The Magnet Connector

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Afterschool Programs at Stratton

Unit 4 Magnet Programs Offer Innovation & Engagement

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Champaign Unit 4 Magnet Programs offer innovative programming and engaging student learning opportunities. At BTW STEM Academy, second graders have had personal experiences with giant grasshoppers and Madagascar Hissing cockroaches in the STEM lab. At Stratton Leadership & MicroSociety, students have engaged in job interviews and in the political process. At Garden Hills IB PYP Candidate school, students have been engaging in the IB Primary Years Programme learner profiles.

Afterschool Programs at BTW

A Strattonville student engaged in the political process

A student holds a cockroach in the STEM lab at BTW

Afterschool Programs at Garden Hills

Magnet Calendar of Events Oct.

State Award Winners at BTW

The Mandarin Chinese Culture afterschool club at Garden Hills

A U of I community partner leads a STEM lesson at BTW

An entomology lesson in the STEM lab unites at BTW STEM Academy

The Garden afterschool club at Garden Hills IB PYP Candidate school

Students at Stratton Leadership & MicroSociety are excited about getting jobs

Students at Stratton Leadership & MicroSociety listen attentively before interviewing for jobs

A student at BTW STEM Academy extends her hands to hold an insect

The photography afterschool club at Garden Hills IB PYP Candidate school

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Kailyn Jackson is in 4th grade at BTW STEM Academy and attends the Garden Club. She enjoys the opportunity to plant and pick stuff. She is excited about the program because it will help me learn to make my own garden.

MSAP Grant & Afterschool Programs

The development of the three magnet programs at Champaign Unit 4 is supported by the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) federal grant. Providing rich afterschool programming is a goal for each magnet school. These afterschool programs deepen student learning experiences, enhance community partnerships, and connect students to authentic application of their learning. Magnet coordinators at each building take the lead on facilitating afterschool programming but the opportunities would not be possible without the commitment of the educators at each building who head up each opportunity. For more information regarding afterschool programs at each magnet school, please contact the magnet coordinator at each school.
BTW STEM Academy Martha Henss, Magnet Coordinator, henssmar@champaignschools.org Stratton Leadership & MicroSociety school Charles West, Magnet Coordinator, westch@champaignschools.org

Garden Hills IB PYP Candidate school Kimberly Murphy, Magnet Coordinator, murphyki@champaignschools.org

Magnet Afterschool Programming:

The Golden Voices at Stratton

Stratton Leadership & MicroSociety

Afterschool Programs at Stratton: Summit Golden Voices Chess Club Lego Robotics Battle of the Books Japanese Language Summit is an afterschool program which provides opportunities for students to participate in cooperative games, academic tutoring, and cultural exploration of participants The Golden Voices is an afterschool program where students learn about pitch, counting, rhythm, harmony, team work, goal setting, literacy, and eventually community service projects Chess Club is an after school program which gives kids the chance to learn, teach, and play the game of chess while building friendships Lego Robotics is an after school program where students engage in critical thinking, problem solving, team work development, computer programming, research, and lego building. Battle of the Books is an after school program where students engage in literacy based activities surrounding both nonfiction and fictional books. The Japanese language program is in collaboration with the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Illinois and will tentatively begin in January 2013

Soren Long is in 2nd grade at Stratton Leadership & MicroSociety school and attends Lego Robotics. I like Lego Building. It helps me know how to program. I want to be a Professional Lego Builder.

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Booker T. Washington STEM Academy

