Active Student FCAS: A Multifaceted Approach to Education and Professional Development
Education is not merely the accumulation of knowledge, but the cultivation of critical thinking, character development, and practical skills. This article explores various facets of active learning and professional development, drawing upon examples from Firestone Charter Academy's educational philosophy and the actuarial profession's commitment to continuous learning and ethical conduct.
Core Principles of Education: A Foundation for Success
Firestone Charter Academy (FCA) exemplifies a commitment to holistic education through its focus on three core principles: Core Knowledge Curriculum, Rigorous Academics, and Character Development with Core Virtues. This approach aims to develop well-rounded individuals equipped to succeed in a complex world. The academy's philosophy is encapsulated in the words of Maxime Legace: "The more you make it easy for your kids, the more you remove the struggle necessary for learning." This highlights the importance of challenging students to foster intellectual growth and resilience.
Echoing this sentiment, Martin Luther King Jr. stated: "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence + Character - that is the goal of true education." This underscores the importance of cultivating both intellectual abilities and ethical values, which are crucial for responsible citizenship and professional success.
Furthermore, FCA recognizes the interconnectedness of different disciplines, encouraging students to "study the science of art: study the art of science" and to "learn how to see." This interdisciplinary approach fosters creativity, innovation, and a deeper understanding of the world.
Experiential Learning at Firestone Charter Academy
FCA provides a rich array of experiential learning opportunities for its students. Third-grade students, for example, engage in "Partner Classes" covering diverse subjects such as Library, Innovations, PE, Art, Music, and Language. These experiences expose students to different fields, allowing them to discover their passions and develop a broad range of skills. Middle school students are also given opportunities to share their experiences at Firestone Charter Academy through interviews. Third grade students answer questions about their experience at Firestone Charter Academy.
Read also: Benefits of Active Student Sunflower Initiatives
Adapting to the Online Learning Environment
In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, online learning has become increasingly prevalent. FCA embraces this shift, offering a comprehensive online program that caters to students in grades K-12. The school recognizes that "every student’s school day will look a little different!" and tailors its approach to meet the unique needs of each age group.
Students in grades K-5 spend less time on independent online work in Canvas and more time in live sessions in Zoom and with activities involving an adult at home. Live classes are about 30 minutes in grades K-5. Conversely, students in middle school and high school spend more of their day completing independent work in Canvas and Google and working with teachers in Zoom class sessions. Live classes are about 60 minutes in middle school and high school. Grades K-5 have four classes per week, 6-8 has five, and high school has at least six depending on course enrollments. Students can also work in small group or one-on-one sessions, too. Teachers are working from 8:00-5:00 on school days, and generally get back to messages quite quickly. At the very latest, a turnaround of 24 hours can be expected.
FCA also provides resources to support parents in their role as learning partners. Parent(s)/guardian(s) with a student registered at FCA are recommended to set up a Canvas account (called Observer ). An Observer can see all course content and grades specific to their student only in the Canvas platform. SecurlyHOME (iOS or Android) is a mobile app that allows parents/guardians to monitor all internet activity on an FCA student account. The Securly account is created within two weeks of student enrollment. If you have not received your Securly account, please contact the Help Desk. Chromebook KitYour student's Chromebook kit, which includes all technology needed for the school year, will be shipped via FedEx. K-5 students will receive a separate shipment of physical materials, also. In it are the student FCA account credentials and next steps for getting started! Complete OrientationLastly, students will find that they are enrolled in Student Onboarding, a comprehensive Canvas course that introduces them to the FCA program and technology. Once this is completed, their content courses will be ordered!
Addressing Individual Needs
FCA is committed to providing an inclusive learning environment for all students. "We have an inclusion model where we build in accommodations and supports in our general education classroom as much as possible." The school also works with eTherapy to offer these services virtually. Similar to brick and mortar settings, we will provide a series of interventions prior to evaluating for Special Education or possibly some screening assessments. Upon registering you will receive a welcome call from your child’s homeroom teacher. This is a great time to share concerns. Your child’s teacher will be able to put you in contact with the staff member who can best address your concerns.
The Actuarial Profession: A Commitment to Lifelong Learning and Ethical Conduct
The actuarial profession exemplifies a commitment to lifelong learning, ethical conduct, and professional development. Actuaries play a critical role in assessing and managing risk in various industries, including insurance, finance, and healthcare. Their work requires a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and economics, as well as a deep understanding of business principles and ethical considerations.
