Stillwater Middle Schools Transition

2017-2018

Curiosity Thrives Here

Welcome!

Curiosity Thrives Here

Andy Fields, Principal Eric VanScoy, Principal

Who Were We?

Curiosity Thrives Here

Andy Fields, Principal Eric VanScoy, Principal

Middle School Is a Unique time

Curiosity Thrives Here

Birth - Two Adolescent

Embrace Their Age and Generation

Curiosity Thrives Here

Philosophy

Middle School Mission (July 19, 2016):

Middle level education in Stillwater

provides a nurturing and collaborative

learning environment in which positive

relationships create a foundation for

challenging, exploratory and

integrative experiences to maximize

individual growth.

Curiosity Thrives Here

Spring 2015-Present

May 2015 Bond Referendum

August 2015 Tasked with researching cost of various middle school models

Fall 2015 Creation of four middle school funding possibilities

December 2015 Formal presentation to school board

January - February 2016 Winter postings for staff

March 2016 Selection of Middle School Transition Team

April 2016 - August 2016 Transition team meetings

Initial PlanningVetting of Middle School Research

● “This We Believe” from the Association for Middle Level Education

○ 16 Characteristics

● Developmental Designs

○ Responsive classroom approach to class and advisory

● Ed Leader 21 - 21st Century Learning Skills

○ Communication

○ Collaboration

○ Creativity

○ Critical thinking

● State and local standards

Curiosity Thrives Here

Guiding Change(Paraphrased)

• Feasible. Desirable. Sustainable.

• Must meet state and local requirements

• Needs to work within current space parameters at each school

• Provide students with more exploration and integrated experiences

• Maintain and deepen current programming

• Robust support structures to help educators teach the whole child

Curiosity Thrives Here

AHA!• Re-examined the 16 Characteristics

with our transition team

• It’s not about more periods!

• Clarified junior high vs. middle school

• Department focus vs. grade level focus

• Academic education is first priority vs. whole

child education is first priority

• Course specific learning vs. interdisciplinary

learning

Curiosity Thrives Here

Model Development

• Worked within the current 6 period day

• Created deep programming vs. wide programming

• Maintained space for advisory programming

• Looks traditional but has room for flexibility based on teaming and scheduling

• Meets all state and local requirements

Curiosity Thrives Here

Program Elements• Robust advisory

• Grade level teaming in some form

• Whole child, personalized,

project-based instructional approach

• Curriculum-wide exploration

• J-term/mini course exploration

• Intervention/enrichment time (team focused)

• Numerous co-curricular experiences

Curiosity Thrives Here

On-Going Work• Acceleration/gifted programming

• Orientation/transition process

• Curriculum development

• Wheel curriculum

• Hiring

• Special Education programming

Curiosity Thrives Here

Transition and Orientation

Traditionally:• Counselors visit elementary schools in mid-January or

early-February to talk about registration

• New parent information evening in mid-February

• Friday Night Live in early May at each building as a fun introduction to the school

• Mid-August new student orientations

• September Back to School Night for new students to meet their teachers and walk their schedule

Curiosity Thrives Here

Additional Steps

• Principals visited each elementary school in October

• Field trip experience to tour school this spring

• Looking at a “Camp 6” model

– Summer vs. day 1 of school

• WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) Programming

– Partnership Plan supported (Thank you!)

– Connects new students with 8th grade students

– Welcomes new students before the school year begins

– Provides numerous touch points throughout the school year

Curiosity Thrives Here

Philosophy

Middle School Mission (July 19, 2016):

Middle level education in Stillwater

provides a nurturing and collaborative

learning environment in which positive

relationships create a foundation for

challenging, exploratory and

integrative experiences to maximize

individual growth.

Curiosity Thrives Here