Our students take the District Benchmark Assessment three times a year (fall, winter, spring) to assess progress in mastering the NM Content Standards and Benchmarks. The test gives us a good idea how our kids stack up. The winter math DBA results show our kids doing extremely well compared with the district average.
Grade Taylor- Math APS Average
6th 61.9% correct 59.3% correct
7th 57.1% 54.4%
8th
8th Algebra 55.3%
66% 49.9%
47.6%
Our reading scores were also competitive
Grade Taylor - Reading APS Average
6th 64.3% correct 65.2% correct
7th 59.9% 59.97%
8th 70.5% 67.6%
These tests provide teachers with a standard-by-standard analysis of each student’s strengths and weaknesses. Teachers have been working in departments to analyze these data. In reflecting on the data, I am pleased that math scores exceeded district averages and that reading scores were competitive. As teachers review data, they will make adjustments and we will continue to see scores rise in the spring. Parents play a key role in helping your kids succeed on these tests by encouraging them to do their best. The DBA test is important within the district because it gives us a snapshot view of what standards we need to reteach. Accurate data leads to accurate re-teaching. Accurate re-teaching leads to improved learning. Parental support is crucial to helping your kids do well on this assessment. Have a great week!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Dress code updates
One way that middle school students express their individuality is through their clothes. One way that school leadership helps provide an orderly environment is through the school dress code. These two aims- expressing student individuality and ensuring a safe distraction-free learning environment – can at times conflict. That has been the case with some frequency this spring. Allow me to say that 95% of our kids follow the dress code day in and day out without exception. Kudos to these kids and their parents for supporting our dress policies and helping enforce them. But there are few who like to push the envelope every day. The most frequent dress code problem is saggy pants on guys. Mrs. Meyer and I have just started a crusade to eliminate sagging at Taylor by writing up chronic saggers. Saggers will receive one day of lunch detention for the first offense and repeat offenses will lead to stiffer consequences. The second most frequent “wardrobe malfunction” is failure to wear a polo shirt. Students know by now that polos are required. Failure to have the proper shirt will also lead to lunch detention. Students have been asking me to declare a Dress Down Day next week. I am pleased to report that we do want to recognize the efforts of students to comply and we are announcing a dress down day for Wednesday, Feb. 17.
Recruiting trips
I am a fanatical college football fan (Oregon Ducks) and this week is a high point of the offseason because this is the week high school seniors sign letters of intent. It is the culmination of months and even years of recruiting young men to play football for their team. Coincidentally, this week is also a high point in my school year because I too spend considerable time and energy recruiting 5th graders to attend Taylor. Monday night we hosted a gym full of fifth graders and parents showing them the delights of attending our artistic and energetic school. Wednesday I spoke to all the 5th grade classes along with counselor Michele Chapman at Corrales ES about why they should attend Taylor. Thursday Mrs. Chapman and I paid a recruiting visit to Los Ranchos Elementary. Today we are off to Alameda ES and next Tuesday we will conclude our recruiting tour with a visit to Seven-Bar ES. Our message is simple: At Taylor you will receive a well-rounded education in a safe rigorous school committed to the fine and performing arts. I thoroughly believe in our school and am committed to attracting the best and brightest from our feeder elementary schools. Thank you parents for sending us such great kids!
Friday, January 29, 2010
But I didn't mean it!
Sex! Sex! Sex! Aargh! I am sick and tired of seeing pictures of APS teachers making headlines for admitted or alleged sexual activity with students. Other New Mexico educators have also been accused of having sex with minor students. Last weekend’s Albuquerque Journal had an in-depth article on this disgusting and troubling trend. While what these teachers did to their students is criminal (if true) they aren’t the only people in our schools misbehaving when it comes to sex. I am saddened to report that an increasing number of your children behave badly in the related area of sexual harassment. The new APS website (www.aps.edu) has a link to the district’s handbook on sexual harassment which I excerpted below:
“Physical sexual harassment is any unwanted sexually oriented physical act:
Purposely bumping or rubbing against someone
Kissing or holding a person against his or her will
Blocking someone’s movements or preventing someone from moving freely
Grabbing or touching someone, especially his or her private body parts
Tearing or pulling at someone’s clothing”
“Verbal sexual harassment means offensive words and comments, spoken privately to someone or in front of others:
Comments about body parts or rating someone’s body
Sexually suggestive jokes
Using sexual orientation (homosexuality or bisexuality) as an insult
Sexually suggestive threats
Spreading sexual rumors or stories”
“Nonverbal sexual harassment:
Displaying obscene sexual material or placing it in someone’s locker or on someone’s desk or computer
Writing someone’s name along with sexual remarks, suggestions, or drawings in public places, e.g., bathrooms or desks
Staring or pointing at someone’s body or body parts
Making obscene gestures”
In the past few weeks, I have suspended a number of male students for both verbal and nonverbal sexual harassment to other male students. Typically this involves one of more of the bulleted items listed above. The most frequent complaint we receive is from boys who are being called names referring to sexual orientation, making fun of body parts, or intimating lewd acts. When confronted by a principal, the boys often admit the behavior adding “But I was just kidding, I didn’t really mean it”. When I explain to the child that this is sexual harassment whether he meant it or not and the consequence is a one day out-of-school suspension the boys often panic and start to cry. I then call their mother with the child present and read the exact words or remarks their child said to the victim. Then the mothers start to cry or become very angry or embarrassed at their child’s behavior. I explain to parent and child that sexual harassment is against federal law (Title IX) and APS policy. I have yet to have a parent question my decision to suspend their child for this behavior. I suspect this is because we as adults know how demeaning it is to be harassed.
