Education Director: PU and Vocational Training

As part of my duties with Pierce University, I visited the academic quad as it prepared for it's first class in simyears. I must admit, I am quite proud of everything. The Wilsonoff family commissioned the Wilsonoff School of Business, while the Herendez family donated to the Arts Building. Other donations include a piano from the Kents to the Fine Arts School and the Warwicks even donated simoleans for the fountain to be installed.

While the university is still taking shape and preparing for the first students, I am overseeing the Vocational Training classes in the hood. I am lining up guest lecturers to speak on thier dedicated talent. Antonio has agreed to give a talk about the basics of pottery and Jadhira has also agreed to speak concerning basic flower arrangement. These classes will help residents expand thier knowledge beyond the basic skills of cooking and cleaning. Also, this will give a way for those not interested in university to find out other ways to apply thier intelligence.

Education Note: Economy and PAG

The economy has affected even PAG. It was noted earlier that PAG decided to build it's campus on another small nearby island instead of AV Metro. PAG is changing it's name to Pierce University that specializes in university degrees and the board has approved a plan for a local administration of the university. They offered the job as University President. My job duties will increase as Educational Director and thankfully I'll have a much better salary since PU will be paying me. Some immediate changes, thanks to the economic downturn, are increased fees and admission requirements:

Apple Valley Academy: §100 a SimYear (Hapar-Peacar) per student.
Application for Graduation from AVA: C average or better, score a 6 in one skill exam.

Pierce University: §1000/semester
Kimkura University: §4000/year

Admissions to Pierce University: A score of at least 15 on thier entrance exam and at least 15 skill points to enter.

GPA (3pts-A, 2pts-B, 1pt-C)
+ # Extracurriculars (1pt each)
+ # Skill points (1pt each)
+ # Hobby Points
+ # Years Work Experience

Each class is limited to four sims each.

Admissions to Kimikura University: A score of at least 15 on thier entrance exam, at least a 3.0 GPA, and at least 15 skill points to enter.

+ # GPA points (4pts-4.0, 3.9 pts-3.9, etc)
+ # Extracurriculars (1pt each)
+ # Skill points (1pt each)
+ # Hobby Points

Each class is limited to two sims each.

Education Note: Economy's Effects on AVA

The economy has effected the construction of AVA. Instead of the state of the art facility we had planned, we've had to scrape plans and revise a smaller cheaper school. We had to demolish the building and sell the materials for scrap in order to save money. I know, it sounds odd, but a lot of civic buildings are doing the same thing.

Curriculm
The curriculm is the same. Students must pass the Skills Exams with the same scores.

Classes
The main difference is that classes will be mostly lectured based except for the following:
-Music, students will study the piano.
-Art, students will study the fine art of painting and sketching.
-PE, students will study tai chi, yoga, boxing, ballet, football and aerobic fitness.

Building
The new building will consist of 2 main classrooms (elementary/junior high and high school), one general purpose classroom (with piano, ballet barre and indoor easels), small cafeteria and outdoor space.

Jobs
We are the only civic owned building not decreasing jobs. We are in need of a primary school teacher and are currently searching for that (if you know of a teacher, or wish to apply, please email me.)

Education Note: Fundraiser

The academy is in need of some remodeling (study room & office for me) and new equiptment (musical equiptment, ballet barre). To raise money, the school will have a bake sale/crafts fair. All students will contribute something to sell, either a crafted item (painting, flower arrangement, pottery) or a baked item (dessert or meal). We will then open the school afterhours (well, the patio of the school) and sell the items.

Educational Notes: PAG International Partners

PAG is making quite an impact and we haven't even opened the doors to the first class, however we have recieved some wonderful news!

Kimikura University has opened its doors to the students of PAG for a study aboard program. So we worked with the president there to establish a program for the students.

Why do we want PAG students to have the opportunity to study abroad? Study abroad can be an enriching and eye-opening adventure, where learning extends to the world beyond the classroom walls. There is no substitute for living and studying in a foreign country if one wants to gain in-depth knowledge of another culture's customs, sims, and language.

Students can chose to study abroad for a semester or for an entire academic year.

Semester Study Abroad (3days/2nights)/Year Long Study Abroad (6days/5nights)

Tuition costs are the same and do not include airfare, room or board at Kimikura University.

