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HTHL Internship and College Advising Institute HTH and HTHI Annual MANPOWER Academic Internship Showcase
October 15, 2005
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HTHL Network NewsIn Issue #6, September, 2004  1. High Tech High Teacher
Credentialing Program ApprovedOn August 19, 2004, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved the application of High Tech High Communities to establish a teacher credentialing program at schools within the High Tech High charter management organization. Approval of the application allows High Tech High Communities to provide single- subject credentials to California teachers in Mathematics, Science, English, History/ Social Studies, Spanish and Art. To our knowledge, High Tech High Communities will become the first charter school organization in the State of California to credential its own teachers. The mission of the program is to prepare teachers to facilitate student learning in an environment that integrates technical and academic education and prepares students for postsecondary education, and to create a sense of community engagement and responsi-bility. The program situates teacher training within operating High Tech High schools where participants can benefit from having the opportunity to explore how their training may best be applied to the specific challenge of implementing High Tech High design elements: personalization, adult world connection, and common intellectual mission . The High Tech High Teacher Credentialing Program is a 120- hour program, or the equivalent of the two academic years of teaching practicum. Teacher candidates who are selected through a formal application process for the program will earn full-time salaries and benefits as teachers in High Tech High classrooms while pursuing a 15- month professional development teacher preparation program. The credentialing program, which begins this fall with 19 participants, has been designed to be a partnership between High Tech High Communities and the University of San Diego.  2. New Staff Member:
Jennifer Husbands as
Director of Site SupportJennifer Husbands has joined High Tech High Learning this month as the Director of Site Support. She comes to the organization from Stanford University's School of Education, where she is in the final stages of completing her Ph.D. in the Administration and Policy Analysis program. While at Stanford, she served as a Research Assistant on several projects at the Center for Research on the Context of Teaching (CRC). Her dissertation, a case study of high school reform in San Diego City Schools, is being completed under the direction of advisor Milbrey McLaughlin. She co-authored A Review of Selected High School Reform Strategies for the Aspen Institute, and contributed to the forthcoming Scarecrow Press publication Leadership for Building Instructional Quality: The Story of San Diego's Systemic School Reform with a team of colleagues led by Linda Darling-Hammond. Before returning to graduate school, Jennifer served as the Evaluation Specialist for the National School & Community Corps, a school-based AmeriCorps program, and prior to that she was a Marketing Research Assistant and Associate Project Manager at National Analysts Research & Consulting in Philadelphia. She received her B.A. from the University of Virginia with highest honors. As the Director of Site Support for High Tech High Learning, Jennifer will work with existing network sites in their implementation of High Tech High design principles by providing technical assistance, enhancing web resources, and planning and delivering professional development through HTHL residency programs. She will also assist with the teacher credentialing program (described in this issue), new school development, and overall documentation of High Tech High replication efforts, as well as taking an active role in the School Quality Review process for 2004-2005. She can be reached at jhusbands@hightechhigh.org.  3. Teachers Residency
Planned for OctoberHTH Learning will hold a teacher residency for network sites on October 13-15. The first of three planned for this academic year, the residency will give network teachers and administrators a first-hand look at the HTH design principles as practiced at High Tech High, High Tech Middle, and High Tech High International. Visiting colleagues will be paired with High Tech High teachers for classroom observation, reflection, and co-teaching, as well as elective workshop in the afternoons. The goal is for HTH and network teachers to engage in mutually beneficial conversations about how better to implement the HTH design principles throughout the network. Project based learning will be a central focus, along with meeting the needs of diverse learners. Participants will address the following questions, among others: About PBL: How do I organize and manage PBL in my classroom?About Diverse Learners: How do I address the range of learners and learning styles in my class?HTH Learning adopted a residency model last year after visitors to HTH said, again and again, that the interactions with teachers and students were the most valuable part of their visits. Additional residencies are planned for January 30-February 1 and March 9- 11,2005.  4. Sci-Tech High Dedicates New
