Friday, May 3, 2013

In School Service Project: Recycling Project


May 2nd, 2013:

Andre, the district recycling administrator came back to assist in finalizing our plan. We jumped right in and starting to dig through classroom trashes for recycling materials. Our advisory began, without complaining at all, and really helped each other out. We learned some things along the way:

* Only plastic bottles with a number 1 (clear) and 2 (non clear) can be recycled.
* Plastic that can be stretched, can be recycled.
* Paper that has food on it, cannot be recycled (unless it's only a tiny stain)
* ALL materials need to be sorted or it's cross contamination
* Paper plates, cups, etc., can not be recycled

Here are some photos of our project happenings 
The only one with TWO gloves!

Andre explaining that some things can't be recycled.

Working hard to sort the recyclables out of the trash.
And we are off!


strategizing and preparing, discussing the process



Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Official Letter- Teen Power Service Project


**Finalizing our last step before launch, we gathered to view, sign, address, and decide who we could get involved. This project has been a great success thus far, with the whole team pulling together. I am very proud of you all. Below are pictures and the official letter:
Our graphic organizers and tools for developing the project!
Our team locating businesses, signing letters, working together!

Even signing for our absent member, Alex. What a great idea, Faizon!


Jack navigating between spreadsheeting our contact list and signing letters!



HTC (Highland Tech Charter School) Carton Cult Mission: “We desire to help the community grow in a healthy way, specifically, to support homeless teens gain access to resources; so they can live the way we do just as we have the opportunity”

Dear Sir or Madam:

Hello, we are a leadership team from Highland Tech Charter School. Our mission at this school is “Educating for Leadership, Educating for Life”, which focuses on helping students become active members of society, performing leadership roles in order to advance.

For our service project, we chose to partner with Teen Power, an organization that offers the chance for youth to have an enriched life by helping homeless teens receive resources, in order to live productive lives. These teens may have been through drug addiction, abuse, rape, etc. and have nowhere else to turn but the streets. This program reaches out to youth and establishes bonds and friendships in a caring environment. Those that have learned to cope with their obstacles help other troubled teens get through the hardships. In order to reach its mission, this program is partnered with other organizations to increase the success of the youth it services.

These teens have challenges accessing personal items that will help them gain employment, be independent, and have basic needs met (fed, hygiene habits, and access to “nice” and clean, clothes). As teens whom have access to our basic needs, we feel strongly about helping those who can’t help themselves. This organization, Teen Power, is the bridge between Victory and Defeat.

Alaska based Teen Power began in 1972 by a group of activist lawyers who saw a need to help the homeless teens live a better life. During their existence, they have successfully managed to supply food, counseling services, shelter access, among other things, which are key to personal independence and assisting in removing them from the street life of despair and hopelessness.
  
They are now in need of our (and your) support. A lot of these young people have physical and/or emotional/learning challenges, making it hard for them to advocate for themselves. The center, which provides the great services for these homeless teens, is limited on space and resources, making it challenging for them to access clothing and other resources. Since many of these teens do not have funds, they cannot simply go to a second hand store and make purchases needed to prepare them for the weather, jobs, school, etc.

Currently, this program is in need of partnering with for profit agencies or organizations that can provide consistent supplies for these youth.  

We need your help. Your organization has been chosen by us, the student leaders, as the best fit for this service project. Our group hopes to be able to work with you on this project. We are in need of gift cards that can allow these homeless teens to access goods and services, that you are in contact with. Please contact us with any comments, questions, and/or concerns at murray_faizon@asdk12.org

Thank you for your time,

Highland Tech Charter School Leaders

Friday, April 12, 2013

April Standards Focus:

We have chosen two projects to focus on: 
Within the school: Materials Recycling & Raising Awareness. 
Outside of the school: Partnering with Teen Power


Check in NOTES:
Recycling:
Information:

--Andre Camara: Head of recycling for the district contacted Alex back, wants to come meet with us
            Next step: pick a day that works. Thursday?

Hoping to get...questions we can ask:(recycling)
·      Ask best items to recycle
·      How should we get our project going?
·      Should we branch outside of the school walls?
·      Can we get bins/baskets? Should we make them ourselves out of recycled materials?
·      Are there posters available encouraging recycling? Is there a PSA (Public Service Announcement) to show at Morning Meeting
·      Can we make this bigger than just our school?
·      Would HE be willing to speak at Morning Meeting?

  Step 1: Interview Questions Created for recycling:
     1. How do you get recycling started with the schools? How does this help people?
     2. Is there a way to incorporate activities into the recycling project to keep students interested?
     3. How did you get started in this field of work and how does your position benefit the community and district?
     4. How does the recycling process work? Is it different for each material? Is it a science?
     5. Does this process happen locally? How does that benefit and harm the community?
     6. What can this advisory do to be leaders in the recycling community?
     7. Where did recycling come from? Who initiated it?
     8. How pure is the material that comes out of recycling? Are there any damages? chemicals involved
     9. What positive and negative impacts does recycling have?
    10. How has recycling changed in our community?

  Step 1: Interview Questions for Teen Power
     1. What is the purpose of this organization? How does this organization support the local community?
     2. How was the organization founded? How did you discover the need? What made you think of this organization?
     3. What drives you as leader to help young people?
     4. How do young people end up homeless? Where are the parents?
     5. How does seeing these young people homeless, alone, and struggling, impact you?
     6. What needs to the young people have?
     7. How do you keep the organization funded? Where do your resources come from?
     8. What are the resources you have available? For community? For the teens? For the parents?
     9. How can we partner with you and what can we do for you?
    10. How does it feel to work with kids of different needs? Are there kids with special needs? Educational needs?
    11. Is your organization only in Alaska? What unique challenges are there with being in Alaska?




·       


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

You're Invited!

"Educating With a Touch of Class" - A wine reception & silent auction

April 26, 6-9 pm at the Performing Arts Center

H'orderves, delicious wine, and a wide variety of high end auction items
Buy your tickets today!
buy them here

Please come out and support our fundraising efforts!

Information for Summer School!

HTC Summer School
Registration form here
May 28th-June 7th (Mon-Fri)
Session A 8:30-10:25
Session B 10:35-12:30
Cost $75 per class/session
Classes available
Language Arts
Math (1-4)
Social Environments
Science (no chem labs)
PSS, Careers, Tech if there is enough student interest
Students should bring completed registration forms to Barb with payment and they will receive a receipt
If you have any questions let me know!

Thanks!

Nicole Crosby
Highland Tech High
Social Environments

Standards Earned:

January-May Standards/Projects

Health: Peer Pressure
--peer group came and did interactive lesson on peer pressure and gave an assessment at the end. Everyone got proficient, once all was said and done.

Together, our advisory chose a standard to accomplish: "Learns one new technological device"
--Wrote out request letters to someone to teach them
--Organized materials
--Secured "teacher"
--Performed assessment at closing (and earned the standard!)

Current Focus: Games for bonding
* Our group needs to be more cohesive in our interactions across the group
* We need the opportunity to have fun together
* We need to learn some potential activities for healthy leisure
* Potential: teach said games to other advisories

Next Focus: Service Project & Interviews Service Person (last for the year)
* With process tools, we chose to get acquainted, understand, and find the needs for Teen Power
* Communication has begun between the two groups
* Stage: Setting up for visit, identifying questions/predictions, researching before going

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Welcome 2013

On 1/8, we began to jump back into our self accountability portion. The attached advisory check-in is to be completed by all advisees this week!

When done, you need to upload the document into your advisory portfolio, located in your google sites.

Welcome Back!!Click Here for the Template