Afterschool Programs at BTW: Chess Club Lego Robotics Team Math Olympiad Science Olympiad K/1 Lego Club (Fall and Winter Sessions) 2/3 Lego Club (Fall and Winter Sessions) Garden Club (Fall and Spring Sessions) Technology and Engineering Club (Fall and Winter Sessions) Music Club Basketball Club (Fall and Winter Sessions) African Language Club Monarch Reading Club Battle of the Books Over 130 students are in after school programs at BTW STEM Academy! Almost all of them participate in more than one club, many are in two or three clubs. BTW partners with the Math Olympiad Organization, Champaign Public Library, First Lego League, the University of Illinois College of Engineering and many other U of I student service organizations to bring high quality, rigorous curriculum to the Afterschool Enrichment Program. Afterschool programs at BTW STEM Academy allow students to: a) learn about a subject or academic discipline that they do not study formally at their grade level; b) learn about a subject they already have studied in school but want to delve into more deeply; c) build background knowledge about things they have never experienced before; d) have the opportunity to work with University of Illinois staff and students who are experts in their STEM field. Chess Club is a program where students learn and play chess with partners. The facilitator, Al Davis, teaches students how to play and deepens understanding of the game for those who already know how to play. Students in 2nd 5th grade are invited to participate. Lego Robotics Team is for students interested in robotics. They will work as a team to learn about the First Lego League Challenge and them compete in the Lego Robotics Tournament. The club is open to 4th and 5th graders. Math Olympiad is where students complete mathematical challenges and use critical thinking to solve problems. They compete in the National Math Olympiad program which provides the format for the club. The club is facilitated by Mrs. Alyssa Mayer who serves as coach and instructor for these students. Students must be at a 4th grade math level or higher to participate. Science Olympiad is where students complete challenges created by the club facilitators, Mrs. Beth Koplinski and Ms. Lauren Johnson. Teams of students will complete science challenges competing against one another. This club is open to 3rd 5th graders. The K/1 Lego Club serves as an introduction to the world of design and engineering through Lego building. Ms. Regina Lee, the groups sponsor, allows children to experiment but also coaches and teaches as they design and build structures. This club is open to Kindergarten and 1st graders. The 2/3 Lego Club is facilitated by Ms. Regina Lee. This club uses Lego Mindstorms building materials and software to model real-life mechanisms and use creativity, logic and problem solving skills to meet challenges. This club will lay the foundation for students who wish to continue on and compete with our Lego Robotics team. It is open to 2nd and 3rd graders. The fall Garden Club harvests fruits and vegetables from our amazing STEM garden which are planted by Spring Garden Club students. In addition to planting and harvesting, students prepare the soil, learn about conservation, dissect and plant bulbs and care for our maturing landscaping. Mr. John Odum is the sponsor. This club is open to K-5th Graders. The Technology and Engineering Club is being sponsored by Mr. Kevin Frederick and Ms. Megan Keiber. The club allows students to complete engineering and technology activities facilitated by University of Illinois Engineering majors. This years topics include electricity, rocketry, geology, chemistry, wind, weather and earthquakes. The club is open to students in grades K-5. Music Clubs activities are still being formalized. It will be open to students in grades K-5, take place in the Spring and be sponsored by Mrs. Miriam Cowen, BTWs music teacher. The club is open to Kindergarten through 5th grade. Basketball Club is open to boys and girls in grades 4 and 5. It is sponsored by Mr. David Pelmore and Ms. Elizabeth Dabrowski. The club gives students an opportunity to play friendly games of basketball and improve their skills. African Language Club is sponsored by Mrs. Robyne Glass. This club teaches students languages native to the African

continent. Students are currently learning Wolof which is the language of Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. Languages are taught by University of Illinois students and staff and will change as we have the opportunity to host new university partners. The club is open to Kindergarten through 5th graders. The Monarch Reading club is a program of the Champaign Public Library. Mrs. Laura Lowe, our librarian, sponsors the club and helps students in grades K-2 connect with books that spark their interest and enthusiasm. Battle of the Books is also a public library program, and is geared toward students in grades 3, 4 and 5. They will compete with other students at the library in late February.

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Garden Hills IB PYP Candidate School

The Mandarin Chinese Culture Afterschool Group did a group interview: The teacher makes it all come alive for us by the way she interacts and brings us all in to the subject; these students have many wonderful aspirations for when they grow up . Music teacher, doctor, singer, inventor of medicines, lawyer, jazz musician, actressSeveral students said that this club will help them accomplish these goals: If you get something, it is because you earn it and work hard!
Afterschool Programs at Garden Hills:

Garden Hills Gophers Ukulele Mandarin Chinese Culture Operation Read The Why Club Board Game Fun Impact Photography Garden Hills Book Club Gardening Club There are approximately 110 students attending afterschool programming at Garden Hills. After School Programs at Garden Hills enhance learning by providing extra time to expand areas of interest for the students.

