Monson Public School’s Restructuring Proposal

1. Monson Public School’s Restructuring Proposal First Public Forum October 6, 2010 Granite Valley Middle School First Public Forum

2. Our Mission & Vision • Prepare students for living, learning and working in the 21st Century • Maximize learning for students to reach their academic, social and civic potential. First Public Forum

3. The Challenge • Look deeply into: • What we do • How we do it • How it will impact educational opportunities for students First Public Forum

4. Considerations • Academic rigor • Differentiation of individual students needs • Post High School expectations • Co-curricular & Extra-curricular opportunities and experiences • Fiscal responsibilities • Sustainability as a quality organization • Ability to be a learning and growing organization First Public Forum

5. PROPOSAL • Two Major changes in the present organizational structure of the Monson Public Schools • Students in grades 11 and 12 would have the opportunity to participate in an individualized educational model consisting of the following alternatives: • Traditional High School Model • Project Based educational Model • Dual Enrolment opportunities • Community/Work Based experiences • Virtual School opportunities First Public Forum

6. PROPOSAL • Small school environment grades 8-10 (at Monson High School). Integrated approach to instruction and learning with the focus on meeting High School, District, State and National standards and assessments First Public Forum

7. Post Secondary Education Paths to Individual Student Success TRADITIONAL MODEL DUAL ENROLLMENT WORK/COMM BASED PROJECT BASED VIRTUAL SCHOOL Grades 11 and 12: Individually designed program to address the student’s strengths, aspirations and expectations. Focus of program is to prepare students to have the skills necessary to be successful in post-secondary opportunities as well as having the necessary skill to be a productive individual in the 21st century. Grades 8 to 10: Traditional integrated approach to instruction and learning. Programs to focus on meeting High School, District, State and National Standards. Achievement is measured by successful completion of required assessments. First Public Forum

8. What will the 8th Grade Look Like at MHS? • “Hybrid” Model combines benefits of high school environment with middle school teaming. • 8th graders will follow same 4x4 long block • 84 minute periods • Freshmen survey data shows they prefer the pacing of a long block more than traditional schedule: • 94% in favor in 2008 • 98% in favor in 2007 • 92% in favor in 2006 • Honor Roll status will be available for 8th graders First Public Forum

9. Facility Layout • 8th graders will have lockers on 1st floor • Separates 8th graders from 11th & 12th graders who have lockers on 2nd and 3rd floors • 8th grade content teachers will be located near their content area colleagues • Improves collaboration within content areas • 8th grade content teachers will have common prep period to allow for TEAM collaboration and consultation First Public Forum

10. Academic Schedule • “A” Block will be 8th grade Exploratory • Music (Band and/or Chorus) • Art • Technology Education • Physical Education • Health • Career Exploration • Each Exploratory runs for 8 weeks • Music option runs all year with alternating days First Public Forum

11. Schedule (Cont.) • 8th Graders will choose between Spanish I or Global Studies • Spanish I will result in MHS credit • Both options will run for full 90 day long block (FY equivalent) • 8th Graders will choose between Algebra I or Math 8 • Algebra I will result in MHS credit • Both math options will run for the entire year (equivalent of two years of math) First Public Forum

12. Schedule (Cont.) • English 8 and Science 8 will alternate days for the entire year. • Equates to FY for both courses. • Ensures students are exposed to both courses leading to Spring MCAS tests • History will run for 90 day long block (FY equivalent) First Public Forum

13. Sample Schedule First Public Forum

14. Lunch • A new lunch block will be added to the schedule • This new lunch will ONLY include 8th graders • This ensures 8th graders are separate from high school students during lunch • Lunch will split students’ third block class • Students report to class, then lunch, then return to class First Public Forum

15. Curriculum: What will remain? • Relative to 8th grade • Still experience 8th grade curriculum that is aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Standards and local objectives for the grade level • Encore will continue to be offered • Will maintain grade level teaming First Public Forum

16. Curriculum: What will remain? • Relative to grades 9-12 • Will continue to experience curriculum that is aligned to the state curriculum standards and local objectives • Will have access to programs that are currently available First Public Forum

17. Curriculum: What will be added? • Relative to 8th grade • Expanded content teaming would become a resource for 8th grade teachers • Block Schedule • Time on learning would be increased in core content areas • Access to co/extra curricular activities First Public Forum

18. Curriculum: What will be added? • Relative to grades 8-12: College and Career Readiness • MassCore Recommendations • How Proposal Relates to MassCore • Foreign Language will become available to students in grade 8 • Career Education would be offered to 8th grade in the high school environment • Flexibility and option to accelerate through columns First Public Forum

19. What will effect be at GVMS? • Greater flexibility with scheduling • Additional Science Lab for grades 5 and 6 • Access to Kitchen for special projects • More space for test-taking and other accommodations • Possible expansion of Encore Choice Day to all grades First Public Forum

20. Curriculum: What will remain? • Students in grades 5-7 will continue to experience curriculum that is aligned to the state curriculum standards and local objectives • Will continue to have access to programs that are currently available • Horizontal and limited vertical teaming First Public Forum

21. Curriculum: What will be added? • Provides ability to develop more supports for students by the creation of a smaller learning environment First Public Forum

22. Special Education • Services will continue to be I.E.P driven • Transition meetings will occur for the purpose of scheduling and communicating student needs • Annual reviews for current 7th and 8th graders will be scheduled for an additional transition meeting First Public Forum

23. Psychological and Emotional Impact of Transition for Students • Developmentally 8th and 9th graders are the same; this is not really different from the former Jr./Sr. High model • The grade 8-10 school-within-a school model will provide structure and support • Opportunities to continue current grade 8 traditions will be available in the new structure First Public Forum

24. Psychological and Emotional Impact of Transition for Students cont. • Additional support mechanisms will be provided • Additional counselor who can focus on grade 8 emotional and academic needs • Advisory program for all 8th graders • Added career exploration class as part of exploratory • Appropriate closure and transition activities will occur for current 7th graders to move to 8th grade at MHS • Parental attitude and beliefs will influence how your child feels about moving to the high school as an 8th grader First Public Forum

25. Next Steps • Establish working groups to: • Further develop details about specific areas of this proposal • Address concerns and identified obstacles • Gather additional input from staff, students, parents and the community at large • Prepare further recommendations to the Administrative Team First Public Forum

26. Working Groups • Virtual Education • Dual Enrollment • Capstone Project Based Education • Work Community Based Education • Graduation Requirements/Student Services • 8th Grade Transition • Cost Budget Impact • Contact – Pat Dardenne - 267-4150 DardenneP@monsonschools.com First Public Forum

27. For More Information or Questions • Please visit our web site at http://www.monsonschools.com • Email • Mr. Patrice Dardenne, Superintendent DardenneP@monsonschools.com • Mrs. Linda Carrier, Director of Curriculum CarrierL@monsonschools.com • Mrs. Cheryl Clarke, Principal at GVMS ClarkeC@monsonschools.com • Mrs. Nicole Heroux, Director of Pupil Services HerouxN@monsonschools.com • Dr. Andrew Linkenhoker, Assistant Principal MHS LinkenhokerA@monsonschools.com First Public Forum

28. Questions and Answers First Public Forum