2023 Thomas Law Reed School Kings Canyon Unified School District Fresno County Rick McCollum, Principal Enrollment: 554. Grade Levels: K-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Monthly discipline data review with classroom/grade level representatives School-wide system for staff to recognize students’ positive behavior Students participate in community service and volunteer work Certificated, classified, management staff serve on behavior team Weekly teacher collaboration time for learning and team meetings

2023 Hollencrest Middle School West Covina Unified School District Los Angeles County Katrina Garcia, Principal Enrollment: 668. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Capturing kids’ hearts daily practices Weekly student SEL check-ins School-wide implementation of WICOR strategies Weekly teacher collaboration Student achievement programs and accolades

2017-2018 McNair Middle School 2017-2018 SCHOOL STATISTICS Designated in 2009 Re-Designated in 2012, 2015, 2018 Community Size - Suburban School Enrollment - 730 Grade Levels - 5, 6 School Calendar - Traditional Free and Reduced Lunch 22% English Learners 4% Students With Disabilities 13% Demographics Hispanic 5.4% White 80.1% African American 3.7% Asian 4.1% Native American 0.3% Pacific Islander 0.8% Filipino 0% Two or More 5.6% Other 0% School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Academic Excellence Teachers assess ongoing data to progress monitor and utilize the tools from NWEA MAP testing to differentiate the instruction in order to create personal learning goals for all. School wide processes, including daily advisory, attendance/discipline, pod team meetings, and content PLC meetings, continuously identify students who are struggling academically and provide support structures for RTI A and B interventions. To enrich students’ academic excellence and meet the diverse needs of our learners, McNair Middle School is focused on creating quality formative assessments. • Each student conferences one-to-one with their advisory teacher to create SMART goals that address areas of focus within the Reading, Language, and Math learning strands from MAP testing. From these conversations, students share their academic goals with their families creating a culture of community focused on academics between home and school. McNair is implementing a more blended approach to learning as teachers integrate Google Classroom, one-to-one technology, and other technology tools and applications. McNair has continued supporting the differentiation of learning and closing the achievement gaps by giving access to research-based interventions that support the data such as Empowering Writers, Barton, Alphabetic Phonics, ELD and Corrective Reading. To help all our students reach their full academic potential, McNair continues to focus on implementing rigorous lesson planning, relevant research-based, data-driven instruction, and building relationships with each of our Mustangs. Teachers continue to utilize data in their instruction to focus on specific learning targets/goals for each student. Developmental Responsiveness Advisory is a dedicated class period that focuses on academic planning, team building, service learning, and character education. Advisory continues to assist students with goal-setting and smaller learning communities in order to support the whole child. McNair implements an Impact Team, which is a systematic approach to support a student who may not receive support outside of the school. The Impact Team pairs teachers and staff with students. The goal of the Impact Team relationship is to ensure every student’s academic and personal development is guided by an adult advocate. The Impact Team may eat lunch together, check grades, recognize their hobbies, or introduce new goals. Teachers and staff are continuing to explore current research in order to understand early adolescence. McNair provides targeted professional development to teachers each year on the specific academic, social, emotional, and developmental needs of early adolescents. Students are given an opportunity to have ownership and choice in their learning. Students feel respected when topics, and how to approach the learning of that topic, can be explored in many different ways. Core and encore classes allow students the opportunity to showcase their learning in a variety of learning modes and find ways to collaborate with their peers in order to better understand the given topic. Teachers are comfortable being the facilitator while letting