Classical School is governed by the Classical Charter School Association (CCSA), through a board of directors, in accordance with a contract with the Appleton Area School District. As a Wisconsin not-for-profit corporation, the CCSA is eligible for contributions from Amazon through their AmazonSmile Foundation. Every time you shop at smile.amazon.com, 0.5% of the purchase price from eligible items will be donated to the CCSA at no cost to you. In the past, CCSA funds have been utilized for teacher and staff appreciation and training, as well as graduation gifts. Please see the Fundraising page under Parent Resources for additional information….
Results from the 2016-2017 Parent Survey We would like to thank all of the families that participated in our Parent Survey last spring. We are pleased to have heard from 98 families! We appreciate the thoughtful comments, suggestions, and concerns that have been voiced and give them careful consideration as we try to incorporate them in planning for the future of Classical School. The most common topic in the responses was the quantity of homework. Classical School does take pride in having a rigorous curriculum but not for its own sake. There is a necessary level complexity and depth in…
It’s hard to believe another academic year at Classical School has almost come and gone! The biggest news of this year was of course the interim leadership of Mr. Bomann. The CCSA Board is thrilled to announce that he will continue to serve as our Principal. Mr. Bomann will be missed by all in the classroom. As you know, Mr. Bomann is one of the many master teachers we are fortunate to have at Classical School. His expertise will be invaluable in searching for and mentoring teachers new to our school and classical education. Mr. Bomann takes great pride in…
Update from the Math & Science Educational Program Committee (EPC) The Math & Science EPC is chaired by Chris VanRyzin with Board member representation by Peter Chen, Research & Development manager at Bemis. This EPC is responsible for identifying strengths and weaknesses of the math and science programs at Classical School and recommending any changes of the curriculum or instruction materials to the CCSA board. Science: One clearly identified need that was brought forward by the EPC was the lack of a science textbook for 7th and 8th grade science. In the fall of 2016, members of the EPC contacted…
Just a reminder that the CCSA Board meeting originally scheduled for Thursday, February 9, was rescheduled to Tuesday, February 7, at 6:30 pm, in Room 124, at Classical School. The meeting was rescheduled due to the concert for grades 1 – 3 on Thursday evening. The public is welcome to attend all open portions of CCSA Board meetings. Agendas and minutes of CCSA Board meetings are located on the Leadership page of the website.
Update from the World Language Educational Program Committee (EPC): The World Language EPC, chaired by Mrs. Stacey Foley, is charged with identifying strengths and weaknesses in Classical School’s language program and making recommendations to the CCSA Board for changes, additions, and/or deletions in the present curriculum or instructional materials. At Classical, world languages include our Spanish program and Latin/Greek. Spanish: Señora Anna Cihlar is spearheading efforts to evaluate the goals of Classical School’s Spanish program. The Spanish teachers are currently working together to document curriculum as it relates to the skills of language learning. The World Language EPC will work…
As alluded to in the October edition of the Classical Columns, the Board Committee structure was slightly tweaked and the presentation of strategic goals has a new look! We would encourage you to take a look if you haven’t already: 2016-17 Classical School Strategic Plan. Please see our new Board structure and Educational Program Committee structure. The Educational Program Committees are not new. However, these Committees will now be led by staff persons who have volunteered to serve as Committee Chairs. Board members will serve alongside of these chairpersons and staff members on the Committee. The Committees will be charged…
Over the past 18 years, the Classical School Board has been an active and engaged Board of strong advocates for classical education and our school. There have been many changes in the materials we use to teach our curriculum, new subjects added, and numerous best practices implemented and developed in our classrooms. All Board decisions were made to promote the greatest possible student growth and lay a firm educational foundation for future learning. Classical School’s mission is to provide excellence and justice in education for school children through a common foundation. We teach students a contextual body of organized knowledge,…
Welcome to the 2016-2017 academic year at Classical School. This is our 18th year in operation! The Core Knowledge curriculum remains the firm foundation of our exemplary classical charter school. Classical School has grown immeasurably over the years. This is due in large part to growing enthusiasm for classical education, the many gifts and talents of our dedicated teachers and staff, and the support of our most important educational partners, our parents. Last year was once again fast-paced and action-packed for the CCSA Board. Anne Tretinyak, Melissa DeVantier, Joanne Bielmeier, Sarah Roe, Kiran Chawla and Tim Broeckert worked diligently to…
I heard a funny joke about two men who encounter a bear while hiking in the woods. One of the men immediately stopped to take his boots off and put on his tennis shoes. The other man shouted, “You’re never gonna out run this bear.” The man replied, “I only have to out run you!” We were scheduled to appear before the Program and Services Committee of the Appleton Area School District on Thursday, January 29. After submitting a presentation to the district so it would be available for use during the committee meeting, we received calls from both Assistant…
