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Annual Report August 2003 CHAMPION CHARTER SCHOOL OF BROCKTON One Centre Street • Brockton, MA 02301 Table of Contents Letter from Board President …………………………………….………………….. v Executive Summary ………………………………………………………………….vii Mission Statement ……………………………………………………………………. 1 A. School Performance …………………………………………………………3 1. Summary of Performance ……………………………………………….3 The Academic and Non-Academic Program ………………..….3-7 Organizational Viability ………………………………………..….........7 Alignment of Program and Operation ………………...…………….9 2. Summary of External Standardized Test Results …………………….10 3. Summary of Alumni Placements ………………………………...……14 4. Summary of Official Complaints …………………………………...… 14 5. Total Number of Applications Received ………………………….... 14 6. Number of Students on Waiting List ……………………………...….. 14 7. Student Turnover Data …………………………………………...……..14 B. School Program ……………………………………………………………..16 1. Grades and Age Levels Served ……………………………...………. 16 2. Eligibility Requirements ………………………………………………….17 3. Enrollment Policy …………………………………………………………17 4. Summary of Curriculum Design and Teaching Methods……………………………………………………………….…... 17 5. Graduation and Promotion Requirements ………………...………. 18 6. Student/Teacher Ratio ………………………………………………….19 7. School Calendar …………………………………………......................19 C. Finance ………………………………………………………………………. 19 1. Private Revenue …………………………………………………..……. 19 2. City, State, and Federal Monies …………………………………….. 19 3. Total Revenue from all Sources ………………………………………. 20 D. Governance …………………………………………………………………20 1. Board of Trustees …………………………………………………………20 2. Board Committees ……………………………………………………… 22 3. Summary of Major Board Policies and Activities …………………………………………………………….. 22 E. Staff …………………………………………………………………………… 22 1. Administrative …………………………………………………………. 22 2. Support Staff …………………………………………………………… 23 3. FTE Teachers …………………………………………………………….23 4. Program Staff ………………………………………………………..… 24 F. Student Characteristics …………………………………………………… 26 1. Student Enrollment ……………………………………………………… 26 2. Demographics ……………………………………………………………26 3. Average Daily Attendance Rate ……………………………………. 27 4. Average Membership Rate ……………………………………………27 5. Number of Students Suspended/Expelled…...................................27 Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 iii G. Other Items of Interest ………………………………………….…………..27 1. Parent Participation/Support …………………..……………. 27 2. Extra-Curricular and Other Special Programs and Events ……………………………..…………….27 3. Computer/Technology Resources ………………..………… 28 4. Professional Development Activities ……….….…………….29 5. Collaborations and Partnerships ………….….………………30 6. Formal Site Visits ………………………………..…….…………..31 7. Public Relations and Publicity ……………….…..……………31 Appendices Data Tables ………………………………………………….Appendix A Financial Information ……………………………………… Appendix B Sample Assessment Forms ……………...……………… Appendix C Champion Application Form …………………...………. Appendix D School Calendars …………………………………….…… Appendix E Contract of Support ……………………………………….. Appendix F Media Coverage ……………………………..………….. Appendix G Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 iv August 1, 2003 Ms. Kristin McIntosh Acting Commissioner of Education for Charter Schools Massachusetts Department of Education 350 Main St. Malden, Ma 02148 Dear Ms. McIntosh: Once again it is with great feeling of accomplishment that I submit the 2003 Annual Report for the Champion Charter School of Brockton to you on behalf of the Board of Trustees. This past year has been a milestone year for the Champion Charter School as we received Board of Education approval for the renewal of our charter as a Horace Mann Charter School. The validation through the charter renewal process of our school's academic program, the viability of our school as an organization and the faithfulness of our school to the terms of our charter was eagerly sought and gratefully received by all members of our Board of Trustees. As we look toward our next five year charter period, we realize that it will be a period of rededication to the terms of the original vision for our school with a sense of renewed energy and challenge as we strive to maintain the momentum we have established while fine tuning our organization to meet more fully the educational needs of our students and their families. On a more somber note, it was with mixed feelings that we accepted the resignation of our school's founding director. Curtis Wells left us upon conclusion of the school year to assume the director of the Roxbury Charter High School for Business and Entrepreneurship in Roxbury, MA. While we certainly sent him off with sincere wishes for success and happiness in his new endeavors, it is apparent that we now face the challenge of identifying a new leader for our school. The Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Lawrence DeSalvatore, our previous Assistant Director as our Acting Director for the next few months. A Search committee has been established and the position was widely advertised. We have received over thirty applications which are currently being processed; the time line established by the search committee is currently on track. It is our goal to conduct interviews during the summer and to be able to make a recommendation to the Superintendent of the Brockton School System by September 1, 2003. On a happier note, during the past year four additional students have graduated with a Champion Charter School diploma. These are students who were able to overcome great barriers to the achievement of their educational goals, four young people who had become sidetracked along the way but who were supported and were given the tools to create their own success. It is important to recognize that this was the first cohort of students that had to pass MCAS exams in math and language arts in order to graduate. Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 v As you are aware, many of our charter school students can best be described as "at-risk" and have historically had great difficulty in passing the MCAS. The remediation programs which we developed and the curriculum modifications which were introduced in recent years were critical to the success of these students. MCAS pass rates among all of our students continues to improve. As of this writing, with results from Spring tests and re-tests not yet released, 48 percent of all Champion students currently enrolled have passed the MCAS ELA test, and 35 percent have passed the math test. A short two years ago, none of our students passed either test. During the past year we have worked closely with Brockton Public School administrators to prepare for the upcoming comprehensive Department of Education coordinated program review. We benefited greatly from pre-review visits made by DOE's Richard Taylor and Barry Barnett and found their expertise and advice very valuable. We have been able to find solutions for most issues relating to our special education students and English language learners. We have been able to institute a school sponsored breakfast and lunch program and continue to work closely with the owner of our school building to resolve some of the facility issues that were identified. We remain confident that we will have addressed all these issues satisfactorily before the November, 2003 program review. The Board of Trustees has begun the process of reviewing and revising our by-laws. We have added several new members to the board this year as we strive to maintain a Board which reflects the diversity of our student body. We have restructured our Board sub-committees and have actively solicited the assistance of community groups in locating new members who are willing to make the commitment of time and energy necessary for a successful Board. On behalf of the Champion Board of Trustees, the students, and staff, I would like to thank you for your continued support of the Champion Charter School. We look forward to another year of great accomplishments. Sincerely, Dr. Kenneth H. Sennett Acting Chair, Board of Trustees Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 vi Executive Summary Established in mid-1998, Champion Charter School is a high school specifically designed for former out-of-school youth ages 16-21 who previously attended a Brockton public school and are currently residing in Brockton. It employs a rigorous competency-based "Diploma Plus" approach to earning a high school diploma designed by the Center for Youth Development and Education of the Commonwealth Corporation, whereby students demonstrate specific skills through projects, exhibitions, portfolios, and presentations. Students in the Basic and Intermediate levels of the program concentrate on improving reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, writing and critical thinking skills. Students in the "Plus Phase" take two non-remedial courses at Massasoit Community College, complete a 100-hour internship, participate in a community service learning project, and complete a graduation portfolio of exemplary work. As a Horace Mann Charter School, Champion is a part of the Brockton Public Schools and has been approved by the Brockton School Committee and the Brockton Education Association. The school director from the school's inception through June 30, 2003 was Curtis Wells, an educator with over 36 years experience in public education. Assistant director Lawrence DeSalvatore was named interim school director effective July 1 while Champion's Board of Trustees commenced a search for a permanent director. Champion accepted 51 new students in the 2002-03 fall semester. They joined 55 returnees. In the spring semester, 39 more students joined the school. Over the course of the year, four students graduated, and 81 students withdrew or were discharged. As of June 30, 2002, 60 are enrolled. On August 1, 2002, Champion applied to the Massachusetts Department of Education for renewal of its charter. In the application, Champion provided evidence of academic success, organizational viability, and faithfulness of the terms of its charter. A site visit team representing the DOE visited the school in late October to gain further evidence of the school's academic success, viability, and faithfulness to its charter. The Massachusetts Board of Education voted in January 2003 to renew Champion's charter for an additional five years, commencing on January 1, 2004. Champion continued several initiatives during the 2002-03 school year. Of these, perhaps the most important has been the collection and analysis of data for the purpose of informing the school's decision-making processes. Key findings include the following: Champion students are performing better on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests in mathematics and language arts. Twenty-three of 48 students (48%) achieved a passing score in the spring 2002 ELA test, and an additional 14 passed the December 2002 re-test. Math scores, although weaker, show a more dramatic improvement. Nine of 49 students (18%) passed the spring 2002 math test, while 14 of 49 (29%) passed the December re-test. Thirty-six percent of students who persist through their first year at Champion progress to the Plus Phase by the end of that year. Eighty-two percent move forward within two years. Champion graduates demonstrate an ability to perform capably in a college setting while still enrolled at Champion. 2002-03 graduates earned grades of C or better in 5 of 5 dual enrollment courses. Four of the five grades earned were A's or A-'s. Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 vii There are a number of indices that suggest that the climate at Champion is supportive for staff and students alike. Students regularly refer to the Champion community as a family and take obvious pride in their school. Visitors often make note of the spirit of community that pervades Champion. Students also consistently acknowledge the efforts made by Champion staff to help them achieve academic success. Comments like "they'll always be there for you" and "I wouldn't have come this far if it weren't for my teachers" are common and reflect students' recognition that Champion staff are willing to give much of themselves in order to help our students succeed. The dedication evidenced by faculty and staff is further illustrative of their comfort with the climate of the school. Parents also appear very happy with the school. Attendance is strong for such events as our September Open House and for our Spring Showcase of student work. Parents, sponsors, friends of Champion, and interested others: the pages ahead present a piece of the story of the Champion Charter School. We invite you to learn more about us through this report. Should you have questions, or should you like to visit, please feel free to contact us. Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 viii Champion Charter School of Brockton Annual Report 2003 The mission of the Champion Charter School of Brockton is to provide high quality, academically challenging education for out of school youth by creating a dynamic learning laboratory that uses a school to career pedagogy as its framework; an environment that embraces the vision of the Brockton Public Schools and involves a broad range of community based organizations; and an innovative and flexible model to serve an underserved population in our community. It will provide integrated learning experiences that continually demonstrate how what is learned in the classroom relates to the workplace, the students' personal growth, their role in the community, and their future. Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 2 A. School Performance The Champion Charter School of Brockton is designed to respond to the educational needs of the sizable number of out of school youth in Brockton. According to information posted on the Massachusetts Department of Education website, 5.7 percent of Brockton Public School students dropped out in 2000-01, the most recent year for which data is available. Brockton's high school enrollment of 4,310 students (2002-03 school year) suggests that almost 250 new drop outs are removed from the high school roles each year. The Champion curriculum is designed to reengage out-of-school youth in ways that will keep them in school and help them to succeed academically and in the world of work. The school has developed a competency-based curriculum, based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, where students must demonstrate proficiency in core subject areas in order to progress to the next level. Students show their knowledge and skills through regular coursework and through the development of portfolios of their best work across the several disciplines. Champion is an ungraded high school that operates on three levels: Basic (or Preliminary) Phase, Intermediate (or Presentation) Phase and the Plus Phase. These are roughly equivalent to 8th grade, 10th grade and 12th grade. 1. Summary of Performance Relative to Student and School Performance Objectives. The Champion Charter School Accountability Plan, issued in July 1999, presents a wide array of indicators of progress and success, broken into three main categories: • The academic and non-academic program • Organizational viability • Alignment of program and operation This report, rather than attempting to address the full complement of indicators outlined in the accountability plan, instead presents those we see as being most useful to Champion stakeholders and to the wider community of individuals interested in the school. The Academic and Non-Academic Program GOAL: Eighty percent (80%) of students enrolled for two academic years will move into the Plus Phase. PERFORMANCE: Since January 1999, 54 of 151 students (36%) enrolled for one full academic year progressed to the Plus Phase by the end of that year. Forty-six of the 56 (82%) enrolled for two academic years progressed to the Plus Phase by the end of two years. GOAL: Eighty percent of Plus Phase students will perform at a level of "needs improvement" Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 3 (220-239), "proficient" (240-259) or "advanced" (260-280) on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System examinations. PERFORMANCE: In the 2002-03 school year, 15 students progressed to the Plus Phase of Champion's academic program. Thirteen of the 15 have passed the English Language Arts MCAS test. Two scored in the Proficient range and one in the Advanced range. Seven of 15 students have passed the Math MCAS test. Three of 15 took the Math test for the first time in Spring 2003. Results for the Spring administration of the test are not yet available. GOAL: Champion's graduates will have academic skills equal to or better than those of other Massachusetts public high school graduates. PERFORMANCE: To date, Champion has graduated 29 students. No tests allow us to compare our graduates against Brockton High School graduates and against Massachusetts public high school graduates. Nevertheless, the rigor of the Champion curriculum ensures that graduates develop strong academic skills. Two indices suggest that this is the case: students' performance in college level courses while enrolled at Champion and students' performance in their graduation portfolio review sessions. All Plus level students are required to enroll in two non-remedial college level courses and to pass those courses in order to graduate. To date, all Plus students have enrolled at Massasoit Community College. Two of the Champion's four 2002-03 graduates completed two courses at Massasoit and received grades of A or A-. A third graduate, with modified graduation requirements passed one class at MCC with a grade of C. The fourth graduate, whose graduation requirements were also modified, did not complete coursework at Massasoit. Champion's 10 2002 graduates all completed two courses at Massasoit with grades of C or better. Of 20 grades issued, 19 were B- or better, including four A's. The average grade was a B. Champion's 12 2001 graduates also earned high grades in their Massasoit courses. Of 24 grades issued, 20 were B- or better, including three A's. In order to graduate, students must also pass a rigorous review of their Plus Phase work in a graduation portfolio review session before a panel comprised of the school director, assistant director, and at least one representative from the community at large. The review focuses primarily on three portfolio pieces: the student's autobiography and accompanying research artifacts; the internship project report and artifacts; and the community action project report and artifacts. Students formally present these three pieces before fielding questions from the review team. Reviewers may question prospective graduates on any work they have completed at Champion, including their college coursework. Two of four 2002-03 graduates earned overall graduation portfolio assessments of Proficient, and one student earned an assessment of Advanced. Out of a total of 12 portfolio pieces presented, 6 were judged Proficient and four were judged Advanced. [See Table K in Appendix A, page 2, for a complete breakdown of graduates' portfolio assessments.] In 2002, nine of ten graduates earned overall graduation portfolio assessments of Proficient, and one student earned an assessment of Advanced. Of 30 portfolio pieces presented, 26 were judged Proficient, and four were judged Advanced. In 2001, all 12 graduates earned overall graduation portfolio assessments of Proficient. Out of a total of 36 portfolio pieces presented, 30 were judged Proficient and two were judged Advanced. GOAL: Champion will implement a high-quality secondary curriculum. PERFORMANCE: Champion uses the highly regarded Diploma Plus (DP) curricular framework designed by the Commonwealth Corporation's Center for Youth Development and Education. The Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 4 DP framework, which is described briefly in Section B.4. of this report and in some depth in the Champion Charter School 2000 Annual Report, is currently being used in several other sites in Massachusetts and has recently been adopted by the Baltimore (MD) City Career Academy. Hilary Kopp of Jobs for the Future, in her April 2000 evaluation of the Diploma Plus model, wrote: Diploma Plus has shown much promise. Many students who had not succeeded in traditional education settings have completed high school and started college. Alternative schools implementing both components of the model have raised their standards and expectations for what students need to accomplish before graduating. Preparing students for the college component of the Plus Year has raised staff expectations for student work and students' expectations for their own futures. (Kopp, Hilary. 2000. "A report to the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation: Findings from an early evaluation of the Diploma Plus Program." Boston: Jobs for the Future, p. 110). GOAL: Student enrollment will grow to a capacity of 120 students by June 2003. PERFORMANCE: Champion seeks to achieve an enrollment of 100 students by the beginning of Fall and Spring semesters. Our Fall objective will require gaining approximately 40 new enrollees during the Summer months. The June 2003 goal of 120 students is beyond the capacity of our physical plant. Until a larger facility is secured, enrollment cannot exceed approximately 100 students. GOAL: Champion will reduce and reengage the out of school youth population in Brockton. Champion will have an 80 percent annual retention rate by 2004. PERFORMANCE: Close to 250 students drop out of Brockton Public Schools each year. Champion offers an attractive alternative for many of those students: a chance to earn a Brockton Public Schools high school diploma in a small, personalized setting that offers individualized instruction. The reengagement of formerly out-of-school youth is best measured by annual retention rate. Champion's annual retention rate, calculated by dividing the number of students still enrolled on the first day of classes in September by the number enrolled at any point in the previous year, was 47 percent in both 1999-00 and in 2000-01. In 2001-02, Champion's retention rate dropped to 43 percent. As of June 30, 2003, the 2002-03 retention rate is 46 percent. GOAL: Champion will help its students become responsible citizens. PERFORMANCE: The idea of civic and social responsibility is imbued in the very fabric of the Champion Charter School. In order to stress the importance of civic and social responsibility to Champion students prior to their entrance into the Plus Phase, every student is required to participate in at least one semester of the Facing History and Ourselves (FHAO) curriculum. FHAO is designed for students to investigate connections between the conditions that allowed the genocide of the Holocaust and ways the current culture isolates and marginalizes people based on identity. FHAO prepares students for the Plus Phase community action project by allowing students to explore their identities, their place in society, and the ability of citizens to create change. Plus Phase students take Choosing to Hope, an interdisciplinary reinvention of Champion's original autobiography and community action classes. Choosing to Hope maintains the projects and rigor of the original two classes but more deeply connects the students' life stories with their place and responsibilities within the larger community. The objective of Choosing to Hope is to help transform students who have been disengaged not only Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 5 from school but also from the life of their communities into contributing members of those communities. Plus Phase students have effectively contributed to their school community and the larger Brockton community as they participated in the following projects: • Annually organizing and sponsoring a Christmas gift drive for a homeless family at