Middle Level

We're attempting to revise our M.S. Health curriculum to ensure a broad "Life Skills" focus, offering different health-related classes all three grades, with a clear progression, or distinction, between topics of study from grade-to-grade. If anyone has done something similar, I would love to see your course outlines or curricula maps.

I have a teacher who is really struggling with classroom management issues. As part of his Individual Development Plan, I need to point him in the direction of training and/or resources to support his growth in this area. I am hoping for some solid suggestions.

Thanks!

Has anyone been looking at offering foreign language on-line? If so, what programs are you using?

We are considering a K-8 implementation of the Second Step violence prevention curriculum, and I would like to talk to a few schools who are using it about results, ease of use, etc. If you are familiar with Second Step and would be willing to chat about it, please send your contact information to herzingm@pennfield.net

I am hearing lots of reports in my ISD about alternative high schools either scaling way back or closing completely, some at mid-year. The reasons given are almost always related to concerns about AYP (low MME scores and grad rates)or to the budget. Is this the case in your part of the state?

Who is using the pay to participate system for athletics and what do you charge. Guidelines, etc...

Thanks
Paul

I am interested in gathering some policies to look at, especially at the 8th grade level.

Our student population is currently more than 25% school of choice district wide. School start times are staggered, with elementaries starting nearly an hour after the middle & high schools. We have a great deal of difficulty getting our parents to pick up their students promptly at the end of the day, and have a number of students tardy in the morning. I frequently hear that parents do not want to make two trips, so they drop off/pick up at the later time. Does anyone have an effective way to get parents to pick students up promptly? What has worked for you?

We currently have a handful of students who do not have a successful change in behavior when placed in in-schoo suspension. I am looking for alternative ideas. I am also open to ways on restructuring what ISS should look like.

EXPLORE testing in...
Spring of 7th grade,
Fall of 8th grade,
Spring of 8th grade,
Fall of 9th grade, or
Spring of 9th grade?

Has anyone encountered issues with not allowing students to leave school although they argue that they are ill and need to leave?

Does anyone have an effective, working system to organize grade-level meetings at the M.S. or H.S. level, wherein teachers teach more than one grade level? If so can you describe it, or can I call you?

We're looking to change our MS schedule due to economic reasons. We are currently teaching 5 of 7. We're considering a number of different options. I'd like to speak with any principal who has under gone such a change.

Kind of late to suggest this, but...

I will be at the conference in Mount Pleasant on October 4th, 5th and 6th. Is anyone interested in meeting there as a group (or individually) to discuss alternative education issues? If so, please email me and we can arrange to meet.

Ken Willison, Alternative Education Liaison to MASSP;
President of Michigan Alternative Education Organization (MAEO)

I have a teacher in my building who wants to organize a 7th grade science fair for the first time. Does your middle school have a science fair? If so, I was hoping to have my teacher connect with your science teachers who sponsor/organize your science fair.

Please email me if you can help!

Thanks,

David Simpson
Derby Middle School
Birmingham Public Schools

248-203-5007
ds16bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us

I’d like to encourage all of you to attend the Annual Convention or the Assistant Principal’s conference this fall. The connection between the middle level, high school and college success has become much more publicized lately and it is a great opportunity to learn. There is great value in each of the sessions and be informed about how we can be an effective leader in the middle.

I am looking for well qualified training for my 6th grade and 7th grade teachers for the Connected Math series. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

We are looking to revamp our after-school homework club. We have tried both mandatory attendance based on teacher/parent placement and voluntary attendance. Does anyone have a program in place that they have found to be successful? Could you please provide the details and any forms you may use. Thank you so much!

Please help MASSP's new alternative education liaison, Ken Willison, gain a clearer understanding of who among us has alternative education responsibilities or interests. If you have any duties in your district related to alternative education ... or if you just have a strong interest in alternative education issues ... please let Ken know who you are. If you prefer not to post to the internet, please feel free to send an email to him at ken.willison@staff.spartaschools.org

Also, if you haven't done so already … why not join the new Alternative Education group? While not much has been posted there yet, we hope to get the ball rolling soon and would love to have all interested parties participate.

Thanks.

