Page 7Center SectionThursday, Feb. 13, 2014- the Echoes

Life is full of Choices

by Rachel MaddenCenter Section Writer

A four-page look at CHOICES

With the mention of CHOICES, many students begin to groan and complain.

“That isn’t even a real school! They don’t learn!”

“They stole all our funding!”“They have field trips!”When I recently spent the day

at CHOICES, I was no exception to these complaints.

I kept an open mind, however, and was surprised.

I arrived to the ringing of a hand-bell. CHOICES has no actual bell system, so to keep classes timely, they ring their own.

Students at CHOICES are required to be on time. They have a tally system for tardiness. Every day a student arrives on time, they receive two points for the day. If they are late, they get one point.

CHOICES begins the day with CREW.

Designed like homeroom, CREWs stay together until gradu-ation. Each CREW spends this time talking about their feelings and creating bonds with the other students.

For the students, CREW is sa-cred. It is a place where they have the trust and confidence of their peers.

Next, CHOICES has four core

classes: social studies, math, Eng-lish, and science.

Students attend the same classes every day for about an hour. The exception is Monday where CHOICES runs a black day and classes run for 45 minutes.

When I went to each of these classes, I was unsure about what to expect. I had heard so many ru-mors about the students just sitting around doing nothing.

However, I learned more about geometric figures and selective breeding than I ever had at SHS.

The students learn because of smaller class sizes; most students actively participate in class.

Students and teachers create a great learning environment. Every student appeared to feel comfort-able with the teachers.

“The environment here is amaz-ing. You can talk to anyone without getting judge,” sophomore Benja-min Collier said.

Grades at CHOICES mirror those at SHS.

Yet, for each class, students must be proficient. A student receives a 4 if they understand the concepts of the course.

If they don’t understand the con-cepts, they receive a 1. Each student must continue to take the course until they understand the concepts completely.

The same standards SHS must meet also apply at CHOICES.

To my surprise, all of the stu-

dents were using their iPads for school.

Whether it was doing geom-etry, remembering historical figures, or looking up pictures of ligers, all students were focused on school.

Students cannot install Apps on their iPads. According to their handbook, if a student is caught with the iPad being used for something other than school, they get in trouble.

After having core classes, stu-dents attend NeSA prep, or for the seniors a student service group.

When I sat in on the student service group, they were deciding what project to do. Each kid had to come up with an idea, and the group voted on which project to complete.

Options for the project ranged from placing an ad in The Echoes to creating an anti-bulling cam-paign. The students finally decid-ed on doing a student-mentoring project at the elementary schools.

After NeSA prep, the students went to lunch.

The lunch time matches up with SHS, so if they choose, students may attend lunch at the high school. Like SHS, CHOICES has an open campus.

After lunch, students attend one more core class.

Then students have a 7th and 8th period. These are elective-classes.

The electives can be either at the high school, college or stu-dents may take one at CHOICES.

“For 7th, I have P.E at the high school; I enjoy the weight room and seeing my friends from SHS,” sophomore Brandon Grieb said.

CHOICES offers a P.E class, a communications class, or an ani-mation class.

“I have a communication class which is all girls and I like it because we learn how each of us communicate with others and how we can improve our com-municating skills,” junior Cierra Janis said.

Students switch their elective

classes every other day, just like SHS’s block schedule.

About once a month, CHOICES student take a field trip.

CHOICES uses these opportu-nities to tour colleges. They also explore different career options. The best way to do this is learning hands-on what those careers do.

All of the field trips have a pur-pose, mostly to challenge students and let them explore different career options.

CHOICES students have trav-eled to Metro State and Red Rocks Community College in Denver and they took a tour of the prison.

I was surprised at how accepted I felted by the students and staff. Each teacher was happy to answer questions and everyone was pleas-ant to me.

Every student happily greeted me, accepting me into the school. Most were excited to have me there, and wanted to know how I liked the school.

With sixty students, and six staff members, CHOICES has a lot to prove.

However, for students who need a different learning environment, CHOICES is a viable alternative.

“The environment of CHOICES is the best. It’s pretty chill, unlike SHS where is gets out of hand in a room full of 60 kids,” Grieb said.

I had only heard the complaints about CHOICES. I will admit that I was not above putting in a com-plaint here or there.

