Avital,effective,andremarkable alternativelearningprogramforgradesK8

CONTENTS TheOptionsmission...................................................................................2 Ourapproach:Thefourthreads................................................................2 #1:Buildingstrongcommunity #2:Nurturingengaged,independentlearners #3:Honoringindividualismthroughcreativecurricula #4:Focusingonlongrangesuccess

WhatdoesOptionslooklikeinpractice.................................................20 Ourcurriculum Ourclassrooms Ourparents Ourteachers

Learningbeyondtheclassroom...............................................................26 Fieldtrips Familycamp Circles(a.k.a.EnrichmentClasses) Civicoutreachprojects MysteryDinnerTheater

WhatdoesOptionshavetooffer?..........................................................32 Forparents:Greaterchoice Forstudents:Uniquelearningopportunities ForNKSD:Morestudents Foreveryone:Longtermsuccess

ComeexploreOptionsforyourself.........................................................34

AppendixA:Parenthoursreportedfor201011schoolyear................36 AppendixB:Optionsalumnisurvey........................................................37 AppendixC:Optionsparentsurveys.......................................................39

NorthKitsapOptionsProgramDecember2010

TheOptionsmission 2010marksthe20thanniversaryofNorthKitsapOptions,analternativepublic schoolprogramfoundedbyagroupofparentswhosetouttocreateeducational choicesfortheirchildrenand,intheprocess,leftalastingoptionforotherarea students.Theprogramsmissionstatementis: ToprovideNorthKitsapstudentswithcommunitybasededucation thatfostersthedevelopmentofselfdirected,lifelonglearnersthrough significantfamilyinvolvement, interdependent,multiagelearninggroups,and curriculathatareresponsivetotheneedsandinterestsofourstudents. Ideally,theOptionsexperiencebeginsinKindergarten,beforechildrenhave growntoexpectthatmotivationandrewardareextrinsicallygenerated,and extendsthroughthecriticalmiddleschoolyearsthatoftentumultuousperiod inwhichmanyyoungpeoplefeelungrounded,misunderstood,and overwhelmedbypeerpressureandthechangestheyexperienceinthetransition fromchildhoodtoyoungadulthood. DuringthenineyearsfromKthrough8thgrade,ourfocusisto: Provideasolidsupportsystemforourstudentsbydevelopingastrong communityofpeers,teachers,parents,andextendedfamilies. Guidestudentsindevelopingtheskillsandattitudesrequiredforsuccessful, lifelong,independentlearningusingawidevarietyofacademic,artisticand socialsettings. Createcurriculaandanenvironmentthatfosterscuriosity,experiential learning,criticalthinking,problemsolving,risktaking,reflectionand evaluation. Emphasizetheintrinsicrewardsandvaluesoflearningindailyworkand throughcommunityserviceandparticipation. Ourapproach:Thefourthreads Fourphilosophicalthreadsrunthroughourentireprogramfromthedaily curriculumtothelongtermqualitieswestrivetoengenderineverystudent. Thefollowingpagesdescribeeachthreadfromavarietyofperspectives.
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TheOptionsmethodisnotanaccident.Itfollowsthenaturalrhythmofhuman development.BobDeweese,Optionsteacherfor17years

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Thread#1:Buildingstrongcommunity Optionsprovidesdailyopportunitiesforkidstolearnfromteachers,eachother, parents,andpeopleoutsidetheschoolcommunity.Withinthatsafe,supportive environment,weencouragechildrentotaketherisksandmakethemistakes thatarecriticalfordevelopingbothselfconfidenceandproblemsolvingskills. Here,studentsareknown,valued,andaccountableparticipantswithinalarger context,andthecommunitytheybuildremainsintegraltotheirliveslongafter theyvelefttheprogram.

ThefactthatOptionsparents,childrenandteachersareabigfamilyledmy daughtertointerrelatewithadultswell,andtolearntrustandaccountabilityina caring,nurturingmanner.Theparentsalsobroughttheirvarioustalents, opinions,andstylestotheclassroomandfieldtripevents,broadeningthe studentexperiencefurtherthanasingleteacheralonecouldprovide. CarlMiller,Optionsparent