Operation Read gives time and energy to those beginning readers that need a boost. The Why Club is for science enthusiasts. Gardening club provides an opportunity for the students to garden in our courtyard. Garden Hills Gophers keep our school looking great makes little surprises for our teachers as well. Ukulele is where students learn to play this fascinating instrument. Mandarin Chinese Culture club is a place where stu-

dents are learning Mandarin dance, language and culture. Board Game Fun is where students enjoy learning to play exciting board games with educational themes. Impact is a program where students learn how to make a positive difference in our society. Photography is an afterschool program that offers students the opportunity to learn digital photography. Garden Hills Book Club is where students engage in weekly book discussion and activities.

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Magnet Events- October

10/1 BTW 3rd grade Field Trip to Meadowbrook Park 10/1 Stratton Interview Week 10/3 Garden Hills 2nd grade Field Trip to Pollinatarium 10/3,4,8,9,10 Garden Hills 3rd Grade Field Trips to Meadowbrook Park 10/4 BTW 2nd grade Field Trip to Pollinatarium 10/4 Stratton Primary Election 10/4 Garden Hills 4th and 5th grade Field Trip to Krannert - Forces 10/5 BTW Entomologist visit with 2nd grade 10/9 BTW Family Reading Night 10/10 BTW Family Reading Night 10/10 Stratton 5th grade Field Trip to Kickapoo State Park 10/10 Visit to IB PYP School The Academy for Global Citizenship 10/11 Stratton General Election 10/12 BTW Entomologist visit with 2nd grade 10/12 Stratton Inauguration 10/12 Stratton Job Assignments 10/15 Stratton Ventures Begin 10/22 Garden Hills 4th grade Field Trip to Homer Lake 10/23 BTW 4th grade Field Trip to Homer Lake 10/31 Stratton Leadership Assembly
Student Work at Garden Hills IB PYP Candidate School Stratton students engaging in job interviews Students deeply engaged at BTW STEM Academy

Champaign Unit 4 Magnet Programs are funded by the federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant. Each cycle of the grant runs for three years and is managed by a Project Director. The purpose of the grant is to increase student

Champaign Unit 4 Magnet Programs

achievement, diversity, and to ensure magnet program sustainability.

Mellon Administrative Center 703 S. New Street Champaign, IL 61820 Phone: 217-373-7359 Fax: 217-351-3871 www.facebook.com/unit4magnets Web: www.unit4magnets.org

If you would like more information about our magnet programs, please contact Cheryl Camacho, Director of Magnet Programs/ MSAP Project Director, at camachch@champaignschools.org or at 217.373.7359
Like us on Facebook for regular updates about our magnet programs! www.facebook.com/unit4magnets

Three BTW STEM Academy Educators Awarded for Excellence

Three educators associated with BTW STEM Academy have been named by the Illinois State Board of Education in the annual Those Who Excel awards. These educators will receive Those Who Excel awards at a banquet in their honor on Saturday, October 20 at the Bloomington-Normal Marriot Hotel and will be recognized at the October 15 State Board of Education meeting. The following educators associated with BTW STEM Academy will be honored: Patricia Shapley, University of Illinois Professor of Chemistry and Volunteer at Booker T. Washington STEM Lab, will receive the Community Volunteer Award of Excellence. Shayonna Reid, Instructional Aide at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy, will receive the Educational Service Personnel Award of Merit. Asia Fuller-Hamilton, Principal at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy will receive the School Administrator Award of Excellence. It is an honor to have such a high level of professionalism and expertise in our classrooms here in Unit 4, said Superintendent Dr. Judy Wiegand. We are proud to have our staff and volunteers recognized for making a difference in the lives of our students. Candidates are nominated by the district or members of the community. Winners are chosen for

Asia Fuller-Hamilton, Principal of BTW STEM Academy & Those Who Excel Award Winner

their community involvement, views on the states most pressing educational needs, and outstanding service to students. The selection committee represents statewide education organizations and includes former award winners.