Good, effective writing is a skill all students need, across all academic areas, making the Persuasive Argument Competition a terrific opportunity for HOPE middle and high school students.

Every year, students in grades six through twelve are given the assignment to write a persuasive research paper—introducing their topic clearly, stating an opinion, and organizing their ideas to support their purpose.

Students who best supported their arguments were selected by their teachers and mentors to present their research and argument at the Fifth Annual Persuasive Argument Competition at the HOPE office. In

all, 45 students from 28 Learning Centers participated in the event.

Students were divided between middle school and high school, and everyone was given three minutes to deliver their argument. Students covered a wide variety of topics—from the Importance of Music Education to Banning Factory Farming. Many students undertook topics that were very personal.

Francisco from HOPE’s New Hope Academy chose the topic Depression and the Ongoing Battle. “We lost my sister to her battle with depression, so it was really important for me to try to understand what we can do for people who are suffering,” he said.

Aisha from HOPE’s Bridges of Silence Educational Center tackled the timely topic Should Cell Phones Be Used While Driving? “I chose this topic because I see so many of my friends driving and texting. It seems dangerous, so I wanted to get the facts,” she said.

High schoolers from 14 Learning Centers participated in the Fifth Annual

Persuasive Argument Competition.

HOPE Students Learn

the Power of Persuasion

Vol 7, No 3 February 2014

1(Continued on page 2)

Faith, a sixth grader from Redeemer Learning Academy poses with teacher Ms. Nikki.

k-12 Blended Learning News for Colorado www.HOPEonline.org

Voices of

2

As the class of 2014 begins its final semester, I am reminded how far we have come, and what HOPE Online Learning Academy Co-Op has accomplished in the community and, especially, in the lives of so many young people.

As we prepare for our ninth graduating class, we must constantly consider what it means to have accountability—at HOPE and in our Learning Centers.

As educators, we know that teaching our students how to read, inspiring a sense of curiosity toward learning, and other things that take place in the classroom are essential. These fundamentals of education are traditionally measured by high stakes tests, and students are expected to demonstrate measureable gains. But accountability is a two-way street. If we want students to perform well, we need to make sure we have given them all the tools they need to be successful—not just on a test, but in life.

If our end goal to is foster accountability and success in the future, and we focus on that in our classroom interactions with our students, then they too will begin to take ownership of their future and their learning. When our students have a champion, it reduces risk and creates a sense of belonging, allowing students to shine brighter.

We will always strive to empower our students to find their own paths and follow their dreams, and we will always do everything in our power to create life-long learners who will have a positive impact on the world around them.

By witnessing our commitment and accountability for their futures, our students will rise up to the challenges of school and life. We will expect success and nothing less.

Heather O’MaraChief Executive Officer

Accounting for Success

An original poem by Shalayah, a seventh grader from HOPE at Hillcrest Center

Written January, 2014

HOPEHope is the feeling that things will turn out for the best.

Hope is helping others to feel encouraged.Hope is an expectation, fulfill it.

Hope is beautiful, effective, original. Hope is faith that everything will be okay.

Hope is confidence that gives you the power to succeed. Hope is trust in yourself and others.

Hope is a wish that comes true.Hope is desire, you have to want it.

Hope is talent waiting to be accomplished.Hope is a step on the way to achieve your goals.

Teaching students to effectively persuade others helps prepare them for life. It is a skill that is used every day, and writing persuasively is a key skill for college and career readiness regardless of the path a student takes.

Trent, a sixth grader at New Hope Academy enjoyed the assignment so much, he is considering a future career that depends on persuasive argument. “I think being a lawyer would be fun. I like arguing my point,” he said.

HOPE Students Learn the Power of Persuasion (Continued from page 1)

Happenings

3

Action Academy student, Eunice, poses with her extra credit assignment

HOPE students cheer on their classmates at the HOPE Ping

Pong Tournament

Greater Heights students learn to ski

Classmates at Action Learning Academy participate in a group science project

Students from Action Learning Academy conduct experiments at the Museum of

Nature and Science

Want to see your Learning Center featured in a future issue? Send your pictures to Communications@HOPEonline.org.