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Optionsalumnioncommunityandtheimportanceofadults OneofthemostimportantthingswasthatIwaswelcomed,exactlyasIwas.Teachers, otherstudents,eventhefamiliesofstudentsshowedinterestinmeasapersonand madeitclearthatIwaswantedthere.Thatfeelingofbeingacceptedwassomething thatIhadneverbeforeexperiencedandwillneverforget.Thesmallcommunityof students,teachersandparentsbecameanetworkofsupportandencouragementtome. Ibecamepartofastrongcohesivegroup. MollyDorsey,EdmondsCommunityCollege;RunningStart2010 TheparentinvolvementinOptionsandtheindividualapproachtoeachstudent's educationtakenbytheteachersmeantthatinOptionsIhadpowerfulrelationshipswith peoplebesidesjustthestudentsIwasinclasswith.Today(especiallyasIprepareformy 700studentseniorlevellectureattheUW)thisisoneofthethingsIrememberandmiss mostaboutmyOptionsexperience.AtnootherpointinmyeducationhaveIhadso manypowerfulmentorsandadvocatesformyeducation.Infact,manyofthese relationshipsaretheonesIstilldependonwhenIneedhelpandadvicemakingdifficult decisionsaboutmyeducation/life. DylanPeterson,UniversityofWashington2011;Polaris2007 WhenIwasinOptionsIlovedhoweveryonewascomfortablearoundeachotherand mostofall,comfortablewiththemselves.I'veneverexperiencedamoreacceptingand friendlyenvironment.Nomatterwhatgradeyouwerein,everyoneworkedtogetherand intheprocess,learnedfromeachotheraswell.Itwasthismultiagelearningthattruly setOptionsapart,formeatleast. AlexBeaulieu,KingstonHighSchool2011 TomethemostimportantpartofmyexperienceinOptionswasthelearning community.Itwassounique,sosafe,andsofulloflifeandexploration.IneverfeltlikeI waslimitedtothewallssurroundingmeintheclassroom.IfeltthatIhadsomuch opportunity,andsomuchsupportfromtheteachers,studentsandparentsaroundme.It wassuchasafecomfortableplacetolearn.Itrulyfeltfreetobemyselfandbecauseof thatIlearnedsomuchmore. GretaMiller,TheEvergreenStateCollege,KHS2010 ThemostimportantpartofmyOptionsexperiencewasbeinginvolvedinsuchastrong learningcommunity.Thestudents,parents,andteachersIspenteightyearswithin OptionsIconsidertobemyextendedfamily,andIthinkthatthosekindsoftiesare uniquetoschoolslikeOptions. KatieGates,EvergreenStateCollege2011;WestSoundAcademy
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Thread#2:Nurturingengaged,independentlearners

Kidsareintrinsicallymotivatedtolearnabouttheworld.Werespectthatfactby encouragingourstudentstodevelopcontrolandownershipoftheirown education.Ourjobistoprovideahealthy,stimulatingenvironmentwhere studentsfeelsafetoexperiment,trynewskills,correctmistakes,change behavior,andacceptthattheremaybemanyrightanswerstoanyquestion. Ourultimategoalistocultivateourstudentscuriosity,inspiringthemto becomeindependent,lifelonglearners.

TheOptionsfocusonthelearningprocessandcriticalreasoningcoupledwith projectsandseminarsgavemeasetoftoolstoapproachanysubject,newor familiar. DanielBryan,Optionsalumnus

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Optionsalumnionindependentlearningandhowithasservedthem
Iwasabletoexplorethingsthatmeantsomethingtome,andmanyofthosethingsI amstillpursuinginmyhighereducation. CameronGroh,UniversityofOregon;KHS2010 Tobehonest,whenIfirstjoinedOptions,Ireallydidntknowwhatitwasallabout.It tookmeayearorsotofigureoutthatwearetherebecausewewanttobethere,and welearnwhatweneedandwanttolearn.WhenIdiscoveredthis,itreallyopeneda bunchofdoorstonewandexcitingthingsthatIneverimaginedpossibleinapublic school.ThemostimportantthingIbroughtaway[fromOptions]wasthatIamincontrol ofwhatIamdoing.AndifIamnot,thenthereissomethingwrongandweneedto changeit,ratherthanjustgoingalongwiththesystem. DavidLemay,travelinginSouthAmerica;KHS2010 Ithink[OptionsStudents]aremorefreethinking,morepreparedtolearnthe informationofferedforthesakeoftheknowledgeitself(notjusttorememberituntilthe testandthenforgetitagain),moreengagedinourcommunities,lessapatheticthan standardizedschoolchildren,moreencouragedtothinkoutsideofthebox. KateLatinaAble,ShorelineCollege2010 TheOptionsprogramoffersstudentsaneducationwheretheyaretaughtthatlearning isawayofliving,notameanstoagoal.[Theprogram]encouragesstudentstodevelop andpursuetheirinterests,andgivesthemexperienceinseminarandextensiveproject workthatmightnotbewellexploredbytraditionalstudentsuntilhighschoolor college.DanielBryan,TheEvergreenStateCollege2010 DuetothestructureandlearningenvironmentofOptions,Ihadmorefreedomthanthe averagejuniorhighstudenttodecidewhatandhowIwantedtolearn.Iwasableto exploremyareasofinteresttoalargedegree.ThefactthatIwasstudyingthingsthat sparkedmycuriositymotivatedmetoputmoreeffortintomyschoolwork.Istronglyfeel thatsuchacademicfreedomhelpedpreparemeforcollegeandthedecisionmakingthat goeswithhighereducation. MollyDorsey,EdmondsCommunityCollege;RunningStart2010 WhenIwasinOptionsIreallyfeltlikewhatIhadtosaymattered,thatIhadasayin whatwentonintheclassroom.Theopinionsandideasofthestudentsaretrulyvalued, andwewerealwaystreatedwithrespect.Ididn'tfeelthatwayasmuchwhenIwasat theHighSchool. TobyJacobrown,BenningtonCollege2010
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Thread#3:Honoringindividualismthroughcreativecurricula

Learningisanorganicactivity.Ithappensatdifferentratesindifferentsubject areasfordifferentkids.Andwhenyouconsiderthattheremaybeasmuchasa 364dayagedifferencebetweenclassmates,itsimpracticaltoexpectthatallof themcanorwillaccomplishthesamegoalswithinthesameyear.Withthatin mind,Optionsappliesanintegrated,responsiveapproachtoteachingthe standardpublicschoolcurriculum;anapproachthatprovidestheflexibilityfor studentstodevelopskillsattheirownpace.Inallowingstudentstochooseboth thetimingandsubjectareastheypursue,wecreatearelevant,integrated curriculumthatrespondstoindividualstudentneedsandpromotesgreater success.Thiskindofindividualizationhelpskidstoseeandrespondtotheinter relatednessofallsubjectareas.

