Middle School Transition Report

Eden
Middle
School
Transition
Plan
Table of Contents
Introduction
Schedules
Teacher Need for Courses
Course Offerings
Transition Activities for
Elementary and Middle School Teachers
Guidance Counselors
Assistant Principals
Students
Students with Disabilities
Parents
Teacher Professional Development
Pro and Con Articles for Grade 6 in Middle Schools
Evaluation Plan
How to Transition Well
References
School questionnaires
Alexander Central School
Tonawanda Central School
Fredonia Central School
Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016
Transition of grade 6 to the high school to create a middle

school,
grades 6-8 in the 2018-2019 school year
For elementary school students, making the transition to middle school
can be difficult. According to Peter Lorain (2002) the summer before
entering middle school is filled with anxious thoughts, none of them
revolving around academics or learning. The focus of the transition
plan should be around helping students form a realistic expectation of
what middle school will be like, providing a positive and successful first
impression, insuring a successful introduction to the middle school
experience, and including parents in the transition plan. If some of
these ideas are used for the current students in grade 6 for their
transition to grade 7 parents and students may be more comfortable
as the transition for grade 5 to grade 6 at the new middle school
begins. A plus for this transition is that the students are all coming
from 1 elementary school. Share with the community, sooner rather
than later, the reasons why the move will be happening.
Questions:
Does everyone (all teachers/parents) know that this transition will
happen in the 2018-2019 school year?
Are we including all stakeholders in the process- give them some ideas
and let them work on it.
Should there be a separate section on the website for the middle
school transition plan?
Current Teachers certifications- Who has other certifications than they
are teaching on now?
Currently Eden has:
5- grade 6 teachers- 1 Sped
2 doing math, 3 ELA, 2 SS, 1 Science
The current grade 3 will be the first class in the middle school- has 4
classroom teachers- all grades below have 4 classroom teachers.
Schedules
Bell schedule from Tonawanda
Period 1
7:50-8:35
Period 2
8:39-9:20
Period 3
9:24-10:05
Period 4
10:09-10:50
Period 5/Lunch
10:54-11:35
Period 6/Lunch
11:39-12:20
Period 7/Lunch
12:24-1:05
Period 8
1:09-1:50
Period 9
1:54-2:35
Grade 6 only:
Period 1/2
7:50-8:57
Period 2/3
9:02-10:05
(periods 4-9 are the same)
Bell Schedule from Fredonia
Warning Bell
7:40
Home Base
7:43 - 7:51
Period 1
7:54 - 8:34
Period 2
8:38 - 9:18
Period 3
9:22 10:02
Period 4
10:06 - 10:46
Period 5
Lunch 10:46 -11:16
5A 10:50 - 11:30
Period 6
11:16 - 11:56
Lunch 11:30 12:00
Period 7
12:00 - 12:40
Lunch 12:14 - 12:44
Period 8
12:44 - 1:24
Period 9
1:28 - 2:08
Home Base
2:12 - 2:18
Period 10
2:25 - 3:00
Cafeteria Supervision
3:00 3:20
Dismissal to Buses
3:20
The following article (information copied and pasted here) regarding

scheduling for middle school retrieved from: Canady, R. L., & Rettig, M.
D. (1995). The power of innovative scheduling. Educational Leadership
53(2), pp 4-10.
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educationalleadership/nov95/vol53/num03/The-Power-of-InnovativeScheduling.aspx
The four-block schedule. One schedule being used with increasing