students lead the discussion. McNair implemented student-involved conferences that provide a hybrid approach to parentteacher conferences. Students and families meet with the teacher to discuss academic and social progress. Then the student and family meet together to review his/her Google Sites student portfolio. Using Google Sites as our mode for student portfolios creates a realistic and relevant method of communication and branding. Student portfolios currently consist of a personal mission statement, grades and attendance, a personal learning plan (data sheet and goal setting), and artifacts from each content area. Together as a family they answer reflection questions of celebrations and growth areas. Flexible Seating is utilized throughout the building to meet students’ developmental needs. Students have opportunity to explore a variety of personal interests such as Fly Fishing, Archery, Odyssey of the Mind, Theatre, and many more. This gives students a sense of belonging while building relationships with teachers outside of the classroom. Creating lifelong leaders along with lifelong learners is a high priority at McNair. We create a variety of leadership roles. These leadership roles consist of Ambassadors, Principal’s Cabinet, Fire Marshals, Student Council, Pod Council and Students of the Week who lead pod meetings. To maximize our student leadership, we ensure that there is no overlap of students for each leadership role. Through our relationship with community partners, students participate in a variety of studentlearning project through advisory, leadership roles, and after-school clubs. Service Learning is a designated time when students can focus on their passion and develop soft skills while enhancing and enriching the lives of others Community connections may include guest speakers, informing students of methods to get involved in the community, and/or partnering with a community group. Social Equity Families are provided access to comprehensive services to meet their physical, social, and emotional needs. McNair has established a PBIS/RTI Committee of teacher leaders. The PBIS/RTI meets once a month to discuss building-wide initiatives and academic/learning progressions. The PBIS/RTI committee then meets with their respective team members and leads the monthly team RTI and Praise and Polish meetings. Our staff maximizes the master schedule by having ongoing interventionist available throughout the day in order to help support the child’s academics and behavior needs. With the addition of MAP data, teachers are now able to progress monitor and create specific learning goals. Our Structured Learning Classroom (SLC) is mainstreamed for encores, advisory, and runs our Green Team. Families are supported with ongoing community resources providing access to school functions, transportation, and meals. When families attend McNair, they feel the connection of community within the school. Organizational Support McNair advisory is built on the foundation of four pillars: team building, character education, academic planning, and service learning. Our R.U.N. motto has been ingrained into our culture at McNair. ‘R’ stands for Respect, ‘U’ stands for Understand We Own Our Behavior, and ‘N’ stands for Never Quit. Our PBIS Behavior Matrix system establishes student behavior expectations. By using researchbased strategies, the PBIS increases positive interactions. The PBIS leadership team meets monthly in order to answer building questions and review on a regular basis about the student success. McNair has a school-wide instructional leadership teams focusing on promoting the middle school philosophy, effective instructional practices, and educational initiatives. The purpose of the ILT team is to work collaboratively to develop and implement school wide improvement goals in order achieve the vision and mission of McNair Middle School. A multi-tiered RTI program is in place to support all students in academics and behavior. Professional Learning Communities are established by grade-level content teams. McNair has implemented one-to-one technology. Teachers have collaborated and researched best practices to ensure effective technology implementation and integration into their lesson plans. McNair has started MakerSpaces in the library. MakerSpace allows students to become creators of information (not just consumers), build critical thinking and problem solving skills, participate in selfdirected learning, foster a culture of creativity and collaboration, and allow for inquiry and exploration.

