Eye of the Dragon
John Dewey Academy of Learning * January 13 - 17, 2020*
New Schedule Begins January 27th, 2020
At John Dewey Academy of Learning, staff are dedicated to providing students with a space to share their voice. This often occurs through the Student Council, which consists of student members representing each advisory who meet weekly to discuss matters of the school. In addition to planning unique events for students to enjoy, such as the recent pep rally before winter break, Student Council also works with JDAL staff to discuss and work toward solutions of student concerns.
This year the list has been numerous:
- more guidance with project-based learning
- a "quiet zone" for work requiring complete concentration
- more content area seminars
- planned service learning/wellness activities
- more active time throughout the day
- school-wide break
- focus on school culture and helping new students learn #jdalPRIDE
- reducing noise levels throughout the building
- not enough space for increased enrollment
JDAL Staff and Student Council have been working on solutions for many of these issues since school began. Two issues, a school-wide break and addressing the noise issue, have already been addressed. We implemented break from 10-10:15 for all students. This allows students a chance to check in with family on their cell phones and answer any texts that may have come in from home. It also gives students a chance to socialize with their peers and give their brains a break after finishing math coursework. We also lined the balcony with our gray wall dividers. Although not a permanent solution, this has helped greatly with reducing noise and distractions.
Other concerns will be addressed with the implementation of the new schedule beginning January 27th. We appreciate the efforts of Student Council for sharing these changes with their peers and for their enthusiasm about trying something new to see positive change in our school.
Advisory Circle
Advisory Circle is an important component of building community at JDAL. It is during this time that students learn more about one another, learn how to listen to others and engage in discussion, including how to disagree respectfully, and learn how they and their peers are more alike than they may have thought.
7 Habits Group
JDAL staff are participating in a book study of The Leader in Me, a text that examines how schools can incorporate the 7 Habits of Highly Successful People to improve the school culture. Students will meet with their 7 Habits groups twice per week to learn more about the habits and examine how they are incorporating them in their school and personal lives. Please look for more information about how you can incorporate the 7 Habits at home as well!
Mentor/Mentee Groups
JDAL Student Ambassadors assist with our newest learners, but JDAL Staff believes that EVERY student can be a leader. On Friday mornings, student mentor groups will take time to learn more about one another and examine their own strengths.
PBL 101/201
New students and those who still need to learn more about project-based learning will participate in a content rotation on Monday and Wednesday where they will earn the basics of project-based learning in specific content areas. This rotation will provide students with an opportunity to learn content-specific vocabulary and sharpen their project-based learning skills with a content specialist. Each advisor will create a Google Classroom for their session so parents can be informed of what their students are working on.
PBL 301/401
Veteran students who have developed a comfort level with project-based learning are invited to design and complete independent projects. These students may also choose to participate in level 301/401 seminars offered on Tuesday and Thursday.
Small Groups/Interventions
Students who may need additional assistance with specific skills will be invited to participate in small group intervention sessions on Friday.
Life Skills/Wellness
In an effort to provide students with an opportunity for daily activity and/or the pursuit of self-care, JDAL staff have organized a Life Skills/Wellness sessions led by staff, students, parents, and other volunteers. Some of the available sessions include yoga/meditation, hip hop dance, chess, knitting, cursive writing, art journaling, running, and video production. A menu for students will be released shortly. Please see below for volunteer information.
#jdalREADS
JDAL students complete a large amount of non-fiction reading through their research endeavors. An area where students tend to struggle, however, is meeting the English/Language Arts standards for reading fiction. By implementing a common reading time for all students, JDAL Staff hope to encourage students to find literature that excites them and creates an energy for discussion among peers. In the future, we hope that students will choose texts that relate to our school-wide theme. We will be testing this idea during second semester with the theme "What's Your Superpower?" Students will choose the theme for next school year.
JDAL Staff and Student Council know that change is hard. We appreciate everyone having a positive attitude about these changes and knowing that change is necessary as we continue to work toward JDAL being "The Best School in the Universe."
Thank you for your continued support!
Jen + the JDAL Staff
Life Skills/Wellness Volunteers Needed!
If you are interested in helping out at school, please contact Marcia in our front office at 920.272.7074 to learn how to complete the volunteer background check forms.
The Life Skills Rotation takes place Monday thru Thursday from 12:15 - 12:45 and on Friday from 11:30 - 12:15. Examples of Life Skills/Wellness Activities may include the following:
- yoga/meditation
- walking/running
- journaling
- dance
- knitting
- cursive writing
- car care
- sewing
- cooking
- taxes and budgeting
- laundry
- lawn care
- "green" living
- plant care
- candle making
- painting
- chess
- softball
- cribbage or other card games
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
SAVE THE DATES!
January 14: Fundraiser Night at east side Smart Cow
January 17: Student Work at Home Day, Staff PD
January 18: DASH FOR CASH at the Gambler Game - buy tickets from Marcia
January 20: Fundraiser night at east side Pizza Ranch
January 20: Martin Luther King Jr Day - NO SCHOOL
January 23: Event Night #2, 5-7pm
January 24: Attendance Incentive Day (bring a bag lunch)
- Students with less than 5 days absent can participate. All others should attend school as normal.
January 27: New schedule begins!
May 18-May 20: Annual Trees for Tomorrow trip in scenic Eagle River, WI
More info to come! https://www.treesfortomorrow.com/
ATTENTION JUNIORS! ACT Prep Course Available
Attention 11th Grade Students:
The district will be offering an ACT Prep Course in order to prepare for your upcoming ACT Test. The course will be offered on Tuesday evenings from January 21st through February 25th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the East High School LMC. The course will focus on each section of the ACT test, offer practice opportunities, and provide test-taking strategies for the ACT. Attendance at every session is not required, but highly encouraged.
Please take the time to fill out this form in order to hold your place for the class. Bring your school laptop with you so that you may access the course, practice tests, and other supplemental materials.
IMPORTANT LINKS
School Calendar- http://jdal.gbaps.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=571101
Infinite Campus Parent Portal- https://campus.gbaps.org/campus/portal/greenbay.jsp
Lunch Menu and Prices- http://gbaps.nutrislice.com/
Make sure to like or follow us on social media so you don't miss any updates!
facebook- www.facebook.com/gbapsjohndewey
twitter- www.twitter.com/gbapsjohndewey
instagram- www.instagram.com/gbapsjohndewey
Jen Agamaite - Coordinator of Charter Schools
Email: jmagamaite@gbaps.org
Website: www.jdal.gbaps.org
Location: 701 Cherry Street, Green Bay, WI, USA
Phone: 920.272.7074
Facebook: facebook.com/gbapsJohnDewey
Twitter: @gbapsJohnDewey