The Vision
SMALL LEARNING COMMUNITIES &
TRIMESTER SCHEDULING
”The Vision” Video
Larry Tibbs
Brennon Sapp
Intro to Dixie
Jim Clark
Jennifer Henry
Teresa Nicosia
Rachel McCormick
Agenda for Today
Trimester-Basics (10-15 minutes)
 SOS Video (10-15 minutes)
 Intro to SOS (60+ minutes)
 SOS Details & What it means for You
 Lunch (50-70 minutes)
 SOS Lessons/Flavoring (15 + 90 minutes)
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Average Presenter Presentation Time = 4.5 hrs
Average Salary of Presenters = $54,000
Average Age of Presenters = 43
Average Years of Experience = 16
What is in this for me?
Agenda for Today
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Trimester-Basics (14 minutes)
SOS Video (11 minutes 53 seconds)
Intro to SOS (63 minutes)
SOS Details & What it means for You
Lunch (60 minutes)
SOS Lessons/Flavoring (15 + 90 minutes)
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Math
Science
English
Social Studies
– Group I Electives
– Group II Electives
We would also like to know why we are doing this, who
has done it before, and how long we will be doing it?
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Agenda for Today
We will tell you about
ourselves
Trimester-Basics (10-15 minutes)
SOS Video (11 minutes)
Intro to SOS (60+ minutes)
SOS Details & What it means
Lunch (?)
SOS Lessons/Flavoring (15 + 90 minutes)
Whole Group (we will
try to be friendly)
Math
 Science
 English
 Social Studies
In small groups &
collaborative
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Group I Electives
 Group II Electives
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Eat with who you like!
Yes, we would love to
answer your emails
Trimester-Basics
Agenda
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Three-12 week grading periods each
year
Each class is worth ½ credit
– Traditional 1 credit classes are split into A/B
– Most AP/Dual credit classes are A/B/C
Five Classes each day
Each class will be 70 minutes long
Each 12 week term is a ½ credit
Students will take a total of fifteen-½
credit classes each school year
1st Period
2nd Period
3rd Period (Lunch)
4th Period
5th Period
Lunch #1
Lunch #2
Lunch #3
Lunch #4
7:50- 9:00
9:05-10:15
10:20-11:53
11:58- 1:08
1:13- 2:30
10:15-10:38
10:40-11:03
11:05-11:28
11:30-11:53
(23
(23
(23
(23
minutes)
minutes)
minutes)
minutes)
Graduation Requirements:
English
Mathematics
- 4 units:
- 4 units:
English I, II, III, & IV
Must include Algebra I-A & I-B
and Geometry *
Science
- 3.5 units: CSI, Core Life, Physical &
Earth/Space Science required, plus 1.5 credits other
Science credits.
Social Studies
- 3 units:
Intro. to Social Studies and
World Civilization recommended,
U.S. History required
Health
-1/2 unit
Physical Education
-1/2 unit
Arts & Humanities
- 1 unit
Business Principles
- 1 unit
(formerly Keyboarding)
& Tech. Applications
Electives
- 10.5 units
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Total
- 28 units
*Beginning with the class of 2007, prep algebra will be considered only as an elective
credit, not a math credit towards graduation.
(Beginning with Class of 2011)
Sophomore - 6 credits (including English I)
Junior - 13 credits (including English I, II)
Senior – 20.5 credits (including English I, II, III)
Shorter class periods than block
 More options for creativity in classes
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◦ A and B classes
◦ ½ credit electives
◦ ½ credit requirements
More “Fresh Starts”
 Students may retake “part” of a class
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More chances for immediate
remediation
 More flexibility in student schedules
 More flexibility in graduation
requirements
 Room for study skills
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A and B Course solve/cause problems
◦ A before B?
◦ Is part B necessary?
◦ Same teacher?
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Number of Preps, it’s a problem
◦ Within the trimester
◦ Within the year
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Pre-requisites everywhere. . . Or not?
Lunch Schedule--Early or Late?