[AtOptions]IlookedforwardtogoingtoschoolEVERYDAY.Iwasalwaysinan environmentthatbredselfexpressionanddiscovery. KendalPeiguss,EmersonCollege2012,KHS2009

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Optionsparentsoncreativecurriculaandmeetingindividualneeds
AtOptions,kidsarevaluedasindividualsandasmembersofaninterdependent community.Inthe11yearswewereintheprogram,therewasneveradaywhere eitherofmygirlswantedtostayhomefromschoolvoluntarily.They,andtheir classmatesandfriendsaswell,simplyEXCELLEDinthatenvironment. IsabelGates,parentoftwoOptionsalumni OurdaughtercontinuedatWestSoundAcademywhereshewaswellpreparedfor thedifficultacademicclasses.Shewasmorecenteredthanmanyofthestudents there;shelookedlessforapprovalforwhatshehaddonethanmanyofherpeers; shecouldevaluateherresultsbetter. NancyBall,parentofoneOptionsalumnus [Myson]learnedtoworkwithahugerangeofpersonalitiesandages,he developedhisconfidenceinfrontofgroupsbypresentingindependentproject researchandyearlyplays,hisrambunctiousnesswasmoderatedfromthewise interventionofmany,manyadults,hedevelopedadeepsocialawarenessand empathyforothersthroughtheintensityofgroupprojectssuchasplaysandother cooperativelearningtasks. BobDash,parentofoneOptionsalumnus Benefits?Independence,curiosityfortheworldaroundthem,interestinother cultures,theabilitytoworkwithchildrenoradults.Theabilitytoworkinbothsmall orlargegroupsituations.Knowingthathardworkpaysoff,andthatwhatworksfor themmightnotworkforoneoftheirpeers(i.e.tolerance).Theabilitytolookat problemsinmanydifferentways,andknowingthattherecouldbemorethanone solution. MarySwobodaGroh,parentoftwoOptionsalumni ThethingaboutOptionsitisthewayitinstillsthedrivetolearn.Therearealotof interestdrivenprojectsthatgivekidstheopportunitynotjusttolearnabout themselves,butaboutthecommunityandtheartofcollaborationandcreation. Nowmorethaneverweneedtohaveaccesstoourcreativityandinnovation. Optionsisacuttingedgeprograminthisregard.Itgiveskidstheopportunityto strengthenthoseskillsthatwillbesoimportantinthe21stcentury. LaileyJenkins,parentoftwoOptionsalumni

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4.Focusingonlongrangesuccess

ThefirstlessonsmanynewOptionsstudentslearnaretoletgo,totrust themselvestobethemselves,andtodowhatneedstobedonewithoutbeing toldandwithoutreward.Ultimately,eventhemostuncertainkidsgain confidencetomoveforwardwiththeirlearning.Ourgoalasalearning communityistoaccompanyourstudentsthroughtheiracademicjourneyand alongtheirpathsofselfdiscovery.Completingthisprocesstakestime.Ournine year(Kthrough8)programallowseverystudenttheopportunitytoexperience thisgrowth.What'smore,nineyearsofworkingtogetherasacommunityallows Optionsfamiliestodevelopthetrust,values,andnormsthatinfuseourlearning culture.Theresultisasynergisticprogramthatisfarmorethanthesumofits parts.

