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It
has been a whirlwind first
semester for me as I get to know 925 students, approximately 100 staff,
parents,
partner organizations, middle school organizational structures, the
history and
culture of the school, the facility, and so much more. It is a tribute
to the
students, the staff, and particularly the vice principals here at King
that I
have been able to spend so much time observing in classrooms and
talking with
people while the necessary day to day work is taken care of. The
following list
is sure to be incomplete and I apologize for any errors or offense as
it is
only my intention to provide my understanding of the “State of the
School” at
this time, but before we start, let me share that I love
working at King :)
I
TEACHING
AND LEARNING
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Noteworthy:
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Working On:
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Talented Teaching Staff
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Differentiation
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Focused Classrooms
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Progress Monitoring
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Comparatively Dynamic & Interesting
Classes
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Student Motivation
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Strong, Cohesive Departments
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Cultural Inclusion
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Standards Based Instruction
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De-Tracking 8th Grade Math
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Lab Science
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Possible Change in Grading System
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Possible Change in Master Schedule
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II
STUDENT
SUPPORT
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Noteworthy:
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Working On:
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Counseling
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ULSS Plan
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“Keepin’ It Real”
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Progress Monitoring
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Case Management
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Extended Day Intervention
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Read 180
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Extended Year
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6th Grade Math Support
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Expand Scholars/M3
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Additional Special Education Staff
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English Learner Support
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Long Term Mentor Models (Scholars/M3)
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III
GARDEN/COOKING/HEALTH+
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Noteworthy:
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Working On:
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Edible Schoolyard
Garden
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New Dining Commons
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Edible Schoolyard Kitchen
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New Lunch Menu
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Universal Breakfast
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Family Involvement Component
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6th Grade integrated units
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More Classes on ESY Schedule
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7th Grade integrated unit
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More Unit Development/Field Tr
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PE 6th-8th
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6th Grade PE
Every Day
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IV
ARTS
AND ENRICHMENT
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Noteworthy:
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Working On:
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“0” Period Music
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Music Option After School
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Drama Program
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Teacher Run Clubs At Lunch
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Dance Unit In PE
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More Student Activites
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After School Arts and Enrichment
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Extended Day Sports Program
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V
SCHOOL
CLIMATE
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Noteworthy:
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Working On:
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High Degree of Student to Student Respect
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Student Respect To Adults
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Very Little Classroom Disruption
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Positive View of Working Hard
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Very Little Physical Violence
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Deeper Communication
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Strong Adult Led Conflict Resolution Program
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On Time Arrival To Class
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Cohort Model With VP’s
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Strengthen Cohort Model
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Positive School Culture
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Suspension Rate Significantly Lower Than
Other Middle Schools
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VI
SCHOOL
GOVERNANCE
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Noteworthy:
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Working On:
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Active SGC With Working Groups
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Latino and ELL Parents on SGC
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African-American Parent Representation on SGC
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More Time
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New Active African-American Parent Group
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PTA Working Sub-Committees
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New Latino Parent Group
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Improve Parent Survey/Feedback
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New Staff Leadership Team
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Active PTA Outreach
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Staff Committees
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VII
COMMUNICATION
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Noteworthy:
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Working On:
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Principal’s Almost Weekly Phone Blast
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Improve E-Mail Communications
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PTA Newsletter
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Create Buy In To Edline
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School Mailings/Progress Report Mailings
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Improve System of Teacher to
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E-Tree (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/King_E-Tree)
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Parent Communication
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Progress Reports
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Improve Survey/ Parent Feedback
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Edline
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VIII FACILITIES
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Noteworthy:
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Working On:
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Fabulous 11 Acre Site
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Gym Work
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Re-Modeled Main Building
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M-Building Work
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Exceptional Library
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Outside Landscaping
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Exceptional Garden/Kitchen
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New Tables in Excellent Science Rooms
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Great Custodial Staff
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A Little Overcrowded
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This
is not a short list, but
it is far from complete. In working on this presentation I tried to
focus on
several big picture areas. It is a joy to report many of the positive
things
already in place at Martin
Luther King Jr. Middle
School.
Hopefully the “working on” list also makes it clear that our staff and
parent
leaders are working hard to make significant improvements at King.
Thank you
for attending tonight and please always feel free to email me
(JLustig@berkeley.k12.ca.us) ideas or concerns. It will sometimes take
me a
while to get back to you, but your idea may spark a positive change at
King for
all students and the effort is appreciated.
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