Orientation Video #1:  Welcome by DeLaina Tonks, Director

Orientation Video #2: Vision and Misson of OHSU by DeLaina Tonks, Director

Orientation Video #3:  Laptop Care and Maintenance by David Schultz

Orientation Video #4:  Accessing Your Courses, Email by Sarah Weston, Curriculum Director

Orientation Video #5:  Course Tools and Tracking Your Course Progress by Sarah Weston, Curriculum Director

Orientation Video #6:  Courses, Scheduling, and Personal Responsibility by Jenni Wurm, Counselor

Andersen, Janel

Boggs, Terise

Hunsaker, Tara

Klein, Jennifer

Layton, Sara

Mordecai, Jessica

Pace, Amy

Swank, Rebecca

Tonks, DeLaina

Turek, Nicole

VanAusdal, Crystal

Wadsworth, Amy

Webb, Ashley

Weston, Sarah

Winslow, Michael

Wurm, Jenni

Email:  jklein@openhighschool.org

Phone:  801-540-6898

Skype:  jkleinOHSU

Twitter: jkleinOHSU

If you have any questions regarding school fees, please email:   nturek@openhighschool.org.

June 28, 2010: Online Teacher Named Utah Charter School Educator of the Year

February 17, 2010: OHSU Students Participate in Virtual Field Trip via Twitter

February 12, 2010: Why Is This Utah Charter School Drawing So Much Attention?

We would like to inform parents about some new laws that affect students transferring from a charter school to a district school so that you can plan accordingly and not be caught off guard.  Unfortunately, if these new requirements are not followed, a student could lose their spot in the charter school and subsequently not be able to enroll in the district school of their choice either.

Utah state law establishes procedures that govern the withdrawal of students from charter schools for enrollment in district schools.  See Utah Code. § 53A-1a-506.5 and Utah Admin. Rule R277-472.

Specifically, Utah law states that parents are to provide notice by June 30^th of their intent to withdraw from a charter school and enroll in another school (either a district school or another charter school) for the following year.  If the parent applies for admission to their school district of residence for the following year before June 30^th, the school district must accept the student into the student’s school of residence.

For example, if, during the 2009-2010 school year a parent intends to withdraw their student from a charter school and re-enroll in their neighborhood district school for the 2010-2011 school year, they should notify both the charter school and their local school district of that intent prior to June 30, 2010.  The district is required to enroll the student in their local neighborhood school.

If a parent wants to withdraw a student from a charter school after June 30^th or during the school year, state law requires the parent to first go to the school district or other charter school and obtain a letter of acceptance for enrollment in the new school.  The parent then needs to give the charter school a copy of that letter of acceptance.  Also, in this situation, the local school district is not required to accept the student into their school of residence if the parent did not notify the district before June 30^th.  The district is only required to accept the student into a school in the district that has adequate capacity.

For example, if the parent in the above example fails to enroll in the neighborhood district school prior to June 30, 2010, the district doesn’t have to allow the student to enroll in their neighborhood school if that school doesn’t have adequate capacity for the 2010-2011 school year.  The district would then tell the parent which school has capacity for their child and the parent would be responsible for transportation to that school.

School districts should post information to their website about which schools in the district have adequate capacity.  If they have not done so, you should contact the district office and request that information.

We don’t want anyone to be caught in a difficult situation, so if you plan to enroll your student in a district school next year, please understand and follow these requirements.

If you choose to unenroll your student from our school, then change your mind, you will have to re-enroll through the lottery, and we cannot guarantee re-entry into the school regardless of the situation.

Click HERE to download the Student Transfer Notice.  This form is must be completed and submitted to Open High School of Utah if a student choose to transfer from OHSU.

Phone/Text: (714) 421-2652

Google Talk ID: ashley.webb@openhighschool.org

Skype:  ashley_webb_ohsu

Twitter:  ashleywebb_ohsu

We’d like to introduce you to Utah’s newest Innovation in Education, the Open High School of Utah, an online, public charter school. You are very likely the Representative of one of our students, because our High School serves students statewide.

At the Open High School of Utah we’ve changed the rules
We’re not traditional
We’re 21st century innovation
Our classes don’t take place in the classroom
Our students don’t use textbooks
We serve Utah students no matter where they are
We come to them
We fit into their life
We even adapt to how they learn

The Open High School of Utah is putting the focus where it should be – on the student. OUR MISSION is to facilitate lifelong success by meeting the needs of the 21st century learner through individualized, student-centered instruction, innovative technology, service learning, and personal responsibility.

Our virtual doors opened last fall at full capacity, serving students throughout the state. We are blazing new trails as the very first secondary school to follow in the footsteps of Higher Ed institutions such as MIT, Yale, Stanford, Carnegie-Mellon, and our own BYU and USU by using open source curriculum which will be shared with students across the world. Our instructional experts gather Open Educational Resources from which they develop quality curriculum that is dynamic and engaging for our students. The curriculum is then delivered through our 21st century learning management system, where our data-driven approach allows us to target areas of strength and weakness so that our world-class teachers can assist students one-on-one, using a variety of the latest cutting edge technology tools.

If you’re curious to see how a school so outside the box operates, we will be showcasing Open High School at Charter Day at the Capitol on Thursday, February 18 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. We invite you to come and find out how a public school is proving that traditional education is not the only way to gain an education. We are also available to visit with you anytime, at your convenience, to walk you through a demo of what a typical day at OHSU looks like for our students and teachers.

The Open High School of Utah is a shining example of how valuable the charter school option is to the students of Utah. We are truly bringing 21st century innovation into the education system.

See who’s talking about the Open High School of Utah

Website: www.openhighschool.org

View the brief “Faces of Innovation” presentation

Contact Info:
DeLaina Tonks
Director~Open High School of Utah
PO Box 1927 ~ SLC, UT 84111
801.725.3396 (call or text)
801.364.4181 (Fax)
delaina.tonks@openhighschool.org
www.openhighschool.org

Sincerely,

The Board, Director, Faculty and Students of The Open High School of Utah

Videos

Print Materials

The legislature passed a law that allows charter students to participate in extracurricular activities at their neighborhood school. 