Kimikura University will save space at the Kimikura Hall for students to reside in. There is a small communal kitchenette along with a cafeteria. Students will enjoy a study room and small rec room. Dorm rooms range from the simple to the deluxe with options for single students or roommates.

I can not wait to share photos of this endeavour.

Education Note: New AVA Campus

Construction is complete, downstairs there is the elementary (two classrooms, one for lower elementary (K-2) and one for upper elementary(3-5) and restrooms) and junior high pods (two classrooms, simlish and science; and restroom) and enclosed glass cafeteria.

Upstairs is the high school pod with music room, fitness hall, simlish classroom, art classroom and science classroom. As well as enclosed cafeteria and restrooms.

Educational Note: School Changes

With the new school building almost complete, we decided to seperate the building into wings: high school, junior high school, and elementary school. Students should check the online website to see what grade level they have been assigned. We have been given premission to test new technology for aging and as a result, the new curriculm/grading/age requirements:

Elementary School
(children 0-6 simdays)
-generalized studies in all skill sets. Must pass skills exam with at least a one in five skills
-typical school day: morning period-skill studying/lunch break & recess/afternoon-skill studying
Junior High School
(teenagers 7-4 simdays remaining until adulthood)
-generalized studies in all skill sets. Must pass skills exam with at least a one in all skills
-typical school day: morning period-skill studying/lunch break/afternoon-skill studying

Secondary Education: Grades 9 & 10
(teenagers 4-2 simdays remaining until adulthood)
-specialized studies . Must pass skills exam with at least a four in one skill.
-typical school day: morning period-skill studying/lunch break/afternoon-skill studying

Secondary Education Grades 11 & 12
(teenagers 2 simdays remaining until adulthood)
-specialized studies. Students can chose up to three skill areas for specialized studies. Must pass skills exam with at least a six in at least one chosen specialized skill.
-typical school day: morning period-specialized studying/lunch break/afternoon-specialized studying

Classes:
Classes are assigned with the help of the teacher. All students will take the following classes at least once. Classes are assigned depending on which specialized area is chosen and focuses within the class are chosen based on student preference.

Art & Music:
Students study art by composing thier own paintings and photography series, field trips to the local art gallery. Students study music by studying the violin or piano.

Elementary/Junior High : Students will spend at least one class period painting or learning the piano.

High School: Students will spend class periods learning the violin, piano or focusing on painting/photography.

Science:
Students study science by observing bacteria in microscopes, maintaining ant farms, repairing and creating basic electronic equiptment and observing nature.

Elementary/Junior High : Students will spend at least one class period observing bacteria, ants or nature (by hunting for bugs or birdwatching) and at least one class period creating basic electronic equiptment or listening to a lecture on general mechanics.

High School: Students will spend class periods observing birds, maintaining ant farms, studying bacteria or creating electronic equiptment.

Simish & History:
Students learn simish and history by composing letters and essays, presenting speeches, reading assignments and some movie viewing assignments.

Elementary/Junior High : Students will spend at least one class period presenting speeches and at least one class period doing reading assignments.

High School: Students will spend class periods presenting speeches, reading novels and writing articles.

Physical Education:
Students practice tai chi, yoga, boxing, ballet, football and aerobic fitness. Students also learn about nutrition and healthy eating.

Junior High: Students will spend at least one class period practicing boxing or football and at least one class period learning ballet.

High School: Students will spend class periods learning the tai chi, yoga and aerobic fitness.

Home Economics:
Students learn to maintain thier living space by learning proper cleaning concepts, and basic cooking recipes.

Elementary/Junior High : Students will spend at least one class period learning proper cleaning concepts and at least one class period learning basic cooking recipes.

High School: Students will spend class periods learning the advanced cleaning concepts and recipes.

Freetime/Recess/Lunch:
Students are able to spend thier freetime playing games, reading or chatting with friends while eating thier lunch.

Homework
Students are given homework 2-3 times a simweek. Homework usually consists of simple assignments to be done with the help of the family. Occasionally students are asked to complete projects started on at school at home or to create projects at home and bring them to school.

