milan news leader
newsSunday, September 23, 2012
MILAN: Milan Center for Innovative Studies open house draws crowd (with video)By Lori Maranville
lorimaranville@att.net
Twitter: @lmaranville"Ridiculously awesome" were the words used by one Milan High School senior to describe the new Milan Center for Innovative Studies. The student, Grace Bartley, clutched her newly school-issued iPad computer tablet, as she excitedly conveyed how she and other students are getting comfortable with the technology and new learning style that goes hand in hand with the new space. About 150 people attended an open house Sept. 18 to get a look at the new wing added to the east end of the high school. The new space, which includes six teaching rooms, many common areas, and an amphitheater, is geared toward project-based learning for 12th-grade students at the high school. As video screens displayed a fast-forward version of the construction process, Milan community members milled about, mingling with school staff and Board of Education members in attendance at the open house. Board Trustee Chuck Bushart thanked all involved in the Milan Center for Innovative Studies project, as he ceremoniously cut a red ribbon to formally introduce the center to the community. Milan Schools Superintendent Bryan Girbach welcomed superintendents from other Washtenaw County school districts, as well as board members from Milan and surrounding districts. Milan was host to a county meeting prior to the open house. Girbach also welcomed members of the Milan Center for Innovative Studies construction team, Rotary members, Milan staff and community members. "Without you, this facility would have never happened," Girbach said, as he thanked Milan taxpayers for their support of the new wing. He introduced Julie Helber, former Milan assistant superintendent, as he thanked her for her significant contributions in the planning of the new wing. "She was my right hand person in the years that we went through. She had a lot to do with helping develop this and helping develop the curriculum." Girbach talked briefly about how center's concept was developed. "This started as a dream about three years ago," he told the audience, "that we weren't going to educate kids by making them more intelligent. That we were going to educate kids by not only making them more intelligent, but by making them ready for the world that they were going into." He went on to describe how all those involved in the planning process wanted the wing to be more than just added square footage. "When we started thinking about adding this wing, it wasn't about adding more classrooms," he said. "It wasn't about adding more square footage. It was about adding a new concept of education. It was about getting students to think about the skills they need to be good citizens and be good employees." The Milan Center for Innovative Studies got an early stamp of approval from several students and staff who gave short presentations. Teacher Julie Mossburg, who is a member of the center's teaching team, said she appreciated that the teaching staff had some input in the planning of the Milan Center for Innovative Studies and said she was excited to be teaching in a project-based learning model. Student Courtney Schultz said she appreciated how the students were treated as adults in the new wing and said she looked forward to working on "real-world problems in a collaborative environment." Kevin Upton, the center's coordinator, introduced a pre-recorded video presentation from student Hannah Bihlmeyer. She was unable to attend the open house. Bihlmeyer talked favorably about the "independent" and "collaborative" environment, comparing it to her father's workplace. She said Milan students are lucky to have the opportunity to find solutions to real-world issues while working together with their peers. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and program was followed by tours of the addition conducted by Milan High School students. Lori Maranville is a freelance writer. She can be reached at lorimaranville@att.net.
lorimaranville@att.net
Twitter: @lmaranville"Ridiculously awesome" were the words used by one Milan High School senior to describe the new Milan Center for Innovative Studies. The student, Grace Bartley, clutched her newly school-issued iPad computer tablet, as she excitedly conveyed how she and other students are getting comfortable with the technology and new learning style that goes hand in hand with the new space. About 150 people attended an open house Sept. 18 to get a look at the new wing added to the east end of the high school. The new space, which includes six teaching rooms, many common areas, and an amphitheater, is geared toward project-based learning for 12th-grade students at the high school. As video screens displayed a fast-forward version of the construction process, Milan community members milled about, mingling with school staff and Board of Education members in attendance at the open house. Board Trustee Chuck Bushart thanked all involved in the Milan Center for Innovative Studies project, as he ceremoniously cut a red ribbon to formally introduce the center to the community. Milan Schools Superintendent Bryan Girbach welcomed superintendents from other Washtenaw County school districts, as well as board members from Milan and surrounding districts. Milan was host to a county meeting prior to the open house. Girbach also welcomed members of the Milan Center for Innovative Studies construction team, Rotary members, Milan staff and community members. "Without you, this facility would have never happened," Girbach said, as he thanked Milan taxpayers for their support of the new wing. He introduced Julie Helber, former Milan assistant superintendent, as he thanked her for her significant contributions in the planning of the new wing. "She was my right hand person in the years that we went through. She had a lot to do with helping develop this and helping develop the curriculum." Girbach talked briefly about how center's concept was developed. "This started as a dream about three years ago," he told the audience, "that we weren't going to educate kids by making them more intelligent. That we were going to educate kids by not only making them more intelligent, but by making them ready for the world that they were going into." He went on to describe how all those involved in the planning process wanted the wing to be more than just added square footage. "When we started thinking about adding this wing, it wasn't about adding more classrooms," he said. "It wasn't about adding more square footage. It was about adding a new concept of education. It was about getting students to think about the skills they need to be good citizens and be good employees." The Milan Center for Innovative Studies got an early stamp of approval from several students and staff who gave short presentations. Teacher Julie Mossburg, who is a member of the center's teaching team, said she appreciated that the teaching staff had some input in the planning of the Milan Center for Innovative Studies and said she was excited to be teaching in a project-based learning model. Student Courtney Schultz said she appreciated how the students were treated as adults in the new wing and said she looked forward to working on "real-world problems in a collaborative environment." Kevin Upton, the center's coordinator, introduced a pre-recorded video presentation from student Hannah Bihlmeyer. She was unable to attend the open house. Bihlmeyer talked favorably about the "independent" and "collaborative" environment, comparing it to her father's workplace. She said Milan students are lucky to have the opportunity to find solutions to real-world issues while working together with their peers. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and program was followed by tours of the addition conducted by Milan High School students. Lori Maranville is a freelance writer. She can be reached at lorimaranville@att.net.