Yelnats Middle School

Mission

Caring professionals providing high quality education in a positive setting.

Goals

  • Raise writing scores by 10%
  • Increase attendance by 2%
  • Provide a safe environment for the educational process

Raise Writing Scores

Instruction:

  • Each content teacher will produce one quality portfolio piece from each class
  • Teams will coordinate writing assignments in order to produce a quality well-rounded portfolio
  • Science-transitive piece/feature article
  • Social Studies-editorial/brochure
  • Language Arts-personal narrative/reflection/short story
  • Math
  • Arts & Humanities

Professional Development:

  • Teachers will learn details about the composition and evaluation of the writing portfolio (1/2 day of non-flex in-service)
  • Teachers will be required to attend training on the development and implementation of the specific type of writing they will be producing with their students (1/2 day of non-flex in-service)
  • Teachers will participate if follow up session to monitor an improve instruction related to their specific writing pieces (1/2 day of non-flex in-service near midterm--1/2 day of non-flex in-service near portfolio completion)
  • Encourage and provide stipends for teachers who are willing to become certified in grading portfolios.
  • Encourage and provide stipends for teachers who are willing to participate in the Kentucky Teacher Writing Project.

Community Involvement

  • Ask for volunteers from local professionals and community to participate in the development and improvement of portfolio pieces
  • Incorporate motivational speakers into classes and the school for the purpose of emphasizing writing

Attendance

Incentives:

  • High attendance days
  • Door prizes for individuals and teams
  • Attendance Points
  • Coupons

  • Homework pass
  • Quiz pass
  • Drop score pass

  • Store in the Library students may buy items with attendance points

  • Cool pencils
  • Shirts
  • Compact disks
  • Hats

Teacher/Staff Responsibilities: (Concentrate on concern and caring for the students)

  • Attendance Clerk will call home of each and every student absent as soon as possible on a day of absent
  • Teachers always ask students why they missed school or class
  • Teachers and office keep and coordinate accurate records of attendance
  • Teachers and staff make a consistent effort to praise students for being at school

Community Involvement:

  • Ask for community and parent volunteers to help call home and check on absent students (concentrate on concern and caring for the students)
  • Recruit local businesses to provide rewards for students with high attendance
  • Ice cream Friday
  • Cookie Wednesday
  • Pizza coupon
  • Free movie rental

Safe School Plan

Instruction:

  • Students are required to participate in anger management/self-esteem/peer mediation seminars
  • YSC referrals
  • Reviews of referral data
  • Staff will promote a positive/caring environment
  • Be in the hall welcoming students to school and class
  • Interact with students in a caring manner
  • Use organizations such as DARE, police, and volunteers to involve students and teachers in a less academic setting

Professional Development:

Staff will receive training in:

  • Conflict resolution
  • Crisis management
  • Positive student/parent interactions
  • Conferencing

Community Involvement

  • YMCA
  • Police Department
  • DARE
  • Parent Community Volunteers