High School Resource Officer Speaks At ASOP

 

   

  Officer Jose Carrillo, from the Overland Park Police Department, recently spoke about bullying and the importance of attendance at the Accelerated Schools of Overland Park.

       The School Resource Officer at Shawnee Mission West High School, Officer Carrillo spoke to both the middle school and high school students in two separate groups.  He explained that being bullied is not a reason to miss school and gave ideas to help if this is an issue.  Both groups had many good questions for Officer Carrillo, but the middle school students were especially engaged by the program.

      Officer Carrillo’s visit to the school as a guest speaker was arranged by Principal Sara Tate Goldstein.  “Principal Julie Crain, of Shawnee Mission West, graciously loaned the school’s resource officer to the Accelerated Schools for this program,” said Sara.

      “The biggest benefit to the students was learning that it is a priority of the community and the police officers to help students stay in school,” said Sara.  “The police officers want students to understand the benefits of being in school.  But most important, students need to realize that staying home from school because they are being bullied is not the answer to bullying. It is best to find a safe adult, who the student trusts, to get help.  A school resource officer can be this person if needed.”

        The Accelerated Schools is considering having a DARE/Resource Officer at the school one half day a week next school year.  “We are trying to determine the cost and work it into our budget,” said Jane Curran, ASOP Director.

        If any parent, current or former, would like to help underwrite this program or a part of this program, please contact Jane or Ellen Portnoy at the school:  913-341-6666.

2014 Summer Programs Set

 Looking for a summer camp program for your child that combines art and academics?  If you have a child entering fourth through eighth grade, who needs a little extra help during the summer to keep up with academics, but also loves art, computer graphics, video production and photography, then sign up for the Accelerated Schools’ program. 

Offered from June 2 until August 8, 2014, the Academic and Arts Camp is in session form 9 am to 1 pm, Monday through Friday.  Each day, campers spend 2 ¼ hours in individualized tutoring and 90 minutes in creative expression. Students must sign up for a minimum of three weeks of camp.  Start and stop dates are optional within the camp schedule.  Go to this link to see the camp flyer:  http://www.acceleratedschoolsop.org/assets/Uploads/middlecamp.pdf.

High school students, entering grades 9 to 12,  looking to take extra credits during the summer….or to improve a grade, can also attend the Accelerated Schools.  Accredited by the State of Kansas and AdvancED, the school offers high school credit in a variety of courses including math, science, social studies, English and Spanish. Students can earn up to 1 ½ credits during the summer.  Each class takes three weeks, or 60 hours to complete.  Students are in a classroom setting, learning from an accredited teacher.

The high school summer school program is also offered from June 2 to August 8, 2014.  Students must enroll for at least three weeks. Weeks do not have to be consecutive, but dates must be determined in advance.  Go to this link to see the High School Summer School Flyer:  http://www.acceleratedschoolsop.org/assets/Uploads/summercamp.pdf

Students who just need some extra tutoring over the summer, but do not want to be in a set program, can participate in private tutoring at the Learning Center.  Information about the tutoring programs can be found in either summer program flyer.

If the links do not work, you can go to the school's website at www.AcceleratedSchoolsOP.org to see the camp flyers.

If you have questions, please call Jane Curran at 913-341-6666.

Computer Curriculum Updated!

      Digital photography, computer animation, graphic design, video production, video game design and Photoshop are all part of the Accelerated Schools’ elective computer classes.  For the past three years, students have been able to learn these skills on MacBook Pro laptop computers.

      With small classes of no more than nine students in each class, both high school and middle school students are able to learn new computer skills based on their abilities.  Students learn about photography, how to use special effects with photos, make simple animated videos, film and edit green screen video, and about the elements of graphic design.

     These classes are offered as part of the Accelerated Schools’ elective classes held each afternoon from 1 to 3 pm.  Students have a choice of electives including art, drama and music, besides the computer classes.

      Besides these computer classes, the Accelerated Schools, through the help of wonderful donors, was able to purchase 24 Google Chromebook computers this past summer.  One of the things the students use the Chromebook computers to work on is Study Island,” an online standards mastery and test preparation program built from state standards.,” as stated in its teacher’s manual.  “The program allows teachers to customize instruction to students’ needs while allowing students to study in standard test format.”

      The use of Study Island and the Google Chromebook computers has enhanced the schools ability to provide each student internet connection and a computer.

      The Chromebooks are also used for NWEA testing; for the Create A Book elective, a creative writing class; and for English composition classes.

       For more information about the Accelerated Schools of Overland Park, or to schedule an appointment, call Jane Curran at 913-341-6666.

