Intermediate School Model West Allis-West Milwaukee School District et al. Presented by Mrs. Joan Delaney K 12 Coordinator, Strategic Structural Plan for Student Success

Intermediate School Model What is the Intermediate School concept and specifically how will the Intermediate School function?

Approved Recommendations of the Structural Review Committee to the School Board of the District of West Allis – West Milwaukee et al. Strategic Structural Plan for Student Success Focused and aligned curriculum and instruction. Intermediate Level-must contain more than two grades. A specialized or “focus” schools should be considered The alternative high school/related programs relocated into an adequate facility.

Why Student Achievement Student Achievement Reading Reading Math Math More time for learning More time for learning Need to continue improving Need to continue improving Student Behavior Student Behavior Less transitions Less transitions Focus on student/teacher relationships and building a child-centered classroom. Focus on student/teacher relationships and building a child-centered classroom. Give students and parents greater opportunities to remain connected to school. Give students and parents greater opportunities to remain connected to school.

Measure of Academic Progress Data

(Behavior trend data using 06/07 data as an example)

Intermediate School Model Child Centered – At the Intermediate School level learning will be geared to meet the needs of each student while stressing rigor in a supportive and connected learning environment. The Teacher role is to help students inquire, formulate questions and solve strategically and think critically in an age of information. The program delivery is formatted after a K-8 concept which includes less transitions and greater student-teacher connections. Child Centered – At the Intermediate School level learning will be geared to meet the needs of each student while stressing rigor in a supportive and connected learning environment. The Teacher role is to help students inquire, formulate questions and solve strategically and think critically in an age of information. The program delivery is formatted after a K-8 concept which includes less transitions and greater student-teacher connections. The Intermediate Schools will focus on applying 21st Century Skills through all the content areas. The Intermediate Schools will focus on applying 21st Century Skills through all the content areas. Grade level designated area of the building and grade level assigned lunch times. Grade level designated area of the building and grade level assigned lunch times. A hand picked teachers and staff that are highly qualified according to NCLB with a keen interest in working in a smaller learning community and an ability to work in a child-centered approach with intermediate level students. A hand picked teachers and staff that are highly qualified according to NCLB with a keen interest in working in a smaller learning community and an ability to work in a child-centered approach with intermediate level students. Enrichment opportunities through the district GCT program. Enrichment opportunities through the district GCT program. Ongoing support through ESL and Special Education programming. Ongoing support through ESL and Special Education programming. Intermediate Students will be challenged and supported in all content areas with a highly qualified teaching team. Intermediate Students will be challenged and supported in all content areas with a highly qualified teaching team.

Sixth Grade Schedule Highlights Before Core ClassesBreakfast, Support and Enrichment Teacher 1 Up to 90 minutes of Literacy - Reading/Language Arts Up to 45 minutes of Social Studies - World Cultures/History Up to 45 minutes of World Languages or Double Dose 30 minutes Lunch/Recess/activity period - 6th grade only Up to 45 minutes of Performing Arts Class or General Music/Life Skills (each one semester) Up to 45 minutes of PE alternating with Technology Media/ Art Foundations (each one semester) Teacher 2 Up to 90 minutes of Math Up to 45 minutes of Science After Core Classes Opportunities

Seventh Grade Schedule Highlights Before core classes breakfast, enrichment, and support Teacher 1 Up to 90 minutes of Math - beginning pre-algebra or /pre-algebra Up to 45 minutes of Science - Integrated physical science Up to 45 minutes of World Language or Double Dose (reading and/or math) 30 minutes Lunch time and recess/activity time Up to 45 minutes of Fine Arts Block—(everyday all year) band, chorus, orchestra or Art Design (one semester)/ 21st Century Life Skills (one semester) Teacher 2 Up to 90 minutes of Literacy—Reading/Language Arts Up to 45 minutes of Social Studies (American History through U.S. Revolution) Up to 45 minutes of PE/ alternating every other day with specials (information media II, fabrications) After Core Classes Opportunities

Sixth and Seventh Grade Model Teacher 1 will teach the language arts/reading block and social studies. Teacher 1 will teach the language arts/reading block and social studies. Language Arts/Reading lessons will use a balanced literacy approach to reading instruction for each child based on assessments integrating 21st Century communication skills. Each day children will read, speak and listen. They will also write using the Six Traits of Writing model. Social Studies lessons will use the literacy skills developed in Language Arts/reading to support understanding of themes that relate to World Culture and history. Teacher 2 will teach the math and science block. Teacher 2 will teach the math and science block. Math lessons will be leveled appropriately for each child based on MAPS assessments focusing on the areas of algebra, geometry, number reasoning and problem solving. Science lessons and curriculum will apply math strategies through physical science concepts which are found in themes of earth, environmental, life, oceans, plant and space sciences.