Education Notes: PAG Urban Campus and AVA Campus

After a meeting with the hood council and the PU board, the PAG campus will be relocating. AV proper doesn't have enough room for the plans of the PU Board. PAG will be moving to AV Metro, the nearby island that we have purchased. Actually, PU has paid for 75% of the purchase cost of the island and the costs to make it livable since most of the island will be the PAG campus.



The new campus will have more classroom buildings and seperate dorms in addition to some subsidized off-campus housing in the form of apartments surrounding the campus. AV Metro will also provide additional housing for younger sims without congesting ancestoral homes in AV Proper.



The old PAG campus will be converted to the AVA campus and the old AVA and teacher home will be demolished. A small 2x2 lot and house will be built (which I am proud to say that I will be owning)

Education Notes: Graduation

Graduation Requirements.

In order to successfully graduate from each level, students must pass the following criteria:

Primary Education
(children)
-Must pass skills exam with at least a one in all skills

Secondary Education Level I
(teenagers 12-8 simdays remaining until adulthood)
-Must pass skills exam with at least a four in one skill.

Secondary Education Level II
(teenagers 8-4 simdays remaining until adulthood)
-Must pass skills exam with at least a eight in at least one chosen specialized skill.

Education Director Note: Extracurriculars and Level III

First-Secondary Level III is no longer an option. Teens not pursuing higher education are free to do what they wish with the remaining four simdays until they become adults. This includes finding jobs, traveling or doing independent study at home.

Extracurriculars!
Got the SimExplorers extracurricular approved. We have an Explorer Leader, Julio Wilsonoff; uniforms (children and teen sizes) are being made and will be delivered soon and we have a few children enrolled. Julio will host the first meeting at Celebration Park, according to his agenda, they will be discussing a camping trip to Schwinster (spelling?) Mountains and handing out uniforms. I'm supposed to check in periodically with the group, but he basically runs it.


Yearbook was also approved as an extracurricular. Only teens are allowed to work on it. They will take various photos throughout the simweek and complie the book. Students will have the opportunity to buy one every simweek. Antonio Herendez has agreed to help the students with thier photos.


Swim Team was approved. Jorge Dawson has agreed to coach it. Students compete in meets everyweekend and train throughout the week.


Finally Su Hoga Su was approved. The honor society is for teens only (A/B students) and they participate in community service. I am the leader of this club for now.

Education Director Note: AVA Page

We've been granted webspace! Yes! Now AVA holds a spot in simnation. I've been working on the page. This has required me to think about what information should be on the page and how to present it. This is different from PAG-since community parents and students will check the webpage for information.

Education Notes: Grading & Curriculm Changes

Many parents have wanted to know exactly how I grade and there's been...external pressure to say the least about the curriculm standards so I'm addressing them both here.


Primary Education
(children)
-generalized studies in all skill sets. Must pass skills exam with at least a one in all skills
-typical school day: morning period-skill studying/lunch break & recess/afternoon-skill studying
-GRADING: Students learn one skill a day and recieve an A for thier efforts. Going above that effort results with an A+


Secondary Education Level I
(teenagers 12-8 simdays remaining until adulthood)
-specialized studies . Must pass skills exam with at least a four in one skill.
-typical school day: morning period-skill studying/lunch break/afternoon-skill studying
-GRADING: Students learn at least one skill a day and recieve an A for thier efforts. Going above that effort results with an A+


Secondary Education Level II
(teenagers 8-4 simdays remaining until adulthood)
-specialized studies. Students can chose up to three skill areas for specialized studies. Must pass skills exam with at least a eight in at least one chosen specialized skill.
-typical school day: morning period-specialized studying/lunch break & recess/afternoon-specialized studying
-GRADING: Students learn at least one skill a day and recieve an A for thier efforts. Going above that effort results with an A+


Secondary Education Level III
(teenagers 4 simdays remaining until adulthood that are not attending PAG)
-continued specialized studies. Students can chose up to three skill areas for specialized studies. Must pass skills exam with at least a eight in at least one chosen specialized skill and at least a four in another skill.
-typical school day: morning period-specialized studying/lunch break & recess/afternoon-specialized studying
-GRADING: Students learn one skill a day and recieve an A for thier efforts. Going above that effort results with an A+

Classes:
Classes are assigned with the help of the teacher. All students will take the following classes at least once. Classes are assigned depending on which specialized area is chosen and focuses within the class are chosen based on student preference.

