Yelnats Middle School

1. Yelnats Middle School Our Mission Presented by: Kate Stiglitz Brennon Sapp Missy Miller A 550 11/16/04 Stan Whitaker

2. Mission Statement Caring professionals providing high quality education in a positive setting.

3. Goals • Raise writing scores by 10% • Increase attendance by 2% • Provide a safe environment for the educational process

4. Raise Writing Scores Improved Instruction: • Each content teacher will produce one quality portfolio piece from each class • Teams will coordinate writing assignments in order to produce a quality well-rounded portfolio • Science-transactive piece/feature article • Social Studies-editorial/brochure • Language Arts-personal narrative/reflection/short story • Math-transactive piece • Arts & Humanities-feature article/editorial/brochure

5. Raise Writing Scores Professional Development: • Teachers will learn details about the composition and evaluation of the writing portfolio (1/2 day of non-flex in-service) • Teachers will be required to attend training on the development and implementation of the specific type of writing they will be producing with their students (1/2 day of non-flex in-service)

6. Raise Writing Scores Professional Development: • Teachers will participate in follow up session to monitor and improve instruction related to their specific writing pieces (1/2 day of non-flex in-service near midterm--1/2 day of non-flex in-service near portfolio completion) • Encourage and provide stipends for teachers who are willing to become certified in grading portfolios. • Encourage and provide stipends for teachers who are willing to participate in the Kentucky Teacher Writing Project

7. Raise Writing Scores Community Involvement • Ask for volunteers from local professionals and community to participate in the development and improvement of portfolio pieces • Volunteers will be working with individual students on revising and editing pieces • Incorporate motivational speakers into classes and the school for the purpose of emphasizing writing

8. Improve Attendance Incentives: • High attendance days • Door prizes for individuals and teams • Attendance Points • Coupons • Homework passes • Quiz passes • Drop score passes • Store in the Library students may buy items with attendance points • Cool pencils • Shirts • Compact disks • Hats

9. Improve Attendance Teacher/Staff Responsibilities: (Concentrate on concern and caring for the students) • Attendance Clerk will call the home of each and every student absent as soon as possible on a day of absence • Teachers always ask students why they missed school or class • Teachers and office keep and coordinate accurate records of attendance • Teachers and staff make a consistent effort to praise students for being at school

10. Improve Attendance Community Involvement: • Ask for community and parent volunteers to help call home and check on absent students (concentrate on concern and caring for the students) • Recruit local businesses to provide rewards for students with high attendance • Ice cream Friday • Cookie Wednesday • Pizza coupon • Free movie rental

11. Safe School Plan Instruction: • Students are required to participate in anger management/self-esteem/peer mediation seminars • YSC referrals • Reviews of referral data • Staff will promote a positive/caring environment • Be in the hall welcoming students to school and class • Interact with students in a caring manner • Use organizations such as DARE, police, and volunteers to involve students and teachers in a more casual setting

12. Safe School Plan Professional Development: Staff will receive training in: • Conflict resolution • Crisis management • Positive student/parent interactions • Conferencing

13. Safe School Plan Community Involvement • YMCA • Police Department • DARE • Parent Community Volunteers