Health, Wellness, Environmental Studies
HWES features outdoor classroom learning by having a student vegetable garden, greenhouse, and butterfly gardens. All students attend Bio Earth Lab instruction each week focusing on science investigations. Our lab features many animals for students to observe, study and care for. Our newest classroom is our student kids' kitchen/ Nutrition Lab. HWES students have opportunities to extend student learning by preparing food from their own gardens and incorporating activities from other subject areas in a kitchen setting. HWES values community involvement through our Exploration program. Each week students enjoy visits from community leaders sharing health and activity related activities and information. Students are proactive about sharing health and environmental information by hosting their own HWES TV news weekly. In 2009, students began enjoying the new 5th and 6th grade wing of 10 new classrooms including an art room and art gallery.
MicroSociety
MicroSociety blends technology, economics, citizenship, government, humanities, arts and ethics into core curriculum. Traditional academic subjects are studied and then applied “on the job” during program activities. MicroSociety's Chamber of Commerce includes small businesses designed by student and faculty entrepreneurs in addition to agencies such as the Bank, Postal Service and Judicial system.
MicroSociety classrooms are equipped with Smart Technology to enhance student learning during classroom studies and business operations. In addition to a state-of-the-art computer lab, MicroSociety has purchased a mobile computer lab with 30 laptop computers in order to increase students’ access to technology for instructional projects.
MicroSociety presented a Business Expo in February to open student businesses to the public and raise money for our PATHS parent group. Community partners, parents, and citizens of Jonesboro attended this event.
MicroSociety Magnet school earned the highest star status, a 3 star status award at the August 2008 MicroSociety Conference in San Diego, CA this year. This top star award is presented nationally to MicroSociety Schools where there is a clear demonstration of Success and educational effectiveness.
International Studies
International Studies features high academic standards in a project-based learning environment. The mission of International Studies is to provide excellence in education in a nurturing environment that will develop thinking and inquiring minds, promote wise decision-making skills, build character, celebrate diversity, and create a life-long love for learning. Each classroom features student use-computers, Sympodiums and/or Smart Boards, and various artifacts which support their continent of study. The dominant literacy focus is reflected in every element of the school including the classrooms that have an attractive readers lounge. The school’s International focus is reflected in the students’ efforts in not only studying but making a difference in the world in which they live. Students have raised money for children in Africa through community service projects, collected school supplies for orphans in China, raised money to save a rain forest in South America, and collected funds for our local Hispanic Center. Flag poles modeled after the United Nations were recently placed in the front entrance of the school. At International Studies, all students receive 40 minutes of Spanish each week. In the Fall 2009, an outdoor Project Based Learning classroom was created. This new classroom located in one of the school’s courtyards will enable students to conduct scientific investigations and provide a quiet place for students to read.
Visual and Performing Arts
Visual and Performing Arts integrates the arts into the core subjects develops problem solving skills, promotes imagination, teaches teamwork, encourages self-discipline and builds self-confidence & expression! In addition to the daily arts curriculum VPA has 2 major musical productions each year involving all 600 of our students. Our 1st -3rd grader's presented “Cinderella” in November 2010, and in May 2011, our 4th -6th Graders will present an equally fabulous show. This year's show title will be revealed in January 2011. Students at VPA enjoy a state of the art Piano Lab, equipped for 30 students to play simultaneously. The Academy - This year, the VPA continues an afterschool program aimed at providing even more opportunities for exposure to the arts! Each Academy last 4 or 6 weeks and offers a variety of workshops in all of the Arts. Different classes are offered each Academy to provide a taste of lots of areas of the arts! We have offered 25 workshops so far this school year! Some of those workshops include Modern Dance, Cookie Decorating, Piano, Cheerleading, Garage Band, Graphic Design, Makeup and Costumes, Beginning Guitar, Monster Art and the VPA Chorale. The African Drum Collection - Our collection of African Drums is an unusual and exciting addition to our Music Room! Many Character Development Lessons are used through the play of Drums and the exposure to other cultural music is priceless.
Math & Science
Students experience the challenge and excitement of a practical, hands-on learning approach to science. A well-equipped science lab staffed with a full-time science teacher provides a unique learning environment available to all 1st -6th students. Our program is designed to help learners become aware of the real-life connections among mathematics and science in their everyday lives. Math & Science serves as host of the Districts' Math Competition. This event allows over 100 students fun competition between the schools in math facts and problem solving. We have added many new Foss kits and Delta Science modules which teach the strands of Science in each grade. We have implemented Think Math! in first through 5th grade. Another greeat addition is the picnic tables in the outdoor classroom, which are enjoyed throughout the year as the weather allows. Students at Math & Science also receive instruction each week in a Math Lab. The Math Lab offers an extension to the authentic real world instruction provided by Math & Science’s curriculum, ThinkMath! In the Math Lab, students become problem solvers with the use of technology, hands-on math manipulatives, and real world experiences in measurement, geometry, data & probability, and number sense.