If you are interested in having your student participate at your neighborhood school, contact that school”s guidance counselor.

04-16-2010 – Board Meeting Minutes
02-18-2010 – Board Meeting Minutes
02-03-2010 – Board Meeting Minutes
01-06-2010 – Board Meeting Minutes

2009

12-23-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
12-02-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
11-13-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
10-14-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
9-25-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
9-8-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
9-1-2009 – Board Meeting Minute
07-14-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
06-16-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
06-09-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
05-26-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
05-12-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
04-28-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
03-31-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
03-03-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes
01-16-2009 – Board Meeting Minutes

2008

12-22-2008 – Board Meeting Minutes
11-21-2008 – Board Meeting Minutes
10-30-2008 – Board Meeting Minutes
09-29-2008 – Board Meeting Minutes
08-22-2008 – Board Meeting Minutes

• Susan D’Antoni – Division for Education Strategies and Capacity Building, UNESCO
• M.S. Vijay Kumar – Senior Associate Dean and Director, Office of Educational Innovation and Technology, MIT
• Esther Wojcicki – Chairwoman, Creative Commons Board of Directors
• Phillip J. Windley – Ph.D. Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Kynetx.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the Open High School of Utah Board meetings, typically held the first Wednesday of the month from 1:00-3:00  at the Open High School Office located at 352 S. Denver St. (440 E.) SUITE 350 in downtown Salt Lake City.

Board Meeting Schedule 2010

Class of 2013 (download pdf)

Class of 2014 (download pdf)

If you have any questions, please contact your Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Jenni Wurm at (801) 510-4586 or jenni.wurm@openhighschool.org

WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2010-2011!

AWESOME!

-Rick & Angela Silva

__________________________________________________________________________________

I, for one, am so glad that Christine is a part of OHSU.  Her grades have improved dramatically, she looks forward to classes, and she has begun to talk, and listen to, the other students online.

-Laura Mohrman

__________________________________________________________________________________

I am the Student Body Vice President and I go to OHSU full time. OHSU is great for any student, from the travelers to advanced learners. I love this kind of learning just because it is SO flexible. And you can always make sure that you are understanding all of the curriculum. It’s one on one learning, on your own time, and wherever you want! Who wouldn’t want to learn like this?

My job as SBO is to help the President, Rachel Shearer, plan activities for the students of OHSU to get together with other students that are just like them. And to make the activities fun! The students have impact on these activities, and we do diverse things that public schools can’t. These students can connect with other students that are just like them and see the advantages of being an online student. These students have vast interests, and other students have even more diverse talents which makes all of the students interesting, and able to express themselves so easily. Not only are we smart, but we’re pretty cool too.

OHSU is an amazing place, and I enjoy attending. I have many interests, and some that may even surprise you. One of my favorite things to do is plan, and get people together. I love that I got the position as Vice President because it allows me to connect with other students who are just like me, and have seen the advantages of OHSU. I have made so many friends, when usually you would think that an online school’s disadvantage is the lack of having a social life, when really, I have gone to places in Utah I have never been to before! All to see the students who do such amazing things.

I love OHSU, and the freedom to learn more, to grow, or sometimes even learn about yourself, and your desires. OHSU is an amazing school, with the best teachers, the best parents, and definitely the best students. I have seen students that are notorious for their F’s to go to C’s, and B’s, and eventually A’s, because they feel no pressure, and that they can do all of this when they know they have the time to focus. OHSU is the height of education, and you can only fully appreciate this program when you experience it.

-Corinne P.

__________________________________________________________________________________

I just wanted to point out how great of a year it’s been at OHSU. Honestly, it’s been a life changing experience. I have not received education like this before via virtual schooling–this is NOTHING like (anything I have done before). The teachers are one of the factors that have really impacted me–without their expert teacher skills, I would be on the road to destruction.  Before I joined OHSU, I was given textbooks for everything; textbooks that were impossible to understand. This made it exceptionally difficult for math. I was barely able to multiply and divide correctly and I couldn’t grasp the idea of fractions when I joined OHSU. It would only be a matter of time before I was held back because of my shaky math knowledge. Taking the CRTs last year, I did not know a single thing I was reading. Mrs. Weston saved me from such doom and taught in such an effective manner that even if I skipped some of the basics, I have learned almost everything that I did not understand the years before and I am understanding math concepts easily now, even after just one or two of her videos. I used to be terrified of math but I actually enjoy it sometimes now! I stare at things and say “About 3/4 of that is all that she gave me.” I couldn’t do that a year ago.  Current Issues has seriously changed my point of view, more than you can imagine. It makes me appreciate the existence of newspapers, radio, and TV, and makes me realize how much of a difference the Internet is making. I never realized how much social media is changing the way we live and communicate, and how it affects advertising.  I also showed some of the videos used in the course my mom’s friend who does not understand the impact and importance of social media. It never crossed my mind that books and other forms of communication protect us from being dominated by an evil ruler or emperor. What if Gutenberg never created the printing press? Where would we be now? It is also scary how much what we hear from the news and certain brands can influence humans! Current Issues has really made me realize aspects of society that I never saw before; it’s made a dramatic difference in the way I think.  If I dare explain how much I’ve learned this year, this email would explode, so I will stop right here. But I want you to know that this has been great experience and I will most certainly be coming back next year! This school certainly debunks myths about online schooling, because I think the learning here is great and very individualized. I always get help whenever I ask for it! The teachers are a big factor on what made this possible.  Thanks for setting this whole thing up. Please continue to do so… forever. I’m proud to be one of the first students of OHSU!

-Jizelle J.

