Grand Blanc

We are currently inviting parents to pre-enroll their children at Grand Blanc Academy for the 2011-2012 school year. Once your pre-enrollment form is received, a school representative will contact you to discuss enrollment options.

Enrollment is now open to all students residing in the respective school district. Grand Blanc Academy can accommodate students entering into kindergarten to 8th grade. It is imperative that parents submit enrollment applications for each student planning to enroll, as early as possible.

Grand Blanc Academy implements a thematic, interactive program that incorporates multiple learning styles. Mornings are dedicated to building solid skills in the core subject areas of reading, writing, math and science. While the afternoons are reserved for foreign language, music, physical education and a daily 90-minute block of Grand Blanc Academy’s Paragon curriculum.

The Paragon curriculum is interdisciplinary, engaging, discovery-based and multi-cultural. The hands-on approach of Paragon addresses the multiple intelligences and individual learning styles. This enhances students’ communication skills, analysis and self-expression.

Grand Blanc Academy also offers an emotionally and physically safe learning environment, access to computers and technology, committed and qualified teachers and staff and encourage parental involvement. Teachers will conduct regular goal setting conferences with individual children and their parents, to ensure the student’s success.

To pre-enroll online, click here.

Grand Blanc, Mich. – Students at Grand Blanc Academy (GBA), a public charter school located in Grand Blanc, Mich., recently had a chance to see science, mathematics, engineering and technology (STEM) in action, at the Detroit Science Center.

While at the Detroit Science Center, students watched a 4D movie complete with moving seats and the real feel of flowing air and sprinkling water.

During the trip, students were asked to observe and discuss things they do in everyday life that are influence by science. Using critical thinking skills, students were able to understand how what is learned in the classroom is actually applied to everyday life.

During the MEAP testing window, GBA encourages students to gets lots of rest and eat a full and healthy breakfast. For more information on MEAP testing, at GBA please call (810) 953-3140.

Grand Blanc Academy – Ice Cream Social
June 11, 2010
5pm – 7pm

Bounce House
Bingo
Bubble Play
Side walk chalk art
Healthy taste testing
Raffle
MEET OUR GBA ALL-STAR STAFF!

Come take a Building Tour!

Grand Blanc Academy
K-8 Art Show
May 13th, 2010
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
At GBA
Family & Friends are welcome!

Come watch the GBA production of Annie!

Our students have been working hard with Ms. Hart spending their own time practicing and preparing for this musical performance. The set is constructed, the lines are memorized and  the costumes are ready!

Performances of the play are Tuesday, May 4th and Wednesday, May 5th; both at 6:30 pm.

The first quarter is officially over. Did you know that many of the exciting classroom events that have been taking place are being talked about on teachers’ personal webpages? You can check out your student’s teacher page any time. Just click on the ABOUT US/Our Teachers tab to the left!

Here is what’s happening in Ms.Arnott’s 3rd grade classroom:

“Miss Arnott’s class had an outstanding first marking period! We met and exceeded several of the goals we had set for our class at the beginning of the school year. First, we used our test taking strategies that we practiced and put them to great use during our first MEAP testing experience.  We are very anxious to see our test results. We also learned the importance of always trying our best even in tough situations. Another goal we met was earning team of the week.  This was a goal that we strived to meet everyday.  We made it a daily learning experience and we continuously discussed ways to help us earn it.  In one day, we had a pancake party, a pizza party, and a harvest celebration.  This was a goal we were very ecstatic about meeting. As a teacher, I am very proud of my students and all of the hard work they have put in each and everyday.  They have become very polite, respectful, and positive third graders.  I can’t wait to see what the second marking period has to bring.  My class and I would like to congratulate A.B.W. and Q.B. for earning all A’s the first marking period! Way to go!”

Welcome Back! 

Our first month of school is almost finished, and we have had an awesome start! It has been a pleasure to welcome new teachers, students, and parents to Grand Blanc Academy.  We have added several new staff members to our school community this year:

Mary Davis—4th Grade

Tiffany Martin—6^th Grade

Michelle Finton—7/8^th Grades- Paragon (Social Studies)

Janie Roy–4/5^th Grades- Resource

Jennifer Roskey–6^th Grades-Resource

Julie Van Norman—K-8 Art

Each classroom has creatively selected a team name, and banners are displayed above the doors.  This practice visibly demonstrates the power of teamwork as we build interdependency to accomplish our goals.  In addition, we extend an open invitation to parents to join our team.  We value and appreciate your supportive contributions to your child’s education.

Norma Jean Colyer

Curriculum Implementation Specialist

A group of teachers, curriculum specialists and Mosaica executives gathered for the Mosaica Math Summit on May 4 and 5. The summit focused on ways to increase math achievement at Mosaica schools around the world. Dawn Linden, Mosaica’s Director of Education explained the purpose of bringing these educators together: “Mathematics achievement is high on our list of priorities and we’re looking for innovative, effective strategies to increase conceptual understanding, and to ensure that we’re reaching each student every day.”

Referencing the Final Report of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Mathematics Advisory Panel (2008), summit attendees reviewed various math programs’ strengths and weaknesses and explored successful methods used in the United States and by countries that performed well on TIMMS, with the goal of adopting best practices from around the globe, raising math interest, and making math an integral part of school culture. Michael J. Connelly, Mosaica’s Chief Executive Officer, announced the rationale at the beginning of the summit: “Literacy and numeracy are the twin tools for international success on the global stage of the 21st century. Our schools are committed to high levels of student achievement and the development of life-long learners who are comfortable participating on that stage. Following our Literacy Summit, which launched our highly successful Literacy Initiative two years ago, this Math Summit is the both the culmination of years of research and planning and the beginning of the implementation phase.”

As a result of the decisions taken at the summit, Mosaica Education will implement a system-wide Math Initiative beginning in the fall of 2009. This initiative focuses on placing Math Coaches in every school, increasing the number of high-quality math teachers at every grade, exploring ways to offer alternative certifications to math teachers coming from science and industry, and bringing math specialists to upper elementary grades. The initiative will also adjust the daily schedule to allow for 90 minutes of uninterrupted math in all grades; provide additional professional development for teachers to cultivate confident implementation of the new program; develop math clubs and competitions in all schools; and – perhaps most importantly – ensure that learning math will be FUN!

Dr. Dawn Eidelman, Mosaica’s Co-Founder and President of its Paragon Division commented, “The beauty of our new initiative is that it will augment project-based learning by linking mathematics more integrally to the history of great ideas and great people in world culture through our Paragon curriculum. To innovate purposefully and to design the future, we must build upon the lessons from our past.”