Setting and Context
Culture and Community Context
Polaris is a very unique school in the fact that is an expeditionary learning environment. This means that students are mostly learning by actually engaging in the real life learning experiences. They often take field trips to go to the hub of the topic being explored. The environment of students and staff is very friendly and welcoming. Everyone is respectful of each other and the school. Polaris resides in a smaller neighborhood that mostly houses families. The community around it is often seen biking or going for runs as they are in an active and healthy area of Fort Collins. Polaris does not serve a specific neighborhood however, because it is a 100% school of choice.
Support Structure
The school has a very supportive and encouraging environment. According to the website, Polaris has some of the most actively engaged parents in the district. Since the school is an expeditionary school, they often utilize parent volunteers to help with the field trips. This brings a supportive family community aspect to Polaris. The staff and the students also participate in a safe and welcoming environment. My teacher has always fostered an environment that is respectful of all learners and encourages students to do the same. Additionally, the teacher to student ratio is 1:18. This allows learners to be catered to on a more personal level.
Demographic Characteristics
There is 295 students currently enrolled at Polaris. They range in grade levels from Kindergarten to High School.
The orchard area is low income with moderately educated individuals. 85% of Polaris identifies as Caucasian, which is lower than other schools in Fort Collins where generally 73% identify as Caucasian. This means that Polaris is less diverse than most schools in its area. The next largest groups of ethnic populations at Polaris are 7.5% Hispanic and 2.4% Asian. Additionally, 28% of the students who attend school here are eligible for free lunch, which is lower for the average in Colorado, but a high percentage for Fort Collins area.
Source: http://public-schools.startclass.com
Classroom Environment and Students
When you walk into the 4th/5th grade classroom of Polaris, there is a sense of creativity and a welcoming energy. There is 3 futons centered around a circular table and the SMART board that help establish a routine at the beginning of class. The students sit around the futon at the beginning of class and check in for attendance. The students stay seated around the futon for instruction time. There are other tables in the back of the classroom for when students break off into work time. When the students regroup for discussions and such, we will center around the futons again so all attention is directed on us.
We have students of varying cognitive abilities within our classroom. Some of these students flourish on their own with the assignments and have a lot of intent behind their work. Other students we have to push with guided inquiry and brainstorming activities to give more thoughtfulness to their work. One of our students is on the spectrum for Autism and has to be given space occasionally if frustration arises. In our classroom, we build a supportive and accepting community for all learners.
School-wide Policies for Management, Safe Schools, Conflict Resolution and Student with Special Needs
For my classroom, it is effective to use a bell when I want my students attention. They know that when the bell is rung it is crucial to pay attention to the teacher. Also, we have gone over a one through four number punishment system as a class so it is clearly understood by all. One is a quick redirect, and up to four will be a referral. Needs are addressed by the teacher because we get to know our students and their interests. We also learn student's strengths and weaknesses so we can cater to all learners whether that's verbal, visual or kinetic.
The student Code of Conduct clearly highlights what the school's policies are and how they are enforced. It states that basically when you are in the zone of the school, whether that be on the actual property or on the bus, the adult in charge has the right to manage you in accordance with school policy. Failure to adhere to terms of the school may result in suspension or expulsion. Basically anything that threatens other students or the culture of the school is prohibited. Polaris is 100% school of choice which means that the 504 or IEP of students may be used to determine if Polaris would be an appropriate option for that student based on what resources they can provide. For a particular student in our class that is on the spectrum for Autism, there is a case manager that frequently visits with this student to help assist them in their learning. This may consist of calming him down by going on a walk or keeping him on track with the activity at hand.
Click for Code of Conduct
We have students of varying cognitive abilities within our classroom. Some of these students flourish on their own with the assignments and have a lot of intent behind their work. Other students we have to push with guided inquiry and brainstorming activities to give more thoughtfulness to their work. One of our students is on the spectrum for Autism and has to be given space occasionally if frustration arises. In our classroom, we build a supportive and accepting community for all learners.
School-wide Policies for Management, Safe Schools, Conflict Resolution and Student with Special Needs
For my classroom, it is effective to use a bell when I want my students attention. They know that when the bell is rung it is crucial to pay attention to the teacher. Also, we have gone over a one through four number punishment system as a class so it is clearly understood by all. One is a quick redirect, and up to four will be a referral. Needs are addressed by the teacher because we get to know our students and their interests. We also learn student's strengths and weaknesses so we can cater to all learners whether that's verbal, visual or kinetic.
The student Code of Conduct clearly highlights what the school's policies are and how they are enforced. It states that basically when you are in the zone of the school, whether that be on the actual property or on the bus, the adult in charge has the right to manage you in accordance with school policy. Failure to adhere to terms of the school may result in suspension or expulsion. Basically anything that threatens other students or the culture of the school is prohibited. Polaris is 100% school of choice which means that the 504 or IEP of students may be used to determine if Polaris would be an appropriate option for that student based on what resources they can provide. For a particular student in our class that is on the spectrum for Autism, there is a case manager that frequently visits with this student to help assist them in their learning. This may consist of calming him down by going on a walk or keeping him on track with the activity at hand.
Click for Code of Conduct