__________________________________________________________________________________

I have been homeschooled most of my life except for Kindergarten, where I missed a lot of school because I have really severe asthma and was always sick. I really like OHSU because it is really convenient when I am sick. I also really like the teachers. They are very nice and are always so flexible. I really wanted a High School experience since I am that age now, but didn’t want to go to public school. I really like OHSU because it feels like High School. We have class officers, a mascot, elections, and fieldtrips and social activities.  I love OHSU and appreciate all that my teachers do. Thanks OHSU teachers!

-Philip V.

__________________________________________________________________________________

I travel a lot for professional skateboarding, so I need to be able to do school on my own time while traveling. This is why I love OHSU and why it should be recommended to many students.

-Tyson B.

__________________________________________________________________________________

I chose OHSU because it would allow me to learn at my own pace.  I have always been ahead in my classes, but now  I have a 4.0 GPA for the first time in my life.  I can start school when I want to and I am protected against bullies.

-Anonymous

__________________________________________________________________________________

I’ve done public school and it just didn’t seem like it was working for me. I hated sitting in that hard desk almost all day long and I was always hungry…I really like OHSU because it’s kind of like public school but I can work on my own schedule, I can do my work on my bed and if I get hungry I can go find an apple or something!

-Amber R.

__________________________________________________________________________________

I chose OHSU because I think it is a better learning environment for me. I get the quality education that I have always wanted. In my other school, I felt like I was rushing myself, trying to get everything done in a short period of time. Here, I can pace myself, I don’t have to rush and I do better than I did at the local school. Thank you OHSU!!

-Emily L.

__________________________________________________________________________________

OHSU really is a good school. The best part is that the teachers are great at communicating. If you have a question they will answer you quickly and if they won’t be around, they will let you know. Also with the voicethreads and other tech tools, it’s fun that you can still get to know other students.

-Sarah D.

__________________________________________________________________________________

In my own humble opinion, open high school is THE BEST high school EVER.   It is more structured than home school, but more flexible than public school.  We take field trips, do service learning projects, have class officers and even fun activities like “Crazy Hair Day”.  You can totally have the whole social aspect of high school if you want it  We use a bajillion and one tools to communicate with our friends online.

-Jessica W.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Committee Members

Trustlands Committee

Open High School of Utah Parent Organization Bylaws

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Open High School of Utah Parent Organization, hereafter referred to as the OHSU Parent Organization.

Article II. The Vision of the Open High School of Utah

The Open High School of Utah is a public charter school designed to meet the needs of the 21st century student.  As an online school, we combine state of the art curriculum with strategic one-on-one learning.  Instruction is individualized allowing students to work at their pace and to provide maximum flexibility that is student-centered. Our delivery of education is responsive to the needs of each learner, and eliminates the negative aspects of a one size fits all system.  OHSU provides a choice, not the choice for students and their families.

Article III. Mission Statement

The OHSU Parent Organization mission is to involve parents in enhancing, supporting, and protecting the vision of the OHSU of combining state of the art curriculum and strategic one-on-one instruction. To accomplish this mission the OHSU Parent Organization shall:

1.Be supportive of the vision of the OHSU, the OHSU Director and the OHSU Governing Board

2.Encourage parental involvement so that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of OHSU students

3.Promote School Spirit

4.Raise funds to assist in running its programs and activities

5.Provide opportunities for the students of OHSU that are not within the scope of the school budget

6.Work with the OHSU Student Council to provide social activities for the students at OHSU

Article IV. Membership

1.All parents or legal guardians with a student enrolled in OHSU are members of the OHSU Parent Organization, no dues are required for membership.

2.All OHSU Parent Organization members are encouraged to attend the General Board meetings. Concerns may be addressed during these meetings, provided the issue has been placed on the agenda prior to the meeting.

3.Each OHSU Parent Organization member may make motions and/or serve on committees.

Article V. OHSU Parent Organization Officers

1.The OHSU Parent Organization Executive Board shall consist of a President, President-elect, Secretary, and Treasurer and shall operate under the direction of the OHSU Director.

2.The OHSU Parent Organization General Board shall consist of all OHSU Parent Organization Executive Board members as well as members who serve as committee chairs.

3.Board members shall serve on a volunteer basis for a term of one year (July 1st through June 30th) and serve no more than two consecutive terms in the same office. A person shall hold no more than one elected position in the OHSU Parent Organization at a time.

4. For OHSU’s start-up year of 2009-2010, the OHSU Parent Organization President shall be appointed by the OHSU Director. The President-elect, Secretary, and Treasurer may be appointed by the OHSU Parent Organization President.

5.For each year following the start-up year, the OHSU Parent Organization Executive Board positions shall be filled by a majority vote in an election held at a General Board meeting in May.

6. In the case of a vacancy in the office of President, the President-elect shall become President and the OHSU Parent Organization General Board shall select a new President-elect. For a vacancy occurring in the positions of President-elect, Secretary, or Treasurer replacements shall be appointed by the remaining OHSU Parent Organization General Board. In the event that both the offices of President and President-elect are vacated at the same time, the remaining OHSU Parent Organization General Board may assume the responsibilities of the two offices until replacements are selected.

7.An officer of the OHSU Parent Organization may be removed from office by a majority vote of the OHSU Parent Organization Executive Board.

Article VI. Elections

1.The OHSU Parent Organization General Board shall function as a nominating committee for the OHSU Parent Organization Executive Board elections.

2. Nominations must be posted by March 31st.

3. Any member of the OHSU Parent Organization may submit additional nominations, in writing, to the OHSU Parent Organization President one week prior to the General Board meeting in April. Such nominations need to be signed by the nominee, and must be posted 48 hours prior to the meeting. All nominees will be presented to OHSU Parent Organization members at the April meeting.

4. In the absence of a candidate for any position, an opportunity shall be given for nominations from the floor. Only those who have consented to serve shall be eligible for nomination, either by the committee or from the floor.

