LMMS Planbook 2012-2013

“Relationships are the primary source of control. Not rules, not policies, these work only when the relationships are working.” (Jim Fitzpatrick)

 
Important Middle School Dates

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Middle School Advisors and Room Assignments
Mrs. Barb Abele - Mrs. Abele's room
TBD - QUEST room
Mrs. Grotewold - Mrs. Grotewold's room
Mr. Grotewold - Guidance Office
Mrs. Erdahl - Mrs. Erdahl's room
Mr. Irons - Mr. Iron's room
Mrs. Van Roekel - West Lab
Mrs. Brandt - ISL room
TBD - 3rd Floor SH room
Mr. Blaser - Mr. Blaser's Room
Ms. Gayken - Ag. Room
Mr. Eekhoff - Room 2123m

“Buddied-Up” Groups for coverage if an advisor is gone AND to decide on an all-MS activity OR an “open” are: (Inform your group)

B. Grotewold/Eekhoff, Brandt/Blaser
J. Gayken/Van Roekel, Erdahl/ TBD
B. Abele/J. Grotewold, Irons/TBD
Note: No 6/8 groupings; only 6/7 and 7/8

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Ground Rules For Group Use in Developing Their Own

-Respect everyone's chance to speak and state opinions

-Listen to comments with respect

-No side conversations

-Don’t interrupt

-No put downs

-Right to pass

-Right to disagree

-Right to take care of personal needs

-Right to call people on the ground rules

RESPECT! RESPECT! RESPECT!

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Common Expectations for Advisor/Advisee Time
(These expectations were developed at the advisors’ summer planning meeting. Please be consistent!)

*Advisees are to remain in their advisor's room, not in hallways. If your advisor is absent, you are to report to your buddy group location.

*Doors are closed on active days so others are not disturbed.

*Be on time! Advisors will have consequences for habitual offenders.

*Communicate effectively.

*Feedback Form is expected for each activity; the forms will be distributed by the performing group at the end of the activity or during A/A time the next day.

*Enjoy snacks responsibly - Clean up after ourselves: finish or dispose of snacks by the end of A/A time. Healthy snacks and products from the LMCS Healthy Snack machine. Please comply as advisors don't want to be "food police!" However, advisors will have consequences for habitual offenders.

*Students are not to leave their group to go to another group to get snacks. Also, if treats are brought for a birthday or special holiday with advisor's permission, there must be enough for everyone in the A/A group or they cannot be distributed.

*Advisors are to be with their advisee group at all times.

By following these expectations, Advisor/Advisee time will be enjoyed by all! Thank you for your cooperation as a. . .

Lifelong Learner
Effective Communicator
Responsible Citizen
Critical/Creative Thinker
Healthy Contributor

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Quality Circle Process

1. Please follow ground rules established by your A/A group.

2. Please use quality circle process:
    a. Choose a facilitator
    b. Choose a recorder
    c. Go around the circle in order. Each person either shares an idea or passes, with no one else
      talking. Recorder lists all ideas.
    d. When all ideas have been exhausted, group members may ask clarifying questions as needed.
      New suggestions are added to the group’s list.
    e. Recorder gives list to advisor for group’s use in developing A/A activities.

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Focus for Developing Advisory Activities

Worthwhile advisory activities should focus on:
    (1) developing a trusting relationship between each student and an adult advisor
    (2) enhancing each student's sense of belonging
    (3) providing academic and social guidance and support
    (4) developing each student's self-confidence and self-esteem
    (5) providing leadership opportunities
    (6) developing cooperative work skills.

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What is a Middle School?

It’s a special place where. . .

-cooperation is emphasized and competition is de-emphasized

-skills are developed through active learning, not constant drill and worksheets

-high expectations, high level curriculum and a high level of support are in place

-discipline is expected and respect is fostered

-a high level of parental and community involvement is expected

-teachers work in interdisciplinary teams

-children’s needs receive attention through small group advisory activities and student assistance programs

-a variety of interests and talent areas are explored/developed

(from the Center of Education for the Young Adolescent)

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Learning Clubs

Learning Clubs are safe places where young people can explore areas of strength and areas to be strengthened. Their purpose is to help young adolescents understand and respect the broad scope of intelligences that are needed to be successful in life. Because these clubs are for "learning", there must be a component of assessment that is appropriate to the "safe" environment.