In December, HOPE middle and high school students tested their skills on the ping-pong table. Twenty-four students from Roca Fuerte Learning Academy and Front Range Academy-Broomfield competed in the tournament, with nearly 100 of their classmates cheering them on.

Play was fast and demanded quick reactions, but four students volleyed their way to the top: Spencer and Alexander from Front Range

Academy-Broomfield, and Robert and Alexis from Roca Fuerte Learning Academy.

Congratulations to the winners!

HOPE Serves Up Some Friendly Competition

Winners of the HOPE Ping Pong Tournament: Spencer, Alexander, Robert and Alexis.

5th Grader Hope and her family

Students Karla and Annette hang out after the play

James poses with sister Jalia and mother

Front Range Academy at Elmira Puts on Grinch Play

4

HOPE Students Reach for the StarsMaking the transition from high school to college or to the workforce is an important milestone for young adults. But it can be a difficult period to navigate.

In part with its efforts to help students develop Individual Career Academic Plans (ICAP), HOPE Online Learning Academy Co-Op provides activities throughout the year to help sixth through twelfth grade students make crucial connections and plan for life after high school graduation.

In December, an ambitious group of HOPE juniors and seniors attended the Colorado Space Roundup, an event organized by the Colorado Space Business Roundtable and the Colorado Space Coalition, which was held at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Students met and interacted with aerospace professionals and industry leaders to learn more about careers in the field.

Lockheed Martin’s business development manager was one of the many professionals who spoke with the students and offered helpful career advice to those interested in working for an aerospace organization.

“Study what you enjoy,” he said. “There are so many job possibilities at Lockheed Martin. Nobody has the ‘perfect degree’ to work here.”

Joe Rice, a HOPE board member and Director of Governmental Affairs at Lockheed Martin, not only spoke with the students about career opportunities at Lockheed, but also the overall benefits of space exploration.

“What comes out of exploration such as trying to land on Mars is that all the technology and knowledge gained can often be applied to other areas,” Mr. Rice said. “GPS was a technology developed for space travel, and now it is common in everyday life, for navigation, as well as video streaming on cell phones.”

Rice outlined Lockheed’s plans for Orion, a craft designed to prepare astronauts for deep space travel, with the goal of putting man on Mars in 2032. Laura, a senior at HOPE’s Center of Hope Academy, was shocked to hear that a Mars landing would happen in her lifetime. “That means the first man on Mars is in school right now,” she said.

Angel, another student from Center of Hope Academy, participated in the event to learn more about aerospace careers because he has “always had an interest in math.” The HOPE senior took particular interest in the Drag and Atmospheric Neutral Density Explorer (DANDE) satellite, which was presented by a University of Colorado graduate

(Continued on page 8)

Students visit the Lockheed Martin booth with HOPE board member Joe Rice.

Angel, a student at HOPE’s Center of Hope Academy, learns about the Drag and Atmospheric Neutral

Density Explorer (DANDE) satellite.

5

Learning how to overcome obstacles opens new doors and possibilities – this is the message that staff members at HOPE Online Learning Academy Co-Op’s I AM Academy aimed to instill in students by hosting Kelenna Azubuike. The former NBA athlete spoke with students about the hard work and dedication it takes to make it in professional sports as well as the character and integrity needed when your plans for the future take unexpected turns.

“This is an athletic group. Several want to be professional athletes,” said Anthony Watson, Director of I AM Academy. “I hope students left the assembly knowing that anything is possible and that they should always pursue their goals and never give up.”

Azubuike attended the University of Kentucky, where he helped the Wildcats earn two Southeastern Conference titles, two SEC Tournament titles, and two NCAA Elite Eight appearances during his time as a student.