Art & Music:
Students study art by composing thier own paintings and photography series, field trips to the local art gallery. Students study music by studying the violin.

Primary Education/Secondary Education Level I: Students will spend at least one class period painting and at least one class period learning violin.

Secondary Education Level II/III: Students will spend class periods learning the violin or focusing on painting/photography.

Science:
Students study science by observing bacteria in microscopes, maintaining ant farms, repairing and creating basic electronic equiptment and observing nature.

Primary Education/Secondary Education Level I: Students will spend at least one
class period observing bacteria, ants or nature (by hunting for bugs or birdwatching) and at least one class period creating basic electronic equiptment.

Secondary Education Level II/III: Students will spend class periods observing birds, maintaining ant farms, studying bacteria or creating electronic equiptment.

Simish & History:
Students learn simish and history by composing letters and essays, presenting speeches, reading assignments and some movie viewing assignments.

Primary Education/Secondary Education Level I: Students will spend at least
one class period presenting speeches and at least one class period doing reading assignments.

Secondary Education Level II/III: Students will spend class periods presenting speeches and writing.

Physical Education:
Students practice tai chi, yoga, boxing, ballet, football and aerobic fitness. Students also learn about nutrition and healthy eating.

Secondary Education Level I: Students will spend at least one class period practicing boxing or football and at least one class period learning ballet.

Secondary Education Level II/III: Students will spend class periods learning the tai chi, yoga and aerobic fitness.

Home Economics:
Students learn to maintain thier living space by learning proper cleaning concepts, and basic cooking recipes.

Primary Education/Secondary Education Level I: Students will spend at least one class period learning proper cleaning concepts and at least one class period learning basic cooking recipes.

Secondary Education Level II/III: Students will spend class periods learning the advanced cleaning concepts and recipes.

Freetime/Recess/Lunch:
Students are able to spend thier freetime playing games, reading or chatting with friends while eating thier lunch.

Homework
Students are given homework 2-3 times a simweek. Homework usually consists of simple assignments to be done with the help of the family. Occasionally students are asked to complete projects started on at school at home or to create projects at home and bring them to school.

Education Note: Revised Academy Curriculm

Based on the new deal and response from parents, here is a modified curriculm for the academy.

Curriculm
Primary Education
(children)
-generalized studies in all skill sets. Must pass skills exam with at least a one in all skills and at least a three in four skills.
-typical school day: morning period-skill studying/lunch break & recess/afternoon-skill studying

Secondary Education Level I
(teenagers 12-8 simdays remaining until adulthood)
-continued generalized studies in all skills. Must pass skills exam with at least a three in all skills.
-typical school day: morning period-skill studying/lunch break/afternoon-skill studying

Secondary Education Level II
(teenagers 8-4 simdays remaining until adulthood)
-specialized studies. Students can chose up to three skill areas for specialized studies. Must pass skills exam with at least a eight in at least one chosen specialized skill.
-typical school day: morning period-specialized studying/lunch break & recess/afternoon-specialized studying

Secondary Education Level III
(teenagers 4 simdays remaining until adulthood that are not attending the apprenticeship guild)
-continued specialized studies. Students can chose up to three skill areas for specialized studies. Must pass skills exam with at least a eight in at least two chosen specialized skills.
-typical school day: morning period-specialized studying/lunch break & recess/afternoon-specialized studying

Classes:
Classes are assigned with the help of the teacher. All students will take the following classes at least once. Classes are assigned depending on which specialized area is chosen and focuses within the class are chosen based on student preference.

Art & Music:
Students study art by composing thier own paintings and photography series, field trips to the local art gallery. Students study music by studying the violin.

Primary Education/Secondary Education Level I: Students will spend at least one class period painting and at least one class period learning violin.

Secondary Education Level II/III: Students will spend class periods learning the violin or focusing on painting/photography.

Science:
Students study science by observing bacteria in microscopes, maintaining ant farms, repairing and creating basic electronic equiptment and observing nature.

