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School-based Cohort Immersion Program

SCIP End of the Semester Meeting
All teachers and features are asked to attend the End of the Semester Meeting on Wednesday, April 28th from 6:30 to 7:30 in Buzzard 2430.  Our agenda will include: two mixers for fun and familiarity, the presentation of 2003-2004 participation certificates, student/teacher Q & A, a look ahead to year three of our program, pizza (thanks to Dr. Bower!), and door prizes.  Please RSVP as soon as possible, teachers to Mr. Carey and students to Mrs. Barford.  Please include your favorite pizza topping!  Also, students, please send in your log sheets or bring them along to the meeting.
 

Technology Presentation, Dr. Annette Lamb, April 22nd
Dr. Annette Lamb will present a session entitled "The Technology Race: Who Wins? The Tortoise or the Hare?" in Charleston Middle School's Media Center from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm on April 22, 2004.  Dr. Lamb has been an elementary library media specialist, computer teacher, and professor of education.  Her website includes a wide range of award-winning, free resources for educators.  According to Dr. Lamb, the hare focuses on the technology, while the tortoise concentrates on active learning and thinking. They're both important elements of an engaging learning environment.  Which will win the race?  Her presentation will explore strategies for creating practical K-12 classroom activities that combine the power of technology with active learning. 

This event is sponsored by MICE (Mid-Illinois Computing Educators), the Central Illinois chapter of ICE (Illinois Computing Educators).  The cost is being subsidized by Area IV Learning Technology Center.  The cost for college students is $15.00.  Please pay at the door, with checks made out to MICE.  Please RSVP to mabrewer@charleston.k12.il.us or call 217-345-8110 by April 19th.
 

Cohort Meetings: March 9th, March 31st
There will be a meeting for all students on Tuesday, March 9th from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm in Buzzard 2430.  Mr. Carey and Mrs. Barford would like student input on several questions.  Charleston teachers are welcome to attend, but this is mainly a chance for an in-depth discussion with the features' perspectives.

A whole group meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 31st from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in Buzzard 2440.  This will be a review of the current year and a planning opportunity for next year. 

It would be wonderful to see as many of you as possible at both of these meetings.  Please let either Mr. Carey or Mrs. Barford know if you are able to attend.
 

Advisement and Registration for Fall 2004
Advisement for Fall 2004 with Mrs. Barford will occur during the week of February 23rd.  Class schedules will be distributed with the Daily Eastern News on Monday, March 1st.  Our SCIP priority registration date is Monday, March 8th. 
 

"The Culture of Poverty" Workshops, February 12th, February 25th, March 4th
The Charleston School district is presenting a series of workshops on "The Culture of Poverty."  The workshops will take place from 3:30 - 5:30 at the Central Office on February 12th, February 25th, and March 4th.

The February 12th workshop is designed to increase the participants' knowledge and understanding of the culture of poverty. Topics include: how economic class affects behaviors and mindsets, why students from generational poverty often fear being educated, the "hidden rules" within economic classes, discipline interventions that improve behavior, and the eight resources that make a difference in success. Presenters will include Mrs. Deb Poffinbarger, Assistant Principal at Charleston High School, and Mrs. Jeannie Walters, Assistant Superintendent, Community Unit #1.

Central Office is at 410 W. Polk Street in Charleston, accessible by parking lot from the Charleston Lanes Bowling Alley parking lot at 1310 E. Street (which is also the parking lot for the Illinois Drivers' License facility on E Street).  County Market is the landmark at Lincoln Ave. and E Street.  Central Office is just west of the intersection of E Street and Polk.  The contact person at Central Office would be Mrs. Jeannie Walters, assistant superintendent, 345-2601 and jwalters@charleston.k12.il.us.  If you direct questions to Mrs. Walters, please identify yourself as a member of the SCIP cohort. 
 

Trip to Yankee Ridge School and "Coping with Classroom Realities" Seminar, January 23rd
This field trip had been canceled in December due to excessive illness of staff and students at Yankee Ridge.  It has been rescheduled for January 23rd.  To visit the Yankee Ridge website, click here, and select "Yankee Ridge School" from the pull down menu.

On the day of the trip, we will leave EIU from Buzzard at 7:30 a.m. and will arrive at Yankee Ridge Elementary School at 8:30 a.m..  We will meet with principal Mary Beth Norris, teacher-in-charge Nancy Blanford, and technology coordinator Georgette Moore.  After an orientation regarding school goals, challenges, and achievements, we will be able to observe in classrooms throughout the school.  Look for evidence of technology integration, diversity (there are students of many languages and from all over the world), full inclusion, a district BD program, the arts umbrella cycle, project-based learning, and the Writer's Workshop - a draft book writing program.  Following a debriefing with the faculty and principal, we will depart Yankee Ridge at 11:30 a.m. and travel to the Champaign offices of Dr. Michelle Olsen, student teaching coordinator.  We will have lunch, and Dr. Olsen will present her seminar, "Coping with Classroom Realities."  We will depart at 2:00 p.m. and should arrive back on campus an hour later, 3:00 p.m..
 

Other calendars: Fall 2003  Spring 2004  Fall 2004  Spring 2005  Fall 2005