NELMS Discussion Groups up and running!

Discuss Dazed and Confused - New Educators' Roundtable

Topic Lead - Ms. Angela Fiandaca, M.Ed. - Guidance Counselor- Biddeford Middle School

Welcome all new staff members - Education Technicians, Guidance Counselors, Teachers from all grade levels, principals, and more! Post questions or concerns, fears and excitements. Let's start sharing, but most importantly supporting one another!

Discuss Help for the Helpers & the ABC's of Student Issues

Topic Lead - Ms. Angela Fiandaca, M.Ed. - Guidance Counselor- Biddeford Middle School
Welcome to all helpers in the education world! Your questions, concerns and topics of interest are all unique from others in the education setting. Let's start sharing and learning from one another by discussing Student Assistance Teams, guidance plans and other topics. Remember the first step to being a great helper is by supporting yourself! We hope this is a great place to start doing that! Join us!

Discuss School Nurse/Health Room

Topic Lead - Katie Wiater, RN - School Nurse - Herberg Middle School

"Welcome aboard! I'm looking forward to discussing the various health issues involved with student care in the school setting. I am a School Nurse at Herberg Middle School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This will mark my 20th year in School Nursing. Enormous changes have occurred during that time period and I continue to learn something new everyday! I've also earned, that for the most part, educators are dedicated, hard working individuals trying to make a difference in the lives of the students they teach. I applaud their devotion and wish to express my thanks for all they do!"

Discuss Student Voice in the Middle

Topic Lead - Bill Ivey - Middle School Dean - Stoneleigh-Burnham School

Welcome to this group on student voice. Many believe that the best classrooms and the best schools find many ways to embed student voice in the life of the school in significant ways. I look forward to your ideas.

Discuss Middle School Advisory Programs

Topic Lead - Kim Prause - Assistant Principal

Welcome to the NELMS "Middle School Advisory Programs" forum! I'm Kim Prause, an assistant principal in a small public middle/high school in New Hampshire. As other moderators have pointed out about their role, I'm not the expert here, just the facilitator. I hope this can become a place for schools with advisory programs, as well as those considering implementing them, to exchange ideas, resources, successes and failures. Ideally, it will also be a place to post questions that stimulate discussion about the purpose, structure and outcomes of middle level advisory programs in general. I look forward to a lively conversation!

Discuss Middle School Mathematics

Topic Lead - Sandra Stuart - Math Teacher

There are many questions regarding teaching Mathematics to Middle School students. Please feel free to mention any topic that concerns you about math in middle school. As a beginning point, I use a multiplication table for area and reducing fractions. Do you have other ways to teach area or fractions? How might I use the basic multiplication chart in other ways?

Feel free to click a link that interests you and give it a try. If you would like to moderate a discussion please send an e-mail to Steve Nicholas.

End of Year Middle Level Events

We had a question about end of the year programs. We asked some folks around New England and got some interesting responses. Here is what a few had to say!

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We have an 8th grade "Promotion" which is quite similar to a graduation. It has been in place many years and although I changed the format a little when I became principal three years ago. (Shortened it to less than one hour, and moved all individual awards to the afternoon all school assembly) it remains traditional. Students march in, student speakers, music selections by the entire 8th grade, and then the awarding of the promotion certificate. I am also curious as to how many other schools have one.

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We have a "promotion ceremony" to celebrate our 8th graders accomplishments and to recognize, publicly, that they are poised to take a giant step away from us, and into high school. Parents/grandparents/everyone who loves them is invited. Students all receive Promotion Certificates (graduation is an accomplishment that is reserved for High School).

In addition, each discipline awards X number of Science awards, Math awards, etc. with a little explanation of why/what that student did to earn it. Related Arts teachers do the same; every year our Tech Ed teacher bestows the Order of the Golden Mouse on someone...literally a computer mouse and cord, spray painted gold!

This year, an eighth grade teacher who is a professional photographer had a slide show of the class, from the beginning of the year until the end. It culminated with a lovely portrait of each student individually; all looked poised, and confident, and beautiful. (OK, I love our kids; a little bit of prejudice there!) She included kids who had moved during the year, giving kids a chance to remember, and say goodbye again.

A warm, gracious evening and the kids look forward to it eagerly every year, as do their parents. Some closure, even though I don't much like the word, for adults and kids, since leaving middle school, if it's a real middle school, is a big deal.

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We do not have graduation for our 8th grade because we are in a 7-12 building and attempt to keep a smooth transition to grade 9. I have experienced the 6th grade graduations in our district schools and find them to be an excellent celebration of academics and successes. They are brief, I bring greetings from the middle school, and they conclude with refreshments. Ceremony is about an hour by the time they distribute certificates and yearbook.