Primary Education/Secondary Education Level I: Students will spend at least one
class period observing bacteria, ants or nature (by hunting for bugs or birdwatching) and at least one class period creating basic electronic equiptment.

Secondary Education Level II/III: Students will spend class periods observing birds, maintaining ant farms, studying bacteria or creating electronic equiptment.

Simish & History:
Students learn simish and history by composing letters and essays, presenting speeches, reading assignments and some movie viewing assignments.

Primary Education/Secondary Education Level I: Students will spend at least
one class period presenting speeches and at least one class period doing reading assignments.

Secondary Education Level II/III: Students will spend class periods presenting speeches and writing.

Physical Education:
Students practice tai chi, yoga, boxing, ballet, football and aerobic fitness. Students also learn about nutrition and healthy eating.

Secondary Education Level I: Students will spend at least one class period practicing boxing or football and at least one class period learning ballet.

Secondary Education Level II/III: Students will spend class periods learning the tai chi, yoga and aerobic fitness.

Home Economics:
Students learn to maintain thier living space by learning proper cleaning concepts, and basic cooking recipes.

Primary Education/Secondary Education Level I: Students will spend at least one class period learning proper cleaning concepts and at least one class period learning basic cooking recipes.

Secondary Education Level II/III: Students will spend class periods learning the advanced cleaning concepts and recipes.

Freetime/Recess/Lunch:
Students are able to spend thier freetime playing games, reading or chatting with friends while eating thier lunch.

Homework
Students are given homework 2-3 times a simweek. Homework usually consists of simple assignments to be done with the help of the family. Occasionally students are asked to complete projects started on at school at home or to create projects at home and bring them to school.

Education Note: Hobbies

With the new deal, the responsibility seems to have fallen upon me to expose the hood's youngest residents to the world of hobbies and leisure time. Students can become exposed to cuisine through family activities of dining out. Also, students will be exposed to various lesiure time activites when they study for thier skill tests.



Here are some ways in which students will be exposed to leisure activities. I will post another note detailing changes in curriculm and class schedules.



Arts and Crafts

Art Class: Students will take pictures and paint to expose them to art.



Film and Literature

Classroom reading assignments and field trips to art gallery.



Fitness

Physical Education class students will practice tai chi and yoga.



Games

Recess: Students will have access to darts and chess.



Music + Dance

Physical Education class students will pratice ballet. Music class: students will practice violins (take up less space).



Nature

Science class: students will maintain a class aquariam and participate in bird watching and bug collecting.



Science

Science class: students will maintain a class ant farm.


Sports

Physical Education class-students will practice soccer and boxing. Recess, students have access to various balls for playing catch and basketball.



Tinkering

Science class: students will learn to repair objects.

Education Note: Trades School

Based on my earlier reports, I indicated that the hood would benefit from a trades school on the isle. This trade school would allow students to study closer to home without taking the long ferry ride to the BAP campus, allow students to study the skills and trades that are necessary to life in Apple Valley and still have the benefits of university life (dorm living, advanced classes and more). Talks with deans at Bryant A Pierce have resulted in a large educational grant for the new campus to be named: Pierce Apprenticeship Guild.


Campus

The campus will not only house rooms for six students and the full time Master Scholar, but the classrooms where students learn thier trades. Students will reside in either single or double rooms. The single rooms are reserved for the student voted Guild Hall Assistant by the other students. Guild Hall Assistants are responsible for ensuring that students are in thier rooms by curfew, the hall bathrooms are presentable for daily inspection and conduct is acceptable on campus at all times. The classrooms will house the best equipment for instruction where the Master Scholar and community partners teach the students necessary skills and training. There is a small yard, dining room and relaxation room, however students may desire to visit community lots for thier recreation needs. Also, parents are not allowed on campus except during designated visiting hours. No visitors are to be allowed in the dorm rooms


Admission
Teens with four simdays remaining until adulthood will be eligible for entrance into the school.



Entrance will be determined by the following rubic:

Interview with the Master Scholar (50%)
Entrance Score Exam (50%)

The entrance score exam details will be listed on the guild's website, however it consists of thier marks in secondary school, number of skills and extracurricular activities/jobs.


The interview with the Master Scholar will be scored on a scale of -100 to 100 points. Interviews are 3 hours long and the beginning interview score and the end interview score are subtracted so that each applicant is on equal footing with the Master Scholar.


