Another school year is underway at Grand River Academy. We're in our first full week of classes and things are going quite well. We're off to a good start! There are a few exciting items that I wanted to let you know about.
First, we're using a new modified rotating block schedule during our academic day. Much deliberation and planning was put into creating this new schedule. Classes now all meet four days each week and one of those meetings is a double block. This affords time for science labs, working on group projects in class and, of course extra one-on-one time between student and teacher. We still have our study halls built into the schedule, but now, thanks to the rotating schedule, each class has a study hall directly afterward.
Second, we have also launched a 1:1 Program, where each student is utilizing a personal electronic device to enhance their learning experience. As Headmaster Tim Viands, stated in a recent blog:
"Our 1:1 Program supports the integration and proper usage of devices, such as tablets and smart phones, both inside and outside of the classroom as a means of enabling students and teachers to collaborate and interact through digital, educational resources.
The centerpiece of the 1:1 Program is a partnership with Class Owl, a cloud-based learning platform. With Class Owl, our teachers are able to send push-notifications to the mobile devices of students. Notifications such as assignments, test reminders, project due dates and study sessions are highly utilized. Class Owl also allows for greater communication between the students and teachers during times when class is not in session.
As Grand River Academy strives to prepare our young men for college and to also become capable, ethical and contributing members to society, this program adds an additional layer of preparation for our students by empowering them to utilize technology in a responsible and efficient manner."
Third, we have welcomed a few new faculty members to our community, including adding another full-time person to our Foundations Learning Program staff - Shannon Farrell. Shannon has already been shining both in and out of the classroom. Her experience includes working with numerous students with IEP's, 504 plans and various learning difficulties. I thought I'd let Shannon introduce herself to you:
"My name is Shannon Farrell and I am a new teacher in the Foundations Learning Program at Grand River Academy. I am very excited to start this year at this wonderful school. Coming from a public school background, I value the relationships that I am able to build with my students, the differentiation that I am able to apply to instruction and the support that I receive from my colleagues and administration. During the summer, I was excited to be a part of the first Foundations class offered at GRA. I was fortunate to work with two great young men who made great strides over the summer due to the individualization that I was encouraged to provide. I look forward to similar successes with my students this year."
As I mentioned previously, we're off to a good start! We're enjoying nice late summer/early fall weather. This past weekend, it was a bit gray and rainy to start off with, but that didn't impede the off-campus trips to the movies and an indoor water park in Erie. On Sunday, it was a perfect day for trips to Cedar Point Amusement Park and the Cleveland Zoo. I am enjoying the vantage point from my office window, watching the students and teachers interacting during time between classes. Personally, I have also added a new "hat" to the collection I'm wearing at GRA - that of Head Dorm Master. I moved into one of the dorms over the summer and now instead of having to walk my dogs around campus to visit with students and colleagues, I'm living right in the thick of it. I'm really enjoying "dorm life" thus far!
I will sign off by including my usual invitation to come visit. I have been hearing a lot from visiting prospective parents recently that although our website is quite informative and really resonates with them (especially the testimonials from current and recent parents), it doesn't fully capture the "magic" of GRA. It is the warmth of the people here and the "homey," small, college-like campus that are the "secret ingredients" of what makes GRA such a special place. These things can only be experienced by coming to see the place for yourself.
Finally, please don't forget our rolling admissions - keep those referrals rolling in!
Warm regards,
Glenn Singer
Grand River Academyis a private boarding school located in Austinburg, Ohio, that serves over 100 young men in grades 9-12.