Student Information
- Activities
- ASB
- Awards & Recognition
- Celebrations of Learning
- Design Challenges
- Design Labs
- Electives
Activities
GET CONNECTED!
We believe that school should be a time to build our academic skills - but also to grow as people in well-rounded ways. We will offer many activities that will help students stay connected to each other and the school:
We will be building our Activities around what students want!
We realize that we could list Activities that we "think" students will want to be part of - but Clubs and Activities should be driven by student interest.
In addition to Clubs and affiliate sports, students can stay engaged with FLO (Further Learning Opportunities).
ASB
WHAT IS ASB?
ASB is a fun and engaging leadership program that is offered at schools nationwide! Here at VIDA, students will experience various leadership qualities, plan dances and other school activities, and help promote school spirit!
WHY ASB?
"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." E.E Cummings
Middle school is a time where students are experimenting and exploring who they want to be when they get older. In ASB, students will gain friends, leadership skills, and more that will help them not only in school, but in life!
Awards & Recognition
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:
Recognizing student achievement is very important to us. We insist on building a culture formed around the Core Values, or the GILLS of our school. Students will be recognized quarterly in front of their grade levels. The award recognitions will be scheduled in the beginning of the year, and parents of individual students will be notified of an upcoming award in the event that they would like to attend.
AP(P)EX AWARD (Achievement in Process & Product Excellence):
AP(P)EX is the highest award a student can earn for 8th Grade Promotion. It is a true Designers Award and is largely independent for students to earn. It is open to all 8th Grade students. Learn more about this exciting opportunity: CLICK HERE
8th Grade Promotions Awards:
- Valedictorian(s) - Highest overall middle school GPA
- Salutatorian(s) - 2nd highest overall middle school GPA
- Shark of the Year
- Shredder the Shark Award
- AP(P)EX Award
- GILLS Awards
Semester Awards will recognize:
GILLS Awards:
"G " - "Grit & Gratitude". We never give up.
"I" - "Integrity & Responsibility". We take pride in doing the right thing.
"L" - "Love & Understanding". We connect and accept.
"L " - "Leave it better than your found it". We respect ourselves, others, and our community.
"S" - "Sparking Creativity". We inspire innovation.
Academic Awards:
4.0 GPA and 3.5 GPA
We have never given awards for attendance (even before the Pandemic). We believe if you are sick, you need to stay home and get well!
Celebrations of Learning
WHO?
Every year, each student will participate 1-2 times in this event.
Students present in front of small groups. They are expected to invite family members to watch their presentations and celebrate their year.
WHAT?
A positive way to celebrate the many successes and challenges that students have faced throughout their year.
WHEN?
This has replaced the idea of "traditional" parent teacher conferences.
CELEBRATION OF LEARNING VIDEO
WHERE?
Teachers are placed in teams and assigned a classroom in order to have a comfortable place for students to present.
WHY?
Celebrations of Learning presentations give students ownership over their learning. They must reflect upon both strengths and weaknesses and provide evidence of each. This provides a more authentic and reflective experience for students & parents than a traditional Parent/Teacher conference.
HOW?
Students are supported leading up to the celebrations. We help them organize their ideas, practice presentation skills, and offer morning sessions for whatever questions they may have or help they may need.
Design Challenges
WHAT IS A "DESIGN CHALLENGE?"
A Design Challenge is a fun and innovative way for us to grow academically, creatively, and in our design practices! Some Design Challenges may happen in a class, some may happen within your Design Lab, and some Design Challenges may happen school wide!
On Minimum Days, we always do some type of Design Challenge, either whole-school, by grade level, or passion areas! It all depends on what we hope to get out of it all!
Design Labs
At the heart of the school are its Design Labs.
Every student will be enrolled in a Design Lab that will focus on efforts to: foster student creativity, build student technical skill (so that they can actually do something), and/or to provide students innovative experiences and to work closely with the Design Thinking process. Each Design Lab meets 5 days a week, with Mondays being used on occasion for SIV (Strengths, Interests, and Values).
Our Design Lab offerings change every year. Based on student interests, classes come in and out of the line-up! Students get 2 different Design Labs a year. Go ahead, stretch yourself, and try out something new!
