Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies

Evanston Skokie District #65 Board Presentation

February 22, 2011

What We Hope to Accomplish

• Brief review of how we got here

• Demonstrate Global Studies committee response to previous Board direction

• Receive affirmation to continue with the theme of Global Studies

District Strategic Plan

Goal

“Determine the purpose and instructional programs of the District's magnet

schools.”

Core Value

“We value the magnet schools and programs that offer educational options

for our students.”

A Year of Progress

• Strategy confirmed through program and peer review process

• School-community input

• Commitment to advancing the theme in a way that is cost effective and forward thinking – a win-win for the kids, schools, parents, within D65

• Uncompromised academic excellence

• Many hours of staff, parent, and consultant time invested

Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies

To equip young people with the skills to become good global citizens who will contribute to and thrive in a dynamic and diverse world.

Global Citizens:

• Have a heightened awareness and understanding of the interconnectedness and interdependence of all people, that the local affects the global, and the global affects the local.

• Have a deep cross-cultural awareness, understanding, and respect for their own multi-faceted identity and the diverse identities and interests of others.

• Are responsible, culturally and environmentally aware, and committed to the ideals of understanding and cooperation.

Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies

Will cultivate good global citizens by integrating the following four pillars into the curriculum, supplemented with co-curricular activities:

Science and Technology

• Emphasize global connections (e.g. sister schools)

• Environmental awareness and inquiry based learning that addresses global issues (e.g. water and climate change, science clubs)

• Use of technology for teaching, learning, researching and connecting with others (e.g. Skype, ePals)

• Commitment to investigate emerging technologies to support virtual global connections

Citizenship/Service

• Service and volunteer programs for the entire school that improve our community, our nation, our world

• Model United Nations program in partnership with D202 and Northwestern University

• Intentional pursuit of global partnerships that support the school theme

• Student Council involvement

Cultural and Physical Geography

• Teachers focus on a specific continent or geographical area

• International Day

• Field Trips and travel – Explore culturally rich Chicago area based

resources

• Develop sister school relationships

• Commitment to support environmentally friendly programs to improve the world we live in

Languages

• Aligned with D65 Strategic Plan– “Expand the world languages curriculum.”

• Curricular in middle school• Co-curricular in elementary school• Mandarin Chinese

– Supports D202 initiative– Rapidly being adopted by surrounding area

schools (e.g. Chicago, Lake Forest, Barrington)• Spanish• English (e.g. The Rhodes One Book Program)

The goal is that these global studies activities would be embedded, integrated into the current curriculum. The global studies theme would be part of planning and the theme would be deliberately and intentionally woven into learning. The question “how does this connect with others and contribute to being a global citizen?” would be part of lesson development.

Pedagogical Lens

Community Benefits

• Smaller class sizes at neighborhood area schools; reduce overcrowding

• Provides an attractive choice for those who desire a K-8 option for their children, in support of the district strategic plan

• “Rhodes scholars” will have skills that will benefit the world at large

• Successful programs can be extended to other schools within the District

Tasks for 2011-2012

• Implement Global Studies focus

• Launch Model United Nations

• Research language model

• Explore experiential opportunities

• Expand international classroom partnerships

• Identify resources

A Perspective From Rhodes Students

Moving Forward

We need the “Green Light” to continue with the theme of Global Studies as we:

“Think globally, learn locally.”

Think globally, learn locally.