Wondering what our awesome graduates are up to? Take a look at the exciting adventures of some of our favorites! All Alumni are invited to send updates (with pictures if possible) to Mrs. Eileen Vice at evice@21cccs.org. It’s a great way to connect with your former classmates, advertise your business, and show current students where a 21^st Century Cyber Charter education can take you.

 

Robert Greisemer, Class of 2012: After 21^st Century Cyber Charter School I have been working full time for Netcarrier Telecommunications as a network operations technician. 21CCCS allowed me to complete my information technologies study and internship at North Montco Technical Career Center while continuing to provide me with a challenging workload. On a day-to-day basis I monitor a nationwide network that provides telephony and network services to small to large size businesses. My secondary responsibilities for the company are ensuring smooth operation of both Linux and Windows based servers for our thousands of customers, and coming up with inventive ways to make the management more efficient. I truly believe that without 21CCCS I would not have been able to follow the career path that I was passionate about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topher Cusumano, Class of 2005: After high school, I went on to earn my BA in Theatre from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. During my time at West Chester, I began writing and producing experimental theatre in and around New York and Philadelphia, including my 2009 solo show, Roughouse which was called “performance art at its best” by nytheatre.com. In 2013, I continued my education at Savannah College of Art & Design, where I earned my Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing. Today, I work as a writer, content creator, and performer around the East coast. My screenplay, Bad Shine, made the top fifty of the Oscar’s Nicholl Fellowship, out of over seven thousand applicants. This April my stage play, Getting Away With Mother will be performed as a part of Stage Left Studio’s Left Out Festival in NYC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here I am posing with Andy B. Meyer, who produced Fried Green Tomatoes and The Breakfast Club.

 

Jonathan Smith, Class of 2007: Upon graduating from 21CCCS, I attended Bucks County Community College and explored a variety of majors, which led me to find my true calling in the performing arts. I completed two years of comedy improvisation there, and participated in local Community Theater. I’m currently a founding member of a sketch comedy and improvisation group, Pro-Stupid!, in the Hatboro area. Our group has a Vine account, (@Pro-Stupid!), and we have over 5,000 followers! Without the support and encouragement from the amazing teachers at 21CCCS, I would not have had the self-confidence to have gotten involved in comedy, which would be a real tragedy… buh dum tis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The top photograph is with Bruce and I in Asbury Park, NJ, and I think it captures my humor. The photograph on the bottom left is a self-portrait, and on the bottom right is a photograph of myself with my group, Pro-Stupid!

 

Kelsey (Biedenharn) Carlton, Class of 2011: After graduating 21CCCS, I attended community college for two and a half years, majoring in business management. August 1st, 2014 I married my best friend and it has been one adventure after another since then! My husband graduated in December and was offered a job in Spring Green, Wisconsin. So, on December 16^th, we packed up, said goodbye to Pennsylvania and made the journey up to Wisconsin. We have been enjoying making new friends and exploring the area. In late January, I was offered a job as an infant teacher at Capitoland Christian Center. I am loving it so far, and can’t wait to see what adventure comes next in our lives. 21CCCS was a true blessing to me, and I hope it can be to others as well!

 

 

 

 

 

@John Athans Photography

 

