St. Michael-Albertville Middle School Transition Committee Recommendation

1. St. Michael-Albertville Middle School Transition Committee Recommendation 2009-10

2. A. Establish two highly effective middle school programs that provide consistent educational experiences within our school. St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West

3. B. Implement the Boomerang Project program titled “WEB” (Where Everybody Belongs) to improve the transition for students from the elementary setting to the middle school setting. • WEB • “Where Everybody Belongs” • The Boomerang Project • www.boomerangproject.com

4. C. Focus towards grade level neighborhoods or pods within each middle school setting.

7. D. Complete minimal structural changes within the allotted budget to both middle school buildings. STMA MS West 1. Exterior name of school and signage 2. Interior name of school and signage 3. Install locker shelf at appropriate height 4. Minor classroom modifications • (i.e. lowering white board/smart board.) STMA MS East 1. Exterior name of school and signage 2. Interior name of school and signage

8. E. Include fifth grade students in our multi-age advisory program. KORT/AR Schedule • Monday: DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) • Tuesday: LCQ (Lion’s Club Quest) • Wednesday: LCQ • Thursday: DEAR • Friday: LCQ, Games, Community Building Activities

9. K O R T E = A Excellent S = C Satisfactory U = F Unsatisfactory A R • Brings a book every DEAR day and reads • Meets or exceeds AR goal • Brings a book most DEAR days and reads • Shows adequate progress towards AR goal • Rarely brings a book on DEAR days and/or usually doesn’t read • Not meeting AR goal Q U E S T • Above average participation in class/group discussions and other KORT activities (i.e. door decorating) • Above average completion of Quest requirements (reading articles, answering questions, responding in journal, etc.) • Positive and/or encouraging attitude • Average participation in class/group discussions and other KORT activities (i.e. door decorating) • Average completion of Quest requirements (reading articles, answering questions, responding in journal, etc.) • Average attitude • Little to no participation in class/group discussions and other KORT activities (i.e. door decorating) • Little to no completion of Quest requirements (reading articles, answering questions, responding in journal, etc.) • Poor attitude The grade earned in KORT counts toward students’ GPA.

10. F. Focus the core academic instructional time for fifth grade students consistent with the elementary model. Students would travel with their homeroom class with fewer transitions.

11. CORE includes Math Language Arts Science Social Studies (Geography and US History) ALB – Active Learning Block Industrial Technology (IT) Family and Consumer Science (FACS) Art and Media Art Keyboarding General Music Spanish Fit For Life Health and Physical Education Project Lead the Way MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSES

12. CORE ALB CLASSES * Students are scheduled for Phy Ed on a three day rotation during their ALB classes.

13. The School Day • Our school day is from 8:30 – 3:05. The building will be open at 8:00 a.m. for students to enter. • Students participate in a 25 minute KORT Advisory Program (Reading, Lion’s Quest & Community Building) • Students attend 4 – 52 minute CORE class periods • Students explore ALB classes on a trimester system • Students will have phy ed once every three days throughout the school year. This rotation will occur during each of their 12 week ALB classes. Students provide their own gym/swim wear. • Each grade level eats lunch together during a 30 minute period of time. Students eat lunch first and then enjoy recess at the middle school. Salad bar, lunch and ala carte items are available to students during each lunch period. Students use ID Cards to purchase their lunch.

14. Sample 5th Grade DAILY CLASS SCHEDULE - STMA MIDDLE SCHOOL Warning Bell 8:25 KORT 8:30 – 8:55 1) Responsive Hour 9:00 – 9:52 2) 9:56 – 10:48 LUNCH 10:50– 11:20 3) 11:24– 12:16 4) 12:20 – 1:12 5) 1:16 – 2:08 6) 2:12 – 3:05

15. St. Michael – Albertville Middle School2008-2009 Class Schedule

16. St. Michael – Albertville Middle School2008-2009 Class Schedule

17. G. Create programming that is educationally appropriate and specific to the needs of fifth grade students within Responsive Hour. • Responsive Hour • The ultimate goal within the Responsive Hour is to assure the basic math and reading skills of all students while providing enrichment classes at a variety of levels for students demonstrating proficiency. • Students who have demonstrated a need for additional assistance in the area of reading and/or math will be scheduled for classes to address that achievement gap. • Students who demonstrate proficiency within their basic math and reading skills will have a choice of enrichment classes to participate in. • Band and Choir Students will experience 4 quarter ALB classes in addition to their musical selection. • Non Band/Choir students will participate in the same 4 quarter ALB classes and have the opportunity to choose from a menu of enrichment courses. • Band and Choir are each a full year commitment.

