CSU( Christian Students United) Bowling Party

Bowling Party 

hosted by: CSU( Christian Students United)

When: November 5th from 3:00-4:00pm
Where: Mt. Hood Lanes

$2 per game, free shoes! 
To RSVP or for more information contact Mike podarelu@mewebacademy.org

National Novel Writing Month - November

National Novel Writing Month

November 1-30 • The world needs your novel.

Ready to Write a Novel?

You've come to the right place.

• Write a novel in a month!
• Track your progress.
• Get pep talks and support.
• Meet fellow writers online and in person
• Read more about it here.
• Sign Up Here!

Hands-On Learning & MEWA Announcements

Mr. Barrentine is teaching students about crustaceans.  There are many opportunities for hands on activities at MEWA.

Last week’s blog talked about the importance of involvement in the education process.  This week, we take this concept one step further and discuss the importance of actively participating in one’s learning, known as hands-on learning.  Studies have shown hands-on learning increases the level of engagement and understanding of the student and the benefits of this are immense.  An article by Everest describes these benefits from the perspective of a student’s future.  First of all, the student exhibits a greater retention of course material through active engagement with the concepts being taught.  Additionally, critical thinking skills are easily developed in a stimulated environment.  This is due to the increased attention given to “in-the-moment” learning.  Finally, the personalized guidance a student receives from the instructor during the hands-on-learning process is much greater than in a lecture or classroom setting.

(Source: http://news.everest.edu/post/2010/01/top-5-benefits-of-a-hands-on-learning-environment/#.UmqmKFwSAps)

For students at MEWA, hands-on learning is still a big part of their education as we offer the stimulated environment needed to apply, discuss, and discover the concepts explained in coursework.  Our teachers work on-site and are host to drop-in labs in which students can visit, ask questions, and progress through their assignments.  Drop-in labs are encouraged so that students receive the hands-on application they sometimes need to better understand what is being learned.  We also invite students to participate in field-trips and clubs to interact with each other, their teachers, and the school on a more social level.  At MEWA, we want to stimulate the student’s mind and help them to achieve all of their future goals.

Important Announcements…

Don’t Forget!  Our incentive program is in full swing.  We will have a drawing on November 22, 2013 for a giveaway of two iPod Touch 16GB players.  To enter, students must login every school day, work at least 1 hour on coursework while logged in each school day, and complete 5 assignments per week that are submitted for grading.  We hope all MEWA and GED students continue to participate!

Let Us Help… We will begin an Open Support Class that will meet each Thursday from 1:00 to 3:00, beginning next week to assist in clearing up any issues students & parents are having with the new Genius/Brain Honey learning management system.

The Student Leadership Club is open to all students!  The focus of the club is to build leadership skills for those who join.  Ms. Norrander will be the staff sponsor with Mr. May-Varas and Dr. Gray assisting. The next meeting will be Thursday, October 31 @ 1:30PM at MEWA.

Our Parent Booster Group will have the next meeting November 20^th at 6:00 PM at MEWA.  Participation in this group is open to all MEWA parents, grandparents, guardians, and staff members.  The focus of this group is to organize and support activities that promote our school and provide enrichment and growth opportunities for students and staff.

MEWA Gold Card Program.  We have an exciting new incentive program for the drop-in laboratory. Each time you achieve your study goals that you've listed on a Gold Card, you'll be able to turn that card in for a weekly prize drawing. Currently, our weekly prize is a $10 Starbucks gift card. We look to add different prizes in the future. So, stay tuned, stay on task in the drop-in lab, and you too can win prizes.  If you'd like to know more about the details of how this program works, click on the following link: https://docs.google.com/a/gbwebacademy.org/presentation/d/1oeAGfNBaTgcmBAVkDjfmzjtg4qlgrvrrG51RZwSFmv8/edit?usp=sharing.

College Bound Students! Connect with your counselor to discuss the ACT, SAT, or the PSAT.  They have information and dates for registering for these tests.

Remember the ME in MEWA; at Metro East you come first.

Involving Everyone & Important Announcements

©iStockphoto.com

Enrolling your student in an online education is an important step toward ensuring their continued growth and learning.  The online student is one who works well independently; however, family involvement in the education of a student is crucial to their success.  Having the support of an adult can positively influence the academic growth of a student.  A study from the US Department of Education shows that parents and family members who take the time to be involved in a student’s education increases that student’s ability to get better grades and test scores, graduate from high school, continue on to a higher education, be better behaved and have a more positive attitude (USDE).  What does family involvement look like?  It can be a variety of activities that both the family and the student benefit from.  Activities such as: reading together, checking homework, getting involved with the school, talking with teachers regularly, or simply asking, “How was school today?” every day, all show the student how important their education is to the family.

(Source: http://www.wate.com/story/371979/family-involvement-is-important)

At MEWA, our culture of learning and personalized education is the first step in supporting our students.  We encourage all family members to be involved in their student’s education and are always available to talk about different ways this can be done.  One of the exciting new ways to be directly involved in your student’s academic life is by attending our Parent Booster Group meetings.  Participation in this group is open to all MEWA parents, grandparents, guardians, and staff members.  The focus of this group will be to organize and support activities that promote our school and provide enrichment and growth opportunities for students and staff.  Contact the school for more information on meeting times and topics of discussion.  As always, we welcome feedback from family members!

Important Announcements…

MEWA is starting a student leadership club.  This club will be open to all students!  The focus of the club will be to build leadership skills for those who join.  Ms. Norrander will be the staff sponsor with Mr. May-Varas and Dr. Gray assisting.

Fiddler on the Roof field trip on October 30^th:  The play starts at 12:00 PM.  We will leave school around 10:30, board the Max, and head downtown.  The cost of the play is $15.00.  Permissions forms must be turned in by Friday, October 25^th.

