Student Spotlight! Meet Emma…

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

21CCCS is proud to recognize the academic pursuits of alumni after they leave the comforts of high school behind. The world is a great big place with a wide range of opportunities. This week, we’d like to feature an alumni who graduated more recently. Since commencement, Emma has enrolled as a student at Muhlenberg College. Read below to learn what she had to say about the transition following graduation and what’s to come.

Emma:

After graduating from 21CCCS, and the Theatre program that I concurrently attended during my senior year (Capital Area School for the Arts), I began my undergraduate studies at my first choice school: Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Its theatre department was ranked #1 in the country last year by the Princeton Review. I eagerly anticipated a great first semester. Muhlenberg definitely exceeded my expectations.

During my first weeks, in addition to making many fast friends, I interviewed and was hired for my first work-study position: Film editor for the On-Camera Acting class. A great surprise that followed in October was being promoted from second to first chair.

In October and November, I had the whirlwind experience of directing Why Cupid Came to Earl’s Court for Muhlenberg’s Red Door Play Festival. Throughout the rehearsal process, I was one of six student bloggers writing for the Theatre & Dance Department’s new Tumblr account, documenting my observations as a first-time director.

Another fantastic opportunity I had this semester was to be a part of founding the Muhlenberg Music Association. I was hired to be Secretary on the Executive Board. This provided many fantastic and fun experiences towards the end of the semester, including going holiday caroling, doing a flash mob, and working the 2012 Lehigh Valley Music Awards event.

Thanks to 21CCCS, I was able to pursue my performing arts interests in high school and go into college with the experience and confidence necessary to tackle this semester’s endeavors. And, although Muhlenberg has given me so much, I cherish still being connected to my 21CCCS family. I just returned from a weekend in Philadelphia with three other alumni, I also have plans to go to the Farm Show tomorrow with a current 21CCCS senior. I can definitively say that 21CCCS gave me the best friends I could ever imagine.

Emma is off to a great start and we are excited to see what’s next. Congrats on your successes and best wishes for those to come!

If you are an alumni wishing to contribute to our blog, contact us today! We’d love to hear from you!

Spring Break Possibilities

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

The time to relax is coming! Our students and teachers here at 21CCCS work SO hard; they have earned a little rest and relaxation. But, what to do? Not everyone can hop a plane to the Congo, or afford a cruise of the Mediterranean. Spring break is the time of the school year just before the final stretch to summer. It is a great time to focus on something educational and interesting—to help stimulate our minds and challenge us in new ways. So, what can folks across the commonwealth do to charge their brains and still have fun? Check out a few of these options!

1.) Crystal Cave Park, Kutztown, PA: This is a spot that offers a tour of underground crystal caves for just $12.50 per person. An educational 45-minute tour can show you and your children a variety of stalactites, stalagmites, and dropstone formations that were discovered back in 1871. This is easy to get to and sure to impress. For more details, click here: http://www.crystalcavepa.com/

2.) The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA: You might consider visiting the academy. Their permanent exhibits include butterflies, a dinosaur hall, dioramas of Africa, Asia, and North America, as well as a live animal center. The museum is open to the public for $15 per adult. For more details, click here: http://www.ansp.org/visit/

3.) Penn’s Cave, Centre Hall, PA: This spot is open year round and offers visitors the opportunity to view an underground stream and wildlife. You can choose between touring the only the cavern, or the wildlife (both is an option, too!). Rates vary up to $30 per person, based on which things you would like to tour. For more details, click here: http://www.pennscave.com/

4.) The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA: This is a great museum offering insight into science explorations. The institute is currently featuring an exhibit on the Titanic (through April). Rates range from $12.50-25.00 per person, depending on which exhibits/attractions you would like to see. For more details, click here: http://www2.fi.edu/

5.) The Kennett Symphony of Chester County: Kennett Square, PA: Why not book tickets to hear the symphony? Their season has begun, and the sounds are wonderful! Check out their schedule and consider tickets for your family! For more details, click here: http://www.kennettsymphony.org/

6.) Road Trip to Hamburg, Hamburg, PA: Looking for something to do for a few days? Hamburg is a spot offering over 200 years of history. You and your family can explore attractions such as “Roadside America,” “The Gallery of Hamburg,” “The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum,” and the “Blue Rocks.” There is so much to do! Plan a few days for yourselves and explore. For more details, click here: http://hamburgpa.org/

The Heart of a Poet

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

Poetry is one of the most beautiful art forms we have. It offers a way for individuals to express themselves, connect with others, and explore something in our lives in a new way. 21CCCS is proud of our very own resident poet, Tiffany Power, whose passion for poetry has led to a recent publication. Tiffany is inspired by the world around her, and loves expressing what she has experienced. We are so proud of her accomplishment: being published through the Poeticpower/Creative Communications contest.

