[OWL] is my home, and even though I may be leaving it behind, I will always hold it in my heart.
Crew: Culture and Character Defined
At Open World Learning Community, a holistic approach to student character is a foundation of our practice. While classroom teachers work daily to model positive character traits and embed this work in their content-area practice, what makes OWL special is its explicit focus on social and emotional growth through daily meetings in Crew. Crew is a daily block of time for students and Crew leaders to come together in a micro-community within the school. Crew at OWL is unique in several ways. |
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First, the Crews at OWL are made up of students that span the entire 6th through 12th grade student body. The typical Crew at OWL has several students from each grade. This provides natural opportunities for older students to mentor younger students and take on leadership roles that may not have been possible otherwise. In turn, younger students benefit from seeing older students experience the challenges of high school and college admission, demystifying the process and better preparing them for success in later years.
Another key feature of Crew at OWL is that Crews are looped year after year. This means that at the end of each school year, students have the opportunity to remain with their Crew leader. This helps form tight bonds between student, school, and family and create a true sense of belonging in the community.
There are many other features which contribute to the success of Crew at OWL, and, as a result, instill in our students positive traits which make our community and the greater world a better place. The important work that OWL does each day to help support students in their growth to become ethical people is based on five key character traits.
Another key feature of Crew at OWL is that Crews are looped year after year. This means that at the end of each school year, students have the opportunity to remain with their Crew leader. This helps form tight bonds between student, school, and family and create a true sense of belonging in the community.
There are many other features which contribute to the success of Crew at OWL, and, as a result, instill in our students positive traits which make our community and the greater world a better place. The important work that OWL does each day to help support students in their growth to become ethical people is based on five key character traits.
Habits of Work and Learning (HOWLS)
At Open World Learning Community, social and emotional learning provides a framework for all that students and staff do. The Habits of Work and Learning, or HOWLS, provide a common vocabulary building-wide that allows us to recognize successes and individually address areas for growth. Throughout this portfolio you'll be seeing the results of OWL's work to build culture and character through these traits.
The Habits of Work and Learning were developed by a dedicated team of students and staff at the beginning of our transition to an EL Education school to encompass what it means to be a successful student and life-long learner:
At Open World Learning Community, social and emotional learning provides a framework for all that students and staff do. The Habits of Work and Learning, or HOWLS, provide a common vocabulary building-wide that allows us to recognize successes and individually address areas for growth. Throughout this portfolio you'll be seeing the results of OWL's work to build culture and character through these traits.
The Habits of Work and Learning were developed by a dedicated team of students and staff at the beginning of our transition to an EL Education school to encompass what it means to be a successful student and life-long learner:
Collaboration
Integrity |
Responsibility
Stewardship |
Perseverance