In February, the school board first mentioned moving the CCEOC to the high school. The reason given was that the EOC students needed a bigger space to meet. They all have to meet together and check in on progress on materials. May is when they got the official yes. They started packing and making arrangements the last 2 weeks of school.
The number of students is the same, which is around 40 students, depending on seating availability and class schedules. They went from 2 classrooms to 1 classroom, so it is a smaller space, and the kids have to sit closer together. They lost the option of having small study rooms and specific bus transportation for students when they transitioned to the high school.
The students eat breakfast and lunch at separate times from the high school students. On normal days, they eat lunch before high schoolers; on Wednesdays, they eat lunch after high schoolers. The start time is now 8 am, and there are no options for a later start time like before. Although they get out after seventh period, normal high school students stay for an additional period. They have break time at breakfast, lunch, and from 1-1:15.
The students mostly use Acellus for classes, but many do have certain periods of the day when they go to class with the high school students. The environment is different, so there are not as many workspace options, but the students still do a great job at working and keeping on track. Students are required to get at least 4 pa’s every 18 days, or they lose music privilege. If they get 3 PAs in a week, they get a couch pass or music pass; these are both for 1 hour. Their PAs, attendance, and behavior are all marked every 18 days.
The 3 main reasons kids go to the CCEOC program are that they struggle with bullying, being around a lot of people, or being behind in classes. This program is focused on catching kids up or at least keeping progressing so they graduate. They have 15 students expected to graduate this school year. This could change, as many students graduated a year or even a semester early, in the past, due to their focus and getting through their classes. Acellus tracks progress and makes classes easier to access. Kids can work at their own pace and choose which class to do when, as long as they are getting it done.
They still have a secretary, her name is Mrs. Walter, who communicates with parents and other people about things with the CCEOC program. Mrs. Walter also helps kids with homework when needed. Mrs. Vogl specifically has had some changes as well. She does SDI (Specially Designed Instruction) for the CCEOC and high school students. She does this 5 periods a day every other day. This is a new adjustment, but she is eager to help more students.
The students are positive towards the transition because they don’t have to drive to and from high school for specific classes that the Acellus program doesn’t offer, and they like having more communication and involvement with school games and announcements.
