SPECIAL ISSUE | VOLUME 4 | ESCOLA CONCEPT
SPECIAL EDITION
MAY 2020
SUSTAINABILITY
COLLABORATION
THINKING flexibly
NOITAROBALLOC
THINKING flexibly "Just when I think I have learned the way to live, life changes."Â Hugh Prather
One of the driving forces of Escola Concept is to educate learners who will ask tough questions to reach thoughtful answers to address many of the challenges of the world. Some people like to think of Escola Concept as the school that will best prepare learners for the future. We actually see it as the school that is preparing learners for the present since the future is happening now. Although the current reality we are living has already been described as uncertain and complex, no one could predict how uncertain and complex it would become. When the first case of the COVID-19 pandemic was identified in our community, we immediately closed our campus and we have not been able to reopen since its closure in mid-March 2020. Our next step as a school community was to act with agility with a double focus. On one end we honed in on the health and wellbeing of our entire community, while, on the other, we focused on how we would continue to deliver quality education virtually.
ESCOLA CONCEPT FOCUSES ON DEVELOPING THINKERS, DOERS, MAKERS, AND CREATORS WITH A SOLID FOUNDATION OF THE HABITS OF MIND.
Escola Concept focuses on developing thinkers, doers, makers, and creators with a solid foundation of the habits of mind. In traditional settings, educational outcomes focus on how many answers students know. When the focus is on developing the dispositions of the Habits of Mind, we are interested in how students behave when they don't know the answers. The production of knowledge is valued over how it is reproduced.
SUSTAINABILIT
NOITAROBALLOC
HINKING lexibly
As Bena Kallick and Art Costa describe, "We want students to learn how to develop a critical stance with their work: inquiring, editing, thinking flexibly, and learning from another person's perspective. The critical attribute of intelligent human beings is not only having information but also knowing how to act on it." Every day we focus on strengthening these dispositions through our four pillars that guide the teaching and learning processes at our school: Collaboration, Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, and Digital Fluency. In this special edition of our monthly newsletter, we celebrate the impact that our virtual village has made on society. We have impacted the lives of 7800 families with the donation of cestas bรกsicas! Considering that an average family is made up of 4 people,
TOGETHER WE HAVE IMPACTED APPROXIMATELY 31 200 FAMILIES WITH THIS DONATION THROUGH THE "CONCEPT COLLAB NET".
Over 85% of our families chose to join forces with the school community to make a difference in the lives of refugees, members of the Heliรณpolis community, local homeless individuals who live on the streets of downtown Sรฃo Paulo, and globally through the World Food Program with the Share a Meal/COVID-19 initiative. We are grateful for the partnership of our families and for their contributions to this action focused on sustainability and collaboration.
LET'S CELEBRATE THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT!
SUSTAINABILIT
YTILIBANIATSUS
ON GIVING back “Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution.” ― Kahlil Gibran
Concept ColLAB Net was developed The to extend a helping hand to all those in
need. Together, Concept families and the school, donated close to a Half a Million of Reais to make a difference to the lives of many. With our contributions, it was possible to buy 7,800 cestas básicas, that filled 6 trucks and were directed to 3 institutions that represent distinct causes in the city of São Paulo.
Check out what some of our families and partners have to say about this initiative.
"WE BELIEVE THAT EACH OF US CAN TAKE STEPS TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OF THE CRISIS WE ARE EXPERIENCING. WE ARE HAPPY THAT ESCOLA CONCEPT HAS STRUCTURED A PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES TO COME TOGETHER AND MAKE DONATIONS, IMPACTING LIFE BEYOND THE SCHOOL. I WAS ALREADY PARTICIPATING IN AN ACTION ORGANIZED BY FAMILIES TO HELP THE JANITORIAL AND MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEES. THIS MOVEMENT CAME TO REINFORCE OUR BELIEF IN SOLIDARITY AND THE PRIDE WE HAVE OF BEING PART OF THIS COMMUNITY. PATRÍCIA JIMENEZ, MOTHER OF MARTINA (PRE K4) AND FRANCISCO (TODDLERS 2)
"WITH THE ESCOLA CONCEPT DONATION OF 2,600 CESTAS BÁSICAS, I MOBILIZED THE MAIN REFUGEE ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CITY AND WE MANAGED TO SERVE
A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE JUST IMMIGRATED AND ARE IN THE PHASE OF TAKING CARE OF THEIR DOCUMENTATION, LOOKING FOR HOUSING, AND ESTABLISHING A SUPPORT NETWORK IN SÃO PAULO." JONATHAN BEREZOVSKY, FOUNDER OF MIGRAFLIX
"WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN A ROUTINE OF EDUCATIONAL PROPOSALS INVOLVING MUSIC, OUR FOCUS HAS ALSO TURNED TO THE FOOD EMERGENCY. THE ESCOLA CONCEPT DONATION OF 2,600 CESTAS BÁSICAS CAME AS A THREAD OF HOPE AT A TIME WHEN WE WERE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT OUR 1,300 FAMILIES WOULD HAVE TO EAT."