Eighth Grade Schedule Highlights Before core classes breakfast, enrichment, and support Up to 55 minute classes World Language or Double Dose (reading and/or math) Teacher 1—Language Arts Teacher 2—Social Studies Teacher 3—Math pre-algebra and algebra placement Teacher 4—Science physical science, energy and forces focus 30 minutes Lunch time and recess/activity time Fine Arts Block— students attend class everyday (Performance music: band, chorus or orchestra Or Art Design II (one semester ) — Life Skills 8 (one semester) PE/ alternating every other day with FCE or Publication Media After Core Classes Opportunities

Integrated 21 st Century Skills Art will be offered alternating gym for one semester in 6th grade and as a fine arts option in 7th and 8th grade. Art will be offered alternating gym for one semester in 6th grade and as a fine arts option in 7th and 8th grade. Fabrication class will support the engineering and technology emphasis or school specialty. Fabrication class will support the engineering and technology emphasis or school specialty. FCE class will focus on 21st century skills in consumer economics, family living and nutrition science. FCE class will focus on 21st century skills in consumer economics, family living and nutrition science. Fine Arts Block will allow students to develop and pursue music options in 6th and fine arts options including performance music in 7th and 8th. Fine Arts Block will allow students to develop and pursue music options in 6th and fine arts options including performance music in 7th and 8th. Success Highways student services program which will help students make good choices and provide a structure for goal setting. Success Highways student services program which will help students make good choices and provide a structure for goal setting. Technology/Information Media class will offer students the opportunity to develop skills using software and media formats on the computer. Technology/Information Media class will offer students the opportunity to develop skills using software and media formats on the computer. World Language class will offer 6th and 7th grade Intermediate students the opportunity to begin level one of a world language. World Language class will offer 6th and 7th grade Intermediate students the opportunity to begin level one of a world language. Physical Education skills will build personal wellness skills and promote an understanding of health literacy Physical Education skills will build personal wellness skills and promote an understanding of health literacy

After School Programming Research shows that upper grade school children who are involved in activities are more highly motivated and academically successful. “Reach for the Stars”—age appropriate after school program similar to SAFE. Academic enrichment and support—similar to PASS Special Interest Areas under development include: Art Chess/Checkers Future Cities Math ActivitiesMusic Activities Science Fun Public Speaking DanceWeb Page Design Computer ActivitiesRecreational Games

Intermediate School Extra Curricular Athletics: please have your son/daughter see a physician during the summer to fill out physical forms before the beginning the school year. Athletics: please have your son/daughter see a physician during the summer to fill out physical forms before the beginning the school year. Cross country— boys and girls—September/October Cross country— boys and girls—September/October Basketball—boys—November/December Basketball—boys—November/December Basketball—girls—January/February Basketball—girls—January/February Wrestling—boys and girls—February/March Wrestling—boys and girls—February/March Track—boys and girls—April Track—boys and girls—April Drama Drama Band, Chorus and Orchestra Band, Chorus and Orchestra Pom Pons (Recreation Department) Pom Pons (Recreation Department) Student Council Student Council Video Club Video Club

Incentives/Activities Celebrations that support academic achievement, effort and citizenship will be a part of the Intermediate School’s culture. These will include: Assemblies and/or weekly/monthly celebrations Assemblies and/or weekly/monthly celebrations Student of the Month—academic, effort and citizenship Student of the Month—academic, effort and citizenship Honor Rolls will be kept on a quarterly basis Honor Rolls will be kept on a quarterly basis Lock-In—an activity filled evening of fun to celebrate positive academic and behavioral choices Lock-In—an activity filled evening of fun to celebrate positive academic and behavioral choices Recreation dances and activities are available through the recreation department Recreation dances and activities are available through the recreation department

Parent Partnerships Parents/Guardians will be kept in close communication through: - Website - Newsletter - communication of announcements - Newsletter - communication between teachers and parents - I-Campus communication of learning progress Parents/Guardians will be invited:  To work as a team with the Intermediate School staff to ensure that each child is meeting his/her learning goals.  To participate in the Intermediate School Learning Community  To join and become involved in the PTA  To volunteer for special events including: “Back to School Day”, assemblies, celebrations, dances, lock-in, ect.

Intermediate School Model Thank you for coming this evening. If you have further questions or concerns that you would like to discuss please call me at