{"586798":{"#nid":"586798","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech K-12 STEM Partnership Highlighted","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJanuary Partner Spotlight: Hollis Innovation Academy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESTORY BY WESTSIDE FUTURE FUND\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.westsidefuturefund.org\/news\/january-partner-spotlight-hollis-innovation-academy\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/www.westsidefuturefund.org\/news\/january-partner-spotlight-hollis-innovation-academy\/\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile the doors of Hollis Innovation Academy have only officially been open for less than eight\u0026nbsp;months, the results would suggest otherwise as students at the Westside\u0026rsquo;s newest K-8 public school are thriving and seem right at home.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe STEM-focused Academy is one of the first of its kind in the state \u0026ndash; distinguished by its unique partnership with \u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ceismc.gatech.edu\/news\/ceismc-partners-mr-hollis-innovation-academy-integrate-stem-components-classroom\u0022 rel=\u0022external\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u0026ndash; and is emerging as a model for other schools looking to travel a similar path. But this success is no accident. Behind the smiling faces of the Hollis students, staff and faculty is the support and leadership of its founding principal \u0026ndash; and product of the Atlanta Public School System \u0026ndash; \u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.atlanta.k12.ga.us\/site\/Default.aspx?PageID=11952\u0022 rel=\u0022external\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDr. Diamond Jack\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E. Dr. Jack recently welcomed us into Hollis to show and tell the incredible journey to date of the Hollis Innovation Academy. Read her Q\u0026amp;A below and find out why Hollis is getting the gold star from parents, students, educators and community members alike.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow has the inaugural\u0026nbsp;school year been so far? Has it been an easy transition for the students, especially given that many \u0026ndash; majority, in fact \u0026ndash; transitioned to Hollis from the now-closed Bethune Elementary.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMy kids are dynamic. They are charismatic. They have grit. They have personality. They are highly inquisitive. They\u0026rsquo;re appreciative. They are just great kids. They came over from Bethune and really settled in.\u0026nbsp;But, because they\u0026rsquo;ve had a lot of transition, consistency has been key.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWe also came in with the idea that change will accelerate and propel our kids forward. We were focused on putting together a bang-up instructional program. Focused on putting together safety nets and support through wraparound services. For example, we have a partnership with \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chris180.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022external\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EChris 180\u003C\/a\u003E to make sure our kids have access to counseling, helping them cope with traumatic situations. They also now have access to STEM curriculum, which they\u0026rsquo;d never had before. And we\u0026rsquo;ve just really been committed to being consistent and steadfast.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EChange is always difficult going from something you know to something different. And having gone through that change myself, I understand. But now seeing the impact and the success that has come out of it, I wouldn\u0026rsquo;t change a thing.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWalking through the halls and classrooms, there are references everywhere to the Six Habits of Hollis. What is the significance?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOur focus for the first year has been on culture, which we worked towards by developing the Six Habits of Hollis: collaboration, communication, creativity, empathy, self-discipline and perseverance.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe kids latched on to them, and it has helped us to quickly establish community and a culture that has really given them a sense of belonging. We believe the Hollis Habits are the relational and academic characteristics that are important for you in life. Character development is a big part of our academic process. Our students have to be good communicators. They have to empathize with their fellow man. Be excellent in self-discipline, delaying gratification for a greater purpose. And be innovative and creative in their thoughts and what they want to do. It\u0026rsquo;s really resonated with the kids and they strive daily to embody each of them.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYou mentioned Chris Kids. Are there are any other organizations that have formed a partnership with Hollis?\u003C\/strong\u003E In addition to our partnership with Georgia Tech, we have \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.handsonatlanta.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022external\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHands on Atlanta\u003C\/a\u003E here. We have \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cisatlanta.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022external\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECommunities in Schools\u003C\/a\u003E. We have a strong partnership with \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.spelman.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022external\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESpelman College\u003C\/a\u003E, whose students come in and mentor through GirlSTEM2 and Math Masters. It\u0026rsquo;s always nice to have them here. Several of my girls have already told me they\u0026rsquo;re going to Spelman. They have made a big\u0026nbsp;impression on them.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.prumc.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022external\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EPeachtree Road United Methodist Church\u003C\/a\u003E (PRUMC) was one of the first community partners to offer their support. Their members raised funds to support our teachers with classroom supplies, smart boards to improve\u0026nbsp;technology resources in the classroom, and student incentives for our school store program.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAt the start of the school year, the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.nba.com\/hawks\/community\/millsap-provide-new-backpacks-supplies-students\/#\u0022 rel=\u0022external\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EPaul Millsap Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E donated backpacks full of school supplies to every Hollis student and has continued to support our other incentive programs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chick-fil-afoundation.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022external\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EChick-Fil-A\u003C\/a\u003E is also very present here at Hollis. They\u0026rsquo;ve provided food, book bags and have done our cafeteria, teacher sanctuary, our health clinic. They\u0026rsquo;ve just been awesome all around.