Upon learning of Tiffany’s exciting news, I wanted to learn more about her writing process. In a recent interview, Tiffany shared how she started writing poetry, what she loves to write about, and what keeps her writing. Read below to learn more about her, and to view a sample of her poetry.

Q: When did you first start writing poetry?
A: I guess that I first really started writing at the end of sixth grade when we did a pretty extensive poetry unit in school.

Q: What inspires you to write?
A: Other writers, mostly. When you listen to a song on the radio and it describes exactly what you’re going through or thinking, it’s amazing. And songs are just poetry put to music. If someone can read or hear what I write and get something out of it, that’s just really cool.

Q: Where do your ideas come from?
A: My ideas come from what happens to me. Life itself, really. You write what you know. If some rich person who’s an awesome writer were to write about how hard life is when you have to work hard for a living or when you have to make the best out of the little that you have, it won’t be as good as if someone who’s actually had to go through it were writing. I’m not saying it wouldn’t be a good piece of writing, just that it wouldn’t mean as much since they’ve never actually felt what it is they were writing about.

Q: What topics does your writing mostly explore?
A: Lately, I’ve been writing a lot about love and, consequently, heartbreak. Oh, the woes of being a teenager!

Q: What do you hope to do in the future? Do you want to publish your poetry? If so, where? (What magazines, venues?)
A: I’ve had one poem published officially, so far for the Poeticpower/Creative Communications writing contest. I first entered the Spring 2012 contest they had and since received the book. I submitted another poem to their Fall 2012 contest in December. I recently got a letter in the mail saying they want to publish the second poem in this book. I would like to find some contests that offer college scholarships or money to the winners to get something towards school (college is expensive!).

Q: What would you say to other poets? How might you encourage them?
A: It doesn’t matter what you write about. You can write about anything you know! I’ve started reading some of the other poems in the book that mine is published in and so far I’ve seen some poems about relatives, holidays, the seasons, love, and even one about toast! There are no rules about what you can write.

Q: Why do you like writing poetry? What do you get out of it?
A: I like writing poetry, writing in general, really, because I’m good at it; it’s something I can do. I like words, random words, vocabulary (my favorite word is defenestrate), putting words together, etc. because it comes easy for me. Math and science… not so much. I get some pretty good memories out of it. Seeing all that a person has written you can see if they’ve gotten better and it’s like a timeline of their life. I can look back on the things that I wrote and be like, “Oh, I remember I was going through this when I wrote that” or “I wrote that about this person”.

Q: How has your life changed since you started writing poetry?
A: I’m not sure if this question is asking how my life has changed and that has affected how I write/what I write about or how the act of writing has helped to change my life since I started. I guess I’ll try to answer both. Looking at my writings from 8th grade or so, when I made the transition into cyberschooling, you can see that I wasn’t very happy. But as my life progressed and things changed and I met some new friends, you can see how my writing reflected this happiness. Writing has helped me to keep control of my emotions and get them out, rather than keep them pent-up inside of me.

Q: Are there any classes here at 21CCCS (or clubs?) that have helped you to develop your poetic nature?
A: I haven’t really had any classes that focused to much on the aspect of poetry. The English classes have a short unit on it. I tried attending the Poetry Club meetings, but I can never find the time between school and other things that I have going on.
The following two poems were recently published by the Poeticpower/Creative Communications contest.

This Must Be

I close my eyes and I can see
Your sparkling smile aimed right at me.
I feel the rush when I’m around you.
My head starts to spin from the adrenaline.

Butterflies in my stomach, I’m weak at the knees.
I’m not sure I can breathe with you this close to me.
This must be how it feels to be in love.

