Summer School Information

Overview
PSCS is providing a unique summer program designed for any student in the Seattle area aged 12-18. We are contracting with teachers who will be facilitating what we call “intensives” (a week long, teacher-facilitated collection of activities based on a specific theme or topic) for approximately 4-6 students on 5 different weeks over the summer. For completing an intensive, high school students will earn .25 state high school credits.

Location
The school is located in the University Heights Community Center, at the intersection of NE 50th Street and University Way NE in the University District.  Unless otherwise stated, summer activities will take place at or near this location.

Time
10am-4pm, Monday-Friday.

Weeks
June 25-29
July 9-13
July 16-20
July 30-August 3
August 13-17

Ages
12-18. The nature of our educational philosophy does not divide students based on age or grade.

Staff
The program is being supervised by PSCS founder and director, Andy Smallman.  Each intensive is being facilitated by a person who has demonstrated high competence in the subject area of the intensive, high character in the application process, and has passed a Washington State Patrol background check.

Tuition & Fees
$375 per intensive. Additional fees depend on the specific material needs of an intensive.

Financial Aid
TBD – Please ask if you are interested but find the $375 cost problematic.

Course Descriptions
What follows are the course descriptions submitted by the teachers.  If any of these interest you, please let us know which ones and which weeks you can attend.  We cannot complete the scheduling process until we know if we have enough students to make a particular intensive viable.  Certain intensives, especially those being facilitated by the same person, have the possibility of taking place on different weeks.  If an intensive interests you but the week it is scheduled doesn’t work, please let us know.  To begin the sign up process, please email pscs@pscs.org.

THE WEEK OF JUNE 25-29

TALK BACK: Media Literacy and Media Production – Ti Locke
State Credit: .25 Elective
Students will examine media images of themselves and rebut them. Despite the rise of YouTube, MySpace, blogs, text messaging and more, the bulk of advertising is driven by a handful of multinational corporations. Who writes the ads? Who is selling the products? Who, exactly, is being sold what?? Students will look at the surprisingly simple mechanism that pushes product consumption: for instance, the two things marketers have to do to sell anyone anything. We will do an overview of print, voice and video production. Students (as individuals and in groups) will complete a project in each medium, plus a final project. Students will TALK BACK to the media images of themselves and, in their own voices, show what they are really like. Estimated materials expenses: TBD

TEA: Culture and History of the World – Michael Coffey
State Credit: .25 Social Studies
The seemly simple tea bush has been involved in world events for well over 3,000 years.  It has been involved in the spread of Buddhism, innovations in nautical technology, and several bloody revolutions, and has made many a fortune for people around the globe.  Spend a hands-on week learning culinary, historical, botanical, geographical, chemical, and cultural aspects of the world's most common (and most interesting) beverage besides water. Estimated materials expenses: $25.

VIETNAM WAR – Andy Smallman
State Credit: .25 Social Studies
Students in this intensive will participate in an in-depth study of the United States' involvement in Vietnam. Using documentaries, stories, presentations and guest speakers, Andy will work to bring context to the study in a way that is both educational and meaningful.  There will be some "mature theme" material due to graphic content. Estimated materials expenses: $15. Note, Andy's offerings could take place on other weeks as dictated by student interest.

YOU CALL THAT ART: An Introduction to Non-Traditional Art – Dana Bettinger
State Credit: .25 Art
What is art? Who defines it? Does the art you see around you reflect anything about your life? When we talk about definitions and preconceptions, and when we broaden our understanding of what art is, it becomes easier to make things that we can call art. If you can see creativity in the world around us and beauty in simple objects, then you start to make the definitions and rules. In this class, we will explore the idea of “non-traditional” art, looking outside the common boxes to take a closer look at graffiti, mail art, artist trading cards, stickers, propaganda, promotional posters, sidewalk art and folk art. In addition to participating in daily discussions, students will create an original artist trading card (ATC), a limited edition of hand-made postcards, a temporary group graffiti installation and a collection of stickers. Each student will leave with a collection of her/his own artwork and will also contribute to (and take home) a folio filled with original work from all seminar participants. Estimated materials expenses: $20.

