CULTURAL RELEVANT INSPIRATION By: Kyeonshae’ Richardson Monday April 4, 2016 EDU692: Creativity Culture and Global Contexts in Education Decision Making

A link to the school or program ■The first school that I chose to research is Two Rivers Public Charter School (Two Rivers PCS). ■

The location and general demographic information about the students ■Two Rivers PCS is located on th St NE (Ward6) Washington, DC ■Two Rivers has a total enrollment of 518 students. Two Rivers serves PK3-8th grade –61.6% African American –25.5% White –9.8% Hispanic/Latino –2.3% Multiracial –0.6% Asian ■Two Rivers Enrollment –3.90% English Language Learners –45.20% Economically Disadvantaged –23.90% Special Education –26.10% At- Risk (DC Public Charter School Board, 2016)

Summary of school’s innovative/ uniqueness ■Two Rivers PCS is unique because of its culture. Two Rivers comprises its culture into several pieces. –Whole Child Approach: focus on education and social-emotional needs as child achieves excellence. –Integrated Arts & Spanish Program: allowing students to broaden their horizons on learning while in a diverse environment. –Focus on 21 st century skills: students are challenged to apply learning through problem- based tasks that requires expert thing and complex communication. ■Two Rivers focus on cognitive thinking and social interaction. Students are able to think critically and build understanding with others while communicating. (Two Rivers Public Charter School, 2016)

List of 21 st century skills ■Two Rivers PCS incorporates two of the 4c 21 st century skills. ■Critical Thinking and Problem Solving –The cognitive ability to build a bank of knowledge, construct hypotheses, identify patterns, and be thoughtful about one’s thinking and problem-solving. ■Communication and Collaboration –The social ability to work with diverse partners and colleagues, to exchange and understand vast amounts of information, build understanding, cultivate trust, and negotiate outcomes. (Two Rivers PCS, 2016)

Learning experiences reflect culturally relevant pedagogy ■The teachers at Two Rivers allow the students to experience and construct their own knowledge using cognitive and social skills. ■Students are using hands on experiences to find answers to complex questions. ■Students use forms such as case studies, field work, experts, service learning, literacy integration opportunities, and connections with the arts. They also share their learning with a culminating presentation at the Community Showcase! –Field works are super popular for students as they are able to work in the local community taking learning outside of the classroom. ■Parents are allow to observe and participate as students work. (Two Rivers PCS, 2016)

How the school and/or program promotes creativity in the classroom for both teachers and students ■When students care out doing field work they are able to use their creativity skills. Students work independently and as a team to get the jobs done. ■Teachers use differentiated teaching methods to assist in child learning.

A link to the school or program Landstown High School ■

The location and general demographic information about the students ■Landstown High School 2001 Concert Dr, Virginia Beach, VA ■Landstown High serves students fron 9-12 th grade \ Total Minority Enrollment (% of total)61% American Indian/Alaskan Native Enrollment (% of total) 0.3% Asian Enrollment (% of total)11% Black Enrollment (% of total)29% Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander (% of total) 1% Hispanic Enrollment (% of total)10% White Enrollment (% of total)39% Two or More Races Enrollment (% of total) 9% Free Lunch Program (% of total) 18% Reduced-Price Lunch Program (% of total) 6% Total Economically Disadvantaged (% of total) 25% (U.S. News & World Report (Education), 2016)

Summary of why the school or program is innovative and/or unique ■Gifted Program for students identified as gifted and talented. Students are able to challenge themselves, explore theater and other arts as well as technology. ■Governor's STEM Academy: designed for students with interest in technology. ■AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college preparatory program that prepares high school students for eligibility and success in four-year colleges and universities. (Virginia Beach City Public Schools, 2016)

List of 21 st century skills ■Landstown High incorporates the 21 st century skills of: –Information, Media and Technology skills ■ICT (Information, Communication and Technology) Literacy ■Information Literacy ■Media Literacy –Learning and Innovation skills ■Creativity and Innovation ■Critical Thinking and Problem Solving ■Communication and Collaboration –(Virginia Beach City Public Schools, 2016)

Learning experiences reflect culturally relevant pedagogy ■Students are able to choose between three major career strands – Information Technology, Engineering Technology, and Entrepreneurship Technology – comprise the program of study. Upon acceptance into the Technology Academy, the student selects their strand of concentration. Within the strand, they then select a pathway of 4 sequentially designed Academy electives. ■Students relate new learning skills and apply to everyday life.

How the school promotes creativity in the classroom for both teachers and students. ■Landstown High promotes creativity for the students by using the Gifted Program –Id Tech Camps –Computer Science Institute –Imagination ■They also use school clubs, AVID and athletics (Giftedatlhs, 2016)

A link to the school or program Discovery Day Academy ■

The location and general demographic information about the students ■Discovery Day Academy Bonita Springs NORTH COMMONS DRIVE North Commons Drive Bonita Springs, FL ■Phone: Fax: ■Hours: 7:00am - 6:00pm, M-F Programs: PK1-5 th Grade ■Upcoming Programs Fall 2016: 6 th - 7 th Grades (Discovery Day Academy, Bonita Springs, Florida, 2015)

Summary of why the program is innovative and/or unique ■The LEGO Reimagine Learning Challenge encourages children and young people to develop creativity, imaginative problem-solving, teamwork, empathy, and inspiration to prepare them for leadership in the 21st century.

List of 21 st century skills ■The 4 C’s –Creativity & Innovation –Critical Thinking & Problem Solving –Communication –Collaboration ■ICT (Information, Communications & Technology) Literacy (P21 Partnership for 21st Century Learning, 2015)

How the school promotes creativity in the classroom for both teachers and students. ■Sports –Soccer –Track –Basketball – T-Ball ■The Arts –Visual Arts – Drama – Ballet –Jazz/Modern Dance – Music Lessons –Culinary Arts

Reference Page DC Public Charter School Board. (2016). Retrieved from Two Rivers PCS-4th Street: street Discovery Day Academy, Bonita Springs, Florida. (2015). Retrieved from Contact Us: Giftedatlhs. (2016). Retrieved from Enrichment Opportunities : P21 Partnership for 21st Century Learning. (2015, May). Washington, DC, United States of America. Two Rivers PCS. (2016). Retrieved from Expert Thinking and Complex Communication : Two Rivers PCS. (2016). Retrieved from Problem Based Task : tasks/index.aspx Two Rivers Public Charter School. (2016). Retrieved from Our Culture: U.S. News & World Report (Education). (2016). Retrieved from Landstown HIgh Student Body: /student-body Virginia Beach City Public Schools. (2016). Retrieved from AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination): Virginia Beach City Public Schools. (2016). Retrieved from Technology Academy & Governor's STEM Academy: