Target 1 – Student Centered Learning. FWSU students will engage in personalize learning involving collaborative inquiry, problem solving and creative learning opportunities.
Target 3 – Flexible Learning Environments. FWSU will maximize flexible learning environments by redefining the school day, promoting learning experiences that extend beyond the school classroom, and fostering creativity, innovation, and differentiated learning opportunities for all.
Action Step– Highlight, create and model innovative learning opportunities that promote collaborative inquiry, problem solving and creativity for students and staff
Action Step– Provide students w/ access to content, resources, and methods for learning beyond the school day and beyond the school walls
Indicator of Success– Students are engaged in answering authentic questions and solving problems in collaborative settings.
Indicator of Success– The school calendar and definition of school day changes to become flexible and responsive to the needs of students.
Weeks before the academic school year started, BFA Fairfax High School students were already gearing up and beginning to meet the High School Essential Expectations with a focus on Problem Solving and Communication at the annual running camp.
Camp takes place at Underhill State Park State Park each year. This year conditions were not ideal, as “mother nature” did not cooperate, but students and coaches made the best of four days of cold rain and wind while living inside the clouds!
Coach Griffin was proud of the team when he shared “the conditions brought out the best in these 47 kids. It is remarkable how well young people can perform given freedom with guidance, trust with support, high expectations with reassurance.”
Students spent the four days team building, training, playing, planning, and taking care of each other. They were responsible for their own cooking and cleaning. They learned life skills in an authentic environment.
Students put their problem solving skills to the test as they looked for ways to keep dry and dry out clothes and gear that had gotten wet. Kayla Nester a leader on the team shared “we did a pretty awesome job of coming together and balancing each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
Michael Groening and Brenden Gregoire added, “Communication is key. It was great for team building and helping people new to the team become part of the team.”
Coach Griffin summed it up: “We have ceased to be a team before school even starts. We are a youth-centered, youth-led community.”
