Communities at Oshkosh North High School is a Project Based Learning environment that revolves around the community. We learn with the community, within the community, in order to make the community a better place. Our goal is to provide hands on and relevant learning opportunities for our students so they learn the content as well as 21st century skills.
Communities at Oshkosh North Students and Mid-Morning Kiwanis Club of Oshkosh Partner to End MNT
OSHKOSH, Wis. (March 4, 2016) On February 25, 2016, Oshkosh community members attended a spaghetti dinner hosted by Mid-Morning Kiwanis Club of Oshkosh and Communities at Oshkosh North 9th and 10th grade students. Students of Communities planned the event in partnership with local Kiwanians in order to raise awareness about maternal/neonatal tetanus (MNT) and save the lives of mothers and their future babies in developing countries.
Students prepared for the event by first investigating MNT. They learned about the causes, effects, and the 21 countries still working to eradicate the disease. Research into The Eliminate Project initiative, as well as insight from a local doctor aided their understanding. Students also helped coordinate the event by soliciting donations, selling tickets, and publicizing the cause. On event day, Kiwanians and Communities students served over 370 guests and raised $4,800, which has the potential to save over 2,000 mothers/babies in the developing world.
Communities is an interdisciplinary, project-based program at Oshkosh North High School offering students a unique way to learn English, social studies, and leadership content and skills through community engagement. Communities students investigate and engage in community problems through collaboration with businesses, organizations, and members of the community in an effort to provide authentic learning experiences while improving the local, national, and global community.
This is how the tobacco farmers in the South treat their workers: in a field of hazardous conditions, strenuous hours, southern summer heat, with little water. And now children, still young and innocent, have lifelong complications. As a child, I feel compelled to respond.
Yes, I admit, I spend my summers working out, having fun in the sun and hanging out with friends. The truth is, some children need to work hard to earn money for their family during the summer - how could teenagers of struggling families not feel compelled to help? The conditions for these children are unfortunate and worrisome, even down right disgusting if you will. And slaves of child labor deserve every ounce of safety during their unpleasant summer vacation.
But there is a lack of protection against child labor simply because the law states that children can not work in hazardous conditions. While the tobacco fields call for long, sustained hours of picking, and cause teen workers to have about the same level of nicotine in their bodies as regular smokers, that’s bad. How is this not considered “hazardous”? Killer side effects include: many workers live with nausea and dizziness and break out in hives from the nicotine overload. I am sorrowful knowing kids my age work in such hazardous conditions, yet I am so healthy and able to live life feeling valued in this world.
My point is, there are child labor laws in this country, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are keeping children safe. We’re allowing children to suffer from the weekly 50-60 hours of picking tobacco, making below minimum wage, creating poor quality of life, while puking in the fields. Doing the exact opposite of what summer vacation is for, rejuvenation. And just because it will take time and effort to revise the Fair Labor Standards Act, doesn’t mean it isn’t a necessity to keep teens safe.
So let’s end this hazardous child labor, shall we? Please, accept their will to work, however, make their environment safe. Think about children who spend their summer vacations in pain, in Southern tobacco fields. Really, the U.S. needs to make a change.
By Ryan Jansen, 11th Grader in Communities at Oshkosh North
Ever since the news broke that New York real estate developer and television personality Donald Trump would be running for the 2016 presidential election, there has been a tsunami of criticism and praise toward Mr. Trump. Fellow republican presidential hopefuls have criticized Trump saying things like “He’s not prepared” or “He’s not serious.” However, others, primarily political analysts gave backed Trump saying things like “He’s teaching other politicians to stop being politicians.”
While many people from both sides of the political spectrum have very strong opinions on Trump and his plans, I have a different perspective on the situation.
While I believe that many of Trump's plans are extreme, especially involving immigration, I see this situation as the definition of a polarizing viewpoint that is shocking perspective voters all around our country. Where is this shocked public viewpoint every time a U.S. citizen dies in a foreign land standing up for what us Americans believe in? Why is everyone so concerned and shocked over the viewpoints of a multi billionaire while they blatantly disregard their own viewpoints or the ones of their neighbors? The fact that people tend to immediately complain about the views politicians obtain without looking at all the possible viewpoints and current issues in the country infuriates me.
In many ways high schoolers including myself can relate to Trump. Trump is often criticized for saying the wrong things, this is something many high school aged people are often criticized for as well. However, lots of the time, us high schoolers have good intentions in what we are saying but are misinterpreted. Trump seems to have a similar issue. It seems that many American are quick to judge and take things out of context, and it's disheartening that many people will ultimately look at a high power politician like Trump in such a bad way without looking at all the needs in our own country.
Signing autographs, putting up yard signs, shaking hands of voters: This is what presidential hopefuls have been doing in past elections to promote themselves. However, candidates have recently shifted gears towards social media to connect with a new audience, the millennials.
As a millennial myself, I was intrigued by candidates changing their tactics and its effectiveness to captivate young voters. When I began learning about politics in school, I frankly wasn't interested. Within minutes, I was zoned out due to the tedious descriptions and monotone voices in videos.
However, over time I began to increase my interest in politics because of social media. Reading about hot topic issues on Twitter or Facebook made me actually relate to what was going on in the world. With a more engaging way of learning, I’ve begun to grow my own political opinions.
Now, after a few years of expanding my knowledge, my feelings on the topic of presidential debate have evolved from making me groan to wanting to vote in the next election. Although highly debated among political aficionados about whether it’s a waste of time for candidates, social media was able to ignite that flame for me and other young voters.
Going forward, I hope to be as involved in the elections as fellow millennials like the “presidential selfie girls”. Whether that be through social media and selfies or through a handshake, it’s clear that the presidential campaigns are evolving, debatably for the better.
In my class, Communities 1, we have studied the importance of biking. I have recently learned that the Ordinance 15-271 will reduce Murdock Avenue to three lanes; two going each way, one shared left turn lane, and a five-foot bike lane on each side of the road. Evidence suggests citizens who ride bikes spend seven dollars more on local businesses. Therefore the bike lanes on Murdock Avenue will start to connect Oshkosh together which will positively affect the economy.
I appreciate the city council considering the road reconfiguration on Murdock Avenue. In my past experience on the bike lanes on Sawyer Street, I was able to tell the difference between riding my bike on roads with or without bike lanes. I feel safe riding my bike on a street with bike lanes because cars and cyclists each have their respective lanes to ride in.
According to the article ‘Protected Bike Lanes: Traffic Silver Bullets’ by Dave Schlabowske, traffic flow improves when motor vehicle lanes are removed to create room for protected bike lanes.
Please encourage the members of the Oshkosh City Council on Tuesday to support Ordinance 15-271. Bike lanes on Murdock Avenue would make the Oshkosh economy healthier and will create a safer environment for cyclists.
My junior project is focused on making Oshkosh North’s community truly a green school. Oshkosh North by itself can’t clean up the world but it can create some momentum by getting people to talk.
Let’s Declare War on Plastic
My project focuses on recycling plastic bags. According to the New York Times Upfront, over 100 cities have banned the use of plastic bags. The largest city being Los Angeles. This is a growing problem because all this plastic waste contributes to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch consists of mainly plastic that can swell to the size of Texas that floats between California and Hawaii. However, plastic is an issue for every city in the world. Scientists estimate that it takes 1,000 years for some plastics to decompose.
In 4 months, I have collected nearly 200 pounds of plastic. However, we have more work to do! Help me by collecting your ziploc bags, cereal bags, bread bags and grocery bags. You can drop them off at the west entrance (door 7) of Oshkosh North High School or send them with your student. Drop boxes are located by the Communities classrooms and in front of the Leadership room.
My project focuses on OASD teachers having to spend their
own money to buy supplies for their classrooms due to the decline in school budgets. Wisconsin was 43rd out of 50 states when it came to percentage changes in educational funding. With less money being given to the school districts, teachers have to pay more to fill the gap. Teachers in Oshkosh spend on average $500 to $1200 a year from the money they earn to buy supplies for their classrooms, many of which are basic supplies like pencils and paper. Without the proper supplies, it makes it difficult for teachers to do their job and provide students with the best education possible.
Pole Decorating at the Oshkosh Public Museum
I am partnering with The Teachers’ Closet, a non-profit organization that provides teachers with free supplies. I will be advocating for teachers by sending a letter to Wisconsin officials about ending budget cuts to Wisconsin’s education. I have already performed a few services to The Teachers’ Closet. I volunteered on behalf of The Teachers’ Closet at the Celebration of Lights and I made a 6 foot tall pencil out of duct work for their entry at the Oshkosh Public Museum Pole Decorating Contest.
