AdvancePath Academy at Beyer High School honored with national award
In recognition of outstanding efforts on behalf of at-risk youths, the teaching team at the Fred C. Beyer High School AdvancePath Academy in Modesto, CA, will be honored with the National Dropout Prevention Network (NDPN) Crystal Star Award, on Oct. 16, 2012, during ceremonies at the annual conference of the NDPN in Orlando, FL. The Academy's Lead Teacher Terri Salaiz, her husband Kevin Salaiz, former Lead Teacher Ed Jackson and Regional Vice President, Academy Operations for California, Nick Stine, will be in attendance to receive this award. The Beyer High School AdvancePath Academy team represents one of two programs nationwide to be honored by the NDPN this year.
Terri Salaiz provides an insight into the success of the Academy, located on the campus of Fred C. Beyer High School. She is known to quote a phrase she first heard at a teachers' conference: "As teachers, we should first never take away hope." She and her teaching team have seen many students who have indeed lost all hope of graduation or for a better life. Students who study in the Academy are typically a year to two years behind academically, for varying reasons, but this team does not accept negative outcomes. Teachers challenge students to understand their worth and ability to succeed on their own terms.
The Academy, a partnership between the Modesto City Schools and AdvancePath Academics, Inc., creates a positive and sustainable learning environment for youth. The AdvancePath instructional model is founded on the belief that every student can, and will learn, if given the right environment in which to be successful. Using technology as a learning tool, students are equipped with personalized learning plans, real-time feedback on progress and the support of teaching teams and peers, with online, one-on-one and small group instructional activities. Students are greeted at the door as they enter, and encouraged by their teaching team at the close of each day's session.
The statistics from the 2011-2012 school year bear out the effectiveness of the AdvancePath instructional model: The Academy served 237 students during the academic year, most of whom were 40-45 percent credit deficient (1 to 1.5 years behind) upon enrollment. Over 56 percent of them (135) earned their District diploma. Seventy of the remaining students have returned to the Academy this year, on track to graduate, having closed their deficiency gap to 10-15 percent. Twelve are able to return to their comprehensive high school site. One more factor in this outstanding success rate is a strong commitment to attendance. The Academy reports an attendance rate of 87 percent.
"We first heard that we were being honored on a typical school morning," states Terri. "John Murray, the Chairman and CEO of AdvancePath Academics, showed up unannounced at our Academy. He asked if he could talk with the students and when he started telling them what a great Academy they were a part of, I looked at Shirley Moreland, our Registrar, and said, 'Oh my goodness!' We were super excited. And to be honest, I feel humbled. I know that we are helping these kids change their future. You can see it. That's why I definitely want to be a part of the Academy. We help students learn to do it for themselves and it's pretty special," says Terri.
"I am so proud of the Academy team - the Beyer High School AdvancePath Academy students, parents, staff and administration," states Nick Stine. "When I first heard the news of their selection as the recipient of the Crystal Star Award, I looked back on the hard work that this team has put into creating this educational environment. The effort and time they have all put into their endeavors has a direct correlation with successes," Nick suggests.
Since the inception of the Academy on the campus of Beyer High School in August 2008, 350 AdvancePath alumni have graduated with the Modesto City Schools high school diploma. Click this link to read a recent story about the Academy from the Modesto Bee.
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Taylor Ochotorena is a recent bell ringer and graduate from the San Juan Unified School District. She attended the AdvancePath Academy at New San Juan High School.
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First AdvancePath graduates for the 2012-2013 academic year announced
AdvancePath Academy students in Alaska, California and Maryland were able to complete final credits during September and are now, officially, alumni. Congratulations to these graduates: Karra Innes from Wasilla High School AdvancePath Academy; Ricardo "Ricky" Kubacki, Valley Pathways AdvancePath Academy; Anthony Barba, Andrew Endsley, Thomas Serrano and Christopher Wrenn from the Beyer High School AdvancePath Academy; Tatiana Bellomy with the New San Juan High School AdvancePath Academy; Jessica Castillo, Rigo Gonzalez and Bryan Linares from the Animo Locke I College Preparatory High School AdvancePath Academy; and, Sarah Turansky with the Dundalk High School AdvancePath Academy.
And we are sending a belated congratulations shout-out to some of our summer graduates: Fernando Burton, Adam Vaden and Devin Luna from Gilroy; Allison Smith, Abelino Garcia, Jessica Nuno, Adrian Ayon, Geddy Wadsworth, Michael Rontal, Shantelle Khamoo, Melisa Pena, Dylan Friedenthal, Jesus Yepez, Marco Rodriguez, Lucio Gomez and Ashton Ealy, Bryant Sieng, Luis Rodriguez and Raymond Brooks from the Beyer High School Academy; and, Taylor Ochotorena and Le Dine Collier from New San Juan High School AdvancePath Academy.
Best wishes to all of our alumni!
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The AdvancePath Academy, pictured at right, was formerly space utilized for music instruction (seen at left) at Woodlawn High School, Baltimore, MD.
