2012-2013 Colloquium Theme: Innovation and Career 2.0

September 4, 2012

Dear Northside Community,

Northside College Preparatory High School is a community of passionate learners. We nurture and strengthen our community by exploring new ideas and participating in activities that challenge our thinking and our skills. Individually, we maximize our potential as creative, thoughtful and unique beings. Working together, we create a place where all things are possible..

Colloquium is the hallmark of education here at Northside. Students and teachers explore a rich variety of topics driven by natural curiosity and connected to each other by common interest. Colloquium offers a wealth of experiences that challenge all of us to new levels of learning and living. Through participation in colloquium we transcend apparent limitations and explore new areas of learning that go beyond our own perceived limitations.

As Northside begins its fourteenth year, I invite you to delve deeply into our theme of Innovation and Careers 2.0 and to prepare yourself for your life’s endeavors.

Live, learn and enjoy.
Barry P. Rodgers
Principal

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Letter from Mr. Robert Albritton, Director of Special Programs

This year, we want our community to examine what is possible as students look forward to their own career paths. Our world is in a state of constant change, and career options are expanding. As recently as twenty years ago, career paths were fairly predictable, employment was stable, and employers were fixed in one location. As technology has evolved and human needs have changed, so has the concept of where and how business is conducted. Entrepreneurs have become creative in how they define their jobs. Companies not only focus on products, but also on the entire customer experience. Individuals want to invest their time and energy on social and political causes that have meaning to them, as well as help their business become successful.

This year, the Northside community will explore how these global changes affect us, both through our regular instruction and our colloquia. Your teachers will help you not only become “college ready” but also “career ready.” They will prepare you not only for ‘conventional’ careers, but they will tailor their instruction to help you lead more effective and fulfilling lives. With your colloquium as a guide, you will explore the road less travelled to unearth opportunities you may not have previously considered. You will learn about successful innovations, current technology trends, and alternative careers. You will strive to understand how you can make a difference in other people’s lives through pro bono work, volunteering, and other creative forms of public service. You will be exposed to individuals whose nontraditional career paths will motivate and inspire you. We want you to examine your passions so that you can find meaning and success in the next generation of careers: Careers 2.0!

The Celestial Garden is a celestial observatory whose obelisk casts shadows down the pathways that radiate outward on the sunrise and sunsets of the solstices. All of the imagery on the vertical surfaces, made by the students of glass mosaic tiles, of the concrete benches relates to the celestial myths and to the passage of time. On the seat portion of the benches, the images show the cycle of a day with the southern three benches showing the rising, full and setting suns. The three northern benches show the constellations found in the night sky. The Celestial Garden is a monument related to the rhythms of the seasons. It can be used to reconnect to the ancient traditions of the sky and the celestial bodies as well as to create traditions and inspire our students to explore new ideas.