ENGAGE is to focus on project-based learning.

Last Thursday the board members and planning committee for ENGAGE, Eau Claire's public creative arts and culture charter school, gave a presentation to teachers and administrators on the prospect of opening the project-based school in September 2011. Unveiling a new website and reflecting the sense of urgency to actively inject creativity into our school system, the presentation yielded a great response including rounds of applause and big public endorsements from Superintendent Ron Heilmann and City Manager Mike Huggins. And now it’s your turn.

Now is the crucial time in ENGAGE’s plan, as they present a contract to the school board tonight. The thing is, they have all this great momentum for a school to start, but it ultimately comes down to the school board agreeing to see it through and sign a contract.

So the board needs to know how the community feels about this, and your comments may be the difference maker.

“It’s very possible that they’ll say now is not a good time. We can’t afford it,” said Jo Burke, the leading force behind the school. “Well we need to show them that we can’t afford not to.”

Research and experts in education have repeatedly touted the benefits of fostering creativity (as opposed to current school systems tending to squash it), most notably as a powerful renewable and sustainable resource in fueling our future workforce and the global economy. So read up on the subject, get to know what ENGAGE intends to do, and go speak during the public input time at the beginning of the school board meeting at 7pm Monday. The ENGAGE website also has a contact form you can fill out to stay informed and indicate your area of interest.

  Find Engage on Facebook.

Support ENGAGE at the Eau Claire School District Board Meeting Monday, December 20 • 7pm–10pm • 500 Main Street, Eau Claire • Details