EDMILSON VENTURELLI, DIRECTOR OF BACCARELLI INSTITUTE
"REGARDLESS OF EACH FAMILY'S CONCERNS, I SUPPORTED THIS ATTITUDE THAT THE SCHOOL HAD, WHICH AIMED TO UNITE OUR COMMUNITY TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES, FOCUSING ON A BROADER VISION DURING THESE COMPLEX TIMES."
FELIPE HESS FATHER OF OTTO (KINDER)
"AT DANDO SOPA WE ARE A SMALL GROUP, BUT SUDDENLY, WE SAW OURSELVES CAUGHT WITHIN AN INCREDIBLE CHAIN OF GOODNESS. AS SOON AS THE PANDEMIC BROKE OUT, WE RECEIVED AND DISTRIBUTED 220 CESTAS BÁSICAS, THINKING THAT IT WAS A LOT. IT WAS, UNTIL ESCOLA CONCEPT CAME WITH THE DONATION OF 2,600 CESTAS BÁSICAS! IT TOOK MORE THAN 6 HOURS TO UNLOAD THE TRUCK! WE COULD MOBILIZE MANY ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE CITY... YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE IMPACT OF THIS ACTION! " BRUNO LEIBHOLZ, FOUNDER OF GRUPO DANDO SOPA
SHARE THE MEAL IS AN APP PART OF THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME, THE WORLD'S LARGEST HUMANITARIAN AGENCY FOR FIGHTING HUNGER. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2015, 86 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IMPACTED IN OVER 83 COUNTRIES. THERE ARE MANY CAUSES THAT CAN BE SUPPORTED THROUGH THE APP AND ESCOLA CONCEPT CHOSE TO DONATE, TOGETHER WITH THE DONATED FUNDS FROM OUR FAMILIES, R$50,000 TO THE SUPPORT COVID19 CRISIS RESPONSE. WITH THESE RESOURCES WE PURCHASED 27,777 MEALS. IN THE APP’S LIVE COUNT IT SHOWS THAT OVER 2.2 MILLION USERS HAVE ENGAGED IN THE SHARING OF OVER 60 MILLION MEALS AROUND THE WORLD. IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO ALREADY, DOWNLOAD THE APP, LEARN ABOUT THE IMPACTS, AND SEE HOW THE WORLD IS MOBILIZING ITSELF TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WELL DONE ESCOLA CONCEPT COMMUNITY! PHOTO: WFP/ SHARE THE MEAL
NOITAROBALLOC
generates KINDNESS KINDNESS Let's make connection the new infection.
Kind ness generates kindness.
Acts of solidarity unfold into more acts of solidarity. In times of social distancing, we weave the thread of empathy to interlace our community to the ecosystem of giving back and to collaborate with each other.
CHECK OUT SOME INITIATIVES THAT HAVE UNFOLDED.
MATCH MY STORY
MATCH MY STORY Escola Concept created this hashtag to share stories of effort, overcoming, altruism, or creativity, telling how people were transformed by COVID-19.
The initial idea was to show how people in our community could help them and positively impact their lives. But the movement had a second effect: it became a way for learners and educators to recognize good examples along with their friends and family members and to share their stories with the community.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT!
generates KINDNESS KINDNESS
NOITAROBALLOC
driven STUDENT INITIATIVES During the vacation period, we
encouraged learners to engage in service learning initiatives, with ideas for all age groups to get involved. The ideas ranged from very simple, such as separating clothes and toys for donation or contacting an elderly person to tell a story or chat, to engaging in a more complex 10-day project, which could include defining a specific goal related to combating COVID-19.