frequency across the country greatly reduces fragmented instruction.
In the four-block schedule, students spend one block of the day (about
90 minutes) in language arts, a second block in mathematics, and a
third block in either social studies or science. The block of social
studies/science is rotated every other day, every other unit, by
semester, or on some other basis. Students spend the fourth block of
the day in physical education, music, and/or exploratory courses, which
meet for 90 minutes every other day. They attend only three academic
courses daily.
Language arts and mathematics teachers teach three groups every
day for the entire year; social studies and science teachers work with
three groups per day, but with six groups for the year; and physical
education, exploratory, and elective teachers work with only three
groups per day. With this scheduling plan, both teachers and students
experience less stress and fragmentation.
The four-block middle school schedule significantly reduces the daily
number of class changes, thereby reducing discipline problems.
Examples of schools operating this schedule during the 199495 year
include: Newberry Middle School in Newberry, South Carolina;
Goochland Middle School in Goochland, Virginia; and Wilbur Wright
Middle School in Dayton, Ohio. Districts that operate the 4 4
semester block high school schedule may find this plan a logical
transition for middle schools.
The 75-75-30 plan (Canady and Rettig 1993). W. Marshall Sellman
School in the Madeira School District in Cincinnati, Ohio, implemented
this unique 180-day school calendar for the 199495 school year.
According to teachers, students, and parents, the program was a great
success.
Under the Sellman plan, the school follows a fairly typical middle
school team block schedule for the first 150 days. Courses end after
two 75-day terms, and students begin their final six weeks of school
enrolled in specialized courses, created and designed by teachers.
Such specialized courses provide (1) additional learning time for
students who have yet to master grade-level objectives, and (2)
academically enriching activities for all students. Course titles at the
Sellman School include Principles of Mathematics, Team-Accelerated
Instruction, Water Science, Inventioneering, Mock Trial, and Fun with
Poetry.
The concept-progress model. This approach is another attempt to
address students' differing needs for learning time (Canady and Rettig
1992, Canady 1989). Several elementary and middle schools across
the country are using it to provide mathematics instruction to
heterogeneous groups.
This site has a variety of ideas of sample blocks schedules with

teaching teams,
http://schoolschedulingassociates.com/handouts/MiddleSchool102408.
pdf
Teacher Need for Courses
Will grade 6 continue as they do now or will grade 6-8 be the
same- switching for every class
Some schools have grade 6 with a block for ELA and Math
Some schools have the same teachers for ELA and one other
subject
Some schools share staff with the HS they are in for specials,
languages, PE
Check the school questionnaires at the bottom (click here)
Will a syllabus be used in grade 6 like in grades 7 and above?
Parents and students need to know and understand this. Any
teacher transitioning to the middle school needs to know this
Course offerings
Need to consider number of students in a class, space for the
number of students in the classroom, number of students
appropriate for a subject (Minton, 1/2016)
Band, orchestra, chorus?
Program Requirements for the Middle Grades (Grades 5 8) From

p12.nysed.gov
Grades 5 and 6:
All students shall receive instruction that is designed to facilitate their attainment of
the State intermediate learning standards in the seven general curriculum areas:
mathematics, including arithmetic, science, and technology;

English language arts, including reading writing, listening, and speaking;
social studies, including geography and United States history;
Languages other than English (pursuant to section 100.2(d) of Commissioners
Regulations);
the arts, including visual arts, music, dance, and theatre;
career development and occupational studies;
where student need is established, bilingual education and/or English as a second
language;
health education, physical education and family and consumer sciences with
health education pursuant to section 135.3(b) of Commissioners Regulations and
physical education pursuant to section 134.4(c)(2)(i) of Commissioners
Regulations.
Grades 7 and 8:
All students shall be provided instruction designed to enable them to achieve, by the
end of grade eight, State intermediate learning standards through:
English language arts, two units of study;

