AFTER SCHOOL LEARNING ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS

2013-2014

MIDDLE SCHOOL

2ND

SEMESTER

An ACS Athens Initiative 129 Aghias Paraskevis Street & Kazantzaki, Halandri, 15234, Athens GREECE

T: +30 210 6393200 F: +30 210 6390051

www.acs.gr iic@acs.gr

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Institute for Innovation and Creativity

ACS ATHENS: AFTER SCHOOL LEARNING ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

MIDDLE SCHOOL

The After School Learning Enhancement Program (LEP) is a program that extends

learning beyond the school day and provides a supportive environment for our

students at ACS Athens. The program is designed to help students develop a strong

sense of their own learning processes and to provide them with a strong academic,

social and emotional foundation for their schoolwork. All of the programs described

in this guide have been designed to improve and maximize each student’s learning

potential. All of the courses are led by instructors with a background in special

education and who have the knowledge and expertise to enhance learning. Students

will learn to apply basic skills and learning strategies to their work in their academic

classes, so that they may be successful. In order to best meet the needs of individual

students, LEP After School classes have been designed with sensitivity to grade

levels, age groups and diversity issues. After school classes target discrete student

needs and give emphasis to specific learning outcomes in mathematics, reading and

writing and completion of homework. What really makes the difference is the way in which these classes are delivered. To

enhance what we have identified as key elements of high performance, LEP After

School classes utilize curricula and teaching methods that make learning fun and

exciting. Each After School class is staffed with qualified personnel, maintaining a ratio of one

adult for every 2-3 students. The reading and math support classes will run with a

ratio of one teacher for every 2 students.

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REGISTRATION FORM

Please fill out the information below for the activity(ies) of your choice in order to reserve a

space for your child in any of these. Payment must be made to the Cashier’s office, to the

Institute of Innovation: Learning Enhancement Programs Account, no later than Friday,

January 23, 2014***. Please submit the bottom of this form to the Cashier’s office when

making your payment. (If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Marietta Garbis at

210-6393200 ext. 302). If enrollment in an activity does not reach the minimum number of

participants required for the class to run, the class will be cancelled, you will be notified and

your tuition will be returned.

Student’s Name: ___________________________Grade Level: ______

Parents’ / Guardians’ Names: __________________________________

Parents’ Email Address: ______________________________________

Phone #/s: Home: _______________ Cell Phone:___________________

Classes

1. __________________________ Tuition __________________

2. __________________________ Tuition __________________

3. __________________________ Tuition __________________

Amount Enclosed:

______________ €

Thank You!

*** Following Registration deadline there is no guarantee for immediate placement; sections may run in the instance that there are at least 3 students on waiting list.

*** IMPORTANT***

Signups by telephone will NOT be accepted.

Please remember to submit this form when

making your payment at the cashier’s office.

Help us make our procedure as efficient as

possible.

THANK YOU!

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Institute for Innovation and Creativity

ACS Athens: After School Learning Enhancement Program

2013-2014

Middle School

Middle School Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

16:00- 17:30

Homework

Support

Homework

Support

Math Support

Homework

Support

Homework

Support

Study/

Organization &

Test-Taking

Skills (MS)

\

Reading &

Writing Support

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Middle School

ACS Athens After-School Homework Study Program A program designed for students in all grade levels

The After-School Homework Study Program is designed to enhance knowledge, skills, and understanding of core concepts through enriching learning opportunities that complement the school day. The goal is to link the after-school program with students’ learning experiences in the classroom in order to improve their academic achievement. Students will benefit in measurable ways from the additional support they will receive from this program. Last year’s staff, along with other highly skilled and qualified professionals, will supervise the program. They will have use of the library, online resources and interactive boards. Emphasis will be given to reinforcing skills such as good study habit development, organizational techniques, skills and strategies for managing and completing homework assignments, test taking strategies, and time management strategies for planning ahead. This will result in students’ returning home with all, or most, of their homework completed, leaving them time for leisure activities and family pursuits. This after-school Homework study program is open to all Middle School students. Sessions for Middle School Students will run Monday-Thursday from 16:00-17:30. Students may ride the late buses or be picked up by their parents/guardians at 17:30. Program cost per semester:

Middle School: 2 ninety-minute sessions per week - 1,000 euro

4 ninety-minute sessions per week - 1,500 euro

The program’s Instructors will:

Provide homework support.

Teach strategies and skills.

Ensure that the academically-linked activities are engaging.

Give students the opportunity to gain the confidence they need to become successful and independent learners.

Work with students in small groups of 3-4 students.

