· WE IMAGINED A SCHOOL MODEL DESIGNED BY EDUCATORS TO MEET THE HOLISTIC NEEDS OF CHILDREN,THEIR FAMILIES, OUR NATION, AND OUR WORLD
· WE DESIGNED A SCHOOL MODEL TO CLOSE THE GAP ON LEARNING BETWEEN CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT SOCIOECONOMIC LEVELS
· WE DESIGNED A SCHOOL MODEL WHERE AGGRESSIVE STANDARDIZED TESTING WILL NOT EXIST
· WE DESIGNED A SCHOOL ACCESSIBLE TO ALL CHILDREN OF A COMMUNITY THAT OWNS IT
INTRODUCING:
THE ONE VOICE ACADEMY FOR INDEPENDENT LEADERS OF THE FUTURE
What stops children at risk from achieving success in school and beyond? Some would have you believe that unqualified teachers and failing schools are at fault. Certainly, they may be factors in the whole tragic situation. The truth is, however, as testified by countless experienced educators since 2008, that what happens in a classroom, no matter how qualified the teacher, will ever close the gap on learning for children by itself. We know as Maslow ascertained many years ago, that a child’s basic needs must be met before he or she can be successful in school. Common sense dictates that a child must have sufficient food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental care, support, and sense of security and well being before he or she can focus fully on studies. For children to be successful, families and parents must have the support and advocacy they need every single day. That’s the bottom line. It is both very simple and extremely difficult. If we want a child to succeed, we must fully and holistically assess his or her needs and then address them. To do that we need a lot of caring people, a great system and excellent processes, hard work, and unconditional dedication to that child’s success.
All this in mind, educators from 61 countries since 2008 have developed a blue print for a school that can apply their knowledge, research and experience for the greater good of children. The object is to meet and exceed each child’s needs, provide a rich, robust education and practical experiences, and help them to develop a sense of independence, and excellent leadership skills that will serve them and the community in the future.
What are the characteristics of the ONE VOICE ACADEMY FOR INDEPENDENT LEADERS OF THE FUTURE?
IT’S FULLY DEMOCRATIC AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY CHILD
Foundation: Sound financial model based on Community Sustainable Agriculture model of organic farming concept of shares blended with bartering, coop services, and sliding scale tuition
Curriculum; strength based, project based, curricula integrated with Montessori best practices, based on learning theory, focused on building a portfolio of useful and marketable skills.
Standards; gleaned from universities, technical schools, the Arts, and global industry, focused on critical thinking, problem solving, innovation, and new dimensions of academic exploration.
Philosophy: School as center of community activity, a cornerstone of learning, community activities, and wellness.
Goal of the project; to fully develop a feasible working model and pilot a prototype of a community owned K-12 school. First phase; Model, second phase; pilot.
Features of the community school:
- open 7 days a week
- day care center
- scholarships for "independent children" (independent includes foster, homeless, low income who will contribute time and energy at the school to 'own' a share)
- group/team walks to and from school for children
- fully supervised school bus/van service in poor weather conditions
- tutoring center after school, evening and weekends
- professional technical training – culinary arts, restaurant management, farming, hot house production, animal husbandry, performing arts, to name a few
- ESL for children and adults
- healthy and ethnic cooking classes
- space/meeting space rental for small businesses in the community
- cafeteria run by students with supervision
- food pantry, used clothes closet
- senior activities room
- free clinic run by volunteer doctors and nurses supported by students for students and their families
- counseling and human services center
- arts music video and computer center
-library with senior citizen and student run reading circle
- career planning center
- performance space for fundraisers and special events
- organic garden/mini farm and sustained nutrition program
- town meeting space for community groups
- security
- class pets, school animals
Partial list of lines of business to provide self-support of community school in addition to share-owned sliding scale tuition model:
· Online and in-school gift shop store
o SIGNATURE JAMS
o SIGNATURE JELLIES
o SIGNATURE TOMATO SAUCE
o SIGNATURE SALSA
o Gourmet hothouse produce
o Neighborhood food carts
o Candy factory
o Children’s Art
o Candles
o Tie Dye Items
o Soap
o Table cloths and place mats
o Gift baskets
o TSHIRT design (with contest)
o Books covers
o Boxes of stationery
o Greeting Cards
o Buttons
o Calendars
§ Photography
§ Foodie with recipes
§ Poetry
o Performances – showcase of local musicians, community and student talent
· Courses/classes
o Sewing/mending classes
o Empty Bowl Fundraising Projects
· Cafeteria meals for community
· Café – coffee and baked goods to go delivered to corporate locations
· Community gym connected to energy conservation project
· Dinners to go (commuter take-out)
· Annual or Biannual school fair – fundraiser
Yes, yes – lots of hard work, more than any school public or private at this time – and worth every bit of it.
How can you become part of this unique project? Click on CONTACT US and let us know you are interested.
Thanks!