THE WEEK OF JULY 9-13

ART AND WORDS – Dana Bettinger
State Credit: .25 Art
Artists and writers have a long, rich and complicated relationship! This seminar will explore the relationship between the visual and the verbal, challenging students to engage their intellectual and creative selves. Topics for discussion may include: imagery, drawing with words, the use of text in art (Basquiat, Jenny Holzer, Pop Art, graffiti) and ecphrastic poetry (poems about works of art; William Carlos Williams, Jenny Joseph, Donald Finkel). Students will complete both art projects and creative writing exercises. Anyone is welcome to take this class; no art experience is required, but a willingness to experiment and a desire to write are both necessary! Estimated materials expenses: TBD.

CREATIVE IMAGINATION & REALMS OF STORY – Mary Oak O’Kane
State Credit: .25 English
This course will delve into mythical sources of inspiration and explore story as a traditional carrier of meaning and as an imaginative force in the world. Fairy tales and myths from a number of cultures will be worked with, from tales of heroes and heroines to creation stories. Students will be given a framework to understand stories and respond through creative writing and artwork. A particular emphasis will be on the heroic journey as expressed through stories worldwide.  Each student will choose a particular story to work with, make their own, and will be encouraged to tell it –with guidance--by the week’s end. Estimated materials expenses: $15.

FUNDAMENTALS OF ROCK CLIMBING – Frank Forencich
State Credit: .25 Health & Fitness
This intensive will review all the fundamentals of rock climbing including: physical skills, judgment and psychology, route-finding, weather, equipment, belaying, knots, team work and trip planning. Each day will include classroom instruction followed by actual climbing at Volunteer Park or Marymoor Park. The final day will be an extended outdoor trip to Icicle Canyon climbing area at Leavenworth, leaving Seattle at 6am and returning late that day.  Transportation to and from sites TBD.  Required equipment: each student must obtain a helmet, harness, rock climbing shoes and chalk sack. This equipment can be rented at REI. Recommended text: latest version of “Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills.”

GAMES TO LIVE BY – John-Michael Spangler
State Credit: .25 Health & Fitness
Go beyond the normal idea games and enter into a world of self discovery. Through this one week intensive students will explore how games and activities change the way we look at the world around us.  Pulling games from a variety of areas including challenge education, improvisation and solitaire, we will explore how people learn through playing and explore the students individual learning styles. Through playing games and having fun, we will explore what it is in a game that develops skills and knowledge in the players.  We will explore games from around the world and learn the key aspects of discovery that lay behind the fun. Students will learn how to lead a group game and how to teach others through gaming, playing and fun.  Students will then take their leadership skills one step further and use them to teach others how to develop their own leadership skills. A good leader is one who helps others get to where they are going.  A great leader is one who gives others the skills they need to get there themselves. Note, it is possible this intensive could be offered the week of June 25-29 and/or August 13-17 if interest dictates.  Estimated materials expenses: TBD.

POPULAR MUSIC – Andy Smallman
State Credit: .25 Social Studies
Participate with Andy studying "pop" music from the point of Elvis Presley in the 1950's to today.  Sessions will include viewing a documentary on music history, bringing in favorite songs to discuss, considering personal "theme songs," and listening to a lot of different and varying styles of music (all considered "popular").  For a culminating project participants will make a "mixed tape" (in 21st century parlance that's "burn a CD") of favorites. Estimated materials expenses: $15. Note, Andy's offerings could take place on other weeks as dictated by student interest.

STARTING A BUSINESS – Michael Coffey
State Credit: .25 Occupational Education
Are you excited by the idea of being a high-powered business executive (or just want to make some spending money doing something you enjoy)?  This week will take you from basic business terms and idea brainstorming all the way up to when you leave the class with a basic business plan for your own venture, ready to take your first entrepreneurial steps.  Join Milton Hershey (Hershey Foods), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Michael Dell (Dell Computers) and other famous business owners who were teen entrepreneurs!  Estimated materials expenses: $5

THE WEEK OF JULY 16-20

CAN WE NOT TALK ABOUT SHAKESPEARE? – Michael Coffey
State Credit: .25 English
The oldest known stories in English are about 1,200 years old (give or take a century or two).  But whenever anyone talks about English literature, it's always Shakespeare-this and Shakespeare-that.  Well, screw that.  We'll watch film, read poetry, perform dramatic readings, and all kinds of fun stuff to break the rules: we'll talk about English literature from all over that 1,200 years--EXCEPT for Shakespeare.  Let's give the other guys (and girls) a chance!  And since English literature is filled with all sorts of naughtiness, be warned that there will likely be some mature themes involved.  Estimated materials expenses: $5.

