But the real excitement of what’s happening at Oracle goes beyond just teaching them these basics. In fact, you could say that our students have taken charge of their own curriculum with technology.

They’re doing it using several different types of technologies, from PC, Windows-based computers, to MACS, to mobile hand-held devices. They’re then experimenting with what can be done with each type of device – and supporting both their classmates and teachers in integrating these technologies into our curriculum.

Take, for instance, students in Mr. Meister’s Digital Media class. They are currently guiding students in Mr. Basil’s Social Studies classes in a project to incorporate protest posters and messages into a video production using relevant online footage and a green screen. Ultimately, the Digital Media Group will act as a production studio for content driven by other areas.

The Digital Media Group also produces a daily news show, called OCast, using iMovie and the school’s Mac lab. Different students take charge of producing news, as well as in-depth segments on sports, music, and video biographies of people of interest to the students. The students experiment with new presentation and video techniques for each OCast.

The Nerd Herd “Alpha” group is just another example of how Oracle empowers students through technology. The group is an elite team that works with Mr. McKee, Oracle’s technology coordinator, to perform basic troubleshooting and maintenance work on Oracle’s computers. They worked all summer to prepare the school’s computers and other electronics to be ready for the school year and act as a help desk for most of the equipment in the building. You might find them drilling holes to run wires, or in the Head of School’s office troubleshooting a printing problem. The Nerd Herd is also extending their services to local non-profit organizations that can’t afford the cost of a day-to-day technology staff.

In addition, mobile carts of Androids are being maintained and programmed by DROID Club students, self-designated as The Nerd Herd “Beta” group. These DROID Club students act as a help desk for teachers and classmates less familiar with the equipment.  The club has also created Regent’s reviews for classmates to use, as well as downloaded eBooks to the Droids. The audio capabilities of the equipment are even being taken advantage of by the Special Education students and in the Spanish classrooms. And in the afternoons, Mr. Capitumino’s room turns into a “techie workshop” where DROID Club students look for new ways to utilize the equipment.

Meanwhile, Mr. Schroeder’s AP History class is being taught almost exclusively using Samsung Galaxy tablets. Mr. Capitumino’s Spanish class students also use tablets during class to log into their Google accounts and communicate with each other and their teachers, turn in assignments, participate in online workshops, and explore the resources of the Internet. Useful “apps” are tested out and shared, as well.

Oracle’s two PC labs are always in full use with students in seminar classes looking up information on colleges, filling out applications, and writing essays using Google Docs. Likewise, students in Oracle’s English classes use Prezi, an online presentation tool, to map out and write essays.

Students at Oracle Charter School move effortlessly between equipment and technologies, enhancing their computer skills and gaining confidence with real-world use of the equipment. The experimentation that students engage in provides student-initiated learning that education experts complain is missing from today’s test-driven curriculum, and the student’s use of technology reinforces their learning in core subjects.

The fact that Oracle students are partners in the school’s technology program – and are using technology in authentic ways – makes them confident and capable of succeeding in today’s society and tomorrow’s careers.

Take, for instance, Buffalo’s Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). If you aren’t familiar with the RMHC, it offers a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Through their “Cooks for Kids” program, Oracle students plan a meal approximately once a month for guests staying at the house and then go over there to actually cook them dinner. They’ve made everything from avocado and olive oil pizzas to jalapeno cornbread to sweet potato chips.

For parents who are far away from home – and doing all they can to help their sick children get well – a hot meal in a warm and friendly atmosphere means a lot. In fact, according to Ms. Lynn Hughes, House Manager at RMHC, guests are oftentimes overwhelmed with gratitude. “After a long day at the hospital, for them to walk through the doors, smell a home cooked meal, and just be able to relax for a moment, it means the world,” she said.

But the guests aren’t the only ones who benefit from the program. The students themselves also get a lot out of this kind of experience. They have the chance to interact with guests – which include many little siblings – and they also learn that community service isn’t a chore; it can actually be both meaningful and fun.

Besides the RMHC, Oracle students have also been giving back at the Food Bank of WNY once a month through our Community Service Club. Most recently, during Spirit Week in November, students were allowed to dress down, as long as they donated to a fund for the Food Bank. I’m proud to say we raised over $150! In the coming weeks, students will head over there to help sort and package donated goods, which will then be distributed to needy families.

Another project members of the Community Service Club have just started participating in is WNY Shares. The program helps teachers from low-income school districts get the supplies they need for their classrooms. Since 2003, WNY Shares has distributed more than $1 million of school supplies to area schools and after-school programs. Oracle students help out at their facility on the first Wednesday of every month by packing up supplies for teacher orders.

