Students in Mr. Chuck Wade's computer arts classes created the posters above to advertize the Bighouse Homework Lab. The project was suggested by Assistant Principal Eric Backman, who thought it'd be a great way for students in the M3 Cluster to apply  marketing, media, and management strategies as well as color theory and design principles.

Using Adobe Illustrator, students created portrait illustrations more or less in the style of the psychedelic Fillmore posters of the 60s & 70s and Shepard Fairey's Obama Hope posters. -- this brilliant idea belonged to Ms. Athena Kautsch.

The teachers selected for the posters are those who do not belong to either a House or a Cluster, and so staff the Bighouse Homework Lab on the shortened Wednesdays when those groups of teachers meet.

The posters were displayed in the Big House Library after spring break. Using a free barcode scanner app, students with smartphones could scan a QR code linked to a web-based poll to vote for their favorite poster.

The posters are on Flickr.

The poll is on Polldaddy.
 

Apples, chocolates, and trail mix were noms!  Thanks, Whole Foods Petaluma! :)
 

 
The first homework lab of the second semester had to be our busiest yet! :)

Thanks again to Whole Foods Petaluma for so many yummy snacks: the organic apples, nutty trail mix, and chocolate covered dried fruits were deelish and the organic apple juice really hit the sweet spot! :)

 
With 15% more students attending the second session of the Bighouse Homework Lab than the first, we have to say this thing is off to a great start and building momentum as it evolves.

Sorry to anyone who tried and couldn't IM or Skype the lab from on campus. Apparently, the apps have been blocked by the filters. We're working with tech support to fix the problem.

Thanks to Whole Foods Petaluma for the tasty noms! The students loved the bananas, chocolate-covered fruits, and freeze-dried veggies! :)
 

 
Our first homework lab was a huge success. :)

Thanks to all the moms who made their kids drop by!

And thanks again to Whole Foods Petaluma for all the delicious snacks. :)
 

 
Mr. Chuck Wade's M3 computer graphics students have heen hard at work creating fliers for the homwork lab in the style of the old Fillmore concert posters (this idea was Ms. Athena Kautsch's).
 

 
After the first homewok lab, we asked students to tell us what they thought about it. Their comments are unedited and in their own handwriting.
 

Today after school from 2:15-3:30, Casa Grande High School will host the first ever Bighouse Homework Lab. The homework lab will be held in the library and will be staffed by our teachers.  

The goal of the homework lab is to offer students an opportunity for extra academic assistance in an environment that is focused and welcoming. Having teachers present from all academic disciplines will ensure that students can get the help they need in any subject area all in one place.

Whole Foods Petaluma has generously committed to supporting Casa's students with healthy snacks for the Wednesday lab for the remainder of the year. Students who attend will have the nutrition they need to focus and learn.

Please help us promote the Homework Lab, particularly if a student you know could use some extra assistance in any subject or just a little additional academic guidance.

We hope that this opportunity will communicate to students that we all are invested in their success.