After School Learning Enhancement Programs - 2013-14 (2nd Semester) - Middle School

AFTER SCHOOL LEARNING ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS 2013-2014 MIDDLE SCHOOL 2ND SEMESTER

An ACS Athens Initiative 129 Aghias Paraskevis Street & Kazantzaki, Halandri, 15234, Athens GREECE T: +30 210 6393200 F: +30 210 6390051 www.acs.gr яБо iic@acs.gr

Institute for Innovation and Creativity

ACS ATHENS: AFTER SCHOOL LEARNING ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

MIDDLE SCHOOL The After School Learning Enhancement Program (LEP) is a program that extends learning beyond the school day and provides a supportive environment for our students at ACS Athens. The program is designed to help students develop a strong sense of their own learning processes and to provide them with a strong academic, social and emotional foundation for their schoolwork. All of the programs described in this guide have been designed to improve and maximize each student’s learning potential. All of the courses are led by instructors with a background in special education and who have the knowledge and expertise to enhance learning. Students will learn to apply basic skills and learning strategies to their work in their academic classes, so that they may be successful. In order to best meet the needs of individual students, LEP After School classes have been designed with sensitivity to grade levels, age groups and diversity issues. After school classes target discrete student needs and give emphasis to specific learning outcomes in mathematics, reading and writing and completion of homework.

What really makes the difference is the way in which these classes are delivered. To enhance what we have identified as key elements of high performance, LEP After School classes utilize curricula and teaching methods that make learning fun and exciting.

Each After School class is staffed with qualified personnel, maintaining a ratio of one adult for every 2-3 students. The reading and math support classes will run with a ratio of one teacher for every 2 students.

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REGISTRATION FORM Please fill out the information below for the activity(ies) of your choice in order to reserve a space for your child in any of these. Payment must be made to the Cashier’s office, to the Institute of Innovation: Learning Enhancement Programs Account, no later than Friday, January 23, 2014***. Please submit the bottom of this form to the Cashier’s office when making your payment. (If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Marietta Garbis at 210-6393200 ext. 302). If enrollment in an activity does not reach the minimum number of participants required for the class to run, the class will be cancelled, you will be notified and your tuition will be returned.

Student’s Name: ___________________________Grade Level: ______ Parents’ / Guardians’ Names: __________________________________ Parents’ Email Address: ______________________________________ Phone #/s: Home: _______________ Cell Phone:___________________ Classes 1. __________________________ Tuition __________________ 2. __________________________ Tuition __________________ 3. __________________________ Tuition __________________

Amount Enclosed: ______________ €

*** IMPORTANT*** Signups by telephone will NOT be accepted.

Thank You! *** Following Registration

deadline there is no guarantee for immediate placement; sections may run in the instance that there are at least 3 students on waiting list.

Please remember to submit this form when making your payment at the cashier’s office.

Help us make our procedure as efficient as possible.

THANK YOU!

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Institute for Innovation and Creativity

ACS Athens: After School Learning Enhancement Program 2013-2014

Middle School Middle School 16:00- 17:30

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Homework Support

Homework Support

Homework Support

Homework Support

Friday

\

Math Support

Study/ Organization & Test-Taking Skills (MS)

Reading & Writing Support

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Middle School ACS Athens After-School Homework Study Program

A program designed for students in all grade levels

The After-School Homework Study Program is designed to enhance knowledge, skills, and understanding of core concepts through enriching learning opportunities that complement the school day. The goal is to link the after-school program with students’ learning experiences in the classroom in order to improve their academic achievement.

Students will benefit in measurable ways from the additional support they will receive from this program. Last year’s staff, along with other highly skilled and qualified professionals, will supervise the program. They will have use of the library, online resources and interactive boards. Emphasis will be given to reinforcing skills such as good study habit development, organizational techniques, skills and strategies for managing and completing homework assignments, test taking strategies, and time management strategies for planning ahead. This will result in students’ returning home with all, or most, of their homework completed, leaving them time for leisure activities and family pursuits.

This after-school Homework study program is open to all Middle School students.

Sessions for Middle School Students will run Monday-Thursday from 16:00-17:30. Students may ride the late buses or be picked up by their parents/guardians at 17:30.