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OptionsalumnionthevalueofOptionslongrangeapproachtosuccess
IthinkOptionskidshavehigherselfconfidence;muchmoreadaptable,flexible,and effectiveproblemsolvingskills;highercommunicationskillsacrossagelevels;andthey knowthemselvesbetter,whattheirstrengthsandweaknessesareasalearner,andhow toaddresstheirownneeds. MyrnaKeliher,HampshireCollege/TheEvergreenStateCollege2008;PAL [TheOptionsenvironment]bredselfexpressionanddiscovery.WhenIleftforhigh school,IwasconfidentintheawkwardteenagerIwasIbecameVicePresidentofthe StudentBody,AssistantDirectoroftheKHSDramaClub,andhavehadsuccessincollege workingwithprofessionalsolderthanIam. KendalPeiguss,EmersonCollege2012,KHS2009 ThevariedworkandsmallclasssizesallowedmetogetthesupportIneeded.Middle School/JuniorHigh[aretough],andmyexperienceatOptionshelpedmepullthrough thattimeandultimatelysucceedpersonallyandacademically. FaithPatton,WesternWashingtonUniversity2010 BecauseOptionsapproachisindividualized,andstudentsareconstantlypushedto exploreandincorporatenewinterestsintheirschoolwork,[wewere]inherentlyengaged andinvestedin[our]owneducation. DylanPeterson,UniversityofWashington;Polaris2007 Inhighschoolandcollege,otherstudentsweresurprisedathowdedicatedIwasto projectsthatIwouldinventnewextracurricularprojectsthatwereaboveandbeyond classworkor,often,hadnothingtodowithit.Ithinkmyindependenceandloveof learningwasencouragedanddevelopedinOptionsinwaysthatIcouldn'tbelieveit wouldinthetraditionalsystem. TobyJacobrown,BenningtonCollege2010 Inoticedthatkidsraisedinthetraditionalsystem[seelearning]asachore...Options kidsseelearningasanopportunity. JessieGates,travelingabroad,KHS2010 Asmyhighschoolteachershavenoted,[Optionsalumniaredistinctive].Weachievea deeperlevelofthinkingandanalyzing[than]otherstudents.Wearemotivatedand ambitiousinschoolandinlife.Wearesuccessfulandconfident. SammPerry,OlympicCollege;KHS2010
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WhatdoesOptionslooklikeinpractice? Ourcurriculum TheOptionscurriculummodelcorrelatescloselywiththeStateEssential AcademicLearningRequirements,butapproachestheserequirementsinamore integratedway,takingabroaderlookatthekindsofskillsessentialforbecoming asuccessfulandcompetent person.Alloftheseessential skillsareinterrelated,butsocial skills,communicationskills,and theartslieattheheartofthe modelandourprogram.

Ourclassrooms Optionsclassroomsareagood deallivelierthanthosein traditionalschools.Thechaos, though,hasaninterior organizationthatourfounders andcurrentleadersfeelis appropriatetothegoalof supportingindependentthinkers andengagedcommunity citizens.Forinstance,onany givendayyoumayseeentireclassroomsinvolvedindiscussioncircles,group problemsolving,musicmaking,orworkingonmoreindepthprojectssuchas:

MarketDay.Inthesesimulations,studentslearnfirsthandaboutcommerce andeconomics,practicingmath(addition,subtraction,fractions,decimals, ratios,proportions),readingandwriting,timemanagement,design,and moreinadynamic,interactivesetting. Scienceprojects.Optionskidsbegindevelopingandtestinghypothesesas earlyasKindergarten,pursuingscienceprojectsoftheirownchoosingon theirowntimeoutsidetheclassroom,andpresentingtheirfindingstothe

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class.Independentscienceprojects,infact,occuratleasttwiceayear throughoutthenineyearOptionsexperience,allowingstudentsto progressivelyfinetunetheirskillsintheorizing,testing,datacollection, graphing/charting,andpresentation. IndependentProject(IP)presentations.Startingingrade3,Optionskidsare askedtochoosetopicsofspecialinteresttothemandspendaminimumof 1.5hours/weekforamonthormorepursuingthatinterestindepth.The experienceculminatesinapresentationoffindingstotheclass.Theformats arerichandvaried,rangingfromoralreportstogroupparticipationactivities tofullyeditedandscoredvideopresentations.Asidefromtheobviousskills kidsdevelopinresearching,digestingandpresentingtheirIPresults,they learntofindandapplythepassiontounderstandingotherimportanttopics thatmaybeofpersonalinterest. Rehearsalsanddramaticpresentations.AllthreeOptionsclassrooms performplaysatleastonceayear.Scriptwritingandrehearsalsprovidekids withreadingandcomprehensionpractice,aswellascontextualspringboards forstudyinghistory;setbuildinghonesmath,artandteamworkskills; rehearsalsandperformanceshelpkidstodevelopselfconfidenceand persistence;andmuchmore. Camppreparation:Studentsparticipateindevelopingmealplansforour twiceannualcamps,takingdietaryrestrictionsandseasonalavailabilityinto account.Asoftenaspossible,theyparticipateinharvesting,buildingtheir understandingofthefieldtotablefoodcycle.(Formoreinformationabout OptionsFamilyCamp,seeLearningbeyondtheclassroombelow.) Constructionprojects:Indesigningstagesets,scalemodels,gardenbeds, boardgames,quilts,andsoon,kidsgethandsonpracticewithdesign, measurements,geometry,fractions,anddecimals.

KidsworktogetherwithinandevenacrossOptionsclassroomstoacquire newknowledgeneededforanygiventask.Oftenregardlessofanyfearsthey mayhaveofappearinginadequateorunskilled,Optionsstudentsareeagerto learn,andrespondtotheselargerchallengesasfunopportunities.

