2000-2001 Climate Goal
(Year Two of a Multi-year Goal)

Improvement Target 1:By the end of the 2000-2001 school year, all students will demonstrate increased respect for themselves, others and property, and will take personal responsibility for their actions.

Rationale:A safe school environment that promotes self-respect and personal responsibility will enhance optimal learning and prepare the students for success in the future. 

School climate survey results have indicated significant improvement in all areas.  Wright staff is interested in maintaining these gains, and enhancing our progress by examining how we could build curriculum focused on life skills into the classroom. Informal interviews with staff indicate that students need to continue to develop skills in the areas of respect and personal responsibility for their decisions and actions. 

Staff members also indicate that several of the components developed last year that provided incentives for students should continue and become part of our school culture.  This will enhance the learning environments and create a greater sense of community in our school.

Goal Measurement Strategies: ·       

• Reduced referrals to Panther Pride ·       
• Fewer suspensions ·       
• Increased student involvement in clubs ·       
• Increased student involvement in support groups ·       
• Promotion of a Positive Incentive Program that rewards respectful, responsible behavior ·       
• Visible reminders of school-wide rules and expectations ·       
• Climate Survey results ·       
• Improved organizational skills in students ·       
• Interviews with Staff and Students

Objectives: ·       

1. Teachers and staff will identify a unified approach to teach students the skills of personal responsibility and respect. ·       
2. Staff will examine the options available for creating curriculum focused on life skills and human growth and development at each grade level. ·       
3. Teachers and staff will take class time as needed to problem solve with students on how to handle situations in a respectful manner. ·       
4. Student leadership groups will focus on this climate goal, and will work to implement student strategies for school improvement. ·       
5. Staff will continue to maintain a positive school environment that rewards student success and responsible choices. ·       
6. Student Services Staff will develop and implement support groups that will help students build new skills for success. ·       
7. Staff will create vehicles for communicating school-wide expectations of students. (i.e.  hallway behavior, dress) ·       
8. Staff will promote a Positive Incentive Program that rewards personal responsibility, kindness, and respect. ·       
9. Student Services Staff will provide classroom training on harassment, life skills, growth and development, and other topics deemed necessary for students’ success in school. ·       
10. Staff will use multiple measures to examine the success of climate initiatives in the school.

Action Steps:

1. The Climate Action Team will facilitate and sustain successful school-wide initiatives that began last year (i.e. Panther Pride Assemblies, Panther Pride Parties, Acts of Kindness and Justice, Panther Pride Parent Postcards, support groups, leadership activities) (Ongoing)  (Principal, Student Services, Staff) 2.     
2. Create a Human Growth and Development Curriculum Committee that will examine the district standards, curriculum options, and implementation strategies.  This will include the use of a district consultant and a survey of what other middle schools in the district are using to meet these standards. (Student Services, B Kean, B. Peterson )(10/00) 3.     
3. Identify what teaching and learning strategies in the areas of life skills and human growth and development will best meet the needs of our students at Wright Middle School.  (12/00) 4.     
4. Teach the Life Skills curriculum, an AODA prevention program, for fifteen lessons in the sixth grade and ten lessons in the seventh grade.  (S. Knutson, D. Stanko, E. Branch) (5/00) 5.     
5. Examine how harassment referrals are handled, and develop a consistent approach that includes accountability, teaching new skills, parent contacts, and staff follow-up. (Principal, Student Services) (Ongoing) 6.     
6. Utilize student leadership groups to create and implement student strategies for school improvement. (B. Billingham) (Ongoing)
7. Identify students who would benefit from support groups in the school that are focused on teaching skills for success. (11/00)  (Grade Level Teams, Student Services Staff) 8.     
8. Implement student support groups. (12/00)  (Student Services Staff) 9.     
9. Develop school-wide expectations for behavior, inform parents, and post them in visible areas in the school. (1/00)  (Principal or assigned) 10.
10. Improve staff consistency in enforcing school-wide rules, and utilize consequences fairly for all students.  (Ongoing) (Principal, Staff)