As many of you know, Park Center is now an IB school that has initiated the Middle Years Programme with the 2007-2008 sophomore class. Following the Middle Years Programme, Park Center will also add the IB Diploma Programme. The IB Diploma Programme is available for all juniors and seniors who wish to challenge their learning. To make the most out of these International Baccalaureate programs, Park Center had applied for a grant to be able to pursue a school-wide initiative called a Global Studies Magnet. In September, Park Center was informed that it had been accepted for the grant.

From writing the grant in August 2006 and finishing it eight months later, the grant process from beginning to end was one long ride. The written grant and the finality of it was such a massive task that it was written within groups to complete it. Although the writing process did not start until August of 2006, staff knew three years prior that they wanted to do it. The grant that Park Center is receiving is the second largest magnet school assistance grant awarded in this three year cycle by the federal government. The funding will be used towards implementation of the Global Studies Magnet and new technology which will enhance the learning for students.

What would a Global Studies Magnet do for your student? The Global Studies Magnet will tie in with the International Baccalaureate programs. It would help the students incorporate what they want to do after high school into their class studies. Students enrolled in the Global Studies Magnet will investigate sub-topics within their Focus Area while collaborating with students from around the world. If the student is in the Diploma Programme, they will need to incorporate all Focus Areas, which have three main categories: Global Dynamics, Global Relations, and Global Technologies. (To view the focus areas, Click Here). Juniors who are not seeking the IB Diploma would be expected to pick one Focus Area. After joining forces with other students around the world and researching, seniors will be expected to complete a project known as the Senior Capstone Project. All seniors will do the Senior Capstone Project which will start with the senior solving a problem in their area of interest. The student will show what they have solved incorporating local and global collaboration. At the end of the year, to show all the hard work, the final project will be presented in a spring showcase event for the whole community to see. The Senior Capstone Project will be initiated when the 2007-2008 sophomore class are seniors.

The grant will be very useful in implementing many aspects of the Global Studies Magnet. Some things that the grant will bring in is wireless internet connection throughout the whole building, 300 more computers, two other staff members to help with the new technology, adding Mandarin/Chinese in the language department, and a digital TV studio. All of these components will broaden the learning opportunities at Park Center. With the wireless building, you are able to virtually connect to the internet where ever you are at Park Center. Having a digital TV studio will allow students and staff to watch the morning announcements and other broadcasts instead of hearing it over the intercom. There will also be face to face video connection, which will allow students to interact with other students around the world as they work on their focus area and other learning. All of this new technology will help students expand the knowledge taken in beyond Park Center walls.

We are glad to announce that Ximena Rayo, who has had a large amount of experience in staff development, technology integration, and internationally minded education, has accepted the position of Global Studies Coordinator. Rayo will have recently come from a Spanish immersion school in St. Paul and is also on the faculty at Hamline working with new teacher training. She is a native of Chile and has had teaching experience with all ages in her fifteen years in Minnesota. She started her new work on January 14th and was part of staff training on January 18th.

The Global Studies Magnet at Park Center will also be available for all students who are not already going to PC. Each winter, students/parents will be able to apply to become part of the PC Global Studies Magnet. If the student is in the Northwest Suburban Integration School District area and enrolls at Park Center, they will be able to receive free transportation to and from school. Not only will the grant help introduce the Global Studies Magnet to other students, it will open many doors and opportunities for current and future students.

Over the last several years and into the future, Park Center is positioning itself as a high school designed to meet the needs of a global community. With the Global Studies Program acting as an umbrella for ALL students, the International Baccalaureate Programme has found a home in a school rich in diversity of students, courses and vision.

For more information:

  • Global Studies Description Registration Handbook

  • Global Region of Study / Focus Area

  • Illustrate Global Studies Magnet

    • -Maria Pham, PCSH Webteam