Family and School Partnerships Ranchero Middle School

1. Family and School PartnershipsRanchero Middle School Cal STAT Leadership Site Award

2. What is ExCEL? • It is NOT a program of set strategies • It IS a framework of strategies that build upon the philosophy that “all children can learn.”

3. ExCEL • It is a hybrid of research-based best practices that have been proven to be effective with all students including those with academic deficits. • Focuses on 5 focus areas: 1. Early intervention and prevention strategies in reading 2. Behavior intervention and remediation emphasis 3. Parent involvement in a family/system focus 4. Speech and language mastery 5. Emphasis on survival skills

4. Scaffolded Classrooms • A heterogeneous mix of students • “Scaffold,” as it is referred to in ExCEL, is a way of organizing students for instruction. • “Scaffolds” may be “tools” • Scaffolding is supporting the student as they learn skills. It is a method of differentiated instruction

5. Scaffolded Class Levels • Level E- Above Proficiency/GATE • Level D- At Proficiency • Levels A, B, & C- Below Proficiency

6. ExCEL Level A • Designed for students who read below the 3rd grade level • Classes are made up of SDC, RSP, and general education students who will benefit from this level of instruction. • Available for all academic areas • Majority of this level are taught by experienced Special Education teachers

7. ExCEL Level B • Designed for students with reading levels around 4th grade • Classes made up of SDC, RSP, and general education students. Students in this level may also be placed in ExCEL Social Studies and/or Science

8. ExCEL Level C • Designed for students who are close to grade level in reading and writing skills • May include RSP and general education students • Depends on ability level and an IEP decision • Most of these students are successful in general education Social Studies and/or Science, but may be placed in an ExCEL Social Studies and/or Science

9. Level D “General Education” level Students are proficient in academic areas Level E GATE/ honor students Students who are above proficiency in academic areas Level D & Level E

10. Overall ExCEL • All Students Can Learn!!! • The purpose of the Ranchero Middle School ExCEL model is to provide every student with instruction at his/her developmental level while ensuring the teaching of grade level standards. • Mastery of grade level standards is the goal for all students through differentiated instruction • Fluidity based on on-going assessments and teacher input

11. Communications • Homework Hotline • Web grading system • Parent/teacher/student conferences • Regular progress reports • Binder reminders • Phone calls home • District Parent Notebook

12. More Communications • Notes home • Parent in-services • STAR Chats • Celebration of Education • Parent Newsletters • Invitations to events

13. Family Resource Specialist coordination of volunteers Parent/Community member volunteers for: dances, sports, fundraisers, school events, etc. Student and staff participation in service clubs “Spirit of Giving Week” collecting and distributing canned foods for holiday dinners Volunteering

14. Collaborating with the Community • Career Day • Principal-for-the-Day • Job shadowing • Membership with Kiwanis & Rotary • Invitations to performances, conferences, & workshops • Parent Night

15. Collaborating with the Community • CJSF- California Junior Scholastic Federation • Kiwanis Club • Builder’s Club • ASB- Associated student Body • “Incentive” program • Building community relationships- Parks & Recreation

16. Student Roles • Collaborating with community • Representation in School Site Council • Attending and having a voice in the Individual Education Plan process

17. More student Roles • Responsibility for academic learning through autonomy • Attending parent/teacher/student conferences • Communicating through the binder reminder

18. Meeting Students/Parents Needs • Assistance of a bilingual aide • Newsletters created in Spanish • District Interpreter • Bilingual staff and teacher support • District and site English Language Learner meetings • Teachers trained in Ruby Payne’s Framework for Understanding Poverty • Teachers trained with Specifically Designed Academic Instruction in English strategies

19. Meeting Needs • Flexible scheduling conducive to “families” • Creating progress reports and notes home for multiple households • Making home visits if requested

20. Collaborative Decision-Making • Teachers, administrators, families/parents, and student involvement of decisions • School Site Council • Individual Education Plans • Program meetings held on a monthly basis • Use of parent surveys to determine the needs, programs, and clubs for students

21. Our Family Resource Specialist • Creates monthly newsletter • Creates mailings • Coordinates parent volunteers for athletics, performances, and other school events • Attends the Parent Coordinating Council for the district as a site representative & President

22. Family Resource Specialist • Organizes parent chaperones & volunteers to work in the classroom • Assists with Parent Night • School Site Council • Our “Family Liaison”

23. Parent involvement in Sept. 30th Rewards Field Day Fundraisers & selling of yearbooks Red Ribbon Week volunteer for “Bring Your Own Banana” Back- to School Night Athletics AVID Skate Night December Parent Night School Site Council Parent Coordinating Council Conferences Builder’s Club & Band participation in Hesperia Days Parade 2005-2006 School Year Examples

24. 2005-2006 School Year • Monthly Parent Meetings with the Principal • Parent notification of student awards • Mr. Ingram help with reading • Community member band volunteers • Scheduled Parent Nights for subject areas

25. 2005- 2006 School Year • Ski Club at John’s Incredible Pizza Night • Community use of facilities for athletics • Web grades and Site webpage • Thanksgiving Basket donation • District Parent Notebook • Dance chaperones • Hurricane Katrina contributions (change bottles and Mardi Gras bead fundraisers)

26. Working together to... pursue greatness in education!