Happy Monday, Hornet Families!
What an incredible couple of weeks we’ve had at Kirtland Middle School! The students are adjusting wonderfully to the new schedule, and I’ve seen so many amazing things from both our staff and students. I am excited about what this year holds.
Here are a few highlights from the past weeks:
- We had our first guest speakers visit the school and talk to the students about managing the stresses of middle school.
- Our eighth-grade students took their science assessment together during fourth period, which led to our first team-level schedule adjustment. This change allowed our 8th graders enrolled in high school geometry to continue their learning without disrupting the rest of the school’s schedule. This is a major benefit to the new flexible schedule. It allows for minimal instructional time to be lost.
- This week, our seventh-grade students will hear from a guest speaker who owns T Star Productions. She will teach them photography skills, followed by a field trip to Holden Arboretum to focus on landscape and outdoor photography.
- Mr. Bell is coordinating "Say Hello Week." Please refer to the link in his guidance newsletter that was sent out late last week for more details. KMS Counselor's Corner
One of the biggest changes this year has been the introduction of whole grade-level advisory (study hall). We made this shift so that all core teachers would be available to help answer questions and provide both intervention and enrichment opportunities. In the past, students often had questions during study hall but were unable to receive assistance because their teachers were in other classes. Now, students can ask their teachers questions while working on homework or extending class assignments. This also allows for small group instruction for students who may need extra help on skills they missed in previous years or for those who have mastered new content and are ready for further challenges. Our staff is fully engaged, using data from last year’s state test scores, along with CommonLit, teacher created assessments, and IXL assessments, to meet the needs of every student.
Our new team-based structure allows for more flexible scheduling, enabling us to offer a variety of experiences like guest speakers, grade-level field trips, cross-curricular activities (where subjects blend together), project-based learning, and even collaboration with high school teachers to better prepare our middle school students for future courses.
In addition to academics, we are also focusing on the physical and emotional wellness of our students. Thanks to Mrs. Vitatoe, we are offering high school health classes to our eighth graders as an in-person option, instead of the online version offered at the high school. This course will give students access to guest speakers who address various state-required health topics. Emails will be sent to parents detailing what students will be learning, along with an opt-out option for any parent who prefers their child not participate in specific presentations. These emails will be sent separately to the approximately 30 students enrolled in the high school health option each semester. The first one was sent out this morning. Please check your email if you have a student currently enrolled in health.
I must say, I am truly proud of our staff. What took a full year to implement at my previous school, they have accomplished in just over four weeks, and they are doing even more! I am eager to see all the positive changes unfold this year. The staff at KMS is not only addressing the academic needs of our students, but also supporting their social-emotional development and the executive functioning skills that every successful adult possesses, all while fostering an excitement for learning that keeps students looking forward to school each day.
Below, you will find some upcoming dates for activities, including the school Halloween dance.
Sincerely,
Mr. Race
[email protected]