Tori hasn’t been on campus at Chrysalis very often this semester – and we couldn’t be more happy for her! Her deep curiosity about the world has propelled her to travel afar. Not only has she traveled to compete in horse shows she has also journeyed to Europe. Next year, Tori plans on attending the The University of British Columbia! Her plan is to major in Visual Art and Communication. The University of British Columbia will allow her to bring her horse to a stable in nearby Langley, BC, to pursue qualification for the Canadian Nation Team. We’re so excited for her and we wish her all the best on her explorations and adventures! Best wishes, Tori!
Alec Morihara is Heading to Drexel University!
Alec enjoys science and math and says that depending on the year, the two subjects battle as his favorite. Regardless of the subject, Alec is a hard worker. His desire to see both academic and real world application of his studies is why he chose Drexel University in Philadelphia. When asked about the program he is interested in, he shared his enthusiasm about Business Engineering – a program that has both the technical aspects of engineering as well as the financing, leadership, operations and marketing elements of business. He is most excited however, about the co-op program at Drexel. He likes the flexibility of the program that will allow him to work six months in an actual business environment, getting hands-on experience, then going to school six months, then back to the business world. This school will be a great fit for him. Congratulations Alec on your adventure to the east coast next year and all your future endeavors!
Project-Based Learning
Research: The objective of project-based learning is to engage students in projects that will help them learn content and skills in ways that traditional nose-to-textbook methods can’t offer. When learning is connected to real world situations it becomes relevant to students’ lives and provides the foundation for deeper, more joyful learning, and better retention. Aside from building critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, project-based learning also encourages independence, collaboration, communication, goal-setting, and creativity.
Practice: Project-based learning is a critical avenue for students whose learning style favors kinesthetic or “hands-on” activities. Our students take up a myriad of projects each year at all ages and grades, ranging from constructing a milk jug igloo to better understand geometry, to combining a Physics of Flight course with actual flying lessons to understand the principles of physics, to participating in a crime to learn about forensic science. By engaging themselves in every detail of a project, students learn lessons they’ll never forget. It’s not only fun…it’s learning at its finest!
Senior Nate Pollak- Where is He Going and What is He Doing?
Nate Pollak is at home at Chrysalis – this is likely why he chose to go to Fairhaven at Western Washington University. If you want to find Nate, check the activity room, but be ready to look around, because he is never just with one person. He flows in and out of different social groups and navigates a variety of friends and experiences. When asked about Chrysalis, he often cites how much he appreciates the flexibility and small classes. He credits Chrysalis for his belief in himself and his desire to pursue more education after high school. Nate says he chose Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies in Bellingham precisely because it reminds him of Chrysalis. We have appreciated Nate’s smiles, confidence and strength. We wish him great success next year at Fairhaven!
Ciminera, Lauren | 2000 Chrysalis School Alumni
College: Seattle University
Degree: BA History, 2005
Occupation: Recruiting Consultant
My education at Chrysalis provided a strong platform for my success at Seattle University and later, transitioning to my career.
After graduating Chrysalis and Seattle University I have worked in Corporate Recruiting for Amazon.com, Tesla Motors and now, SolarCity. Connecting talented professionals to their dream job is something I feel very fortunate to do.
Thank you to everyone at Chrysalis for offering such a supportive and challenging environment.
Happiness
Research: The World Happiness Report was released last week with the purpose of assessing quality of life to measure national progress and inform future policy making for the well-being of society. It dedicates a chapter to the well-being of children and concludes that emotional development—not academic achievement—is the best predictor in determining whether a child becomes a satisfied adult. It recommends that schools focus on well-being to nurture children’s emotional health by developing trust, practicing empathy, stressing the use of praise, and emphasizing mutual respect, kindness, and play.
Practice: At Chrysalis we know that the foundation for learning is based on two very important things: (1) individual well-being, and (2) engagement. When a child isn’t well, they cannot perform at their potential, despite their capacity. When a student isn’t engaged and doesn’t buy in to the work they’re doing, they achieve less. Our goal is to provide a safe, positive, and stable environment for kids to assure their happiness in school. When kids are happy and engaged we are given the opportunity to stretch their abilities, deepen their learning, foster their success, and provide joy in learning.
We Don’t Adhere to Arbitrary Standards
Research: Rebecca Givens Rolland laments that schools are racing through K-12 education these days, with policies that encourage children to cover more material in shorter amounts of time, under expectations that are misaligned with natural child development. She argues, “This push, while well-intentioned, is counterproductive. Children need time to sit with a subject, to see mistakes not as humiliations, but as chances to learn.” What’s missing in this “need for speed” is an understanding of the nature of the learning process and proper encouragement to create lifelong learners.
Practice: Every student at Chrysalis is allowed to learn at their own pace and in their own time. Since we don’t adhere to arbitrary standards we can create educational programs that meet each child where they are and allow them to progress when they’re developmentally ready. Our program allows children the extraordinary gift of time to flourish, learn deeply, and develop a love of learning.
Will DJ for Food
Drew Valdez is dedicated to playing music. He’s also dedicated to helping others. Recently, he was able to combine both of those interests and at the same time, earn the highest Boy Scout honor possible – Eagle Scout.
Drew not only plays music, but has a knack for picking out just the right sound for the right event – usually electronic dance music with undertones of jazz. Although he has played in venues as large as Bumbershoot, most recently, that ‘right event’ was held at Chrysalis. For his Eagle Scout project, “Will DJ for Food,” Drew hosted an event at the high school that raised between 700 and 1000 pounds of food for Hopelink and the local foodbank!
Drew has released his own EP of music called “Bada Bing” under his DJ name Slap Serif and looks to his future knowing music will be part of it. He hasn’t decided on a major yet, but is thinking of Engineering or Computer Science. No matter what he decides, his passion for music and his passion for helping others has made a difference – here at Chrysalis and out in the world.
Scouting Out a Bright Future
Sometimes you can find Brittany modeling for Margaret’s Fashion Photography course, or, sometimes you can find her getting ready for the next drama production; but always you can find Brittany deeply involved in helping others. Not only does she give her time and energy to her pursuits at Chrysalis, she gives a tremendous amount of time to a group she has participated in most of her life – the Girl Scouts.
Recently, Brittany was awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award – the highest honor available in the organization. To receive this honor she had to research a need in the community, prepare and present a plan to address the need, and then take action. Brittany chose to install signs along the Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail in Carnation that identify native trees and plant life. For her ribbon cutting ceremony, she led a fantastic tour of the area. She volunteers and mentors young girl scouts and even marches in the Carnation Christmas Parade with the Girl Scout Troop dressed as Frosty!
Brittany embodies the traits not just of being a good Girl Scout, but of being a good human being. She is kind, thoughtful, generous of her time and talent and invested in making the world a better place. She will continue to serve her community next year at St. Martin’s University in Lacey. She is thinking about either Nursing or Forensics as a major. No matter what she decides, we have no doubt she will continue to change lives for the better.
The Humanistic Approach to Learning
Research: Professor Yong Zhao at the University of Oregon has been making headlines recently with his call to reimagine education in the United States. He states that “all human beings are born with the capacity and desire to learn…but their environment can either suppress or encourage that drive.” The school environment must be both stimulating and supportive, and allow kids to pursue individualized goals that build on their strengths rather than identify differences as flaws that must be fixed.
Practice: This humanistic approach is the very basis of a personalized education. We place the student and their individual goals at the center of their program, and commit ourselves to helping them be successful by implementing the right amount of support along the way. This looks different for every child and is crucial to encouraging student success. The right amount of support allows students to recognize their abilities, comfortably accept new challenges, increase their independence, and advocate for their needs.