Social studies, two units of study;
Science, two units of study;
Mathematics, two units of study;
Technology education, one unit of study;
Home and career skills, three-quarters of a unit of study;
Physical education as required by section 135.4(c)(ii) of Commissioners Regulations
(basically, every other day);
Health education, one half unit of study as required by section 135.3(c) of
Commissioners Regulations;
The arts, including one half unit of study in the visual arts, and one half unit of study
in music;
Library and information skills, the equivalent of one period per week in grade seven
and eight;
Languages other than English pursuant to section 100.2(d) of Commissioners
Regulations;
Career development and occupational studies.
Flexibility Available to All Schools with Middle-Level Grades in Section
100.4 of Commissioners Regulations (Model A)
Unit of study (seat time) vs. unit of credit (achievement). Units of study, not units of
credit, are applicable to the middle grades (specifically, grades 7 and 8).
Unit of study requirements for the middle grades are to be met "by the end of grade
8."
The unit of study requirements for technology education and/or home and career
skills may be initiated in grade 5, provided that such subjects shall be taught by
teachers certified in those areas.
The unit of study requirement for languages other than English may be initiated in
any grade prior to grade 8.
Students who have been determined to need academic intervention services may
have the unit of study requirements for one or more of their subjects reduced (but
not eliminated).
A student may meet the required half unit of study in music by participation in a
schools band, chorus, or orchestra, provided that such participation is consistent
with the goals and objectives for the schools music program for grades 7 and 8.
The half unit of study requirement for health education may be provided in grade 6,
provided that such subject shall be taught by teachers certified in health education.
Library and information skills instruction provided the equivalent of one period per
week in grades 7 and 8.
Students in grade 8 shall have the opportunity to take high school courses in
mathematics and in at least one of the following areas: English, social studies,
languages other than English, art, music, career and technical education subjects,
and science courses.
Incidental teaching assignment.
Additional Flexibility Available Under Section 80-5.12 of Commissioners
Regulations:
(NOTE: This flexibility is not automatic; districts must apply for it)
When a school district is granted an Experiment in Organizational Change (or, as it is
commonly called, "Experimental Middle School Status") under Section 80-5.12 of
Commissioners Regulations, the assignments permissible pursuant to this regulation
are:
A certified elementary school teacher (i.e., a teacher of the common branch subjects)
may provide instruction in one or more of the common branch subjects exclusive of
those defined as special subjects in grades seven and/or eight of a middle or
intermediate school; and
A certified teacher of a secondary academic subject may provide instruction only in

the academic subject for which he or she is certified in grades five and/or six of a
middle or intermediate school.
If Middle school students need to have lunch with High School Students
could they be separated by sides of the lunchroom? Could one group
leave earlier from lunch to get to classes?
Transition Activities
Elementary and Middle Teachers
In the elementary grades refrain from stating the When you get
to the middle school comments
Visit the students at the elementary school-. (Lorain, 2002)
especially any homeroom teachers- could those teachers be set
so the students and teacher can meet each other in the Spring
preferably June.
Guidance Counselors
Who will be at the high school?
Will someone from the elementary school be moving up with the
grade 6 students?
Will the current staff just add an extra grade?
Visit the students at the elementary school.
Assistant Principal
Visit the students at the elementary school in small class sized
groups
Will there be a separate office-type space?
Students
Each first year have the students stay with their homeroom
groups from their last year in elementary school.
Be sure students are scheduled for lunch at the same time so
they can be with friends
Principals, guidance to visit them at their school, meet classes
(or one-on-one, for a hand shake) through out the school year
before the move to a new school (bullying talks about going to
someone- they need to understand who these people are and
where to find them)
Grade 6 join clubs now (S. Anzalone, 1/8/16), grade 7 & 8 student
could attend AEP while waiting for grade 6 to come up to the
high school. It could be a special mentoring
During the 2017/2018 school year, have grades 5 and 6 do
things together since both will be moving up
Have student mentors (Lorain, 2002) visit classes throughout the
year, current grade 7-8 students go the elementary school for
end of day activities once or twice a month. Visit past teachers

and talk with the students about concerns and how things are
going up there. Also found at:
http://educationnorthwest.org/sites/default/files/making-thetransition-to-middle-school.pdf
Show video clips of different aspects of the middle/high schoolhallways, cafeteria, bus arrival and dismissal, lockers,
assemblies. Although some students have older siblings or have
been in the middle/high school, there will be some who enter
only on the first day of school. (Idea from Kirsten Henderson)
School leaders should plan and provide for several events that
involve students, teachers, and parents. These events should
focus on providing a positive message about middle school, that
it is safe and fun. They should also focus on providing
information about the changes that early adolescents will be
experiencing (Lorain, 2002).
Use agendas- do they get them at the elementary school? Used
differently at the middle/high school.
What involvement in sports and clubs? Clubs available just for
the 6-8 grades?
Orientations Day info retrieved from:
http://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet/TabId/270/
ArtMID/888/ArticleID/503/Welcoming-Students-to-MiddleSchool.aspx
have older middle school students give tours of the school
Once students begin the school year continue to support them
with grade specific activities
Students with Disabilities

