Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Clarendon Elementary School Update

Fourth grade students from Michelle Wright’s and Melissa Bessey’s classes attended an overnight trip to the Phoenix Zoo on the 8th of January. The excursion was funded by a grant from Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation. Each student chose an animal native to Arizona and conducted internet-based research in order to better prepare for the zoo experience. The students were fortunate to be able to see their individual Arizona animal up close and in person at the zoo. Due to their preparation, they were able to share interesting facts about their animal with the group. What a great experience!

The Clarendon Spelling Bee winners are: 1st- Isaac Solis in Chad Kobold’s 5th grade classroom; 2nd- Kimberly Santos in Kristi Wilhelms’ 6th grade classroom; and 3rd- DeMarcus Pierce in Sara Bill’s 6th grade classroom.

Source: Osborn Elementary School District

Monday, January 12, 2009

Bioscience High Now Enrolling Students for 2009-2010 School Year

Students who are interested in attending Phoenix Union’s Bioscience High School for the 2009-2010 school year will have their best chance if they return applications to the school by the Priority Deadline of February 5.

Applications are available at www.biosciencehs.org or by calling (602) 764-5600.

Students and parents must attend an orientation meeting as part of the application process. Orientation sessions are January 31 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and February 4 and 5 from 6-8 p.m. at the school, located at 512 E. Pierce Street. Completed applications can be brought to the orientation, or submitted by February 5.

The science and math-themed small school is accepting up to 100 ninth-graders, and a limited number of openings are available for 10th and 11th graders. Students residing within the Phoenix Union High School District will receive first priority for enrollment, but out-of-District students are encouraged to apply.

Bioscience High School, which is an Excelling School according to the state’s Achievement Profiles, scored among the highest in Arizona in AIMS Math, Reading and Science. The school does not require an entrance exam or qualifying grades, but students must have an interest and ability in science and math, be motivated for a rigorous curriculum and have college and career ambitions in science and math-related fields.

“We want to make sure that parents and students know what to expect and be sure that this is the school for them. Students who love science handpick this school, we don’t handpick them. We give more weight to motivation than grades,” Principal Dr. DeeDee Falls said.

The application includes references from teachers, so students are encouraged to start the process early. Students will also be interviewed prior to being accepted.

Bioscience will have a full 9-12th grade enrollment for the first time in 2009-2010 with the first-ever senior class graduating in spring of 2010. Juniors select one of three Pathway programs in Biomedical, Biomedical Research or Engineering and seniors are placed in internships with neighboring research, medical and engineering partners.

The school will also benefit from a $2.4 million grant from the City of Phoenix Capital Improvement Program Bond to renovate the existing historic McKinley building on the campus for a Medical Sciences school.

Source: Phoenix Union High School District

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Child Find

The Osborn School District Child Find Program is designed to identify, locate and evaluate children who are suspected of having an educational disability. If you have a concern, please contact Becky McNany at 602-707-2017.

Source: Osborn Reporter

Dual Language Program

Osborn’s Dual Language Enrichment Program has been successfully helping children become bilingual and biliterate since 1998. Students spend equal time fully immersed in English and Spanish, learning the entire curriculum in both.

Osborn students have won state-wide competitions in Spanish Language Essays and Spelling Bees. Currently at Encanto, Clarendon, and Longview schools, Osborn would like to expand the program to other schools in 2009.

Source: Osborn Reporter

TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

Technology is an integral part of the curriculum at Osborn. This year, 100 teachers received new computers; Longview, Solano, and Encanto received new mobile laptop carts for classroom use; and Clarendon and Solano received several mobile projector carts with docu-cameras and
laptops. Each school now has BrainPOP, an animated, curriculum based program funded by the Library Grant.


Additionally, Osborn Middle School has netTreckker, an online tool for students, from the Library Grant.

Source: Osborn Reporter

OSBORN 6TH GRADE AIMS MATHEMATICS SHINES

The sixth grade students in the Osborn School District showed strong results in mathematics demonstrating a higher level of proficiency than any other inner city school district. Bravo to both the students and teachers for their accomplishments!

The same AIMS data that makes us proud of our students' and teachers' efforts also clearly outlines where we need to improve. Osborn teachers meet weekly and plan with Collaborative Peer Teachers to analyze achievement data, discuss effective instruction, monitor student progress, and design engaging lessons in mathematics, science, and literacy.

Source: Osborn Reporter

Osborn Middle School Selected for Arts Program

Osborn Middle School will partner with the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, ASU Herberger College of the Arts, AZ Dept of Education, and AZ State Library. Since mid October, Herberger graduate students have collaborated with 8th grade writing teacher Karen Levesque to present Art Space, an after-school performing arts program in which students study time through stop motion animation, human sculpting and other exciting art techniques.

Source: Osborn Reporter