AMONG THE INITIATIVES DEVELOPED BY LEARNERS SOME OF THEM STOOD OUT:
HELPING HANDS
HELPING HANDS The siblings Patrick and Arthur Siqueira, enrolled in Grades 6 and 7, respectively, organized a campaign with some friends with the goal of collecting 3 tons of food in their condominium. They surpassed the goal by collecting 3488 kilos and and personally delivering the donations to the Red Cross. See the clip with records.
CLICK ON THE ICON TO SEE THEIR VIDEO.
THE CANDY BUNNY
THE CANDY BUNNY
On a Saturday during quarantine, Eeva Pรถlรถnen had an idea to sell the caramelized popcorn that her mother makes and donate part of the revenue to initiatives to help those affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The mother and daughter duo developed a business plan, an Instagram account, and even a website. They calculated that for every 21 packs of popcorn, they will have the revenue to pay for a pre-paid data package so that a child from the public school can have access to the internet for a month. "It's been super cool to develop a business because I am also learning a lot and at the same time I can help other children who are not as fortunate as I am," says Eeva, "I calculated that it would take me 6 to 12 months of selling popcorn to buy the iPad I want so I can develop my design skills".
TO CHECK AND PLACE YOUR ORDERS, VISIT @THE.CANDYBUNNY ON INSTAGRAM.
TODOS JUNTOS
TODOS JUNTOS The Grade 8 learners Fernando AraĂşjo, Gabriel Marcassa and ThomĂĄs Campos created an Instagram account where they post daily activities focusing on the physical and mental health of children and adolescents like them. "Each one contributes with what we most like to do," says Gabriel, who publishes questions and logical challenges every day. Thomas is responsible for the content published for body and movement, while Fernando develops tutorials of how to make toys and games using recycled and/or common household items.
JOIN THEM! @TODOS.JUNTOS.MAS.SO.UMA.CAUSA
HELPFUL (ish)
HELPFUL (ish) Julia Montenegro, from Grade 8, is leading a project based on the idea that, in times of a pandemic, information can save lives. "However, the news is aimed at adults, so I decided to create a teen to teen podcast," she shared. On Thursday, May 7th, she will record her first interview, with Einstein's doctor JosĂŠ Bonamigo. "I prepared questions that my friends and I have, from the most general ones, like 'What is the coronavirus afterall?' to others like, 'What novelties will we see in schools?' ".
DON'T MISS JULIA'S PODCAST DEBUT, LOOKING FOR THE HELPFUL (ISH) CHANNEL ON SPOTIFY.
in.MIND
OPENING OUR MINDS TO THE NEW NORMAL
in.MIND
in.MIND Escola Concept launched in.MIND (Mindfulness, Innovation, New Normal, Disruption), a series on on-line Lives with renowned experts! We kick-off the series with an exclusive keynote by Tony Wagner, one of the most respected names in education today, Globally known for his bestseller, Creating Innovators and his participation in the production of two highly regarded documentaries, The Finland Phenomenon and Most Likely to Succeed. This Thursday: Tony Wagner Next Thursday: Marjo Kyllonen, Helsinki Head of Education Development Services Subscribe to stay up to date and receive alerts about our events. Each of the speakers that are invited to participate in the in.MIND series connect to a specific pillar. Tony Wagner was invited to speak to the pillar of Entrepreneurship, while Marjo Kyllönen will speak to the pillar of Sustainability. A booklet of articles is shared each week to inspire families to learn more about the Escola Concept pillars. For this opening week, we have selected 2 articles that represent each of our 4 pillars. Next week’s booklet will focus entirely on the pillar of Sustainability.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THIS WEEK’S BOOKLET!
in.MIND in.MIND TONY WAGNER LIVE ON THURSDAY, MAY 7TH AT 5PM.
CLICK ON THE ICON
NEXT THURSDAY, MAY 14TH, AT 5:00 P.M. We will welcome Marjo Kyllonen, Head of Education Development Services in Finland. Dr. Kyllonen has a PhD in Education. She defended her doctoral thesis on Future School and Leadership. After defending her thesis, she further developed the concept of future school and its role and prospect in society. Dr Kyllonen is enthusiastic in further developing the quality of future schools and their ecosystems. She believes that education makes a difference. Education builds up societies while promoting social cohesion and well-being. She emphasizes the importance of Leadership to promote a successful future for the nations.
JOIN US EVERY THURSDAY IN THE MONTH OF MAY AT 5PM ON YOUTUBE.
SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY.
U O Y K N A H T SEE YOU AGAIN SOON.