I look up and my eyes meet yours.
You smile and then you look away.
Thoughts of you race through my mind.
Can you tell I am dreaming about you and I?

Butterflies in my stomach, I’m weak at the knees.
I’m not sure I can breathe with you this close to me.
This must be how it feels, how it feels to be in love

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time we were in love,
Once upon a time it was enough.
Once upon a time you broke my heart,
Once upon a time we fell apart.

Once upon a time we were together,
Once upon a time we were forever.
Once upon a time we thought we’d last,
Once upon a time is in the past.

Once upon a time we were in love,
Once upon a time it really was true.
Once upon a time we were together,
Once upon a time there was me and you.

Once upon a time it was you I loved,
Once upon a time it was enough.
Once upon a time I broke your heart,
I don’t want us to fall apart.

Why I Love My P4SLs

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

To learn more about our P4SL Model and what it means to teachers, read below. These are some of the experiences of English teacher, Eileen Vice:

The name “P4SL” is likely unfamiliar to anyone outside of the 21st Century family. That’s right, I said “family.” That’s what we are like here at 21CCCS! Originally, our family knew the phrase P4SL stood for “Plan for Student Learning.” (I should know, because I’ve been here FOREVER!) The P4SL was a program our students entered to help them understand their unique learning styles. At some point in time, the program’s name shifted. Today, it is not the name of the program. Instead, a P4SL is the term we use to refer to our student mentees. Weird, right?

So what are P4SLs anyway? As I mentioned, they are essentially mentees. Teachers at 21CCCS act as a Learning Coach for their P4SLs. Being a learning coach is what makes my job especially exciting. I get to work closely with a smaller number of students outside of my teaching load. I communicate with them about grades, sure. But, I also get the chance to talk about other important topics like friendships, family, jobs, fears and anxieties, goals, and dreams. I dispense wisdom and advice they always appreciate and follow (okay, not always, but they make a good show of it.)

Why is the P4SL relationship so important? Having a Learning Coach means every student has a special point of connection with 21CCCS. It means every parent has the phone number and email address of the person who knows their child better than anyone else at school. As a result, I get a lot of calls from my P4SLs and parents alike. Although many parents feel the need to apologize for “hassling me,” they are never a bother. I love to talk to them about what is going on with their child, especially since kids sometimes forget to tell their parents the important stuff. Everyone who knows me knows that I do not like surprises. Open communication prevents surprises. It is one of the most crucial components of the P4SL relationship.

I find the best way to connect to my P4SLs is to torture them mercilessly. To get them to submit their yearbook head shots, I repeatedly send photos of myself from my high school days (those were some good years!). I like to start the year off right by sending my P4SLs postcards in the summer. That way, they don’t forget about me or their school! I force them to get their picture taken with me on field trips. I make them schedules, even if they don’t want them, and accuse them of “trying to kill me” when they procrastinate. They come to love my incessant nagging, and expect it by the end of the school year. They know I do it because I care.

On the other hand, there are many things my P4SLs may not know about me.

They may not know that I don’t lose sleep over their failures because I am disappointed or frustrated. I lose sleep because I know they are so much more than a grade on a piece of paper. My P4SLs may not know that I will forever remember what they’ve told me they want to be when they grow up. Some students have been my P4SLs for over 5 years. I am certain they do not always believe that I know what I am talking about, or that I could possibly understand what life is like for teenagers today. But, I have five daughters. Believe me, I get it.

I think my P4SLs are amazing. I think they are smart and funny, and strong and capable. I think they are brave for trying online learning and succeeding, even more so if they failed at first. I think they are pioneers in the fields of education and life. Most of all, I am more proud than they will ever know, that they are mine.

And when they walk across the stage at their graduation, I will cry like a baby.

Who Are Our Students?

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

Read below to learn about the students of our school, as described by one of our English teachers, Kathleen Groff.

“So…what kind of kids do you teach?”

In my six years teaching here at the 21^st Century Cyber Charter School, this has to be the question I am most frequently asked. The concept of a middle or high school existing completely online is foreign enough to some people. Now try imagining what sort of students might attend such a school.

Luckily for them, I have a very thorough answer to this question!

