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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
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