Da Vinci Academy at South Hall Middle School

Transcription

1 Da Vinci Academy at South Hall Middle School Packet for Sixth Grade Learning never exhausts the mind. Leonardo da Vinci Student Name Current School Middle School to Which Student Is Zoned Page 1 of 7

2 Introduction Da Vinci Academy at South Hall Middle School is a program designed for students who have a passion for learning, primarily focused in the arts, sciences and technology. Students who are curious, who are original thinkers and who are open to discovering their gifts in a creative educational setting are prime candidates for this program. Intrinsic motivation, creativity and self-discipline are characteristics that DVA students should possess. DVA provides a technology-rich learning environment that features a project-based cooperative learning integrated curriculum. The Museum of Inspired Learning offers opportunities for students to research and create collaborative exhibits in a museum setting. DVA teachers are carefully selected for their creativity, content expertise, and ability to teach in an integrated fashion; in addition to their DVA classes with multi-talented teachers, students also work with community experts in their fields of study. Parents are an integral component of the success of this program. They commit to a minimum of 15 hours of volunteer work a year and, if they live outside the SHMS zone, provide transportation for their children to and from school. In return, DVA provides opportunities for students to thrive in a highly personalized environment dedicated to meeting the needs of the passionate learner both academically and creatively. The Da Vinci Academy Process Requirements to Apply Any Hall County School District student in 5 th grade may apply. Parents of students who live outside the SHMS attendance zone must provide transportation for their children to and from school. and Selection Procedure 1. Parents/Guardians and students complete a Student and submit it to Mrs. Cris Price at South Hall Middle School. The application may be hand delivered or mailed to: Da Vinci Academy at SHMS Attn: Mrs. Cris Price 4335 Falcon Parkway Gainesville, GA Parents/Guardians ask two teachers to serve as references for the student and provide them with the information needed to acquire the confidential recommendation form. 3. Complete application packets are reviewed by the DVA Selection Committee. Students are selected based on evidence from their applications, recommendations, and transcript (test scores and report cards) of the traits listed in the table below. 4. All applicants will participate in the group interview process. See section IX for more information. 5. When the evaluation process is completed, families will be notified by mail as to their student s application status: accepted, declined or placed on a waiting list. Selection Committee decisions are final. Page 2 of 7

3 The student must: Criteria Demonstrate advanced levels of knowledge, interest and aptitude in science, the arts and/or technology. Exhibit outstanding communication skills Possess qualities associated with creativity, including curiosity, resourcefulness and a problem-solving disposition Be highly motivated to excel in his or her studies Possess the maturity to work well independently and in collaborative group settings Evidence/Documentation Checklist (Please check off as each step is completed.) 1. Complete all of the student and parent/guardian information in Parts I and II of the application packet. 2. Obtain official copies of your child s standardized testing history for the last two years, his or her most recent report card and disciplinary records. Attach them to the application packet. 3. Complete the Parent Questionnaire and attach it to the application packet. 4. Attach the completed Student Questionnaire to the application packet. 5. Ask two teachers to complete short confidential recommendation forms, and, if they agree, give each teacher one of the half-page instruction sheets found on page 7 of this application packet. (Optional: Ask an individual who is not a teacher to submit a letter of recommendation as a third recommendation. See Section VI on page 5 of this application packet.) 6. Complete Parent Assurances (page 6). 7. Sign and have your child sign the Certification statement on page 6. Mail or deliver the complete application packet to DVA no later than Friday, December 1st at 3:00 p.m. s that are postmarked or delivered after this date will not be considered. Page 3 of 7

4 The Da Vinci Academy Student I. Student Information Student Name: Date of Birth: Current School: Student ID#: Is applying child the sibling of a current DVA 6 th or 7 th grade student? Name of sibling(s): Indicate area(s) of special interest: List extra-curricular activities: II. Parent/Guardian Information Name(s): Address: City: Zip: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Daytime Phone: Do you live in the Hall County School district? If not, are you (the parent) a Hall County Employee? III. Academic Record 1. Print and/or photocopy and attach all standardized test scores from the last two years. These should include Milestones, ITBS (if available), gifted program eligibility record (if available). These must be official records, which may be obtained from the data clerk at your child s school, Infinite Campus, and/or your own copies of standardized test score reports. 2. Attach your child s most recent report card, Attendance, and Behavior records. IV. Parent Questionnaire Please answer the four questions below. Typed responses if possible. Please print them and attach them to the application. Limit your responses to two pages total. Only two pages will be reviewed by the Selection Committee. 1. What are the gifts and talents that your child will bring to DVA? (Feel free to discuss not only academics, but also issues related to character, leadership, etc.) 2. What have been your child s greatest challenges in school, and what has been done to help your child overcome those challenges? (For example: particular learning difficulties, social/emotional issues, illness, stress) 3. Please share some of your expectations in the following areas: a. Academics c. Athletics b. Connections/Enrichment d. Extracurricular activities 4. With what activities at your child s previous schools have you been involved? In what DVA activities do you envision yourself participating? Page 4 of 7