In addition, I will be running a philanthropy campaign in the form of a donation drive at the Oshkosh Saturday Farmer’s Market gathering supplies and raising awareness for the Oshkosh teachers. I’ll see you at the Oshkosh Saturday Farmer’s Market on March 14th and I will be accepting donations.
My project is focused on the Oshkosh community, educating them about locally grown food by hosting a cooking competition and supporting the farm-to-school program. According to greensproduce.com, “foods that are purchased at a local farmers market spend less time being shipped and retain more nutritional value.” This helps illustrate the health benefit of locally grown foods and how eating local foods can improve your health. The Winnebago County 2014 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) showed that 10% of high school students did not eat any vegetables, other than potatoes, during the past seven days, compared to 6.6% nationally. Only 8.8% reported eating vegetables three or more times per day during the past seven days compared to 15.7% nationally. My project will create opportunities for the Oshkosh community to eat more local and healthier foods.
Although my project is only targeting the Oshkosh community it is a great way to spread awareness about the locally grown foods. As I said earlier, I am raising awareness by hosting a cooking competition. I think this will help raise awareness because students from all over the Oshkosh community will realize how delicious and healthy locally grown foods really are, and it will get people talking about not only my project, but the benefits of locally grown foods. My event will be taking place on Sunday, April 19th at Oshkosh North High School and will open up to the Oshkosh community at 3:30. There will be 6 student teams, 3 from North and 3 from West. Each team will consist of 6-8 students per team along with a local chef, UWO alumni and also a UWO student.
COMMUNITIES 2 STUDENTS PRESENTED TO BY WISCONSIN STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER, WISCONSIN SENATOR
State Assembly Member Gordon Hintz, Senator Ron Johnson speak to students and answer questions regarding poverty in the US
OSHKOSH, Wis. (February 18, 2014) Students in the Communities 2 program had the opportunity to hear from and have their questions answered by two different government representatives; Wisconsin State Representative Gordon Hintz and US Senator Ron Johnson; as a part of their current project regarding poverty in the US. Representative Hintz and Senator Johnson spoke to students regarding the state of America’s economy, the heavily debated issue of poverty, and what the government’s role is in responding to the issue. Communities 2 students will use the valuable information provided by Representative Hintz and Senator Johnson, along with information from other sources, to compose a letter to a local representative or member of congress addressing the issue of poverty in their community.
Communities 2 is a school program at Oshkosh North High School that offers students a unique way to learn literacy, business, and social studies while covering all required district standards. The Communities program collaborates with businesses, organizations, and members of the community in an effort to provide an authentic learning experience while improving the community.
The holiday season is full of joy and anticipation for children all around the world. Children count down the days until Santa Claus visits their home dropping off toys and presents that they have been hoping for throughout the year. For most, Santa does show up on Christmas Eve, but for the less fortunate children in the world Santa somehow misses their homes.
My CEO was to help find the houses Santa might miss. The Oshkosh Police and Fire Departments partnered with the Salvation Army to collect gifts from generous community members for the less fortunate children in our community. The week before Christmas, throughout the neighborhoods of Oshkosh, there were sounds of Christmas music intertwined with sirens of an old fire truck. Traveling through the neighborhoods with the old fire truck were other emergency and service vehicles along with a Salvation Army truck loaded with donated canned goods and presents. Perched on the old fire truck was Santa Claus welcoming and greeting the people in the neighborhoods. Once people heard these sounds, they ran out of their homes to give canned goods and presents. The many volunteers, who were walking down the streets next to the trucks, greeted, thanked, and took the donations of the neighbors to the Salvation Army truck. On the Salvation Army truck, there were several volunteers organizing the presents and canned goods making sure the children’s Christmas lists would be fulfilled.
I felt an atmosphere full of joy and excitement and saw how this project impacted our community. I saw love and compassion in the firefighters’ and volunteers’ eyes. It amazed me how generous the people were who gave donations, and I saw that same love and compassion in their eyes, too. This project impacted everyone who was associated with it. Those who donated understood the true meaning of Christmas is giving and to appreciate what they have, and those who received felt the love of the season knowing that people actually do care. As a volunteer on this project, I was glad I could be one of Santa’s elves so that no houses would be missed on Christmas Eve.
