1. Benson High School Business & Entrepreneurship Academy Parent Informational Meeting

2. Mission Statement To establish a professional experience for students by using creativity in project-based learning focusing on college credit and career preparedness through real world experiences.

3. Steps taken to accomplish our mission - Teaming and Cohort Scheduling Summer Training for Teaching Staff Academy Team Plan Career Specific Advisement Activities Formation of Advisory Board Establishing Future Course Offerings

4. Teaming & Cohort Scheduling Team includes teachers from all content areas Team provides contextualized learning for students Team plans cross-curricular, multi-disciplinary projects Students are scheduled in classes with other members of their academy; about 85% of the time All students still have the opportunity to receive Honors and AP credit

5. Summer Training for Teachers June 17-18, 2015 at the Federal Reserve Why Teaming? Team Building Activities Creating a Mission Statement Academy-wide Procedures and Routines Long-term Planning

6. Academy Team Plan 45 minutes; every other day Focus Areas: Curriculum Data IEP/504/SAT Student Concerns/Expectations Celebrations

7. Career Specific Advisement Activities 41 minutes daily Activities Include - Guidance Activities Business concept of the month DECA and FBLA Collaboration with Business community Guest Speakers Academy Assemblies Content Specific Tutoring

8. Formation of Advisory Board Monthly Meetings from September – May Current representation includes - Centris Federal Credit Union UNO Center for Economic Education Gallop Nebraska Credit Union League Security National Bank First National Bank Federal Reserve OPS Career Center

9. Course Overview As 10 th graders, Business & Entrepreneurship students – Six course sequence featuring the High School of Business™ curriculum. High School of Business™ is a complete program of accelerated business administration courses. The design is similar to that used in many colleges (courses include marketing, finance, management, etc.). The purpose of the program is to prepare students to excel in college-level business administration programs and careers beyond. The courses are written using a heavily project-based pedagogy. Students work on real projects through which they learn standards. Courses added 2015-16 – Principles of Finance (1 sem.) Principles of Marketing (1 sem.)

10. How you can support the Benson Business & Entrepreneurship Academy Encourage your student to participate in activities Communicate with your student’s teachers Provide contacts in the Business & Entrepreneurship field Consider serving on Advisory Board Consider volunteering in areas of need as they may arise

11. Questions??

12. Contact Information: Jan Zanders, Academy Specialist jan.zanders@ops.org, 402-557-3035 Francis Szynskie, Academy Administrator francis.szynskie@ops.org, 402-557-3011 Synetra Toney, Academy Counselor synetra.toney@ops.org, 402-557-3024