Provide structure while planning for independence
Schedule intentionally
Use color coded binders
Use a daily planner
Use a folder for loose papers
Keep a textbook at home and at school
Teacher routines
Plan the IEP
Ideas for assisting these students retrieved from:

http://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/pdf/88_TransitionElemToMiddl
e.pdf
Parents
Include parents in planning for the transition
Update parents on the activities each month- invite parents to
join and meet the homeroom teachers
Show parents the video of what happens in the middle/high
school
Parents should attend the spring incoming parent night to meet
homeroom teachers and begin to establish a relationship with
the teachers.
Parents should attend school meetings to learn about the
concerns and questions their children have and will have. They
should talk with their children about the upcoming school year
and emphasize the positive aspects of attending middle school.
Parents should watch for signs of depression and be ready to
address them.
Parents need to learn about young adolescents and their
developmental issues and stages so that they will understand
better this new and wonderful person with whom they live, and
be able to interact with them in positive ways that build
relationships (Lorain, 2002).
Alert parents early on to the differences in grading, discipline,
things that might be covered at an open house in September or
on course syllabus
Continue to be as involved in your childs school as you were in
elementary school.
Ideas for parents retrieved from:
http://psychcentral.com/lib/helping-your-child-transition-fromelementary-to-middle-school/
http://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/should-sixth-grade-bein-elementary-school-or-middle-school
Teacher professional development

All teachers in the middle and high school sections need to have
an understanding of the middle school student especially the
new group of grade 6, age 11-12.
May need a plan to monitor hallways and stairwells during class
transition times.
Involve staff in the process before, during and after each yearwhat is working and not
If a block type schedule is the chosen schedule, help teachers
learn how to actively use that time
10
Need to focus on how to mitigate the problems with student

achievement once they enter middle school in grade 6.
Align expectations from grade to grade. What do grade 5
teachers expect students to know at the end of grade 5? What
do grade 6 teachers expect students to know coming into grade
6? Retrieved from:
http://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet/TabId/270/
ArtMID/888/ArticleID/399/Smooth-Sailing-to-Middle-School.aspx
50 tips and tricks for grade 6
http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/post/2015/07/17/50-tipstricks-and-ideas-for-6th-grade
Cooperative learning is effective at all grade levels, but it is
particularly appropriate for the developmental needs of middle
school students. Cooperative learning allows students to be
noisy, active, and social in the pursuit of academic excellence
(Glatthorn, Boschee, Whitehead & Boschee, 2012, p 27)
Pro and Con articles regarding grade 6 in Elementary or Middle

Schools
Factors favoring Elementary (some may not be issues for Eden):
Sixth graders in middle school have more behavioral problems
than their peers in elementary school.
Sixth graders in elementary school test higher than those in
middle school.
Sixth graders in middle school are exposed to older teens, which
may have a negative influence on them.
Middle schools are usually larger than elementary schools.
Middle schools tend to be located further away from home than
elementary schools.
Factors favoring Middle
Sixth graders in middle school have greater access to
extracurricular activities.
Placing sixth grade in middle school allows sixth graders more
independence.
Middle schools may offer innovative programs in which sixth
graders may be eager to participate.
Students are taught by subject-area specialists rather than
generalists retrieved from:
http://www.highlineschools.org/Page/4839
http://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/should-sixth-grade-be-inelementary-school-or-middle-school
11
Research article regarding How and why middle schools harm student
achievement: http://educationnext.org/stuck-in-the-middle/ and
http://educationnext.org/the-middle-school-plunge/
Questions to answer retrieved from:

pdf
This site has a variety of ideas for blocks schedules with teaching
teams,
1. What is an appropriate number of students a middle school
teacher should see each day/term/year? Is there a relationship
between how a teacher works with students and the number of
students assigned to a teacher?
2. What is the appropriate number of teachers for middle school
students to see each day/term/year? Is there a relationship
between student behavior and "sense of belonging" and the
number of teachers a student is assigned during a
day/term/year?
3. What is the appropriate time balance between core and encore
subjects? What factors should be considered in determining this
balance?
4. What is the appropriate number of subjects for students to be
enrolled during any one day/term/year? Is there a relationship
between the number of classes for which students are
responsible and their success in those classes?
5. How should exploratory classes be scheduled in relation to other
subjects?
6. While many middle school schedules on paper show the
possibility of flexibly combining single periods into longer
instructional blocks, in practice, we find classes typically are
taught in single periods; hence, does the middle school
experience become even more fragmented for both students and
teachers? Does such practice create stress and make it difficult
12
for teachers to implement some of the more productive teaching

