Smaller Learning Communities "SLC"
| Freqeuntly Asked Questions What is a smaller learning community? Who coordinates the SLC? What is Advisory? |
SLC News Current News from SLC |
| Student Resources General English Math Physical Education/Health Social Studies Science Art |
Teacher Resouces Internet Links |
|
College Resources |
Homework Help at EHS Homework and Tutoring Help Talent Search/Upward Bound/Gear Up |
What is a smaller learning community?
East High and West High School received a large grant (money from the government
given to us for a specific purpose) to improve our schools by creating "smaller
learning environments". You will often hear of the Smaller Learning Communities
as "SLC". The whole point of SLC is to break our large school (schools of over
1000) into smaller pieces so students feel like a part of the school and so they
are known well by other students and at least one teacher.
For example, some students are really popular, are involved in lots of
activities at school, have lots of friends, and know a lot of teachers who also
know them. These students usually do well because they are "connected" to the
school- that is, they feel like they belong here and that they have support. For
other students, however, friends are hard to make and they can pass through the
school day without being "noticed" by others. Advisory is a time when the more
outgoing students and the quieter students can interact and get to know each
other. Also, it is a time when teachers don't have to "teach" so they can get to
know their advisory class, which is smaller than most classes, well.
Rhonda Tiwari
Smaller Learning Communities Facilitator
East High School
214 High Street
Waterloo, IA 50703
Office:(319)433-2400 ext. 14115
Fax: (319)433-2498
Advisory is one of the strategies we are using at East High School to “personalize” education. Each student is assigned to a teacher/advisor, who becomes an advocate and support for the student. By creating these personal connections, students can begin to feel safe and supported and, as research shows, will do better in school.
Advisory classes meet once a week for 30 minutes (from 9:30 until 10:00 a.m. every Wednesday.). Students are randomly assigned to advisories by grade level. As they move through their high school years, they will continue with the same teacher/advisor until at least their senior year. All teachers are randomly assigned to advisory groups.
What kinds of activities do students do in advisory?
Activities for advisory are geared toward the following themes:
Freshman: transition to high school, building positive relationships, character, study skills
Sophomores: career exploratory, building and maintaining positive relationships, character, study skills
Juniors: work-place skills, college exploratory, character, building and maintaining positive relationships
Seniors: college preparation, work/career preparation, character, life beyond high school, building and maintaining positive relationships
Activities are prepared by the SLC coordinator, and teacher/advisors facilitate the activities. Because the lessons are prepared for the teachers, they have more time to spend developing positive relationships with students and advocating for their student advisees.
Do students receive credit for advisory?
Yes, students receive credit for advisory. Each grading period students should receive a Pass/Fail grade based on their attendance and participation in advisory class.
For more information about advisory, contact Rhonda Tiwari, East High School Smaller Learning Communities Coordinator, at 433-2400 ext. 14135.
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Homework Assistance / Tutoring
East High School students have access to several sources of help for homework
assistance and tutoring:
Career Searchs
www.mymajors.com (college majors)
www.search4careercolleges.com (colleges, including vocational & technical)
www.career-edu.com (Career Ed.)
www.bls.gov/oco (Occupational Outlook Handbook info)
COLLEGE SEARCH LINKS:
www.collegeboard.com
www.petersons.com/ugrad/index.html
www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/eduhome.htm
www.ed.gov/thinkcollege/early/tce_home.htm
www.collegequest.com
www.embark.com
www.collegenet.com
collegeapps.about.com
http://campustours.com
https://access.bridges.com
http://collegeapps.about.com
http://www.collegeplanning.org
TESTING LINKS
www.asvabprogram.com (military info + ASVAB test info)
www.number2.com (Free ACT/SAT Prep)
www.act.org
www.collegeboard.com
www.act.org/aap
www.kaplan.com/precoll
www.review.com/college
www.testprep.com/satmenu.html
www.princetonreview.com/
FINANCIAL AID LINKS
www.finaid.org
Current News
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY: The American Fire Sprinkler Association High School Senior Scholarship is open to students planning to attend a college/university or trade school in the United States. Applicants should visit the Association's website (www. afascholarship.org) and read a fire sprinkler essay about automatic fire sprinklers. After they read the essay, they must take a 10-question, online multiple-choice test that tests their knowledge of fire sprinklers. Students receive one scholarship drawing entry for each correct answer. The test is "open book," and students have more than one chance at the end of the test to answer questions that they answered incorrectly. Four $5000 scholarships will be awarded. Deadline to apply is April 12.
QuestBridge is pleased to announce the launch of its College Prep Scholarship Program for high school juniors, with applications due May 15, 2006. High school juniors who have achieved excellent academic results in the face of economic challenges are encouraged to complete the College Prep Scholarship application, which is available online at www.questbridge.org beginning April 15. Over 100 scholarships will be awarded, each including one or more of the following:
- Full scholarships to college summer programs
- Coverage of travel expenses for college visits
- SAT prep courses and materials
- New laptop computers (Intel-based with 512 MB RAM and 40 GB hard drive)
In addition, all qualified low-income applicants will gain access to college advice services offered by QuestBridge during the college application process.
DeVry University scholarships are availale. Deadlines vary and amounts vary from $6000 to full tuition. Full time students studying technology, business and management, and game and simulation programming. For more information call 1-800-295-8694 or e-mail scholarships@devry.edu or see your guidance counselor.