BuildingOn August 27, 2004, Sci-Tech High celebrated the dedication of its new building in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Sci-Tech High students served as school ambassadors giving tours of the new facility to delighted parents, school leaders, community members and civic leaders. Replete with several science and technology labs, the facility will serve approximately 400 students and features classrooms incorporating state-of-the-art technology such as LCD projection and video conferencing capability. In addition to housing Sci-Tech High, the facility will also serve as a resource for regional economic development as startup companies may apply for office space within the entrepreneurial incubator housed in the fourth floor of the building. These startup companies will in turn offer internships to Sci-Tech High students. Dignitaries in attendance at the dedication included Harrisburg Mayor, Stephen Reed, Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll, Congressman Tim Holden, University Chairman Mr. David Schankweiler, and Harrisburg School District Superintendent Dr. Gerald Kohn. Dr. Mel Schiavelli, President of Harrisburg University, addressed the crowd of over 500 visitors. School principal Lisa Waller also made remarks calling upon all in attendance to celebrate the dedicated efforts of the Harrisburg community for making the building a reality for students. High Tech High Learning was represented by Jed Wallace, who was honored to have been invited to play a role in the dedication of the building.  5. HTHI Opens in Newly
Renovated FacilityHigh Tech High International (HTHI) opened its doors to 191 ninth and tenth-graders on September 7, 2004. Located adjacent to High Tech High and High Tech Middle in Point Loma, San Diego, the school occupies two newly renovated and interconnected buildings: an 8,500 square foot foundry building originally constructed in 1941 with industrial windows and Art Deco detailing, and a two-story, 14,000 square foot building, constructed in 1976 and most recently used as classroom space and an art gallery for The San Diego Art Casting Institute. The close proximity of the buildings to HTH and HTM made them attractive as a potential school site, as did the high ceilings and abundant natural light of the foundry building. As the latest addition to the HTH village of schools, the HTHI facility offers some new interpretations of signature HTH design elements, as well as a continued exploration of how the thoughtful design of school space can support and enhance teaching and learning. Similar to the HTH and HTM buildings, the HTHI facility contains a large central meeting area called the Commons. A place for formal and informal student gatherings and presentations, the HTHI Commons is located in the former foundry building and is flanked by administrative offices, a conference room, two stage areas, and a two-story drum that houses the school's circular United Nations theatre. With 35-foot ceilings, the Commons also opens to a second floor mezzanine level consisting of 5 seminar rooms, teacher offices, a Senior Studio area, a connecting catwalk that bisects the space, and a curved open stair that follows the contours of the UN Theater. The original windows of the foundry space have been maintained, providing spectacular natural light and views out to the surrounding promenade. The seminar wing of school is located in the former art school building and consists of two floors, each with a large, central, Studio area, around which are clustered six multi-purpose seminar rooms. Seminar rooms are designed for maximum flexibility, with movable wall partitions that allow them to open to adjacent rooms for team teaching. Teachers share office space with fellow team members and near, and usually with direct visual access to, the seminar rooms they teach in. Planning for the HTHI facility began in the fall of last year, with a two-day "design charette" to develop the architectural program and conceptual design features of the space. Then the San  Diego-based architectural firm of Carrier Johnson, under
the direction of Project Architect Christopher Gerber,
worked in collaboration with HTH architect David
Stephen to develop the design further. The building contractor,
Bycor Inc, participated in the design process as
well. Having done the "fast-track" construction work on
both the HTH and HTM buildings, they offered valuable
insights into how to keep costs down and streamline the
construction process. Renovation of the building began
in April, 2004, with contractors working tirelessly
throughout the spring and summer to get the building
ready for teachers and students. Bycor, once again, came
in on time and on budget at $110.00 per square foot to
complete the classroom wing of the building by the start of school year. The foundry wing is
scheduled for completion by the first week of October. The grand opening of the HTHI building
will take place on November 13, 2004, at a gala fundraising event to be held in the foundry
building.
