ExplorerInnovative and Alternative Education

ACE AERO CRIS Goodman Seed to Table MAAP OFS Pathways Phoenix ROAD SAPAR TLC WLC

mmsd.org/innoved

Quarter 3, 2012 -2013

Now Interviewing...Our programs offer targeted learning, vocational and diploma options for all students.

If you are interested in attending you will need to get a referral. Referrals are available from Counselors, Social Workers and support staff at your school. If you are not currently enrolled in a Madison school, you will need to be enrolled prior to having a referral made.

This year we have two special summer programs available to qualified students. Students may self-refer to the programs through our online referral system.

OFS Pathways (+summer)Self Referral: https://innovedweb.madison.k12.wi.us/node/80A partnership with Operation Fresh Start, students will be served in a team instructional framework with MMSD providing core academic instruction and OFS developed career development, employability skills, and developing post secondary education goals.

Seed To Table (+summer)Self Referral: https://innovedweb.madison.k12.wi.us/node/81Seed to Table teaches hands-on learning in the kitchen, classroom, field, and woodshop. Work focuses on three parts of the local sustainable food systems: urban agriculture, culinary arts and food preservation.

AEROReferrals due by June 5. AERO staff will be contacting families and interviewing students June 7, 10, 11 and 12.

Requirements: Current eighth and ninth graders who are struggling academically or socially and in need of additional supports during their ninth or tenth grade year. Current ninth graders may have no more than 2.5 credit).

WLCStudents must attend one of three informational meetings (see above). Students have the opportunity to sign-up for interviews for June 10 and 11.

ROADFor qualified students whose freshman class will graduate June 2014, ROAD will be conducting interviews on May 21, 22, 23.

SAPAROnce a referral is received, parent/guardian will be contacted by SAPAR staff to schedule an interview. SAPAR will be conducting intake interviews from June 10-13 and again September 3, 4 and 5.

Referrals are required for all programs. Please see your current school support staff.

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At SAPAR this semester we continue our two year grant with the Madison Children’s Museum allowing our students to bring their babies and explore the museum and obtain a free one year membership for their participation. In addition to parenting and childbirth classes, we have explored how the media influences us particularly with the objectification of women and how it perpetuates domestic violence in our society. This unit aligned with the English class unit of Media Literacy where the girls studied male and female body image, consumerism, ethnic, racial, and sexual orientation stereotypes, and then created their own ads and anti-ads to demonstrate their knowledge of persuasive techniques used in the media.

Our reading of Origins by Annie Murphy Paul, highlighted the historical/scientific, personal, and emotional perspectives of pregnancy and showcases both myths and realities present in each of the nine months. Each student utilized a technological resource, Prezi, to research and present two chapters in the book.

Students studied a unit on Hurricane Katrina by reading the book Voices From The Storm. Each student took on the perspective of one of the thirteen novel characters (real people from the event) and shared their stories on a class blog. For the final project, each student recorded a story for their own oral history in order to better understand the impact and legacy of individual voices.

In social studies, students studied the impact of the Triangle Shirtwaist fire on workers’ rights, and then compared the tragedy to the recent factory fire in Bangladesh. Each student continued the theme of “how disasters impact history” with a research project on topics that ranged from the Jonestown massacre to the Bhopal gas leak.

A special thanks goes out to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for their diaper drive which produced a huge diaper donation for us! Thank you! They will be put to good use.

SAPAR

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WLC LaphamWLC Lapham Graduates Complete Trades Academy

Three WLC Lapham graduates were among those who graduated from the Foundations for the Trades Academy on Friday, April 5. During the six-week training program, conducted by program partners including Construction Training, Inc., Operation Fresh Start, and Urban League of Greater Madison; Gante Blibo (2006), Jonathan Moore (2013), and John Stephens IV (2012), received classroom and hands-on training in basic construction trades concepts. They also earned CPR and OSHA Safety certification and completed modules from the Pre-Apprenticeship Certification Training (PACT) curriculum.

In addition to receiving classroom instruction, they also spent four weeks building a house on Madison’s north side. Each student received training in reading blue prints, safety rules and construction math. They also took part in hands-on training with trades apparatus (including hand and power tools). All the training emphasized safety and workforce preparedness for construction and trades career pathways.

All three are preparing for apprenticeship entrance exams in the areas of steamfitting (Gante Blibo), labor (John Stevens IV), and carpentry (Jonathan Moore). Congratulations and good luck!

Ray McKnight has a very demanding job - all of which must be done on his and his neighbors’ front lawns! His job just got easier thanks to a gift from Work and Learn Center (WLC). Not having access to a computer on a regular basis makes his new job difficult, as the Gardens for Empowerment (G4E) Resident Urban Agriculture Coordinator in Southwest Madison. When G4E project members learned that WLC students have the skills to build computers and are looking for ways to give back to their community, it seemed like a natural partnership.