5. Notification of the election will be posted at least 14 days prior to the General Board meeting in May. Elections shall be done by ballot.

6.The newly elected Executive Board members shall assume their official duties on July 1st and serve in their respective capacities until June 30th of the following year.

7. With the exception of the start-up year, it is suggested that the office of President shall be filled by the person who has served as the President-elect, or has served for at least one year on the OHSU Parent Organization Executive or General Board.

President Article VII. Duties of Officers

The OHSU Parent Organization Executive Board shall:

1.Develop the OHSU Parent Organization Annual Budget.

2.Establish and oversee committees to conduct the work of the OHSU Parent Organization.

3.Establish fundraising programs.

The President shall:

1.Preside over all OSHU Parent Organization Executive and General Board meetings and call those meetings to order.

2.Receive reports from the President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee Chairs.

3.Appoint all OSHU Parent Organization Committee Chairs, with the approval of the Executive Board, and oversee activities, events and plans.

4.Report quarterly to the OHSU Governing Board.

5.Coordinate with the OHSU Treasurer regarding all OHSU Parent Organization finances, and serve as an authorized signatory on all OHSU Parent Organization accounts.

6.Review all information distributed by OHSU Parent Organization committees prior to approval by the OHSU Director.

7.Cast the deciding vote, in the case of a tie, at all General or Executive Board meetings.

8.Perform other duties as may be assigned by the OHSU Director or OHSU Governing Board.

The President-elect shall:

1.Attend all OHSU Parent Organization meetings.

2.Assist the President as needed and perform the duties of the President in his or her absence or inability to serve.

3.Assist the President in overseeing committees that report to the OHSU Parent Organization Executive Board.

4.Prepare to become the President for the following year.

5.Perform other duties as may be assigned by the OHSU Parent Organization President.

The Secretary shall:

1.Attend all OHSU Parent Organization meetings.

2. Record and keep minutes of all OHSU Parent Organization Executive and General Board meetings.

3. Present a copy of the minutes to each Executive Board member prior to the next Board meeting and post a copy for the General membership on the OHSU Parent Organization blog or web page.

4.Coordinate with the OHSU Parent Organization President to prepare the agendas for all Executive and General Board meetings.

5. Post the date, time and agenda of all OHSU Parent Organization board meetings.

6.Keep all volunteer records.

7.Keep the OHSU Parent Organization blog or web page updated.

8.Maintain a current calendar of events for the OHSU Parent Organization.

9.Perform other duties as may be assigned by the OHSU Parent Organization President.

The Treasurer shall:

1.Attend all OHSU Parent Organization meetings.

2.Receive, deposit and disburse all monies of the organization.

3.Keep an accurate record of receipts, donations, and expenditures.

4.Obtain the two (2) authorized signatures required on each check.

5.Serve as an authorized signatory on all OHSU Parent Organization accounts.

6.Maintain and present a financial statement at each OHSU Parent Organization meeting.

7.At the end of the school year, the treasurer will prepare and present an approved written annual financial report to the incoming OHSU Parent Organization board.

8.Perform other duties as may be assigned by the OHSU Parent Organization President.

Article VIII. Meetings

1.General Board Meetings shall be held monthly. The President or President-elect must be in attendance. All OHSU Parent Organization members are invited to attend. General Board meeting times must be posted at least 24 hours in advance.

2.The General Board meeting in April shall include the nominations for the new Executive Board for the following school year. The elections for the new Board shall be held during the General Board meeting in May.

3.Special meetings may be called by the OHSU Parent Organization President as needed. The meeting time must be posted at least 24 hours in advance.

Article IX. Basic Policies

1.The OHSU Parent Organization Executive Board shall be the policy/procedure-making body of the organization.

2.The OHSU Parent Organization shall neither seek to direct the administrative activities of the school nor control its policies.

3.The OHSU Parent Organization shall be non-commercial, non-sectarian, and non-partisan. The name of the organization or names of any members in their official capacities shall not be used to endorse or promote any commercial interest, enterprise, political candidate, or any other purpose not appropriately related to the objectives of the organization.

Article X. Renewal and Amendment of the Bylaws

1.The bylaws shall be reviewed by the OHSU Parent Organization Executive Board at the beginning of each school year. They shall be presented every three years to the general membership to be reaffirmed by a majority vote.

2.Proposed amendments to the bylaws may be presented at any General Board meeting, provided the issue has been placed on the agenda prior to the meeting. The bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present.

Laptop Use Agreement

Computer Requirements

Acceptable Use Policy for Students

Student Photograph and Video Release Form

Student Transfer Notice

Fee Waiver

10th Grade Health- Human Sexuality Parent Consent Form

The Open High School of Utah is excited about its peer mentor program, established in January 2010, where veteran students pair with incoming students to show them the ropes.

Returning students can apply now!

Responsibilities include:
~ making regular contact with your assigned incoming student/s
~ being available to answer questions
~ referring them to the right person if you don’t know the answer to a question
~ helping them feel comfortable as a new OHSU Trailblazer

Semester 1
2009-2010

Angelovic, Hunter
Black, Roger
Bowerbank, Tyson
Buchanan, Alexus
Burnett, Anna Marie
Daniels, Sarah
Ferrel, Shelby
Foster, Carly
Freeman, Jefferey
Jurquina, Jizelle
McKeachnie, Josie
Pulley, Katrina
Robinson, Jeremiah
Scoresby, Katrina
Shearer, Rachel
Shumway, Hilton
Silva, Michael
Southam, Connor
Stacey, Savannah
Stallings, Echo
Twede, Shawn
Vorwaller, Philip
Wallace, Brenden
Whisenant, Jessica
Williams, Karin

Yearbook Club
Shelby Ferrel
Jessica Whisenant
Jizelle Jurquina
Karin Williams
Alexus Buchanan
Andrew Harless
Angela Arnoldsen
Alora Cheney
Sarah Mudrow
Rebecca Atwood
Amber Radmall
Michael Silva

Advisors: Mrs. Webb & Mrs. Ellis

Available 2010-2011:

National Honor Society

Key Club

Objective: To instill a life-long spirit of service in all of Open High School students, teachers, Board members and parent volunteers.

