And we’re off!  2008-2009 school year at Olson Middle School has begun.  Hi! My name is Laura, (pronounced similar to “louda” but , replace the D with an R) and I will be doing inspirational and active workshops with the 6th, 7th and 8th graders this year on goal setting and following your dreams. We will be up on our feet, creating art, sharing with each other, learning about goals, having fun and growing together.

The 6th graders will start off creating a Magic Cup! The 7th graders will learn about setting goals through paper airplanes, and the 8th graders will begin by learning the power of a community. I am eager to meet you all and help you make your middle school experience an extraordinary and successful one.

If you have any questions, or you just want to say hi, feel free to contact me at laurag@projectsuccess.org.

Project SUCCESS is thrilled to be serving the students, staff and parents of Olson Upper Academy.  This new partnership is part of an initiative to expand into 5 new Minneapolis Public High Schools and Middle Schools and 2 new St. Paul Middle Schools.

At Olson Upper Academy, Project SUCCESS offers the following programming:

• in-class, goal-setting workshops;
• opportunities for each student and their family to attend between six and twelve free theater events at 29 area theaters; and
• all-school fieldtrips.

Olson students are divided into grade level teams. Every team has four teachers: Science, Math, Social Studies and English/Humanities. Students stay with their teams for three years. This allows for a feeling of a smaller community. Teachers are able to learn more about their students and better meet their learning needs. Students also rotate through classes called Lifeskills in order to have more diversity in their educational experience. These classes include Music, Gym, Media, and Art. ELL is also available during this block of the schedule.