John Hanson Middle School Waldorf, MD

1. John Hanson Middle SchoolWaldorf, MD Reaching Students in the Yellow Zone

2. JHMS Motto Our motto focuses on two pillars of character: Responsibility and Respect. “Responsible behavior means respecting M.O.E.” M = Myself O = Others E = Environment

3. Ten Strategies That Work…for us, at least. 1. MOE Money 2. Personal Responsibility (Student of Month/Agenda Drawings) 3. Battle of the Homebases/Battle of the Classes 4. Mentoring Groups 5. M.A.P. (Making Achievement Possible) 6. Skills/Grades Plus 7. College Knowledge 8. Golden Broom Awards 9. Job Shadow Day 10. End-of-year Incentives (Field Trips)

4. MOE money can be given toall studentsfromall adultsin the building. MOE money from substitute teachers is worth double value. Student contest was used to determine the appearance of MOE money. Students can do the following with their MOE money: Place them in drop-boxes for bi-weekly drawings Cash them in to teachers (teacher discretion) Cash them in for grade level prizes (electric scooters, etc.) School Store Items (pencils, CD players, etc…) Lunch Snacks (ice cream, pop-tarts, etc..) Dance Tickets In-School Movie MOE Money

5. Personal Responsibility • Student of the Month • Five students per grade level are chosen each month for demonstrating that month’s focus trait. • Each student receives a prize and has their photo displayed in the hallway. • Character traits include: Responsibility, Cooperation, Compassion, Pride, Perseverance, Respect, Self-Discipline, Honesty, and Fairness. • Agenda Drawings • Each Friday, five agenda numbers are called during the morning announcements. • If those students have up-to-date agendas (all assignments recorded and organized), they may receive a ticket to go into the treasure chest for a prize.

6. Battle of the Homebases/Battle of the Classes Points are tallied for each homebase in the following categories: • MOE Money • Student of the Month • Honor Roll • Perfect Attendance • Marked Academic Improvement • Quarterly Homebase Athletic Competitions (4th quarter Battle of the Classes: 6th vs. 7th vs. 8th) Results for each grade are reported to the students and the winning class is given a barbeque at the end of the school year.

7. Mentoring Groups 1. Young Achievers • Male students who have multiple behavior referrals (Yellow and Red Zone) are identified. • Students meet with a mentor on a weekly basis. • Respect and etiquette are modeled for the students. • Grades and referrals are monitored for the students and individual behavioral objectives are identified. • Reward systems are established to encourage desired grades and behaviors. (Computers were given to the students that consistently improved.) • Grades improved and office referrals decreased in 60% for the students.

8. Mentoring Groups 2. Ladies of Success • Female students with multiple office referrals (Red and Yellow Zone). • Meet on a weekly basis to model respect and etiquette and to create behavioral goals. • Sometimes meet with the Young Achievers in order to model respectful interactions. • The Step Squad was created as an outlet for these students and includes most of the Ladies of Success. • Grades and office referrals are monitored.

9. M.A.P. (Making Achievement Possible) • M.A.P. was designed to create diverse peer groups and opportunities for Yellow Zone students to interact with academic role models. • All students were placed into heterogeneous groupings. • Each group was assigned a faculty M.A.P. coach to guide them for three years. • Groups met once a month to complete PBIS/Character Education lessons, complete goal setting, and to discuss student-centered issues.

10. Skills/Grades Plus • Skills Plus was designed to build self-confidence in students who struggle academically. • Each staff member was assigned one student who tested in the Basic range on Math or Reading on the 2005 MSA. • 45-minute sessions were held each Tuesday • Sessions focused on strategic reading, math remediation, and test-taking strategies. • Grades Plus added for students in danger of failing the grade level – sessions focus on individual student needs.

11. College Knowledge • College Knowledge is a collaborative project between Guidance and Gifted Education. • All 7th grade students attended an information session about the logistics and benefits of pursuing a post-high school education. • One goal of College Knowledge is to make Yellow Zone students realize that higher education is not for merely a select group.

12. Golden Broom Award • Designed to promote respect for the environment. • Each week, one classroom per instructional area (6 areas) is presented with the Golden Broom for being the cleanest and most conducive to learning. • Students receive MOE Money and other incentives for contributing to the building’s appearance.

13. Job Shadow Day • One day every February, students are invited to spend the day learning what goes on behind the scenes at John Hanson Middle School. • Staff members from all areas of the building are represented (teachers, administrators, guidance, secretaries, building service, supporting services). • A diverse group of students participate in this event. Yellow Zone students are often chosen to create opportunities for positive interactions with staff members.

14. End-of-Year Incentives • 7th and 8th grade students are rewarded for positive behavior with eligibility for the following events: • 7th/8th Grade Class Field Trip • 8th Grade Semi-Formal • 8th Grade Slide Show • To maintain eligibility, students must maintain: • Positive Behavior • Academic Achievement

15. Yellow Zone Interventions How did these interventions impact our data?

16. 2003-04 School Year Total Referrals: 973 Disrespect: 313 Fighting: 98 Inappropriate Lang: 51 Harassment: 33 Disruption: 48 2004-05 School Year Total Referrals: 515 Disrespect: 79 Fighting: 48 Inappropriate Lang: 15 Harassment: 5 Disruption: 9 Office Referrals

17. Contact Us! John Hanson Middle School 12350 Vivian Adams Drive Waldorf, MD 20601 Phone: (301) 753-1783 Fax: (301) 870-1182 Deborah Hile, Principal dhile@ccboe.com