Summer School Started June 6

Summer School started on June 6 with approximately 40 students enrolled for the month of June for either Summer School credit classes or private tutoring. Students are studying Spanish, Math, English, Science and Social studies for credit or to reinforce their knowledge base.
Students can sign up for Summer School throughout the summer. They must attend three weeks of school for 1/2 credit. But these weeks do not need to be consecutive. Students who need a full credit, need to attend six weeks of Summer School. Classes are held Monday through Friday from 9 am until 1 pm.
Private tutoring is held from 9 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Call the school for further information. 913-341-6666

Kansas Rep. Sheryl Spalding will speak at Graduation

Twelve students will received their high school diplomas from the Accelerated Schools of Overland Park on Thursday, May 19.

“The school is proud to hold commencement exercises in celebration of their accomplishments as these graduates prepare for the future,” said school Director Jane Curran.

Kansas State Representative Sheryl Spalding is this year’s commencement speaker. Representative Spalding has a distinguished career caring about children and working to provide education for all children. She served for eight years as a member of the Blue Valley Board of Education and five years as a member of the Kansas School Board Association, where she also held the position of vice president. She served as a board member of the Blue Valley Education Foundation and volunteered as a CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate for children involved in the court system.

In her four years as a State Representative for District 29, Rep. Spalding serves on two education-related committees: the Education Policy Committee and an education budget committee.

For 17 years, Rep. Spalding worked as a field research assistant working with teachers in urban, suburban, and rural schools in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area to develop successful learning strategies in inclusive classrooms for the University of Kansas.

The Accelerated Schools of Overland Park focuses on helping the students who do not fit into the box of traditional education. Each student benefits from the school’s individualized instruction, effective motivational system, and low student to teacher ratio. Accredited by AdvancED and the State of Kansas, the Accelerated Schools of Overland Park offers full day school, after school tutoring and a fully accredited summer school program.
Contact the school at 913-341-6666 or visit its website at www.AcceleratedSchoolsOP.org.

Learning Center At Accelerated Schools of Overland Park

“Many students cannot succeed in schools because they are missing a few key fundamental skills,” said Roxanna J., the Director of the Learning Center.

This after school and Saturday morning program offers students in grades 1 to 12 individualized instruction in all basic skills, including math, reading and writing. Students can focus on reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, phonics and composition while studying basic language skills. Or they might need to focus on computation, math concepts or problem solving (word problems). Higher level math instruction is also available.

Some students, who attend the Learning Center, focus on study skills or speed reading. Typically, students come two or three times a week, spending one to two hours at the Learning Center each time. Students are expected to spend at least 40 hours at the Learning Center for each subject.

The Learning Center students come from a wide range of schools within the metropolitan Kansas City area.

‘Because we have 100 percent parent participation,” Roxanna said, “it enables us to institute a successful program. Given adequate time in the program, 98 percent will achieve their goals.”

Roxanna has been associated with the Learning Center At Accelerated Schools since its beginnings in 1969. She was running the Learning Center when the day school began in 1978. Both operate under the same principles of education.

With a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree from Wichita State University, Roxanna enjoys being at the Learning Center “because of the opportunity to use best methods available to implement a proven program and fine tune precision teaching for the purpose of rapid acceleration.” With the teaching methods available, the Learning Center instructors are able to help the children in providing the skills needed to catch up to their classmates and move forward.

Summer School Program for 2011

With just two months left in the school year, it is time to start thinking about summer plans. One idea is to attend summer school to either move forward in the high school education or to re-address a problem subject. All courses are accredited by AdvancED and the State of Kansas. The courses are offered on a FLEXIBLE Schedule.
Because each child is works on an individualized basis, the student may start at any time and may attend on a flexible schedule as well. Each 1/2 credit is 60 hours, or three weeks. Weeks do not have to be consecutive. Cost is $325 per week: 9 am to 1 pm, Monday through Friday.

We offer High School Credit courses in the following topics:
Social Studies: World Geography, World History, United States History, American Government and Economics
Science: Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Earth/Space Science
Math: Fundamentals of Math; Algebra 1A, 1B, 1, Inter, 2; Geometry
English: 9, 10, 11, 12
Health

Middle School Students can also attend courses on Vocabulary Development, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Composition, Math, Social Studies, Science, Study Skills are incorporated.

Individualized Tutoring is available for students in grades 1 through 12. Most students focus on vocabulary development, reading comprehension, grammar, composition or math. Study skills are incorporated. Cost is $35 per hour.