Goals
School: OHSU will strive to meet the qualifications for the Gold Level Group President’s Volunteer Service Award of 1000 hours. http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/tg/pvsainfo/dspAboutAwards.cfm

Students: To complete 25 hours of service per semester via peer mentoring, class projects, and school service opportunities. (If students want to work toward individual awards, they can also count outside service hours for youth groups, community groups, etc.)

Faculty, Administrators, Staff, Parent Organization and Board Members: To set an example for OHSU students by volunteering 25 hours of service each semester through OHSU projects, meetings and activities, or through community organizations.

Process:
Service Learning Coordinator works with faculty to brainstorm, design, and implement at least one service-learning project into their curriculum each semester, keeping in mind the goal of 25 hours per student. SLC also works with Parent Organization to design and implement two school-wide service opportunities; one per semester.

Students, faculty, staff, parents, and Board members perform volunteer service hours, then document by sending the number of hours, date and a brief description to PO in charge of service/PVSA.  

A parent volunteer will accept student service hours and track them.

Guidance Counselor will provide support as necessary, especially during SEOPs since the award will set our students apart on college applications.

Director will provide oversight for the plan and work to ensure that all aspects are functioning well, in addition to facilitating communication between all involved.

Anyone who completes 25 hours of service per semester will receive a group PVSA award certificate, pin, letter from the President, local elected officials, school administration etc.

Content Release Schedule

And our use of open educational resources also means that the Open High School of Utah is committed to sharing their content with the public for free. Our content is built, taught once through, refined and then released. Our first content release date will be August 20, 2010.

Who Else is Using Open Educational Resources?

• MIT
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Yale
• Stanford

• The University of Utah
• Utah State University
• Utah Valley University
• Brigham Young University
• and others…

• The National Repository of Online Courses
• CK12
• Curriki
• OER Commons

MATH:
Algebra 1 is a two-semester course that fulfills an OSHU and USOE state graduation requirement.  The main goal of Algebra  is to develop fluency in working with linear equations.  In this course, students will work with tables, graphs, and equations and solve linear equations and inequalities and systems of linear equations and inequalities.    Students will learn how to simplify polynomials and begin to study quadratic relationships, along with analyzing mathematical situations verbally, numerically, graphically, and symbolically. Throughout the course, students will have opportunities to apply mathematical skills and make meaningful connections to life’s experiences.

Algebra A is the first year of a two-year Algebra program, fulfilling an OHSU and USOE state graduation requirement.  The main goal of Algebra is to develop fluency in working with linear equations.  This 2 year program gives students the opportunity to study, learn, and practice algebraic concepts at a pace that allows additional learning activities, projects, and discussions. In this course, students will work with tables, graphs, and equations and solve linear equations and inequalities and systems of linear equations and inequalities. Throughout the course, students will have opportunities to apply mathematical skills and make meaningful connections to life’s experiences.

Algebra B is the second year of a two-year Algebra program, fulfilling an OHSU and USOE state graduation requirement. The main goal of Algebra  is to develop fluency in working with linear equations.  This 2 year program gives students the opportunity to study, learn, and practice algebraic concepts at a pace that allows additional learning activities, projects, and discussions. In this course, students will learn how to simplify polynomials and begin to study quadratic relationships, along with analyzing mathematical situations verbally, numerically, graphically, and symbolically. Throughout the course, students will have opportunities to apply mathematical skills and make meaningful connections to life’s experiences.

Geometry The main goal of Geometry is for students to develop the structure of Euclidean geometry logically and apply the resulting theorems and formulas to address meaningful problems.  Students will use experimentation and inductive reasoning to construct geometric concepts, discover geometric relationships, and formulate conjectures.  Students will employ deductive logic to construct formal logical arguments and proofs. Students will use dynamic geometry software, compass and straightedge, and other tools to investigate and explore mathematical ideas and relationships and develop multiple strategies for analyzing complex situations.

Algebra 2 A primary goal of Algebra 2 is for students to conceptualize, analyze, and identify relationships among functions.  This course builds on concepts learned in Algebra 1 andGeometry by extending linear algebra and coordinate geometry concepts to other functions and systems of equations.   Students will develop proficiency in analyzing andsolving quadratic functions using complex numbers.  Students will investigate absolute value, radical, exponential, logarithmic and sine and cosine functions algebraically, numerically, and graphically. Students will extend their algebraic skills to compute with rational expressions and rational exponents. Students will analyze statistical data and apply concepts of probability using permutations and combinations.

LANGUAGE ARTS:
English 9 is a two-semester course that fulfills an OHSU and USOE state graduation requirement.  In this course, we will study novels, plays, poetry, and articles as a means of improving critical thinking, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and written expression.  Through written, audio, and video recordings, students share their reactions to the characters, themes, and issues of the works studied.  Grammar, vocabulary, symbolism, plot points, and character development are among the language and literary techniques which students will study in this course.  Throughout the course, students will make connections between the themes and characters of literature, and the events and interactions of their own lives.

English 10 is a two-semester course that fulfills an OHSU and USOE state graduation requirement.  We will study and explore poetry, narratives, short stories, novels, non-fiction essays, articles and informational texts.  Our comprehension of these texts will be facilitated by analyzing and evaluating the literary elements, plot, character development and themes of each work.  As part of this course, we will continue to develop writing skills by experimenting with multiple forms of writing. We will clarify thinking and writing by improving our ability to support opinions, providing expressive details and using the writing process as a means to strengthen ideas.  This course will provide ample opportunities for students to imaginatively and critically express themselves through multi-media resources as they make essential connections to the world, themselves and literature.