In April 2013, WLC – Level 2 students Beng Lee and Sara Cabrera responded to the volunteer request by offering to build and donate a computer to the G4E project. When asked about her reason for

volunteering, Cabrera stated, “I did it because I enjoy giving others something they really need, and I really like taking my time and doing something that I know is going to help others.” Together Lee and Cabrera spent time after school for one week building the computer, installing the operating system, and loading applications necessary for use by McKnight. Once finished, Cabrera and Lee meet with McKnight. Working together, they setup the computer for McKnight as well as showed him the software applications they installed for his work. They also had the opportunity to tour the gardens with McKnight and learned how their contribution will benefit the project’s ability to succeed and be sustainable.

The Gardens for Empowerment Project

The G4E Project is a collaboration between neighbors, landlords, and several other local agencies in Madison, whose long-range goal is to improve the livability of Madison neighborhoods and to create a model of community building that can be replicated elsewhere.

The project contributes to the goal of stabilizing challenged neighborhoods by engaging neighborhood residents, including at-risk youth, in flower and vegetable gardening on the front lawns of low-income apartment buildings. The Resident Urban Agriculture Coordinator, hired from the neighborhood, is responsible for the management, planning, and oversight of all urban agriculture operations from land preparation through quality harvest including all aspects of organic vegetable, herb, flower and fruit production. Find them on Facebook!

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Once again this year has flown by. We have had the distinct opportunity to work with some of the district’s most amazing, insightful students. Our staff is committed to advancing students’ academic skills as well as broadening their resiliency tools. A heartfelt ‘Thank you” goes out to all the families, community partners and supporters of our students.

We are beginning the focused transitioning to the next educational/vocational environments for many of our students. They will always be part of our lives.

Principal

Sally Schultz 212.3039 sscultz@madison.k12.wi.us ACE

Alternative Credit at East (or ACE) helps students earn credits towards graduation, staying on track, or providing a place for students to go during transition times in between alternative programs. To date, Ms. Emilie, the ACE teacher, has guided fifty students towards earning an additional 14.5 credits (with more in progress)!

Here’s some things students had to say about how ACE helped them this year:

“I actually look forward to coming to this class [even though it’s after school]. I don’t have to

worry about kids being off task, all I have to do is my work.”

“ACE has helped me complete a class I wasn’t really able to take in a comfortable atmosphere.

The class is quiet and calm. Ms. Emilie, the teacher, is nice and helpful.”

“ACE has helped me analyze short stories and text.”

Another focus of ACE is academic skill development. Students work on identifying areas of improvement in their note-taking and work with Ms. Emilie to develop note-taking strategies that work for their learning needs. Students like the individualized attention from the program and have seen an improvement in their ability to take efficient, yet complete, notes.

Congrats to all the ACE students who are graduating this year. Way to go!!

AERO is wrapping up the year with a close-knit, strong group of students and staff who are all excited to begin going outside of the classroom again! We plan on several field trips that include an overnight camping trip to Devil’s Lake, two separate climbing trips, canoeing, and an end of the year field trip or scavenger hunt.

Overall, much of the work that has been done in AERO this year has focused on not only community building and social emotional learning but also building some of the students' basic academic skills such as using Cor-nell notes, writing five paragraph essays, constructing their own poetry, and how to study and review for tests. Although not always the most riveting for students, they are necessary to ensure their future success in their home schools.

Finally, AERO staff would like to proudly introduce the newest Innovative family member, Zinnia, born to Brian Counselman (AERO teacher) and his wife, Laura on April 7. She, of course, is beautiful, lovely, and wonder-ful and we're incredibly happy for the new family!

AERO

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TLCSuspicion By Tawania A.

The clock shown 1:37 am as I heard my roommate Thomas Higgins enter the room carrying duffle bags like they were 2,000 pounds each. He walked over to his bed and dumped everything out containing gold watches & all kinds of jewelry. Mostly women’s wear.

“Whoa dude, where did you get all that from! Did you rob somebody?” I said jokingly.

He started to put it in middle drawer, skipping my question. He walked over to the closet door and put his jacket on the coat rack, proceeding to his bed where he soon fell asleep.

The next morning as I woke up to the news, it was talking about a burglary that happened in Madison. It was on Strobel Avenue, which happened to be two blocks away from our apartment. I thought about how late Thomas came in yesterday, but immediately shook that thought out of my head. I’ve known him for 2 years now and I know he’s not a possibility. But lately he’s been acting weird. One day he came home with his blood-shot red with no explanation, also he comes home and leaves out more often. And for a WHOLE weekend he never come home. It just doesn’t sound like him, like he’s a whole different person. But sometimes I think he just needs time to spend to himself.