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow did the partnership with Georgia Tech come about?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen Hollis started becoming an idea, there was a launch committee to provide input on the structure of Hollis. Of course, at the table was Georgia Tech because we knew we wanted to go for STEM. We started there forging a relationship. There\u0026rsquo;s also a connection with Georgia Tech and The Blank Foundation, who ended up sponsoring the partnership. There was a lot of communication from there about how we position Hollis to really provide a strong program that could be duplicated and offered to multiple schools. We began to explore what a place-based university partnership looks like. That really sparked the interest for GA Tech and Hollis to work together. The design and model right now is we have a person here three days to work closely with our\u0026nbsp;STEM teachers and provide them with professional development.\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech has also connected us with other organizations, like \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/HollisInnovation\/posts\/678801992294007\u0022 rel=\u0022external\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECREATE Lab\u003C\/a\u003E, who have brought us additional technologies. Earlier this month, our STEM teachers\u0026nbsp;participated in a CREATE Lab workshop using SCRATCH [a programming language] to program little robots!\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow have the students responded to the STEM-based curriculum?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nThe kids gravitate towards it. They are wowed. They currently have 90 minutes a week in our STEM labs and they want more of it. We are currently working to incorporate more STEM into the rest of the curriculum.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat would outsiders be surprised to know about Hollis?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;I think they\u0026rsquo;d be surprised to know that a STEM school is really a literacy focused school. We do cool stuff, but we do a lot writing, reading and research too. Our kids are also super smart, particularly with the technology. I\u0026rsquo;m blown away by\u0026nbsp;what they\u0026rsquo;re able to do. They have taken to the computer science arm of our programming. Different schools try and find their niche of what their STEM identity might be. Our kids love coding.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat has the community\u0026rsquo;s response been to Hollis?\u003C\/strong\u003E Extremely positive. They have embraced us with open arms. Parents are highly supportive. Businesses and community are always eager to respond to a need. I think everyone has identified that they want a strong school and high education for their kids. Everyone is pushing for that. We have a common understanding that our kids are highly intelligent and highly capable. Sometimes people underestimate them, but our kids are awesome. Our community has been awesome. We feel the love here at Hollis!\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFor more information on the Hollis Innovation Academy, click \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.atlanta.k12.ga.us\/HollisInnovation\u0022 rel=\u0022external\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. Interested in volunteering at Hollis? See below for upcoming opportunities to get involved and spread the love!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESTEM Night- February 28th from 4-6 pm\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCareer Week- February 13th-16th\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nRead Across America- March 2nd\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo participate or for more information, please contact Ms. Upenda Dubose at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:udubose@atlanta.k12.ga.us\u0022\u003Eudubose@atlanta.k12.ga.us\u003C\/a\u003E or by phone at 404-802-8223.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe STEM-focused Academy is one of the first of its kind in the state \u0026ndash; distinguished by its unique partnership with \u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ceismc.gatech.edu\/news\/ceismc-partners-mr-hollis-innovation-academy-integrate-stem-components-classroom\u0022 rel=\u0022external\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E \u0026ndash; and is emerging as a model for other schools looking to travel a similar path. But this success is no accident. Behind the smiling faces of the Hollis students, staff and faculty is the support and leadership of its founding principal \u0026ndash; and product of the Atlanta Public School System \u0026ndash; \u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.atlanta.k12.ga.us\/site\/Default.aspx?PageID=11952\u0022 rel=\u0022external\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDr. Diamond Jack\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E. Dr. Jack recently welcomed us into Hollis to show and tell the incredible journey to date of the Hollis Innovation Academy. Read her Q\u0026amp;A below and find out why Hollis is getting the gold star from parents, students, educators and community members alike.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u0027s partnership with Hollis Innovation Academy was highlighted by Westside Future Fund"}],"uid":"28054","created_gmt":"2017-02-01 22:57:01","changed_gmt":"2017-02-01 23:25:23","author":"Steven Taylor","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-01-26T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2017-01-26T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"586796":{"id":"586796","type":"image","title":"Dr. Diamond Jack","body":null,"created":"1485988214","gmt_created":"2017-02-01 22:30:14","changed":"1485988214","gmt_changed":"2017-02-01 22:30:14","alt":"Dr. Diamond Jack Hollis Innovation Academy","file":{"fid":"223621","name":"IMG_0448-midsize.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/IMG_0448-midsize.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/IMG_0448-midsize.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":254908,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/IMG_0448-midsize.jpeg?itok=0kfvsUi0"}}},"media_ids":["586796"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.westsidefuturefund.org\/news\/january-partner-spotlight-hollis-innovation-academy\/","title":"Westside Future Fund - Original Story URL "},{"url":"https:\/\/ceismc.gatech.edu","title":"CEISMC @ Georgia Tech"}],"groups":[{"id":"361651","name":"Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC)"}],"categories":[{"id":"42911","name":"Education"}],"keywords":[{"id":"411","name":"CEISMC"},{"id":"173373","name":"Hollis Innovation Academy"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.westsidefuturefund.org\/about\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWestside Future Fund \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n1300 Joseph E. Boone Blvd.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nSuite 16\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nAtlanta, GA 30314\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Ca href=\u0022tel:14047932670\u0022\u003E(404) 793-2670\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["info@westsidefuturefund.org"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}