Gunston Elementary A.V.I.D. Showcase Event

Advancement Via Individual Determination

This month at Gunston, we were excited to share our work with AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination.)  As the first elementary school in the Fairfax County Public School division to embrace this program it was natural that we could provide a showcase event to share with surrounding school districts and FCPS schools who are also interested in using AVID tools and programs in their schools.

Almost 60 administrators, leaders, and educators from the area attended Gunston’s AVID Showcase. After a brief introduction by Principal Rucinski, small groups toured classrooms around the building where teachers and students were engaged in lessons. AVID was visible across the school - from Art to Guidance to grade level classes. Visitors were afforded the opportunity to chat with different students about how AVID tools and techniques impacted them. Questions like, “How are those 2-column notes going to help you?” “Why did you organize it like this?” and “Are you creating your own goals, then?” were easily fielded by 4th, 5th and 6th graders.  One student said she learned to organize her closet after organizing her binder.  Another excitedly shared that her dad told her she was lucky because he never learned the basics of how to study like she was learning.

Student ambassadors led their small groups of visitors around the school, sharing personal stories and wearing their favorite college jerseys.  The College Wednesday Team shared posters students had created showing colleges they learned about. Two students explained the process of their personally created study guides.  Gunston's "AVID Room," a reward center featuring college-themed games and relaxation, left a positive impression on visitors.

The final stop was a teacher student panel that shared AVID experiences and answered audience questions. Visitors left inspired. Students were overjoyed with their encounters and many commented on the friendliness of the visitors.  It was a very positive experience for everyone, and another example of where sharing learning is a good thing.

Some Features of AVID (Read more here)

• Organization
• Goal Setting
• College Readiness
• Focused Note Taking
• Authentic Writing
• Reflection
• Inquiry