[NCLUG] Fw: New Charter School in Fort Collins

[James DeWitt]

Hi Jim,

Sounds like a great project!
Please let me know if you would like to talk to the group about this
some time.

Thanks,
James D 

Begin forwarded message:

Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2015 12:16:01 -0600
From: Jim Hutchinson <jim at ubuntu-rocks.org>
To: James DeWitt <jdewitt at verinet.com>
Subject: New Charter School in Fort Collins


Hi James,

I was wanting to share this with all of NCLUG but it's been a while
since I was active and didn't want to step on any toes. If it's okay
with you, can you share this with everyone? Or, I can send it out if
you prefer. Just let me know.

Thanks.

---message---

Hey all,

Been a while since I poked around here. Not sure how active everyone is
now, but I thought I'd ping out and see if there is any interest.

In short, I'm exploring opening a new charter school (grades 6-8) in
Fort Collins. The school will be project-based and fairly tech-centric.
We'll use a mix of hardware/software but I think FOSS/Linux will form a
core piece.

*Who am I?* I was a k12 educator for about 15 years and more recently
have been teaching college course in learning technologies and
technology in education classes for pre-service and in-service
teachers. I've been thinking about a charter school for a number of
years and the timing is right to get things going now in earnest.

I have some of the early steps done like mission/vision (although not
final and awaiting formation of a board of directors), a draft of some
elements like the curricular model and I'll be developing a customized
curriculum.

*Why bug you?* Well, basically to form community. The charter school
process is a community effort (you don't have to be in Fort Collins and
ideally we'd have a broad mix of representation) and I'm hoping there
might be a few out there who have an interest in a school like this and
would be willing to play a role. Could be a small role or a larger one.
I need to form a board and apply for 501c3 status so a few people to
serve on the board and donate an hour or two a month would be great.
Anyone with web development skills would be helpful as well (might be
able to pay for this as I'm applying for a stage 1 start up grant).

We could also use some corporate sponsorship. Doesn't have to be
financial (though we do need help there too as no guarantee on the
grant), but we need to develop relationships. If you work for a company
in the area, especially a tech company, and would be willing to
introduce me around and hear more about the school that would be great.

*What's in it for you?* A little or a lot depending on your interest.
Could be a chance to just play a role in the education system and help
ensure students have access to technology, learn to use it, learn to
problem solve and be productive citizens. For a business it's a chance
to grow your brand. If you do live in FC and have young children it
could be helping design a school for them. Also, founding members earn
automatic placement for their children (no need to worry about a
lottery). Also an opportunity to work with and help develop a
non-profit and gain experience. Probably lots of other opportunities
I'm not even aware of yet.

Below is some information to give you an idea. Let me know if you would
like to be part of this. If all went perfect we would apply by the March
2016 deadline and open in Aug 2017. I've been working with a consultant
who thinks it's doable but given that is a fairly rushed time line we
might have to shoot for the March 2017 application.

Feel free to contact me here or at jphutch at gmail.com.

Thanks.

*Mission*: Empowering young people to develop their passions, a love of
learning, and the knowledge and skills necessary for success.

*Vision*: Alpine Academy students will:
Embrace a love of life-long learning
Take risks and explore their potential
Accept responsibility for their own learning
Be socially, locally and globally engaged
Follow their passions and succeed

*Curricular Model* – Alpine Academy will be a project-based school. The
founding members are developing an original curriculum that is centered
on a number of thematic projects at each level (see multi-aged
instruction below). Each project is designed to incorporate a range of
Colorado Academic Standards in multiple content areas. Additionally,
projects are designed to develop broader 21st century skills including
problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, collaboration,
creativity and innovation.

*Seminars* – As a project-based school, students will not sit through
traditional, content- and age-based classes. Instead, teachers will
offer various short-term seminars throughout the year. Seminars will
provide students with the necessary background, skills and knowledge
needed for projects. Students will enroll in seminars that directly
support their current project and will have time to apply what they are
learning in the seminar to their project.

*Customized learning plans* – Students will be assigned to an academic
advisor (school faculty member). Each advisor will be responsible for a
small number of students (20-25) and will work with students to develop
a customized learning plan. Such learning plans identify the projects
to be completed during the year and advisors will ensure that the mix
of projects will adequately meet all CDE requirements and grade-level
standards. Upon meeting the requirements of their current level
(roughly equivalent to grade level but see Multi-aged instruction
below), they will signal their intent to graduate to the next level by
completing an individual capstone project of their own choosing and
design (in consolation with their academic advisor).

*Multi-aged Instruction* – Recognizing that middle school students do
not all develop at a uniform pace, the school will not follow a
traditional age-based model. While projects are leveled and generally
align with CDE grade-level standards, students do have flexibility in
how they approach projects. Collaborative projects and seminars could
involve students of different ages. Because most students will
transition into an age-based high school, students will still complete
the equivalent of a standard academic year worth of instruction and
growth. This model, however, allows students to work at their own pace.
Students needing a more accelerated opportunity will have it, as will
students needing more time. Students needing more time will have the
opportunity for an extended academic year extending into summer
(following a revised and individualized summer plan). Students who
complete more than a traditional year’s worth of instruction will have
opportunities to advance to next level curriculum (projects).

*Extended School Year* – While most students will still follow a fairly
traditional trajectory, some students may need additional time. In a
traditional school they might either be held back an entire year (likely
more than necessary with various social and emotional side-effects) or
advanced without being ready. In reality, such students may only need an
extra month to achieve the same level of progress as their peers. Alpine
Academy allows for this through extended year options. Such decisions
are based on the individual students and will happen in collaboration
with the student, parents/guardians, academic advisor and other school
personnel as appropriate.

*Technology* – The school will be largely digital. However, in order to
avoid waste, the school will not provide laptops to all students (as in
a typical 1:1 implementation) as it is expected that not all students
will need or want a school provided computer. Nevertheless, all
students who do not have ready access to a personal computer at home
will be provided access to a school laptop. While the school will not
offer an official 1:1 laptop program, all students will have access to
and use a mix of computers (both school provided and personal if they
wish) to work on projects and develop related products, materials,
documents, presentations, data analysis and interpretation, etc. The
school will have a robust Wi-Fi network and sufficient bandwidth to
support all devices. To the extent possible, the school will rely on
Open Source software and free resources such as Google Apps for
Education, which will be used to provide student and staff email,
office software, web development tools, school website, etc. In order
to provide students access and experience with a wide-range of
technology, the school will provide a mix of desktop, laptop, tablet
and mobile devices. Students are encouraged to use the “right tool” for
the project.

-- 
Jim (Ubuntu geek extraordinaire)
----
Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments.
See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html