Caledonia Argus

Planning continues for middle school transition

Posted: 2/5/02

By Shannon McKinney

Argus News Reporter

There wonít be a four period day in the middle school, but what it will be is still undecided.

The middle school committee has been meeting for the last year, but in the last four months has increased the intensity and regularity of its meeting to make sure the district is ready for the transition. ìWeíre doing the right thing. Weíre not waiting till this summer,î said Mitch Mullins, sixth grade Caledonia Elementary Teacher.

A core group of about 20 people have been meeting once a week.

Meeting facilitator Dave Meyer says the biggest problem the committee faces right now is the scheduling of the middle school.

ìIt has to be scheduled differently, otherwise its a glorified junior high,î he said.

Meyer said the group has been meeting faithfully to work out the issues to make sure the middle school is different than a high school.

The middle school will have a different schedule than the high schoolís four period day. The challenging part, though, will be scheduling teachers who will be be needed in both the middle school and the high school.

Mullins said the scheduling is a hurdle, but he is optimistic about how the planning is going. ìOverall, itís going well. Weíre trying to incorporate the middle school concept. It will take time and wonít happen right away, but a lot of people realize that and are being patient,î he explained.

Three types of programming will be implemented into the curriculum: interdisciplinary education, advisor-advisee programming and common planning time for teachers.

The interdisciplinary education involves correlating one subject to another. For example, having a chapter in social studies read in reading class. ìItís teaching the same ideas in different classes,îexplained Meyer.

Advisee-Advisor programming involves teachers having personal one-on-one contact with students to help get them ready for the next day or help with a problem in class.

Meyer, who teacher 7th and 8th grade social studies, says this type of personal contact will help with some of the social issues experienced by youth that age.

Common planning time for teachers will be used to improve education as a group. ìIf Iím teaching a math class and the shop class is going on, maybe we can teach them together,î said Meyer.

Meyer is excited about the middle school. ìI think its fabulous!î

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