It is through experiences like these – beyond the comfort zones of home and school – our students come to understand the importance of charity, kindness, and giving back to those in need. We hope it’s the start of lifelong habit; one that makes a positive impact on the world in years to come.

The Varsity Soccer season just ended with resounding success. This year, Oracle combined with the Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School to create the first Section XI soccer team in school history. Led by Oracle’s athletic director, Mr. Doug Williams, I’m proud to announce that the Oracle Phoenix soccer team had an undefeated season, beating both City Honors and Tapestry. Go Oracle!

With the end of this year’s soccer season came the start of the 2011-2012 Basketball Season. Practice began the week of November 7th for the junior varsity and varsity boys’ teams (coached by Mr. Williams and Mr. Brian Polowski, respectively), as well as the varsity girls’ team (coached by Ms. Aurea Espada). The athletes are engaged in weight training sessions and back on the court, with practice Monday through Thursday.

Notable upcoming events for the boys’ basketball teams include the Lancaster Tournament, November 29 – December 2, and the Cassadaga Valley Tournament, December 26 – 27. The girls’ team will compete in the Park Tournament, December 2 – 3. We’re looking forward to an exciting basketball season from all our players!

The Drill Team is also well underway and practicing for a repeat performance of last year’s Drill O Rama under the watchful eyes of Ms. Dea Denison and Xavier Peterson, last year’s senior captain. The 2011 event was held at Kleinhans Music Hall and Oracle won both 1st Place and Best Dressed, both in the High School Division. Well done, Drill Team!

To help keep our students in shape, Oracle also has several active athletic clubs. The clubs have been bolstered by our recent purchase of variety of fitness equipment from Allentown Athletix after its closing.

Led by Mr. Williams, along with Mrs. Sheryl Kelley, Mr. Kristopher Harrington, and Ms. Sara Komoroske, the Fitness Club began the second week of school and holds sessions Monday through Thursday. It’s designed to offer students an opportunity to work out through a variety of sport-specific training programs. Each workout unit is aligned with a sports season. So for instance, workouts are now geared toward basketball; in the spring, they will be geared toward track and field.

Likewise, the Sports Training Club, offers sport specific training, with a focus on speed and agility during pre-season for fall and spring sports. The workouts will concentrate on increasing power and core strength through a variety of biometric training activities.

Another new club slated to begin in February is the 6-Pack Club. Led by Mr. Williams, who also worked as a personal trainer for many years, the 6-Pack Club will be similar to an abdominal workout class at a gym and will focus on abdominal and core strength training. It’s open to both Oracle staff and students (just in time for Spring Break!).

Once basketball season is over in early spring, Track and Field will start. Oracle is currently in a league with several other Buffalo charter schools, which will be practicing at Johnnie B. Wiley Stadium. Mr. Williams will serve as the team’s distance coach, Mr. Harrington as the sprinting coach, and Mr. Coleman as the field coach.

Bowling Club will also be back come springtime, run by Mrs. Sheryl Kelley and Mr. Adams. One of our most popular clubs, last year’s team had more than 40 students on it! Oracle is currently in a charter school league that bowls at Kerns Avenue Bowling Center.

In addition to our many existing and new sports-related clubs and activities, Oracle also began an Athlete of the Month program in October. Student athletes are chosen based on their leadership abilities, both on and off the field; their commitment to their team and chosen sport; having good grades; and acting respectfully towards all. October’s Athlete of the Month was soccer player Mohammid Salim and November’s was Jatoya Winfrey, a member of the Drill Team. Congratulations Mohammid and Jatoya!

Of course, Oracle’s extracurricular activities go beyond just sports and fitness. We also offer an extensive range of clubs and activities based around arts, technology, and many other interests.

For instance, through Peer Mediators, led by Mrs. Diane Morgante, students are specially trained to resolve conflicts between other students. Mediation sessions take place during lunch time or after school, as needed.

Model UN is also in full swing. Last year’s group experienced quite a success when it participated in the Model UN Competition at the University at Buffalo, where over 100 students from more than 60 high schools from Western New York and Pennsylvania were present. The Special Political and Ad Hoc Political Committees selected Oracle’s resolution on genocide for debate at the event. This was particularly exciting considering it was Oracle’s first time competing in a Model UN competition. The students placed 5th on the Ad Hoc Special Political Committee and 8th place on the Special Political Committee.