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Preparing for a new Academy
A typical high school classroom may have desks or chairs arranged in rows with a teacher station and whiteboard space towards the front of the room. Any equipment, such as an overhead projector or television, is typically plugged into a wall or column electrical outlet. AdvancePath Academies, often serving communities as a "school within a school," may face an initial challenge to transform traditional classroom spaces, into an open layout with ample electrical and communications connectivity to fully support the AdvancePath instructional model. This then often requires a complete overhaul of the classroom spaces prior to an Academy's start date. Amazingly, the changeover from conventional classroom into a 21st century AdvancePath Academy learning environment can occur within a matter of weeks. "It takes plenty of pre-planning, clockwork precision and teamwork and to pull off the transformation of physical space within such a short period of time. There's an awful lot of moving parts," suggests Carl Thompson, Senior Vice President, Operations. "We've developed solid internal processes, very repeatable processes - with master documents, order lists and checklists - from hardware and software to furnishings to book orders, curriculum, staff training, even the outdoor signs. It may seem mundane, but it's how we can get it right," states Carl. "The District may be pulling down walls as we are setting the plan in motion for the room refurbishment. We are always conscious of managing time and financial obligations - we monitor progress constantly to stay on top of situations. And as we begin to reset the class spaces, multiple teams work in tandem to get everything in place at the right time - from painting to carpeting, to the installation of data cables and electrical. For example, as we are putting in the furniture at one end of a room, electrical work may be going on at the other end of the room. After all, it's about the people, willing to work the extra hours, staying on top of the progress, that keeps it all moving." While the AdvancePath teams have a plan of action and probably a Plan B, Carl notes that's there's a Plan C underlying all: Consistency. "From Contract to Construction, Computers to Curriculum, to Classes - what we are always aiming for is consistency of operations, of look and feel. All is research based to develop an educational experience that is calm, enjoyable, business-like. The Academy should change the status quo for students - this is an environment with constant direct and subtle cues as to why they are here. There is a time clock, there are motivational posters, a cap and gown and job notices. When you put a new Academy in place, it's amazing to watch the culture develop - it begins to grow slowly over several weeks and then one day, you hear the kids and know that there's ownership of this space. The students have taken responsibility for their Academy and their education."
Coming next month: Technology team members share their perspective
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Modesto students, teachers volunteer
Students and teachers at the Fred C. Beyer High School AdvancePath Academy have been giving back to the community of Modesto through volunteer activities with city agencies and non-profit organizations. On Saturday, September 28, twenty students signed on to participate in the City of Modesto Public Works-sponsored neighborhood improvement day, "Love Modesto." Academy students work side-by side with other community volunteers and city officials, painting, removing graffiti, weeding and performing other cleaning tasks. This is the second year in which Academy teams have worked on projects to beautify and improve the city of Modesto.
Academy students and teachers also volunteer each month at the Modesto Union Gospel Mission, preparing and serving dinners to the homeless. "My experience was very exciting. I enjoyed helping the ones in need. I recommend volunteering. You meet a lot of good people, trying and succeeding in making our community a better place," shares student Antonio Pelayo. "It felt good to get in there and help out. Everyone came in with a positive attitude and ended up having a smile. I'm definitely looking forward to volunteering again. Just seeing the look on people's faces is a great reward," states student Yesenia Quintero. Currently, the Academy's Community Liaison, Aaron Miller, coordinates these projects and others with various businesses. He is also currently developing programming that will provide Academy students with the chance to share their academic strengths, tutoring younger students. "Aaron has taken on (volunteer activities) as a special project for our students," suggests Lead Teacher Terri Salaiz. "He opens many new horizons for our students. When you are out in the community, you never know who you will be working with, who will notice what you bring to the table. We always encourage students to become involved in community volunteerism. It helps everyone and also gives employers an opportunity to see you in action, learn more about your special talents."
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Utica Academy recognized as a Michigan Green School
-- Submitted by Joseph Pretari, Utica AdvancePath Academy
The Utica AdvancePath Academy filed an application with the Macomb County Board of Commissioners Green Schools Program for the academic year 2011-2012. The rigorous application involved demonstrating and providing evidence of completion of at
least two of the listed activities from the following categories: Recycling, Energy, Environmental Protection, Miscellaneous, and Propose-Your-Own. Based on the total points calculated, a school can be categorized as a Green, Emerald, or Evergreen school, signifying the level of environmental stewardship demonstrated by the school.
The intent of the Michigan Green Schools Program is to encourage students to participate in activities which help them learn about preserving natural resources, protect the environment and promote energy efficiency and savings.
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East and West Coast teams test out videoconferencing capabilities using the large-screen interactive boards operational in Academies. They prepared during September for the trans-Academies' Book Club roll-out, slated for mid-October. Pictured here, left to right: Paul Hopkins (Virginia), Nick Stine and Jessica Escoto (California) and April Lawrence (Virginia).
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Connecting Academies. Preparations for teleconferenced student book club
Move over Oprah, there's a new book club coming soon. Students and teachers with the AdvancePath Academies in the Sacramento, Citrus Heights and Elk Grove, CA area will be book-talking on the big screen. They will participate in face-to-face discussions of course-related literature via teleconferencing technologies operational in their classrooms. "We are always looking for ways to spark reading among teens," suggests Regional Vice President, Academy Operations, Nick Stine. We're hoping that this connectivity with other readers across multiple campuses will help start discussions and develop critical thinking."
The program is slated to begin by mid-October with participating Academies of the San Juan Unified School District.
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In our next issue...
Running to end hunger. Students and teachers in the San Juan Unified School District's Academies have a special Thanksgiving tradition. New Academies, new perspective. Teaching team members new to AdvancePath Academies share their impressions of hectic first days and those heady first successes. |
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