Middle Level Leader: April 2013
April 2013
A few weeks ago, students at Clarksville (AR) High School selected special needs student Hannah Gibson as prom queen; Hannah is my cousin’s granddaughter. When I was in school this would have never happened, primarily because students with special needs attended a school just for them. Today, even though students with intellectual disabilities now attend our middle level and high schools, they are not always afforded the degree of social inclusion that Hannah experienced. This month’s lead article discusses this critical issue and provides suggestions on how school leaders can support the social inclusion of each student into their school.
Patti Kinney
Associate Director
Middle Level Services
Social Inclusion in the Middle Level
By Andrea Cahn and Betty Edwards
A significant civil rights issue, social inclusion speaks to the needs of all youth to learn and live within an environment that recognizes their strengths and contributions while providing opportunities for them to be active members of the school community. Federal legislation has addressed the issues of physical and academic inclusion, but social inclusion in our schools must still be addressed. Students with disabilities often feel invisible and endure bullying because they are labeled as “different.” Principals, however, can take specific actions to create a supportive, inclusive environment where all students are respected and engaged in the school. Principals, teachers, and students alike share how creating social opportunities for students with disabilities has led to a richer, more open-minded student body. (Continue reading)
SmartBrief: Let the Internet Do the Walking
By Chris Toy
Remember the national advertising campaign suggesting that if you “let your fingers do the walking” you’d find what you were looking for more efficiently? Information technology has changed since AT&T’s fingers walked through the Yellow Pages. The digital superhighway is now a tidal wave of information. Fortunately, there is a way to sort through the mountains of information on the Internet to locate high-quality articles and resources and have them delivered directly to our inboxes. Moreover, these customizable resources can be delivered for free on our laptops, tablets, smart phones, and other mobile devices. (Continue reading)
Spotlight on Middle Schools
Each year, chapters of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) from around the nation apply to receive one of the Outstanding Service Project awards sponsored by the national office. Service projects are an obligation that every chapter has as part of the national guidelines for NJHS. We are very proud to recognize five chapters this year for their work. Check out the profiles of this year’s winning projects as well as ones from previous years. After reading about the work of these middle schools, we hope that your school’s chapter will consider applying for recognition next year. Congratulations to this year’s winners:
- Schimelpfenig Middle School, Plano, TX; Project: Sharing Our Blessings
- Holly Grove Middle School, Holly Springs, NC; Project: Holly Springs Food Cupboard
- Winston Park K-8 Center, Miami, FL; Project: Unique Fun Day at Camillus House
- Chatham Middle School, Chatham, NY; Project: Senior Citizen Holiday Luncheon and Celebration
- Nolan Middle School, Bradenton, FL; Project: Nolan’s Haunted Hallways.
News & Notes
NASSP Releases Joint Framework on Safe and Successful Schools
NASSP joined with NAESP, the American School Counselor Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, the School Social Work Association of America, and the National Association of School Resource Officers to issue A Framework on Safe and Successful Schools, which outlines policy recommendations and best practices to improve school safety and improve access to mental health supports.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Don’t forget to celebrate and recognize your teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6–10. Celebration ideas can be found on the NASSP website not only for this week, but all year long.
Become a MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School
- Does your school serve 40% or more students on free or reduced-price lunch?
- Can you document improvements in academic achievement for at least the past three years?
- Can you speak to how your school has used the three core areas of the Breaking Ranks Framework—collaborative leadership; personalization; and curriculum, instruction, and assessment—for improvement?
If so, you are a great candidate to become a MetLife Foundation–NASSP Breakthrough School and receive a $5,000 grant. All schools that serve middle level or high school students are eligible to apply by the June 30th deadline.
Schools to Watch Conference
NASSP is a member of the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, which sponsors the “Schools to Watch” program. This year, the annual Schools to Watch Conference will be held June 27-29 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott near Washington, DC. This conference brings together middle level schools from around the country that have been recognized for meeting the rigorous standards required of a School to Watch.