Honors English 10 will include all of the elements of English 10 plus several in-depth projects that will allow students to develop and apply the writing, reading, and critical thinking skills they learn in the course.

English Composition There? Their? They’re? This one semester course, completed in conjunction with the core Language Arts course, focuses on fundamental, cross-curricular writing and English grammar and usage.  Students will work through all steps of the writing process to create effective paragraphs and essays—skills that will apply in all disciplines throughout high school and beyond.  Wikis and group work will allow students to share ideas and connect with other students, and interactive instruction and review will clarify grammar and usage rules to help our students avoid embarrassing mistakes that beset the English written word.

SCIENCE:
Earth Systems This course is designed to fulfill the Utah State Core Requirements for Earth Systems Sciences.  We will explore the Earth and the solar system.  We will learn about Earth’s landforms, rocks, atmosphere, and climate.  We will understand how different processes reshape our planet, and discover how and why the Earth has changed over time.  We will see how science affects us everyday and how we, in turn, affect our planet.

Biology This course is a first-year  Biology course which is designed to fulfill the science requirements for OHSU and USOE graduation requirements.  Students will be studying life and life systems with a close look at Ecology, Cellular Biology, Human Physiology, and Evolution.  The use of media and technology will allow students to work individually and independently to understand life’s processes, scientific inquiry, research methods, and scientific design and problem solving.  For example, in the first unit of study, students will research a parcel of land that is for sale and be able to construct an Environmental Impact Statement after analyzing the affects of development on the ecosystem.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
World Civilization is a survey course that examines historic and cultural events from five time periods in world history.  Students learn about early civilizations, classical civilizations focusing on Greece, Rome and China, and interregional contact which lead to exploration and cultural diffusion during the middle ages.  From there students investigate the role of revolution and social change and finally culminate their study of world history with a look at the march towards global integration during the 20th and 21st centuries.  This is a rich and interactive course offering students opportunities for students to become eye-witnesses of history.

Honors World Civilization will include all of the exciting elements of World Civ, plus several projects that will allow students to apply the concepts they learn in real-world experiences.

Geography is a one semester Social Studies course that fulfills an OHSU and USOE state graduation requirement.  This course covers both physical and cultural geography.  Students learn  various methods of defining place on the earth’s surface.  Students also investigate types of Ecosystems and Biomes.  Various methods of how the earth can be changed and modified naturally are then discussed, with students learning about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and erosion.  From there we learn about man-made modifications to the earth and their impact.  Finally economic systems are covered as well as political systems of government.  The course emphasizes student application of core standards with information that is happening in real time.

AP Psychology is a year-long class that is available for 10th graders. Students will learn the history and practical application of the psychology of the human mind, and be prepared for the AP Psychology test that will be taken in May of each year.

Current Issues is a one semester Social Studies elective that fulfills OHSU’s elective requirement for graduation.  The class takes a close look at the media surrounding us.  We analyze the unique place in history occupied by the United States that allowed media to develop and flourish.  From there we investigate the origins of Newspaper, Television, Internet, and Advertising. After looking at the past history of various mediums of mass communication, students then take a look at current efforts and future endeavors of each communication tool. Finally students end the course in a disruptive innovation on the research paper–with collaborative research done in a Wiki Space.  Students stay connected with current events as they are happening and learn perspective about the media that we interact with on a day to day basis.

GLOBAL LANGUAGE
Spanish 1  Students who choose to take Spanish 1 will learn to converse in, read, write and understand Spanish at a Novice level. Emphasis will be placed on the functional use of the language so that students can actually use it. Additionally, students will learn about Spain and Latin American countries and cultures. Study will include food, traditions, holidays, customs, games and more. Bienvenida!

CAREER and TECHNICAL ED.
Computer Technology The goal of this class is to familiarize students with basic computing principles and terminology.  By engaging in real-world activities, students will become acquainted with modern technology and learn why it is important.  When students understand how computers work, finding solutions to technological problems becomes a lot easier.  We will be exploring topics such as computer hardware, software, document processing, and a variety of other useful applications. We will also review basic netiquette and internet safety skills in addition to creating blogs, e-portfolios and other fun applications. The skills that students learn in this class will help them throughout their entire experience at OHSU as well as in future technological endeavors.

Digital Photography This course will allow students to become familiar with the functions of a digital camera.  Students will learn how to use light and their camera to create art.  They will also learn the rules of photography and how to tastefully break them.  Students will develop higher level thinking through art criticism, art history, and aesthetics by learning about photography. (Student must have access to a digital camera as a prerequisite to this class.)

Graphic Design This course will teach students how design is used in modern communication.  We will study various areas of design, including product, corporate,logo, t-shirt, poster, and a variety of other design-related projects.  Students will learn design rules, design trends, and how to critique good and bad design.  This class will show students what the design industry is like and how a career in the design field might suit them.

HEALTH/P.E.
Health II is a one semester course that fulfills a USOE state graduation requirement. It covers a wide spectrum of current health topics. It investigates various components of mental, emotional, social, consumer, physical and reproductive health. It provides students with age-appropriate knowledge, skills, attitudes and the preventative measures necessary for creating a life-long healthy lifestyle. Health II is designed to arm students with the most current and relevant health information so students are able to make wise, informative and positive choices to enhance their overall well-being. Health II is an essential class which fosters the concept of living a healthy, well-balanced life in all facets. Health II is a must have class in the virtual world. It fuses everyday real health issues in an invigorating, exciting, explorative, technology filled way allowing students a much more comprehensive, and imaginative way to study themselves and the make meaningful connections to the world around them. Welcome to 21^st century health! All aboard!

Fitness for Life Physical fitness and nutrition are important parts for everyday life.  Fitness for Life will give you the opportunity to create personal fitness goals and make nutrition plans that are useful and fun!  We will explore different ways to exercise and use your personal talents and ambitions to make physical activity a part of your daily routine.  Bring a good attitude, be ready to participate, and get excited to advance your skills and/or try something new!