 Singletons – Innovative electives
create more singletons
 Placement of special courses
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◦ V-school
◦ Dual credit (colleges are on semesters)
◦ Remediation opportunities
The Vision
SMALL LEARNING COMMUNITIES
”The Vision” Video-Year 1 in Reflection
Our Schools
of Study
The School of
Visual/Performing Arts and
Media (VPAM)
Characteristics:
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complicated
emotional
Abilities
expressive
writing
idealistic
musical
imaginative
artistic
impulsive
independent
introspective
intuitive
nonconforming
Jobs:
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composer
musician
stage director
writer
interior decorator
actor/actress
event coordinator
reporter
artist
photographer
advertisement
executive
The School of
Science, Technology, Engineering
& Math (STEM)
Characteristics:
Jobs:
– analytical
– cautious Abilities
– complex mechanical
mathematic
– critical
scientific
– curious
– Intellectual
– introverted,
– methodical
– precise
– rational
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mechanic
aircraft controller
surveyor
farmer
electrician
biologist
chemist
physicist
anthropologist
geologist
med tech
The School of
Law, Education, Health & Human
Services (LEHH)
Characteristics:
cooperative
 generous
Abilities
 helpful
social
 idealistic
verbal
emotional
 patient
 responsible
 social
 sympathetic
 understanding
 warm
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Jobs:
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teacher
religious worker
counselor
psychologist
social worker
speech therapist
police officer
lawyer
nurse
nutritionist
physical therapist
sociologist
(BIT)
Business & Information Technology
The School of
Characteristics:
acquisitive
 adventurous
 agreeable
Abilities
 ambitious
leadership
speaking
 extroverted
clerical
 energetic
 attention-getting
 impulsive
 optimistic
 popular
 self-confident
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Jobs:
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salesperson
manager
business executive
television producer
sports promoter
buyer
bookkeeper
stenographer
financial analyst
banker
cost estimator
tax expert
Freshman Academy
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Team approach
Most critical year
Various support programs
Used as a vehicle to introduce
students to the Schools of Study
(Decision point)
• Freshman Coordinator and a
Freshman Administrator
• Pathways (Advisory)
Establish a Vision Team
• A group to trail blaze the path to the
New Dixie Heights High School
– Professional development
– Time line/steps
– Advocates for change
• Hand Picked Committee (12)
– Teacher leaders
– Representative group
– Visionaries
• SOS Lead Teachers
Spreading the Word
• “The Vision” – Promotional Video
• School of Study
– Websites
– Brochures
– Videos
– Parent Information Nights
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SOS Sample Videos
• To Students
– Surveys
– Videos
– Freshman Academy (lessons, advisory,
and posters)
Curriculum Development
• Model Lessons
• Flavoring of Core Content Classes
(Relevancy)
• Collaborative Lessons
• Business/Community Involvement
• Development of New Electives
Science Then
• Three Required Classes
– Biology (1 credit-freshman)
– Earth/Space Science (1 credit)
– Integrated Science (1 credit)
• Electives
– Chemistry (1 credit)
– Anatomy & Physiology (1 credit)
– Physics (1 credit)
– Environmental Science (1 credit)
– AP Chemistry (2 credits)
– AP Biology (2 credits)
Science Now
Three and a Half Required Classes
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Scientific Investigations (1/2 credit-freshman)
Life Science (1/2 credit)
Earth/Space Science (1/2 credit)
Physical Science (1/2 credit)
1½ credits to be spread out in electives
Electives (all ½ credit, save AP Classes)
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Chemistry A & B
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Anatomy A & B
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Physics A & B
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Environmental Science
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Forensics
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Zoology
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Astronomy
Chemistry & Community
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Oceanography/Marin Biology
Medical Science
Radio Technology
Horticulture
Geology
Meteorology
Anatomy for Artist
AP Chemistry
AP Biology
Career Pathways
• SOS
– Pathway
• Occupations
– Recommended Courses
• LEHHS
– Education/Psychology
• Counselor
– Child Development
– Psychology
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Establishing Business Partnership
• Business Partnership Receptions
• Business Partner Liaison
• Externships
• Business Panels
Entrepreneurship Project
• Research/Identify Business Site
• Formal Presentation
• Business Mentors
Building SOS Identity
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SOS/Student Data Bases
Student Advisory Councils
SOS Pathway Groups
Career Mini-sessions
SOS Team Meetings
SOS Celebration
SOS Course Selection Sheets
Questions?
www.dixie.kenton.kyschools.us
www.bsapp.com/Schools_of_Study.htm
•South Grand Prairie (TX) sgphs.gpisd.org
•Kennesaw Mountain (GA)
www.cobb.k12.ga.us/~kennesawmountain
•Pulaski County (KY)
www.pcva.us/schools/pchs/index.htm