strategies?
7. With the growing diversity of school populations, do we need to
plan schedules which permit extended learning time for those
students who need additional time to meet course expectations?
8. Should a middle school schedule be compatible with elementary
and high school schedules in the feeder pattern?
Evaluation Plan
To evaluate the move- keep data on the number of behavior
difficulties/ELA and Math scores, now for grade 6 in elementary then
after they move to the MS/HS
http://www.ncmle.org/research%20summaries/ressum11.html
13
How to Transition Well- same website under How to Fail (I created

the positives)
pdf
1. The Process
a. Identify the goals
b. Involve the parents
c. Involve the students
d. Involve the central office
e. Involve the union
2. Do a complete study
a. Read and do research
b. Visit other schools
c. Do a mock schedule
d. Create sample teacher and student schedules
e. Address benefits for both students and teachers
3. Planning
a. Create a pacing guide
b. Help teachers change instruction to fit the schedule with
staff development assistance
c. Change school policies to be in line with the new schedule
4. Create Schedule
a. Balance teams academically
b. Make sure you have equal class time
c. Create time for team meetings
d. Dont split lunch periods
e. Ensure all students can take what they need/want
5. Continue to do Staff Development after the first year
6. Plan for ongoing evaluation of the program and share the results
with parents and all stakeholders.
14
References
Lorain, P. (2002). Transition to middle school. Classroom Management.
NEA.org
Rettig, M. D. (nd). Designing quality middle school master schedules.
Retrieved from:
pdf
U.S. Department of Education. (2008). Making the transition to middle
school: How mentoring can help. Retrieved from:
http://educationnorthwest.org/sites/default/files/making-the-transitionto-middle-school.pdf
Lea, J. J. (2014). Smooth sailing to middle school: Action, articulation
and activities provide a framework for the transition to middle school.
Retrieved from:
http://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet/TabId/270/ArtMI
D/888/ArticleID/399/Smooth-Sailing-to-Middle-School.aspx
Wienhold, K. J., & White, B. M. (2015). Welcoming students to middle
school: Pup camp is a fun way to get kids ready for the transition to
middle school. Retrieved from:
http://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet/TabId/270/ArtMI
D/888/ArticleID/503/Welcoming-Students-to-Middle-School.aspx
Hartwell-Walker, M. (n.d.). Helping your child transition from
elementary to middle school. Retrieved from:
http://psychcentral.com/lib/helping-your-child-transition-fromelementary-to-middle-school/?all=1
Prince, A. (n.d.). Handling the transition from elementary to middle
school with for students with disabilities. Retrieved from:
http://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/pdf/88_TransitionElemToMiddl
e.pdf
Canady, R. L., & Rettig, M. D. (1995). The power of innovative
scheduling. Educational Leadership 53(2), pp 4-10.Retrieved from:
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educationalleadership/nov95/vol53/num03/The-Power-of-InnovativeScheduling.aspx
Chen, G. (n.d.). Should sixth grade be in elementary school or middle
school? Retrieved from:
http://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/should-sixth-grade-be-inelementary-school-or-middle-school
15
Rockoff, J. E. & Lockwood, B. B. (2010). Stuck in the middle. Retrieved