Location: Library 3rd

floor

SESSION SCHEDULES

Middle School

Second Semester dates: Monday-Thursday from 16:00 - 17:30 January: 27, 28, 29, 30 February: 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27 March: 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, 31 April: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 May: 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29

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Middle School

FINAL EXAM &/or PROJECT PREPARATION Program

The Final Exam &/or Project Preparation Program is designed to provide support to students who wish to have assistance in studying for their final exams and/or wish to have help in completing final reports and major assignments for a class. Pre requisite: This is only for students already enrolled in HW Support. To study for Final Exams: Students will have the opportunity to review major concepts they would like to refresh their knowledge on. To do so successfully, they are required to bring their materials along, including books, study guides and previous tests. Instructor ratio will be decreased to a minimum in order to ensure as much individualized attention as necessary and students’ utilization of study skills will be encouraged and reinforced. The Final Exam &/or Preparation Program aims to increase students’ understanding and proficiency in subjects that they may feel less knowledgeable, thus ensuring improved performance on the final exams. Nevertheless, students will still be responsible of having started to prepare ahead of time and to continue studying at home so as to guarantee augmented exam performance. To get assistance with Final Projects: Students will have the opportunity to work on major assignments they have to submit for their final grade in a class. Students are required to bring their test preparation and/or project materials for the subject(s) they would like to review every day. The Final Exam &/or Project Preparation Program and its instructors are not responsible of having access to all subjects’ and/or teachers’ materials. This After School Final Exam &/or Project Preparation Program is open to all Middle School students. Sessions for Middle School students will Monday - Thursday daily from 16:00 - 17:30.

*** Students will have to pre-arrange a manner in which they will get home as there

will be NO LATE BUSES! *** Program cost:

50 euro for 2 ninety-minute sessions a week

100 euro for 4 ninety-minute sessions a week

Location: Middle School Building: Class to be determined

SESSION SCHEDULES

Middle School

Course dates:

Monday - Thursday from 16:00 - 17:30 June: 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11

NEW ADDITION

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Activity Name / Title Age Group: Middle School

READING / WRITING SUPPORT PROGRAM

Day(s): Fridays

Time: 16:00-17:30

Location: Annex Building: 1st floor

Description The After School Remedial Reading/ Writing Program is designed to assist students that are struggling with

the English language, at the reading, writing and oral level, in order to obtain the necessary skills to be

successful in the Language Arts discipline. The focus of the program at all school levels is to provide

phonemic awareness through the use of visual, auditory and kinesthetic means and to expose the students to

meaningful literature of various cultures and genres. The program also includes a grammar component which

will address correct sentence structure and organization in writing. Our goal is for our students to develop a

love for reading and writing by providing a strong foundation in the English language.

Instructor: Chrysoula Ploutou, ploutouc@acs.gr Chrysoula Ploutou earned her Bachelor’s degree, in Psychology and Elementary Education from

Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Her Master’s degree in Education was also achieved

from Clark University. She acquired her Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Special Education from

Fairfield University. Ms. Ploutou is a certified licensed teacher in the state of Connecticut. Ms Ploutou has

taken online courses through the Professional Development Institute and has received college credit from the

University of California San Diego (UCSD). Most recently she was certified in formal and informal

measurement and diagnostic techniques receiving college credit from Buffalo State, State University of New

York.

Ms. Ploutou has been a teacher in the public school system in the United States and in international

schools in Greece since 1997. She has taught JK, K, first, second, fourth grade and was a Middle School

Optimal Learning Program Specialist. Currently she is a part-time Academy Optimal Learning Program

Specialist as well as the Optimal Learning Program Coordinator, supervising all three schools, Elementary

School, Middle School and Academy through the department of Student Affairs.

This is Ms. Ploutou’s seventh year working at ACS Athens and her fifth year working in the Optimal

Learning Program. She is providing students with strategies to acquire the skills necessary to be successful in

school and in their lives. She encourages differentiation in the classroom in order to make learning

meaningful, focusing on students’ strengths and talents.

Schedule (January 2014 – May 2014)

January: 31 February: 7, 14, 21, 28 March: 7, 14, 21, 28 April: 4, 25 May: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Program Cost per Semester: €500

Number of Students per session: 2

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Activity Name / Title

Age Group: Middle School

MATH SUPPORT PROGRAM Day(s): Tuesdays

Time: 16:00-17:30

Location: Library 3rd

Floor

Description

The After School Remedial Math program is designed to help students that are struggling in basic

math skills and concepts. Learning math is a cumulative process and every year of math builds on

the knowledge obtained from previous classes. Such skills as adding, subtracting, multiplying,

dividing, decimals and fractions are reviewed and strengthened. Our emphasis will be on

reinforcing such techniques as graphing, statistics, ratios, proportions, percents, geometry, algebra

and problem solving. Our goal for this program is to enhance students understanding of

mathematics at all levels. Mathematics is a way of thinking, through this program the students will

build on what they know and they will learn to use and apply strategies that will help them be

successful in this area.

