Renaissance Center Jan 2011 SAEC Meeting
On January 10, 2011, I attended a School Advisory Enhancement Council at the Renaissance Center. The Renaissance Center is an alternative education facility for middle and high school students in Citrus County. The curriculum at The Renaissance Center meets the Sunshine State Standards and participates in the Citrus County Public Schools instructional time lines.
I was pleased to see three sets of parents and students attend the meeting. Briget Brothers, the high school reading/physical education teache,r presided over the meeting. Ms. Brothers shared about the quarterly Renaissance student awards. These awards are positive motivational incentives for students. I have had the privilege of attending these awards ceremonies and it is always a positive time for students and families.
Renaissance’s new guidance counselor, Mr. Timothy Hall, spoke about how Renaissance recognizes the needs of its students are always evolving. He shared that the guidance department has a flexible response to the changing needs of this population. Mr. Hall talked about some of these initiatives and highlighted what they are doing to address them. One of the initiatives is the Social Personal Class. For the guidance counselor the challenge becomes how to provide valuable information to the students without compromising instructional time. He explained that the social personal class provides an opportunity for students to have structured time where they can engage student services personnel. Students in this class become familiar with the resources and support services designed to address their unique needs. Students are encouraged to take an active role in their own success plan. Some of the topics that are addressed in this class are: What are the ramifications for failing to receive a high school diploma? How can I use my earlier successes as the foundation for future growth? If I am behind on my academic credits, what will be the best method for me to make up or recover these credits? To help answer some of these questions, Mr. Hall has some students taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery which will be given on Jan. 18th, 2011. Mr. Hall will also bring students to Job Corps and the College of Central Florida.
I am always so impressed when I spend time at the Renaissance Center, not just with the faculty, staff and educators (who are impressive) but also with the students who, while struggling in different areas, are making positive efforts to be better and more successful.
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