Wall-to-Wall Schools at Hamilton, Part I

First in a series of stories on Hamilton High School, this piece highlights the campus’s newest small school, Business and Interactive Technology (BIT), led by Dina Kraemer. “I think every small school director ought to teach freshmen. You get a much better sense of your students and of what your teachers are working with.  Soon after becoming Director of BIT, Kraemer began teaching 9th grade algebra. Teacher Marcus Lee commends the principal and deans saying, “...the leadership at BIT is extraordinary.  Dina is a visionary.”  A student claims, “It was pretty boring at middle school...a lot less activities there.  It’s pretty fun here.”  story

Next month’s newsletter will continue this series with Part II when we’ll meet Principal Michelle King, get to know the rest of the BIT  team and learn more about the other small schools at Hamilton High School.

An Unmistakable Passion:
Jefferson High School leaders rediscover inspiration with two former Oakland principals.
The LA Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a meeting between Jefferson HS SLC educators and two former Oakland USD principals who are currently small school reform supporters.  Shanley Rhodes, SLC Liason for JHS says she was reminded of the “moral imperative” of their work.  story

Roosevelt High School Conquers Your Master Schedule Fears
In their attempts to develop small learning communities, many high schools in and out of Los Angeles have found the master schedule to be the biggest stumbling block. Roosevelt has turned it into a strength!. RHS API Lori Pawlinski states that SLC autonomy over budget and schedule “empowers teachers [to] take ownership of their schedule and their SLC.”  story

Update on the Next (FY2004) SLC Grant Competition
There will be two separate SLC Grant competitions during 2005. The first includes a focus on ninth grade struggling readers and is due no later than February 28, 2005. The second will not include the struggling reader requirement and will be scheduled later in the year. more

Resources

Introducing CES ChangeLab!
The new ChangeLab site is now live, providing direct access to images, discussions and resources from the most successful CES schools and educators. more

In The News

SLCs Included in Schwarzenegger’s State Education Budget
Governor Schwarzenegger’s 2005-2006 California budget proposal supports Small Learning Communities stating, “[They] provide a more effective learning experience...” Story and Budget Summary

SLCs Cut from Bush’s Federal Education Budget
SLCs and other valuable education programs have been eliminated from the federal Education Budget proposal. Anyone who supports SLCs should write or e-mail their congressmember and senator, including any statistical or anecdotal data that is the result of SLC reform.  The Education Budget and Expanding the Promise of No Child Left Behind

Calendar

New Tech High Study Tours to Napa   more

High School Renewal and Boston Small Schools Study Tour 2005 more

Colorado Small Schools Fourth Annual Conference more

Big Picture’s First Annual Conference more