Program cost per semester: Middle School: 2 ninety-minute sessions per week 4 ninety-minute sessions per week

- 1,000 euro - 1,500 euro

The program’s Instructors will:  Provide homework support.  Teach strategies and skills.  Ensure that the academically-linked activities are engaging.  Give students the opportunity to gain the confidence they need to become successful and independent learners.  Work with students in small groups of 3-4 students. rd

Location: Library 3 floor SESSION SCHEDULES Middle School Second Semester dates: Monday-Thursday from 16:00 - 17:30 January: February: March: April: May:

27, 28, 29, 30 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, 31 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29

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NEW ADDITION Middle School

FINAL EXAM &/or PROJECT PREPARATION Program The Final Exam &/or Project Preparation Program is designed to provide support to students who wish to have assistance in studying for their final exams and/or wish to have help in completing final reports and major assignments for a class. Pre requisite: This is only for students already enrolled in HW Support.

To study for Final Exams: Students will have the opportunity to review major concepts they would like to refresh their knowledge on. To do so successfully, they are required to bring their materials along, including books, study guides and previous tests. Instructor ratio will be decreased to a minimum in order to ensure as much individualized attention as necessary and students’ utilization of study skills will be encouraged and reinforced. The Final Exam &/or Preparation Program aims to increase students’ understanding and proficiency in subjects that they may feel less knowledgeable, thus ensuring improved performance on the final exams. Nevertheless, students will still be responsible of having started to prepare ahead of time and to continue studying at home so as to guarantee augmented exam performance.

To get assistance with Final Projects: Students will have the opportunity to work on major assignments they have to submit for their final grade in a class.

Students are required to bring their test preparation and/or project materials for the subject(s) they would like to review every day. The Final Exam &/or Project Preparation Program and its instructors are not responsible of having access to all subjects’ and/or teachers’ materials.

This After School Final Exam &/or Project Preparation Program is open to all Middle School students.

Sessions for Middle School students will Monday - Thursday daily from 16:00 - 17:30.

*** Students will have to pre-arrange a manner in which they will get home as there will be NO LATE BUSES! *** Program cost:  50 euro for 2 ninety-minute sessions a week  100 euro for 4 ninety-minute sessions a week Location: Middle School Building: Class to be determined SESSION SCHEDULES Middle School Course dates: Monday - Thursday from 16:00 - 17:30 June:

2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11

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Activity Name / Title

Age Group: Middle School

READING / WRITING SUPPORT PROGRAM Day(s): Fridays Time: 16:00-17:30 Location: Annex Building: 1st floor

Description The After School Remedial Reading/ Writing Program is designed to assist students that are struggling with the English language, at the reading, writing and oral level, in order to obtain the necessary skills to be successful in the Language Arts discipline. The focus of the program at all school levels is to provide phonemic awareness through the use of visual, auditory and kinesthetic means and to expose the students to meaningful literature of various cultures and genres. The program also includes a grammar component which will address correct sentence structure and organization in writing. Our goal is for our students to develop a love for reading and writing by providing a strong foundation in the English language.

Instructor: Chrysoula Ploutou, ploutouc@acs.gr Chrysoula Ploutou earned her Bachelor’s degree, in Psychology and Elementary Education from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Her Master’s degree in Education was also achieved from Clark University. She acquired her Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Special Education from Fairfield University. Ms. Ploutou is a certified licensed teacher in the state of Connecticut. Ms Ploutou has taken online courses through the Professional Development Institute and has received college credit from the University of California San Diego (UCSD). Most recently she was certified in formal and informal measurement and diagnostic techniques receiving college credit from Buffalo State, State University of New York.

Ms. Ploutou has been a teacher in the public school system in the United States and in international schools in Greece since 1997. She has taught JK, K, first, second, fourth grade and was a Middle School Optimal Learning Program Specialist. Currently she is a part-time Academy Optimal Learning Program Specialist as well as the Optimal Learning Program Coordinator, supervising all three schools, Elementary School, Middle School and Academy through the department of Student Affairs.

This is Ms. Ploutou’s seventh year working at ACS Athens and her fifth year working in the Optimal Learning Program. She is providing students with strategies to acquire the skills necessary to be successful in school and in their lives. She encourages differentiation in the classroom in order to make learning meaningful, focusing on students’ strengths and talents.

Schedule (January 2014 – May 2014) January: February: March: April: May:

31 7, 14, 21, 28 7, 14, 21, 28 4, 25 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Program Cost per Semester: €500 Number of Students per session: 2

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Activity Name / Title Age Group: Middle School MATH SUPPORT PROGRAM Day(s): Tuesdays Time: 16:00-17:30 Location: Library 3rd Floor Description The After School Remedial Math program is designed to help students that are struggling in basic math skills and concepts. Learning math is a cumulative process and every year of math builds on the knowledge obtained from previous classes. Such skills as adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, decimals and fractions are reviewed and strengthened. Our emphasis will be on reinforcing such techniques as graphing, statistics, ratios, proportions, percents, geometry, algebra and problem solving. Our goal for this program is to enhance students understanding of mathematics at all levels. Mathematics is a way of thinking, through this program the students will build on what they know and they will learn to use and apply strategies that will help them be successful in this area.

