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Mark Your Calendars Now! This past spring, the Board of Education approved a slight calendar adjustment to our middle school students’ schedule. Tuesday, August 13, 2019 will be the first day of school for sixth-grade students ONLY. Seventh and eighth-grade students will begin their school year on Wednesday, August 14th.
Families of sixth-grade students will be invited to attend a middle school information workshop offered at their student’s middle school on Tuesday, August 13th. There will be two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Families can attend the session that is most convenient. Additional details about the start of the school year, including information about the family workshops, will be mailed home in late July.
The schedule for district elementary and high school students remain the same. Please visit the district’s online calendar at www.wcsoh.org for the most accurate information.
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The Westerville City Schools’ Middle School Design Team met regularly during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years to develop a program that ensures every Westerville City middle school student is actively engaged in dynamic learning experiences and environments that develop learning and life skills for academic and personal success.
This past year, members divided into three Action Teams, which are responsible for researching and developing recommendations related to these priority areas:
- Organization and Structure,
- Curriculum and Instruction, and
- Social-Emotional Learning.
Action Teams developed action plans that will begin implementation during the 2019-2020 school year, including:
Organization and Structure Action Team
The highest initial priority was teaming, primarily because it is critical for connectivity for students (people to people; across content areas; adolescent learning needs connections; increased communication and support for students, etc.). Students entering 6th grade will be on a team.
This Action Team will continue to support the development of 6th-grade teams and monitor the progress of 6th-grade students. The team will also make recommendations for the expansion of teaming into the 7th and 8th grades.
Curriculum and Instruction Action Team
The highest initial priority was elective coursework. Team members worked with stakeholders to develop new courses that will be implemented in 2019-2020, including:
- World Cultures in Music
- Health 7
- Medical Detectives
- Engineering eXtreme
This action team continues to research engaging teaching and learning strategies and explore additional elective course options.
Social-Emotional Learning
This team’s highest initial priority was the transition of 5th-grade students to 6th-grade and the development of a 6th-grade-only first day of school, which will occur on August 13, 2019.
This team continues examined the professional learning that is necessary to support all staff in developing empathy and understanding the specific needs of students.
Action Teams will continue to research practices related to their respective priority areas and develop action plans throughout the 2019-2020 school year. Additional updates will be provided as this work progresses.