Organizational Constitution
A Letter From The Director It is a tremendous privilege to see the amazing innovations our students and staff produce. Every day, ideas are shared, the next solution you didn’t know you needed is invented, or the beginnings of a new Fortune 500 business are initiated; all at The Student Innovation Center at R2i2. When students are freed of traditional constraints, they are able to truly shine. In fact, they shine so brightly that they illuminate new directions. Our Superintendent, Dr. Baron Davis, frequently speaks about creating pathways to becoming premier. I am proud to say that our staff and students exemplify some of the best and brightest minds that can be found anywhere, each on premier pathways. Our teachers and staff are experts at helping students identify premier pathways and then navigate them successfully. Each time this type of partnership happens with our scholars and staff, students gain an edge over their competition. Make no mistake, High School students are in a highly competitive environment, whether it be for college admissions, scholarships, or the workforce. It is our job at R2i2 to help prepare them to thrive as they take their next steps. We take great pride in providing our students that edge, all while making a positive and lasting impact on our community. Thank you for taking some time to find out more about us. I hope you are inspired to “join the innovation”.
With kind regards, Kevin Alberse Director
3
Our Definition of Innovation
To help us ensure that we are continually innovating, we utilize our Pillars of Innovation. Usually, all or most of the Pillars are present when innovation at R2i2 happens.
OUR PURPOSE To provide something different that has a positive impact.
OUR PILLARS
Creativity
Collaboration
Entrepreneurship
4
www.R2i2.org
Leadership
Global Impact @ther2i2edge
An example of how the Pillars work: As a result of his time at R2i2, alumnus Josiyah M. learned by innovating through the Pillars at R2i2. Josiyah created his own non-profit organization through R2i2’sThink Tank project. The idea is called Embark and it saw him and his team collect over 2,000 gently-used books for redistribution to families in need, as well as to our adopted partner, Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary’s entire third grade class. The third graders joined R2i2 for a morning of fun activities centered around reading, chose books for themselves, and got to begin dreaming about what they want to do at R2i2 when they get old enough to attend. Lonnie B. teacher Kasandra Haskins commented: “My students and I had the privilege to visit with you, other staff members, and some of your students during our “Embark” field study at R2i2. I wanted to sincerely thank you for hosting our LBNE students and teachers as well as working to coordinate such an awesome learning experience for our little bees. Our students had such a wonderful time. It filled my heart with so much joy to see how elated our third graders were about the books and gift bags that they received. So much so that during our lunch that day, my students were dead silent, not per my request or direction, but rather, their excitement and engagement in their new literary treasures! A few of my students even switched out their backpack during the weekend and are now using the bag that they were gifted as their backpack! (SO PRECIOUS!!!) I hope that Lonnie B. and R2i2 can partner again in the future to continue to make amazing things happen for our students!” Creativity? Check. Collaboration? Josiyah formed a team and worked with several organizations and R2i2 staff members to make Embark happen. Leadership? Having an idea is one thing, but making sure you have the team, the perseverance, and the resources required to execute the idea is a great example of leadership. Entrepreneurship? Josiyah created an organization that can continue to grow along with his entrepreneurial spirit. Global Impact? Let’s just ask Ms. Haskins!
www.R2i2.org
@ther2i2edge
5
MISSION & VISION OUR MISSION As the Institute of Innovation, R2i2’s mission is to foster individual student growth as an innovator within a safe environment by stimulating creativity, encouraging leadership, promoting teamwork, and building entrepreneurial skills while engaging the global community. OUR VISION R2i2 students, staff, and alumni will be global innovative leaders.
WHAT IS THE R2I2 EDGE? Completing an R2i2 program is a tremendous resume builder that colleges and employers are beginning to look at as a differentiator. •
Programs at R2i2 are not available elsewhere, yet are highly relevant to current and projected community needs and business trends, therefore providing an edge to our students in gaining admissions and employment.
•
R2i2 provides a personalized education experience where student interests are explored and lead to new ways of thinking and problem solving.R
6
www.R2i2.org
@ther2i2edge
•
R2i2 students and staff work together to improve lives by taking on real-world challenges.
•
R2i2 students and staff strive to become innovative global leaders.
•
R2i2 provides access to technology that enhances student learning.
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN Our strategic plan consists of renewable tasks that we aim to effectively complete every school year. Each year we try something different in order to improve each of the task outcomes. Part One of our Strategic Plan uses Richland Two’s “Four Squares” of Learning, Character, Community and Joy. Part Two of our Strategic Plan uses the R2i2 Student Innovation Center’s Pillars.
www.R2i2.org
@ther2i2edge
7
STRATEGIC PLAN: PART ONE LEARNING
•
Our students will learn through student-driven, personalized learning opportunities.
•
Our staff will participate in personalized professional development aligned to district, state, school, and individual needs.
•
We will collaborate with our partners to provide learning opportunities for our community, especially our students, including extended-day opportunities.
CHARACTER
•
Our students will demonstrate their learning through authentic assessments and detail their thinking through presentations.
• •
Our staff will continually support each other. We will continue to refine our Think Tank program.
COMMUNITY
•
We will create more student opportunities for interdisciplinary, problembased work that focuses on real-world challenges which allow students to work independently and collaborate on creative solutions.
•
We will refine curriculum through partnerships while using those same partnerships to build professional learning experiences.
•
We will optimize the school’s resources to affect positive change in our global community.
JOY
• • •
We will celebrate successes and highlight innovation. We will express appreciation for each other. We will continue to share our successes with others and recruit the students of Richland 2.
8
www.R2i2.org
@ther2i2edge
What is Think Tank? R2i2’s Think Tank is an opportunity to allow students to identify and address a challenge they see in their community. As a result of Think Tank, R2i2 has fed the needy, helped to put a new roof on a local nonprofit, and more.
STRATEGIC PLAN: PART TWO
CREATIVITY
COLLABORATION
We will work with our
Teachers will collaborate
We will produce student
students to find creative
each week in order to
outcomes that demonstrate
solutions to authentic
support each other and
alumni ability to lead at their
challenges.
define projects to enhance
chosen post High School
our students’ experience.
destination.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
LEADERSHIP
GLOBAL IMPACT
We will enhance student innovation
Staff will engage in self-driven
profiles and encourage students
professional development regarding
and staff to embrace failing forward/
global competence and work to infuse
smart failures.
that learning into their daily practice.
Global competence. The set of knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to thrive in a diverse, inter-connected world.
www.R2i2.org
@ther2i2edge
9
Richland Two students, register today and…
@theR2i2Edge 10
@ther2i2edge www.r2i2.org
www.R2i2.org