2023 Adams Middle School Redondo Beach Unified School District Los Angeles County Tanaz Bruna, Principal Enrollment: 1,080. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Bell schedule maximizes student interventions Back to School celebration on the first day for a strong start Student wellness center Co-taught ELA and math classes boost SWD access to general education Leadership opportunities, groups, and clubs connect kids to school

2015 National Schools To Watch Conference Featuring Debbie Silver June 25-28, 2015 View conference photos

2018-2019 Owl Creek School 2016-2017 SCHOOL STATISTICS Designated in 2013 Re-Designated in 2016, 2019 Community Size - Suburban School Enrollment - 968 Grade Levels - Pre-K through 6th School Calendar - Continuous Calendar Free & Reduced Lunch - 65% English Learners - 25% Students with Disabilities - 20% Demographics African American - 18% Asian - 4% Caucasian - 47% Filipino - 1% Hispanic - 20% Native American - 1% Pacific Islander - 1% Other - 0% Two or More - 8% School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Academic Excellence At Owl Creek School, our mission is to SOAR by inspiring leadership, maintaining high expectations, embracing diversity, developing good character, and creating lasting relationships. Professional Learning Communities are an integral component within each team meeting weekly to plan relevant curricular activities, align and review formative assessments, and develop intervention or enrichment opportunities. 2018-2019 SCHOOL STATISTICS Designated in 2013 Re-Designated in 2016, 2019 Community Size - Suburban School Enrollment - 968 Grade Levels - Pre-K through 6th School Calendar - Continuous Learning Calendar Free & Reduced Lunch - 65% English Learners - 25% Students with Disabilities - 20% OWL CREEK SCHOOL ARKANSAS Fayetteville Public Schools 375 N. Rupple Rd. Fayetteville, AR 72762 Tel 479-718-0200 Principal - Brandon Craft https://district.fayar.net/o/ocs ***our website does not have a www. 2018-2019 School Demographics • African American - 18% • Asian - 4% • Caucasian - 47% • Filipino - 1% • Hispanic - 20% • Native American - 1% • Pacific Islander - 1% • Other - 0% • Two or More - 8% Flexible block scheduling allows teachers to individualize instruction for students and provides increased opportunities for targeted small group opportunities. Developmental Responsiveness Owl Creek's advisory classes meet daily in small group student communities to develop social skills, increase collaborative opportunities, promoting individuality, and providing individual support, accountability, and advocacy. Supporting the social and emotional growth for all students, our advisory SEL curriculum incorporates the Jesse Lewis Choose Love program, counselor based guidance lessons, and opportunities for students to express and process issues of value to them. SOARing high, the Owl Creek community pledges to Support and Encourage Others, be Outstanding Leaders, Always be Safe, and be Respectful and Responsible. Our PBIS programming provides clear expectations, positive student recognition, accountability, and individual student support. Social Equity Supporting the physical and mental health of our students, our free breakfast program offers all students the opportunity to start their day with the nutritional energy to tackle the day. The school houses a wellness clinic on site to meet the needs of our families. Owl Creek also partners with local organizations to meet the needs of students transitioning from international refugee camps. As the third most diverse school in Arkansas, we offer a World Cultures Week that provides opportunities for students, and their families, to share information about their culture and heritage. Students and families representing 40 countries from around the world share food, dance, music, and fellowship in our annual culminating activity. Organizational Support The Response to Intervention System at Owl Creek provides structured opportunities for stakeholders to meet to analyze student performance and develop support plans for students' academic and behavioral needs. This process allows teachers to strengthen relationships with students through their depth of knowledge relevant to each student. Owl Creek School has partnered with the University of Arkansas to offer programs for students such as: Bi-Literacy education in dual languages, International Student Support for World Cultures Week, Behavior Incentive Programs and teacher candidate internship opportunities. The school also partners with our neighborhood Boys and Girls Club. On average 200 students a day leave our school to attend after school programs at the club. The school provides snacks for the students and coordinates tutoring opportunities with Boys and Girls Club staff. The principal of Owl Creek School also serves on the board of directors for the club.

2023 Shoreline Middle School Live Oak School District Santa Cruz County Colleen Martin, Principal Enrollment: 450. Grade Levels: 7-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Student-led parent conferences for all students Equitable report card shares standards-based academic progress, student work habits Awesome Time allows interactivity before state testing sessions begin Google slide-based morning announcements Restorative, reverse referrals: administrators go to classes with disruptive behavior

Forum Board Cathy Tomon President Read Bio Martinrex Kedziora Past President Read Bio Ran Barnes Middle Grades Practitioner Read Bio David McDonald Treasurer Read Bio Leti Menchaca Advocacy Chair Read Bio Scott Steele STW State Director Read Bio David Vroman Fidelity Committee Chair Read Bio Jonathan Rohloff Superintendent Read Bio Darryl Conner Middle-Grades Principal Read Bio John Dowd Business Partner Read Bio Lekia Jones Member-at-Large Read Bio Mychael Willon Member-At-Large Read Bio Winton Buddington Member-At-Large Read Bio Cathy Perry Executive Director Read Bio

2025 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2023 Annual Conference Washington D.C. 2021 Virtual Celebrations Zoom 2018 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2016 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2014 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2012 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2024 Annual Conference Washington D.C. 2022 Annual Conference Washington D.C. 2019 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2017 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2015 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2013 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2011 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. Past Events Check out our upcoming events View

Latest News All Posts Search nationalforum7 Jan 17 2 min Dedicated Education Leader to Spearhead Arizona Schools to Watch Program View Official Press Release In an exciting move aimed at enhancing the quality of middle-level education in Arizona, Dr. Robert... 77 views 0 comments 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Matthew R. Stover Nov 6, 2023 4 min The Easiest & Best Discounts for Educators Everyone knows we don’t teach for the money … but a little bit extra here and there should help! Teachers continue to spend money out of... 83 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked Katie Sandberg Apr 5, 2023 4 min Q&A with Dr. Monica Washington Monica shared some thoughts with us on teaching, learning, and life as an educator. What made you decide to become a teacher? I always... 37 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked We Need Your Support Today! Donate

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