Other popular clubs running again this year include Art Club, GSA, and Yearbook.

•    The Art Club offers students an opportunity to express themselves through a variety of artistic mediums. Run by Ms. Dennison, the club is currently hard at work making three-dimensional words out of papier mache.

•    GSA recently sponsored movie night at the Market Arcade where they watched the “Laramie Project” along with other local GSA clubs. They also went to see Judy Shepard, Matthew Shepard’s mother, speak at UB Alumni Arena.

•    Ms. Amanda Finn and Ms. Sarah Salminen are running this year’s Yearbook staff. The students are already working on the cover art for the yearbook, which will be published in May, and snapping photos of Oracle staff and students to fill the book with many happy memories and moments.

•    The Service Club, overseen by Ms. Beverly Wedmore, has been to the Food Bank and made dinner for Ronald MacDonald House already this year, as well as started a paper recycling program.

The Nerd Herd is geared towards students interested in computers and technology. They are currently helping out our IT maintenance department. In fact, over the summer, they helped to clean up all the teacher’s computers, as well as set up new computers. Likewise, the new DROID Club is taking on the school’s growing number of DROIDs and tablets.  I’m sure their expertise will be much needed – and appreciated – throughout the year!

The Theater Club is also new this year. While a production has not yet been planned, the club is currently working on voice and acting exercises.

Chess Beats the Streets has been holding introductory chess workshops at Oracle on Tuesdays in November, and the Outdoor Activities Group is putting together plans for the first tubing event as soon as the snow falls.

If your child would like to get involved in any sports or fitness-related activities, please contact Mr. Doug Williams at dwilliams@oraclecharterschool.org or 716.362.3188. For other clubs and activities, please contact Oracle’s front office at 716.362.3188.

Interim Assessments Defined

First, interim assessments are mid-term exams that help us gauge where each student is in terms of understanding the material being taught. In other words, they help us check student progress. However, unlike unit tests, which are given at the end of every unit, interim assessments cover 10 weeks of instruction.

How the Process Works

Our first round of interim assessments is coming up in early November. Assessments are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, November 2nd and 3rd, and will be given in four core areas: Math, Science, Social Studies, and English.   Once students complete these assessments, the Oracle teaching staff will begin grading them immediately. In fact, we turn around grades within 48 hours so that teachers have access to critical data by Monday morning. If students are struggling, we want to know as quickly as possible.  Armed with this data, our teachers can discuss what students misunderstand, why they misunderstand it, and how the material can be taught more effectively. Our teachers can then plan specific re-teaching efforts to focus on areas that need additional work. Students who are already proficient in these areas are given extension and enrichment activities.  If a student is still struggling, even after the material has been re-taught several times, we take further measures to intervene. For example, Oracle offers access to extra help outside of classroom time, including tutoring before and after school, as well as tutoring during lunchtime.

Why Interim Assessments Are So Important for Students

At the end of the day, interim assessments help us pinpoint weaknesses. As a result, we can shore them up and then narrow the achievement gap along the way.   Grant Wiggins, President of Authentic Education, summed it up best when he said:  “The more you teach without finding out who understands the information and who doesn’t, the greater the likelihood that only already proficient students will succeed.”  In many classrooms around the country, the typical approach to teaching is to assess, determine a grade, and then move on to the next topic, regardless of the results. Here at Oracle, we take a different approach. We believe it’s what the students actually learn that is most important, not what the teachers taught. And it is through continuous interim assessments we are able to evaluate what students learn and then create a practical plan of action for achieving better performance.  And the results speak for themselves.   For instance, in 2009-2010, Regents test scores in English were 59%. In 2010-2011, after a year of interim assessments, they jumped to 76%. Likewise, in Algebra 9, test scores for 2009-2010 were 53.7% and increased to 70.5% in 2010-2011.  While interim assessments aren’t solely responsible for the vast difference in test scores, they certainly played a vital part. Not only do assessments enable us to verify that students understand the material, but it is through the assessment process that students are repeatedly exposed to the kinds of questions they will face on the Regents exams. As a result, our students are far more prepared – and more confident – going into Regents week in June.

What You Can Do

As a parent, you might be wondering where you fit into this process. Your child’s interim assessment grades will appear as comments on his or her report card. Should you have any questions, please speak with your son or daughter’s teachers. They will be happy to work with you and offer guidance and ideas on how you can help your child at home if he or she is struggling.

Together, we can help our students to achieve more.