CHOICES creates a learning environment which helps students learn differently and at different rates.

“The best part about CHOICES is the freedom. We get a lot of freedom which gives us a lot of responsibility that prepares us for life,” Janis said.

However, after spending the day at CHOICES, I understand that most of the complaints about the school are rooted in rumors. CHOICES is a school with a lot of promise and is going to great lengths to help students.

One semester after its inception, the district’s new non-traditional high school is thriving;

those not close to the program have a lot of questions. Here are some answers.

Aubree Ford, Rachel Madden, Jordan Salazar - Scottsbluff High School

Page 8 Page 9CenterSection CenterSection

by Aubree FordCenter Section Writer

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“It’s about finding something that makes you happy and that pursuit of happiness shouldn’t be a score that is narrowed only to those who love high school in its traditional from, it should go to anyone and everyone.”

CHOICES instructor, David Bollish

One size does not fit all

Public education isn’t for all students

Day after day, school continues to drag on. The lectures in history turns into nap time, and math gets so confusing it is easier to just check out.

DNA models are due in two days but the requirements don’t even make sense. Blending in becomes the norm just to make it through the day.

While some students strive in the usual high school setting, for others this is not the case. Everyone learns in different ways, so shouldn’t there be different ways to teach them?

Non-traditional learners can finally find an education program that fits them. The establishment of CHOICES, an alternative educa-tion program, allows students to strive in an environment fit to their needs.

The need for a school like CHOICES hits close to home for founder Cindy Rue, “My young-est daughter was a real non-traditional learner and thought it was stupid to sit in a desk and just be lectured. She didn’t really get much out of it.”

CHOICES provides an alternative, more personal experience for kids.

Being a new program, there are many misconceptions about CHOICES.

“Choices is often perceived as a regular alternative, credit recovery school when it is actually completely different,” Rue said.

“The learning environment it obvious-ly smaller and it is more individualized,” explained CHOICES instructor David Bollish. “Most of our projects are based

around a deeper level of thinking.” High school isn’t for everyone but

that shouldn’t mean that quick learners are the only kids that are successful.

“For a lot of kids the kids, they didn’t have a very good experience [in a tradi-tional HS setting] so by having it be very different while having the same things being taught , CHOICES helps these kids succeed,” Bollish said.

“I struggled learning and had issues outside of school that made me not want to go to school,” CHOICES student Anisha Ozuna-Hernandez said. “I wanted to get

away from drama and I wanted a change; a better learning environment.”

Since transferring to CHOICES, Ozuna-Hernandez has flourished.

“Coming here has made me more motivated to do good in school,” Ozuna-Hernandez said. “I have more of a voice now that I’ve been at CHOICES.”

“Everyone works at their own speed, so there is more room for that kid who is struggling to say what can we do to help and there is more room for that kid who is really excelling to say let’s get you through it,” Bollish said.

Ozuna-Hernandez is not the only one finding success at CHOICES. Her class-

mates Diana Hernandez and James Ben-itez are also thriving in the new program.

“People are more open and very inspi-rational. You can be completely different and CHOICES will accept you with open arms,” Hernandez said. “You have to take the same classes that you would have to take at SHS, they are just taught differ-ently.”

“The teachers really focus on you and you have more one-on-one opportunities with them. They are more hands-on and really make you think,” Hernandez said.

“At the high school it was easy to fall into the crowd and just disappear. At CHOICES, however, you are accepted,” Benitez said.

“You are held accountable for your work, actions and contribu-tions; which has led me to become more responsible with homework,” Benitez said.

CHOICES goes above and beyond normal classes. Real world experiences are part of the true

CHOICES experience.“CHOICES has taught me intangible

skills, like how to fill out a résumé, and do my taxes, that are more useful in the long run,” Benitez said.

“There is a little bit more of the career side. If college isn’t your thing, fine you can get through this and still be really suc-cessful,” Bollish said.

“CHOICES has taught me to be inde-pendent and realistic. They really touch on the real world, but they also help you can move on from it,” Hernandez said.

Exposing the students to these experi-ences was a vital element in Rue’s vision for the school.

“They are meant to get kids out of their immediate world and experience things that are very different and to broaden their horizons knowing that there are a lot of choices out there,” Rue said. “ It’s all about choices, thus the name of the school.”