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Ourparents VisitanyOptionsclassroomandyoureboundtoseeparentsplayingintegral roles:helpingkidsdevelopreading,math,andscienceskills;workingonsetsfor plays;ordesigningenrichmentclasscurriculaontopicsrangingfromanatomy andhorticulturetomappingandwoodworking.Parentsareaclearlyvisibleand absolutelyinvaluablepartofthe Optionscommunity,active participantswhoareeverybitas Optionsparentvolunteerhours engagedinlearningastheirkidsare. loggedasof11/1/2010* Aboveandbeyondclassroomtime, August25 parentsdevotemanyhoursworking September378.5 togetherinmonthlyparentmeetings October318.0 andsmalleroperationalcommittee Total721.5 meetingssteering,fundraising, Ave./month240.5hourstotal enrichmentclasses,greenschool, (130.6inclass) environment/garden,andmore.Our parentgroupisalwayslookingfor *Fordetailsonthelasttwoyears, seeAppendixA. waystoimproveourprogram,andto findnewandinnovativewaysto excite,inspireandchallengeour students.Asasidebenefit,thiskindofcollaborativecommitteeworkservesto strengthenourbroadercommunityevenfurther.

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InOctober2010,we conductedanonlinesurvey ofOptionsalumniparents, askingthemtheirthoughts abouttheprogramand whichways(ifany)the Optionsapproach benefittedtheirchildren. Fordetailsaboutthat survey,aswellasanother recentparentsurvey,turn toAppendixC.

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Ourteachers ToOptionsteachers,thequestionsunderlyingeverylearningopportunityare: Howdoesthistieinwithotherthingswearedoingorhavedone? HowcanImakethislearningmorerealtothekids? HowcanIstructureaprojectthatrequirescooperationandsharingofthe learningexperiencebetweenthestudentsandparents? Whoinourcommunitycanhelpadddimensiontoourstudyofthistopic? Inessence,theirteachingmethodsarecooperative,inquirybased,and supportivenottheteacherdirectedapproachfoundinmoretraditional classrooms. TeachersSueDazey,NatSmith,andBobDeweesehave45yearsofcombined tenurewiththeOptionsprogram.(Suewasafounderoftheprogrambackin 1988.)Eachofthemhasprovendedicationbeyondthecallofdutytothe programmission,students,andtheextendedOptionscommunity.Theyactively integrateparentsintotheirdailyclassroomactivities.Theywillinglytakelearning beyondtheclassroomwalls,facilitatingoutreachprojectsandenthusiastically participatingintwiceyearlyovernightcampsdesignedtoenhancethe educationalexperienceandsolidifytheextendedOptionscommunity.Wewill sorelymissBobandSuewhentheyretireattheendofthe20102011school year.Welookforwardtoworkingwiththedistricttofindtwonewteacherswho willfitouruniquelydemandingprogramandleavelegaciesasprofoundand enduringasBobandSues.

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AnOptionsteacher musthavegreat patience,theability toreachoutto studentsofalllevels ofmotivationandto engagestudentswith thecoursematerial andtheir peers[Options teachers]should possessan unmitigated enthusiasmforboth learningand teaching,andin approachingbothin newways.Options teachersarepart mentor,part instructor,andpart tribalchief.They provideequalparts guidance,instruction andcommunity building.Eachpartis essentialtothe Optionsexperience. DanielBryan, Optionsalumnus

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Learningbeyondtheclassroom

Fieldtrips IntheearlyyearsofOptions,thecommunitydidextensiveroadtripsinEastern Washingtontoexploretheecosystem.Thesedays,classestakefrequentfield tripstolocalsitestothecountydump,forinstance,tolearnaboutrecycling,or tolocalhatcheriesforhandsonexperienceinlifecyclemanagement.

Inniceweather,teachersoftentakeclassestothenearbylaketoobserve nature,holddiscussions,orread.Studentsandparentvolunteersworktogether totendagardenspaceoncampusorhelpoutonlocalfarms.Eachyear,our graduating8thgradestudentschooseaseniortripdestinationandraisefunds topaytheirway.TwoclasseshavegonetoItaly,whileothershavevisited Canada,BostonandNYC,andthecentralcoastofCalifornia.And,forthepast10 yearsorso,manystudentsandtheirfamilieshavespentsummervacationdays travelingwithteacherBobDeweesetotheShakespeareFestivalinAshland, Oregon.

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Familycamps Twiceayear,Optionsholdsoutdooreducationcampsoneofourprograms mostuniqueandpowerfuleducationalexperiences.Theseeagerlyanticipated excursionsbringteachers,students,andtheirextendedfamiliestogetherfor threedaysoflearningandoutdoorexploration.Everybodypitchesintomakeit happen:Parentsheadtheorganizingcommittee,designcurriculaandactivities, andmanagethepaperwork;studentscook,clean,andserveallthemeals;and parents,outsidevolunteers,andinsomecases,Optionsalumnileadthe enrichmentclassesthatfilleachday.Theresultofeachcampisamoreclosely bondedextendedcommunitydedicatedtosupportingtheOptionsexperience.

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Circles(a.k.a.EnrichmentClasses) BasedonourbeliefthatparentsupportisabsolutelyessentialtomakingOptions successful,thelargestandmostactiveOptionsgroupourEnrichmentClass committeeworksnonstoptoorganizespecial,multiweekprogramsthat enhancethecurriculaandaddvarietytothestudentsschoolexperience.Ledby parents(andsometimesmembersoftheoutsidecommunity),theseclassesare motivatedbytheinterestandexpertiseoftheparentvolunteers,aswellasthe students.Pastcourseshavecoveredweatherreporting,physics,beading, meditation,keepingjournals,calligraphy,photography,modelinggroundwater aquifers,baking,watercolorpainting,owlpelletanalysis,rocketmaking,ultimate Frisbee,geocaching,andembryology.Becauseourparentsarecommittedand involved,thereisnolimittotherangeofsubjects.Studentsgainbothfrom collaboratingwithsupportiveparents,andfromsharingtheirinterestand enthusiasm.