Sandy McGraw, Class of 2013: After 21st Century, I began working full time in the music industry. I’m currently the Assistant Vice President of Nordman Sports & Entertainment, LLC, which advocates appearances, experiences and opportunities for our clients – professional musicians and athletes. Through this company I handle live bookings for 7 different professional jazz artists/groups, including, 2-time Grammy winner, Paul Brown and Grammy nominee, Nate Harasim. 21CCCS was one of the greatest experiences of my life because it allowed me to have flexibility so that I could pursue my passions! Without 21st, I would’ve never been able to produce my first album at age 16 with the incredibly talented and Grammy nominated, Wendy Moten! I was also able to travel around the country making contacts that are currently driving my career forward. I learned many great skills at 21CCCS that serve me today, including proper online communication; in fact I just recently put together an international licensing deal with a Japanese based record label, completely via email! I look forward to what the future holds for me, I’m starting college business classes in the fall and will be putting on my first touring show, written and produced by Brad McNett and myself! Even with the current route my life is taking; I constantly look back and thank 21CCCS for allowing me to take advantage of the opportunities I was presented with at a young age, which put me ahead of the curve!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is me with 2-time Grammy winner, Paul Brown, Grammy nominee, Wendy Moten and some of the greatest session musicians in the world, (from left, Tommy Kay, Roberto Vally, Mitch Foreman, Paul Brown, Wendy Moten, Sinclair Lott, and myself).

Recently proposed legislation has started a debate over funding for charter schools, particularly the funding for cyber charters.  21CCCS 10th grader Paige Y. recently wrote an opinion essay on the subject of cyber funding.

In 2009, more than $300 million tax dollars, which were taken away from local school districts, were given to cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania to pay for the education of 10,000 cyber students. Students of these “cyber charter schools that are really interested in making a profit”(Probing Question) attend at home for personal reasons such as bullying or wanting a flexible schedule. There are also rumors of inadequate courses for the children to take where, “…students read a section of a chapter, do a few problems from the book, and there will be some form of graded assessment. That is all.”(Cyber Schools Are Much Worse) Being a cyber schooled student I find all these rumors extremely unsettling and have decided to dig deeper and set the record straight.

It is a widely held belief that public schools are drained of their finances by cyber schools. In 2011, 1% of the PA local taxpayer money for education was given to cyber schools while the other 99% was for school district funding. When a student transfers to a cyber school, their tax money is transferred with them, allowing the Cyber School to function.  Cyber schools use the tax money for curriculum, electronics, textbooks, and qualified teachers that benefit the student.  Since the student is no longer attending the school district, it only makes sense they the school district should not be paid.  Except, they are; the school district actually keeps some of the students tax money. Essentially, the district does not have to spend money on a student yet are being paid as if they were.  Not only that, but in PA, and other states, cyber charter schools are a legal form of public school thus having the right to a students tax money to fund their education. After discovering these facts about Cyber School funding, I find it astounding public schools would accuse cyber schools of depleting their finances.

Another misunderstanding, about cyber schoolers themselves, is that they are social outcasts.  While they are not social outcasts, many students attend cyber charter schools because of bullying.  In fact, a quarter of parents who enroll their children in cyber schools do so because of a previous bullying experience and 94% said the online learning environment solved the issue.  In some cases, students are just looking for a challenge while others need a more flexible schedule.  According to Bart Shields, a recent graduate of 21^st Century Cyber Charter School whom is studying to become a professional violinist, “21^st Century offers freedom for me…I never really fit into a public school setting; I play the violin and needed more time to practice.”(21^st Century Cyber Charter School)  Cyber school students are often accused of being anti-social. Being social has much less to do with how many friends or acquaintances you have and is more about, “understanding how to behave appropriately in different situations and knowing how to interact with a wide variety of people.”(Homeschool vs. Public School) Cyber school students have many gatherings, such as co-op, to interact with other students and are often very active in their community. Defying the normal “teenager”, these students are able to have an easy conversation with people of all ages because they were not stuck with one age group for the whole of their schooling. It is obvious that cyber schooled students are no less socialized than students who attend a traditional school and might just be looking for a challenge.

Are cyber schools undermining a generation by providing inadequate education? Of course not; in fact their curriculum might be more advanced than other school district’s curriculum.  At 21^st Century, the majority of courses are written and taught by the teachers. This way, teachers know exactly what their student is learning and can explain the subject very precisely.  Since a teacher does not have to teach classes all day long, there is often more one-on-one time between teachers and students. Students who take longer or complete assignments faster can work at their own pace in an asynchronous environment.  As a result, students get a more individual education and learn more through the process of education.

