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When I think back to my junior and senior high school years, I remember that I absolutely loved school. It wasn't academics that drew me, though they were a necessary part of the equation; it was the ability to interact socially with others whom I loved. I looked forward to those times before and after class when I could chat with my classmates or the teacher. I looked forward to lunchtime because I could chat with my friends. Parties were great because then I could have the social interaction without academic effort.
That social engagement was a necessary part of my learning and is part of what shaped me to be the woman I am today. As a student, if a topic came up in discussion and I was ignorant of that topic, I wanted to find out more. My research skills and listening skills improved. There were times I felt the direction of the conversation was wrong. It was then that I learned to respectfully stand up for what I believed in. I learned the rules to football so that I could be a part of conversations related to sports. I learned that I was not the only person with an idea or opinion and that if I wanted others to listen to me, I should be willing to listen to them. I learned how to handle disagreements and how to weigh the merits of the conversation to determine if it was worthwhile or not. I learned to speak to an adult with confidence and respect; I learned how to carry my end of the conversation, even when I wasn't enthralled with the topic.
Here at the academy, we strive to meet the social needs of our students not just for the sake of social engagement, but for the life lessons they can learn through social engagement.
This year, many students and parents have been surprised to find projects within their curriculum that require them to call and chat with a teacher. The purpose of these projects is two-fold. It allows us to give direct feedback and assistance to a student, but more importantly, it allows the student to practice carrying on a meaningful conversation with an adult. This is a valuable lesson. We encourage students to speak up and speak with confidence as they talk with us.
Something a little more difficult to offer to our students is social engagement with classmates and friends. However, we believe we are making great strides in that area. The online classrooms that are almost a year old now allow the students interaction with teachers and limited interaction with friends. Our student center on the campus website allows students to interact in a protected environment and is a great way to establish friendships with other AOA students. This winter we offered an online party for our student both web-based and also a Wii version. Students surveyed showed appreciation for the opportunity and expressed a desire for more social interaction opportunities.
Our first opportunity for 2012 will be on February 22 when we provide a brief afternoon of Facts and Fun for our junior and senior high students (grades 7-12). The focus of this event will be presidential and black history trivia and will be presented in a game format. The event will begin at 3:00 p.m. (CT). The WebEx meeting will open about fifteen minutes early for those who wish to socialize and make new friends. Parents, as mid-February draws near, please check your email to make certain you receive an invitation to the event for your child. If you do not receive an invitation, please have your child call the academy on the morning of February 22 to request that an invitation be emailed to them.
We look forward to seeing your child for a time of facts and fun!
Deb Secord
Principal
That social engagement was a necessary part of my learning and is part of what shaped me to be the woman I am today. As a student, if a topic came up in discussion and I was ignorant of that topic, I wanted to find out more. My research skills and listening skills improved. There were times I felt the direction of the conversation was wrong. It was then that I learned to respectfully stand up for what I believed in. I learned the rules to football so that I could be a part of conversations related to sports. I learned that I was not the only person with an idea or opinion and that if I wanted others to listen to me, I should be willing to listen to them. I learned how to handle disagreements and how to weigh the merits of the conversation to determine if it was worthwhile or not. I learned to speak to an adult with confidence and respect; I learned how to carry my end of the conversation, even when I wasn't enthralled with the topic.Here at the academy, we strive to meet the social needs of our students not just for the sake of social engagement, but for the life lessons they can learn through social engagement.
This year, many students and parents have been surprised to find projects within their curriculum that require them to call and chat with a teacher. The purpose of these projects is two-fold. It allows us to give direct feedback and assistance to a student, but more importantly, it allows the student to practice carrying on a meaningful conversation with an adult. This is a valuable lesson. We encourage students to speak up and speak with confidence as they talk with us.
Something a little more difficult to offer to our students is social engagement with classmates and friends. However, we believe we are making great strides in that area. The online classrooms that are almost a year old now allow the students interaction with teachers and limited interaction with friends. Our student center on the campus website allows students to interact in a protected environment and is a great way to establish friendships with other AOA students. This winter we offered an online party for our student both web-based and also a Wii version. Students surveyed showed appreciation for the opportunity and expressed a desire for more social interaction opportunities.
Our first opportunity for 2012 will be on February 22 when we provide a brief afternoon of Facts and Fun for our junior and senior high students (grades 7-12). The focus of this event will be presidential and black history trivia and will be presented in a game format. The event will begin at 3:00 p.m. (CT). The WebEx meeting will open about fifteen minutes early for those who wish to socialize and make new friends. Parents, as mid-February draws near, please check your email to make certain you receive an invitation to the event for your child. If you do not receive an invitation, please have your child call the academy on the morning of February 22 to request that an invitation be emailed to them.
We look forward to seeing your child for a time of facts and fun!
Deb Secord
Principal
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