Tipwik Tree Educational Services, L3C — Grades 6-12
Our Mission
"Providing targeted instruction in social emotional and critical thinking skills, as well as, relevant content to produce adaptable, lifelong learners who find success in their communities"
Our Vision
We will produce empathetic people who continually strive to grow as learners and citizens of the world.
Our Values
We strive to be kind, reflective, adaptable, curious and hard working.
Our Services
We provide learners with an alternative to traditional education by offering unique learning experiences outside the traditional classroom, in free spaces provided by their school, with local businesses, libraries, outdoors and more. Learners are provided with the scaffolding and guidance they need to collect the evidence of proficiency for the required standards and/or goals so that they can earn credit in a variety of content areas with a flexible daily and weekly scheduling, outside the traditional classroom. Learners will be provided with the content and skills necessary to return to the traditional classroom when and if they are ready deemed ready by the stakeholders.
Our experience aims to support learners who have been unable to find a positive and enjoyable setting to grow toward their self-defined, future success while offering districts cost-savings compared to other regional behavioral and alternative education programs. For students who struggle behaviorally, with attendance, or with other significant challenges, we’ll find a solution that provides a more appropriate environment. This should improve the environment for the remaining traditional learners and free up support staff, as well as teachers, to provide support to a greater number of students.
Included in our services
Transportation:
•Optional pickup and dropoff for in-person learning
•Optional transportation to educational services (when available)
Individualized Curriculum
•Based on student interests and ability as well as requirements and expectations provided by the school (more details below)
Communication
•Timely communication with stakeholders including guardians, the sending school and other designated members of the learner’s team
•Summary of progress and work toward credit provided upon request and when a credit is completed.
•Available to students and families by phone (text/call), video chat, email at any hour and time. If staff is not available at that moment, they will reach out as soon as they are.
Support
•While building positive connections, it is expected that families and learners may find it useful to reach out for support outside typical hours and possibly not directly connected to their students learning assignment. We’re happy to provide help when we can so long as it is safe, legal and appropriate. Whether it is a listening ear, help finding the right resources, problem resolution etc., we’re here.
Our Difference
Individualized Programming
We strive to provide quality and engaging programming for a small number of learners ensuring each receives the the necessary supports for success.
Cost Savings:
We hope to provide savings compared to other alternative behavioral and educational programs in the area while also providing a more individualized approach that listens to both the learners as well as their team of stakeholders.
Positive Connections Indefinitely
Research shows that positive connections and relationships are correlated with more success. Whether students have moved back into the the public school setting or have graduated, we hope to hear and provide occasional support to Tipwik alums as needed.
"Can we make this work?” instead of, “No."
Learners and their families have heard, “No.” enough that they may show signs of rejection sensitivity. We strive to hear the request, think on it and when possible provide a creative solution when possible.
What does it Look Like?
All students’ needs will be different. We understand that students will be able to work with varying amounts of independence and all Tipwik learners will receive the in person attention they need to reach the goal of working a similar number of hours as their peers who attend in traditional school settings.
Independent work
Includes time completing self-guided learning, practice work, product completion and indicating areas they need further support.
In person/virtual instruction
Learners will receive in person instruction in public spaces, available school spaces, outdoors and elsewhere. Virtual instruction will be available as well. This instruction will include feedback, support in areas the learner has selected and areas instructors have noticed could use additional guidance.
Field work
May include non-traditional learning settings such as jobs and internships which are used to provide context for learning, skill development and other relevant experiences.
Content Standards
Traditional School Content
This includes the traditioal school standards students are required to meet for graduation and include things such as science, math, social studies, health and PE, art, etc.
Alternatives to the diploma?
Content work can also encompass materials to prepare for exam alternatives to a high school diploma.
Critical Thinking Skills
These include skills such as deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, drawing conclusions, etc.
Social emotional and communication skills
These include prosocial skills such as conflict resolution, listening skills, empathy, etc.
Foundational Skills
These skills include executive functioning, scheduling, planning, prioritizing, etc.
From roots to fruits
We want to provide your learners with the resources they need in order to blossom into the successful individuals they want to become.
Location
Old Town, ME