Are cyber schools undermining the future of communities? No. While money may be taken away from school districts, it is simply because they do not teach that student any longer. A cyber school provides a safe place for students to learn and makes learning an individual and enriching experience. It is evident that cyber schools are very much a part of the public school system, contribute to a better school environment, and give an excellent education to those who choose this method of schooling. Cyber schools benefit local communities with intelligent individuals and an alternative for those who do not fit into public school.

 

Bibliography

Elder, Andy. “Do Cyber Charter Schools Help or Hurt the Educational System?”. Penn State News, 25 Feb. 2014. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

“5 Big Facts.” Cyber Schools Save. Cyber Schools Save Them, 2013. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

“Cyber Schools Are Much Worse Than You Think.” One Room Schoolhouse. One Room Schoolhouse, 17 Mar. 2013. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

“21st Century Cyber Charter School.” 21st Century Cyber Charter School. 21st Century Cyber Charter School, 2014. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

Ellen, Mary. “Homeschool vs. Public School: Who’s Better Socialized?” Off The Grid News. Off The Grid News, 14 Mar. 2012. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

Klonoski, Brian. “More Kids Are Going to Online Schools to Avoid Bullies.” RYOT News. ROYT, 05 Dec. 2013. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

 

In this guest post, Mr. Dutcher explains how stepping out of his comfort zone opened him up to amazing experiences.

 You may have heard the old saying “Life is full of choices, so choose wisely.” This saying can be applied to every choice you make; every time a decision is made, it impacts your future in countless ways, both seen and unseen. This saying is never more evident than for students in middle school and high school. These years are a time in life where you are faced with important choice after important choice. Some of these choices seem to have incredible magnitude, and may take a while for you to figure out: Where will you go to college? What will you do after you graduate? Some choices, on the other hand, are less life-changing and have smaller consequences: Which club will you choose to join in school? What will you do on Friday night? What will you have for dinner? Which friends will you choose to spend time with?

When making decisions like these, it’s often easy for us to stay within our comfort zone and make the most “practical” decision. We all live within the comfort zone; it is what allows us to make reasonable decisions that we feel will have the most predictable outcome. While choosing to be rational and reside in the comfort zone is something we all do, there is value in stepping out of the comfort zone to embrace the uncomfortable.  Renowned American author Neale Donald Walsh once said “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” What an interesting idea! Rather than being scared of new experiences and the challenges they bring, what if we were excited to know that trying something new is often when our most memorable and special experiences occur?

This summer I had the opportunity to drive from coast to coast on a trek of over 10,000 miles and over 20 states. Along the way I met up with old friends, camped in some beautiful national parks, and made countless memories. On a journey like this, you learn to live outside of your comfort zone, and I found the benefits of embracing new and unfamiliar situations that I’d normally avoid in the comfort and familiarity of everyday life. Being thousands of miles from home and the security that it brings can be stressful, but I learned that Walsh’s quote can ring true in the decisions we make. I was able to go white water kayaking in the rapids of Whitefish River, Montana, cliff dive into the freezing cold waters of Crater Lake, Oregon, and come face to face with a moose in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. While I was unsure about these experiences at the time—to be honest, I felt a real sense of fear and uncertainty in the moment—I look back on these moments as the highlights of my trip. I remember them fondly, often with goose bumps, as the times where I felt a real sense the beauty that was around me, and when I really felt the perspective of just how lucky I was to be on this amazing adventure.

Since I came back from my trip, I’ve receded back into my comfort zone and the daily routine that we all experience. However, I do occasionally think back to the experiences I felt this summer and how invigorating it was to have a leave my comfort zone behind for a summer.  What I learned was that as you make decisions in your daily life—whether it is choosing a college or just how to spend your evening—remember that good things can happen when you embrace the uncomfortable and try new things. You never know what you’ll learn about yourself and the world around you.

