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“There is an energy in the art room that you can't get anywhere else. I get to see kids grow from the "I can't draw" stage to creating a piece of art that they are truly proud of and can say "this is my best work". And Placer Academy? I would not do this job anywhere else!” (Placer Academy Charter (PAC) Art Teacher Krista Hilmen) As U.S. public school budgets get squeezed, many districts have chosen to cut or altogether eliminate visual art classes from their curriculum. In fact, less than half of current public school students receive any arts education at all. This is tough news for all students, as art education is more than just paint on paper or playing with clay. Recent studies show that art is an essential learning block for children. Art challenges students to develop different points of view, empathize with others, and reflect on the world around them.  Embedded in Our Curriculum At Placer Academy Charter (PAC), we understand and value the role that art education plays in our students' lives. Each grade, from TK-6th, receives 50 minutes of art classes every week from a full-time, designated art teacher. Art curriculum is based on Core Knowledge units that are taught at each grade level, pulling in lessons from social studies, language arts, and science to enrich student learning. Something for Everyone Art education is also about simply having fun! PAC students enjoy working with a wide variety of mediums during the course of a year, including clay, watercolor, tempera, oil pastels, and fibers. Artists in all grades create a clay project, a three-dimensional sculpture, and numerous pieces with tempera, watercolor, chalk, and oil pastels. Our older students get to work with colored pencils and dive into the benefits of fine technique.  Exhibits and More Every spring PAC hosts an art show and invites families and the community to view student art projects. Student work is displayed in our school hallways and common spaces throughout the year, including special exhibits that beautify our outdoor spaces! Our art teacher uploads all student art to Artsonia so parents can see their child’s artwork as it is completed. PAC also maintains an Instagram account that showcases images and stories about student work. Thanks to Family Support The PAC art program was started six years ago by parents who were passionate about bringing art into our classrooms. Since that time, it’s grown to include all grades and now is fully supported through funds raised by our PTO. It’s a valued and visible part of our school – and we are grateful to our community for their support! A commitment to the arts is just one of the many unique ways Placer Academy is serving TK-6 with tuition-free charter education. Find out more and join us today! About Placer Academy Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now.
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Every once in a while we sit down with a teacher or staff member at Placer Academy to ask them about their lives. The answers are always interesting, and sometimes surprising! This week we chatted with TK Teacher Marissa Griffith. Here’s what she had to say.  Marissa Griffith When did you know you wanted to be an educator?I knew I wanted to be an educator when I had my first childhood development course in college. I had a wonderful professor who was so passionate and enthusiastic about teaching all of us. She had this light that would shine every time she gave a lecture or watched us present our projects. After being in her class and learning about the impact that educators can make, I felt it was the right path for me.
Who was your favorite teacher and why? My favorite teacher was my child development professor in college. She made a huge difference in my life and changed my career path going forward. She was interesting and easy to interact with. She really cared about me as a whole person and not just that I would pass her class. The focus of the class was Project Based Learning and developing a curriculum that we would use in the future. How does Placer Academy’s mission and vision align with your personal values? Placer Academy’s mission and vision align with my personal values in a myriad of ways. First and foremost is their belief in Project Based Learning. I am a huge advocate for hands-on learning and self-expression in the classroom. Secondly is our passion for developing the whole child. We do not just work with children academically, we challenge them to be the best version of themselves through social and emotional teaching and thinking creatively. Lastly, PAC’s ability to make everyone feel welcome and at home is one of the best gifts I could ask for when seeking employment. Overall, I feel that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. What do you love most about your role? What I love most about my role in the school is being able to be the starting point for all of the children at Placer Academy. Being the TK teacher feels uniquely special and a huge privilege. I have met so many wonderful children and parents and I look forward to meeting many more. What else would you like us to know about YOU? I love animals of all kinds. I have many pets including a dog, cats, reptiles, and fish. I also enjoy reading and spending time with my family on the weekends. Our caring teachers create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for all learners. Find out how Placer Academy can be a great fit for your TK-6 student and enroll today! About Placer AcademyPlacer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now. At Placer Academy, there are so many reasons why our students are thriving. Here are our top 10!  1. Building Knowledge – One Year at a Time Our innovative TK-6 Core Knowledge curriculum inspires students with sequenced, project based learning. Different grades partner together on subjects, including a cross-grade level buddy program that brings students together to work on projects, including STEM challenges and history reenactments. Our curriculum builds strong foundations of knowledge in the early years - laying the groundwork for language development and future success. 2. Extended Hours We extend the learning day for families who need it with fee-based programs that are open to all ages. Students can access a variety of fun and stimulating programs, including after-school enrichment on campus and an off-campus fun club. 3. Supporting All Learners High potential students will find many opportunities to engage with challenging curriculum through Project-Based Learning. For students who need some academic support, we provide classroom aides, phonics and math intervention, as well as special education services. 4. Families Are our Strength We are a “Parent Cooperative School” and we welcome caregivers in our classrooms and on our playground. We encourage all families to volunteer a minimum of 30 hours per year, and it’s not hard to find opportunities to engage with learning here - from classroom aides to PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)and Board members to field trip and lunchroom helpers. We can’t be successful without your help! 5. Community Is our Classroom We get our kids out of their classrooms and into the community, partnering with area businesses on service learning opportunities and special projects. All grades participate in field trips to historical sites, state parks, community festivals and more - connecting with the world beyond our campus. 6. Our Teachers Care Our small school environment enables our teachers and staff to know each student personally, and greet them by name. We care about our students and consider them family - and that extends to parents and caregivers, too! Recognizing that parents play an essential role in their child’s academic success, we support families as active and integral members of our school community. 7. Spanish for All Placer Academy’s full-time Spanish teacher works 2 times a week with students in all grade levels, beginning in TK! Our Spanish curriculum teaches language and connects our students to the world around them, giving them an opportunity to learn and practice Spanish while they explore Spanish-speaking countries' cultures, geography, holidays and customs. 8. Celebrating Ourselves We love to encourage students who are doing their best and exemplifying positive behaviors both inside and outside the classroom, and often use school assemblies as an opportunity to recognize and reward them publicly. Our PTO helps plan and coordinate annual all-school celebrations, including our annual One School One Book project that culminates in a community-building event featuring student presentations and visiting authors.  9. Makers Welcome Here
In a time when many public school art programs have been cut or eliminated, Placer Academy is known for our robust art program. Students in each grade take art from a full-time designated art teacher. Families are invited on campus to enjoy exhibits of student work and performances, as well as the annual Beautifully Made Art Show and Auction, and field trips bring our students to area museums and theaters. 10. Enrolling Anytime The last reason to enroll in Placer Academy may be the simplest - you can join us at any time! We are currently accepting applications for TK-6th grades in our tuition-free charter school. There are so many reasons to consider Placer Academy for your TK-6 student. Find out more and enroll today! About Placer Academy Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, project based learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now. |
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