I am currently working with a company to develop and pilot a new program for teachers that would allow them to utilize student cell phones to aid in instruction. Our program would primarily use the phone's text messaging feature. Some functions of the program would include student surveys, quizzes and tests, real-time brainstorming, and picture and video galleries. It would be web-based so schools would simply pay a subscription fee and get a log-in. We are thinking about purchasing some pay-as-you-go cell phones for students to use who do not have text messaging service on their phones.

What do you see as the pros and cons of a program like this? I'm curious to get your feedback.

What is your personal professional development budget for the 2009-2010 school year?

Include: Registrations, mileage, lodging, etc.

Does anybody have a form they use for teachers to request new student clubs?

Thanks!

David Simpson
Derby Middle School

Does anyone have handbook language that you would be willing to share that prohibits energy drinks at the middle level? Any other advice on the topic?

What type of interventions do schools have in place for students who are missing essential math skills and are performing below grade level?

Thanks!

David Simpson, Assistant Principal
Derby Middle School
Birmingham Public Schools

Our MS Principal is getting some parent pressure to offer on-line courses, particularly in a world language, as we don't currently offer any. He has been resistent to offering this option given the possible impact on staffing.

Do we "have to allow" students an opportunity to take by statute or is this a local decision?

Like many districts, my high school is on trimesters. The benefits are many for them, but questions remain for middle level. How do interdisciplinary teams fit into this model if they can? Does the longer class period work developmentally? Are core classes offered year round? Any responses would be helpful!

Does anyone have any administrative guidelines for the viewing of movies (PG, PG-13, R) for their school district?

Have any of you used "The Patriot" in any of your American History classes when covering the Revolutionary War? Does anyone know if it's been recommended for use by any curriculum/textbooks as supplementary material?

On a similar note, what policy do you have in place for when teachers use movies in the classroom?

THANKS!

We are doing some preliminary investigating and I could use some information from any of you who have the experience in implementing trimesters. Questions:
How long have you had it in place?
Do you see a positive correlation to academic achievement?
Has it cost you ($$-wise)and if yes, when (what year) did the cost increase become most apparent?
Have any of you who have gone to trimesters then gone back to semesters?
How has the community "bought in"?
Your overall experience in implementing: positive or negative AND how long did it take you to implement?

THANK YOU!!!!!!
Brooke Ballee
bballee@vanburenschools.net

The 2008-2009 Michigan Schools to Watch® Application is now available at this link.

Michigan Schools to Watch® is a state-level partnership that seeks to identify and recognize high-performing middle-grades schools. Through a set of criteria, MSTW provides guidance to classroom teachers, administrators, parents, and community members as they evaluate and improve school programs.

Visit designated Michigan Schools to Watch®

MIDDLE SCHOOLS: Do you have an innovative intervention program that helps struggling students get ready for the high school level?

HIGH SCHOOLS, CTE PROGRAMS, ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS: Do you have unique scheduling options, programs or classes that restore credit and keep students on track for graduation?

If so, please consider signing up to be a presenter at the MASSP Credit Recovery Summit, January 28, 2009 by completing this short survey!

Survey link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2b7D4FqN6krmk7KdN_2b8mL4w_3d_3d

The videos are not threatening.  In addition to "tightening up" our cell phone/electronic devices policy and its enforcement, I'm looking for some policy guidelines or something similar to reduce the likelihood this happens again. 

Can principals MANDATE implementation of behavior contracts for issues of persistent disobedience?  What if parents "won't" sign?   Any perspective would be appreciated.

Pyramid of Interventions

I am looking for middle schools successfully implementing a Pyramid of Interventions for their students.

Thanks,
Claire Bunker
Clare-Gladwin RESD

I am interested in finding out how junior high and middle school handle tardies to school in particular first hour.  We have run into a few problems with first hour tardies since the parents are the ones brining the child to school late.  Any help would be greatly appreciated as we attempt to get a handle on a problem before it gets out of control.

The Schools to Watch program is a significant force in middle-grades reform. Based upon the National Schools to Watch initiative, Michigan Schools to Watch® identifies and honors schools within the state which exemplify attributes of high performance:

* Academic Excellence
* Developmental Responsiveness
* Social Equity
* Organizational Structures for High Performance

No pressure, but I need to come up with these for my eval and my kids need new shoes... HELP please.

The number of tardies has skyrocketed this year. I can't figure out why.