Could you imagine a classroom where for an hour each week every student could individually pursue their passion and work on a project that matters to them? Genius Hour is that 60 minutes and is a modern educational trend that allows time to explore creativity and dive deep into a topic that a student is curious to learn more about.... READ MORE >
It is through research and understanding that we can improve upon the science of teaching, and the encouraging of students, to make sure successful learning is taking place. In helping to do so, it is important to keep up with the current “best” ways to teach students. Trends are always changing and can grow (or fail) based on popularity, ease... READ MORE >
Almost 40 community members, administrators, teachers and parents were in attendance for the school board meeting held this month via Zoom. With all board members present, the earlier part of the meeting was spent reviewing the student report by high school board member Olivia Nesgoda. Olivia discussed her well-executed Google form surveys pertaining to the current mental health of her... READ MORE >
Located near the northern shore of Lake Superior in the town of Tofte, you will find Birch Grove Community School. A tuition free, public charter school, Birch Grove was originally opened in 2005 and offers care and education for students in their Saplings program (daycare run as a preschool) as well as 43 students in grades K- 5. With accolades... READ MORE >
Early February marked National School Counseling Week. The week was designed to honor the individuals who fulfill a special purpose in schools across the country. School counselors play a unique role in educational settings as they work alongside students, teachers, parents and administrators. Counselors serve their students by supporting the academic growth and social skills necessary for success in school,... READ MORE >
Creativity and flexibility, especially amid a global pandemic, have become the name of the game when it comes to learning. Along with traditional in-person school, there now exists hybrid learning, homeschooling, alternative schools, virtual online education, or any mix of those combined. Finding teachable moments to supplement learning from school will of course vary based on your child’s age. There... READ MORE >
Gone is the old-fashioned notion that one-size-fits-all in modern education. No two children learn in the same way, and thus, the necessity and appeal for charter schools was born. A charter school, by definition, is a tuition free, independently operated public school that has the freedom to design their classrooms and methodologies to best meet the needs of its students.... READ MORE >
School in Cook County, and everywhere else, up to now has certainly seen its fair share of challenges for staff, parents and students. While the global pandemic may have thrown a wrench into normal plans, it seems that even in these unprecedented times, hope for a successful and productive calendar year is in the air for ISD #166. This was... READ MORE >
Olivia Nesgoda, a junior at Cook County High school, was introduced last Thursday, January 7, at the inaugural school board meeting for 2021. Olivia is the second student representative since this program has started and will remain onboard for the 2021 calendar year. When asked why she became interested in this position, she explained, “I am really interested in advocacy... READ MORE >
Sometimes, as humans, we can feel things, intuitively, before they surface to our conscious minds. Thinking back, I think I knew something bigger was arising. That little twinge of, ‘hold on tight’, was in the air. No one, however, could have predicted what was on the horizon on that last ‘real’ school day in March. “We’ll see you in two... READ MORE >