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Civicoutreachprojects OnecoreOptionsbeliefisthatchildrenlearnthemostfrombeinginvolvedin realworldprojectsthatserverealneeds.Thatswhycivicinvolvementisalsoa largepartofourprogramming.Forexample,studentsfrequentlymakevisitsto residentsofalocalnursinghometodocrafts,read,sing,tellstories,andfoster intergenerationalrelationships;somestudentshelpraisefundsforUnicefand HeiferInternationalandworkforhungerreliefthroughChildrenoftheNations International,etc.;andmanystudentsandparentvolunteersoftenparticipatein communitycleanupandhabitatmaintenanceprojects.

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MysteryDinnerTheater Familycamps,fieldtrips,andenrichmentclassesallcostmoneyfundingthe districtdoesnotprovide.Asacommunitydevotedtoprovidingthese extraordinarylearningopportunities,weareequallycommittedtoraisingthe requiredfunds.MysteryDinnerTheater(MDT)evolved10yearsagofromthe desiretoputthefunbackintofundraisin.MDTisevenpartofthecurriculum, withkidsreadingbookslikeFastFoodNation,discussingfoodgenetics,and takingHealthDepartmentfoodhandlerclasses.Today,MDThasgrownintoa multinight,multicourseculinaryandentertainmentextravaganzaforhundreds ofpatrons.Everyyearalumnistudentsandparentsreturntohelpcurrent familiesinthekitchen,onthefloor,andintheplay,bridginggenerationsof Optionsparentsandstudents. Itsalotofwork,butwellworthit.Inthelastfew years,MDThasnettedanaverageof$14,000/year,allofwhichgoestoward enrichingourprogramforcurrentstudentsandfundingscholarshipsfornew Optionskindergartenerswhowouldotherwisebeunabletoattendfullday classes.Thereswealthtobefound,too,inthehoursparentsandstudents spendtogetherdesigningsets,rehearsingshows,preppingfood,andpromoting ourcause.Intheprocess,theyservetosolidifyourcommunitybeyondmeasure.

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WhatdoesOptionshavetooffer? Forparents:Greaterchoice Bybeingbothalternativeandaffordable,Optionsgivesparentsagreater opportunitytochooseaneducationalsituationthatbestfitstheirchildrens needs.Whatsmore,Optionsexpectsparentstoparticipatefirsthandintheir childrenseducation.Intheprocess,Optionsparentscreatetighterbondswith theirownkids,simultaneouslybuildingamutuallysupportivecommunitywith thefamiliesoftheirkidsfriends.Thesefamilybasednetworksprovidean invaluablesafetynetforchildrenandadultsthroughouttheOptionsexperience especiallyduringtheteenyears. Forstudents:Uniquelearningopportunities ToanswerthequestionWhatadvantages(ifany)doyouthinkOptionsstudents haveoverkidsthatcomethroughthetraditionalsystem?wesentanonline surveytoapproximately70Optionsalumni,58ofwhomrespondedbythe deadline.Theiranswersreflecttwoclearandconsistentthemes: AstrongappreciationofOptionsmultiagecommunity:thecrossclassroom interaction;theconstantpresenceofmentorsandadvocates,andasolid senseoftheirvalueinthatcommunity. Akeenawarenessoftheiruniquenessasstudentsandcitizens:theirdesire tolearnsimplyforthesakeoflearning;theircomfortintakinginitiative,even inunfamiliarsituations;theirdrivetomeethighstandards,withoutregardto externalrewardorrecognition. (FormoredetailabouttheOptionsalumnisurvey,seeAppendixB.) Andheresaninterestingfootnote:Thebreadth,depth,andenduranceofthe Optionscommunityarewonderfullyillustratedbythemannerinwhichwe locatedparticipantsforoursurvey(throughalumniFacebookconnections),as wellasinthehighresponserate(75%).Webelievethatclassconnectionson suchalargescalerarelysurvivebeyondgraduationinstandardschool communities. 32 NorthKitsapOptionsProgramDecember2010