from: http://educationnext.org/stuck-in-the-middle/
Glatthorn,A.A.,Boschee,F.,Whitehead,B.M.,&Boschee,B.F.(2011).Curriculumleadership:
Strategiesfordevelopmentandimplementation.Washington, D. C.: Sage Publications.
School Questionnaires
1. Middle/high school questions for a phone interview
Alexander-Shannon Whitcombe 5855911551x2002
http://www.alexandercsd.org
How is your middle school situated? Within HS separate building
same building separate entrance
1 combined school, newer wing for grades 6 & 7, old wing for grade 8,
older wing for grade 9-12- separate wings
What grades?
6-12 / 440 students
# of years with this structure
since at least 2001
# of principals/assistant principals
At first 1 principal and 2 assistants (one for middle one for high school)
now 2 principals (one for middle one for high school) and one assistant
principal
Type of scheduling- block, single period / Bell scheduleBlock schedule for HS- 4 periods 80 minutes
MS- 8 periods 40 minutes each- bell for MS does not sound in HSdifferent areas of the building
Do you feel the scheduling is working for all/most students? What
would you change if you could?
Schedule is working- MS get to see students every day
# of students per grade- # of teachers a student would see in a
day/term/year for grade 6 7 8
# of teachers for each grade 6 7 8- subject How many students does a
teacher see/is responsible for in a day/term/year? Are teachers shared
with high school and/or other schools?
In grade 6- have a teacher teaching both social studies and science
ELA teacher teaches 3 sections of ELA and 3 sections of reading
16
Math teacher teaches 3 sections of math- not certified for teaching

others- could teach one section outside of certification area. Hardest
to figure out how to keep this teacher
They are looking for content experts rather than general for the middle
grades
What is the amount of time students spend in core subjects and others
(PE, Art, Music, FACS) per day- is it balanced each day or could a
student have a heavy day and a lighter day?
40 minutes of ELA, Math, Social Studies and Science
4 -10 week Art, Tech, FACS,
Grade 6 is part of elementary school band (7 and 8 are a band, then 912 is a band
Do teachers have flexibility to extend a period for longer projects?
No, it does not work with the schedule
How do you limit the interaction between older and younger students?
LUNCH times separate or mixed?
HS does not go into MS section of the building
MS does need to go to HS part of building for gym, lunch, auditorium
3 Lunches- A) grades 11-12, B) grades 6-8, C) grades 9-10
Are there different codes of conduct for the middle school? Different
consequences?Is there a procedure for handling interactions between middle and high
school students?
Same for the building
Do all the age groups arrive at the same time? Bussing them all
together? Any problems/issues from parents? All arrive together
Tell me about your orientation for students entering grade 6. Who is
included, how is it structured, what would be included in an information
packet?
Visits from grade 5 to the MS/HS in Winter and Spring
Separate summer visit with parents and students
What special programs are run for middle school students? After school and during
school.
What leadership opportunities do they have?
They have the same activities but separate groups- HS and MS so the
MS students can have their own identity.
17
Technology- 1-1 to take home or in class?