Brockton's Mainspring House; • Planning, raising funds for, building, and dedicating a community park abutting Champion's school in downtown Brockton; • Organizing, promoting, and soliciting donations for a free multicultural feast for the Brockton community; • Planning, raising funds for and executing the Champion Charter School prom. GOAL: Champion will prepare its students for work in the real world of the work place. PERFORMANCE: This objective is fundamental to the mission of the Champion Charter School and is captured in the school's mission statement. The close relationship between Champion and the Massachusetts Youth Teenage Unemployment Reduction Network, (MY TURN) Inc. (MY TURN was instrumental in founding Champion, the president of MY TURN's Board sits on the Champion Board, and two MY TURN staff are assigned to Champion) ensures that issues of workforce transition remain a central focus of the school. Champion students at the Intermediate Level must complete two half-day or day-long job shadows in order to progress to the Plus Phase, and Plus students must complete an internship of at least 100 hours, maintain a reflective journal pertaining to their internship, and produce a substantial research project focusing on one aspect of the industry represented by their internship site in order to graduate. All first year students enroll in a year-long Career Skills course that meets weekly. The course is designed to help students develop purpose and direction in making education and career choices, acquire knowledge of postsecondary options, learn verbal and written presentation skills and job search strategies, and develop a greater understanding of the legal and social context of employment. Twenty-eight students who were enrolled in September 2002 were enrolled in the Career Skills class for the entire year. Of the students who were enrolled for the entire year, thirteen (46%) completed all requirements for the course at a level of Proficient or Advanced. The remaining 15 students will have to retake the course in the Fall. In order to graduate, Plus Phase students must complete an internship of at least 100 hours and a corresponding Internship Seminar. The purpose of the seminar is to examine the culture of the workplace, using students' various internship sites as the basis for this examination. Students produce a research paper on one aspect of their industry, a power analysis of their host organization, and a reflection paper evaluating their experience at their site and discussing future educational and career plans. Students develop research, analytical, interview, and presentation skills through working on these projects. Six Plus Phase students participated in internships in 2002-2003. Four of the students (67%) completed the 100-hour internship and received credit for the Internship Seminar by earning a Proficient or Advanced assessment in the course. In 2000-01, 12 of 17 (71%) completed their internships and were graded as Proficient of Advanced in their Internship Seminar. In 2001-02, 12 of 16 (75%) completed their internships. Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 6 GOAL: Champion will prepare its students to enter college. PERFORMANCE: Champion helps prepare students to enter college in two ways. First, all Plus Phase students are required, as a condition of graduation, to complete two non-remedial college courses for college and high school credit at a local college. [See Table J on page 1 in Appendix A for listing of college courses and grades for Champion's 2002-03 graduates.] Through their college experiences, Champion students, who in many cases entered the school unsure that they were capable of high school level work, develop competence and confidence as learners able to perform in a college setting. All Plus Phase students are supported in their college endeavors by a Study Skills course, offered at Champion, which helps them develop the specific skills and competencies necessary to succeed in college classrooms. Champion's MY TURN staff also works closely with all Champion students to expose them to postsecondary options and assist them in the college and financial aid application process. [See page 15 for a table listing the postsecondary college and work plans of Champion's 2002-03 graduates.] Organizational Viability GOAL: Champion is a fiscally solvent and stable school organization. PERFORMANCE: For information on Champion's revenues, see page 20. The school's financial statement, balance sheet, and approved school budget for fiscal year 2004 are included in Appendix B. GOAL: Champion will maintain a positive, workable, safe, and academically supportive school climate and facility for staff and students. PERFORMANCE: There are a number of indices that suggest that the climate and facility at Champion are positive, workable, safe, and academically supportive for staff and students alike. First, with regard to the climate of the school, students regularly refer to the Champion community as a family, and take obvious pride in their school. Visitors often make note of the spirit of community that pervades Champion. The Department of Education Renewal Inspection Report, submitted to the Board of Education in December 2002 stated that: "The teachers, administrators, and other professionals create a safe environment of authentic caring and mutual respect that allows students to move away from defensive postures and engage in learning to reach their potential". "Administrators, teachers, and staff relate comfortably to these teenagers and are tolerant of high spirits and low moods. Through the visit, observers noted behavior that signified caring, respect, and a sense of safety for adults and students alike. This positive atmosphere was present in instructional settings, in one-on-one interactions and in unsupervised common areas, such as the break room, the elevator and the computer lab. Teachers, administrators, and other staff set the standard for decorum, and students learn, over time, what is expected. Students, themselves, play an important role in maintaining this culture and shared that they help new students "learn how to act right". "The Champion Student Handbook clearly specifies what the members of the Champion 'community' expect from each other, with respect being a core value. Discipline is administered with 'gentle jurisprudence' with student infractions being judged in light of individual circumstances." Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 7 "In focus groups, parents seemed to appreciate the safe and welcoming climate of the school. They credited school staff for reaching out to their students and succeeding when others could not. They were enthusiastic that their students were being supported both academically and emotionally and appeared grateful for the second chance that the school was affording their family." Students also consistently acknowledge the efforts made by Champion staff to help them achieve academic success. Comments like "they'll always be there for you" and "I wouldn't have come this far if it weren't for my teachers" are common and reflect students' recognition that Champion staff members are willing to give much of themselves in order to help our students succeed. That dedication is further reflected in staff attendance at twice-weekly faculty meetings—sessions that routinely continue late into the afternoon, their commitment to professional development (see Table G on page 35), and the respectful, engaged discourse that characterizes student-staff interaction. Since the school's inception, Champion's Board of Trustees and administration have taken a number of steps to ensure that the Champion facility is safe and supports academic achievement. The Board is currently working with the school's landlord to move the school to the second floor, a setting the will better serve the needs of the school and its students. GOAL: Champion's student recruitment and selection program will recruit, select, enroll, and maintain up to 120 eligible 16-21 year old out-of-school youth as students. PERFORMANCE: For information on Champion's recruitment and selection process, see page 17. For enrollment figures, see Table D on page 29. For information on student retention, see Table B on page 15. GOAL: Strict attention will be paid to the quality of Board membership and the competence of the teaching staff. PERFORMANCE: As a Horace Mann Charter School, the Champion Charter School is governed by a sixteen member Board of Trustees—thirteen (13) voting members and three non-voting members: the school's director, a faculty representative and a student representative. The school's by-laws have been in effect since 1998 with minor revisions. The Board meets at noon on the last Wednesday of each month during the school year. Meetings are called during the summer months as needed. Champion received its charter in April 1998 and opened on January 5, 1999. During that first year, the Board of Trustees worked diligently to define a clear role for itself. Because Horace Mann charter schools must function within the framework of the host school department, the Trustees crafted a Memorandum of Agreement between themselves and the Brockton School Committee. This MOA preserves the independence of the school by defining clearly those areas (mainly finance and staffing) which require approval of the Brockton School Committee and those that do not. In the four years which have followed, the Board has transitioned from the tasks which are necessary in starting a new school to becoming more of a governing and policy making body to support the school's administration. The Board works to develop operating policies, to monitor the progress toward achieving the objectives of the school through a manageable accountability plan, and to manage Champion's complex financial relationship with the Brockton Public Schools. Janice Beyer, liaison between the Brockton School Committee and the Champion, joined the Board in December. Roland Blanchette, Professor of Sociology at Massasoit Community College, joined the Board in December. Angelo Nuby, Board Treasurer, resigned in April. Brenda Wornum-Moore, Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 8 of BWM Consulting, joined the Board in June and assumed the position of Board Treasurer. Bishop Filipe Teixeira, of St. Martin de Porres church, joined the Board in June. Community member Lenell Silva joined the Board in June. The positions of Board Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Clerk, are slated for final vote at the August meeting. For a listing of the Champion Board of Trustees, including affiliations, see Table C on pages 22-23. One of the greatest strengths of the Champion Charter School is its staff. Collectively, the eight teachers possess a Ph.D., 4 masters degrees, 9 bachelors degrees and average close to 11 years teaching experience. The teaching staff is augmented by two full-time and one part-time school-to- career staff, a full-time case manager, an office manager, and a part-time nurse and part-time clinical social worker. School Director Curtis Wells resigned from the Champion effective June 30, 2003. Mr. Wells accepted a position of School Director at Roxbury Charter High School for Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Business. Mr. Wells grew up in Roxbury and spent most of his teaching and administrative career there. Assistant Director Lawrence DeSalvatore has been appointed Acting Director until October 1, 2003. The Board is in the process of interviewing candidates for School Director and has narrowed it down to three finalists; Dr. DeSalvatore is one of the three finalists. The Board expects to have a School Director in place prior to September 1, 2003. For a listing of all Champion staff, including years of experience and degrees, see Section E on page 25. For a list of staff professional development activities over the past year, see Table G on page 35. Alignment of Program and Operation GOAL: Champion will compile and analyze demographic information to ensure that its target population is being served. PERFORMANCE: This is undertaken on a regular basis and is presented in Sections F.1. and F.2. of this and previous years' annual reports. See page 29. GOAL: Champion will provide a high-quality, academically challenging education for out-of- school youth by creating a dynamic learning environment that uses a school-to-career pedagogy as its framework. PERFORMANCE: The educational methodology adopted by Champion combines the rigor of the Diploma Plus curricular framework and competency-based approach to instruction and assessment with school-to-career pedagogies promoted by MY TURN. See page 17 for a description of Champion's curriculum, page 4 for an evaluation of Diploma Plus, and page 6 for a description of the contribution MY TURN's school-to-career emphasis makes to the school. GOAL: Champion will employ course curricula that corresponds to the Massachusetts Frameworks. PERFORMANCE: All Champion faculty have been trained in and are conversant with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Course curricula at the Basic, Intermediate and Plus levels are all aligned with the Frameworks. Students' quarterly assessments (See Appendix C for sample assessment forms) are competency-based, with those competencies being tied directly to the Frameworks. Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 9 GOAL: Champion will meet all essential statutory and regulatory requirements. PERFORMANCE: Champion follows Massachusetts Department of Education Charter School Office guidelines with regard to all statutory and regulatory requirements. The school year is 180 days long. Students are engaged in more than 990 hours of instruction over the course of the school year. 2. Summary of External Standardized Test Results The charts which follow present results from 1999 through the December 2002 re-take administration of Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) examinations in English language arts and mathematics, first by number and then by percentage. Students taking MCAS re-tests cannot score above 239 (Needs Improvement). All Champion students who have not passed either the English language arts or the mathematics MCAS tests take those tests during the spring and fall, regardless of when they enter the school. Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 10 Figure A: MCAS Language Arts Results, Number of Students in Each Category English Language Arts 35 Number of Students 30 1999 25 2000 20 2001 15 2001 Re-Test 10 2002 5 2002 Re-Test 0 Needs Failing Proficient Improvement 1999 6 6 0 2000 29 6 2 2001 12 0 0 2001 Re-Test 3 5 0 2002 25 17 6 2002 Re-Test 26 14 0 MCAS Performance Categories Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 11 Figure B: MCAS Language Arts Results, Percentage of Students in Each Category English Language Arts 100% Percentage of Students 80% 1999 2000 60% 2001 40% 2001 Re-Test 2002 20% 2002 Re-Test 0% Needs Failing Proficient Improvement 1999 50% 50% 0% 2000 78% 17% 5% 2001 100% 0% 0% 2001 Re-Test 63% 37% 0% 2002 52% 35% 13% 2002 Re-Test 65% 35% 0% MCAS Performance Categories Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 12 Figure C: MCAS Mathematics Results, Number of Students in Each Category Mathematics 50 Number of Students 1999 40 2000 30 2001 20 2001 Re-Test 2002 10 2002 Re-Test 0 Needs Failing Proficient Improvement 1999 8 2 1 2000 35 2 0 2001 13 0 0 2001 Re-Test 7 4 0 2002 40 8 1 2002 Re-Test 35 14 0 MCAS Performance Categories Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 13 Figure D: MCAS Mathematics Results, Percentage of Students in Each Category Mathematics 100% Percentage of Students 80% 1999 2000 60% 2001 40% 2001 Re-Test 2002 20% 2002 Re-Test 0% Needs Failing Proficient Improvement 1999 73% 18% 9% 2000 95% 5% 0% 2001 100% 0% 0% 2001 Re-Test 64% 36% 0% 2002 82% 16% 2% 2002 Re-Test 71% 29% 0% MCAS Performance Categories Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 14 3. Summary of Alumni Placements Table A: Summary of Postsecondary Schooling and Employment Plans for 2002-03 Graduates Number of graduates, Classes of January and 4 June 2002 Number working or intending to work full time 1 Number accepted into college or other 3 postsecondary education 4. Summary of Official Complaints No official complaints have been lodged with the Champion Charter School Board of Trustees. 5. Total Number of Applications Received Champion received 116 applications for admittance during the 2002-03 school year. Of these, 90 ultimately chose to attend Champion. All students are Brockton residents. 6. Number of Students on Waiting List To date, Champion has not had the need to employ a waiting list. 7. Student Turnover Data Please refer to the following table. Table B: Reasons for and Numbers of Withdrawals and Dismissals Reason For Withdrawal 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 or Dismissal Number Number Number (Percentage) (Percentage) (Percentage) Poor attendance 23 (33%) 15 (19%) 10 (12%) Failure to make 9 (13%) 15 (19%) 19 (23%) commitment to schoolwork Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 15 Attend alternative 7 (10%) 7 (9%) 8 (10%) program Full-time work 6 (9%) 3 (4%) 1 (1%) Family difficulties, including 6 (9%) 8 (10%) 5 (6%) homelessness Changed mind about 0 (0%) 4 (5%) 7 (9%) attending after enrolling Detention/ Incarceration 4 (6%) 4 (5%) 1 (1%) Personal difficulties 4 (6%) 7 (9%) 5 (6%) Major or repeated 3 (4%) 3 (4%) 10 (12%) violations of school rules Did not like school 0 (0%) 3 (4%) 5 (6%) environment Family moved 1 (1%) 3 (4%) 5 (6%) Pregnancy and/or 1 (1%) 6 (8%) 6 (7%) parenting problems Unknown 6 (9%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) Total 70 (100%) 78 (100%) 82 (100%) B. School Program The Champion Charter School is a high school designed for out-of-school youth. Champion supports students to achieve proficiency in academic and work-related subjects and to transition into post- secondary activities. We offer a project-based curriculum and competency-based assessment. This means that students do not receive grades in the traditional sense. Instead they demonstrate their knowledge and skills through the work they do and the projects they complete. This is a school for mature students who are committed to working hard to get an education. 1. Grades and age levels served Champion is an ungraded high school that operates on three levels: Basic Phase, Intermediate (or Presentation) Phase, and the Plus Phase. These are roughly equivalent to 8th grade, 10th grade, and 12th grade. Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 16 2. Eligibility Requirements The Champion Charter School is open to Brockton residents, ages 16 – 21, who have dropped out of a Brockton Public School. In the admissions process, students are required to participate in a screening interview to determine readiness to return to an academic environment. 3. Enrollment policy A wide range of community based organizations that serve young people are actively engaged in our recruitment efforts, including truant officers of the Brockton Public Schools; the Brockton High School guidance staff; outreach workers for the local Boys and Girls Club, RISE Youth Centers and YMCA; juvenile probation officers; Brockton Housing Authority staff; and the pediatric social worker at the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center. We mail informational materials and conduct follow-up telephone calls to all students who have withdrawn from Brockton High within the last year and to students who have previously attended Champion Charter School. We place ads in Brockton's local daily newspaper and on Brockton Community Access cable television "bulletin boards." Finally, word-of-mouth from current and former Champion students brings a substantial number of students to our doors. Completed applications from students include an application form, reference forms, transcripts (when available), a contract of support signed by a sponsor of the student's candidacy for admission, and a brief essay . (See Appendix D for the Champion Application Form.) The key to a student's acceptance is his/her level of understanding of the program and his/her enthusiasm to involve himself/herself with the process of his/her own education. Once students are enrolled, they engage in an extensive orientation and an initial assessment, using the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). 4. Summary of Curriculum Design and Teaching Methods The Champion Charter curriculum design is based on the Diploma Plus (DP) Program of the Commonwealth Corporation. The first stage of the Diploma Plus model (the Intermediate, or Presentation phase at Champion Charter School) concentrates on improving each student's reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, writing and critical thinking skills while exposing students to a variety of career pathways. Teachers develop hands-on, inquiry-based projects and curricula that are tied to specific competencies in academic and foundations skill areas and, whenever possible, also linked to the community or to the workplace in order to make learning relevant. A formal mapping of the curriculum assures adherence to statewide standards in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. In order to advance into DP's Plus Phase, students must successfully present and defend before a panel of outside judges, a portfolio of their best work in all subject areas. (See Figure E below for a summary of required portfolio items.) The Presentation Portfolio in and of itself serves as a primary piece of a student's application to enter the Plus Year and as a primary tool for assessing students' readiness, both in terms of academic skills and maturity for Plus Year entry. It is intended to emphasize: the refinement and presentation of student work products and assignments; reflection by students on their strengths, weaknesses and growth; and the importance of meeting deadlines, following-through on assignments, and taking responsibility for meeting program requirements. Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 17 Figure E: List of Portfolio Products across Disciplines Language Arts: thematic essay • creative piece • annotated bibliography and reading journal Mathematics: individual project and exhibition • group project and exhibition Social Studies: history project • persuasive essay • social science project Science: individual project • group project and exhibit Visual Arts: individual art project Employability/Job Readiness Requirements: resume • job application • cover letter • thank you letter • letters of reference from two significant adults • job shadow questionnaire Career Exploration: evidence of having researched at least two postsecondary institutions • Personal statement or essay describing current career goals and, in relation to these goals, reasons for wishing (or not wishing) to attend a post- secondary program • five-year postsecondary education and employment plan • job shadow reflection sheets The Plus Phase. The Plus Phase presents students with challenging transitional experiences where students encounter an adult world of responsibility while remaining firmly planted in a supportive secondary school program. Students complete an autobiography project, a community development project, and a research project associated with their workplace internship. Plus Year students participate in at least 100 hours of paid or unpaid internships or community service placements and enroll in at least two non-remedial "Dual Enrollment" community college courses. Students earn standard college credit, as well as high school credit, upon successful completion of the courses. For high school credit, students must pass the courses with a "B-" or better. In order to graduate, students present and defend a Graduation Portfolio comprising all of the work of the Presentation Portfolio as well as additional research and reflection papers required for the Autobiography Curriculum, the Internship Project and the Community Action Project. Transcripts and exceptional work from the college classes are also included. Students present their Graduation Portfolios to the Champion Charter Director, the assistant director, and a community member. For a more detailed outline of the Diploma Plus curriculum as implemented at Champion, please refer to the 1999-2000 annual report. 