Instructor: Berahas Charles, berahasc@acs.gr Charles Berahas was born in New York City, and grew up in Athens, Greece. He holds a joint B.Sc. degree in Mathematics and B.A. degree in Music from Georgetown University (C’11), specializing in Discrete Mathematics and in the Mathematics of Music. Charles has taught both college and high school students, and has published a handful of papers with original research.

This past year has been his first year at ACS Athens where he has had the opportunity to teach Geometry, Algebra I, Algebra II & Trigonometry, as well as Pre-Calculus to Academy students.

Schedule (January 2014 – May 2014) January: February: March: April: May:

28 4, 11, 18, 25 4, 11, 18 1, 8, 29 6, 13, 20, 27

Program Cost per Semester: €500 Number of Students per session: 2

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Activity Name / Title

Age Group: Middle School

STUDY / ORGANIZATION & TEST-TAKING SKILLS Day(s): Thursdays Time: 16:00-17:30 Location: Library 3rd Floor Description The Study/Organizational and Test-Taking Skills Program aims to provide students with the ability to manage their time and workload effectively and efficiently, which will in turn improve their overall academic performance.

In this initial phase of the program, interesting and creative activities are employed so that students will learn several time-management, organizational and study methods. Students will have the opportunity to discover which skills and tricks suit their individual needs and will be shown how to apply them successfully. Furthermore, they will obtain knowledge on various strategies, which will enhance their performance and make studying easier and therefore more pleasant. In the second phase of the course, students learn how to prepare for tests, how to take tests of all types and formats (meaning: oral, true/false, essay, short answer, math, multiple choice, and even openbook tests), and how to assess their performance as well as themselves after the test in order to improve for next time. Furthermore, test-anxiety, a factor that has enormous influence on test performance, is addressed and alleviated.

As a result, students are expected to attain the skills necessary to feel confident with studying in order to transform their most dreaded activity into a manageable task!

Instructor: Markella Kaplani, kaplanim@acs.gr Markella Kaplani holds a B.Sc. in Psychology and a Master's degree in Clinical-Counseling Psychology obtained from LaSalle University in collaboration with New York College, Athens Greece. In January, 2014 she will also be receiving her Special Education Certificate.

Ms. Kaplani has extensive academic and counseling experience with students of all age levels through several of her current and former professional positions and volunteer work. She has extensively worked with students to provide them with skills that will allow them to enhance their performance, whilst simultaneously assisting them in decreasing feelings of anxiety, frustration, and boredom, as well as behaviors of avoidance, and thoughts of self-downing. Ms. Kaplani has been part of the Optimal Learning Program at ACS for the past three years and is currently the Middle School Optimal Learning Specialist, fully supporting students with learning differences. She is also the After School Program Coordinator under the Institute’s Learning Enhancement Program, where she has been instructing in all three schools (Elementary, Middle and High), being responsible of teaching skills that aid performance improvement. In ACS Athens, she has also served as a teacher in the Mentor Program, which addresses gifted students and their individual needs and has taught a summer-course in Health with the Institute for Innovation and Creativity.

Ms. Kaplani's goal is to help and guide students in developing the skills and confidence necessary so as to become fully independent and excel in their academics and lives overall.

Schedule (January 2014 – May 2014) January: February: March: April: May:

30 6, 13, 20, 27 6, 13, 20, 27 3, 24 8, 15, 22, 29

Program Cost per Semester: €500 Minimum number of Students per session: 3

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Institute for Innovation and Creativity

ACS Athens: After School Learning Enhancement Program Middle School Registration Information

Programs

# of Sessions Semester 2 30

Final Exam &/or Project Preparation Program

Days and Time 2 sessions / week 4 sessions / week 2 sessions total

3 hours

€ 50

Final Exam &/or Project Preparation Program

4 sessions total

6 hours

€ 100

Fri 16:00-17:30 Tue 16:00-17:30 Thurs 16:00-17:30

16

€ 500

15

€ 500

15

€ 500

Homework Study Program Homework Study Program

Reading/ Writing Support Math Support Study / Organizational & TestTaking Skills

60

Cost per Semester € 1000 € 1500

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LATE BUS SCHEDULE January – May 2014

January * 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 21, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

February 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

March 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 28, 31

April 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30

May 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28

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