19. 6th Grade Responsive Hour Classes

20. H. Only when necessary, designate areas within school buses for students to sit that is age appropriate. • Data-driven decision based on: • Current referral data • Current secondary/elementary expectations • Siblings assigned same routes • 2007-08 Bus Referrals • Number of incidents regarding high school/middle school students: 3 • Number of students receiving one or more referrals: 56 (approx. 5% of our population)

21. I. Create equal opportunity for middle school students to access the district pool.

22. J. Support the Activity Committee’s Recommendation that middle school activities with the appropriate numbers and facilities to support two separate programs be held at both sites. Activities unable to sustain themselves as two separate programs or those with facilities limitations would combine participants at the most appropriate site.

23. K. Include fifth grade students within our Exploratory Day opportunities with the modifications of activities that would be of concern with multi-age participants through our Exploratory Day Committee. • http://middleschool.stma.k12.mn.us/Exploratory_Day.php • Each Middle School will have one exploratory day each year. The winter and spring dates for exploratory day will rotate on a yearly basis.

24. L. Continue Middle School Activity Nights sponsored by Student Council for students grades 5-8. Both middle school sites will be utilized to facilitate activities and to include students for grades 5 & 6 in one school and grades 7 & 8 within the second middle school setting.

25. M. Playground Equipment will not be installed at the middle school sites. • Data-driven decision based on: • Staff Input • 5th graders play four square, jump rope, football, and hang out with friends • 5th graders do not use/are not interested in playground equipment • Input from other 5-8 schools • Dassel-Cokato- older kids sit on equipment to visit but don’t use • District 197 – students exceeded equipment weight restrictions • Current options at middle level • Football, basketball, four square, jump ropes, media center

26. STMA Middle School Boundary 2009-10

27. St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East • Students living south of County Rd. 119 continuing east on County Road 35 and State Highway 241 to the intersection of MacIver/Larabee Ave and students east of MacIver/Larabee Ave continuing north on Barthel Industrial Drive • This includes students within the current St. Michael Elementary Boundary and students attending Big Woods Elementary with a residence east of McIver/Larabee Ave.

28. St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West • Students living north of County Rd. 119 continuing east on County Road 35 and State Highway 241 to the intersection of MacIver/Larabee Ave and students west of MacIver/Larabee Ave continuing north on Barthel Industrial Drive • This includes students within the current Fieldstone Elementary Boundary and students attending Big Woods Elementary with a residence west of McIver/Larabee Ave.

29. Open Enrolled Students • Students living outside of the district will be placed to provide the most equivalent programming at both middle schools • A consideration made during the Boundary Recommendation was: • Initial numbers will be higher in the current MS which has slightly less capacity • To be better balanced with open enrollment • Space available deemed adequate for 4 year plan • Placement of open enrolled students will be presented to the school board in December • Open enrolled students/families will be notified of school placement upon approval

30. Students living south of County Rd. 119 continuing east on County Road 35 and State Highway 241 to the intersection of MacIver/Larabee Ave and students east of MacIver/Larabee Ave continuing north on Barthel Industrial Drive This includes students within the current St. Michael Elementary Boundary and students attending Big Woods Elementary with a residence east of McIver/Larabee Ave.

31. 5th Grade in the Middle School- YES! • Positive transitional programming into the middle school setting through WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) • New opportunities (KORT, Activity Nights, Exploratory Days) • Continued elementary model programming for fifth grade within the homeroom class • Designated neighborhood for 5th grade students

32. Twice As Many Schools, Twice As Many Opportunities • Increased student unity and student connectedness with staff within smaller school settings • Increased space for learning • Increased student academic Opportunities (Student Councils, Band/Choir Classes, Math Counts, etc.) • Increased access to technology • Twice as much playing time and leadership opportunity in activities offered at both sites