Student Centered Learning: FWSU students will engage in personalized learning involving collaborative inquiry, problem solving and creative learning opportunities.
Fifth and sixth grade students at Fletcher attended StarBase Academy in Burlington for five days, culminating in a rocket launch at the Fletcher School. StarBase teaches science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The program engaged students with its “hands-on, minds-on” experiential activities. Students studied Newton’s Laws and Bernoulli’s Principle; explored nanotechnology, navigation and mapping. They were captivated by engineering as they used computers to design space stations, all-terrain vehicles and submersibles. Math was embedded throughout the curriculum and students used metric measurement, estimation, calculation, geometry and data analysis to solve questions. Teamwork was stressed as they worked together to explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate concepts.
Fletcher preschoolers planted, tended and harvested a variety of fruits and vegetables in their preschool garden. They participated in a variety of cooking projects with their harvest, which lasted into December (carrots) due to the warm temperatures. The students observed the life cycles of plants and incorporated the garden across their curriculum. Last month, WCAX-TV named the Fletcher preschool garden one of its “Most Inspirational Stories of 2015.” View the story here.
Leadership in a Student Centered Learning Environment: FWSU will foster the development of teacher and student leaders who provide innovative opportunities for local and global student-centered learning.
Sixth graders piloted a new student-led conference format in November. Each student prepared a portfolio demonstrating how they are working to meet both academic and behavior standards and goals, and the goals they have set for themselves for the second trimester. Students met with their families to review their portfolios and received feedback on their communication skills from both families and teachers during that time.
Fletcher students raise and lower the flag each day, as well as make the daily announcements over the school PA system and lead the school in the Pledge of Allegiance. In this photograph, two students use an iPad to read the Governor’s order to lower the flag in honor of fallen Vermont Police Officer Kyle Young.
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.
Fletcher’s Winter Wellness program includes the opportunity to ski or snowboard at Smuggler’s Notch, as well as other active opportunities at the school. The program emphasizes physical activity as well as sportsmanship.
Being on stage gives Fletcher students the flexibility to showcase their artistic talents in front of a live audience. F.E.S. appreciates standing-room-only performances each year for musical concerts. Additionally, the 5/6 play is a major draw for our student drama-enthusiasts. Thanks to a grant from the band Phish, the Fletcher school purchased a new sound system this year, as well as a kiln for the art program.
Engaged Community Partners: FWSU staff and students will collaborate, innovate, create and conceptualize ideas and learning with local, regional, state and global partners to make a difference in their community, state and world.
The Fletcher School is fortunate to have established relationships with several local, regional and global businesses and individuals in an effort to collaborate and provide learning experience that include their expertise. Above, kindergartners take their annual pilgrimage to Chapin Orchard, in Essex, where they learned about bees and pollination, cider-making, growing apples and farm animals.
Fourth graders in Fletcher participated in IVECA, a program that teaches intercultural competence. The class created a virtual partnership with a classroom in Korea. The program allowed students – through the use of technology – to share academic and social learning with their partner classroom.
