Hello Parents, Families, and Friends!
Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting with the other board members who are working so hard on getting Techne Charter School up and running. I have to say, even as a board member myself -- I was truly inspired! The people in charge of this project are so passionate! They have a vision for their children and the future children of Techne and they are not afraid to fight for what they believe in. Plus, they have some really great ideas that will make Techne both unique and successful -- smaller classes, project-based learning, looping, outdoor classrooms, science through art, longer days so the children can have time for P.E., and school-wide thematic units!
In this blog post, we're providing you all with the school's mission statement and a parent questionnaire. Please feel free to post any questions, concerns, or comments you have regarding absolutely anything involving Techne Charter and we will be more than happy (really, we'll be ecstatic that there's "comments" on our "blog", trust me) to answer them.
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Our Mission
The mission of Techne Charter of San Diego is to provide an educational environment that combines a rigorous academic curriculum with authentic learning opportunities. Techne Charter will use school-wide thematic units and multi-grade projects, along with parent involvement to create a community of learners and provide an environment where students are motivated to become life-long learners.
What makes Techne Charter unique?
Techne Charter will provide a neutral and unbiased learning environment.
Techne Charter will employ a year-around school calendar.
Techne Charter will use looping to create a stable environment for students.
Techne Charter will use hands-on learning and projects to provide authentic learning experiences.
Techne Charter will utilize an outdoor classroom for a variety of learning experiences.
Techne Charter will emphasize science through the arts in a variety activities.
Techne Charter will utilize school-wide thematic units to create a cohesive learning community.
Techne Charter will incorporate authentic literature in Reader's and Writer's Workshops.
Techne Charter will use Singapore Math curriculum.
Techne Charter Homework policy will focus on real reading and family projects, not worksheets.
What is Project-Based Learning?
Project Based Learning is an instructional approach built upon authentic learning activities that engage student interest and motivation. These activities are designed to answer a question or solve a problem and generally reflect the types of learning and work people do in the everyday world outside the classroom.
Example: Animal Life
Student - Class Project: Students research animals and use the information to create a classroom "Animal Encyclopedia." They might create animal habitat dioramas for their animals to show in-depth understanding.
School-wide Thematic Project: Students might create a butterfly garden that could be used by all students to study a life-cycle and learn what is required for a living habitat. This garden might also be used for various lessons in drawing, poetry, or math and science activities.
What is Science Through Art?
Science and art naturally overlap. Both are a means of investigation. Both involve ideas, theories, and hypotheses that are tested in places where mind and hand come together—the laboratory and studio. Artists, like scientists, study and learn to transform information into something else.
Example: Outdoor Classroom and Art-Science Lab
The scientific method would be used to explore various concepts in an outdoor environment. Students will use math and science skills to observe, chart and reflect on plant growth, how sun, water and food affect growth. Students might observe and draw plants over time to record changes.
Students might experiment with digital cameras, photographing the butterflies, the garden, the changes and growth of plants. Photos could be used to create a school display, along with drawings, clay models or other creations depicting scientific understanding.
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Parent Questionnaire - If you would like to fill out the parent questionnaire, please copy and paste the following into a "comment".
Name:
E-mail:
Child 1 - name and age:
Child 1 - grade entering:
Child 2 - name and age:
Child 2 - grade entering:
Child 3 - name and age:
Child 3 - grade entering:
Techne Charter Requires Parent Participation. Please list any skills that you may have:
We are interested in becoming a founding family: Y / N
I am interested in being a board member: Y / N
I am interested in being part of a committee (funding, education, etc.-- if so, name which committee): Y / N and type of committeeNote: The "founding families" are what they sound like -- the first group of families to be a part of Techne Charter. But they are also expected to put more volunteer hours (somewhere between 75-100) into Techne's pre-opening stage. Help with initial fundraising, landscaping, cleaning and organizing classrooms, etc. -- any way we or you can think of to help :). Founding families have priority in the lotteries when other siblings wish to attend Techne.
"Board members" are members of Techne's board that make the ultimate decisions together. Hiring employees, designating volunteer opportunities/responsibilities, picking a location for the school, spreading the word and serving as leaders for the committees.
"Committee members" are parents, family members and friends who are involved in a specific committee (or several, if you wish) concerned with specific tasks, such as funding, landscaping, graphic design, etc.
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I know this is very long and I am sincerely impressed and grateful if you stuck through til the end. Please, fill out the questionnaire, post questions, and give me a virtual pat on the back for this monster of a post. :)
- Ashleigh Puente
- Ashleigh Puente
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