5. Graduation and Promotion Requirements To graduate, students must demonstrate mastery of specific 12th grade level competencies (as indicated above) that are embedded in their class work and their major projects. In addition, they must successfully complete their community college course work and their internship. Put simply, students earn a high school diploma by demonstrating a high level of skill and competency, not by Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 18 accumulating credits according to "time-in-seat." 6. Student/Teacher Ratio The student/teacher ratio for the 2002-03 school year, based on an average daily enrollment of 79.2, was 10 to 1. The certified teaching staff consists of 8 teachers: social studies (2), science (1), art (1), language arts (2), and mathematics (2). MY TURN, Inc. provides 1.5 school-to-career staff who are responsible for all career-related component of the curriculum. All teachers incorporated the use of technology in their subject area programs. 7. School Calendar Champion Charter School is a Horace Mann Charter working in conjunction with the Brockton Public Schools. The school calendar is the same as that of the school district. The number of instructional days is 180 each school year. School is in session from 8:30 to 2:15 on Mondays and Fridays, and from 8:30 to 3:15 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. (See Appendix E for 2002-03 and 2003-04 school calendars.) C. Finance The Champion Charter School's financial statement, balance sheet, and approved school budget for fiscal year 2004 are included in Appendix B. 1. Private Revenue During fiscal year 2003, the Champion Charter School raised private funds, including: Diploma Plus Grant……………………………………………………………………… $15,000.00 Private Donations…………………………………………………………………………………. $3,099.06 2. City, State and Federal Monies City of Brockton…………………………………………………………..……………………… $774,337.25 This represented the funding from the Brockton Public Schools for FY 2003 Title I …………… …………………………………………………………………………$79,093.00 Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 19 Title IIA…………………………………………….…………………………………......... $7,679.00 Title IID……………………………………….………………………………………….... $1,487.00 Title V ………………………………………………………………………………………. $4,979.00 Summer Success………………………………………………………………………………………. $8,796.00 3. Total Revenue from all Sources $891,365.31 D. Governance 1. Board of Trustees Table C: Board of Trustees Name Affiliation Board Term Term Position Began Ends Ms. Mary Waldron Brockton Public Schools member December June 2005 2001 Ms. Allyne Pecevich Brockton Housing member December June 2005 Authority 2001 Mr. Jason Wheeler Entrepreneur January June 2004 member 2002 Director of Prevention January June 2004 Mr. Edward Jacoubs Resources, Office of the member 2000 Plymouth County District Attorney Bishop Filipe Texiera St. Martin de Porres July 2003 June 2006 member Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 20 Mr. Wayne McAllister Community June 2004 member June 1998 representative; Brockton Fire Department Ms. Janice Sutherland Parent Representative member June 2002 June 2004 Ms. Wendy Mumford Director of Planning, June 2005 Brockton Private Industry member April 1999 Council Brockton School November June 2006 member Ms. Janice Beyer Committee 2002 Mr. Roland Massasoit Community January June 2005 member Blanchette College 2003 Ms. Brenda Wornum- BWM Consulting July 2003 June 2006 member Moore Ms. Lenell Silva Plymouth County July 2003 June 2006 member D.A.'s Office Ms. Michelle Allman Teacher representative November June 2004 member 2001 Mr. Paul Protentis President, MY TURN, Inc. June 1998 June 2006 member Director of Pupil June 2005 Acting Dr. Ken Sennett Personnel Services, June 1998 Board Brockton Public Schools Chair Dr. Lawrence School Director , July 2003 member, DeSalvatore Champion Charter ex oficio Unfilled Student Representative September June 2004 member, 2003 ex oficio Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 21 2. Board Committees The Board of Trustees has organized the following committees: • Personnel subcommittee • Program subcommittee • Development/Finance/Facilities subcommittee 3. Summary of Major Board Policies and Activities Over the past year, the Board of Trustees: • Oversaw Champion's renewal application for a second five-year charter • Updated the Memorandum of Agreement governing relations between Champion and Brockton Public Schools. • Elected five new Board members. • Approved the newly created Champion Policies and Procedures Manual • Initiated and oversaw the search for a new school director • Negotiated with the owner of Champion's facility for a move from the fourth to second floor In the coming year, the Board plans to: • Develop a 3 – 5 year strategic plan for the school • Revise the school's mission statement to make it a clearer expression of the purpose of the school • Develop and implement a plan for meeting Champion's need for a permanent facility E. Staff 1. Administrative Curtis D. Wells, School Director / 4.5 years at Champion 37 years experience in the field of education Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 22 • Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, University of Massachusetts, Boston (Boston State College) • Master of Arts in Administration and Supervision, University of Massachusetts, Boston (Boston State College) • Certificate of Advanced Studies, Harvard Graduate School of Education Lawrence E. DeSalvatore, Jr., Assistant Director / 2.5 years at Champion 17 years experience in the fields of education and youth work • Bachelor of Arts, History, College of the Holy Cross • Master of Arts in Teaching, History, Boston University • Doctor of Philosophy, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Boston College 2. Support Staff Lisa Sharp, Office Manager / 4.5 years at Champion 12 years experience in office management and support • Associate of Arts, Quincy College • Certificate, Microsoft Office, Brockton Area Private Industry Council The Champion has secured the services of part-time bookkeeper Jennifer Martin (who performs the same duties for MY TURN, Inc.) to handle procurement and payables on a regular basis. Champion, in keeping with the spirit of a Horace Mann charter school, coordinates many of its business functions (e.g., payroll) with the Brockton Public Schools. 3. Full-Time Equivalent Teachers (8.0) Jody Price, Language Arts/English / 4.5 years at Champion 24 years teaching experience • Bachelor of Arts, English/French, University of Massachusetts, Boston • Master of Arts, English, University of Dayton • Doctor of Philosophy, English, University of Rhode Island William Lutton, Social Studies / 4.5 years at Champion 16 years teaching experience • Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy and Psychology, Clark University • Master of Education, Secondary Education, University of Massachusetts Mary Morrison, English Language Arts / 2 years at Champion 14 years teaching experience • Bachelor of Arts, English, University of Massachusetts, Boston Ilani D'Alfonso, Visual Arts / 4.5 years at Champion 14 years teaching experience • Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, California (PA) State College • Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design/Illustration, Massachusetts College of Art • Master of Arts, Art Education, Massachusetts College of Art Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 23 Michelle Allman, Mathematics / 4 years at Champion 11 years teaching experience • Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, Wesleyan University • Master of Science, Mathematics, Tufts University (completed coursework) Kathleen FitzGerald, Social Studies /4.5 years at Champion 5 years teaching experience • Bachelor of Arts, Social Studies, University of Massachusetts • Master of Arts, History, Northeastern University Kelly Stukenborg, Science / 4.5 years at Champion 5 years teaching experience • Bachelor of Science, Biology, St. Michael's College • Currently enrolled in Masters of Arts in Teaching program at Northeastern University Obukohwo Urhiafe / first year at Champion 3.5 years teaching experience • General Certificate of Education, Pure and Applied Mathematics and Physics, University of London (UK) • Master of Science in Architecture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria • Master of Science in Architectural Studies and Environmental Designs, Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Currently enrolled in Master in the Art of Teaching Mathematics program, Bridgewater State College 4. Program Staff MY TURN, Inc. staff work with students and faculty on the integration of school-to-career pedagogies into academics, provide career counseling and job placement to students, and arrange work based learning experiences such as job shadows and the internships required in the Plus Phase of the Champion Charter School. The case manager addresses the social and emotional needs of Champion students through individual counseling and by facilitating students' procurement of services by a range of community-based providers. The BAMSI clinical social worker provides individual and group counseling services to Champion students. Craig Kennedy, Out of School Youth Coordinator, MY TURN, Inc. / 3 years at Champion 9 years experience in youth work and training • Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Boston University • Currently enrolled in Master of Public Administration program, Bridgewater State College Tuuli Pesonen, Work-Based Learning Specialist, MY TURN, Inc. / first year at Champion 4 years experience in youth work and education • Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Smith College • Master of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 24 William Jeserski, Case Manager, first year at Champion 4.5 years experience in youth work • Bachelor of Science, Sociology, Bridgewater State College • Currently enrolled in Master of Criminal Justice program, Bridgewater State College Keith Wick, Clinical Social Worker, BAMSI, Inc. / first year at Champion 6 years experience providing clinical counseling services to adolescents and young adults • Bachelor of Arts, Recreational Therapy, Utica College of Syracuse University • Master of Social Work, Boston University Obukohwo Urhiafe was hired in September to teach math. William Jeserski was hired in September to fill the vacant case manager position. In September, Keith Wick, a clinical social worker, was placed at Champion by Brockton Area Multi Services, Inc. (BAMSI). Curtis Wells resigned from Champion in June 2003 to accept another School Director position. Kelly Stukenborg resigned from Champion in June 2003 to accept another teaching position. Jody Price resigned from Champion in June 2003. Obukohwo Urhiafe's contract was not renewed. Figure F: Champion Organizational Chart Board of Trustees School Director Assistant Director Offi ce Manager (1) Faculty (7) Career Center Student Support Staff Coordinator (.5) Case Manager Specialists (2) Clinician (.2) Nurse (.2) Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 25 F. Student Characteristics 1. Student Enrollment Table D: 2002-03 Student Enrollment Figures Fall Semester Spring Semester 2002 2003 Enrollment Enrollment Graduated 8 0 Retained 55 63 New enrollees 51 39 Total Enrollment 106 102 2. Demographics Table E: Demographic Summary of 2002-03 Champion Students Category Number of Percentage Students of Students Total 145 100% Race/Ethnicity African American 55 41% White 43 31% Cape Verdean 17 17% Latino 24 17% Asian 2 3% Gender Male 79 54% Female 