Synergy Clinton

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Synergy

Welcome to Synergy at CHS! As you can see below, our goal is to provide Clinton High School students with an opportunity unparalleled by any school within a 100 mile radius. The team of teachers and administrators are here to commit to your child’s success in a learning environment that is real life! 

Some of the initiatives under way:

  • Open House Benefit for Information Referral and Assistance Services to inform the community about our program, our passion projects, while raising money and awareness for I.R.A.S.

  • Developing a social media workshop targeted at local businesses seeking help with promotion. 

  • Creating a welcome sign with “Home of the River Kings and Queens” as people enter town from the east and west. 

  • Creating a display at Clinton High for casualties in combat in a commemorative display with uniforms from WWI, WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War for those who served from CHS. This could include a physical or digital plaque.

  • Creating and promoting events in the CHS Library to increase student engagement with reading and attracting more people to use the library.

  • Promoting Midwest Pets for life on Instagram to increase adoption and awareness of the business. 

  • Duke Slater recognition project which will work on creating text to compliment the statue that will be built in front of CHS and other methods to promote Mr. Slater’s contribution and impact.

  • Contacting veterans and veteran organizations to help promote their organizations and support their programs.

  • Bringing awareness to local museums, as well as helping them with projects and research. 

  • The Synergy Podcast which discusses school events, seasonal sports, and more.

  • The Royalty Rack, an ongoing resource for students in need of Homecoming or Prom attire. 

Mission

Synergy challenges students to…  

Imagine Clinton

Involve  Clinton

Impact   Clinton

Vision

Synergy builds upon the innovative model of two established Iowa Big programs:

www.iowabig.org

www.iowabignorth.org

Values

Synergy develops these 21st-century skills:

Communication & diverse perspectives

Adaptability & responsibility

Leadership & integrity

Initiative & self-direction

Productivity & accountability

“Fail-forward” growth mindset

Goals

Student achievement of core academic standards through their Synergy initiatives.

Establishment of community partnerships & development of an initiative pool.

Collaborative realization of initiatives, from conception to fruition.

Curriculum

Synergy students will earn academic credit by achieving proficiency in Iowa Core standards. Students will choose and design initiatives that they are passionate about and that complement the curricular area they are seeking credit in. For example, a student seeking US Government credit could choose an initiative involving local leaders and a civic issue. Standards not achieved through an initiative will be learned in collaboration with IBC staff. See the “Our Team” section for additional information about specific credits available at Synergy.

Instruction

Students will learn utilizing various formats at Synergy, most importantly by collaborating with community members on an initiative. Synergy staff will supplement with additional instruction as needed. Here are some potential learning formats:

  • Initiative team & community partner meetings

  • 1-on-1 instruction & feedback with IBC staff

  • Seminar-style lessons focused on a specific standard or topic

  • Discussion with IBC mentor community members

Assessment

Synergy students will focus on bringing the initiatives they are passionate about to fruition. Synergy staff will focus on assessing the Iowa Core standards which will be embedded in initiatives and through supplemental instruction. Assessment will be standards-based, meaning Synergy staff will be working with students to develop a body of evidence that demonstrates their mastery of the necessary standards. Here are some potential pieces of evidence:

  • A product within an initiative (i.e. reports, presentations, a prototype)

  • A focused traditional assessment (i.e. test, quiz, paper)

  • Synergy staff observations

Grading

Synergy staff will use Infinite Campus to report student learning in a standards-based format that blends with Clinton High School’s grading system. Students’ grades will be determined based on the standards for the course, as well as 21st Century employability standards. Course grades will follow the same term calendar as CHS.

Synergy staff will be learning the “BBQ” software utilized by other Iowa Big programs. This software provides curriculum, communication, and grading tools for initiative-based learning. More information will be shared as that software is adopted.

Our Team

Kellen Schneeberger

I am excited to work with the Synergy team and watch students grow not only scholastically, but also as future leaders. I hope to use my skills and experiences to help these students find their passion and pursue projects that demonstrate their desire to help our community. I encourage any current student that wants a multi-disciplinary class that is rewarding, engaging, and fun, with a focus on problem solving, collaboration, and creativity to take advantage of this opportunity.

Bill Misiewicz

Social Studies

Physical Education

I am so excited to be part of this initiative and program. I am hoping to bring my local connections and my 37 years of teaching experience to the table for students! I love the fact that it allows students to Involve our community!

Matt Tobin

Associate Principal

Email Matt Tobin

563-243-7540 x1183

I am excited to work with students, teachers, and partners in this authentic learning experience. My family calls Clinton home and I believe our students will Impact our community for the better!

Please don’t hesitate to call or email. 

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