FINE ARTS
Music Appreciation is a one semester course that will introduce students to the fundamentals of creating, enjoying, and listening to music. Students will learn about the basics of creating music including melody, harmony, and rhythm. Students will also explore instrumental and vocal timbre and will critique musical performances. Students will also be exposed to many musical styles including traditional, folk, jazz, opera, popular, and classical music.  Through unique online software, students will be able to compose, arrange, and share their own musical ideas. Students will learn to appreciate the complexity and the art of music.

National News Articles

Society for Mathematical Biology July 6, 2010: OHSU Math Teacher Rebecca Swank Receives 2010 Lee Segal Prize for Best Paper

edReformer, June 29, 2010:  Math that’s Fast, Flexible, and Great for Kids

Virtual Learning, March 26, 2010: Open Source Learning

Education Next, March 25, 2010: What We Can Learn From Utah’s Open High

Fordham Institute, January 20, 2010: Open Source Education

Iterating Toward Openness, January 5, 2010: Enjoying the “Unaware/Unaware” Critics of OHSU

eSchool News, December 31, 2009: Open Courseware Gains Momentum

Local News Articles

The Daily Universe July 14, 2010: Grad Receives Charter School Educator Award

Salt Lake Tribune July 5th, 2010:  No Chalk in This Algebra Class, Just Digital Ink

Standard Examiner June 30, 2010: Online Math Teacher is Top Charter School Educator

Salt Lake Tribune, February 18, 2010: Students All A-Twitter in Their Virtual Capitol Tour

Utah Policy Daily, January 5, 2010: An Education Innovation With Great Promise

Salt Lake Tribune, January 2, 2010: Charter School Breaks Ground in Open Education

PCE Newsletter, December 8, 201o: Online Education is Texas-sized Innovation

Radio Shows

Red Meat Radio, May 28th 201o: Inaugural Year Recap with Robyn and DeLaina

Television Stories

KCSG Television July 1, 2010: Santa Clara Online Teacher Named Charter School Educator of the Year

KSL.com June 29, 2010:  Online math teacher is top charter school educator

ABC News, May 25, 201o: OHSU Students Fund, Assemble and Deliver 750 Earthquake Kits to Whittier Elementary Students

Nothing. It’s free. The Open High School of Utah is a public charter school. As with other public schools, there may be nominal fees charged at the beginning of the year for various things such as the yearbook and tech equipment. The 2010-2011 fee schedule will be posted in April.

How many students will be enrolled in 2010-2011?

We will have a total enrollment of 250 students split between 9th and 10th grades. We will be adding 11th graders in 2011 and 12th graders in 2012. Our first graduating class will be the Class of 2013.

Is the Open High School of Utah Accredited?

Yes. OHSU is accredited through the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, just like all public high schools in Utah. Open High School accepts credits from all other NAAS accredited schools and vice versa.

What type of teacher teaches at the Open High School of Utah?

Our core teachers are full-time, certified, and licensed. For some of our elective courses, we hire part-time adjunct teachers, all of whom are certified and licensed, or are working toward licensure.

What type of student attends the Open High School of Utah?

Student athletes who travel for competitions, homeschooled students who enjoy learning from home while receiving individualized instruction through Open High School, advanced learners, and more. OHSU is able to provide an exciting learning opportunity for many types of learners. Here is a sample of some of the types of students who attend the Open High School of Utah:

What is the typical schedule for a student at Open High School of Utah?

A typical schedule at the Open High School of Utah is set up to cater each student and their individual needs. The framework consists of roughly an hour per day per course, and all assignments for each week should be completed during the week they are due, so that students can stay on track in each class.  Some students choose to follow a more traditional schedule, working from 8-3, completing an hour of work for each class. Others prefer to do all of their math on Monday, Science on Tuesday and so forth. Others spend more time on school four days per week, and take an extra day off once they are finished. The flexibility of how to schedule their time helps our students learn important time management skills.

Can students enroll in one class for credit recovery?

Not at this time. Open High School is a full-service high school and students need to be enrolled for at least four classes for the year.

Where are the school boundaries?

If you are a Utah resident in 9th or 10th grade, you are eligible to attend the Open High School of Utah. You must have a Utah residence to qualify for enrollment.

What type of computer do we need to have?

Each student is issued an Open High School computer to use (for school purposes only) throughout the school year. The computer will be returned in May to be reimaged, and then reissued in August.

Can students take classes at other schools?

Our Enrollment Policy is that students need to be enrolled in a minimum of FOUR CORE classes (Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies) in order to attend the Open High School of Utah. The majority of our students take all six of their classes with the Open High School. However, if a student wishes to take a course from their school of residence, that is not offered at OHSU, they can check with their neighborhood school to see if they will allow dual enrollment.

What type of extracurricular programs do you offer?

In addition to a rigorous academic program, students can also apply to be peer mentors, members of the yearbook staff, and even run for class officer positions. The Open High School of Utah also encourages each student to participate in service learning projects, such as making earthquake kits for elementary school children. Any student who completes 25 hours of service per semester, will be eligible for the President’s Volunteer Service Award at our End of Year Banquet.

When Can I Apply for 2010-2011?

You may complete an enrollment application at any time, though it is better to apply early. All students who have submitted an application by the end of an enrollment period will have an equal chance to be accepted in a random lottery for that period. Once all slots have been filled, any additional lotteries will be to determine priority on the waiting list.

The first lottery will be conducted on February 19, 2010, with additional lotteries as necessary.

When Do I Find Out If I’m Accepted?

We will contact you within two weeks of the lottery period during which you applied. Those who are not selected will be placed on a waiting list in order of their lottery result and will be notified accordingly.

I’ve Been Accepted! How Do I Register for Classes?

You will receive an e-mail with registration instructions, that will allow you to complete your registration online.

What If I Am Accepted, Then Change My Mind?

Please let us know as soon as possible so that we can accept students from our waiting list.

