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“A New View from the Middle” Pioneer Ridge Middle School Eastern Carver County Schools, District 112
“A New View from the Middle”
Pioneer Ridge Middle SchoolEastern Carver County Schools, District 112
• Secondary Redesign Team “Each Learner Prepared for Success”• Building Core Teams• Middle School Core Team Recommendations:
– Teaming– Schedule– Credit System– Encore and Elective Courses– Advisory/8th period– PRIDE
“Your current safe boundaries were once unknown frontiers.” Unknown
Redesign for ‘09
Secondary Core Teams• Pioneer Ridge Core team created mission
and vision statements• Eight teacher members representing
various grades, subjects, encore classes• Regular meetings + stipend• Multiple sub-committees formed for in-
depth work• Guided by secondary design team’s work
T R U S TParents, Community, Staff, Students
Excellence
Climate/RelationshipsSystemsCommunity/
Environment
Student Centered Learners Communication
PRMSPractice Respect, Model Success
I-Team Works collaboratively to solve
student problems, employ intervention ideas to promote
student success, and assess intervention methods to
measure progress of struggling learners.
Leadership Council
Reviews, coordinates, and advises other committees’ work to make sure we are
staying aligned with building and district goals. May assign work to one of the standing
committees as needed.
PRIDE/Sunshine Committee
Promotes a positive culture within the school – promote positive
behavior expectations, collect and share data, and work on PBIS policies. Promote a positive
environment for staff by celebrating special events and
creating opportunities for staff to know each other better.
Professional Development
Works to plan and facilitate building activities that focus on
building and district goals. Building Coordinator reports to
the Leadership Team.
Advisory
Revises and strengthens the advisory curriculum by
continually planning/reviewing curriculum, providing updates,
publishing calendars, etc.
NOTES
Work to eliminate overlap of committee work
All teaching staff - member of one committee
Committee decisions may be reviewed by the leadership team
Student Leadership Team
Organizes events and activities while promoting student culture throughout year.
Parent Teacher Org (PTO) Work towards goal of improving communication between school
and families to help build a strong school community.
The Pioneer Ridge Mission/Vision
• Practice ~ Sometimes difficult, always worth it!
• Respect ~ People, property, and community, all the time!
• Model ~ Make it happen, make it yours!
• Success ~ A process, not an endpoint!
Who are we?• Grades 6-8, opened this
year as district’s third middle school
• Enrollment: 711• Middle School
Framework- 2 6th grade teams/families; 1 7th, 1 8th and 1 7/8 team (looped)
• 13% diversity; 20-25 %FRL
• Feeder elementary schools (Chaska and Chan Elementary)
• Feed into both Chaska and Chan High School
• 2009-10: Teaching staff came primarily from East and West MS along with about 25 percent new staff; Support staff remained in the building
• Secondary Redesign Team “Each Learner Prepared for Success”
• Building Core Teams• Middle School Core Team Recommendations
–Teaming– Schedule– Credit System– Encore and Elective Courses– Advisory/8th period– PRIDE
“Your current safe boundaries were once unknown frontiers.” Unknown
Redesign for ‘09
Teaming/Families• Sixth Grade• Pathfinders/Explorers• Approximately 120
students per team
• Seventh Grade• Mavericks-Pure 7th
• Approximately 150 students
• Seventh/Eighth Grade
• Mountaineers-Mixed 7th and 8th. Pilot of looping students. 80 7th graders and 70 8th graders
• Eighth Grade• Vikings-Pure 8th
• Approximately 150 students
Student Success Day
Curriculum Connections
Day
Nuts and Bolts Day
Grade Level/Content Department
Day
WednesdaysBefore/After
School
1. Student recognition 2. Student concerns 3. Student meetings/conferences 4. Meet with counselors, case managers5. IEP meetings6. Thumbs Up7. I Team Update
1. Test/project calendar2. Integrated curriculum planning3. Professional development (reading strategies, data, block strategies, lesson planning)
1. Field trips2. Team activities (student celebrations, social events) 3. Future agenda items4. Update communication tools (websites, moodle)5. Parent/Home communication6. Leadership Council Update
1. Plan lessons within content area.2. Professional development (differentiation, lesson planning)*Time TBD by Dept./Content area
1st – Middle School Curriculum Departments2nd and 4th –All Family Team (Advisory, Updates, Student Success)3rd – Staff meetings*Replaces Team Mtg
Staff-to-Staff Teaming• First staff meeting as a new building• “Me bags” and paper plate activity • Revealing Your True Colors activity• T-shirts and PRMS apparel • Book club• Social get-togethers before each staff
meeting• PRIDE committee• Staff outings• Social get-togethers • Weekly bulletin kudos and monthly drawings
for parking space and class coverage.
Including ALL staff in the Vision!
