OdysseyCharter School

WelcomeClass of 2030

ODYSSEY CHARTER SCHOOL

Kindergarten Open House

November 2016

Our Mission

•Lifelong learning

•Academic excellence

•World Citizenship

•Independent & Creative Thinkers

Odyssey’s Journey

We've come a long way since 2006

• Some families have been with us since the beginning, and others have joined us along the way.

• We've proven we can develop new programs driving outstanding academic results through our elementary and middle schools.

Academic Performance

7882

8683

78

70

54 5660

52 53 54

84

78

62

79

5651

5551

4237

40 38

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Smarter Balanced Spring 2016

OCS Reading % Proficient State Reading % Proficient

OCS Math % Proficient State Math % Proficient

75 77

87

72

60

54 53 55

48

34

72 71

77

61 63

53

46

3734

37

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7

Smarter Balanced Spring 2015

OCS Reading % Proficient State Reading % Proficient

OCS Math % Proficient State Math % Proficient

Performance

78

82

8683

78

70

5456

60

52 53 54

84

78

62

79

56

51

55

51

42

3740

38

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Smarter Balanced Spring 2016

OCS Reading % Proficient State Reading % Proficient OCS Math % Proficient State Math % Proficient

Long-term Performance

• Continued improvement as new students join

• One of the highest performing schools in state of Delaware

2013-2014 2012-20132011-2012

Reading

Gr 311/110

7/10732/106

Gr 43/108 12/104 23/103

Gr 58/102 11/98 10/97

Gr 66/53

Math

Gr 32/110 6/107 26/106

Gr 41/108 3/104 17/103

Gr 54/102 14/98 7/97

Gr 64/53

Science

Gr 510/102 25/98 18/97

Social Studies

Gr 42/108 5/104 4/103

Our ranking in DE rose significantly over 3 years

Recognition

• 2016 MSN #1 Elementary School in Statewide Rankings

• Received DDOE Recognition Award 2014 for outstanding academic achievement

• DE Dept of Education - $50,000 performance grant

• Distinguished Top Ten Innovative Schools by Parents Magazine, October 2012

• Rated Superior School by the DE DOE for five consecutive years: 08, 09, 10, 11,12

(program discontinued after 2012)

Delaware Charter School Network

Impact Leadership Award Winners

Dr. Nick Manolakos, Headmaster

Mrs. Denise Parks, Supervisor, Schools & Instruction

Delaware Charter School Network

Academic Excellence Award Winner

2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016

Safe, Nurturing Environment

• High standards

• Positive Behavior Support program

• Peer Support groups

• Advisory

PBS/Responsive Classroom

Positive Behavior Support

Outstanding Leadership

Win Respect

Live Responsibly

Show Kindness

Resp0nsive Classroom

Respect yourself and your learning

Respect others and their learning

Respect the school environment

Have fun while learning

Ozzie the Owl

Zumba Party

Demographics

The Odyssey Approach

•Classical foundation

•Structured environment

•Differentiated, tiered instruction

•Small school feel

•23 students per class

The OCS Culture

•Personalized education

•Emphasis on individual

student performance

•Multiple layers of support

•Enrichment

•Remediation

The OCS Culture

• Small school feel

• Student body

• Grades K-4: 161 students per grade

• Staff: student ratio

• 1 reg ed teacher: 23 students

• 1 special ed teacher: 3-5 students

• 1 reading spec/para: no more than 6 students

School Day

• Two blocks of ELA per day

• One “Special” per day

• Gym, Art, Music, Library, Computers, Greek

Culture, Environmental Science

• Enrichment block

• Recess

• Reading and Math Response to

Intervention (RTI)

• Special Education services

Ellis Island Simulation 4th Grade

Sample Kindergarten Day7:55 AM 8:00 AM

Homeroom8:10 AM 8:15 AM

8:15 AM 8:20 AM

Morning Meeting8:20 AM 8:25 AM

8:25 AM 8:30 AM

ELA9:30 AM 9:35 AM

9:35 AM 9:40 AM

Greek Language10:05 AM 10:10 AM

10:10 AM 10:15 AM

ELA10:50 AM 10:55 AM

10:55 AM 11:00 AM

Enrichment11:25 AM 11:30 AM

11:30 AM 11:35 AM

Lunch11:50 AM 11:55 AM

11:55 AM 12:00 PM

Recess12:15 PM 12:20 PM

12:20 PM 12:25 PM

Nap 12:25 PM 12:30 PM

12:30 PM 12:35 PM

Math1:25 PM 1:30 PM

1:30 PM 1:35 PM

Specials2:10 PM 2:15 PM

2:15 PM 2:20 PM

Greek Math2:45 PM 2:50 PM

2:50 PM 2:55 PM

Science/SS3:20 PM 3:25 PM

3:25 PM 3:30 PM

Dismissal3:50 PM 3:55 PM

What’s unique to Odyssey

• High expectations for classroom behavior and decorum

• Structured class periods and school day

• Appreciation for world cultures and diversity

• Small, safe community

• More attentive to students’ needs

• Supports whole child so your student can flourish

• Challenged without being overwhelmed

Greek Programming

• Pioneered the Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) model

• Not a “special” and not immersion

• Approx. 35 minutes in Foreign Language; Approx. 35 minutes in Greek Math

• Instruction through English-speaking Social Studies, Mathematics and Science

• Meaningful context

• “Being bilingual [has] a profound effect on your brain improving cognitive

skills.”* --New York Times

• OCS developed a K-12 Greek curriculum with the DE DOE and the Hellenic

Link

• The American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) accepted it as the national standard.