How Do I Transfer In or Out of OHSU?

Transferring into OHSU will primarily depend on if we have any available openings. If we do, we will consider accepting new students at the end of the first semester mid-January. Should you choose to transfer from OHSU, you will need to have your new school fax a request for records to us at 801.364.4181 to begin the process. We will work with you and your new district to ensure a smooth transition.

More Questions?

E-mail any additional questions to info@openhighschool.org, or call Mrs. Turek at our main office at 801.721.6329.

• Robyn Bagley (Chair) –
  Robyn has had the privilege of looking after her family as a stay-at-home mom. She has a strong conviction that citizens should participate and be involved in making their communities better. Her involvement in politics, policy, and education initiatives evolved from multiple opportunities to serve her community. Robyn is currently the Board  Chairman for Parents for Choice in Education, a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to ensuring every child has equal access to a quality education. She also serves on the Third District Judicial Nominating Commission, having been appointed by Governor Jon Huntsman to serve a four-year term. In regards to education she is committed to empowering parents, increasing options, and promoting innovative solutions to Utah’s educational challenges. That is why it is such an honor to serve on the Board of OHSU. Robyn is the mother of four and grandmother of one. She understands the challenges facing parents in finding the best educational options to meet the individual needs of each child. Robyn is a Utah native. She is married to Terry Bagley, CEO of Centershift Inc. Spending time with family, politics, and traveling are her passions.
• David Wiley, PhD (Vice-Chair) –
  Dr. David Wiley is an Associate Professor of Instructional Psychology and Technology at Brigham Young University,  Chief Openness Officer of Flat World Knowledge, and Founder of the Open High School of Utah. He was formerly an Associate Professor of Instructional Technology and Director of the Center for Open and Sustainable Learning at Utah State University. David has been a Nonresident Fellow at the Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School, a Visiting Scholar at the Open University of the Netherlands, and a recipient of the US National Science Foundation’s   CAREER grant. David is also the Founder of OpenContent.org and was recently named one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business. David’s interests are varied, and in addition to his BFA in Music (Vocal Performance) from Marshall  University, he also holds a PhD in Instructional Psychology from Brigham Young University. His career is dedicated to  increasing access to educational opportunity for everyone around the world. David lives in Utah with his incredible wife and five awesome children.
• Jen Christensen (Secretary) -
  Jen Christensen is the mother of three wonderful girls and the wife of an amazing entrepreneur.  She holds a degree from Brigham Young University and has worked for the National Park Service and the Utah Election’s Office under the Lt. Governor.  She has been an executive assistant, an office manager and a small business owner.  She has had the opportunity to serve in her family, her church and her community and has enjoyed experiences from planning school fundraisers to organizing large scale humanitarian efforts.  An avid lover of the outdoors she and her family have crisscrossed Utah by Jeep, by boat, on foot and by bike.  She is excited for the chance to serve on the Board of this trailblazing high school.

• Bart Barker (Treasurer) –
  Bart Barker brings 30 years of executive management and consulting experience in communications, technology and local government. He served for 10 years as a full-time, elected Salt Lake County Commissioner with responsibility for 4,000 employees, a $290 million budget and more than 200 facilities. He has built and led successful organizations for technology companies based on the east and west coasts and in Utah. He is a co-founder of the Exoro Group, a full-service public relations firm in Salt Lake City. In recent years he has been an independent communications,  technology and government consultant. Bart has a strong interest in K-12 education. He and his wife, Patti, have seven children who have been educated in both public and private schools. They currently have a 13-year-old son attending a
  traditional middle school and a 13-year-old daughter attending a public charter school. He chairs the Crescent View Middle School Community Council, on which he is serving his third year. He has been actively involved in supporting the creation of Utah’s new Canyons School District. The Barkers live in Draper, Utah.
• John Dougall, MBA –
  As a parent, business owner, and citizen John has an investment in Utah’s future. He cares about the quality of life and the educational and economic opportunities that will exist in Utah in the years to come, and recognizes that today’s decisions shape tomorrow’s Utah. He has earned several degrees from Brigham Young University, including a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Electrical Engineering, and most recently, an MBA. John currently serves as a State Representative in the Utah Legislature, where he has worked hard to increase teacher compensation. He has also championed  performance pay plans, and supported record levels of investment in public education. John is also considered a pioneer in the openness and transparency arena, creating the Utah Public Meeting Notice Website and the Utah Transparency Advisory Board. He has also been instrumental in launching blogging and podcasting for constituent outreach. John is an avid reader and an Eagle Scout. His community involvement includes The Santa Project, American Fork Rotary and Chamber of Commerce, and Highland Kiwanis and Helping Hands Service Club, just to name a few. John lives in Highland, Utah, with his wife, Sandy, and their three children.

If you have any questions, please contact the Open High School of Utah Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Jenni Wurm, at (801) 510-4586 or jenni.wurm@openhighschool.org

OHSU Slideshow

Classroom Overviews

Geography
Current Issues
English 9
Computer Technology
Algebra
Earth Systems

The Open High School of Utah is putting the focus where it should be – on the student. Our mission is to facilitate lifelong success by meeting the needs of the 21st century learner through individualized, student-centered instruction, innovative technology, service learning, and personal responsibility.

The Open High School of Utah is a public charter school designed to meet the needs of the 21st century student.  As an online school, we combine state of the art curriculum with strategic one-on-one instruction.  Our methods can be described as “one-on-one tutoring for every student in every subject”.

Instruction is individualized allowing students to work at their pace. Our delivery of education is structured to provide maximum flexibility that is student-centered; responsive to the needs of each learner, eliminating the negative aspects of a one size fits all system.  Our technology sets us apart.  It is data-driven, providing real time information that instantaneously tracks the student and their performance.  Unique to OHSU is our commitment to share the curriculum we have developed as an open educational resource.

All of these elements combined make the Open High School of Utah the future of education.  We are the face of innovation.