Students at Citrus Springs Charter School in Santa Ana have been fully immersed in hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) projects that have “ignited their curiosity and fostered their creativity, reported Priscilla Doorbar, principal. From designing and building robots to exploring the principles of coding, she continued, “our students are actively engaging in real world problem solving and collaboration.”
Citrus Springs Charter Schools Principal Priscilla Doorbar reported that students kicked off their STEM program with a field trip to the Discovery Cube in Santa Ana. Students grades K-8 are learning about such topics as conservation of matter, light and shadow, the substance reaction of oil and water and other matter, and whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.
HCT Lauren Sommer is teaching Lego Express, a new class at Springs’ Santa Ana Learning Center using the first Lego League curriculum. In this exploratory class, students in grades 4-8 learn coding and engineering while building essential teamwork skills including critical thinking and problem-solving. Students work with their team members to solve problems cooperatively while demonstrating gracious professionalism.
Citrus Springs held its annual art show “showcasing an array of stunning creations by our talented students,” reported Elisa Cornelius, school counselor. Art included clay molds, self-portraits, and dream catchers, “a testament to our students’ creativity and dedication.”
Mary Rebia, 13, an 8th grade student with Springs’ Santa Ana Student Center, is the February 2024 Student Artist of the Month.
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Springs’ Santa Ana Student Center’s holiday performance was “magical,” reported Elisa Cornelius, school counselor. Students sang such popular Christmas songs as “Feliz Navidad,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and ‘Frosty the Snowman.’ The variety of performances, including “delightful jingles played on recorders during ‘Jingle Bells,’” “captivated” the audience, she said.
Students at Citrus Springs Charter School in Santa Ana celebrated their first trimester academic assembly, reported Principal Priscilla Doorbar. Students K-8 were recognized by their teachers and granted awards including most improved in academics and behavior, math, reading, writing and science. Parents were part of the celebration.
Springs has had staff members advance to new positions as well as welcomed new staff members for the 2023-24 school year. Staffing changes reported include:
Katherine Pangle, Springs’ Senior Director of Academies, announced the hiring of two new principals for Academies, Priscilla Moreno-Doorbar for Santa Ana Student Center and Allen Neuenschwander for iShine Student Center.
Springs’ Santa Ana Student Center (SASC) welcomed the Orange County Fire Department, Santa Ana unit. Principal Tricia Gallagher said, “Our students listened to the firefighters talk about what they do to keep people safe.”
Springs Charter Schools are parent choice schools where the community is our classroom. Our mission is to foster the innate curiosity of our students, empower their parents, and promote optimum learning by collaboratively developing a personalized learning program for each student.
Eagle = Choice, Freedom, Initiative
River = Community
Book = Empowering Parents (Knowledge is Power)
Torch = Curiosity, Passion for Learning
Hands = Collaboration
Keys = Personalization, Unlocking the Student’s Potential
Oak Branches = Continuous Lifelong Learning