FortheNKSD:Morestudents ForthedistrictingeneralandGordonElementaryinparticular,Optionsmeans morestudentsand,inturn,higherlevelsoffunding.Wefirmlybelievethat Optionsattractsstudentstothedistrictwhowouldotherwisenotattendschool here.Tosubstantiatethatbelief,werecentlypolledthe56familiescurrently enrolledinOptionswiththisquestion: IftheOptionsProgramwasnolongeraneducationchoiceforourchild, wewouldchoose Homeschool/Privateschool/Anotherpublicschool/Other Thirtysevenfamiliesrespondedtothepoll,representing53NKSDstudents.The resultsindicatedthatnomorethannineofthosestudentswouldremaininthe district.Inotherwords,upwardsof44studentsparticipateinNKpublicschools solelybecausetheOptionsprogramisachoice.(Fordetailsabouttworecent Optionsparentsurveys,seeAppendixC.) Foreveryone:Longtermsuccess Regardlessoftheeducationalchoiceswemake,anyparentshighesthopesare borneout(ornot)whenourchildrenstepuptothenextchallengeandshowthe worldwhattheyrecapableofaccomplishing.AsOptionsparents,wehaveseen remarkableresultsfromouralumni.Forinstance: OnethirdofallOptionsstudentsenrollinRunningStart. Approximately80%ofOptionsstudentsattend4yearcollege. In20092010,sevenAPhonorsscholarswerenamedinKingstonHighSchool. SixofthemwereOptionsstudents;threewerejustjuniorsatthetime. Trustthechildren.Standardizedtestsaren'timportant,andacurriculumbased ontakingtestsdoesntmatterinthelongrun.Offerchildrenaplacetolearnand discoverinapatient,caring,supportiveenvironmentandtheywilllearn!You maynotseeitinthemoment,butitisabsolutelyhappening. Anonymous,parentoftwoOptionsalumni

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Fromdayone,theOptionseducationmodelprovidesstudentsample opportunityforcreativity,play,andpeerinteraction.Ourentireprogram encouragesselfregulatedfreedom,creatinganopenenvironmentforworking independentlyonresearch,writing,drawing,experiments,andbuilding.Andour approachpaysoff.HighschoolteachersreportthatOptionsalumsarethe dynamosoftheirclassroomstheyareengaged,thoughtful,andindependent learners. Iam23now,andkeepintouchwith[many]studentsfromtheprogram.Every singleoneofthemisdoingamazingthings...Allbutonehasgonetocollege,and [he]hastraveledhalfthecontinentsintheworldandworksforveryworthwhile causes. KirstenSorensen,Optionsalumnus Ourdoorisalwaysopen.Comevisitaclassroom,dropinonamonthlyparent meeting,orspendaneveningenjoyingFebruarysMDTproduction.Youllsee whatmakesOptions: VitaltotheNKSD,drawingchildrentothedistrictwhoseparentsarelooking foranalternativeeducationprogram. Effectiveforbothstudentsandtheirparents,asoursurveyshows. Remarkable.TheretrulyisnothingcomparableanywhereintheNorthKitsap schooldistrict. IfyoudlikemoreinformationaboutOptions,pleasecontactus.Wellbehappy tohelp. Optionsteacher NatSmith (360)3946748 nsmith@nkschools.org 20102011OptionsSteeringCommitteeCoChairs RobbinBaker (206)9723115 robbinbaker@earthlink.net KristenChandler (360)2973003 kristenc@centurytel.net PamBuitenveld (360)8600491 pambuit@centurytel.net
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 WhyshouldtheNorthKitsapSchoolDistrictvalueandsupporttheirOptions Program?Becauseitprovidesanalternativetotraditionalschoolingthatis soughtbymanyfamilies,someofwhomwouldchooseprivateschoolingifit weren'tforOptions.Itsparentfundraisingactivitiesofferenrichedlearning experiencestoOptionsparticipantsatnoextracosttothedistrict.Itshowcases thedistrict'sopenmindednessaboutlearning,itsresponsivenesstoadiversityof learningstyles,modelsandphilosophies,anditswillingnesstotrynewand differentapproachesinmeetingitsstudents'needs.TheOptionsprogramhasa 20yeartrackrecordandisstillinhighdemand.Itwasdevelopedbyafocused, collaborativeeffortofteachers,principals,administratorsandparents.Whatis thesinglemostimportantthingthatprincipalsandotheradministratorscando tokeepahealthyOptionsProgramthatcontinuestoprovideatruealternativeto thetraditionalclassroom?Hireteachersthatarepassionateabouttheprogram, skilledinleadingit,andcommittedtoitsgoals. BarbieBrooking OptionsalumniparentandcofounderoftheNKOptionsProgram

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AppendixA: Parentvolunteerhoursreportedfor201011schoolyearasof10/31*

IN CLASSROOM COMMITTEEWORK August 0 25 September 259.5 119 October 132.25 185.75 Totalhours 391.75 329.75 Ave./month 130.6 109.9 *Unrecordedvolunteerhoursmissingfromthisaccounting: Parentmeetings(~45parentsx2.5hoursx1meeting/month) Fallcampparticipation(~100parentsx3days)

TOTAL HOURS 25 378.5 318 721.5 240.5

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 AppendixB:Optionsalumnisurvey