*Do you do a student of the month? Who runs it? How does it workteachers pick, picture How are students recognized beyond student of the month?
They dont have student of the month. They have honor roll
recognition
Who would be the contact person if the admin from Eden wanted to
visit?
Shannon Whitcombe the principal. Information above.
Tonawanda Jessica Lyons, Principal 6947660x2040
http://www.tonawandacsd.org
One building
1 BEDS code
What grades? 6-12
# of years with this structure
# of principals/assistant principals
2010-2015 had 1 HS principal and 2 assistants
2015-2016 school year 1 HS principal, 1 MS principal, 1 assistant
principal
Type of scheduling- block, single period
Bell schedule
Period 1
7:50-8:35
Period 2
8:39-9:20
Period 3
9:24-10:05
Period 4
10:09-10:50
Period 5/Lunch
10:54-11:35
Period 6/Lunch
11:39-12:20
Period 7/Lunch
12:24-1:05
Period 8
1:09-1:50
Period 9
1:54-2:35
Grade 6 only
Period 1/2
7:50-8:57
18
Period 2/3
9:02-10:05
(periods 4-9 are the same)
during this time the students receive 60 minutes ELA 60, minutes Math
Good response- like the time
46 students in grade 6 on 1 team of 2 teachers for core subjects
(ELA/SS, Math/Science)
More grade 6 teachers than 7/8.
There are 3 teams of 2 teachers. Each team has 46 students.
The ELA teacher also teacher Social Studies
The Math teacher also teaches Science
So the teachers see their group twice each day. If they need to finish
up something from the other class they could or they could integrate
the other class. They can form some relationships with students.
Grade 6 begin taking foreign language (exploratory) year Spanish,
year French 4 days a week, 1 day a week art
PE all year
Switch with Keyboarding, Music, FACS, - every other day for 10 weeks
Students choose their language for grade 7
Grades 7 and 8 are like Eden does it with changing each period
Addressed earlier with having teachers teach 2 subjects in grade 6
Separate library media centers
2 cafeterias- grade 6 has own lunch, 7-8 in one lunch, HS has own
cafeteria,
19
school students?
Same for most part
Cell phones policies are different: not allowed in MS (kept in locker), HS
can have them
together? Any problems/issues from parents?
Students are bussed separately 6-8, 9-12, so if siblings are in grades 6
and 9 they ride different busses to the same school for the same
arrival times. The community voted on this and this is how they
wanted it.
packet?
Grade 5- On a Friday in May the MS has a half day. Grade 5 comes to
the MS and has lunch, goes through the line etc. Guidance counselors
review general rules at that time. Then the group goes to the
auditorium for discussion of discipline (detention), routines etc. For the
next activity they break into groups and rotate through a schedule (6
stations), meeting teachers. Grade 7 & 8 teachers give students a tour
of the building. The whole group goes to the gym for team building
activities and PE rules. At the end students go back with their grade 5
teachers. Program runs from 12:00-2:30. Parents have an evening
orientation the Thursday night before the student day in May. They
receive the same information the students receive and meet teachers.
Their program is about an hour.
Mrs. Lyons wishes that they offered something in the summer. They do
allow students to come in for locker set up but there are no teachers
there.
What special programs are run for middle school students? After
school and during school. What leadership opportunities do they have?
Separate for MS but similar to the HS
Clubs on Website.
Started last year (2014-2015) for grade 6, 1-1. Now grade 6-8 with
Chrome books 1-1. Families have an option of just having use of it at
school or to take it home as well. There is a mandatory meeting for
parents if they want to take it home. This year only 6 families decided
not to take them home.
20
*Do you do a student of the month? (find out from website) Who runs
it? How does it work-teachers pick, picture How are students
recognized beyond student of the month?
Warrior Way- each teacher from certain department is given one month
a school year to nominate/recognize students for things other than
grades. Teachers write a brief statement about the student. Their
picture and the write up are displayed. The student receives a Tim
Hortons card, or passes to events.
visit?
Jessica Lyons- information above.
21

Fredonia- Andrew Ludwig (716)679-1581, x2731
Fredonia.wnyric.org
All the schools are in one building in separate wings- K-4, 5-8, 9-12
What grades?
# of years with this structure- 6 years with grade 5 part of the middle
school
# of principals/assistant principals- each school has a principal and an
assistant
Type of scheduling- block, single period (is it the same as the HS)
Middle school starts and ends with the HS. HS is on a block schedule,
MS 9 periods- 40 minutes with a 30 minute lunch
Bell schedule- all on the same, different for middle school group
Grade 5 and 6 have 2 periods of ELA, to get more math for grade 5
they have a math lab opposite gym
Grade 7 and 8 have 1 ELA and 1 World Language
The have a double block schedule with every teacher teaching a block
of ELA and 1 other subject/hard to have content specialists for 1 grade.
roughly 110-120 per grade level
Students would have the same teacher for ELA and 1 other course for
grades 5 and 6.
They all have the same specials
Extended built in to the schedule with 2 periods of ELA for grades 5
and 6
22
Each wing has its own cafeteria. In MS periods are broken up as
follows: grade 5 and of grade 6, of grade 6 with grade 7, grade 8
is on its own.
Each grade has their own section of a hall so classes and lockers are
close to that area.
school students?
All use the same booklet for conduct and what is prohibited.
Consequences may be different because of the age of the students.
He tends to be lenient because of the age of the students.
together? Any problems/issues from parents?
K-4 has a bus run and 5-12 has a bus run. Older grades can take the K4 bus home after afterschool activities. Some parents were concerned
at first but school officials eased their concerns.
packet?
Each grade 4 class comes for a tour at the end of the school year. The
Guidance and Psychologist play games with the kids to learn how to
open locks. They meet some teachers. Before school starts the
students and parents can visit the school to follow schedule and find
locker.
What special programs are run for middle school students? After school and during
school.
What leadership opportunities do they have?
Sports plusAnnouncers Club, Art Club, Backpacking, Chess & Backgammon Club,
Newspaper, Talent Show, Ski Club, Student Council, Learn and Serve
America, Book Club, Dance Club, School Store, Cheering Club,
Yearbook,
Quiz Club, Computer Club and Culture Night.
23
They have 2 carts of 25 laptops for students to use at school. There