A variety of field trips have occurred for the CHOICES students in order for this vision to happen. Many misconcep-tions from people unfamiliar with the program have arisen as a result of these trips.

“The character building activities and field trips make kids feel comfortable so they can be honest,” Rue said.

“The trips also help establish relation-ships between the students and the staff,” Bollish said. “The program really can’t function if we can’t get along and care for each other, it really can’t.”

“The field trips bring a sense of unity to the students,” Benitez said.

“We went to Colorado and saw like four or five different colleges and met new people and did some really cool things,” Ozuna-Hernandez said.

“For someone who never thought they wanted to go to college, it’s beneficial for them to actually see a college campus and see what its like,” Bollish said.

Field trips or not, the underlying fact about CHOICES is that it is different from a traditional school for a reason. Without a doubt there will be growing pains, but the program is still in its developmental stages.

“I think there were misconceptions about what it really is and how it’s going to be run,” Bollish said. “The ultimate goal of CHOICES is to create a unique, yet equivalent education for every student in the district.”

Even in the program’s first year, CHOICES has had a tremendous amount of success and can only grow from here.

“CHOICES is the best. I do not regret transferring,” Hernandez said. “Every-thing about it is helpful and amazing.”

“CHOICES is a great school for stu-dents looking for a program that is di-rected and made for them,” Benitez said.

The CHOICES program truly is to help students be successful and to find some-thing they like to do.

“Whatever we can do to make you suc-cessful and live a life that they are happy about,” Bollish said. “That’s the idea of all education; we want to help students find something that they love.”

“It’s about finding something that makes you happy and that pursuit of happiness shouldn’t be a score that is nar-rowed only to those who love high school in its traditional from, it should go to anyone and everyone.”

Traditional education is not right for all students

Non-Traditional Teaching CHOICES students Marissa DeBlieck, Moriah Deines and Austin Spath particpate in hands on learning activities. The use of iPads and smart boards keep kids attention during class.

Photo by Rachel Madden

On the goField excursions are an important element

of CHOICES’ curriculum. Some of these excursions include college visits in Denver, attending the multicultural youth conference, team building activities in Larmie Peak and going to the district One Acts.

Scene it The CHOICES

students saw the film, NEBRASKA, and did an asign-ment about the movie.

NoteabilityThis app allows

student to take notes on their ipad and save them.

Lock it upThe iPads are heavily restricted and the stu-dents are not allowed to download apps.

eBackpack This app allows

students to keep all their homework organized and in

one spot.

Getting connected

An impor-tant element of CHOICES is to make strong connections between the students and teachers. This helps make the students feel safe and com-fortable.

Book worm Textbooks are not available for

CHOICES students. All of their books and reading materials are on their iPads.

Hooked up

Students are allowed to set up wireless networks on their iPads. This assists them with using thier mobile devices while at home.

Picture this Students are allowed to

change screensavers on their iPads. Innapropriate or copy-righted media are prohibited.

Tuned out Students are not allowed

to download music on their iPads. Sound must be muted unless allowed by teachers.

Let’s Talk Tech

Bell ScheduleCrew 7:50-8:201st 8:25-9:20

2nd 9:25-10:203rd 10:25-11:20

NeSA 11:20-11:50Lunch 11:50-12:40

4th 12:45-1:407th/8th 1:50-3:20

A Look at CREW CREW is an hour-long class at the beginning of the day. Designed as a home-room-like class, CREW kids stay together until gradua-tion. CREW is a place where students express their feel-ings, and gain the trust of others. “We get really close in our CREW and each of us are there for one another whether we have good or bad days,” said junior Cierra Janis. “CREW makes the day better because you get to talk about what’s wrong or what’s good,” said sophmore Benjamin Collier. CREW doesn’t stand for anything. Instead, the teachers and students think of CREW as part of a ship, each person contributes and makes CHOICES better.

iPads aren’t just for fun and game at CHOICES

Page 10 the Echoes-Center Section Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014

by Jordan SalazarCenter Section Editor

Imagine a kid who does not like the traditional school setting. A student who would like to spend more one-on-one time with a teacher and would like to focus more on the subjects they want to pursue.

For this kid, CHOICES would be the school of his/her dreams. Since the school has a smaller student body, teach-ers get to know the students better and vice versa.