 

 

“I’m not going to be able to do this.” This comment is not uncommon among students as they wrap up one quarter and move into the next. Whether they have struggled in a specific class or in all of their classes, it is easy for them to become discouraged. Some may think they will NEVER be able to do Biology or Algebra II. English is always a struggle with so much writing, and they can never seem to remember the dates in American History. It is often difficult to see past the struggles of the previous quarter and move towards the next.

 

Seeing the wealth of possibilities that lie within the clean slate of a new quarter can be a challenging task. It sometimes feels as though mistakes or procrastination from the previous quarter will never let go, but it is important to take on an optimistic attitude from the start. There are a few steps that students can take in order to begin taking control of their quarter:

 

1. Ask for help. – It isn’t always easy to ask for help, but many students forget that asking for help is a sign of maturity and independence. The ability to recognize when help is needed is a valuable and important skill. The teachers are here to help!
2. Attend your classes. – The teachers offer exciting, engaging, and informative live classes once a week. These classes are important to cover content and practice the skills that you find within the lessons in the classes.
3. Talk to your learning coach. – Learning coaches are here to help in many different ways. They have knowledge and resources to share with their students, and they may offer help that is unique to each student.
4. Stick to a schedule – Each part in your classes should take approximately two weeks. Take the time and stay on track! This will make the last week of the quarter way less stressful!

 

One quarter does not dictate how a student will do for the remainder of the school year. Use the resources that are available to you and remember that it is never too late to turn over a new leaf!

Alexander (Xander) Mark is a 2007 graduate of 21CCCS.  We received a press release updating us on some of Xander’s recent accomplishments which we wanted to share.  Congratulations Xander!

Salt Lake City, Utah

Pennsburg, Pennsylvania native and world class athlete Alexander (Xander) Mark has been named to US Speedskating’s 2014/2015 National Training Program (NTP) and selected as one of six members on the National Sprint Team. The NTP is an elite group of 24 female and male athletes who were selected to the team based on performance standards and qualifications at World Cup and International competitions. According to Long Track Program Director Nick Pearson, ‘the goal of the program is to produce World Championship and Olympic medalists for many years to come’.

Recently, Xander Mark signed an exclusive athlete talent management and placement agreement with Arrow Entertainment of Seattle/Nashville. Arrow Entertainment will provide Xander with ongoing business management, booking for select speaking and appearances, and placement opportunities with sponsors, TV/film, and modeling agencies. In addition, Xander has signed a food sponsorship agreement with a fresh, organic, meal delivery service based in Salt Lake City – www.MealsThatTransform.com to enhance his nutrition and recovery needs. Arrow Entertainment and Xander have created a new brand image that promotes Being 34 – going after your dreams, leaving your mark on the world, and a relentless pursuit of the podium in sport and life. To find out more about Xander Mark and to be a part of the Being 34 movement, visit his official website at www.XanderMark.com

Xander Mark indicated his excitement with what lies ahead, “With the support of my family and teammates, I have been able to overcome injuries, setbacks, and obstacles along this path that has lead me to world class athletic and professional stages that will allow me to impact others and make a difference in my community as I leave my mark on the world.”

For Xander Mark Management related requests: Arrow Entertainment – Chris Sobonya – President of Talent Management at ArrowMusicAgency.com

The Importance of Real Connections

 

A few weekends ago I enjoyed the nice weather by taking my kayak down the Schuylkill River for a three-mile journey through the heart of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Winding down through Phoenixville towards Valley Forge, I relaxed and enjoyed seeing our local wildlife. When I reached Valley Forge, I discovered that I could paddle up an estuary and end at Washington’s headquarters. I realized that I was paddling in water that helped shape the Revolutionary War.  I sat in my kayak, at a mere stone’s throw away from where George Washington helped plan, strategize, and implement a war that shaped the complexion of our country.  I began to understand how important it is to venture out into the world and make “real connections.”

