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Community Corner

Wed. 6pm - New K-8 Charter Program in Marin

Please join Pivot Charter School to learn about their proposed Core Knowledge-based, K-8 education program for North Bay families. This will be the last meeting before Intent to Enroll forms are due.

 

Wednesday, March 26th at 6pm
Novato City Hall - Council Chambers
901 Sherman Ave., Novato

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Spanish translation will be available 

To learn more and to download an Intent to Enroll, please visit the Pivot Charter School website.

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Learn about Pivot's history, mission and leadership and the laws governing "independent study" charter schools, including why Pivot is legally authorized to open a center in Novato.  Key program elements will also be discussed, notably the use of Core Knowledge as the program's curriculum and a "flipped" classroom model. 

Core Knowledge is a detailed, sequential exposition of the content to be delivered in each grade, and knowledge "spirals" from year to year in an age-appropriate way. Core Knowledge meets and exceeds the Common Core State Standards that many districts are currently trying to implement.  Visit the Core Knowledge site to learn more about this robust curriculum and read the Marin IJ Op-Ed piece that talks about the difference between Core Knowledge and Common Core.

"Flipping" a classroom requires a subtle change in teaching methodology that can have an enormous impact on learning and individual student achievement. Flipping the classroom allows teachers to work much more closely with individual students and small groups to differentiate learning and to address individual needs. Please watch this short video to better understand the flipped classroom model and its significant benefits to learning outcomes.

About Pivot Charter Schools and the Proposed Novato K-8 Program

Pivot Charter Schools operates accredited, public charter schools throughout California, the closest of which is located in Santa Rosa. The leadership of Pivot has decades of experience in successfully operating schools, and they have an incredible passion for creating unique learning environments that focus on student success. Through its current approved "charter", which is the official authority to operate a charter school, Pivot North Bay is legally authorized to open a resource center in Marin County.

Using the Core Knowledge curriculum as its foundation, this proposed program will combine an engaging, site-based classroom with the best of an independent study environment, which offers flexibility to meet individual student needs, interests and learning styles. In this small, caring learning environment students will feel safe and get the attention and help that they need to succeed and excel.

 Pivot Charter School, North Bay is proposing to open an independent study resource center in Novato for the 2014-2015 school year. This charter school would be free, with enrollment open to any interested family, and will feature:

 - An innovative educational choice for K-8

 - Core Knowledge, a rigorous, detailed and sequential curriculum that is aligned with Common Core State Standards

- An efficient "blended learning" or "flipped" classroom model that allows teachers to focus on individual student needs and achievement

- A balance of on-site and independent study best suited to the needs of younger, elementary and middle school students

- Common school-wide instruction allowing students to learn at their ability level vs. grade level

- High academic and behavioral expectations, with a focus on global studies

- Caring teachers

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