by: Ted Hamm
IDEAS Students Shape Tradition
Many of you have noticed that we changed the name of Morp this year to May Ball. As with any decision in our school, this was not a decision made without student voice and research.
Early this year, the student organizers of May Ball came to me and asked about the origins of Morp. I explained to them that the term Morp was meant to be a counterpart to Prom, offering a more inclusive and accessible alternative to Prom. Our interpretation of Morp was to keep costs down in terms of ticket prices and the need for overly expensive outfits. To keep ticket costs down, our students typically performed or DJ'ed the event. Much of the food was homemade. Additionally, the event was held in the back portion of EBCO. All of these factors helped us respond to what we saw as out of control costs and expectations for the traditional Prom.
The organizers of May Ball this year asked to make some changes to the event. They wanted a more formal event that still included some of the student run aspects from the past which would help keep costs down and maintain a student infused event. We were able to do this by holding the event at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, but with food from parents and Bayden DJing the event. The organizers wanted a title change that reflected the revisions to the event. The term May Ball comes from an academic tradition, and is used as the term for a formal dance at the end of the spring academic term. Examples of this include colleges in England that end their May Ball with a trip to Paris. (I told the organizers that I would not support that.)
The event was a resounding success with many compliments from the John Michael Kohler Arts Center staff in attendance. It was a more formal event, but with the same student enthusiasm and voice that makes our school special. I invite you to check out the photos on the Sheboygan Press site; I am sure you will agree that our students clean up very well!
by: Beth Carreño
Expanding Horizons: Opportunities of Experience for Our Students
A core part of our educational philosophy is to provide our students experiences outside of the traditional classroom. These opportunities are critical to developing background knowledge, one of the strongest indicators of how well a student will learn and succeed.
by: Beth Carreño
Jeff Tweedy: A Sheboygan State of Mind
The 2015 – 2016 season for the Étude Sessions is winding down, but not before Wilco's Jeff Tweedy brings his musical stylings to Sheboygan’s Historic Weill Center on Friday, April 29th. This will be a memorable night of Good Music + Good Cause in Sheboygan.
by: Beth Carreño
Etude Sessions Sponsors: Good Music + Good Cause
The music you hear at the Etude Session is a reminder of the learning that takes place at ESAA[/elementaryschool/], Mosaic[/middleschool/], and IDEAS Academy[/highschool/]. Money raised through this concert series supports our schools and learning without limits.
by: Beth Carreno
The Étude Group's Maker Movement
There is a lot of talk in education these days about “makerspaces.” It seems to be a new buzz word. The reality is that while it may be a new concept for some in the education community, it’s one of the foundations for The Étude Group. While the concepts of making and creating are not new for us, our role in sharing this concept at a greater level with the community is.
by: Ted Hamm
A Parent Maker Night Primer
Dear Parents, Students, Staff, and Friends:
by: Kimberly Johnson
Parent Maker Night
Please join us for an evening of making at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center!
by: Beth Carreno
ESAA Creative Process: It’s No Accident
A recent blog covered ESAA’s first grade Exhibition of Learning (EOL) on human body systems. It was a reminder of what The Étude Group’s education philosophies create when they are put into practice. It was also an opportunity for us to step back and acknowledge that this is not an accident. The approach, the successes, the learning…it is purposeful, and it is a process.
by: Beth Carreno
ESAA receives funding for forestry education
The Wisconsin Environmental Education Board (WEEB) announced that ESAA / The Etude Group has been awarded $4,700 to develop and enhance forestry education projects at the school.
by: Beth Carreño
A Sheboygan State of Mind
Friday night brings a great Étude Session when Reina Del Cid[http://reinadelcid.com/]and company bring their rich sounds to Paradigm Coffee and Music. Good Music + Good Cause is delivering on its name in Sheboygan.