Instructor: Berahas Charles, berahasc@acs.gr

Charles Berahas was born in New York City, and grew up in Athens, Greece. He holds a

joint B.Sc. degree in Mathematics and B.A. degree in Music from Georgetown University (C’11),

specializing in Discrete Mathematics and in the Mathematics of Music. Charles has taught both

college and high school students, and has published a handful of papers with original research.

This past year has been his first year at ACS Athens where he has had the opportunity to

teach Geometry, Algebra I, Algebra II & Trigonometry, as well as Pre-Calculus to Academy

students.

Schedule (January 2014 – May 2014)

January: 28 February: 4, 11, 18, 25 March: 4, 11, 18 April: 1, 8, 29 May: 6, 13, 20, 27

Program Cost per Semester: €500

Number of Students per session: 2

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Activity Name / Title Age Group: Middle School

STUDY / ORGANIZATION &

TEST-TAKING SKILLS

Day(s): Thursdays

Time: 16:00-17:30

Location: Library 3rd

Floor

Description The Study/Organizational and Test-Taking Skills Program aims to provide students with the ability to manage

their time and workload effectively and efficiently, which will in turn improve their overall academic

performance.

In this initial phase of the program, interesting and creative activities are employed so that students will learn

several time-management, organizational and study methods. Students will have the opportunity to discover which

skills and tricks suit their individual needs and will be shown how to apply them successfully. Furthermore, they

will obtain knowledge on various strategies, which will enhance their performance and make studying easier and

therefore more pleasant. In the second phase of the course, students learn how to prepare for tests, how to take

tests of all types and formats (meaning: oral, true/false, essay, short answer, math, multiple choice, and even open-

book tests), and how to assess their performance as well as themselves after the test in order to improve for next

time. Furthermore, test-anxiety, a factor that has enormous influence on test performance, is addressed and

alleviated.

As a result, students are expected to attain the skills necessary to feel confident with studying in order to transform

their most dreaded activity into a manageable task!

Instructor: Markella Kaplani, kaplanim@acs.gr Markella Kaplani holds a B.Sc. in Psychology and a Master's degree in Clinical-Counseling Psychology

obtained from LaSalle University in collaboration with New York College, Athens Greece. In January, 2014 she

will also be receiving her Special Education Certificate. Ms. Kaplani has extensive academic and counseling experience with students of all age levels through

several of her current and former professional positions and volunteer work. She has extensively worked with

students to provide them with skills that will allow them to enhance their performance, whilst simultaneously

assisting them in decreasing feelings of anxiety, frustration, and boredom, as well as behaviors of avoidance, and

thoughts of self-downing. Ms. Kaplani has been part of the Optimal Learning Program at ACS for the past three

years and is currently the Middle School Optimal Learning Specialist, fully supporting students with learning

differences. She is also the After School Program Coordinator under the Institute’s Learning Enhancement

Program, where she has been instructing in all three schools (Elementary, Middle and High), being responsible of

teaching skills that aid performance improvement. In ACS Athens, she has also served as a teacher in the Mentor

Program, which addresses gifted students and their individual needs and has taught a summer-course in Health

with the Institute for Innovation and Creativity. Ms. Kaplani's goal is to help and guide students in developing the skills and confidence necessary so as to

become fully independent and excel in their academics and lives overall.

Schedule (January 2014 – May 2014)

January: 30 February: 6, 13, 20, 27 March: 6, 13, 20, 27 April: 3, 24 May: 8, 15, 22, 29

Program Cost per Semester: €500

Minimum number of Students per session: 3

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Institute for Innovation and Creativity

ACS Athens: After School Learning Enhancement Program

Middle School

Registration Information

Programs

Days and Time

# of Sessions Semester 2

Cost per Semester

Homework Study Program

2 sessions / week

30 € 1000

Homework Study Program

4 sessions / week

60

€ 1500

Final Exam &/or Project Preparation Program

2 sessions total

3 hours € 50

Final Exam &/or Project Preparation Program

4 sessions total

6 hours € 100

Reading/ Writing Support

Fri 16:00-17:30

16 € 500

Math Support

Tue 16:00-17:30

15 € 500

Study / Organizational & Test-Taking Skills

Thurs 16:00-17:30

15 € 500

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LATE BUS SCHEDULE January – May 2014

January *

7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 21, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

February

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

March

4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 28, 31

April

1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30

May

2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28