I tell them that my students are athletes who are dedicated to their sport and training. They work hard each day, pushing themselves both physically and mentally to reach the next level and achieve greatness in their sport and passion. They need the flexible schedule we offer to accommodate their demanding practice schedule.

My students are also musicians and artists; they work their fingers raw perfecting a difficult concerto, while traveling to and from auditions to look for their next project. They need to be able to travel to New York City several times a week or attend lessons during the day to continue growing as artists.

My students are dealing with the emotional scars of bullying and gossip. They come to our school to find a safe, accepting atmosphere. They leave toxic and painful environments and make the brave choice to enter a new type of schooling. Our school is one where students are free to be themselves, learn, and build new friendships.

My students were once lost in a traditional classroom, as they silently watched the class move on to the next topic before they could gain understanding; they now thrive in an environment where they can receive one-on-one attention and work at a speed that is more comfortable for them.

My students were once tapping their pencils on a desk, bored by the pace of a brick and mortar classroom. They wanted to be challenged academically and move through the curriculum at their own pace. They need a rigorous course load that they can complete, given their strengths and abilities.

My students are members of families who value their homeschooling lifestyle and seek a superior education with certified teachers, which can still be delivered in their home environment; they are students struggling with medical issues who wish to learn while in the comfort of their own home; they are young mothers and fathers who are trying to care for their child while building a future through an education.

Ultimately, of course, my students are young adults who deserve a quality, flexible education that places them at the center. They are the reason we do what we do here at 21CCCS!

Keeping Active While Indoors

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

The winter doldrums are tough to beat. The cold weather makes it much more difficult to exercise outdoors. But, thanks to one of our physical education teachers, Mrs. Kennelly, we have a few indoor workout options to suggest for you! Here is a quick workout option you can do to stay fit, release endorphins, and maintain your healthy state of being, all from the comfort of your living room. You only need a small space, and this can be done without weights or gym machinery. Give it a try! If you like it, tell us how it worked out for you by commenting on our Facebook page.

Quick 30 Minute Circuit:

50 jumping jacks
30 sec. jump rope
20 alternating lunges
30 sec. jump rope
20 squats
30 sec. jump rope
60 sec. high knees
30 sec. jump rope
10 jump squats
30 sec. jump rope
10 burpees
30 sec. jump rope
60 jumping jacks
30 sec. jump rope
20 sec. mountain climbers
30 sec. jump rope
25 push ups
30 sec. jump rope
60 sec. plank
***Repeat 1 time

Not sure how to do a burpee? Take a look at the video below!

What’s A Hashtag?

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

It's just a pound symbol. This should be easy enough to figure out! — It’s just a pound symbol. This should be easy enough to figure out!

I’m sure you’ve heard the word before. Hashtag. Or, maybe you’ve heard it used in a sentence. A friend casually makes a joke by saying, “Ugh, I have so much homework to do tonight! Hashtag– Life Is Hard!” You laugh with the best of them and say something like, “Yes! Totally! Hashtag times a million!” But inside, you might be asking yourself: What on earth is a hashtag? Where does it belong? And how do I use one? Never fear! 21CCCS knows all about the mighty hashtag. We can help!

Twitter.com offers a help center to help you understand what you’ve been missing out on. CLICK HERE to access their article. If you don’t feel up to reading that, here is all you need to know:

Hashtags are used to categorize Tweets, or group messages
There are lots of hashtags already in use, so you can usually add a pre-existing hashtag to your tweet
Hashtags may help you to find trending topics, or simply topics that may interest you
Yes, it is spelled as one word. I promise. I looked it up.

For more hot tips, follow us on Twitter @21CyberSchool

Student Spotlight!

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

21CCCS is proud to recognize our alumni after they leave the comforts of our school behind. The world is a great big place with plenty of opportunities! Read below to see what some of those opportunities look and feel like for our grads.

Meet Noelle Croner Nielsen! We asked her to sum up life after high school. Here’s what she had to say:

It’s difficult to sum up all that I have done or what I’d like to say (which I guess is a really great thing), but I will give it a try! I chose to seek an education through 21CCCS in order to further my opportunities and experiences in the professional dance world. This school gave me the ability to train and audition around the world while finishing high school. Upon graduation, I attended Cedar Crest College with a double major in Dance and Communications. I was continuing to work professionally in New York booking commercials and print ad campaigns.