66 46% Residence Brockton 145 100% LEP Students 0 0% Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 26 Linguistic Minorities 34 23% Special Needs Students 11 8% Special Services 0 0% Free and Reduced Lunch 97 67% Ineligible 48 33% 3. Average Daily Attendance Rate The average daily attendance rate is 51.8, computed as the cumulative number of students present over the course of the school year divided by the total number of days in session. In other words, on average, 52 students were in attendance at Champion at any given day during the school year. 4. Average Membership Rate The average membership rate is 78.8. This number represents the average number of students enrolled in the school over the course of the school year. 5. Number of Students Suspended /Expelled There were 25 student suspensions during the course of the school year. Average length of suspension was 2 days. Reasons for suspensions included leaving school without permission, inappropriate language directed at staff, fighting, and possession of marijuana on school premises. One student was expelled for fighting and another for possession of drugs with intent to distribute and possession of a weapon. G. Other Items of Interest 1. Parent Participation/ Support Parents and other adults play a crucial role in the Champion Charter School community. As a condition of admission to Champion, all students must be presented by a sponsor who agrees, in writing, to assist the student in reaching his or her goal of earning a high school diploma (See Appendix F for a copy of the Contract of Support). Frequently, parents agree to perform in the role of sponsor. Champion staff strives to keep both parent and sponsor apprised of the progress of the individual student. One means of doing so is through regular parent conferences. During the 2001-02 school year, parent conferences were held on November 27, February 12, and April 30. 2. Extra-Curricular and Other Special Programs and Events Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 27 Table F: Partial Listing of Extra-Curricular and Other Events Type of Program/Event Description Retreat Plus Phase Retreat Field Trip Camp Clark Outdoor Team Building Day Guest Speaker Massasoit Community College Guest Speaker Women's Place Crisis Center Guest Speaker Brockton Hospital Better Beginnings Neonatal Care Program Guest Speaker RISE Youth Opportunity Program Guest Speaker Life Resources Outdoor Education Leadership Program Guest Speaker MELD Young Dad's Program Guest Speaker "Sojourner Truth" Guest Speaker American Red Cross Guest Speaker Alanon-Alateen Guest Speaker President, Bridgewater State College Field Trip Camp Clark, EPA Data Collection Project Event Second Annual Spring Showcase of Student Work Event Mayor's Youth Summit Guest Speaker Gibbs School Seminar Credit for Life Fair MY TURN Career Development Conference Conference and Awards Banquet Ceremony Graduation Field Trip Six Flags New England 3. Computer/ Technology Resources Champion features a computer laboratory equipped with 12 Dell Pentium 3 desktop computers. In addition, staff has access to 11 Dell Pentium 3 desktop computers and four Dell Pentium 3 laptop computers. Eleven inkjet and laser printers, two scanners, a digital camera, and a video camcorder are available for staff and student use. The school is wired to the Internet through a T1 cable, and all staff members have individual electronic mail accounts. Champion utilizes Windows 2000 as its Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 28 operating system. A wide variety of applications are available to staff and students, including Microsoft Office 97 for our desktop computers and Office 2000 for staff laptops, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Photo Editor, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Photo Deluxe, Microsoft Paint, and Microsoft Publisher. We also own and use a number of educational applications, including PLATO, Kurzweil 3000, Geometer's Sketch Pad, Green Globs and Graphing Equations, and Hot Dog Stand: The Works. 4. Professional Development Activities As a community of learners, Champion Charter School commits substantial resources to ensuring that staff members are afforded regular opportunities for professional development. During the 2001-02 school year, Champion staff participated in the following professional development: Table G: Partial Listing of Professional Development Activities by Date and Description Staff Member Event Presented by All Staff Professional Development: Steve Gross, The Trauma Center Dealing with Stress and Trauma All Staff Professional Development: Dr. Lisa Battaglino, Bridgewater Special Education (24 hours) State College All Staff Professional Development: Crafting a Consistent Message Alliance for Young Families regarding Teen Pregnancy Michelle Allman Graph Theory, Adolescent Psychology, Public Policy & Northeastern University (MAT Education, Mathematics and Program) Science Teaching Methods, Instructional Methods, Special Education, Research Methods Michelle Allman Authentic Assessment Neighborhood House Michelle Allman Using Geometer's Sketchpad Keystone Press with the Integrated Math Program (IMP) Mary Morrison Writing Workshop UMass-Boston Mary Morrison Teaching English NE Assn. of Teachers of English William Lutton Methods for Preparing Students Center for Youth Development for the MCAS and Education William Lutton Islamic History and Teaching Education Cooperative Methods William Lutton and Wlliam The Advisory Model at Lowell Project for School Innovation Jeserski Middlesex Academy Charter School William Lutton and Developing Diploma Plus Center for Youth Development Kathleen FitzGerald Competencies for the Social and Education St di Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 29 Studies Kathleen FitzGerald Facing History and Ourselves: Eugenics Institute Race and Membership Kathleen FitzGerald New England Social Studies New England Social Studies Teachers Conference Teachers Kathleen FitzGerald and Teaching Facing History and Facing History and Ourselves Jody Price Ourselves Kathleen FitzGerald and Teaching the Holocaust The Holocaust Memorial Jody Price Museum 5. Collaborations and Partnerships As a small school, Champion relies heavily on outside partnerships and collaborations in order to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students and to assist in the overall operation of the school. As a "Horace Mann" charter school, Champion enjoys a close working relationship with the Brockton Public Schools, of which it is a part. Although Champion is governed by a Board of Trustees and is not obligated to adhere to many of the policies and procedures that govern other schools in the district, the school nonetheless enjoys several benefits from its BPS affiliation. These include payroll and purchasing services, as well as BPS's commitment to provide a facility for the school. For the 2002-03 school year, a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health allowed BPS to provide an on-site school nurse to Champion students and staff. Champion also works closely with the Massachusetts Youth Teenage Unemployment Reduction Network (MY TURN) Inc., which played an instrumental role in the founding of the school. Two MY TURN staff are employed at Champion and provide school-to-career services for Champion students and alumni. Champion also collaborates with local institutions of higher education to provide greater learning opportunities for students. Students in the Plus Phase enroll in one non-remedial college level course each semester at Massasoit Community College. Champion is currently in conversation with the Office of the President at Bridgewater State College in an effort to find ways in which the Champion and BSC can work together more closely. Champion partners with the Center for Youth Development and Education (CYDE) of the Commonwealth Corporation to implement CYDE's Diploma Plus (DP) curriculum. As one of the most successful of CYDE's DP sites, Champion plays an important role in shaping the DP model. In return, Champion benefits from high quality professional development and technical assistance from CYDE. Champion also collaborates with the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center. In past years, BNHC has made its medical services available to all Champion students, and BNHC staff members have provided information sessions for students. In 2002-03 Champion expanded its formal relationship with Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc. (BAMSI). A clinical social worker provided individual and group counseling services for 12 hours Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 30 per week during the school year. Champion maintains informal collaborations with many institutions and agencies that serve or otherwise interact with Brockton youth. These include the Old Colony YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club of Brockton, the Reach Independence through Self Improvement (RISE) Youth Center, the Brockton District Court Juvenile Division, the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services, Life Resources, The Department of Social Services, Brockton Public Schools, and the Brockton Housing Authority. These collaborations involve reciprocal referral processes, networking, and otherwise ensuring that the needs of Champion students, former students, and potential students are addressed. 6. Formal Site Visits Table K: Listing of Site Visits Visitor Reason YO! Hartford Department of Labor View school in anticipation grantee of creating similar school in Hartford, CT Mass. Department of Education Charter renewal site visit Site Visit Team Bridgett Ziniti, DOE Food Services Inspection of CCS free and reduced breakfast and lunch program Jennifer Nahas Data Gathering for Diploma Plus Evaluation Brockton Hospital Student Nurses Information Gathering Barry Barnett, Richard Taylor, DOE Program Quality Assurance inspection Boston Evening Academy staff Cross-site sharing Lowell Middlesex Academy staff Share LMACS experience member with advisory model 7. Public Relations and Publicity Champion Charter School has been the subject of media coverage during the 2002-03 school year. (see Appendix G) As reported in the February 4, 2003 edition of the Brockton Enterprise, the Department of Education voted to renew our charter for Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 31 another five years. As part of the renewal process, a team of evaluators conducted a 4- day site visit at the Champion. The renewal team spoke to students, parents, faculty, Board members, and community partners to gain a better understanding of our school. The renewal team also observed classes in session and attended the weekly school-wide Circle Meeting. The renewal team was highly impressed by the level of participation and enthusiasm exhibited by Champion supporters. The site visit Inspection Report noted that "the dedication and leadership of the founders—administrators, board members, faculty and community partners—and their common message of purpose, help students, parents, community members and newcomers internalize the mission of the school." The Brockton Enterprise ran a story on Champion student Yvonne Pina. On October 22, 2002, Yvonne received the Ann Wheeler Commitment to Education Award from the Commonwealth Corp. Yvonne, one of the first students to enroll in the Champion's Diploma Plus program, achieved outstanding marks in all her classes. Yvonne graduated from the Champion in June 2003 and next plans to attend college. She will be the first person in her family to pursue post-secondary education. The Boston Globe reported on the improvement of Champion MCAS scores in December 2002. Compared to the April 2002 test results, significant improvements were made; 62% passed the English portion and 36% passed the Math portion. Staff credited the intensive MCAS remediation given to students between October and December with helping students pass the retest. Champion