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We have a "Celebration of Success: High School and Beyond!" ceremony on the last day of school all parents, friends invited students get a certificate - we do not call it graduation - we emphasize that the students will have a high school and college graduation and that this ceremony is a benchmark and a milestone to celebrate. The ceremony lasts about an hour and students are dismissed for the year (8th grade). There are several events which lead up to this ceremony for 8th graders (three House field days, a non-formal dinner-dance, a year book signing gathering, and House academic achievement assemblies)

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Our School does not have a graduation. Our school committee believes that only the high schools should hold such ceremonies. We have a special Honors Night where awards, trophies, ribbons, certificates, etc. are passed out. Most eighth graders receive something for academic, athletic, or extra-curricular. We then present a slide show with music of the past year and almost all students have at least one photo in it. Then we have refreshments. I do know that some RI middle schools do have an ice cream social.

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In the three middle schools I have worked in as an administrator over the past 9 years, none of the schools held what was called a "graduation". Two schools held what certainly looked like graduation (certificates for each 8th grader, a speech, several awards, etc.), but we referred to the ceremony as "8th Grade Promotion ". Both schools were 5-8 schools, and all students attended the ceremony, along with parents of the 8th graders.

In the third school we did not have any focus on just 8th grade students, but instead had an awards ceremony on the last day of school for our 7th and 8th graders; the entire middle school. In all three schools, we deliberately avoided the term "graduation," using "promotion" as a less controversial term.

In my many discussions with middle school teachers, administrators, and consultants, it is clear that most do not want to call the event a graduation, toning down the pomp of such an event, focusing more on celebrating their years at the school and saying goodbye.

Purists would argue giving out "certificates", holding an assembly, handing out several awards, inviting parents, and focusing on 8th graders going on from MS to HS sure SOUNDS like a graduation. I know I have scratched my head over the years about whether it is or isn't and should or should not be a graduation (or a graduation in sheep's clothing). While I agree that we should not make this a cap and gown graduation event, if we believe that middle school kids should be recognized for their time in our schools and this "passage" from MS to HS should be identified as a stage of life, then certainly we should let these kids leaving us know that we value our time with them.

My advice: Honor kids when they come to us; honor kids when they leave us; focus on relationships more than trophies! A big part of the last days of school should focus on the teams themselves, with in-team recognition, celebration, and activities. Then a smaller awards ceremony could be held without a GRADUATION air about it, as there would be a focus on key School Awards and a final coming together.

Although I have been the principal in schools that do the 8th grade promotion, I inherited these traditions and really would prefer a more team-focused, less pomp and circumstance approach.

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We do NOT have a graduation ceremony. We are part of a 7-12 Cooperative District. Kids clearly graduate from 12th grade. We do have a final awards assembly where all disciplines recognize 4-5 students who are exemplary students; achievement, passion for the subject, goes above and beyond expectations. This is done with the entire student body and parents of students who will be recognized are personally invited.

From the assembly, 8th graders go to Canobie Lake Park for the day and 7th graders go off site for a cookout and field day. Parents also organize a celebration night for the 8th graders only, usually a beach theme (no semi formal attire!), dancing, games, food and a power point of pictures from their childhood through eighth grade. I love what we do!

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We do not have an "8th grade graduation" per say. We do a "Last Chapel" on the last day of school. It recognizes 8th graders for certain "high profile" awards (presidential, perfect attendance, VAMLE scholar leader, etc.) We do some student performances, have a guest speaker and end with a whole school slide show. Hope this helps.

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Hartford Magnet Middle School does a Promotion Ceremony. Only for the students who have completed all of their requirements, including community service hours.

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We do not have an eighth grade graduation.

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NELMS 2007 Recognition Awards
Deadlines Near!

Most deadlines are in early October. Do NOT wait!! Recognize someone today!

Technology Award
NELMS seeks to recognize individuals or groups who utilize meaningful technology to enhance student learning at the middle level. (more)

Master in the Middle Award new
NELMS seeks to honor teachers who are devoted to young adolescents, committed to best middle level practices, and who have taught for 20 or more years. (more)

Scholar Leader Awards
This program is intended to give public recognition to two representative students from each middle level school in New England who distinguish themselves in terms of outstanding scholarship and leadership. (more)

Exemplary Integrated Unit: Beane-Brodhagen Award
Honors exemplary student-centered integrated curricula consistent with the mission and beliefs of NELMS and recognizes creative middle level educators. (more)

Promising Practitioner Award
Honors teachers beginning their teaching career who have one to three years of teaching experience. (more)

Parent & Community Group Award
NELMS seeks to honor parent/community groups that value, understand and support effective middle level education that promotes powerful learning for young adolescents. (more)

SUPERintendent Award
Honors superintendents who value, understand, and support effective middle level education that promotes powerful learning for young adolescents. (more)

A+dministrator's Award
Honors administrators who value, understand, and support effective middle level education that promotes powerful learning for young adolescents. (more)

Spotlight School Award
Honors schools that have a record of powerful learning for young adolescents and consistently observe middle level best practices. (more)

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OCTOBER IS Month of the Young Adolescent!