-- Nick Bauer, Communities 2 Student
Photo includes Zac Hassman, Ben Leib, Santa Claus, and Nick Bauer
During our most recent unit we explored whether technology has been good for society. We had a number of experts come in to discuss the pros and cons of technology. Obviously technology has brought forth millions of innovations that have made our life better, but it was interesting to see some of the negatives that come with technology such as loss of local jobs, a decrease in person-person communication, and fewer people exercising as much as they should be.
At the end of the project we decided to focus on one particular benefit that technology provides: iPads for students with autism. Over the course of a week the Communities program at Oshkosh North High School brought in experts in the form of therapists, autism teachers, counselors, parents and siblings of children with autism, and others.
Our class learned a LOT about autism and how it affects people who have it. We learned a lot about what a spectrum disorder is and what the different levels of the spectrum mean. We also learned a lot about how technology, specifically iPads, could help children with autism to learn and live better lives. There are many apps that exist for children with autism to use that help with communication, expression, organization, learning to overcome stressful situations, and many more. After talking with the experts, and those who have lived with children with autism, it became clear that iPads could greatly improve the quality of life for those who received iPads.
For our project we partnered with our local Mid-Morning Kiwanis club. They were doing an "iPads for Autism" program and had already secured 10 iPads for students with autism. The problem, however, is that there were still 20 children still on the list. Many students and teachers agreed that we would love to have the ability to pull out the money and fund the purchase of these iPads, but this was obviously not possible. We decided, though, that we could make a difference and help out this cause.
The students planned a fundraiser in which they will run a raffle at the biggest varsity basketball game of the year: crosstown rivals, Oshkosh North vs. Oshkosh West. The students began brainstorming and filled the boards with excellent ideas. It was official. Our Communities students were bound to make a difference and help out this cause.
We recently wrapped up the prepare and plan phase and fulfilled some solid work days of the action phase.There were 13 different groups that all had different responsibilities ranging from advertising, contacting radio/television/newspaper, planning the raffle, calling local sponsors for donations towards the raffle, a t-shirt designing group, another group that reached out to partner with the other high school (Oshkosh West) in town to help out. The group chose the theme "Two Teams, One Community" because of the need for us to put our differences aside in trying to help our community.
This blog post is simply an update on one of the most magnificent projects I have seen. Students are extremely passionate, hardworking, eager to learn, and eager to make a positive impact in the world. This is ComPassion Based Learning, interdisciplinary, differentiated, Project Based Learning and education at their finest. This is all while inspiring students to be altruistic, learn 21st century skills, and learn about how to organize and execute events. The future is bright! These students are amazing!!!
This is a video that the students put together as an introduction for the "WHY" behind the cause. They have more specific ones created for local showing, some for in-game announcements, radio advertisements, etc...
Our staff has always believed that if you give students the opportunities, resources, and support to change the world, they will do amazing things. I have never felt more confident about that then I am right now!
Communities at Oshkosh North High School Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Please reply with any questions, thoughts, suggestions, opinions, or ways that you would like to get involved.
Every fall UWO, as well as other team sponsors, put on the annual Dragonboat Festival in Oshkosh Wisconsin. The history of the dragonboats date back approximately 2,400 years ago to Chinese culture. On the contrary, the UWO’s Dragonboat Festival was only founded 7 years ago, in 2006. The purpose behind the festival was to have a community event that would benefit the community as well as the UWO campus. But something interesting happens with the proceeds behind this event. The proceeds are split between a UWO scholarship as well as donations to the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, all working towards a better community.
Taking part in such an event is not only benefiting our community, but it is also building team skills and gives us a sense of belonging at such a wonderful event. The “village” for the Dragonboat Festival is held at the Leach Amphitheater which is molded by many blue tents, each home to a dragonboat team. I felt as if we were a community inside of a community, our own little town inside of the city of Oshkosh. Smiles were abroad whether you knew others or not. Teams felt encouraged to cheer others on, socialize, and turn an ordinary Saturday into something special. Living in Oshkosh for the latter half of my life, I never knew such an event existed! When present at this festival, I saw a side of Oshkosh, previously unknown, that made me appreciate my community. I saw many participants in a central area cheering each other on, smiling, laughing, and enjoying each others company.
