Welcome to Springwater Environmental Sciences School!
We are Oregon City's first public charter school, founded by a core group of parents committed to promoting an excellent sciences-based education and supported by the Oregon City School District. Springwater's curriculum, class and school size, rural location, and level of parent involvement all combine to make it a unique educational opportunity for interested students.
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Oregon City School Board Approves New Springwater Charter |
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Written by Paul Heimowitz
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Sunday, 21 June 2009 |
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On April 13, after months of review and negotiation, the Oregon City School Board approved the second charter contract for Springwater Environmental Sciences School. Back in February, the board heard many Springwater parents and students celebrate the school’s successful first three years, and the momentum of that support helped carry the renewal process forward to completion. State law dictates that the second charter contract remain the same length as the first, and so the new contract extends the school charter until August 31, 2012. The terms of the new contract are generally similar to the first, including provisions on district funding, enrollment processes and caps, and student assessment. New terms include:
- Opportunities for participation by Springwater 7th and 8th grade students in extracurricular activities such as sports and music at other district schools;
- Provisions for high school transition planning for Springwater middle schoolers;
- Incorporation of Springwater’s core mission and vision, goals and objectives, and instructional program.
The new charter agreement is a testament not only to the many hours invested on all sides during the renewal process, but also the power of a community to set and realize a vision of providing a unique learning environment for their children. As stated by Springwater board chair Andrea Hungerford, “Springwater has enjoyed an excellent relationship with OCSD administration…their support has been essential to our positive working relationship and our ongoing success. In the next three years, we hope to continue demonstrating to OCSD that we are one of the Oregon City schools, serving Oregon City students, and a key component of their districtwide vision of providing educational options and alternatives to Oregon City families.” |
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In Good Company: Springwater Joins Coalition of Essential Schools |
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Written by Paul Heimowitz
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Sunday, 21 June 2009 |
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From its beginning, Springwater has built collaborative relationships with other schools inside and outside the Oregon City School District to build on common interests and programs. That collaboration continues with Springwater’s membership in the Coalition of Essential Schools (CES). CES has been operating for over two decades and grew out of a set of “common principles” developed by Brown University professor Theodore Sizer, a leader in school reform. These principles include: - Personalization
- Student-as-worker, teacher-as-coach
- Demonstration of mastery
- A tone of decency and trust
- Commitment to the entire school
As described on its website (www.essentialschools.org), CES schools are “exemplified by small, personalized learning communities where teachers and students know each other well in a climate of trust, decency and high expectations for all. Modeling democratic practices with a strong commitment to equity, Essential schools work to create academic success for every student by sharing decision-making with all those affected by the schools and deliberately and explicitly confronting all forms of inequity. And, Essential schools focus on helping all students use their minds well through standards-aligned interdisciplinary studies, community-based "real-world" learning and performance-based assessment.” Springwater’s affiliation with CES brings many new opportunities. For example, the CES annual “exhibition” month allows member students across the nation to present capstone projects, which will strengthen the development and audience for Springwater’s capstone program. “Horace”, the CES journal, provides a new venue to share news and articles about the school. The CES model “Habits of Mind”, which include traits such as empathy for multiple viewpoints, will be used to enhance Springwater’s Super Sociologist program. And perhaps most significantly, the CES network and its extensive reservoir of resources will give Springwater staff access to deep research and examples of schools that similarly believe in project-based, inquiry based learning and development of alternative assessment approaches. Other CES members in the Portland metro area include CentenialLearning Center, Riverdale High, Crater Academy of Science, Crater RenaissanceAcademy, and Newberg High School. |
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Springwater Welcomes New Blue Heron Teacher |
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Written by Paul Heimowitz
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Sunday, 21 June 2009 |
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The addition of 7th grade during the 2009-10 school year, and associated changes in teacher roles, brings a new arrival to the Springwater staff family: Laura Pitsch, who will teach one of the Blue Heron fourth/fifth grade classrooms. Laura comes toSpringwater from Willamette Primary, where she taught third grade.
Strongly rooted in both inquiry-based curriculum and outdoor education, Laura’s background fits extremely well to Springwater’s mission and programs. While at Willamette, Laura brought the school to "Green School" status, and revived their community garden. Laura’s environmental education experience includes serving as program coordinator for the Exploring New Horizons Outdoor School Program in Loma Mar, California, working as a Lawrence Hall of Science Trip Leader in Berkeley, California, and working as a naturalist and waterfront director for Camp Indian Sands in Neshkoro, Wisconsin. She earned a Bachelor’sdegree in Science in Biology and Environmental Education at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and a Master’s in Education from Portland State University. Laura also has an extensive art background and experience integrating art into her classroom instruction.
Springwater principal Deb Odell notes, “Laura impressed us with her strong instructional skills during her sample lesson, as well as her direct and confident responses during her interview process. Students were impressed with her during her visit and were coming to me to tell me they were sure they wanted to be in her class next year. Laura was part of the Marimba performance here during the last week of school and was introduced and warmly received.” |
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Now Accepting Preschool Applications |
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Written by Andrea Hungerford
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Monday, 08 June 2009 |
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We are pleased to announce the opening of a preschool at Springwater. Working in collaboration with the Springwater Environmental Sciences Charter School, we will be offering a tuition-based preschool with 2-day and 4-day options for the upcoming 09-10 school year. Our multi-age preschool program for 3-5 year olds will invite learners to explore and make discoveries through play. Our project-based curriculum will evolve with the interests of the children, as we build on their natural curiosity for their surrounding environment, and we as students, teachers and families learn together. Our thoughtfully planned environment, materials, and hands-on activities will foster the growth of the whole child in the areas of social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. Classes available: 2-day programs M/W or T/Th @ $160/mo 4-day program M-Th @ $320/mo To request more information and a registration packet, please contact Stephanie Dodge at
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Springwater Pursues Second Charter Contract |
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Written by Paul Heimowitz
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Saturday, 21 February 2009 |
As trees begin to bud and flower bulbs start to emerge, Springwater also has entered a time of renewal...renewal of its charter. On February 9, the Oregon City School District voted to continue the school's charter for another three-year period. Springwater and the district still must negotiate another charter contract, but the amazing support that poured from within and into the school's community during this process is already reason to celebrate.
 Dozens of Springwater families showed up at a January 26 school board meeting to promote renewal of the charter. Springwater board chair Andrea Hungerford introduced the school's staff and board members, and acknowledged a report which provided detailed evidence on how Springwater has met the criteria for charter school renewal over its successful first three years. Principal Deb Odell gave an energetic slide presentation noting Springwater’s accomplishments in its community of learners, Friday field studies, and other hallmark programs. She described many areas that Springwater is celebrating, from high science scores to a strong sense of belonging among the student community. Several teachers described how the school uses inquiry-based techniques, understanding-by-design, and other progressive methods to meet its goals. The OCSD board also heard about middle school planning, collaborations with other schools and community organizations, the artist-in-residence program, the school garden, and many other highlights of Springwater's continued growth.
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