stigmatized socially. “Main- at the individual needs of each student specific grade-level skills. The school stream” students are left to wonder and meet them, whether that is reteach- uses various standardized tests—the what they’re missing—and the answer ing skills, practicing skills, or extending Terra Nova (soon to be the Stanford), is often special attention to their learning skills” he said. DIBELS, AIMSweb, and 4Sight—to fig- ure out which skills need development needs. SWAP comprises 45 minutes of each or enrichment. ECS meets these problems head-on instructional day in grades one through through the SWAP program. SWAP— four, with kindergarten scheduled to In each grade, students split into short for “School-Wide Achievement join them in January. During this period, three groups, roughly defined by the Period”—is designed to afford each students work with Title 1, special teaching strategies required to best student individualized instruction at education, and classroom teachers to suit the needs of each; enrichment, practice, and reteaching. Enrichment groups focus on building the skills of high achievers and challenging these students to stretch themselves further academically. In re-teaching groups, teachers can spend time with students reinforcing skills and working toward goals that have been set, but perhaps not quite reached, in the traditional classroom. Practice groups strengthen skills that have been acquired in class, and establish solid grade-level achieve- ment for each student. Though SWAP splits each grade into these three groups, students are not pigeonholed into unchanging catego- ries for the year. The SWAP program is designed to be dynamic in every way; teachers discuss the program in detail at weekly grade level meetings, and Mr. Laufman and other school administra- tors will reassess the program quar- terly, with the help of the standardized VER. CO .. S I Award winning books & D financial opportunities for growing families. LENORE P. WOSSIDLO [email protected] PUBLISH YOURSELF NOW. WE MAKE IT EASY. 412-241-4370 or 412-480-7473 WORLD-CLASS, earth-friendly WEB HOSTING. RELIABLE SERVERS AND TOP NOTCH SUpport. Visit: www.myubam.com/c3679 PAIR.COM 2 tests. Teachers monitor each student’s weekly meetings and quarterly reas- points out that SWAP makes the great progress carefully to figure out which sessments help to point out the best teachers at ECS even better by giving teaching practices are working for projects and assignments by checking each one “the opportunity to … refine each student, or even move students in with student progress early and often, [their] practice” every day. between groups if achievement slips— and also to point out which projects or, as is often the case, if it improves aren’t working. dramatically. Also in store for the program’s future is Classroom teachers also rotate between greater incorporation of environmental enrichment, practice, and re-teaching topics, in keeping with the school’s groups quarterly to make sure that each mission of awareness and stewardship. teacher has the opportunity to work Currently, SWAP projects cover environ- with each group throughout the year. mental issues when possible, according However, teachers often find they are to Mr. Laufman. But as teachers and especially comfortable or effective work- administrators gather more information ing with a particular group, and decide and fine-tune SWAP, more effort will be they would like to remain with a group made to bring the program in line with from quarter to quarter. In these cases, the school’s environmental curriculum. administrators allow teachers a great Although SWAP requires extra work deal of leeway in making decisions. The from teachers and administrators and school makes every effort to balance can be, in the words of one teacher, a teacher autonomy and administrative “scheduling nightmare”, the benefits are control. obvious. Classroom teachers can focus The SWAP program is brand new this on lessons without worrying that some year, and is designed for constant students will miss instruction because of change and adjustment. Regarding pull-outs, and students get tailor-made the future of the program, Mr. Laufman education that focuses on their indi- wants to keep this ease of movement, vidual needs. Environmental Education but also to establish a baseline of prac- Coordinator Nikole Sheaffer, who works tice in each group, in each grade. 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Pre-regis- On Saturdays throughout winter, join for more info. tration is not required, but we suggest that naturalists and educators for family- you call ahead because time slots fill up appropriate, seasonal nature hikes at fast. For more details or to register call the Saturday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. - 11:45 p.m. Powdermill Nature Reserve. These hour- Pittsburgh Glass Center, 412-365-2145 ext. 201. long hikes take place in snow, rain, wind, CARKIDS: ONE HORSE or cold, so please dress appropriately. OPEN SLEIGH Powdermill is the biological research Check out The Frick Car and Carriage Sunday, Dec. 5 - 12, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. station of Carnegie Museum of Natural Museum’s real jingle bells and sleigh, and WSCC HOLidaY History. Located in Rector, PA, amidst learn how people made wintertime fun with GIFT SHOP the rolling Laurel Highlands, wildflowers, sleighs, sleds and skates 100 years ago. The annual WSCC Holiday Gift Shop is a trees, songbirds, and salamanders can be Make your own wearable jingle bells. wonderful opportunity for area shoppers. examined by eye, ear, magnifying glass, Family program, kids ages 4–8. It’s a stress-free pleasurable way to find the and camera. The world-class research This event is FREE. For more information perfect gift for everyone on your holiday programs at Powdermill, including the e-mail [email protected] or call 412-371-0600. Includes take-home activity. gift list. Once again the main floor of the renowned bird-banding laboratory, take WSCC will be transformed into a unique advantage of the biodiversity of the boutique filled with original hand crafted Saturday, Dec. 5, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Allegheny Mountains. gifts. Net proceeds for this year’s HGS will Free, no registration required. Please note: be earmarked for increasing WSCC build- The December 12 hike will take place on MAKE-IT-NOW Sunday, December 13 instead of Saturday. GLASS ORNAMENT ing handicap accessibility.