JANUARY 2018 Blog

Independent & Innovative Learning Opportunities:

The focus of this month's blog is to share the unique learning opportunities available to our students and to preview our upcoming Career Fair.  

At CHS and CTC we are committed to providing students with course opportunities where they can direct their own learning.  Our goal is for students to have greater choice and stronger voice in their learning experiences.  In some cases, students can experience these courses as early as their freshman year, take our AP Seminar course, for example.  Please talk with your child about exploring any of the following unique course offerings:

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent Study is a student-centered credit-bearing course of study, which is independently designed and pursued by the student. It is a unique and innovative learning option. Because Chariho Regional High School is determined to meet the diverse instructional needs of all students, the Independent Study allows students to engage in deep and relevant study aligned to their unique interests and passions. This educational route requires applied and rigorous engagement in authentic learning, which may take place during, before or after the regular school day; it allows opportunity for study in areas not addressed in the Chariho Regional High School Program of Studies. The Independent Study content must center on “new learning” for the student.  While it may perhaps be based on prior knowledge, it primarily is framed around new learning that includes transferable concepts and understandings, rather than simply demonstrating what the student has already mastered.

All requests for Independent Study must be initiated with a Chariho Regional High School counselor and reviewed by the Independent Study Program Coordinator. An approval form, signed by the student, school counselor, Independent Study Coordinator, parent or guardian, mentor and the Assistant Principal must be complete before an independent study may begin.  

When the Independent Study is complete, the student will present his or her project to a review panel. The Independent Study will be assessed and assigned a grade of pass or fail that will serve as an elective credit.  This grade will not influence the student’s GPA or class rank calculations. The credit earned will depend on the scope of the project, including but not limited to, the amount of time a student invests in the project. The credit earned will be determined before the Independent Study begins.

STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Student internships are experiences in which students work for an employer for a specified period of time to learn about a particular industry, business, or occupation.  The student can develop both job skills and academic skills when the internship integrates worksite activities with classroom projects and learning objectives.  Internships provide the context in which a student’s classroom learning is applied.

Students must be in Grades 11 and 12.  Students should prepare for this experience by making an appointment to meet with the Internship Coordinator.  Internships may be arranged at any time, providing all requirements can be met. The duration of all internships is no less than 60 hours.  One-half credit will be granted for each 60 hours of internship, up to two (2) credits.  Students may receive credit for a maximum of two internships during their high school career.  Students need to commit a minimum of one academic semester.

INCUBATOR

The INCubatoredu entrepreneurship concept is designed to get students excited about becoming true entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to create and fully develop their own product or service. Real-world entrepreneurs and business experts will serve as coaches and mentors guiding student teams through the process of ideation, market research, and business model development. Over the course of the year, student teams will learn about marketing, finance, as well as the legal aspects of starting a business. They will have access to a network of professionals to further develop the skills (teamwork, problem solving, presentation, communication) that will prepare them for college and careers. The program will culminate with Pitch Week. Pitch Week helps to further fire the entrepreneurial spirit by putting student teams in front of actual investors so they can pitch and promote their innovative idea to win funding and turn their dreams into reality. 

AP SEMINAR COURSE

This is a 1 credit, year-long course open for students in 10th and 11th grade and is also available to 9th graders on a case-by-case basis.  By taking this course early on in their HS career, students can build a foundation of discourse skills needed to prepare them for success in future AP courses.  This course is a prerequisite to AP Research, which will be offered in 2019-2020 to 11th or 12th graders and to 10th graders on a case-by-case basis. While students aren't required to take both AP Seminar and AP Research, if they earn a 3 or higher in both of these courses they earn an AP Seminar and Research Certificate. If students earn a 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and also earn a 3 or higher on four additional AP exams of their choosing, they earn an AP Capstone Diploma. 

The following is the AP Seminar course description provided by College Board:

AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives.  Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances.  Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in research-based written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team.  Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communication evidence-based arguments.  

COLLEGE CREDITS
Please also make sure to visit page 14 of our Program of Studies to see the variety of college credit opportunities available to our students.

VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL
Virtual High School (VHS) is an online program that allows students to take classes that are not offered at CHS. VHS offers everything from "Psychology 101" to “Ghouls, Ghosties, and Long-Legged Beasties”, with options of semester or full-year courses. VHS is best suited for students who are self-motivated and will thrive in an online environment. The biggest challenge for students is managing their time and adjusting to the online platform. Students can choose a “GPA” or “Pass/Fail” option, meaning that the course grade can be issued numerically or can count towards credit for graduation without being calculated into their GPA. 


Career Fair

Chariho parents: we need your support creating a meaningful career fair experience for our CHS students:

• Do you have a career you would like to promote?  
• Would you like to help our students understand the expectations and pathways offered through your field?  
• Are you looking to recruit seasonal or full-time employees?

We will be hosting a career fair on February 16th for CHS and CTC students. At this event, representatives from various businesses, unions, and organizations will have their opportunity to meet with Chariho Regional High School students during advisory to discuss pathways to professions, expectations for professionals in the field, and expected income for various positions within the profession. Professionals will have tables/displays set up at Chariho Tech, or if necessary, at locations that allow them to best represent what they do. We need you to help our students understand the skills, expectations and pathways to success in your profession. Please contact CTC Director, Gerald Auth, at Gerald.Auth@Chariho.k12.ri.us or CHS Principal, Craig MacKenzie, at Craig.MacKenzie@chariho.k12.ri.us for more information. If you are interested in registering for this event please click the following link: Chariho Career Fair Registration Form.

A message from Ms. Toso, our Reading Specialist:

I have created an informative newsletter that includes Response to Intervention Reading information. This newsletter includes reading strategies that students are working on. It can serve as an information source for parents, and a way for students to practice strategies at home. I will update the link every month with new reading strategies that help us all to be better readers. Please email me if you have any questions or concerns!  Here is the link: https://www.smore.com/p4nxe-chs-reading