This week's newsletter celebrates two wonderful IB traditions. Every 10th grade student successfully completed their IB MYP required Personal Project. On Friday March 15, the whole school participated in the annual College and Career Day. Congratulations to our counselors for organizing this amazing experience. Both events are central to our students' growth towards responsible citizenship and independent learning. Speakers from diverse worlds such as the Police, the Military, the Law, Medicine, Veterinary Science, the Trades and the Delaware River Port Authority all shared their journeys to where they are today.

College and Career Day has become a School Lane tradition. Students met representatives from a wide variety of colleges including. Drexel University, LaSalle University, New York Film Academy, PA Army National Guard, St Joseph's University, Temple University, Immaculata University, Penn State University, Savannah College of Art and Design. Professionals from many walks of life with be working with our students, including Vets, Dentists, Computer Science and Software Engineers, Entrepreneurs and Realtors. We have School Lane alumni from the Finishing Trades Institute running workshops and a group from the Phillies talking about behind the scenes work. Students also participated in workshops introducing them to careers in trades, understanding Financial Aid offers for college, choosing the right school, studying art and design and choosing a career in victim services.

10th grade Personal Projects this year included building a working guitar, a plan for an animated short, teaching about Buddhism, building a community library, a video about health and beauty, writing a book about nursing, building a website, writing a book of poems, making clothes that can be styled with or without the Hijab, sewing traditional Pakistani clothing, creating an indoor vegetable garden and writing a children's book about mental health awareness. The IB MYP Personal Project is a crucial part of the MYP curriculum which moves students towards independent, lifelong learning. It is excellent preparation for the level of work expected in the IB Diploma Program where students must write a 4000 word research essay on a topic of their choice. The Personal Project enables students to engage in practical explorations through a cycle of inquiry, action and reflection.

We are very excited to welcome Julia Bokunewicz to join Theresa Morishita in our Performing Arts department. Theresa Morishita has taken our band program to new heights this year. Julia will add their talents in Chorus, Band and Performance. Julia earned a Masters in Education from Gratz College. Julia's experience teaching the Philadelphia Girls Choir and in the Philadelphia School District in addition to their own performance experience with Operacation, France, the Delaware Valley Opera Company, Vox Ama Deus and the Mendelssohn Chorus will bring many new opportunities for our students. The IB Campus is committed to growing the performing arts. Next year we offer Band as a high school class and students will be able to specialize in visual or performing arts.

The Design students have designed eco-friendly housing for residents of Philadelphia, creating 3D models to present their design to others. As part of the Design curriculum, students need to present their models and perform product testing. At the Exhibition, students will asked guests questions about their designs. The data they collect will later be analyzed to identify improvements.

A hearty group of budding gardeners gathered on March 5 to meet with our partners from the Bucks County Conservation District and the Friends of Poquessing Watershed to plan the planting of the Pollinator Garden. We have a planting date of April 27! Students will be designing signs and other artwork for the garden. We are committed to using recycled or repurposed materials for this project. Where possible, we are using native plants for the garden. Students picked out a list of trees, shrubs grasses and perennials. Many students are using time spent in the garden for their Service as Action requirements for IB MYP.

Homework Club takes place every Wednesday. All students are welcome. Meet in the library 3:15-4:15. Email cweber@schoollane.org

Awards 1 year College Credit for IB Diploma.

All students with need receive financial aid.

98% of Pre-Med students accepted to Med School.

Here is a list of colleges who have accepted School Lane students so far this year, 2023-2024:

Franklin and Marshall College, Penn State, Jefferson University, Drexel University, University of Pittsburgh, Northeastern University, Temple, West Chester, LaSalle University, Arcadia University, Holy Family University, Neumann University.

The IB Diploma Program opens doors for students to attend a wide range of colleges. IB Higher Level Classes are given college credit in the same way credit is given to Advanced Placement classes. However, if you take the full diploma program which requires 6 IB classes (3 Standard Level and 3 Higher Level) a Theory of Knowledge class, completion of an Extended Essay and a CAS(Creativity, Action and Service) project, some colleges give students credit for a full year, allowing them to enter as Sophomores.