Don’t Forget!  Our incentive program is in full swing.  We will have a drawing on November 22, 2013 for a giveaway of two iPod Touch 16GB players.  To enter, students must login every school day, work at least 1 hour on coursework while logged in each school day, and complete 5 assignments per week that are submitted for grading.  We hope all MEWA and GED students continue to participate!

Remember the ME in MEWA; at Metro East you come first.

Biking Field Trip - Tuesday, October 22

Calling All Students!

Let's get out in the sun and enjoy this great fall weather we're having by taking a bike ride! 

Our next biking field trip will be Tuesday, October 22nd from 12:30 - 1:30.

We'll meet at the Main Street Park down by the Springwater Trail and we'll head West.  

Remember, you must have a signed permission form, a bike, helmet and water bottle to participate.  If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Norrander at 503-662-7096.

Field Trip Permission Form

Fiddler on the Roof - Wednesday, October 30

Field Trip to Out to Pasture Animal Sanctuary

Field Trip to Out to Pasture Animal Sanctuary

Destination:  Out to Pasture Animal Sanctuary

Date of the Trip: October 23

Departure time: 12:15 pm

Do you love animals? Do you want to help animals? Come to the field trip to Out to Pasture Animal Sanctuary! Out to Pasture is a non-profit farm for animals without a home. You will take a tour of the animal sanctuary and learn the animals' stories. Then you will complete some community service work at the sanctuary. Complete the permission form and contact Ms Hathaway with any questions.

The Harris Bell History & Important Announcements

 

“The Harris Bell is just that: a bell. It resides just outside the MEWA Principal’s office and is there for the occasions when students achieve success and earn the right to "Ring the Bell."  This honor is relative to a student accomplishing something significant, which could be completing their last class to earn their diploma; earning their GED; or for some of our students, simply passing all their classes for the first term ever. It is our hope that to "Ring the Bell" will become a fun and thoughtful reward in celebration of students who are getting on track or performing great feats.  We also look forward to the potential community building that may result when students in the building hear the bell and come calling to see who is celebrating a recent achievement.” –John Kitchens

While the Harris Bell celebrates the success of our students, it is important to look at what success is.  What is your success?  Do you ever reach a point of maximum success, or do you take the time to celebrate life’s little achievements?  Think back to when you were younger.  Success was often found in something small, such as crossing the street for the first time without holding the hand of a parent.  Perhaps success was riding a bike down the driveway without training wheels.  These achievements may seem small in hindsight, but at the time, they were huge moments of pride.  Now think about what success means to you now, and where that success will lead in the future.  Prepare for your success by writing goals, benchmarks for a greater achievement.  Talk with your counselor about how to reach these goals.  The most important thing is to hold yourself accountable; don’t let others tell you what your success should be and find the will within yourself to make a dream a reality.  Remember the ME in MEWA; at Metro East you come first.

Important Announcements…

MEWA is starting a student leadership club.  This club will be open to all students!  The focus of the club will be to build leadership skills for those who join.  Our first meeting is Thursday, October 17 at 1:30 PM at MEWA.  Ms. Norrander will be the staff sponsor with Mr. May-Varas and Dr. Gray assisting. 

MEWA is starting a parent booster group.  Our first meeting will be held Wednesday October 16 at 6:00 PM at MEWA.  Participation in this group is open to all MEWA parents, grandparents, guardians, and staff members.  The focus of this group will be to organize and support activities that promote our school and provide enrichment and growth opportunities for students and staff.

Welcome Back, Fall!

Welcome back to Metro East, Cybersharks! We hope you are getting to know your teachers and are settled in to your classes. This year brings with it many exciting new changes at MEWA, the first of which, is the changing of our name from Gresham-Barlow Web Academy.  Additionally, we have a new principal/CEO: David Gray, who has worked in the education field for over 27 years and is passionate about education. Dr. Gray and his staff have implemented a new Student Information System (Genius), a new curriculum through Florida Virtual Schools, and a new Learning Management System (Brain Honey) for this academic year.

Some important facts about our school: MEWA is a non-profit corporation/public charter school governed by an independent appointed Board of Directors. The mission of MEWA is to provide a high quality online educational option for students. The school opened in 2009 with 70 students. Current enrollment is over 360 students. We offer students an opportunity to participate in an early college program (MEECA), online dual credit courses through Mt. Hood Community College, and we also offer a GED program. MEWA is fully accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission (AdvancED) and  our students come to us from 22 different school districts.

To add to the excitement of starting the new academic year, we are launching a new incentive program to promote student engagement and attendance! We will have a drawing on November 22, 2013 for a give away of two iPod Touch 16GB players. In order to be entered into the drawing, students must login every school day beginning on October 14^th, and work at least 1 hour on coursework while logged in, and complete 5 assignments per week that are submitted for grading. This particular incentive will end November 18th in order for us to choose a winner by November 22nd. We hope all MEWA and GED students participate! MEECA students will be eligible for a different drawing at a later date. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions, need support navigating the curriculum, or for any issues you may have. Connect with us online through Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

MEWA is an open campus. Students are free to come and go as they please. We require check in and out but do not hold students to attendance requirements on site. Responsibility for student monitoring belongs to the
parent/guardian. We will ensure that they are monitored once in the facility but they are free to depart as they choose. There is a two-hour time limit on campus and students are expected to work quietly in the computer labs so they do not distract from others’ learning.

Let’s have a great year Cybersharks!

Metro East Literary Journal 2013-14 -Now Accepting Submissions

MEWA Students,

The Metro East Literary Journal is now accepting

submissions for the 2013-2014 magazine. Please send submissions to struyk@mewebacademy.org.

Click here to see last year's magazine.