Optimum Learning Environments (OLE)
Charter Domains
Environment
OLE realizes and focuses on an environmental aspect to students education. This occurs through everyday lessons in class, in the school’s naturescape, and at field trips to Keizer Rapids Park, the waste transfer station, and Willamette Mission Park. The school takes part in an Fall and Spring naturescape clean up day to keep our nature area pristine.
Students Learn
- The 8 R’s of Recycling
- Our Naturescape and garden care as well as native and invasive species.
- Earth Week and how to take care of the environment.
- Ecosystems in our area - with our Down by the Riverside trip.
- Indigenous people of the Willamette Valley.
- Conservation - through classroom lessons and Outdoor School.
Arbor Day Tree Planting
Arbor Day Tree Planting
Arbor Day Tree Planting
Down By the Riverside
Civics
OLE recognizes the need to educate students so that they can be a productive member of their school and local community. They do this through multiple service projects during the year, both at school and at the Marion-Polk foodshare. OLE also has a fully functioning student council which spearheads improvement projects around the campus. OLE has had students represented in the Oregon Kid Governor program as well.
Students Learn
- The voting process and electing representatives for Student Council
- Take on leadership roles through student council
- Systems of government and US symbols
- Classroom citizenship and etiquette
- Participate in community service projects including food drive through Marion Polk Food Share and during the Down By the Riverside field trip
- Field trips to City of Keizer buildings (ex. City Hall, police department), Oregon State Capitol, Marion-Polk Food Share and service projects on alternating years.
Field trip to Keizer City Hall
Volunteering at Marion Polk Food Share
Volunteering at Marion Polk Food Share
Technology
OLE continues to push forward with bringing forward technology not only into the classrooms, but into the hands of the student. Every classroom of OLE has a dedicated Chromebook cart so that students always have access. OLE also has programs using programmable robots (ozobots and spheros) as well as 3-D printers in some classrooms. OLE is committed to watching trends in education technology and weaving it into the curriculum, where applicable.
Student Learn
- Begin the year with Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship lessons
- Coding begins in first grade with simple Ozobot activities, followed by Ozobot Challenges and then in intermediate grades, a switch to Spherobots
- Begin designing and printing with a 3d printer….start by creating a simple design and then create a design in response to a challenge
- Introduction and use of the Google programs starts with first grade and continues to grow and expand throughout the grades. Students work with Docs, Slides, Jamboard, etc.
- OLE hosts a STEAM evening for OLE and Forest Ridge (April 6th).
Ozobots
STEAM challenges
3-D Printing
STEAM challenges