 
Advisor/Advisee Groups

Advisor/Advisee Groups are for building a sense of trust and belonging. They allow each young person to connect with an adult advocate and with supportive peers. Developing relationships is a major component of the groups, and reinforcement of character traits helps each adolescent to understand what is expected for individual social success and for success in group interaction.

 
Got A Problem At School? Here’s What To Do

“Involvement with people in their needs and frustrations is an expression of love getting its hands dirty.”(L.J. Oglivie)

One of the Learner-Centered Principles of LMCS is “Collaborative Climate” - meaning that we all need to work together. But what do we do when we have a conflict between the learners in our school?

The following flow-chart shows how to work with problems at LMCS. (NOTE: The LMCS Equity Coordinator may be used as an informal resource at any point in this process. Also, people involved may ask for further conflict resolution opportunities at any time.)

(1) Students Solve Problems On Their Own
(2) Students Ask A Teacher For Help
(3) Students and/or Teacher Ask Counselor For Help
(4) Students and/or Counselor Ask Principal For Help
(5) Counselor and Principal Ask Parents For Help
(6) Principal and/or Parents Ask Superintendent For Help
(7) Superintendent Informs School Board of Conflict
(8) Problem Formally Goes To LMCS Equity Coordinator for Legal Action if Continued Harassment is the Issue

Of course, we all hope that problems will not escalate to the later stages of this flow chart. If at any time you or your child feel that you need to have this process clarified, the Equity Coordinator for the Lake Mills Community School District is Daryl Sherman. You are welcome to call or visit her at any time with any concerns you may have. (The LMCS Central Office number if 515-592-0881.)

This problem-solving process reflects the Character Traits to Be Taught and Reinforced in the Lake Mills Community Schools as identified by the Lake Mills Area Ministerial Association. Conflict Resolution is one of nine identified character traits; other traits include Honesty, Appropriate Sexual Behaviors, Respect for Authority, Attitudes Valuing Life, Citizenship, Tolerance and Respect, Equity and Multicultural Understanding, Responsibility with Freedom.

Thank you for your help in meeting the effective school correlate of a safe and orderly environment. By helping our learners to resolve conflicts responsibly, we are empowering them to face the future with confidence in their own abilities to get along with others - even when they may disagree.

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Study Hall Rules

1. Quietly enter the study hall and be seated in your seat. Bring ALL study materials to study hall. Students should not go to their lockers during study hall unless it is an occasional emergency granted by the study hall supervisor.

2. After attendance is taken, students will be allowed to sign out, following these guidelines:

   A. Any student leaving study hall will need a pass and will sign out with the study hall teacher. Please use both first and last names and make them readable.

   B. If you want to see a teacher, have a signed pass from that teacher BEFORE study hall begins. Those students with pre-signed passes will be given permission to sign out first.

   C. Those wishing to check out to the LMC will come up for a pass and sign out.

   D. Students needing to sign out for any other reason will come up for a pass and sign out.

   E. You must return to the study hall before the end of the period with your signed pass. Return quietly and do not disturb other people. Anyone who abuses sign-out privileges may lose this privilege.

3. QUIET study time continues until the end of the period.

4. Students may work together ONLY after receiving permission from the study hall supervisor. If you are to work with another student for a class, bring a pass signed by the classroom teacher giving permission to do so.

5. Show respect to all people and property; do not lean back on chairs as they will break.

6. Remember that study halls are for your benefit. We know that you have busy lives, and study halls are one way that the school provides assistance in meeting your needs and responsibilities.

7. Consequences for habitually abusing study hall time include but are not limited to:
   -Making up wasted time after school
   -Making up wasted time during lunch
   -Making up wasted time during Saturday School
   -Making up wasted time during summer school
   -Asking your parent(s) to come with you to study hall to supervise your work
   -Replacing study hall with a regularly scheduled class

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Homework Helproom Procedure