Charter School of Brockton—Annual Report 2002-03 32 APPENDIX A Data Tables Table I: Student Movement into the Plus Phase COHORT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 TOTAL Entered Entered Entered Entered Entered Entered Entered Entered Spring Entered 1/99 4/99 9/99 1/00 9/00 1/01 Fall '01 '02 Fall '02 Number and Percentage of Those Students 24 of 59 8 of 22 24 of 60 6 of 26 22 of 52 9 of 23 25 of 70 10 of 41 22 of 52 150 of Completing One 41% 36% 40% 23% 42% 39% 36% 24% 42% 405 Full Academic Year 37% Number and Percentage of Those Students 10 of 24 6 of 8 7 of 24 2 of 6 10 of 22 1 of 9 5 of 25 3 of 10 10 of 22 54 of Completing One 42% 75% 29% 33% 45% 11% 20% 30% 45% 150 Year Who Progress 36% to Plus Phase Number and Percentage of Those Students 11 of 59 7 of 22 13 of 60 1 of 22 13 of 52 5 of 23 6 of 70 56 of Completing Two 19% 32% 22% 5% 25% 22% 9% NA NA 308 Full Academic 18% Years Number and Percentage of Those Students 10 of 11 6 of 7 11 of 13 0 of 1 11 of 13 4 of 5 4 of 6 46 of 56 Completing Two 91% 86% 85% 0% 85% (80%) 67% NA NA 82% Years Who Progress to Plus Phase Table J: College Courses and Grades of 2002-03 Champion Graduates Course Name Grade Course Name Grade Earned Earned Business Management & A- Principles of Marketing A- Organization Music Theory A Spanish A- Computer Keyboarding C Table K: Graduation Portfolio Review Grades of 2002-03 Champion Graduates Emerging Capable Proficient Advanced Autobiography 0 2 1 1 Internship 0 0 3 1 Project Community 0 3 0 1 Action Project Overall 0 1 2 1 Table L: 2001-02 Job Shadow and Internship Placements Name of Business or Description of Number of Number of Organization placement Job Internship Shadows Placements A & B Automotive Automotive 1 0 Ailano School of Cosmetology Cosmetology 2 0 American Medical Response Emergency Response 0 1 Brockton Day Nursery Child Care 2 0 Brockton High School Education 3 0 Brockton Neighborhood Health Health Care 6 0 Clinic Brockton Police Department Law Enforcement 1 0 Bumper to Bumper Automotive 1 0 Computer Ed Institute Technology 2 0 Cooperative Artists Institute Cultural 0 1 Good Samaritan Hospital Health Care 1 0 Invent Media Advertising 1 0 Jims Autobody Automotive 1 0 Mayors Office Public Administration 2 0 Metro South Chamber of Economic Development 1 0 Commerce Motion Hydralics Repair/Manufacturing 6 0 MSPCA Animal Care 0 1 MY TURN, Inc. Nonprofit 0 1 North Main St. Vet. Clinic Animal Care 2 0 Premium Physical Therapy Health Care 1 0 Raymond School Education 2 0 RISE Social Work 3 0 Rockland Trust Business 1 0 Sheppard Industries Music Production 0 1 South Huntington Physical Therapy Health Care 1 0 Wheaton College Observatory Science 1 0 APPENDIX B Financial Information Champion Charter School Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2003 Unaudited ASSETS Current Assets Checking/Savings 1000 - Rockland Trust (Federal) 18,626.09 1001 - Donations- Crescent Cred 6,450.65 Total Checking/Savings 25,076.74 Other Current Assets 1600-00 COMPUTER SOFTWARE 5,592.84 Total Other Current Assets 5,592.84 Total Current Assets 30,669.58 Fixed Assets 1500 - COMPUTER EQUIPMENT 80,957.54 - 1550-00 ACC DEP - COMPUTER 31,424.10 1650-00 ACC DEP COMPUTER SOFTWA -2,057.67 Total Fixed Assets 47,475.77 TOTAL ASSETS 78,145.35 LIABILITIES & EQUITY Liabilities Current Liabilities Accounts Payable 2000 - Accounts Payable 10,899.89 Total Accounts Payable 10,899.89 Other Current Liabilities 2500-00 ACCRUED EXPENSES 3,700.00 Total Other Current Liabilities 3,700.00 Total Current Liabilities 14,599.89 Total Liabilities 14,599.89 Equity Retained Earnings 33,801.05 Net Income 29,744.41 Total Equity 63,545.46 TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY 78,145.35 Champion Charter School Profit and Loss Statement July 2002 through June 2003 Unaudited Ordinary Income/Expense Income Diploma Plus 15,000.00 Private Donations 3,099.06 City Funds 774,337.25 Title I Funds (Mass DOE) 79,093.00 Title V Funds (Mass DOE) 1,874.00 Title IIA Funds (Mass DOE) 7,679.00 Summer Success (Mass DOE) 8,796.00 Title IID Funds (Mass DOE) 1,487.00 Total Income 891,365.31 Expense Salaries 694,636.47 Fringe Benefit 24,491.25 Professional Development 840.00 Travel 2,399.73 Building Rent/Lease 78,000.00 Advertising 305.00 Supplies/Furniture 11,565.24 Postage 1,306.18 Printing 87.50 Student Activities/Supplies 8,664.80 Meetings/Memberships 869.25 Textbooks 2,480.50 Software 5,553.15 Classroom Materials 5,297.39 Consulting 5,289.00 Fundraising 541.50 Insurance 2,883.00 Custodial 11,410.81 Alarm Monitoring 545.25 Computer Servicing/Internet 2,949.41 Contract Labor/Service Contract 1,505.47 Total Expense 861,620.90 Net Ordinary Income 29,744.41 Net Income 29,744.41 Budget School Year 2003-04 Champion Charter School Personnel School Director 82,000 Director Fringe (20%) 16,400 Director Retirement (9%0 7,380 Case Manager 40,000 Case Manager Fringe (20%) 8,000 Clinical Social Worker 6,228 Bookkeeper 2,500 Dietary Aide/Lunch Monitor @4.5 hrs/day; 8.63/hr 7,000 Teacher Stipends 6,437 Consultant--Development 6,000 Teachers (8) 384,000 Teacher Fringe (20%) 76,800 Teacher Retirement (9%) 34,560 SUB-TOTAL PERSONNEL $677,305 Non-Personnel Staff Professional Development 3,587 Instructional supplies 5,119 TAP Performance Assessment 900 1" binders 1,416 Printer cartridges 378 Printing 3,000 PLATO JFY 5,000 PLATO upgrade 1,020 MCSA dues 1,500 Transportation 11,088 Food, etc/hospitality, incentives, etc 5,000 Recruitment/advertising 3,000 Library/magazines 1,000 Water 3,000 Paint supplies for repainting interior of school 1,000 AlphaSmart ($249 x 15) 3,735 Pinnacle Plus gradebook program, plus TA 6,803 MIAA insurance 2,750 Office supplies 893 SUB-TOTAL NON-PERSONNEL $60,189 TOTAL $737,494
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Stans end of season stock take - Checkout functionality is currently disabled
Stans end of season stock take - Checkout functionality is currently disabled
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This Vango 2-Person Hard Anodised Cook Set is sure to be a favourite with backpackers who want a light weight but strong, durable, dent resistant cook set. The non-stick coating on this set will also ensure that you won't have to exert too much elbow grease before you get back on the trail!
This 2-Person cook set contains two pots one measuring 14.5x11.2cm and the smaller pot 13x6.5 (WxH). The smaller pot also has a matching lid. Both pots have conveneint folding handles that fold to the profile of the pots, rounded bottoms (a bit like J Lo's) and the whole stacked combo fits nicely inside the nylon drawstring carry bag supplied.
The Vango Hard Anodised 2 Person Coot Set includes:
|Pack Size
|L15.0 x H18.5 x W15.0cm
|14.5x11.2cm Pot; 13x6.5cm Pot
Some exlusions apply, for further delivery details for all destinations click here
Vango Hard Anodised Cook Set for Two - If you think your missus is hard, wait 'till you try this!

subset: commoncrawl


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July 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura looks on from the dug out during the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Twins won 7-6. Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE
31 remain, click here
116 remain, click here
17 remain, click here
Like RAVE Sports on Facebook and enter here for your chance to win this Outback Inflatable Stand Up...
Like us and enter for a chance to win golf and lodging for four people!
Spring has Sprung! Register for your chance to win a $500 gift card to the Mustard Seed Garden...


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Christopher P. Selvaggio, PGA
Main Address:
Croasdaile Country Club
Durham, NC 27705-2416
(919) 383-2517
Durham, NC 27705-2416
(919) 383-2517
3800 Farm Gate Ave
Durham, NC 27705-2416
Durham, NC 27705-2416
(919) 383-2517
Christopher Selvaggio is a PGA Professional in Durham, NC. The PGA of America comprises 27,000 men and women professionals with one singular goal in mind - to make the game of golf more enjoyable for you.
Services Offered:
- Instruction
- Play Golf of America Participant
Free Fitting Month
Welcome to Golf Month
National Awards
- 2010 PGA President's Council on Growing the Game
Recognition and Awards
- 2012 Top 50 Kids Teacher by US Kids Golf
Home » Golf Courses » North Carolina » Holly Springs » Christopher P. Selvaggio, PGA
PGA of America Championships
Pete Dye Course
French Lick, Ind.
Westchester Country Club
Rye, N.Y.
Philadelphia Cricket Club
Philadelphia, Pa.
Whistling Straits
Kohler, Wis.
Hazeltine National Golf Club
Chaska, Minn.


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Log in using your Facebook, Windows Live, Google or Yahoo! account
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Watch highlights of the 1998 UEFA Super Cup as Chelsea FC claimed a late victory thanks to a strike by Gus Poyet against Real Madrid CF.


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Express Specials
With the Constitution (121st Amendment) Bill and the National Judicial Appointment Commission Act having been swiftly passed by both Houses of Parliament, it is only a matter of time before the formalities conclude and the collegium system comes to an end. Eminent jurists have raised important questions about the efficacy and constitutionally questionable character of these measures. What has invited less attention, however, is why and how judicial independence matters, and the various crises that affect India's judicial system. Appointments to the higher judiciary are, in fact, a small part of the problem and an excessive focus on them distracts from larger issues of legal and judicial reform. What demands focus is the judicial process more generally, and attention towards it clarifies both the ideal of judicial independence and the present disenchantment with the judiciary.
Judicial legitimacy in any modern constitutional democracy is structured around process. Unlike politicians, who draw their legitimacy from the electoral success and the popular mandate, judicial power is sustained through a range of procedural mechanisms. Such mechanisms are meant to legitimise verdicts regardless of the specific outcome delivered, and are revealed in a range of formalities and rules that structure and govern the judicial process. Rules about being represented by counsel, the right to fair and impartial hearing, the importance of a speedy trial, the determination of evidence, the nature of proof, the relevance of a cause of action and so on aim to ensure that rulings are legitimate in the way in which they come about. At the heart of this aspiration is the idea of judicial reasoning. Judges are held accountable and their reasons are legitimised through processes of reasoning — their respect for precedent and treating of like cases alike, use of certain techniques of interpretation to understand ambiguous texts, mode of argument and claims of why some arguments succeed over others and so forth. It is this fact that makes courts unique sites of public reason.
It is in this context that judicial independence matters. The ideal of judicial independence is not grounded in consequential beliefs about better substantive outcomes. Instead, it is linked to the idea that, in order for the process to retain its integrity, judges must be immune to certain kinds of considerations and must exercise their judgement solely on the information presented by the parties before them. The accountability of judges is not to the political process but instead to the ideal of rule of law. The form of accountability for judges is distinct from that for politicians, and is principally found in the reason-giving character of their role. The major intellectual crisis …continued »


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Printz Award Winners / Teen Reads
The Printz Award annually honors the best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit. In addition, the Printz Committee names up to four honor books, which also represent the best writing in young adult literature.