After his junior year of college, Azubuike entered the 2005 NBA draft, but ultimately was not selected. Acknowledging that when he began playing basketball in the third grade, “the ability to play just came naturally. I didn’t really have to work at it,” Azubuike knew things were different now. Unwilling to give up on his dream, Azubuike entered the NBA Developmental League to continue toward his goal of making it to the professional level.

“I knew I had to work hard and have a good attitude to make it to the NBA,” he said. During the 2006-2007 season,

Azubuike led the league in scoring.

That dedication paid off when he was called up to the NBA, joining the Golden State Warriors in 2007, playing over 200 games with the team before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.

Uriel, an eighth grader at I AM Academy who attended the presentation, said he aspires to become a professional basketball player. Echoing Azubuike’s message on the importance of determination, he said, “I practice every day. I know with hard work and dedication, I can do it.”

Eighth grader Marquiese, who hopes to play professional soccer, was also inspired by the assembly. “I didn’t know how much work it was going to be until Kelenna Azubuike came here, but I’m ready. I will kick 500 soccer balls a day if I have to,” he said.

Azubuike emphasized that the power of dedication and perseverance applies not only to athletics, but all areas of life.

“It’s so important to remember that you can be successful at anything, as long as you work hard,” Azubuike said. “If you decide you’re going to do something, then do it with everything you’ve got. Hard work really does pay off.”

The assembly occurred in conjunction with the launch of Mid Range, a film about the power of second chances,

Former NBA Player Inspires HOPE Students to Persevere

Students from I AM Academy listen to Kelenna Azubuike talk about the challenges he faced

as an NBA player.

Kelenna Azubuike poses with I AM Academy students Juventino,

Marquiese and Casey.

(Continued on page 7)

Upcoming EvEnts:

6

Many students come to HOPE Online Learning Academy Co-Op at an educational disadvantage, under credit and behind their traditional school counterparts. But what our students are able to accomplish is nothing short of amazing, making gains and catching up at an unbelievable pace—an achievement worth celebrating.

As the senior class prepares to leave HOPE, another group of students is preparing to make the transition between middle school and high school, a big step on their education journey. That’s why on March 11, HOPE is hosting a party for the 8th grade class. This time will be used to plan for high school and their next steps. Because many of our Learning Centers serve students only through 8th grade, this will be an opportunity for the students to find another HOPE Learning Center close to them. All high school Learning Centers are invited to attend and host a booth to meet the incoming high school class.

Celebrating the 8th Grade Class and more!

Student eventS Calendar

Court of Dreams

17March 2014

Spring Break

31March 2014

In a continued effort to provide a supportive environment for students, HOPE Online Learning Academy Co-Op rallied community support to provide gifts for nearly 100 families this holiday season, including gifts for 400 children.

Every year HOPE receives requests from students’ families, asking for assistance with holiday gifts. HOPE “angels”—friends, family, and staff of HOPE who want to help—adopt families in need. Each child in the family receives at least one toy and one item of clothing, as well as a gift for the family as a whole. Oftentimes the family gifts are necessities, such as food or household items.

“It’s amazing how this program has grown,” said Melanie Stone, HOPE Activities and Athletics Director and organizer for the Families in Need project. “We started this initiative in 2011, and we had just 30 families. That number has increased by 30 percent every year.”

HOPE Holiday Giving

HOPE collected gifts for over 400 children this year.

In addition to the holiday gift drive, HOPE organizes multiple initiatives throughout the year to help families in need, including a year-round clothing bank.

“It takes a community to raise a family,” Stone said. “All the families are so thankful and feel blessed by the HOPE Community.”

TCAP Testing

March 2014

Do you know HOPE alumni who are doing great things? We want to hear their

success stories! Send submissions to Communications@HOPEonline.org.

7

Isaiah Ray Maderas, a 2013 graduate of HOPE Online Learning Academy Co-Op, is known for his positive outlook on life. “I happen to believe that anything is possible,” he explained.

Maderas, who graduated a year early from HOPE’s Awaken Academy, jumped right back into classwork, this time at Paul Mitchell The School, last September.