After a year of college, I decided I wanted to dedicate all my time to working professionally. With the blessing from my parents, I left school and dove right into this crazy industry. Not long after, I booked a TV SHOW called “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” which aired on Lifetime and was a competition series between professional dancers. With America’s vote, I ended up winning that show! I found myself back in New York for a short time before a relocation to Las Vegas, NV (my current city) where I performed in JUBILEE!

After completing two six-month contracts, I was given the chance to cruise the world while performing aboard Celebrity Cruise Lines. I returned back to Vegas and joined the cast of yet another show for a little over a year and have recently taken on my newest and most proud achievement: I am performing in Franco Dragone’s LE REVE THE DREAM. We perform 10 shows a week, over 450 shows a year in the worlds most beautiful aqua-theatre located at the WYNN in Las Vegas! It’s absolutely remarkable and a dream come true!

I was also recently married, (August 3, 2012) which was an incredible experience. My husband’s name is Christian.

Feel free to search and visit my website to check out more details on past and current projects. Dream Big! Cheers!

We are proud that Noelle is pursuing her dreams. Best wishes to you in your future projects and aspirations, Noelle!

Beating Test Anxiety

Posted on January 30, 2013October 27, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

I’ll be the first to admit that I had severe test anxiety when I was in middle and high school. For many, the things I might describe are unfathomable– maybe crazy sounding. But, here are some of the things I used to experience:

In spite of hours of preparation, as the night before a test approached, my nerves started to jitter. I was nervous about performing well on the test, which is the most common fear for anxious testers. I would feel my heart pounding, and my fingers and arms shaky. I would think about the items I’d memorized for the test, reciting and writing them down, checking that I had remembered every last thing. Sleeping the night before a test was never an option. The adrenaline would pump through me just enough to get me through a sleepless night and to the test, after which I would crash, feeling exhausted and drained. Oh, and did I mention that these feelings were often shared for quizzes, too?

My mother tried, to no avail, to help me with my anxiety. She would remind me that I was over-prepared. That I knew the material. That my grades would be great. And if they weren’t it wasn’t the end of the world. But the sweaty palms, jittery body, nausea, and inability to eat beforehand were overwhelming– to say the least. When I finally got to the test, I would freeze. It would take a few minutes before I could feel ready to collect my thoughts start the test. I didn’t think there was a solution. And, I thought I was alone in my anxiety. I thought I was just plain crazy.

So, what has changed since the days when I was a kid? Well, for starters, there is perhaps more emphasis placed on testing. Kids are tested constantly, especially through state standardized testing. While offering more tests more frequently might help to diffuse student anxiety (because they are conditioned to take more tests more often) there may be some students who experience a compounding effect on their anxiety. But, more importantly, offering more tests means we have become more aware of test anxiety as an issue. This means that parents are getting better advise to help their children.

Among the suggestions are the following:

Encourage students to get plenty of sleep before the test
Ask students to draft about their fears or concerns on paper
Have students present the information they know. If they can teach the concept, they know the concept
Provide an ample breakfast the morning of the test
Encourage students to limit their distractions during the test (This might mean avoiding clothing or jewelry that a child may play with during the test. I am am earring twirler– so I never test with earrings in!)
Provide encouragement and feedback after the test. Share in students’ piece of mind after the test is over

Do you have tips of your own? Comment on our Facebook page! We’d love to know what you do to avoid or suppress test anxiety!

Get Facebook Ready for College

Posted on January 14, 2013October 27, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

Making college decisions are right around the corner for many of our seniors! If you have not already learned of your acceptance into the university or college of your choice, it is likely that admissions and enrollment staff are currently gearing up to make final decisions and send out those admissions letters.

What can you do to prepare, now that the applications and essays are signed, sealed, and delivered?

Clean up your Facebook page!

Hopefully, it’s no surprise to you that college admissions staff (and even prospective employers) are bound to hit “search” in Facebook. How much can they learn about you from your Facebook page? How much information are you giving away to the public?

The following article provides helpful hints as to what you can do to protect your privacy and prepare your Facebook profile page for your future. CLICK HERE to read more.

21st Century Cyber Charter School

Category: Students