The award's namesake was Michael L. Printz, a school librarian in Topeka, Kansas and an active member of YALSA. He had a passion for books and reading. He also appreciated the authors who wrote books for young adults and demonstrated this by initiating an author-in-residence program at his high school. The award is sponsored by Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association.
ERROR: There are no books assigned to this list.


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Taipei City ─ Lin Antai Historical Home
The Historical Home of Lin Antai is Taipei's most intact historical architecture. It was originally built on Siwei Road but was later on transferred to the current location in Zhongshan District during the 67th of Taiwanese Retrocession. The Lin Antai Home embraces a history of 200 years, a home of the Taiwanese merchant, Lin Antai. The Historical Home was first constructed in 1783, and is a quandrangular building in a location hand-picked according to good feng-shui. There is a crescent pond in the front yard, with a red pavement that prevents slipping as well as molding. Into the Historical Home, the tidy arrangement places the traditional lounge right in the heart of the house. The buddhist alcove is carved with very fine detail, as with the window sills and doors. The whole architecture was manually created, manifesting the wealth of the Taiwanese merchants of the Chin Dynasty.
opening hours:
9:00am - 4:00pm ; Mondays off
expenditure brief:
Free ; need to register before entering.
The above fees are for reference purposes only; actual costs are informed at the actual venue and we do NOT give any prior notice.
available parking areas:
There is one near Xinshen Park.
By Bus :
1. Take bus route 72, 222, 285, 286, 612, 642 and get off at Xingshen Park stop (新生公園站).
By MRT :
1. Take MRT Danshui Line (捷運淡水線) and get off at Yuanshan Station (圓山站), walk 5 mins to reach the house.
By Car:
1. National Highway No.1(國道一號), exit Yuanshan offramp(圓山交流道), drive along Binjiang street(濱江街) to reach the house.
Great Taipei Travel News/Events
- Hotel G7 Taipei Annual Sale
- Taiwan Summer Travel - Popular Taiwan Amusement Parks in Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Nantou & more!
- (Taipei) Have A Two Day Travel at Wulai
- (Taipei) Experience the Exotic Jiufen (Chiufen) Old Street
- (Taipei) Explore Beauties of Maokong with Maokong Gondola!
- (Taipei) Yangmingshan Flower Season
- (Taipei) Longshan Temple One Day Tour
- (Taiwan) Recommended Business Hotels in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung


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Geomagnetic Field
100 - 500 downloadsAdd this app to your lists
+ By BinaryEarth
Keywords: Magnetic deviation
Tags: geomagnetic class demonstration, javascript geomagneticfield.
1.15 Added short-cut to turn on GPS, Added tool bar buttons at bottom, Reduced number of decimal places shown.
1.14 Fixed issue with decimal separator in other locales, Prevented keyboard from popping up when app opens.
1.12 Made screen scrollable for use on small screens
1.11 Improved GUI appearance
1.10 Added copy to clipboard and added note to help about DMS and DM formats.
1.9 Renamed from "Calculate Magnetic Declination" (previous version had 1800 downloads and 4 1/2 star positive feedback)
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Defense proves key in Aztecs' upset of Boise State
The Aztecs' 21-19 win over then-No. 19 Boise State represented the most complete game San Diego State has played all year, and as Rocky Long pointed out, offense, defense and special teams all played a significant part in the end result.
But for the Aztecs' defense in particular, Saturday's game was a representation of how good this unit can be when it hangs tough for a full four quarters with no mental lapses.
It helped that the matchup was favorable – with the graduation of four-year starter Kellen Moore at quarterback, the 2012 Broncos are a more run-oriented team than they've been in previous years.
"They didn't spread us out from sideline to sideline and throw it 50 times," Long said. "I think they wanted to run the ball, and we've played pretty good run defense all year."
Knowing what your opponent is going to do doesn't guarantee that you can stop it, but the SDSU defense went into the game with the mindset that there could only be one acceptable outcome.
"Their main running play was 'power.' Our offense's main running play is 'power.' So we've seen it thousands of times throughout the season, including in camp," said defensive end Cody Galea. "That was a big thing for us. Stop the 'power,' no excuses. That was our motto. This is our game and we expected to win."
The Aztecs' defense picked a good night to show up.
Facing a Broncos' pass defense that had given up only one passing touchdown to an opposing quarterback all year, SDSU's offense took a while to kick into gear.
"We just kind of shot ourselves in the foot in the first half," said Aztecs' quarterback Adam Dingwell. "The defense played tough. They played a great game and came up with big stops all night."
The defense foiled Boise State's two-point conversion attempt after the Broncos' first touchdown.
The defense held the Broncos to 112 rushing yards and forced them to try to score through the air. That didn't really work either. Boise State quarterback Joe Southwick finished 20-of-31 for 164 yards and one passing TD.
But more importantly, the Aztecs' defense came up with critical third-down stops all the way through. They forced three three-and-outs, and held the Broncos to a 33 percent third down conversion success rate.
Up front, linebackers Nick Tenhaeff, Derek Largent and Jake Fely kept Southwick busy all night, with Tenhaeff and Largent each notching a sack – an impressive feat against an offensive line that went into the game ranked third in the nation in sacks allowed.
It marked the first time this season that Boise State has allowed multiple sacks.
In the secondary, cornerback Leon McFadden was spectacular in coverage, and the safeties got in on the act too. Eric Pinkins finished with a team-high eight tackles, and tipped a Southwick pass that Nat Berhe intercepted.
Then, after the Broncos scored late in the fourth quarter to cut the Aztecs lead to two, Rene Siluano intercepted Southwick's pass on the two-point conversion attempt to return the ball to the Aztecs' offense.


text: Meta Battle Subway PokeBase - Pokemon Q&A Login Register All Activity Questions Unanswered Tags Users Ask a Question Rules Chat How are you able to tell gender of the egg before it hatch? 0 votes egg-hatching asked May 29, 2012 by sonicfanrc Please log in or register to add a comment. Please log in or register to answer this question. 1 Answer 1 vote Best answer You cant, there is no possible way. answered May 29, 2012 by Aura Warrior selected Jul 29, 2013 by trachy Can't you tell if you give a light ball to a Pikachu and breed though? commented May 30, 2012 by Danny no where did you here that commented May 30, 2012 by Aura Warrior Please log in or register to add a comment. Related questions Is the gender of an egg determined by the game when I get it or when hatched? Is it possible to hatch a phione egg and it come out lvl 1 with Bubble, Water Sport, and Dive? If any fire type is in your party, will it make an egg hatch faster? I've had a egg in my party for 3days now. Why won't it hatch?? How much faster would an egg hatch when a Pokemon with flame body in your party and the hatching O-Powers? How do I hatch a phione egg? Why won't the egg hatch? What does this egg hatch into? Useful Meta Posts How to change your username How to add a user avatar Why was my post hidden? The points system Question etiquette Flags vs Downvotes Anime FAQ


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The Bleak Future
If Obama wins a second term its trajectory is already written in the history of his first:
Mr. Obama has governed from the left not because he miscalculated his priorities but because these are his priorities. His first term is best understood as a race to put himself in the pantheon of the great progressive Presidents–Wilson, FDR, LBJ–who expanded the state's control over the private economy and over the wants and needs of the American middle class.
The price of this governing choice includes a weak recovery, achievements like ObamaCare that are unpopular, the loss of the House in 2010, and a polarized electorate. Unable to run on his record, he has conducted a low-down re-election campaign based on destroying his opponent's character. If the polls are right, even if he wins re-election, he will do so as the first President since Wilson to win with a smaller margin than he did the first time.
But for Mr. Obama, this won't matter. His great progressive gamble will have paid off. His second term will be about preserving the government gains of his first term, especially ObamaCare, and using regulation to press government control wherever else he can.
This election, you're voting for your children and grandchildren as well as yourself. There is a bleak future waiting for them. For all practical purposes, you and they will become little more than serfs. Wards of the state. Your freedoms diminished and gradually withdrawn one by one.
Obama's America is not America as it was supposed to be.
I have urged people to think – hard – about what this election means. I'm asking you to think hard, again. We have this one chance to reverse course. To vote strategically to give Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan the means to carry out the changes we need to stay free.
I will pray for my country tonight. I will vote tomorrow, on the day appointed by the constitution that I love; the constitution that has given me the opportunity I have had in my life to reach higher than my parents. I will do my duty as a citizen of a country that gave the world the best chance it has ever had to rise above "the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."
I will also pray there are enough patriots to change this country's course.
Vote for you and yours, as if the future depended on it.
It does.
Cross-posted from Blue Crab Boulevard.
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Descendant of Thieves excels at revamping standard menswear looks by paying astute attention to every detail. This short sleeve button-down is far more sophisticated than what first meets the eye, with sumptuous cotton fabric, subtle thread detailing, and covered buttons.
Slim tailored fit.
Small is 29" long, has a 19.5" chest, 9.1" sleeve
Medium is 29.5" long, has a 21" chest, 9.5" sleeve
Large is 30" long, has a 22.5" chest, 9.8" sleeve
XL is 30.5" long, has a 24" chest, 10.25" sleeve
XXL is 31" long, has a 25.5 chest, 10.6" sleeve
This product has no reviews yet. Be the first to review this product. Write a review
Enjoy 10% off your first order*


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WATCH: Emily Blunt Shines in a Tough Role at Cannes
At Cannes, Emily Blunt has made a positive impression on audiences and critics with her role as a principled FBI …Read Now
At Cannes, Emily Blunt has made a positive impression on audiences and critics with her role as a principled FBI …Read Now
We'd like to remind you that this coming Sunday, May 24, is Brother's Day. Sure, your big brother may have …Read Now
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Trying to find Medusa, the heroes become ensnared in the blood sport of the Scythians.View More
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Jason and his allies are tested when Ariadne is accused of treason and sentenced to die.View More