Read also: Enrichment and Engagement
The Path to Becoming a Certified Actuary
Becoming a certified actuary is a rigorous process that requires dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to continuous learning. The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) and the Society of Actuaries (SOA) are the two primary professional organizations for actuaries in North America. Each organization has its own set of requirements for membership and certification.
The CAS requires Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) topics as part of basic education. There are many ways to get started on your professional journey to becoming a certified actuary. Read more to explore all of the educational and exam opportunities available to you. The CERA qualification provides risk professionals with strong ERM knowledge that drives better business decisions.
Continuing Education and Professional Development
Even after achieving certification, actuaries are expected to engage in ongoing professional development to maintain their competence and stay abreast of industry trends. The American Academy of Actuaries believes in good faith that your attendance at this live professionalism webinar, “Up to Code: Are You Keeping Up to Code?,” constitutes an organized activity as defined under the current Qualification Standards for Actuaries Issuing Statements of Actuarial Opinion in the United States. If you are an enrolled actuary, the Academy believes in good faith that you may earn 1.8 CPE core ethics credits under the JBEA rules for attending this live webinar. However, the JBEA ultimately determines what constitutes core, non-core, ethics or non-ethics continuing education and the number of CPE credit hours allocated to same for enrolled actuaries.
Since 2006, actuaries have been relying on “Up to Code” articles published in Contingencies to help keep their professionalism skills sharp. Written mainly by members of the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline, “Up to Code” articles reflect the wide variety of issues that are brought to the ABCD’s attention during the request for guidance and complaint processes.
The Importance of Ethical Conduct
Ethical conduct is paramount in the actuarial profession. Actuaries are entrusted with significant responsibilities, and their decisions can have far-reaching consequences. Therefore, they must adhere to a strict code of conduct and act with integrity, objectivity, and professionalism.
Read also: The Power of Active Learning
SafeU: Equipping Students with Essential Safety Skills
Recognizing the increasing challenges faced by students on university campuses, the Secure Community Network (SCN), in partnership with Hillel International and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), launched "SafeU: Campus Safety Initiative." This program aims to equip university students with critical situational awareness and first-aid skills.
SafeU was developed in response to the ongoing hate and violence Jewish students face on university campuses, which dramatically escalated following the 07 October Hamas terrorist attacks. In 2024, SCN tracked over 500 reports of threat incidents and suspicious activity on our campuses and identified over 120 encampments on campuses. During this period of unrest, Jewish students and faculty encountered hostile protests, unlawful encampments, violent incidents, and targeted harassment on many campuses.
Developed with students, SafeU adapts SCN’s proven training curricula to specifically address the increasingly volatile security issues facing Jewish students. Expert instructors guide students through real-life simulations, enhancing their knowledge, confidence, and situational preparedness.
Students who participate in the training will learn awareness techniques to remain vigilant in everyday settings, planning strategies for preparing safe commuting routes and emergency contingencies, hands-on practice with lifesaving first-aid procedures, de-escalation techniques and communication methods, and action steps for safely responding to imminent threats, including methods of escape. These skills are applied to scenarios such as recognizing and responding to hostile or potentially dangerous situations and ensuring that campus Hillels and other centers of Jewish life remain open and active joyful spaces free from fear.
The program builds on SCN’s broader campus safety initiatives, including its longstanding partnership with Hillel International. In August 2024, SCN and Hillel International announced the launch of Operation SecureOurCampuses, an effort to expand resources to over 50 college and university campuses to include full-time intelligence analysts dedicated to monitoring campus developments and enhanced coordination with law enforcement, public safety officials, and centers of Jewish life.
Financial Capability Assessment (FCA) and Clean Water Act (CWA) Compliance
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages communities to use integrated planning and innovative technologies, such as green infrastructure, to achieve CWA compliance in a timely, flexible, and cost-effective manner. In addition, specific methodologies used for FCAs can be used to consider economic impacts to public entities when determining water quality standards (WQS) variances and antidegradation reviews. The Financial Capability Assessment Guidance (FCA Guidance) is used by municipalities when devising plans to come into compliance with the CWA.
The FCA Guidance replaces the Guidance for Financial Capability Assessment and Schedule Development (1997) to evaluate a community’s capability to fund CWA control measures in both the permitting and enforcement context. CWA compliance schedules should consider available subsidized funding and other financing arrangements as part of a financing plan to achieve compliance as soon as practicable. Determining costs and thoroughly planning how to fund and finance a project will help a community manage this process. Communities should also consider approaches that can reduce or mitigate the financial impact of water services on low-income households, while still allowing the community to complete critical infrastructure improvements within a reasonable schedule.