are 2 computer labs for teacher and student use throughout the day.
Do you do a student of the month? (find out from website) Who runs
it? How does it work-teachers pick, picture How are students
recognized beyond student of the month?
Merit roll and honor roll
visit?
Andrew Ludwig-info at the top
Period Ten
Students who have completed all their work may leave school each day when the
2:18PM bell sounds. On any given day a student may be required to remain in
school during period 10. Board of Education Policy has made period 10 a portion
of the regular school day. This period is required for students who need extra
help in the form of AIS instruction or for students who need extra help to
complete and/or catch up on their work. Period 10 is also a time when students
may be required to stay for disciplinary reasons. Students assigned to tenth
period must report promptly to their assigned location or face disciplinary
measures. Although a teacher's work day officially ends at 3:00PM, students may
be required to remain in period 10 until 3:20PM.
Whether they are required to do so or not all students are welcome to stay after
the 2:18PM bell to complete work, get help from their teachers, or to participate in
some of the many after school activities at FMS. Prior understanding between
student, parent and teacher, of a child's need to attend period 10 is essential. All
students staying after school must be supervised. Supervision for students who
need a place to stay until 3:00PM or 3:20PM is provided by the FMS office.
Bus transportation is available to all students at both 2:25PM and 3:20PM.
Parents may pick up their children at these times as well. Students riding the
24
3:20PM bus run must obtain a bus pass from the teacher they attended period 10
with or they will not be allowed to ride the second bus run.
Parents picking up their children at either of these times do not need to sign them
out of the building and may simply meet their child in the parking lot. Drivers are
reminded to please use the designated areas in the parking lot and to please stay
out of the bus loop and cross walk areas. Drivers are also reminded to only use
the handicapped parking areas if they have a disabling condition.
25
The Fredonia Middle School Program

6th Grade
Class
Language Arts
Literature
Social Studies
Math
Science
Physical Education
Life Skills/Careers
Art
Computers and Careers
Music
Technology
Weeks
40
40
40
40
40
20
20
10
10
10
10
7th Grade
Class
English Language Arts
Social Studies
Math
Science
Foreign Language
Physical Education
Health
Music
Art
Technology
Computers and Careers
Writing
Weeks
40
40
40
40
40
20
10
10
10
10
10
10
26
8th Grade
Class
English Language Arts
Social Studies
Math
Science
Foreign Language
Physical Education
Technology
Art
Careers
Health
Music
Weeks
40
40
40
40
40
20
20
10
10
10
10
27

Middle School Transition Report

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Eden

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Transition of grade 6 to the high school to create a middle

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Lunch 10:46 -11:16

Lunch 11:30 12:00

Lunch 12:14 - 12:44

The following article (information copied and pasted here) regarding

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

The four-block schedule. One schedule being used with increasing

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

This site has a variety of ideas of sample blocks schedules with

Program Requirements for the Middle Grades (Grades 5 8) From

mathematics, including arithmetic, science, and technology;

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

English language arts, two units of study;

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

A certified teacher of a secondary academic subject may provide instruction only in

end of day activities once or twice a month. Visit past teachers

Students with Disabilities

Ideas for assisting these students retrieved from:

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Teacher professional development

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Need to focus on how to mitigate the problems with student

Pro and Con articles regarding grade 6 in Elementary or Middle

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Questions to answer retrieved from:

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

for teachers to implement some of the more productive teaching

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

How to Transition Well- same website under How to Fail (I created

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Rockoff, J. E. & Lockwood, B. B. (2010). Stuck in the middle. Retrieved

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Math teacher teaches 3 sections of math- not certified for teaching

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Technology- 1-1 to take home or in class?

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

3. Middle/high school questions for a phone interview

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

They have 2 carts of 25 laptops for students to use at school. There

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

The Fredonia Middle School Program

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

Created by Kirsten Henderson 1/2016

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