Walters Middle School Conversion STEAM Magnet Proposal 2018-19

Outcomes for Tonight’s Meeting Review Timeline Discuss STEAM proposal for Walters Middle School Address and/or Record concerns and questions

Important Dates Monday, April 10 6:00-7:00 Kennedy Attendance Area STEAM Magnet Walters Junior High School Gym Monday, May 15 6:00-7:30 Middle School Task Force Open Forum Walters Junior High Gym Wednesday, May 24 STEAM presentation to the FUSD School Board District Office Board Room 6:00 Walters Middle School Conversion 2018-19

Conversion in 2018-19 Walters Junior High becomes Walters Middle School All 6th grade students in Kennedy attendance area will attend Walters starting in Fall 2018-19 Transfer students may return to their neighborhood elementary school (pending space) for 6th grade and then attend neighborhood junior high for 7th and 8th

Walters Middle School - Proposed STEAM Model STEAM magnet schools focus curriculum, instruction, and extracurricular programs on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics Proposed implementation model for Walters: STEAM Model Partial Immersion: Describes a non-traditional school experience where STEAM experiences are integrated into the curriculum. (STEAM in elective, science, ELA, social studies, and math)

Benefits of a STEAM program Offering STEAM programs raises achievement overall Innovative curriculum (Project Based Learning, inquiry instruction, etc) increases student engagement Students attending magnet schools are more likely to exhibit positive academic attitudes and behaviors than their peers enrolled in traditional public schools Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary STEAM instruction: increased relevance and rigor Greater parent and teacher satisfaction STEAM is a valuable tool for helping improve English for English Learners

Intended impact on teaching and learning Goal 1 Improve student attitudes toward STEAM by providing students a challenging learning environment focused on math, science, art, and technology and fostering a culture of innovation Goal 2 Improve student performance and engagement in math and science by applying math and science concepts to real world problems Goal 3 Increase the number of students who enroll in STEAM related electives and fields of study in high school Goal 4 Increase STEM literacy for all students, including those who do not pursue additional study in the STEM disciplines Goal 5 Increase STEM participation of underrepresented groups especially African Americans, Hispanics, and low-income students

How will we measure success? Smarter Balanced Assessment and California Assessment in Science Test scores Increased enrollment and interest in STEAM related electives and fields of study in high school Benchmark assessment data Teacher observations of student engagement and student problem solving skills Increased parent involvement

Timeline from conception to full implementation Date Plan 2016-2017 Community Outreach Teacher Outreach Presentation to School Board 2017-2018 Establish leadership team to determine goals and vision Continued Community Engagement Develop implementation plan Outreach to county office and surrounding districts Identify needs and resources Begin professional development Establish partnerships (Regional Occupation Program, local businesses, Math Science Nucleus) 2018-2019 Program Implementation Continued professional development

Resources Needed Category Resources Needed Facilities/Materials Staff Completion of facilities expansion to accommodate 6th grade (will address labs and flex rooms) Technology infrastructure upgrade and increased accessibility to laptop carts Staff Extensive Professional Development Teachers needed for additional 6th grade students (Transfer or new hire) Potentially more electives teachers (elective wheel at 6th grade) Supplies Science Lab Materials Art and Design Thinking Resources Project Lead the Way Supplies Makerspace Flex Room These bulleted focuses on impact rather than what are you going to need to make this happen

Admissions Students who live in the Walters attendance area will automatically attend unless they choose to apply (pending space available) for an interdistrict transfer Depending on space available, at the end of 5th grade, students who do not live in the Walters attendance area may apply to attend Walters STEAM Middle School Current Projections: 477 Incoming 6th graders (Expansion will provide approximately 500 spaces)

Developing Partnerships Continued Mission Valley Regional Opportunity (ROP) Partnerships Walters Parent Science Nights (beginning in April) City of Fremont (FUSE) Local Businesses/Manufacturing Corporations

Preparing for Success: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) school blueprint to guide planning and implementation Collaboration time Professional development Explicit and intentional Professional Development to support Special Education and English Language Learners Strong academic supports Small school size Strong support from district office Next Steps Community Meetings (April 10) Middle School Task Force Open Forum (May 15) Board approval

Possible 6th Grade Schedule: CORE 1 English Language Arts & Social Studies CORE 2 Math & Science CORE 3 Physical Education CORE 4 Elective (Part of an elective wheel)

MakerSpace Classroom environment that allows students to achieve through making things and learn through hands on design Engineering Overlap: Problems to solve, criteria and constraints Identify flaws in proposed solution Strengths and limitations of design Effectiveness, efficiency, durability under different conditions Test (design process) → Optimize