Atatimewhenthetrendineducationistoquantifystudentlearning,Options hassometimesbeenahavenforparentswhodontvaluestandardizedtestingor thekindofteachingthatitdrives.Wealsoattractagroupofwelleducated peoplewhodeeplyvaluelearning. Thisfall,realizingthatmanynewboardmembersdontknowmuchabout Options,wethoughtitprudenttogathersomemeasurementsofourprograms successtovalidatethephilosophiesandpracticesweveemployedformorethan twodecades.Anecdotalevidencestronglysuggestedthatouralumniweredoing wellinhighschool,almostallgoingtocollege,andenjoyingahighdegreeof permanenceintheirrelationshipstothepeopletheymetwhileinOptions.We wantedtoquantifysomeofthesenotions. InOctober,wewrotetwosurveys:oneforOptionsStudentAlumniandonefor OptionsParentAlumni.WesentthemviaFacebookandemailtoapproximately 70formerstudentsandabout50parentalumni.Asofthisprinting(12/1/2010), 63formerstudentsand33parentshaveresponded.Themajorityofstudents wereinOptionsforatleastfiveyearsandmorethan80%wereinOptions throughtheirjuniorhighschoolyears.(Thismeansthatthemajorityofstudent respondentsgraduatedfrom8thor9thgradeOptionsbetween3and12years ago.) ThefollowingarethehighlightsoftheAlumnisurvey.(Forhighlightsofthe OptionsParentAlumnisurvey,turntoAppendixC.)Thesurveysremainopenand wehopegetmoreresponsesoverwinterbreak.Westronglybelieve,however, thatanynewresultswegetwillmirrorthedatawealreadyhave.
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 Alumnisurveyhighlights SixtytwopercentofrespondentswereinOptionsforfiveyearsormore; morethan20%wereinOptionsfortheirentireelementaryandjuniorhigh schoolcareers. Morethan80%ofrespondentswereinOptionsfor7thand8thgrade.93%of respondentswereinJHOP(JuniorHighOptionsProgram)foratleastone year. Morethanaquarterofouralumswentoutsideofthedistrictforhighschool; 50%chosetoattendalternativehighschoolprogramsSpectrum,Pal, Polaris,orRunningStart. 75%ofOptionsalumnienteredfouryearcollege.Thesurveyresults includedseveralrespondentswhohavenotgraduatedfromhighschool,so actualratesmaybesignificantlyhigher.Whencommunitycollegeentranceis addedtothefouryearcollegestatistic,collegeentranceforOptionsalums approaches90%. ThedistributionofcollegemajorschosenbyOptionsalumniisroughly distributedinthirdsbetweenscience,English,andthearts. Morethan80%ofrespondentssaidtheyddefinitelychooseOptionsfortheir kids;100%saidtheywouldconsideritasanoption. OnehundredpercentofrespondentssaidtheywouldattendOptionsagainif theyhadthechoice. Eightypercentofrespondentsreportatleastmonthlycontactwiththeir Optionspeers,aswellaswithclassesaboveandbelowthem. Morethan70%ofrespondentsreportatleastyearlycontactwithparent mentorsandteacherstheymetinOptions.
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AppendixC:Parentsurveys

Alumniparentsurveyhighlights [Foranexplanationoftheoriginsofthefollowingsurveyhighlights,seethe introductiontoAppendixB.] Morethan75%ofrespondingfamiliesfeltthattheirchildrenwereverywell preparedforsecondaryandcollegeacademicsinOptions.Anadditional15 %feltthattheirchildrenwere"prettywellprepared. Parentsreportkeepingregularcontactwiththeirchildrenscohorts(90%) andevenclosercontactwithotherparentsfromOptions(97%onamonthly ormorefrequentbasis).Morethan75%ofparentsreportstayingincontact withOptionsteachersaftertheirchildrenhavegraduated. OnlyoneparentfeltshewouldntchooseOptionsagainforoneofher children.ShealsosaidthatshewouldprobablystillchooseOptionsforher otherchild,andfeltthatchildwasverywellpreparedforcollegeand secondaryacademics. Morethan90%ofrespondingparentssaidthattheywouldprobablyor definitelybesupportiveofanOptionsstylehighschool.

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Currentparentsurvey Werecentlypolledthe56familiescurrentlyenrolledinOptions,askingthem: IftheOptionsProgramwasnolongeraneducationchoiceforourchild, wewouldchoose Homeschool/Privateschool/Anotherpublicschool/Other(describe) Thirtysevenfamiliesrespondedtoourpoll,representing53NKSDstudents.The resultsindicated,insummary,thatnomorethannineofthose53students wouldremaininNKpublicschools.Inotherwords,upwardsof44students participateinNKpublicschoolssolelybecausetheOptionsprogramisa choicehere. Herearethedetails: Twentysixfamiliesindicatedclearchoices: 7markedHomeschool 9markedPrivateschool 7markedAnotherpublicschool o 1specifiedanindistrictschool o 4werenotspecificaboutremainingindistrictvs.goingoutofdistrict o 2specifiedalternativeprogramsofferedoutsideofNKSD 1markedPrivateschoolforonechildandAnotherpublicschool (specificallyoneoutsideofNKSD)foronechild 1wouldcombinehomeschoolingwithaschooloutsideofNKSD 1wouldmovetoSeattle Eightfamiliesindicatedtwopossibilities: 7markedHomeschoolorPrivateschool 1markedPrivateSchoolorAnotherpublicschool(nodistrictspecified) ThreefamiliesmarkedOtherandwroteundecided

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 NorthKitsapOptionsProgram RichardGordonElementarySchool 26331BarberCutoffRoad Kingston,WA98346 (360)3946758

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