Science Focus Program
| Science Focus Program | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
1222 S. 27th Street , | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public magnet high school |
| Established | 1997 |
| School board | Lincoln Public Schools |
| Principal | Kurt Glathar |
| Faculty | 9[1] |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Color(s) | |
| Mascot | Camel |
| Nickname | Zoo School[1] |
| Website | zoo.lps.org |
The Science Focus Program (SFP) or Zoo School, or simply Zoo,[1] is a part of Lincoln Public Schools and is one of the district's three focus programs, along with the Arts and Humanities Focus Program and the Career Academy. It is located at the Lincoln Children's Zoo in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States, and is described as "a small community of mature learners participating both in a traditional and non-traditional style of learning. A place where students play an active role in defining their learning environment and education."[1]
Staff
The Science Focus Program has five teachers:
- Mark Anderson: History and Social Studies
- Johnna Graff: English and Communication
- Emily Rose-Seifferlein: Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Physical Science, and Geoscience
- Andrew "Mark" James: Physics, Biology, Animal Behavior, and Astronomy
- Matt Johnson: Mathematics
Amy Proffitt serves as secretary, Trudy Dormier as special education coordinator, Mary Gilliland as security officer, and Kurt Glathar as the Principal.[1]
Academic form
The Science Focus Program runs on an A-day/B-day block schedule, with the days alternating throughout the week. Wednesdays, known as "Focus Days", are commonly run on an alternative schedule, reserved for additional class times for core classes and applied arts.
Instead of having a finals week, Science Focus Program has a portfolio week. Portfolios are projects that are specific to each class that are used in place of finals. Each class has its own portfolio. Portfolios are handed out during each semester and students are expected to complete and present them at the end of the semester.
Campus
The Science Focus Program's campus is located in the southeast corner of the Lincoln Children's Zoo. The two portable buildings house the computer lab, a science room and laboratory, and the English classroom. The Camelot Commons, a larger, 2-story structure at the edge of the Science Focus Program campus, houses the social science, mathematics, and natural science classrooms.
History
The idea for the Science Focus Program originated in 1995. Teachers met and worked part-time planning for the program, and part-time teaching at their high schools. The original teachers were Jim Barstow, social sciences; Deb Sharp, English; De Tonack, math and physics; and Jane Obbink, natural sciences. Beth Briney came in the second year to replace Sharp. Obbink has since moved to Alaska and was replaced by Sara LeRoy-Toren. LeRoy-Toren then retired and was replaced by Emily Rose-Seifferlein. De Tonack, Barstow, and Obbink were replaced by Mark Anderson, Matt Johnson, and Andrew "Mark" James, respectively. In 2018, Dr Briney retired and Johnna Graff took her place. This same year, Dr Patrick Hunter-Pirtle stepped down as principal of the Lincoln Public Schools Focus Programs and was replaced by Kurt Glathar.
The main idea for the focus program was to give students an alternative to regular high school. The teachers' vision consisted of a place where students could come and feel welcome and comfortable enough to express their individual talents and ideas.
The school opened for the 1997-1998 school year, accepting juniors and seniors. Since then, changes have been made, allowing the Science Focus Program to accept sophomores and freshmen.
In 1999, Science Focus Program created its own Key Club, partnering with the Lincoln Center Kiwanis Club. Every week, students meet to work on fundraising, community events, and volunteer work.
In the 2017-2018 school year, the Science Focus Program made headlines when President Donald Trump's education secretary, Betsy DeVos, visited the school. Her appearance was met with student protesters on the inside and public protesters outside, though the school day was urged to proceed as normal and no serious incidents occurred.[2]
Science Focus Program's technology consists of a lab of Macbooks, which arrived at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year. Starting the 2015-2016 school year, Science Focus Program students each receive Chromebooks from the district.
For many years, the Lincoln Children's Zoo hosted a "Science Day" in which the public, along with elementary schools, walk around the zoo as Science Focus Program students enrich their knowledge with fun scientific activities. All students worked stations and participated.
The Science Focus Program is expected to have a new, single building (differing from the current 3 building setup) on the outskirts of the Lincoln Children's Zoo, correlating with the Lincoln Children's Zoo expansion plans. The building is expected to be finished in February 2019.[3]
Science Focus Program has made some changes throughout the years, but their goal is maintained: to give students the best education possible, to instil an excitement and a craving for knowledge, to build a strong sense of community, and to teach and learn together.
Student life
The Science Focus Program enrolls new students every year. Official clubs include the Key Club, Science Olympiad, Coloring Club, Creek Clean-up, and Yearbook Club. Former clubs include Minecraft Club, Biking Club, Dungeons and Dragons Club, G&S Enterprises, Poker Club, Roots & Shoots, Gardening Club and Magic: The Gathering Club.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Zoo School official website". Retrieved 2009-05-09.
- ^ "DeVos: States should look to innovation to give families choices; protesters say focus should stay on public schools". Retrieved 2018-02-09.
- ^ "Details emerge about LPS science focus program's new home at zoo". Retrieved 2018-02-09.