“We are not what you would call an alternative school, we are more a differ-ent kind of school for kids who don’t want to be in a traditional setting,” founder Cindy Rue said.

“CHOICES is a program of SHS, meaning students are included in school activi-ties, athletics, etc. Whereas Reconnect and Valts are not included,” CHOICES teacher Sarah Griffin said.

With these small classes it is easier for a kid to get help when he/she is struggling. Also it is harder for a kid to just coast through school, with theses little classes it forces kids to do their work.

“I love working at CHOIC-ES; the key difference in my

teaching is that at CHOICES, I teach “with” the students rather than to them,” Choices teacher Sue Herdt said.

Small class sizes also helps teachers learn the learning style of their kids, thus helping the teachers assess the kid.

“These smaller classes help us individualize the kids and they are able to be assessed according to what their learning needs are, like doing a project rather than a test to demonstrate their learn-ing,” Rue said. “It is also stan-dards-based so it is not based on whether or not they pass the class they need to pass all the standards to move on.”

The small class sizes are similar to VALTS, an alternative school for kids who did not or could not graduate from public high school.

CHOICES is somewhat like Valts in the way that it is a non-traditional way to teach kids, but it is not just for kids with no other choice to graduate, it is for all kids who wish to learn in a different environment.

“CHOICES is in no way puni-tive or a ‘last chance’. It’s differ-ent, it’s innovative. It’s all about the teaching and the learning in such a way that reaches students on several levels rather than just academically,” Herdt said.

The big difference is that VALTS is mainly for kids who

have no other option, but CHOICES is for kids who have the ability to stay in traditional high school but choose to attend CHOICES.

CHOICES was not created for kids who were not going to graduate to go there and get help to get their GED, it was created for all kinds of kids who wanted to get away from a tra-ditional school setting.

“CHOICES is for students who need a different learning environment and students that didn’t excel in traditional school settings,” Griffin said.

CHOICES is also really differ-ent from Reconnect, a program designed to help kids get the extra credits they need to gradu-ate.

Reconnect was made espe-cially for kids who dropped out or are thinking of dropping out. CHOICES is nothing like this, it was designed for all kinds of kids.

“I like working here; I get to be real creative. We are flexible and spontaneous.” Rue said.

Teaching at CHOICES takes a lot more from teachers. With the small staff, teachers have more responsibilities.

“There are a lot of extra du-ties included when teaching at a new school like CHOICES that you wouldn’t see as a traditional teacher,” Griffin said.

People ask why should we create yet another school?

“Educating in the indus-trial age we learned to teach in masses to save money and that doesn’t work anymore, we need to do some non-traditional things, society is changing, education needs to change,” Rue said.

CHOICES focuses on bring-ing out the best in a kid and letting him/her reach their full potential. Kids at CHOICES are motivated because they are rec-ognized as individuals and also because they choose to go there.

“Here students are held to a high expectations of ‘perform-ing’ as a human being rather than just as an English, math, science, or history student, it is more than just a grade, it is who and how you are now and in the future,” Herdt said.

Learning can get much more in depth at CHOICES. When they are learning something they just don’t get a question and an answer, they are given a subject to research it.

This gives them the chance to study the subject very deep and as broad as they want. But there are high standards for what they must research.

“Kids at CHOICES for the most part are on task and fo-cused; they like being here and they are happy,” Rue said.

Reconnect is • mainly for kids who dropped out or are think-ing of dropping out

Reconnect is designed to help • students who do not have enough credits to graduate, it helps a kid get thoughs extra credits they need

If a kid already dropped out of • school Reconnect will give him/her another chance by letting him/her-come back and letting them gradu-ate

CHOICES is for • all kids, not just kids who have not other choice, it is for all kids who want to get away from the tradi-tional school setting

CHOICES gradu-• ates get to walk with

their graduating class at SHS

CHOICES carries some different, • interesting electives, such as ana-motronics and communications

Graded on attendence and tardies•

VALTS is • mainly for kids who do not have any other choice to get their degree than

going to VALTS, or kids who want to graduate, but get expelled from public school

VALTS is for high school students • who have earned enough credits to be considered a junior or senior

It offers the same basic curriculum • as the “mainstream” school, but uses alternative delivery methods

Through the looking glass A look at alternative schools