6. Reverse Review As we described in the last edition of the newsletter, all of our network schools participated in a two-step school quality review process last spring. Staff from High Tech High Learning visited each school and spoke with stakeholders including parents, teachers, school leaders, students, and board members, and observed classrooms and gathered data and relevant documents. Schools also engaged in a self-study, where each staff reviewed and reported on school achievements and challenges in relation to the implementation of the High Tech High design principles. In the spirit of shared accountability, we have circulated a survey to network sites to solicit their feedback on working with High Tech High Learning. This "Reverse Review" covers topics such as communication, expectations, site visits, residencies and other forms of technical assistance, and the School Quality Review process. In addition, the Reverse Review asks network sites to respond to the following questions: What, in your view, are the greatest strengths of HTHL as an organization and network facilitator?While we always welcome feedback from our colleagues, we believe that the input we receive through this review process will help us better meet the needs of our sites as we work with them to build a network of excellent schools. 7. Site Updates  City High School, Tucson, AZCity High School started off the school year with several fun student activities. The entire school attended a twoday retreat at the Tucson Botanical Gardens and the Tucson Museum of Art. The retreat energized the City High community as they begun classes on September 7th where core curriculum has been centered around six main Habits of Heart and Mind. City High School has also taken a unique approach to incorporating technology in the school by implementing mobile labs versus the standard computer lab setting. In ongoing renovation efforts as the school develops, wireless broadband services will be made available allowing students to fully incorporate mobile technology while learning the latest version of cross-platform productivity and design software.  High Tech High Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CAHigh Tech High Los Angeles opened on September 9, 2004, with 200 students in grades 9 -11. Parts of their dynamic new building are still under construction and will be completed within a month. The first two days of school were devoted to community- and team-building. Students were also broken out by grade level to create projects around community. 9th graders were given materials to create a gallery walk of the community, 10th graders were given cameras to take pictures, and 11th graders created skits. The activity culminated with a community meeting where groups presented their skits, slide shows and posters of the community. It has been a very exciting beginning to HTH LA. Mirta Ramirez Computer Science Charter School, Chicago, IL MR(CS)2 opened its doors this school year with an additional grade level. The school now serves to educate 9th and 10th grades. Several students from MR(CS)2 participated in the Governor's March to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. Junior Achievement, a nationally recognized program, selected a student from MR(CS)2 to speak about how their organization has affected his desire to stay in school and be successful. MR(CS)2 parents will be requesting an appeal to Chicago's Board of Education for more funding for local charter schools. Several parents and students will testify in front of the board. ASPIRA is collaborating with MR(CS)2 to develop a mentoring program for incoming students. The school will also host a welcome picnic at the end of the month for incoming Freshmen to get acquainted with their new peers. New Bedford Global Learning Charter School, New Bedford, MA New Bedford began its third year of operation and added a 9th grade class. Teachers spent time over the summer participating in professional development workshops that focused on projectbased learning in Science and Environmental Science. The morale is high and new and returning students are fully engaged in the learning process. Shelly Cohen is a recent addition to NBGLCS, and will serve as the principal for the high school. Shelly has plunged into doing innovative work with teachers and students by encouraging programs such as the Physics First program and collaborative sailing sessions with the New Bedford Community Boating Program, in which students sail twice a week. NBGLCS is in the midst of planning an open house and a grand opening event to feature their new and innovative learning space. New Urban High School, Clakamas, OR New Urban hosted their first school assembly which set a great tone for new and returning students. The school has been renovated to create a commons area and additional classrooms. Students and staff alike are pleased with the modifications to the school’s learning environment. San Carlos High School, San Carlos, CA SCHS opened this year with 136 ninth and tenth grade students. An additional 4000 square feet of adjacent office space was renovated to accommodate the influx of new students. The school is also pursuing local building sites for renovation as a their permanent facility. All students and faculty recently returned from the school’s annual overnight camping trip in Saratoga Springs, CA, which focused on team-building activities and school culture. SCHS held its Open House for parents on Sept 23, 2004. Student escorts led