Ocean Lakes High School
Nicole Glaser, Elizabeth Labiak, Jennifer Leary, Meri Riddick
Nicole Glaser, Elizabeth Labiak, Jennifer Leary, Meri Riddick
The ITSs and LMSs at Ocean Lakes are active participants in the school’s ILT, specifically working on advisory. They are interested in scaling students’ engagement with the graduate profile by developing kits that can be checked out of the library, emphasizing a variety of skills including SEL and innovation. The kits range from arts and crafts to coding, collaboration activities like ice-breakers, to discussion topics related to school/life balance. They plan to create their own advisory groups specifically to create, maintain, manage and facilitate the kits during advisory sessions on a monthly rotation, although kits will possibly be available outside of advisory time.
The first kits were introduced to OLHS through advisories on March 4 and March 11, 2020. Advisory teachers checked out Card and Craft Kits and Paint Kits through a Google Form for students to make cards and banners showcasing love and kindness. ITSs and LMSs plan to progressively add kits as budgets allow to incorporate additional activities such as coding and circuitry.
The Student Innovation Team was in development during the spring. It was proposed that the team would consist of 20-30 students who meet during advisory to support and lead the Creator Kit program. Creator Kits, with the support of the Innovation Team, would provide a turn key approach for advisory groups to jump into a more creative, collaborative, and innovative team building experiences.
A message to the OLHS staff, March 2020:
Take team building to the next level and check out a Creator Kit for your advisory group! Creator kits allow students to work individually, in small groups, or in large groups to make something purposeful and have fun. The kits support different aspects of the VBCPS Graduate Profile and provide opportunities for hands-on, authentic learning that fosters resilience and critical thinking in an engaging and non-threatening way.
The first phase of kits are out! Look for new kits coming! Not sure how to use a kit? Student volunteers from the Innovation Team are trained to use the kits with your advisory group!
On March 10, 2020 (the last "normal days of the 2019-20 SY), the OLHS Advisory Planning Team met to create a mission statement, create a schedule, and brainstorm and design elements of advisory for next school year. Team members engaged in a Creator Kit KEVA planks challenge (not pictured) to experience and provide feedback for Creator Kit activities as they relate to the Graduate Profile and the advisory mission statement.
Since the closing of school in March 2020, the first phase for rolling out the Creator Kits has been put on hold. The group is focused on research and development during this time. Due to the unknown plan for the return to school, they are exploring ways that the “kits” can be conveyed or transferred to use in remote advisory sessions. They are researching possible materials and resources for both face to face and remote advisory options, talking to elementary schools about indoor recess kits and working out logistics by talking to the public library and local museums with similar check out systems. They are considering creating a group of students to provide feedback or assist with development, but need to know the VBCPS plan for the opening of the 2020-21 school year to dedicate significant time to this project.