“I am very proud of myself, not just for graduating early, but for making the decision to start my future right away,” he said. “I felt like if I took time off, I may never pursue my dream.”

According to HOPE Teacher Aurora Gonzalez, Maderas’ drive and dedication have always been present. “He was a student who ‘had it all.’ It is no surprise that he had specific future plans,” she said.

Maderas is enrolled in the Cosmetology program at Paul Mitchell, a profession that requires him to use the math and science skills he learned as a HOPE student.

“I thought I was just going to start school and jump right in to cutting and coloring hair,” he said. “But I have to know anatomy—all the muscles and bones in the face and head, as well as understanding Ph balances, and knowing common medication complications.”

Gonzalez said the fact that Maderas is excelling in his coursework comes as

no shock to her, adding. “Isaiah has a lot of natural ability, and he also possesses a good work ethic and a great attitude.”

The sense of community and social responsibility Maderas learned from his teachers and mentors at HOPE have also played a large part in his post-secondary choices.

“I was looking at a lot of schools, but I chose Paul Mitchell because of the outreach they do in the community,” he said. “In the next month I am going to be cutting hair at a homeless shelter, as well as providing free haircuts to veterans. The culture of philanthropy is something I definitely appreciate.”

Maderas has big plans for his future. In the fall, he plans to enroll in business classes at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Within the next five years, he plans to open his own salon.

“I absolutely love what I do,” he said. “I wake up every day excited to go to school. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Isaiah Ray MaderasGraduate SuCCeSS Story

Isaiah Ray Maderas studies betweenclasses at Paul Mitchell The School.

Former NBA Player Inspires HOPE Students to Persevere (Continued from page 5)

which features Azubuike. I AM Academy students and their families were invited to attend a private screening for the film.

“The movie premier experience was very awesome, enlightening and informative,” explained Anthony Watson. “Students were really pumped. They saw some NBA players, including Nuggets player Evan Fournier. It was a

positive experience overall.”

Lorenzo Chavez, an eighth grader who attended the screening with his family enjoyed the film, saying “it made me want to play basketball even more. But I also liked how all of the characters were so connected and loyal to each other.”

373

Inve

rnes

s Pa

rkw

ay, S

uite

205

Engl

ewoo

d, C

O 8

0112

HoPe learninG CenterS

Action Learning Academy – Elementary

Action Learning Academy – Secondary

Ambassador’s Academy Awaken Academy Bridges of Silence Educational Center Center of Hope Academy Chapel Hill Academy Cherry Creek OnlineCornerstone Learning Center Crescent View Academy Dinosaur Community Learning Center Front Range Academy – Arvada Front Range Academy – Broomfield

Front Range Academy – ElmiraFront Range Academy – Westminster Greater Heights Learning CenterHOPE at Hillcrest I AM AcademyLighthouse Academy Maranatha Learning Center New Beginnings Learning Center New Heights Academy New Hope Academy Pathway Learning Center Re-Create Academy Redeemer Learning Center – KRedeemer Learning Center – 1-8Renewal Academy – Aurora

Renewal Academy – Thornton Roca Fuerte Learning Academy –

ElementaryRoca Fuerte Learning Academy –

Secondary Solid Rock Academy Tetra AcademyThe Children’s Academy Trinity Learning Center Tubman Hilliard Global Academy Universal Learning Center Victory Academy Westside Academy

Below is a list of all 2013-2014 Hope Learning Centers. To arrange a Learning Center tour, please call 720-402-3000.

HOPE Students Reach for the Stars (Continued from page 4)

student. “I’ve taken my Xbox apart and put it back together, but [satellites] seem just a little more complicated,” he added.

“It’s important that we inspire students and other young people because they will be our best advocates to convince the population at large that

space exploration is still valuable and necessary,” Rice explained, “When I was a student, the United States was one of two countries that was able to put man in space. Now, the two countries that can do that are China and Russia. We don’t want to lose too much ground.”