By Andy Knuth
The school year is officially underway and many SIATech Pico-Union high school students received 80% or more attendance for Learning Period 1. The school had a celebration of hard work and effort. The instructional team and students created a collage of motivation quotes for each other!
SIATech Pico-Union has recognized students with 80% or more attendance since last year. This year we are doing a more formal recognition with food, live music (our subs play), games, crafts, and certificates for students. When asked to consider why students are doing so well with their attendance, one reason is because more students are coming to our site to complete their work here in the classrooms where teachers are hand to lend assistance. The school has other events that bring in students to create a community, and they continue coming in and that helps them be in a supportive space where they can focus.
So far this year, SIATech Pico-Union has focused on creating opportunities for building community with students, staff, and the school through recognition and events. The Halloween costume contest was a hit, and in November we will be doing a Thanksgiving potluck. The following month, we will be doing a winter holiday celebration. All of it is an attempt to create a sense of community to support student social, emotional, and academic learning.
SIATech Pico-Union Independent Study is part of a network of California charter high schools focused on helping 16-24 year old students get back in school and back on track to graduation. There is no tuition or fees to attend and students earn a fully accredited high school diploma. Learn more about your local campus at www.siatech.org/enroll.