5 V. Student Questionnaire (to be completed by students only) Please answer the two questions below on a separate piece of paper. Attach your responses to the application. Typed responses if possible. Please limit your responses to one page total. Only one page will be reviewed by the Selection Committee. 1. Why do you want to attend Da Vinci Academy? 2. Pretend that rather than provide money for a class trip, the Board of Education has decided to give money to each individual student for a trip of his or her choice! List three (3) places you would visit and explain what you would do while visiting there. Why? VI. References Please ask two teachers to complete short confidential recommendation forms, which will be submitted electronically. One of the references must be a current regular classroom teacher. The other reference may be another current teacher (regular classroom, special area, SEARCH, etc.) or a fourth-grade teacher. If they agree to serve as references, please give them one of the half-page instruction sheets found on page 7 of this application packet. This should be done as soon as possible. The final dead-line to request a recommendation is Wednesday, November 15, Optional: You may ask one individual who is not a teacher (e.g., a scoutmaster, coach, church leader, etc.) to submit a letter of recommendation if you feel that this person has had opportunities to observe your child s interests, talents, work ethic, ability to work with others, etc., in ways that may not have been seen in school. This letter of recommendation does not replace one of the required teacher recommendations; it is supplemental. This reference may not be a family member. The letter, which should not exceed one page in length, should be sent directly to Mrs. Cris Price at SHMS no later than December 1, (See address on page 2. The letter may also be scanned and ed to Mrs. Price at cris.price@hallco.org or faxed to ) To help us know when application packets are complete or to whom we should send reminders, please give us the names and a way to contact each individual you have asked to complete a recommendation form or write a letter on your child s behalf: Name Address or Phone Number VII. Parent Assurances I grant permission for the DVA Selection Committee to request and review my child s complete academic and discipline records. If I live outside the SHMS attendance zone, I will provide transportation to and from school for my child to attend the DVA. I understand that no bus service is provided for students who live outside the SHMS attendance zone. I will commit to15 hours of volunteer service for each of my children enrolled in DVA. I will make sure that my child has a laptop computer while he/she is enrolled at DVA, either by purchasing or leasing one for him/her. I also agree to keep my child s laptop in good working order. I understand that DVA does not consistently have a counselor or resource officer on site. I also understand that the nature of the DVA curriculum and the variety of individual and/or small group activities available at DVA require students to exhibit more maturity and self-control than would be expected of middle school students in a traditional setting. Therefore, if my child has persistent problems with behavior and/or motivation at DVA, I understand that he/she will return to his/her home school. I have requested teacher recommendations for my child on or before November 15, I have included my child s complete academic and discipline records with the application. Parent/Legal Guardian Signature Date Page 5 of 7

6 VIII. Hall County Schools offers two middle school programs of choice: Da Vinci Academy and the Earhart-Edison Academy. If a family is prepared to provide transportation (if not living in the SHMS or NHMS school zones), then a student is able to apply to both programs by completing separate applications for each program. Students should apply to both programs ONLY if they are truly interested in attending their second choice if they should not get into their first choice. An application will first be considered only by the program indicated as the first choice. If a student is not accepted into his/her first choice of program, then the application will be considered by the second-choice program. It will only be considered, however, if the second-choice program was unable to meet its enrollment goal with qualified applicants who selected it as their first choice. Students may be accepted to Da Vinci Academy or Earhart Edison Academy or neither, but not both. Knowing this, please check below the one box that applies to you. If you are only applying only to Da Vinci Academy, please check the first choice below. If you are also applying to the Earhart Edison Academy, please check the appropriate box below. You must complete the two separate applications for both schools if you are applying to both schools. I am only applying to DVA. I am applying to both DVA and E2, and DVA is my first choice. E2 is my second choice. (Please remember -- You must complete a separate application for each school.) I am applying to both DVA and E2, and E2 is my first choice. (Please remember -- You must complete a separate application for each school.) IX. Group s All students submitting an application will participate in a group interview process. Students are brought to the school and registered for the event and then they are picked up in approximately one hour. During the process students rotate with a group of students to participate in a group activity, visit the museum, and to respond to a short writing prompt. Please rank the available times in order of your preference: Monday, Dec. 4 th, 4:30 Wednesday, Dec. 6 th, 4:30 Thursday, Dec. 7 th, 5:30 You will be contacted with a confirmation of your child s interview time. X. Certification and Signature Page I certify that the information contained in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge, and I understand that if selected for DVA, falsified statements may be grounds for removal. Student Name (Print please) Student Signature Date Parent/Legal Guardian Name (Print please) Parent/Legal Guardian Signature Date Page 6 of 7

7 DVA Teacher Reference Info Dear Colleague: Please note, we have a new recommendation form follow the procedure below: Thank you for agreeing to serve as a reference for, who is applying to Da Vinci Academy (DVA). Your confidential ratings of this student s interests and aptitudes, creativity and personal responsibility will be submitted by no later than Friday, December 22, Please DVA secretary, Mrs. Cris Price at cris.price@hallco.org to request a recommendation form. She will then the short form to you, along with instructions for the completion and submission of the form. Your professional observations are very important as we attempt to select students who will thrive in the unique learning environment of the DVA. So, again, thank you for being an important part of the application process. Sincerely, Dr. Sally C. Krisel Hall County Schools Director of Innovative and Advanced Programs Dear Colleague: DVA Teacher Reference Info Please note, we have a new recommendation form follow the procedure below: Thank you for agreeing to serve as a reference for, who is applying to Da Vinci Academy (DVA). Your confidential ratings of this student s interests and aptitudes, creativity and personal responsibility will be submitted by no later than Friday, December 22, Please DVA secretary, Mrs. Cris Price at cris.price@hallco.org to request a recommendation form. She will then the short form to you, along with instructions for the completion and submission of the form. Your professional observations are very important as we attempt to select students who will thrive in the unique learning environment of the DVA. So, again, thank you for being an important part of the application process. Sincerely, Dr. Sally C. Krisel Hall County Schools Director of Innovative and Advanced Programs Page 7 of 7