Buckle Down Time...

Its MAY ALREADY!?!
We're in the last month of the school year and it's time to buckle down and DO WoRK. Please leave me a comment on this posting or send me a short email updating me of your progress on your movies. I wish I could be there today, but I'm doing work at a conference on Web 2.0



Let me know how the filming of scenes goes today (extra LT FOR THE UPDATE)

ASK US, please!!!!

Mrs. Van Hout and I just returned from an awesome conference! Most of what I went to was on Technology & Innovation in the classroom.

Ask us what we did, we'd be more than happy to tell you...

Employability & Personal Narrative (storytelling)

Over the next 5 weeks, students in CORE Charter School will participate in unit which will examine 5 different areas:

1. Work Ethic






2. Communication




3. Collaboration

4. Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

5. Social Responsibility

Students will examine each area through personal narrative AKA storytelling. I'm hoping several guest speakers will come into our school and share their story. If you have any questions about what is going on- please let us know.

FIELD TRIP TO FVTC

On March 3rd, students in CORE Charter School will attend Fox Valley Technical College. The students will get a 1:1 tour of a specific area they've chosen.
Students in PM CORE who attend the field trip will not have classes in the afternoon.

Field Trip Planning Competition

Several students have voiced their opinions, "Mr. McCabe, we should go on a field trip!" Here's your chance- submit a typed plan for a field trip to Mr. McCabe or Mrs. Van Hout. All submissions should answer the following:
-Field trip location
-What educational value does the field trip have?
-cost
-plan of what will happen at the field trip

CORE Stock Club

CORE Charter School has started up a stock club. Students in CORE Charter have the option of joining this club. Prizes will be awarded quarterly. Students became interested in the stock market during a finance unit. They have been using the website: www.stocksquest.com as a stock market simulation. Students will start out with $1000 and they will will trade stocks in an effort to improve their portfolio. Students will meet twice a week for 30 minutes to discuss their experiences with the stock market. I will set up guest speakers and other activities throughout the year.

THANK YOU

I would like to thank all of the students and parents who attended the 2nd Annual CORE Charter Pancake Dinner. The students did a wonderful job of demonstrating their progress to their parents. I would also like to thank Mrs. Van Hout for all of the hard work that she did to make the dinner possible. The groceries, supplies, and griddles, made the cooking and camaraderie possible.

CORE Charter School Needs YOU!!!

CORE Charter School needs a mascot/logo and you can help. Mrs. Van Hout and Mr. McCabe are in the market for CORE Charter School shirts; however, the charter school does not yet have a mascot/logo. On MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH, CORE Charter School staff will select the new mascot/logo for CORE Charter School.
Participants in the contest are asked to submit the following:

• Sketch of the Logo/mascot
• T-shirt design

Keep in mind the school colors of CORE Charter School are Black, White, and Baby Blue (Carolina Blue). CORE stands for Caring Opportunities to Recover Education. If you want to incorporate a saying or slogan with your design- feel free to do so. Good Luck-

Welcome Back!!! A note to the students' & parents'...

I hope everyone had a great summer! Over the next few days, Mrs. Van Hout and I will be meeting with each of you to discuss what you'll be working on during the first quarter.

Both the AM & PM group will start out the year examining non-fiction text. Difficult and controversial issues such as the death penalty, incarceration of juveniles, and the war in Iraq will be addressed. I am going to introduce the death penalty during the first few days of school. Students will select other topics to investigate. Student's will engage in debates with their peers, analyze journal articles, and create a project to present to the class. Sensitive controversial topics will be covered. As with any assignment in CORE Charter School, students may opt out and request an alternate assignment. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

CORE Charter School received 75 new books over the summer. Students will have an opportunity to craft their own learning plan, and I feel confident in the curriculum which will be provided to each member of CORE Charter School.

Please continue to regularly check the blog for updates!

This year at school was better than all my years being in school. I was transferred from the Kimberly High School to the Core Charter School. Since being in Charter School my attendances went way up. Outside of school was pretty rough this year. I got into a little bit of trouble for fighting too much. Now I am facing felony charges, which really sucks because I love to hunt. I also broke my collar bone really bad playing basketball. After the break I had to get a plate and seven screws put into my shoulder. The worst part of breaking my collar bone was not being able to go to work.

This school year was better than others a lot of stuff going on in, and out side of school. I would have to say that I attended a lot more school this year than any other years. I would have to say although I was here a lot more I learned less then any other year. I wish I would of stuck with gym for 4^th block and not of been talked into personal Finance by my girl friend. The thing I regret most of from this year at K.H.S would be having M*. *****. Best thing about this year would be football going to state. I had the best times watching basketball and football in MADTOWN (aka Madison). If I were to compare the years I would have to say that this was my best one. The teachers in core charter really helped me get through. They were there when I needed help and even when I didn't, the support was great.

What I did This Year

This year I accomplished getting my credits for science and English. The thing that disappoints me is that, some days when I had a lot of work to get done, I just blew it off and did something else. Next year, I want to try to stay on task and finish what I need to get done. During this summer, I am also hoping to get into the independent reading course, and work study, so I can get more competencies for more credits.