parents to their children’s classrooms, where teachers discussed the school’s academic, athletic, and extra-curricular programming. The SCHS board is in consultation with the San Carlos school district to discuss how the school may amend its charter to develop a closer relationship with HTH Communities and enter into its Charter Management Organization (CMO). Sci-Tech High, Harrisburg, PA Sci-Tech High hosted its first ever Community Partnership Day where all students are sent out into the community to learn about agencies and organizations such as Pride of the Neighborhood, a social services organization that works with inner city neighborhoods to provide pre-school and daycare. Sci-Tech High students developed projects and various assignments to work with the community organizations. Other agencies included: Habitat for Humanity, Teen Court (YMCA), and Theatre of Harrisburg Production. Developments within the community partnerships have also enhanced cross curricular team development. Sci-Tech High has also scheduled several speakers to come to the school. The Director of Theatre Harrisburg Production Center presented Sci-Tech High with a grant funded by the Greater Harrisburg Foundation to invite all students and their families to attend the first showing of the Pirates of Penzance free of charge. Teachers will be provided with materials as a part of the grant. For several Sci- Tech High students this play will be their first viewing of a live show. The grant intends to facilitate audience expansion among urban populations. Sci- Tech High has also forged a partnership with Capital Area School for the Arts, a regional magnet school to provide students with course offerings in Theater, Visual Arts, Media, and Music. Twenty two students currently participate in the program. High Tech High, San Diego, CA High Tech High has begun its 5th year of operation with 14 new teachers replacing those that have gone to teach at High Tech High International. Despite the number of new teachers, High Tech High has not skipped a beat. New teachers have joined teaching teams and receive ongoing training in project-based and integrated curriculum development. HTH has reconfigured the advisory program by adding 3 advisory team leaders, all non- teaching staff, who will support advisors on all advisory matters. The school held it's annual Advisory Olympics, where each advisory group competed against one another in a series of competitions to accumulate the highest point total. The final five competed in the HTH relay challenge for a chance to receive a lunch party. The goal of Advisory Olympics is to create a community-wide spirit of camaraderie amongst teachers and students. HTH has also begun forming several sports groups such as girl's volleyball, boy's baseball, and girl’s and boy’s soccer. The HTH internship program is off to an excellent start. Since September 2001, 250 High Tech High students have completed 405 placements at 120 sites. HTH students get the unique opportunity to work and learn at different companies and organizations around San Diego. The Manpower Academic Internships are essential to HTH‘s integrated approach to project-based learning. Internship projects have ranged from building a water calibration tank at SPAWAR Systems Center and planning community relations events for the San Diego Children's Museum to updating the internal website at The Salk Institute and designing logos for the new "Filipino Village" in National City with Peji Design. High Tech Middle, San Diego, CA High Tech Middle began its second year of operation with an additional building to house its 6th grade class. Formally known as the Senior Institute, Building 37 is now affectionately called the "Treehouse". The new facility allowed HTM to accept 50 more 7th graders, which put a lot of smiles on the faces of students and families anxious to be admitted. The math department at HTM is implementing an In-Depth Study Program for all students interested in receiving deeper instruction in mathematical concepts. This program is open to all students and is meant to supplement the school’s already rigorous math curriculum. HTM’s Associated Student Body (ASB) recently held its elections and have already started a service learning project called "Cans For Hands". They have also initiated fundraising campaigns to support projects through mini-grants to classes and teachers. Overall, the learning from last year, in and out of class, has made the beginning of the school year for HTM incredibly smooth for both students and staff. The school is looking forward to a second wonderful year. High Tech International, San Diego, CA HTHI opened its doors to incoming 9th and 10th graders on Tuesday, September 7th. The first week went smoothly and featured a series of school-wide meetings. In one meeting, teachers held a fashion show of “What Not To Wear” as a way of communicating the school’s dress code in a light-hearted and fun manner. Five teachers in various disciplines are attending a professional development seminar in Cooperstown, New York in an effort to create a project-based portfolio on the History of Baseball. The proposed project will focus on the development of baseball in Latin America, China, and Japan. For the first time ever, three Afghani students will be attending an exchange program at HTHI. The students will be hosted for the entire year by HTHI host families. A welcoming event has been scheduled for October 5th. |
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