Greek Instruction

• What makes OCS unique from others in state

• Taught by credentialed instructors from Greece

• Supplemented by Greek-American teachers

• Pedagogically trained in Greece or Europe

• “Traditional” approach to instruction

• Students must be willing to embrace varied teaching

styles

English Language

Arts40%

Math20%

Science13%

Greek Language

13%

Greek Math13%

Greek Language (40 minutes)

Greek Math (40 minutes)

English Language Arts

(120 minutes)

Science (40 minutes)

Social Studies (40 minutes)

FLESInstructional Split: Grades K-3

Immersion Launch

• “School within a school” model

• Two classrooms (possibly more)

• Testing improved learning outcomes

• Greek Language

• Other subjects

• Support of Department of Education

• Lynn Fulton-Archer

Greek Language (50 minutes)

Science, select Social Studies

units in Greek (40 minutes)

Greek Math (60 minutes)

English Language Arts

(120 minutes)

Content Transfer and Academic

Language Development (LD)

(30 minutes)

Math in Chinese/Spanish

20%

Science, someSocial Studies in Chinese/Spanish

15%

Chinese/Spanish Language Arts

15%English Language Arts, some Social

Studies35%

Content Transfer

andAcademic LD

15%

ImmersionInstructional Split: Grades K-3

English Language

Arts40%

Math20%

Science 13%

Greek Language

13%

Greek Math13%

Math in Greek20%

Science, someSocial Studies

in Greek15%

Greek Language

15%English

Language Arts, some

Social Studies

35%

Content Transfer &Academic

LD15%

Time in Target Language/ContentComparison

Statement of UnderstandingRegarding Greek Programming Components– Parent Commitment

• I/we understand that Odyssey Charter School requires its students in

grades K-8 to take both a Greek Language class, and a 2nd class

(Mathematics or related content area) which is taught in the Greek

language.

• I/we understand that these and all OCS courses are comprised of rigorous

and challenging coursework, and I/we are committed to the value of Greek

Programming as part of the OCS educational experience.

• I/we will support Odyssey staff and my/our child regarding the

expectations for these and all OCS courses and the OCS Code of Conduct.

Statement of UnderstandingRegarding Greek Programming Components– Student Commitment

• I understand that Odyssey Charter School requires its students in

grades K-8 to take both a Greek Language class, and a 2nd class

(Mathematics or related content area) which is taught in the Greek

language.

• I understand that these and all OCS courses are rigorous and

challenging.

• I will do my best to succeed academically and will follow the OCS

Code of Conduct expectations in these and all OCS courses.

Elementary Curriculum

• English Language Arts

• Benchmark Publishing Literacy

• Essential Course of Study aligns to CCSS

• Balance of literary and informational texts

• Whole group and small group, differentiated instruction

• Readers Theater

• Explicit phonics instruction

• Mathematics

• Aligned to CCSS

• Inquiry-based learning

• Deep, meaningful understanding

of math concepts

Elementary Curriculum

• Science

• State of Delaware Recommended Curriculum

• Aligns fully to DE State Standards

• Science kits developed by DOE

• Interactive programming from Smithsonian, FOSS

• Social Studies

• State of Delaware Recommended Curriculum

• Aligns to DE State Standards

• Model Units sequence developed by DOE

• “Cultural Connections” in Greek context

Enrichment Activities

• Chorus/Band

• Odyssey of the Mind

• Lego League

• Girls on the Run/Let Me Run

• Accelerated Reader

• Twirling

• Greek Summer Camp

• Boy/Girl Scouts

OCS PTO

• Annual 5K Run/Walk

• Paving the Way Campaign

• Spring Fling Silent Auction

• Coupon Cards

• Pretzel Tuesdays

• Spirit Wear sales

• Used Uniforms sales

• Family Fun Nights at Local Restaurants

They will raise over $50, 000 this year!

Faculty & Administration

• Certified/Highly Qualified Teachers

• Credentialed Greek Instructors

• Guidance Counselors

Dr. Nick Manolakos- Headmaster

Denise Parks- Supervisor of Schools & Instruction

Evan Winokur- Dean, Lower School

Contact Information

Upper School Phone: 302-994-6490

www.odysseycharterschooldel.org

Choice Process

•True lottery with a random drawing

•Only preference is for siblings and children of staff

•Wait list of over 1,100 students

Apply online

Choice enrollment period Nov 7th - Jan 11th

www.schoolchoicede.org

Questions and Answers