ASCEND went through an extensive re-visioning and design process during the 2015-2016 school year. It was important to us and to current stakeholders to create a shared vision that was representative of the folks in the building. Therefore, ASCEND developed a new guiding statement and actionable values that speak to both habits of work and learning:
One of the foci this school year has been on the Habits of Work and Learning (HOWLs) and intentional character development. One area where this work is highlighted is during daily Crew sessions. Crew is the intentional time where we build relationships, collaborate and learn social and emotional skills to create a strong character, community, and citizenry. The purpose of Crew is that each student is known well by at least one adult within the school. Crew introduces and reinforces the Habits of Work and Learning (HOWLs).
Crew provides each student a one-to-one relationship with an adult advisor at the school, as well as a consistent and ongoing small-scale peer community. Advisors monitor and support student progress, serve as the student’s advocate in difficult academic and social situations, and act as the primary contact point between parents and the school. Crew meetings are frequently used for teambuilding exercises and for group discussions on topical issues. These exercises and discussions help establish Crew identity and a positive school culture.
Crew has a strong academic focus on the goal of developing life-long learners. This goal, while primarily addressed in academic classes, has a special home in Crew. Crew time can be used for literacy skills and structured discussions based on current events or book studies. Advisors utilize readers’ workshops and other practices that hone students’ ability to apply reading comprehension strategies to progressively more challenging texts.
Crew provides each student a one-to-one relationship with an adult advisor at the school, as well as a consistent and ongoing small-scale peer community. Advisors monitor and support student progress, serve as the student’s advocate in difficult academic and social situations, and act as the primary contact point between parents and the school. Crew meetings are frequently used for teambuilding exercises and for group discussions on topical issues. These exercises and discussions help establish Crew identity and a positive school culture.
Crew has a strong academic focus on the goal of developing life-long learners. This goal, while primarily addressed in academic classes, has a special home in Crew. Crew time can be used for literacy skills and structured discussions based on current events or book studies. Advisors utilize readers’ workshops and other practices that hone students’ ability to apply reading comprehension strategies to progressively more challenging texts.
Blog post written by:
Sonya Benavides, Unconditional Education Coach
Sonya Benavides, Unconditional Education Coach
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