When I woke up the next morning he was already gone. His bed was already made. I got up, went to the bathroom and then went to my closet. I opened to look for my clothes and I noticed a letter sticking out of Thomas’s pocket that still hang on the coat rack. I revoked the thought of peeking into his privacy but I kept thinking about how he changed lately and maybe this letter will help me understand why. The letter was addressed to him. I opened it and to my surprise it was a list of names (mostly in our neighborhood) and their valuables. I continued to read it and then I placed it back in his jacket the way I found it. He walked in when I was placing it back.

“What are you doing?” He asked as I quickly and utterly stumbled back to my closet door.

“That letter fell out your pocket and I was doing you a favor by picking it up, my bad!” I lied through my teeth.

“Oh, Okay thanks” He responded.

I let out a sigh of relief. Later that evening I managed to watch the news again. I heard an update on the burglaries, but then Thomas told me to turn to Sports Center.

Later that night I overheard him talking on the phone whispering as if he were a mouse. He explained that he had the cash but needed more time to pay it off. Then there was silence. He came into the room and I pretended to be asleep so he wouldn’t expect anything. But I suspected him.

The next day I woke up to find him making breakfast. He said he

had a long day ahead of him. I continued my morning like everyday so he wouldn’t think anything was out of the ordinary. I started to ask him why he was so different all of the sudden but I decided it was going to make him suspicious. So I kept it to myself.

He left soon after he ate his breakfast. I decided to follow him. I waited in my car until he turned the corner. I eased down the road and onto the next. His car was a few before mines but I still could see his every move like a cheetah can see their prey. He kept straight for an hour or so until he came to an abrupt stop. He sat there on an abandoned street for about 30 minutes. As I sat there… waiting, another car pulled around the corner and went right past him. After several minutes I seen his car door opened slowly and carefully. He stepped outside the car and walked toward where the other car had headed. He turned the corner, and I got out of my Lexus that was parked around the corner.

As I walked closer, I saw smoke from a factory of some sort and “whir whir whir” from the sound of machinery. I continued until I saw him; then I ducked behind a bush, so I wouldn’t be seen. Thomas was standing with a caucasian male. He handed off a white envelope that looked very stuffed. He stood there talking to the man for 5 minutes with constant nodding of his head. He turned around then I ducked back down before he saw me. He started to walk back to his car, then I ran hurriedly and dodged back into my car. Then I waited for him to start up his car, but he didn’t. He got back out of his car and started to come closer towards me. I laid down in the passenger’s seat making it so that I couldn’t be seen. I wondered if he saw me. Soon, I heard tapping on my window. He forcefully opened my door and grabbed me out. I trembled in his hands, terrified.

“What were you doing following me?” He said angrily.

“I... I... ” I answered, not being able to finish my sentence. “I just wanted to see…

“…SEE WHAT?” He yelled almost blowing my eardrums out.

I replied, “ Just seeing why you’ve been acting so weird, and why you’ve had all those women’s jewelry. And…”

“…And you thought that I stole them?” he asked.

“Well yes, I overheard you on the phone talking about having some money but not enough to pay it off and when I watched the news you asked me to turn when it was talking about the burglary down the street…” He loosened his grip on my shirt then finally released me.

“You want to know why? My mom died and I didn’t have the money to pay for her cremation, so… I got a job picking up jewelry from peoples houses and returning it so they can get them melted. I give their stuff back; the money’s worth it, that’s why I had that list. And last night on the phone I was talking to the morgue about my mother. And I was telling them that I was going to get the money. I’m not doing anything illegal.” He leaned back on my car.

“Oh, I’m sorry man. I didn’t know. Why didn’t you tell me, I wouldn’t have thought that about you. And what was that you just gave that man you were with?”

continued on page 7

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As we enter the fourth quarter, ROAD seniors have been busy working in and out of the classroom. Nine-tenths of our students are actively employed at this date and three just started a job admitting that having a well done resume aided in their interview/hiring process (and their resumes do look great!)

A large chart adorning our bulletin board in our classroom is a visual learning tool; each senior sees what they have completed and what needs to be completed before graduating. Assignments, work and hours are recorded with bright neon color; once the student’s chart line is “filled in”, the senior is then cleared for taking their final GED test at Madison College. At this point an authorization for testing sheet is handed out to each student as they schedule online for their test date / time.

After the tests are scored by Madison College and calculated with prior tests - an average of 450 or better - the home high school will then be notified to process the student’s diploma.

Most of our seniors elect to walk across the stage at their home high school ceremony. Don’t forget to make sure all school fees/fines are paid off before graduation!

Our ROAD Graduation Ceremony will be on May 30, seniors will be able to obtain invitations in class on May 6. At the ceremony, our Principal Sally Schultz will bid our graduates congratulations along with expressing her hopes for their futures. She will also hand out ROAD Certificates of Diploma Completion to each graduate at this time. It is our last time to be together as a class, to celebrate a job well done!