After paddling down to my pick-up point, I went home and researched Valley Forge more closely. It inspired me to brush up on my Valley Forge history and made me truly appreciate the history that is so rich in Chester County. These real connections can occur with another person, a historical artifact, or an experience. These real connections help to inspire us, shape our interests, and educate us. Had I not decided to go out and kayak that afternoon I may not have been as interested to read up on Washington’s headquarters and understand the importance of this location.

The importance of “real connections” is a lesson I’ve been learning over and over as I explore further and further into our world. I’ve seen a Holocaust Camp memorial in a quiet German town; I’ve walked to the top of the 750-year-old Cologne Cathedral; and I’ve seen the Greenwich Meridian Time’s beam of light shoot across the London sky. All of these experiences have embedded something as little as a fun fact or as large as an indelible mark on who I am and how I view the world.

Being a Social Studies teacher, history is something that obviously interests me.  However, these “real connections” do not have to be historical. Venturing out of the house will offer you the chance to explore new avenues and areas of interest. Put yourself out there and meet someone new, share a story, or try a new activity.

My most recent reminder of this lesson was driving through Centralia, PA on my way to Bloomsburg with a coworker just last week. I only spent a minute in this nearly empty town north of Allentown as I passed through. It left us both with an itching curiosity to explore and learn about this location that has been plagued by a smoldering coal mine hundreds of feet beneath their homes, churches, and streets.

So don’t be afraid to put yourself out on a limb. Wander out into the world and see what you find. I know I frequently manage to find something that educates me, interests me, or ultimately shapes who I am.

In this post, 21CCCS Senior Hannah B. offers up a few tips to help combat Senioritis!

Senioritis

Written by Hannah B.

Hello, everybody, and welcome to Quarter 4 of the school year!

 

 

By this point of the academic year, most students are itching to ditch their endless studying, writing, and test taking to enjoy sleep and sweet, oh-so-wonderful summer vacation. Graduating seniors are experiencing this utter anguish to an even further level of misery, believe it or not. Indeed, I can say with complete certainty that the majority of the 21CCCS Class of 2014 are suffering from the crippling, weighty, draining battle known as senioritis.

 

 

Senioritis:

Noun: A crippling disease that strikes high school seniors. Symptoms include: laziness, an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. Also features a lack of studying, repeated absences, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as “Graduation.”

 

 

For those of us who are graduating in the next few months, the senioritis mindset can very easily creep into our normal routines. College application are done, our acceptances are known, our past three quarters (and years!) of grades are behind us, and most of our difficult decisions for next year have been made. If you’re feeling anything like me, all you want to do is listen to music, go outside, hang out with your friends, shop for summer clothes, take a roadtrip, Facebook/Twitter creep on people, attempt to take every quiz on Buzzfeed, obsessively daydream about Hunter Hayes (alright, that last one might just be me), and literally do anything that isn’t school work.

 

 

Commiserate with any of these symptoms or behaviors?

 

 

Yes.

 

 

Yes!

 

 

 

YES!

 

 

 

If you’ve identified with any of these descriptions (seriously, who are we kidding here?), then you are most likely suffering from senioritis, my friends.

 

 

While senioritis can really bog us down, make us lazy, make everything seem pointless, and create general feelings of apathy, there are a few ways to beat this malady! Here are a few tips and tricks to conquer this beast of dispirit so we can make it to GRADUATION!

 

 

• Make “To-Do” lists:

 

Writing down a list of everything you have to complete for the day, week, month, etc. is a great way to make all of your work seem more under control. Being organized and knowing exactly what you have to do to finish a task can immediately ease your stress levels and even increase productivity.

 

 

• Find your productive place:

 

Experiment with different locations and environments until you discover where you feel most comfortable, motivated, and industrious. Whether you enjoy working in your room, sitting in your kitchen, going to a coffee shop, blasting upbeat music, working in complete silence, staying in one spot all day, or moving all over the place every hour, find what makes you feel good and immediately dedicate a study session.