• Secondary Redesign Team “Each Learner Prepared for Success”
• Building Core Teams• Middle School Core Team Recommendations
– Teaming
–Schedule– Credit System– Encore and Elective Courses– Advisory/8th period– PRIDE
“Your current safe boundaries were once unknown frontiers.” Unknown
Redesign for ‘09
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1st Period7:30 – 8:19
1st Period7:30 – 8:19 2nd
7:30 -9:041st
7:30 -9:04
1st Period7:30 – 8:19
2nd Period8:23 – 9:15
2nd Period8:23 – 9:151
2nd Period8:23 – 9:151
3rd Period9:15 – 10:03
3rd Period9:15 – 10:03 4th
9:08 – 10:403rd
9:08 – 10:40
3rd Period9:15 – 10:03
4th Period10:07 – 10:55
4th Period10:07 – 10:55
4th Period10:07 – 10:55
5th Period10:59 – 12:15
*including lunches
5th Period10:59 – 12:15
*including lunches6th
10:44 – 12:44*including lunches
5th10:44 – 12:44
*including lunches
5th Period10:59 – 12:15
*including lunches
6th Period12:19 – 1:07
6th Period12:19 – 1:07
6th Period12:19 – 1:07
7th Period1:11 – 1:59
7th Period1:11 – 1:59
ADVISORY12:48 – 2:20
7th12:48 – 2:20
7th Period1:11 – 1:59
Advisory2:02-2:20
Advisory2:02-2:20
Advisory2:02-2:20
•Trimesters – 12 week classes
•Hexters – 6 week classes
•A Day and B Day Classes
September Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday7 Labor Day
8 Day A
9 Day B
10 Day A
11 Day B
14 Day A
15 Day B
16 Day A
Block
17 Day A
Block
18 Day B
21 Day A
22 Day B
23 Day B
Block
24 Day B
Block
25 Day A
28 Day A
29 Day B
30Day ABlock
1Day ABlock
2 Day B
• Secondary Redesign Team “Each Learner Prepared for Success”
• Building Core Teams• Middle School Core Team Recommendations
– Teaming– Schedule
–Credit System– Encore and Elective Courses– Advisory/8th period– PRIDE
“Your current safe boundaries were once unknown frontiers.” Unknown
Redesign for ‘09
Middle School Counts!• To align with high school credit system and language• Each trimester course earns 1 credit, hexters are ½
credit, advisory 1 credit per year• Total 22 middle school credits• Support systems established:
– Program for Academic Student Success (PASS)– Saturday School - SOAR Alternative Program– Credit Recovery - COMPASS After-School– Summer School - Club Mid– Literacy Lab/Rd 180 - Math Lab
• Secondary Redesign Team “Each Learner Prepared for Success”
• Building Core Teams• Middle School Core Team Recommendations
– Teaming– Schedule– Credit System
–Encore and Elective Courses– Advisory/8th period– PRIDE
“Your current safe boundaries were once unknown frontiers.” Unknown
Redesign for ‘09
•Art•Communication Arts-Sixth Grade•Core Electives-Sixth Grade•Computer Technology•Family and Consumer Science•Performing Arts•Personal Wellness•Technology Education
Encores and Electives
• Secondary Redesign Team “Each Learner Prepared for Success”
• Building Core Teams• Middle School Core Team Recommendations
– Teaming– Schedule– Credit System– Encore and Elective Courses
–Advisory/8th period– PRIDE
“Your current safe boundaries were once unknown frontiers.” Unknown
Redesign for ‘09
Advisory• Rigor, Relevance and Relationships
• Authentic vs. Contrived
District 112 Mission: “To prepare each learner for successful completion of a post-
secondary education program, life-long learning, career opportunity, and meaningful contribution as a citizen of the local
and global community by proving personalized, rigorous, and relevant learning experiences.”
Advisory ScheduleKey Components
AdvisoryCurriculum
Post Secondary
Advisory Advisory
Video Clips for Character Education
No Advisory Advisory
PRIDE/PBIS
Academic Skills for Success
Service LearningOR
Second Step Teambuilding
Announcements Announcements
Assembly/Team
Celebration Announcements
18 minutes 18 minutes92
minutes No advisory 18 minutes
PRIDEPositive Behavior Intervention Systems (PBIS)
"We are Prepared and Respectful while demonstrating Integrity, Dependability and Excellence.”
• Expectation Matrixes are posted in the classrooms, hallways, buses, bathrooms/locker rooms, lunch, activities, common areas
The PRIDE Program is a program that sets standards, defines quality and success and identifies which behaviors are valued and rewarded.
A positive learning culture pulls students to perform and behave at their very best.
“We are Prepared and Respectful while demonstrating Integrity, Dependability and Excellence.”
