Oracle Hiking Club Goes Camping in Allegheny

During the weekend of May 15th, Oracle Charter School's Hiking Club went on its first annual spring camping trip to Allegheny State Park.

After a year of fund raising, we were able to rent two cabins on the Anderson Trail.

Arriving Friday night, the priorities were to enjoy the pizzas we had picked up, start a nice (if smokey…) fire, and for the hikers to engage in a full-fledged water war.

Gathering wood that first evening the campers found several small salamanders. That night, after a few s’mores, the entire group went on a terrifying ride up to the abandoned Stone Tower, got lost on an old logging road, and then, on foot, came nearly face-to-face with the “Abandoned Hiker,” a well-known ghost of the Park. If you have never heard Alysson and Beth scream…keep it that way!


On Saturday, we awoke early to clear skies, and since storms were on the horizon, we quickly rallied for a nearly 7 mile hike through the hills of Allegheny. While large wildlife was not encountered, we caught numerous frogs and salamanders and the birdcalls were wonderful. We finished off the evening with some football, another water fight, and then a full fledged hot-dog roast over a raging fire. All in all, it was a fantastic experience, and I am already looking forward to next year's camping trip!

-John Elliott, adviser to the Hiking Club, teaches AP Environmental Science and Earth Science at Oracle Charter School.

Teacher of the Week: Mr. Michael Schroeder

This week's Teacher of the Week is Mr. Michael Schroeder. Mr. Schroeder, a Social Studies teacher who has been with the Oracle staff for two years, brings quality instruction, engaging projects, a love of history, and a deep dedication to his students and colleagues to his classroom every day. Currently, Mr. Schroeder teaches Global History and Geography II and AP American History and Government.

Mr. Schroeder challenges his students not just to learn history but to make it come alive through project-based learning opportunities and critical discussion. In his Global II classes, students are beginning an underground French Revolutionary newspaper project. In AP American History and Government, students are functioning as Supreme Court Justices in a mock trial simulation that explores the topic of civil liberties versus casino advertising.

Asked what he most enjoys about teaching at Oracle Charter School, Mr. Schroeder responded, "The people. I love the kids and their enthusiasm. I really enjoy the look on their faces when they understand a concept, do well on a test, or really excel on a project. My fellow teachers are just terrific as well. Being in a charter school and seeing the dedication of my colleagues makes me want to work harder." It is this kind of teacher who helps charter schools achieve success with all students!

Ironically, Mr. Schroeder didn't start out wanting to teach. Despite his initial resistance, however, his career choices kept bringing him back to working with children (he has worked as a YMCA recreation director, coach, and program coordinator for an intermediate care facility for children), and he eventually took the next step and combined his love of history with his dedication to working with children and students.

We are proud to have Mr. Michael Schroeder as a dedicated member of our Oracle Charter School teaching staff!

Favorite topics to teach:

• Absolute Monarchs (notice the seal of Elizabeth I at the left...this is a stained glass window here at Oracle Charter School);
  
• the World Wars;
• the Russian Revolution;
• the workings of the Supreme Court;
• the relationship between the branches of the U.S. government.

Special knowledge: Mr. Schroeder is extremely knowledgeable about autism and the epidemic of autism spectrum disorders currently being diagnosed in this country. As many of you know, Mr. Schroeder's son is diagnosed with this developmental disability, and he cares deeply about promoting awareness, funding and research to combat this increasingly prevalent diagnosis.

Holiday Food Pantry Donation

Before Winter Break, Oracle students collected canned goods as 'payment' for their participation in Spirit Week dress-down days. The students at right were busy packing up the food supplies for transport. No, those aren't Oracle uniforms...it was Fashion Disaster Day!

As the result of the students' canned goods collection, Oracle Charter School was able to contribute approximately two weeks worth of food supplies to the food pantry at the Network of Religious Communities on Delaware Ave. in Buffalo.

Thanks to Mrs. Owen and the Student Council for organizing this canned food drive donation. Great work, everyone!

Please remember that we have another food drive in process collecting peanut butter, jelly, and juice. The collection box is in the College Counseling office.

Financial Aid Night: Paying for College

We are in the middle of the college admissions season here at Oracle Charter School. Applications and transcripts are currently in process for a number of our students, with others putting the finishing touches on essays or lists of activities before mailing or submitting their applications online. Already, some of our Oracle Charter School seniors have been accepted to colleges, both in the Buffalo area and elsewhere!

The month of January marks the point in each school year when financing a college education becomes the focus of our efforts and of many parents concerns. To assist parents with this process, we will be hosting a special evening program called Financial Aid Night: Paying for College. The program will be in the Morning Meeting Room beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2009.

The meeting will be run by a representative from the Financial Aid Office of Niagara University. The representative will be discussing the financial aide process in general for all colleges...not just Niagara University. Topics will include: how to begin the financial aid application process, where to get information, and how to complete the FAFSA form. We will also provide time for a Question & Answer session for parents.

Parents of all seniors should plan to attend this program, especially if this is your fist time going through the college application and financial aid process. If you are a seasoned veteran of the college application process, with older children who have successfully navigated obtaining financial aid, it is still a good event to attend. Things in the world of financial aid change rapidly.

Please contact the school at 362-3188 if you have any questions or concerns.

Food Drive: It's Peanut Butter & Jelly Time

With the new year, Oracle Charter School will be participating in a food drive to benefit the food pantry of the AIDS Community Services of Western New York.

The goal of the AIDS Community Services of WNY food drive is to stock their food pantry with the amount of peanut butter, jelly, and juice that they will need to feed hungry families in 2009.

Please bring in a jar of peanut butter or jelly or a large can of juice.

These items are very popular in the food pantry and are nutritious as well!