Van Wert Middle School

1. Van Wert Middle School Making Middle Grades Work

2. "Together Everyone Achieves More!"... At Van Wert Middle School, we strive to have every student meet their full potential. “Whatever it takes.”

3. Current School Data • Principal: Mary Riepenhoff • Guidance: Ed Clark • Teachers: 23 full-time (18 Masters) • 2004-05 Students: 354 • Economically Disadvantaged: 25% • Students with special needs: 12.3% • 2003-05 Attendance Rate: 96.1%

4. Challenge #1 • To continue efforts to strengthen the middle grades curriculum. • Recommended Actions from 2003 TAV: • Read a minimum of 25-30 books across the curriculum • Write at least twice weekly in every class • Use math to solve real problems daily • Complete hands-on science labs weekly • Integrate current events and real world issues into social studies classes

5. Meeting Challenge #1 • Reading: Most students read more than 25-30 books across the curriculum • Professional development: Dr Forget – on using reading/writing strategies in the classroom • Connected Math Program • Discovery based - Requires students to explain their problem solving strategies • Current Events Program • Ex: USA Today, Van Wert Times Bulletin, Current Science, Junior Scholastic, Scholastic Art, Channel One News, Current Health, Bi-weekly current events game

6. Meeting Challenge #1 • Literacy Plan – Formed last year and formed a plan for our school. • Numeracy Plan – Team created and plan is in development. • Math Curriculum – Supports the extended answer questions found on the OAT. Inquiry based program solving real-world problems. • Algebra & Pre-Algebra – 25 8th graders per year. All 7th graders take pre-algebra

7. Meeting Challenge #1 • New social studies text – requires extended answer responses similar to those on the OAT. • Science curriculum – Hands-on science lab weekly; several writing assignments weekly. • Academic Coaching – Helps at-risk students. Pre-teach, re-teach, tutor, peer-tutor. • Eliminating Genesis/Adding Inclusion – Raises standards for all students; more students are in inclusion math and reading courses.

8. Challenge #2 • To improve instruction in order to engage students in learning. • Recommended actions from 2003 TAV: • Develop interdisciplinary units • Vary teaching strategies for various learning styles • Homework policy

9. Meeting Challenge #2 • Interdisciplinary Units (Ex: Silver City) • Fitness Friday • Fitness Festival • Staff Development • MAX Teaching In-Service Training (Dr. Forget and associates) • Homework Policy • Required with student accountability with all assignments • Tier of Discipline

10. Meeting Challenge #2 • Community service projects: • developed and implemented by students • Increased parent communication • On-line grade book allows parents to view grades • E-mail communication • Phone logs maintained by teams • Common team planning

11. Challenge #3 • To develop an academic transition program, which includes the extra help and support for all students to meet higher standards. • Recommended Actions from 2003 TAV: • Target students in 7th & 8th graders who may be in danger of not being successful in high school • Summer “bridge” program for entering 9th graders

12. Meeting Challenge #3 • Academic Coaching • “At-Risk” students report to a teacher to assist them with organization and school work • Study Tables • Mondays and Wednesdays after school study time for students not performing well. • Academic Contract • Students at risk of failing after the 2nd trimester are placed on Academic Contract. • Monday-Thursday after school study time • Participation is required in order to be eligible for Summer Bridge

13. Meeting Challenge #3 • Bonus Time • A school-wide study hall for 30 minutes at the end of every day. • Allows students to get additional assistance on work • Summer Bridge • Students that did not pass 2 or more core classes are required to attend a Summer Bridge program • CMT Tutoring • The Cougar Mentor Team (36 8th graders) work hard at the beginning of the year to assist 7th graders with organization, studying, homework, and overall adjustment to Middle School

14. Challenge #4 • To implement a guidance and advisement program. • Recommended Actions from 2003 TAV: • Plan a teacher/mentor system that includes all staff • 6th grade advisement should focus on providing a smooth transition into the Middle School

15. Meeting Challenge #4 • Cougar Mentor Team: • Staff and students trained to mentor underclassmen • Cool – AID: • Advisory Teams meet with students on monthly basis • Teacher/Mentor Teams: • Teachers confer daily in team meetings

16. Meeting Challenge #4 • Bonus Time: • Extra assist time for students • Career Focus: 8th grade • 8th High School Plan (guidance) • 6th Grade transition: • Middle School visit and orientation • (Focus on the 3 “L’s” – LUNCH – LOCKERS – LOST)

17. Numeracy • Numeracy is incorporating mathematical concepts across the curriculum and includes: • Students that are able to problem solve challenging and applicable questions through inquiry learning. • Instructional strategies that include cooperative learning, technology, and making connections to prior knowledge

18. Bottom Line • Van Wert Middle School is on track! • *Gold Implementation Award from Making Middle Grades Work • *Recognized as a “School to Watch”

19. The Team • Leader – Trinda Cartwright, Susie Stoller • Members – Bob Spath, Linda Thomas, Ed Clark • All Van Wert Middle School Staff

20. What’s Next? • Why do we do this? • Continual improvement: We can never stop working to improve our programs. • Support for professional development. • Focuses school on specific needs. • Recognition for what Van Wert Middle School has accomplished.

21. We are Van Wert! • Go Cougars! • “Whatever it takes.”