Whether it was volleyball, bean bag toss, or the dragonboat races itself, there was a feeling of openness and unity, even with competition present. Those who I didn’t even know invited parts of my team to play volleyball for a friendly game. Other teams cheered us on as we went out to our boats and inflicted a sense of pride among us in which we passed on to others. Strangers in my community suddenly became a friendly face, changing my outlook on Oshkosh as a community. Instead of just a city full of nice people, we can rally together and make a huge impact on others.
The Dragonboat Festival is something I was proud to be a part of. It brings our community together while benefiting others, what could be better? For now, we will “hold the boat” as we wait for next years festival where we will put our “paddles up” and, once again, take part in such an amazing event..
The end of the year has come. Communities at Oshkosh North is wrapping up the year by spending the last day of Communities thanking the partners at breakfast this morning. Also, having a Communities Olympics. The ultimate advisory challenge. As the great Mr. Weber said today, " Temporary inconvenience, permanent improvement. This has been a very successful year for Communities from the beginning to end. Thank you to all of our partners and our wonderful staff. Also, thanks to everyone who supported us through out the year. And a big thanks to our students who made this vision a reality.
Today the students finished up the final Communities Chats. Also, Ryne Mosher, Zac Hassman and his brother Josh Hassman were interviewed by Mr. Dumke from Badger Sportsman to pick the winner to be published. And Zac Hassman defeated his brother and Ryne Mosher for the oppurtunity to be published. Also the Communities Chats are completed. They were all fantastic and gave a great review of the year from the kids point of view. Tomorrow Communities will be having a partner breakfast to thank the partners.
Today in Communities Mr. Schinkten from Whitetales Unlimited is coming in to interview the three finalists for his magazine. The three finalists are sophomore Kyra Eierman, sophomore Taylor Captain and freshamn Cassie Buelow. Also yesterday Emily Daun got her paper published by Tru-U. Tomorrow new principal Mrs. Schleicher will interview the five finalist that have the chance to be published on the Communities webiste!
Friday, May 3, 2013
Leader in the making Nick Kappell, lead the class today in substitute of Mr. Schinkten. He instructed and informed the students of his project to help bring a more sustainable school. By setting up North's first aquaponics. A system of growing and harvesting food using plants and fish. He further showed the green house to the students discussing the new construction plans. In the image below is students assisting in cleaning up the greenhouse trays. Nick has gone above and beyond the sustainability unit and greatly demonstrates the goal of communities; to build a stronger and better community.
Today was a field day. One group went water testing with Mr. Schinkten. They went to Menominee Park beach and the pond at South Park. They found various things like pH and conductivity using probes (which were purchased using money from our grant) and others took water samples to bring back to the lab. In the lab at UWO, students tested for nitrates, phosphates and turbidity. They also set up a bacteria lab which the next group will be able to look at. This was just a "practice run" and students will be going water testing again in the future.
Today in Communities, students prepared for the field day that they will be having tomorrow. With Mr. Rice, Mr. Leib's student teacher, students learned how to take notes while on field days. They learned how important it is to have notes after a field day, so that if you were to write a paper or just remember what happened during the field day, you would be able to accurately and efficiently.
With Mr. Schinkten, students finished going over how to properly test water and what they will need for the field day when they test water. Finally, with Mr. Weber, students learned how to put detail into their writing, so that their papers that they will be writing later on could be even better than they would have without the activity.
One of the recent field trips we went on was on Wednesday April 24th. It was to an urban farm in Milwaukee called Growing Power. Growing Power is
a national nonprofit organization that helps the local area by providing
equal access to safe and affordable food. To do so, they don't use things like pesticides and soil likes most farmers. They use things like aquaponics, vermicompost, compost, bees, livestock and even "mushroom chandeliers" to help grow plants safely. It is not only an effective way to farm in the city, it also gives back to the community. We went on this field trip to let students actually see what they will be doing during some of the field days at Growing Oshkosh. It was a really great experience and it even inspired some students to pursue some of Growing Power's ideas.
This is a "mushroom chandelier".
This is an example of what an aquaponics system could look like.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Students gasped and competition rose as it was announced that their essays could be published! This heighten the standards for all Communities students, as now they would be applying their writing to life opportunities. And it wouldn't be to one publication, but four! Badger Sportsmen, Tru U, The Scene, and WhiteTails unlimited, have all agreed to publish the essay they think is best. This experience will truly benefit the students and all those who read the essays.