 

 

• Sweat it out:

 

It should come as no surprise that movin’, shakin’, and sweating can relieve stress. Thank goodness for endorphins! Having a fun workout not only increases your health, but exercising can also clear your head and reset your motivation.

 

 

• Go to class/visit the VO:

 

Believe it or not, skipping out on classes and avoiding the VOs can actually distance you from your schoolwork. If you’re feeling upset, worried, or apathetic about your work, talk to your teachers! They will undoubtedly make you feel a smidge better. That’s what teachers are for, you know.

 

 

• Don’t procrastinate:

 

Although pushing work aside to have some fun is extremely tempting, don’t allow yourself to fall off the wagon. Once you are behind in your work, trying to catch up is even more dreadful than doing your schoolwork in the first place. Try to fight off your gnawing desire to burn your books and crash your computer for just a few more weeks!

 

 

• Start a countdown:

 

Make a virtual countdown clock or mark your calendars for June 5^th! Seeing exactly how many days are left in this school year and being able to cross off the next two months one day at a time can be quite liberating.

 

 

• Reward yourself (and maybe go a little crazy):

 

While continuing to work hard is vital at this point of the year, don’t forget to reward yourself for all your effort. Do something that you love or try something new! Take a walk, play guitar, make some art, go see a movie, crank up some music, take a drive, climb a rock wall, sing into a hairbrush (badly, if you’re me), or scream to the sky. Let yourself be free for a moment in time!

 

 

REMEMBER:

 

Every piece of research you find, every study session you live through, every test you take, and every assignment you submit makes you one-step closer to graduation and, most importantly, nearer to summer freedom!

 

 

~ GRADUATION 2014 ~

PSSAs, Keystones, the BIG spring field trips, just a few weeks left of school and summertime around the corner—with all of these distractions during the fourth quarter, it is easy to forget all of the school work that is left! Many of these assignments include short-answer questions, five-paragraph essays, and for some students, research papers. These may seem like daunting tasks, but have no fear! The English Department has developed a list of tips, tricks, and reminders for all of your writing worries. Check it out!

 

Grammar Reminders:

1. Homonyms. One of the most common homonym mistakes we see are “their” vs. “there” vs. “they’re.” Make sure you are paying attention to what form you are using.
2. It’s and Its. This apostrophe is no joke! The form “it’s” means it is, while “its” is the possessive form of the word.
3. Sentence structure. Make sure each sentence has a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. Keep an eye out for comma splices and run-ons, too!
4. “I” vs. “me.”  There is a great trick to remember when to use “I” and when to use “me”;  Take out the other part of the subject, and see if the sentence still makes sense.
5. Consistent tense. If you start writing in past tense, make sure that you maintain the past tense. Avoid switching between tenses.
6. Active voice. Be sure that you are always using active voice. For example:

Active- The teacher gave the student an A.

Passive- The student was given an A from the teacher.

 

Editing Tips:

1. Wait a day. Give yourself a day between finishing a paper and editing it. This allows you to look at the paper with fresh eyes and catch mistakes.
2. Read it aloud. There might be missing or extra words hidden in your sentences. Reading your paper aloud will allow you to hear any awkward sentence structures and phrases.
3. Read it backwards. This will help you to catch any small errors because it makes you really look at each word individually.
4. Watch your contractions! Especially for students that are completing research papers or formal papers, you want to avoid using contractions.
5. Avoid the phrase “I think.” When you are writing a persuasive or opinion piece, it is unnecessary to say “I think” or “I believe.” Because you are writing the piece, the author can assume that it is your opinion.
6. Pay close attention to tone. You wouldn’t want to write a research paper in the same way that you text your friends. Make sure you are using the proper tone!

 

Hopefully this list helps you in all of your writing endeavors this quarter! Best of luck!