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Program Description
Improved test scores and increasing other indicators of academic achievement are primary goals at Rock Creek Academy. Educating the "whole child" created the need for our school to enhance the areas of social and emotional development, positive educational attitudes, as well as connecting learning to personal, family and community well-being. These connections remain the focus points incorporated into our programs. Our programs embrace diversity of culture, gender, and ability levels, while creating an environment of tolerance and respect for those people who are both alike and different from ourselves.
The new school year began for us with the positive results that 2008 produced 16 students that graduated with a high school diploma. This positive momentum will unfold over this school year with goals by Program and Department. Please read on to learn about ideas and concepts that will include all of our staff in what we do best--collaborating to 'Challenge Minds and Build Character', while inspiring success in all the programs.
What to Look Forward To From the High School Program:
A teen pregnancy prevention program, complete with "take the baby home program" (computerized babies).
Creation of High School Reading Lounge providing a quiet, relaxing space for students to access high interest, appropriate level materials for coursework and exploring post-secondary interests.
The Rock Lounge-created to honor students identified by staff as exemplary in the areas of academics and social behaviors. Nominated students are invited to The Rock Lounge on a monthly basis to attend an extravaganza.
Begin an IEP-centered classroom instructional focus while maintaining student exposure to grade-level standard materials. This will be visible via the on-line gradebook, floor assessment profiles and student progress on IEP goals and objectives.
Increased parent involvement by: sending daily email communications; monthly newsletter; Family Night Out-Oct. 23 and Bring Your Parent to School Day.
What to Look Forward To From the Middle School Program:
R.O.C. Green Project community service.
In preparation for the DC CAS testing in the Spring of 2009; reading and math enrichment beginning in Sept. during 30-minute enrichment blocks, emphasizing critical reading and math skills with the goal to improve standardized test scores.
P3 (Parent Participation Program). New program aimed to improve parental participation in the educational process through planned program activities.
Peer Mediation: Driven by the Behavior Team, the student's therapist and the SGA representative; students will be given the opportunity to mediate peer issues prior to an escalated incident.
TLC (Teen Leadership Council). Selected students will help lead the floor to success.
What to Look Forward To From the Elementary Program:
Continued focus on strengthening students' literacy/comprehension skills.
Continued outreach to parents, advocates and surrounding community members to publicize our efforts.
Continued emphasis on therapeutic communication resulting in: significantly decreased incidences of crisis behavior and increased positive peer relationships.
Extending math instruction program-wide to 1 full hour.
What To Look Forward From the Behavior Team:
Establishment of an Adult Program for students that are not currently invested in their education due to advanced age, repeated incarceration and pregnancy.
Increased focus on the Off-Campus Education Team (home visits, work site observations, independent study).
2nd Annual School Safety Month.
Behavior Specialists increasing hands-on involvement with students in the classroom milieu.
Staff training in verbal therapeutic aggression control techniques.
What To Look Forward To From the Related Services Dept.:
Therapeutic collaborations between the speech, clinical and occupational therapists.
Increased Earobics at the high school level.
Handwriting Without Tears Program at the Elementary level.
Sensory integration room.
Increased collaboration with related services and the transition department.
What To Look Forward To From the Arts in Education Dept.:
Production of the school's first play.
Partnership with the UDC Theatre Dept. to increase student exposure to the dramatic arts and involve students in community productions.
Grand Opening of the Fashion Design storefront on CT. Ave. The store will be designed, managed and run by RCA students, featuring their original clothing, shoes and accessories.
New 3-D Animation class that will explore and produce animation and special effects using green screen technology.
Explore connections with content area teachers to be applied directly to other courses.
Become more involved in the IEP process with testimonies of stuents' vocational strengths to better inform their transition plan and aid other staff in finding new pathways to reach students.
What To Look Forward To From the Facilities Dept.:
Establish a solid energy savings program.
School wide recycling program.
Establish with the Behavior Team student consequences for damaging school prperty.
Establish internship program rules for our students through the Transition Dept.
Educate students on the importance to maintaining a clean school.
I hope your are excited about what you have read. We can't accomplish everything overnight; we will break it down, set quarterly goals and objectives with the intent of looking up in mid August of 2009 and pat ourselves on the back for a job well done.
The School year will produce its challenges--each year does. We will continue to learn how to make each new year better. Since our school offers best practices and quality services for students with special needs, we look forward in supporting DCPS in their special education reform. This is an enlightening era for special education professionals. We dedicate our efforts to strengthen our school's commitment to those in need of our services -- our students.
Respectfully,
Shawn J. Meade, CEO
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