As many students work hard to complete all the GEDO-2 Option requirements to earn their diplomas, there is a ‘tremor of reality’ that I foster in class! I state many times to the students that “this fall will be the first time in twelve years that there is no school to attend or bells to

ROAD La Folletteobey”, but also note “Your days of free education are over!”

Happily I can report that approximately ninety-five percent of our seniors are registered at Madison College for fall. One major goal of ROAD is for these soon-to-be graduates to have a plan, educationally and financially.

So, as the days of April continue on and May begins, the goals of; earning a diploma, having a plan for life after June and having tools to budget their income/ expenses with, are there for these seniors to achieve.

To use a quote Keira, a very smart ROAD senior, included in her “Past, Preset and Future” essay, summing it up for all of us:

“We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief

requirements of life, when all that we need to make us

happy is something to be enthusiastic about. “

I agree… Our 2013 ROAD seniors, earning the right to graduate with their class!

Interested in ROAD to graduated June 2014?• Entering your senior year (graduation June 2014)

or in their senior year (graduate in Dec 2013);• Behind in three or more credits;• Have a school documented ninth grade reading

level ability;• Have a government issued photo ID;• Have strong self-motivational skills and ability to

commit to the ROAD requirements.Contact your school counselor, Social Worker or other support staff for a referral.

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There are many reasons why students fall behind in high school. Credit recovery programs, like MAAP, give high school students computer-based course options to earn credit towards graduation or to catch up when personal or logistical transitions make it hard to join a regular high school class in the middle of a quarter. Courses are self-paced and can be adapted to a student’s grade level and learning style. MAAP is available to students during regular school hours and after school.

So what are some of the things that this year’s MAAP students are saying about MAAP?

“It helped me catch up and is helping me towards graduation.”

“I really love MAAP. I can concentrate more and get my work done. I also get the help that I need.”

“I think this is a great program. It allows you to go at your own pace and get a good

understanding of the material.”

“I like it because it’s quiet and no one interrupts me. It makes it easier to learn.”

“I like that MAAP allows students to go at their own pace. I feel that it is more manageable as

well as more motivating because you can you go through the course as fast or slow as you need

to.”

“I like using the computer because I can always go back to a lesson if I don’t understand

something. It’s not too rushed.”

MAAP

He started to break down in tears. “The man I met with was the mortician I was giving him the money for the cremation. But I had him meet me here so I wouldn’t have to see my mom in that place again I just couldn’t take it the first time. She’s gone. A guy unaware of his surroundings, a drunk driver, hit her while she was on her way back home… Why her? I kept asking myself when I seen her. I didn’t tell you because it was too much to bear.”

At that moment my eyes started to well up with tears. I kept thinking how could I ever suspect him?

1>East•ACE

2>Marquette•SAPAR, TLC

3>La Follette•ROAD

4>Lapham•AERO,WLC

5>Operation Fresh Start•OFS Pathways

6>Goodman Community Center•Seed to Table

7>Boys & Girls Club•Phoenix

8>West•CRIS

9>Memorial•MAAP, ROAD

10>Stephens•WLC

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Program Locations

TLC continued

Credit Recovery EnrollmentAre you interested in attending one of our Credit Recovery programs?:• ACE (at East)• CRIS (at West)• MAAP (at Memorial)• TLC (at Marquette)

Credit Recovery programs do not have standard enrollment times. By their very nature, they are designed to accept and support students throughout the school year based upon your specific needs.

Few students begin the year in Credit Recovery programs. It’s generally best to get started in one of our other programs.

If you are interested in attending a Credit Recovery program, please consult your Counselor, Social Worker or other support staff person to see if this is the right option for you.

Madison Metropolitan School District1045 E Dayton StMadison, WI 53703

Non Profit OrgUS Postage Paid

Madison WIPermit No 1172

Innovative Programs at a Glance

Credit Recovery• ACE (East) ............................................ 204.1812• CRIS (West) .......................................... 204.3196• MAAP (Memorial) .............................. 442.2251• TLC (Marquette) .................................. 204.6856

Work and Learn Center• WLC Lapham ....................................... 204.4341• WLC Stephens ...................................... 442.0941

Diploma Completion• OFS Pathways ...................................... 244.4721• ROAD La Follette ................................. 204.3716• ROAD Memorial .................................. 204.3552

If you’re interested in one of our programs, the first place to start is your current school’s counselors or support staff. They can provide more information and make a referral to the programs.

Specialized Admissions• Phoenix ................................................. 442.2930 • SAPAR ................................................... 204.4230

Credit Earning• AERO .................................................... 204.4236• Seed to Table ......................................... 241.1574

www.mmsd.org/innoved

More information about our programs is also available online at:

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