MIDDLE SCHOOL TRANSITION: Collaboration for Success Ms. Katie Fritz, M.Ed. Pequea Valley Intermediate School Dr. Bill Burrichter, PhD Lancaster Bible College
PROBLEM No current transition program Behavior, truancy, bullying, etc. Challenges specific to middle school Opportunities for student involvement
SILVER LINING Understanding of power in a comprehensive transition program Link Crew at PVHS
LINK CREW Freshman Discipline referrals First two trimesters of 2009-2010, before Link Crew Program- 476 First two trimesters 2010-2011, with students participating in Link Crew Program- 159 Discipline Referrals 500 450 400 350 300 250 Discipline Referrals 200 150 100 50 0 2009-2010 2010-2011
Average number of absences First two trimesters 2009-2010, before Link Crew Program- 6.5 First two trimesters 2010-2011, with students participating in Link Crew Program- 3 Average Absences 7 6 5 4 Average Absences 3 2 1 0 2009-2010 2010-2011
STEPS FOR DEVELOPMENT Wrote a proposal Signed up for WEB (Boomerang Project) Training Begin process Selection of leaders (mentors) Implement program Application Spring Play Day Leader Training Orientation Follow-up Meetings & Lessons- YEAR LONG Program
WHAT’S IT LIKE? WEB Lesson Example
DESIRED OUTCOMES Students getting to know each other (and upper classman) Setting a positive school climate Increased attendance, lowered bullying referrals, increased positive feelings and attitudes about school, etc. Reduce social/emotional challenges & improve academic success
DATA OUTCOMES PRE/POST “HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ATTENDING PVIS? 70% 60% 50% 40% Pre-WEB 30% Post-WEB 20% 10% 0% Worried/Many Nervous/Unsure Relaxed/Calm Happy/Excited Questions
COMBINE HAPPY/EXCITED & RELAXED/CALM (POSITIVE) VS. NERVOUS/UNSURE & WORRIED/MANY QUESTIONS (NEGATIVE) 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% Pre-WEB Post-WEB 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Negative Positive
100% 90% 80% NOT AT ALL 70% VS. 60% 50% NOT SURE 40% VS. 30% 20% DEFINITELY / KIND OF 10% 0% Negative (NO) Indifferent Positive (YES)
PARENT SURVEY “THE WEB ORIENTATION DAY HELPED MY CHILD MAKE A SMOOTH TRANSITION INTO 6 TH GRADE 90 80 70 Only 19 surveys came back 60 One parent disagreed 50 40 (1/19 = 5%) 30 20 10 0 Agree not sure disagree
PARENT SURVEY “I THINK THE WEB PROGRAM SHOULD CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE” 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Agree not sure disagree
PARENTAL FEEDBACK: “Think it was a great idea for the transition to middle school. Program should continue.” “The WEB program is great for my child.” “Helped my child find his way around school a bit.” “I think it was a great idea for the kids to transition into PVIS.”
ANECDOTES Selecting leaders- leader who struggled with truancy, leader who got in a lot of drama 6 th grade excitement- in the cafeteria, When is WEB? Responses on in-class assignments
MY FAVORITE PART ORIENTATION WAS: Having cheese pizza The straw activity Playing the games with our WEB leader When we were with Miss Fritz singing & stuff Having the WEB leaders answer some questions The tour of the school They made me not as scared When we were all in the hallway waiting to come in (side note: the anticipation of the WEB program is built in) Meeting special people When they greeted us Getting to know the school better Meeting my WEB leader
FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS Comparative data from other sources (absences, grades, etc.) Another survey (this survey was done after orientation & BEFORE WEB groups started.
QUESTIONS?
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