Master Scholar
The grant covers the salary of a Master Scholar to manage the school's day-to-day operations. The Master Scholar must be a FENSA society member with a fair number of badges and dedicated to the art of knowledge.


Apprenticeship Opportunities
Students will be given opportunities to work with community partners in thier business for hands-on experience in thier chosen guild. Not all guilds have this opportunity and students must check with the Master Scholar first. If an opportunity exists, the student must have completed two simdays of study and be on track for thier graduation requirements before they are able to accept the opportunity. They will recieve a small stipend for thier work and many students may even recieve a full-time offer once they graduate.


Community Partners
Community partners are asked to open thier businesses for the students to receive hands-on training. Community partners pay a small stipend of §1000 for each student in addition to thier wages. Students can work a maximum of four hours simdaily for the two simdays. Upon thier graduation, the student is free to accept a full-time offer.


Community Partners are also asked to teach some classes to allow students to gain appreciation for how thier skills and badges will be used after graduation.


Guilds
Seven guilds were created as a result of the campus. Community Partners were inducted as founding members and guild members will be in charge of leading the guild (after graduation). Each guild must submit a proper name and insignia. This insignia will grace the guild diplomas. Each guild is free to have thier own induction ceremony for graduates, in addition to the school wide graduation.

Hood Council Note: Education Curriculm

I saw the copy of the Professional Jobs Report and have looked at the current curriculm to make neccessary changes. 88% of jobs require a degree or technical badge; 38% require only a degree; 50% require some form or technical badge; while 25% require no advanced educational training.


I have determined that Apple Valley would benefit from a trades campus on the island to award trade degrees for the jobs on the isle. Basically preparing our future sitizens for work on the isle. This would help keep students nearby instead of them making the long commute to Bryant A Pierce University. In fact, the hood should no longer be associated with the university as there are questions about objectivity.

Based on this, I propose the following curriculm changes

Primary Education
(children)

-generalized studies in all skill sets except physical education. Must pass
skills exam with at least a one in all skills and at least a three in four
skills.

-typical school day: morning period-skill studying/lunch break & recess/afternoon-skill studying

Secondary Education Level I
(teenagers 12-8 simdays remaining until adulthood)

-continued generalized studies in all skills. Must pass skills exam with at least a three in all skills.

-typical school day: morning period-skill studying/lunch break/afternoon-skill studying

Secondary Education Level II
(teenagers 8-4 simdays remaining until adulthood)

-specialized studies. Students can chose up to three skill areas for specialized
studies. Must pass skills exam with at least a eight in at least one chosen
specialized skill.

-typical school day: morning period-specialized studying/lunch break & recess/afternoon-specialized studying

Secondary Education Level III

(teenagers 4 simdays remaining until adulthood that are not attending trades school)

-continued specialized studies. Students can chose up to three skill areas
for specialized studies. Must pass skills exam with at least a eight in at least
two chosen specialized skills.

-typical school day: morning period-specialized studying/lunch break & recess/afternoon-specialized studying

This would allow students to spend time at home playing and doing homework instead of focusing on skill studies. With the new deal approaching, students will also be able to concentrate on thier hobbies and extracurricular pursuits.

Educational Director Note: After the Storm

With the storm, I had to re-write my proposal for my term. Since I am not elected, the hood council wants an update from me every simweek.



Manages the school and curriculm.

• Host graduation ceremony for graduates of the school.


• Create curriculm to meet future needs of the hood.

Works as a liason with university administration

• Host graduation ceremony for graduates of the university.

Education Director Notes: Education Plan

The hood council wants me to create a report of my goals for the students and school.



Chose school colors and mascot
We need to chose 2-3 school colors and a mascot, apples are not very intimidating. Something to build school pride.



Chose an extracurricular for students
Should have at least one school sponsered extracurricular that students would enjoy and participate in. Sports teams are hard to do unless we travel to compete, maybe a club of some sort.


Students learn average of one skill a day
Should students focus on specializing and learning particular skills (ie level 8 or higher on skills test in 1 or 2 skills) or leave school with broad knowledge (ie leve 3 and higher on skills tests in 5 or more skills)