Anser Charter School

Anser chosen by Idaho Leads Project!

Heather Dennis — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:20:13 +0000

We are thrilled to inform you that Anser Charter School has been selected to be one of seven Idaho Leads Project Studio Districts. These districts have been chosen to participate in an extended Idaho Leads capacity building sessions designed to continue and deepen the Idaho Leads conversation in a smaller environment. Within the Idaho Leads Project exists a vision to engage more deeply with a subset of participating districts in order to collectively learn and experiment. These districts will also benefit from additional professional development with the Idaho Leads Project team. Anser was selected according to ten Idaho Leads criteria for studio districts. Among the criteria, Idaho Leads specifically looked for districts that demonstrate a sustained commitment to systemic change and a willingness to innovate. The Studio Districts will meet with the Idaho Leads Project team and nationally recognized Education expert Michael Fullan, and will receive additional opportunities for professional development and sharing ideas with fellow Studio Districts. Anser is thrilled to be part of the Idaho Leads Project and proud to be the only charter school in the state chosen to serve as a Studio District!

Anser receives iPod donation from Holland Hart

Heather Dennis — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:49:48 +0000

The Holland & Hart Foundation, in conjunction with the Stern Educational Fund Committee, has bestowed a $1,200 grant to Anser Charter School to support Anser’s Virtual Literacy Initiative Project. The Foundation is a charitable arm of Holland & Hart llp, a regional law firm with offices in Boise and throughout the Mountain West.

Through the Project, Anser teachers in the first and second grades will explore the use of technology to increase literacy levels. In addition to the Foundation’s funding to purchase iPods with which students can listen to audio books, record themselves reading and practice phonics based activities, Holland & Hart llp attorneys and staff will donate their time to volunteer in the classroom. The Holland & Hart volunteers will support Anser’s young students in developing the critical literacy skills that turn children into lifelong readers and learners.

Anser Early Childhood Teacher Sara Garrett expressed her deep appreciation for the donation, “Developing reading fluency in young readers is a key factor in their long- term educational success. Holland & Hart’s support of our Virtual Literacy Initiative will allow me to try a new, innovative approach to engaging my students in literacy. I am excited about this opportunity and very grateful for the support.”

About the Holland & Hart Foundation

The Holland & Hart Foundation builds community internally, locally and globally through charitable and educational activities and programs with present and former lawyers, staff and their families through service to the communities of which they are a part. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit www.hollnadhartfoundation.org.

Heather Dennis — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:21:28 +0000

Early Childhood Community Pictures

Inspired by the book, The Oxcart Man by Donald Hall, Early Childhood students created a paper collage to represent their own village scene. They learned about depth and perspective and used different colors and layers to create a sense of depth with their hills. They made the houses in the background smaller than the houses in the foreground to add to this sense of depth. Click on “Early Childhood Community Pictures above to see the beautiful work of our 1st and 2nd graders.

Spread the Word to End the Word

Heather Dennis — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:51:42 +0000

On Wednesday February 7th Anser Junior High Student’s led an effort to “Spread the Word to end the Word” throughout the school. Students shared at Whole School Community about the impact of hurtful words, and asked all of Anser students and staff to pledge to end the use of the “R word”. By the end of the day every Anser student had had the opportunity to sign our pledge poster, which was then hung in our main entrance. We are so lucky to work with such amazing, compassionate students. These kids are going to change the world!

Anser teacher Diane Williams part of Holocaust Educators trip

Heather Dennis — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:20:33 +0000

Diane will join a group of Holocaust Educators from around the country, who have been chosen based on the committment to Holocaust Education to take part in this once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to Poland and Israel. Diane hopes to bring along an iPad to document her trip and share her experiences with her Anser students. Read more about this amazing opportunity here.

Chili Feed 2012!

Heather Dennis — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:49:29 +0000

This year’s Chili Social was a real barn-burner! About 50 parents showed up for the event. There were 13 entrants in the chili contest. “ANSER wishes to recognize” John Taylor (Best Meat), Paula Perry (Best Vegetarian), Jodi Abel (Best Spicy), Stephanie Marlow-E’Clairsey (Best Creative Concoction), and Juanita Denney (People’s Choice) “for the character trait: Culinary Excellence in the Art of Creating Winning Chili.” Thank you to Michael Shaw for providing the wonderful musical entertainment and to Matt McCarter for his magic show. Thank you to all parents for coming to the event and sharing your wonderful pot-luck items. It was great to have so many smiling faces under one roof! And a big thank you goes out to Family Council members who helped put this party together. Hope to see you all next year!

The Anser Lottery list has been posted

Heather Dennis — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:38:52 +0000

Please go the Anser Admissions page to view the results of the 2012-2013 lottery. All offers of enrollment will be offered via phone or email. This process can take a while so we ask that parents be patient as we work through the list. We will post an announcement via this website when all open spots have been filled. After the open spots have been filled the lottery list will become the waiting list used to fill any additional spots that become available between now and next February 2013.

Anser featured in School Choice program

Heather Dennis — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:42:36 +0000

Anser students, families and teachers were interviewed for a KTVB School Choice Program. You can use this link to watch the portion that highlights our school. Great job everyone!

What is an Expeditionary Learning School?

Heather Dennis — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:08:04 +0000

Watch this video from the Expeditionary Learning Network that highlights a few schools around the country that like Anser, are using the Expeditionary Learning Model. You won’t be sorry you took the time!

Expeditionary Learning from Expeditionary Learning on Vimeo.

Anser Lottery Tours and Open House

Heather Dennis — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:37:27 +0000

Anser will begin accepting lottery applications for the 2012-2013 school year as of January 1st, 2012. The 2012-2013 lottery will be held Thursday February 16th at 1:00pm at Anser. 2012

Tour and Open House dates: Tours: 1 hour, begin at 10:00am. Please RSVP. January 12th, January 25th and February 9th

Open House: Wednesday February 1st, 6:00pm-self guided tour, 6:30 presentation in the gymnasium.

Please see the admissions page for more information.