CREATIVE WRITING: Appreciation & Practice – Mary Oak O’Kane
State Credit: .25 English
This intensive will explore a range of forms, from collaborative writing exercises and journaling to poetry and personal essay. Students will have an opportunity to read and respond to exemplary writings of various creative forms and be encouraged to write their own. There will be a balance of imaginative reflection and creative expression throughout the day. The course is designed so that students can choose an area of interest to focus on, from Haiku to a college application essay. Estimated materials expenses: $15.

TAO OF POOH – Andy Smallman
State Credit: .25 Social Studies
Andy will read aloud Benjamin Hoff's excellent primer on Taoism, "The Tao of Pooh" and use it and other texts to facilitate dialogue on the subject of Taoism.  Expect some additional Winnie the Pooh material to be used, as well. Estimated materials expenses: $10. Note, Andy's offerings could take place on other weeks as dictated by student interest.

THE WEEK OF JULY 30-AUGUST 3

CHINA AWAKES – Michael Coffey
State Credit: .25 Social Studies
China is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with the oldest writing system still in use.  About one fifth of the world's population is Chinese; Chinese the third most commonly spoken language in the United States today, and it is expected to be the most common native language of Internet users within a few years.  Join us in an exploration of this fascinating and ancient world culture, from food to film, medicine to martial arts...and its growing importance in the modern world.  Estimated materials expenses: $20.

THE LITTLE PRINCE – Andy Smallman
State Credit: .25 English
Participants will be involved in an in-depth analysis of the themes, motifs and symbols of the Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s classic. We’ll view film adaptations of the story, connect aspects of the story to other texts, and reflect on topics like the difference between being child-like and childish.  As a culminating project students will write, illustrate and present their own children’s book. Estimated materials expenses: $15. Note, Andy's offerings could take place on other weeks as dictated by student interest.

THE WEEK OF AUGUST 13-17

A THOUSAND LITTLE PIECES: The Art of Making Books – Dana Bettinger
State Credit: .25 Art
Are you drowning in gigabytes of email? Going blind after hours spent sitting in front of a flat-screen monitor? Take a break and come back to the source! From the battered composition notebook tossed into your backpack every day to the antique, leatherbound volumes carefully preserved in university libraries, books are still fascinating (despite – or maybe because of – the digital revolution). In this class, students will learn to create a variety of original, completely handmade books. We will use a wide range of bookmaking techniques, including altered, glueless, stitched and combination-structure books made from new and recycled materials. We’ll also explore the nearly endless range of possible uses, so if you need a journal, art portfolio or photo album, this is the place to be. Students will leave this course with an entire collection of books in their hands, suitable for display, personal use or even gift-giving – if you can bear to part with them! No previous experience necessary. Estimated materials expenses: $20.

NATURE WRITING & DEEP ECOLOGY – Mary Oak O’Kane
State Credit: .25 English
This intensive will open a deeper awareness to the natural world. We will read and respond to a number of classic nature writers from Thoreau to Annie Dillard. We will spend some time in Ravenna Park cultivating sensory awareness and deep listening and give it expression in writing. Students will gain an understanding of the basic tenets of Deep Ecology, a philosophy that honors our connection with the living earth and participate in The Council of All Beings, a ritual where they speak for a life form they have chosen, with a mask they have made to represent it. Estimated materials expenses: $15

RECREATIONAL TREASURE HUNTING – Michael Coffey
State Credit: .25 Elective
Letterboxing and Geocaching are modern-day treasure hunts.  Armed with cryptic clues, coordinates, maps, and other equipment, we'll hunt for hidden caches of goodies, leave our mark in secret log books, and have a lot of fun walking around in the great outdoors while doing it.  We'll cover safety and equipment, make our own letterboxing stamps, then go out and find several geocaches AND letterboxes.  And if we can find a good spot, we'll create our own hidden "treasure" for others to find!  Estimated materials expenses: $10.

ROAD TRIP NATION – Andy Smallman
State Credit: .25 Elective
To broaden their knowledge of occupations, two enterprising California college students/surfers hatched an idea to interview successful adults in interesting jobs to see what paths they took to get there. They ended up crossing the U.S. in a large RV for three months. Participants will watch the TV series made of their exploits, discuss finding one's "path" in life, and otherwise consider what brings us joy. Estimated materials expenses: $10. Note, Andy's offerings could take place on other weeks as dictated by student interest.

This information updated as of May 9, 2007.