P.R.I.D.E. AllSettings
Classroom Hallways Bus Bathroom/Locker Room
Lunch Activities Common Areas
Self
•Represent yourself well•Dress app-ropriately•PositiveAttitude•Be safe
•Be prepared•Try your best•Focus on learning•Participate•Seek help when needed
•Walk•Use a pass, get back to class
•Sit appropri-ately•Watch for your stop•Wait in your seat
•Practice good personal hygiene
•Make healthy choices
•Present your “best” self•Follow activity rules
•Be kind to others•Be social
Others
•Be polite and cooperate•Support & encourage others•Use appropriate language and volume•Keep distractions at home
•Follow directions•Wait your turn•Cooperate with group work•Be on time•Respect others’ ideas•Listen
•Greet others•Hands to yourself•Keep hallway passable (stay right)•Be kind•Quiet voice
•Keep aisle clear•Show pass when needed•Be kind•Quiet voice•Hands to yourself•Thank your driver
•Give others personal space•Be kind•Dress or use facilities quickly•Please flush•Respect privacy
•Cooperate •Wait your turn•Practice good manners• Maintain personal space•Include others
•Interact positively•Focus on the activity•Respect coaches, volunteers, chaperones and host
•Hands to yourself•Be kind•Greet others appropri-ately•Use appropriate volumeately
Property•Respect facilities & materials•Report problems•Recycle•Manage your possessions•Gum Free
•Be kind to learning materials•Keep classroom clean•Take only materials that you need
•Pick-up trash•Shut lockers gently•Respect walls and halls, keep them clean
•Use seats appropriately•Keep bus clean•Objects and body parts stay inside the bus
•Keep bathrooms/ locker rooms clean•Use facilities appropriately•Respect others’ property
•Keep lunch area clean•Pay for lunch items•Recycle
•Clean up after yourself•Show respect to activity materials
•Keep common areas clean•Pick-up trash
Implementation of PRIDE• “Keep Blazing with PRIDE”
tickets– recognize the little things
• “TRAILBLAZING” tickets– the big things everyone
deserves recognition for• 5 Keep Blazing tickets = 1
Trailblazing ticket• Advisors keep track
of/organize
• “Stop & Think” tickets– don’t let the little things go
unnoticed…they can become big
• “Behavior Improvement Plan”– addresses more serious
negative behaviors• 5 Stop & Think tickets = 1 BIP• Advisors keep track
of/organize
*Students are responsible for filling it out, signing it, and handing it back to the teacher
who assigned it
Academic Skills for Success
• Planner use• Organization and time management• DEAR – Drop Everything and Read• Student portal• Individual student/teacher conference• Set individual academic and personal goals • Where, when and how to effectively study• Test taking strategies• Motivating yourself• Self-advocacy
Post Secondary Post Secondary/Career Exploration
activities support all students in acquiring the knowledge, understanding, skills and character traits necessary for future success. Middle level students often need help identifying who they are as an individual, their world, researching their options, and planning for high school and beyond.
Service Learning Service learning is a form of experiential learning
whereby students apply content knowledge, critical thinking and good judgment to address genuine needs. The themes of service learning center around the following areas:
• Leaders and making a difference• Heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow• Service learning in action• School wide = Hearts for Haiti/Recycling • Grade 6 = state level (363 Project of donating sandwiches to
the homeless)• Grade 7 = national level (Impact Lives - similar to Feed My
Starving Children)• Grade 8 = world level (H20 Project of providing usable water
in impoverished countries)
Second Step The Second Step violence prevention program integrates
social and emotional learning with academics. Kids learn and practice vital social skills such as the following:
• empathy for others• cooperation• substance abuse prevention • bullying and violence prevention • communication skills• managing emotions and coping • problem solving, decision making and goal setting
Character Education Video Clips
Character education film clips are short film excerpts from major motion pictures which can be used as teaching resources for students. Some of the themes from the episodes include honesty, cooperation, respect, sportsmanship, kindness, self-control, courage, loyalty and perseverance.
Movie:Teen Wolf
Theme: Caring for others
The Sandlot Including others
Bringing Down the House
When it’s hard to listen
Forrest Gump
Sensitivity to others
Team Building Team building activities are designed to
build a sense of community and connections between the following:
• Students to students• Staff to students• Staff to staff• Staff to parents/community
First Friday
Students-to-Students
• Team meetings and get-togethers• Relay races and fun outdoor activities• Displays and bulletin boards celebrating birthdays, athletic
achievements, academic success and artwork• Various competitions such as football picks, hockey picks• Blending of advisory groups for various games and activities• Spirit Week• Field trips
Staff-to-Students• Staff “Me bags” at team meetings• Lunch with the teachers• Staff pictures on the bulletin board• Team advisory photos• Various incentives for school camaraderie• Assemblies at beginning and end of the year• Staff and students slide show at the end of the year• Field trips such as 6th grade Deep Portage trip• Welcome and farewell to students as a staff• Book clubs• Support to students before and after school• Good news postcards
Staff to Parents/Community• Establish a PTO• Diversity Club• Parent volunteers• Open House• Monthly newsletter• Surveys and evaluations from parents• Websites with Parent Portal• What’s Cool in Our School – 6th grade Immigration Day• Fine Arts Night
“A New View from the Middle”
Pioneer Ridge Middle SchoolEastern Carver County Schools, District 112