It is an annual international collaborative effort of education, health, and youth-oriented organizations. Initiated by National Middle School Association (NMSA) and supported by NELMS and your New England State middle level organization, Month of the Young Adolescent brings together a wide range of national and state organizations to focus on the needs of this important age range, ages 10 to 15. The key messages for the celebration are:

• The importance of parents being knowledgeable about young adolescents and being actively involved in their lives;
• The understanding that healthy bodies plus healthy minds equal healthy young adolescents;
• The realization that the education young adolescents experience during this formative period of life will, in large measure, determine the future for all citizens; and
• The knowledge that every young adolescent should have the opportunity to pursue his or her dreams and aspirations, and post-secondary education should be a possibility for all.

Click her to go to NMSA web Site and more information on Month of the Young Adolescent http://www.nmsa.org/moya/

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NELMS & COMMLE to be Present as Massachusetts Governor Patrick Presents Proclamation!

On the 5th of October, Governor Duval Patrick will present a proclamation declaring that October be Month of the Young Adolescent in Massachusetts. Look for pictures in a future issue. What are you planning? We will place some of your ideas in the next e-news! Let us know!

NELMS Annual Legacy Continues Into October

We need your help in this first ever appeal to create a lasting legacy that will support and nurture middle level education now and into the future. Please take action TODAY!

NELMS has always advocated for the middle level, but now, more than ever, we need to do it differently and more effectively and frequently. Advocacy does not generate the necessary revenue to sustain this labor-intensive work therefore, we need your financial support NOW to create a lasting legacy for the middle level advocacy!

NELMS needs each and every middle level educator and friends of middle level educators to become involved and support the NELMS organization and our advocacy work. The key to our success is wide participation and the involvement of every NELMS member by contributing NOW! (NELMS is a 501c3 charity organization registered with the State of Massachusetts and the IRS.)

Can you donate:

• A months worth of coffee money?
• Donate a months worth of television?
• One month of cell phone expenses?
• A tank of gas?
• The value of what NELMS has meant to you, your school, or the ways NELMS has influenced practices in your school?

Want to donate now? Click here!

Want more information? Click here!

Want to learn about what we intend to do with your donated money? Click here!

Want to see our strategic plan? Click here!

Want to learn more about and see who is on our Development Committee? Click here!

Want to give us a lead to prospective large donors? Click here!

We need your help in this first ever appeal to create a lasting legacy that will support and nurture middle level education now and into the future. Please take action TODAY!

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Reminder: Call for Nominations for NELMS Board

MA, RI, CT, Regions and CT Teacher Representative

Currently there is a call for nominations (due by Friday, October 12, 2007) for representatives in Connecticut Region 2 (Eastern CT), Massachusetts Region 4 (Western MA), and Rhode Island (all of RI). Each of these areas on the “NELMS map” will have an election to determine who will represent their region for the next four years, beginning in May 2008.

A new Teacher Representative will also be elected from Connecticut by members in all three CT Regions. Members interested in representing their region or being the teacher representative on the NELMS Board of Directors can go to the NELMS web site at www.nelms.org to learn the criteria and print a nomination form to complete and return.

Don’t put it off; click into a great group at nelms.org and get that nomination process started now!

Breaking Ranks In the Middle (B.R.I.M.)

Sponsored by the New England League of Middle Schools

B.R.I.M. is the latest research on middle level reform authored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Education Alliance at Brown University. The New England League of Middle Schools has six fully-licensed B.R.I.M. trainers who can work with your school leadership team or your whole staff in defining the changes that can assist all staff in the education of early adolescents. NELMS has partnered with the Connecticut Association of Schools who will provide the training to any interested schools.

NELMS will be offering two day workshops across New England over the next year and would be interested in bringing this new initiative to your school or district. If you visit our web site at www.nelms.org you will be able to see the upcoming programs and dates for BRIM across New England and the pricing cost of both the workshops or the training sessions at your school for your leadership team or the whole school.

Below are several testimonials from staff at the Brattleboro Area Middle School in Brattleboro, Vermont who went through a modified version of BRIM in late August:

“I am going to create my units/lessons using the knowledge taxonomy taught in BRIM. This information was very informative and helpful in preparing engaging activities for all students”.

“Today made me convinced that the difficulty of my class compared to others is a positive thing. I expect the most out of all students and am very demanding, which seems consistent with today's message. I need to be more creative in allowing freedom of choice to enter my room”.

“I feel that my graduate program hit the relevance nail right on the head. You have helped to bridge the connection to what I have learned to the “real” world. When this workshop started, I was worried about another avalanche of rhetoric without action. But even better than actions, I’ve gotten principles that I can try to apply myself”.

As you can see, the workshop offered new information, valuable pieces on adolescent learners, curriculum and assessment, personalization of education and other important topics. Please contact the professional services team here at NELMS for further information or if you should have any questions. We can be reached by email at pstnelms.org or by phone at 1-978-887-6263.

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