As I said in the beginning, we know this behavior is becoming increasingly prevalent among middle school students. The reasons why harassers do this are as individual as the harassers themselves: ignorance, poor formation, and peer pressure. But one 6th grade boy told me that he did it because he “wanted to be seen as cool by his friends and the older kids”. He tearfully told me he “was stupid for talking like that and had learned his lesson.” That is good and well and I certainly hope he did learn his lesson. But if it is true that up to 35% of students nationwide have been harassed, Mrs. Meyer and I are only scratching the surface. We need your help to deal with this behavior. Please talk to your child about sexual harassment and its consequences. Remind them it is against the law and the consequences if caught will be severe. Let them know it’s never funny and that the excuse that “I was just kidding” or “I didn’t mean it” will never hold up when they visit my office.
“Physical sexual harassment is any unwanted sexually oriented physical act:
Purposely bumping or rubbing against someone
Kissing or holding a person against his or her will
Blocking someone’s movements or preventing someone from moving freely
Grabbing or touching someone, especially his or her private body parts
Tearing or pulling at someone’s clothing”
“Verbal sexual harassment means offensive words and comments, spoken privately to someone or in front of others:
Comments about body parts or rating someone’s body
Sexually suggestive jokes
Using sexual orientation (homosexuality or bisexuality) as an insult
Sexually suggestive threats
Spreading sexual rumors or stories”
“Nonverbal sexual harassment:
Displaying obscene sexual material or placing it in someone’s locker or on someone’s desk or computer
Writing someone’s name along with sexual remarks, suggestions, or drawings in public places, e.g., bathrooms or desks
Staring or pointing at someone’s body or body parts
Making obscene gestures”
In the past few weeks, I have suspended a number of male students for both verbal and nonverbal sexual harassment to other male students. Typically this involves one of more of the bulleted items listed above. The most frequent complaint we receive is from boys who are being called names referring to sexual orientation, making fun of body parts, or intimating lewd acts. When confronted by a principal, the boys often admit the behavior adding “But I was just kidding, I didn’t really mean it”. When I explain to the child that this is sexual harassment whether he meant it or not and the consequence is a one day out-of-school suspension the boys often panic and start to cry. I then call their mother with the child present and read the exact words or remarks their child said to the victim. Then the mothers start to cry or become very angry or embarrassed at their child’s behavior. I explain to parent and child that sexual harassment is against federal law (Title IX) and APS policy. I have yet to have a parent question my decision to suspend their child for this behavior. I suspect this is because we as adults know how demeaning it is to be harassed.
As I said in the beginning, we know this behavior is becoming increasingly prevalent among middle school students. The reasons why harassers do this are as individual as the harassers themselves: ignorance, poor formation, and peer pressure. But one 6th grade boy told me that he did it because he “wanted to be seen as cool by his friends and the older kids”. He tearfully told me he “was stupid for talking like that and had learned his lesson.” That is good and well and I certainly hope he did learn his lesson. But if it is true that up to 35% of students nationwide have been harassed, Mrs. Meyer and I are only scratching the surface. We need your help to deal with this behavior. Please talk to your child about sexual harassment and its consequences. Remind them it is against the law and the consequences if caught will be severe. Let them know it’s never funny and that the excuse that “I was just kidding” or “I didn’t mean it” will never hold up when they visit my office.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Haiti Fundraisers in the works
I am so impressed by our staff and students! This morning Mark Williams, our illustrious 8th grade science teacher, approached me with a proposal from some kids to sell cupcakes to help Haitian earthquake victims. Then a few minutes later, Alyssa came by the office with an idea she dreamed up. Her idea is to sell tickets to students for a Dress Down Day with the proceeds going to earthquake relief.
I met with Taylor Student Council officers and sponsor this afternoon and we worked with Alyssa's idea. As we discussed it, we expanded it until we arrived at the following:
1. Students may purchase a ticket next week during lunch for $3 which will allow them to have a dress down day on Monday, January 25.
2. Students may also purchase a ticket for "Hats On for Haiti" for $2 to allow them to wear hats on January 25 too.
3. Student Council members are developing the tickets and fliers to publicize the event.
4. Council members will sell tickets next week during lunch.
5. All funds will go to the Red Cross.
My thanks to our awesome students and teachers who see a need and take action to alleviate it.
I met with Taylor Student Council officers and sponsor this afternoon and we worked with Alyssa's idea. As we discussed it, we expanded it until we arrived at the following:
1. Students may purchase a ticket next week during lunch for $3 which will allow them to have a dress down day on Monday, January 25.
2. Students may also purchase a ticket for "Hats On for Haiti" for $2 to allow them to wear hats on January 25 too.
3. Student Council members are developing the tickets and fliers to publicize the event.
4. Council members will sell tickets next week during lunch.
5. All funds will go to the Red Cross.
My thanks to our awesome students and teachers who see a need and take action to alleviate it.
Kids say the darndest things!
Is anybody else old enough to remember Art Linkletter? Art was a TV host and author in the 1950’s and 1960’s who wrote a book entitled “Kids Say the Darndest Things!” Anyone who has ever raised kids or worked in middle school knows just how true this title is. I mention this because I was visiting with students about their report cards on Wednesday in the cafeteria. One student proudly showed me his report card with 5 A’s and 1 B. “Wow”, I exclaimed, “That’s a really great report card. Did you know my grades in middle school were never that good?” And the kid stopped, looked at me, and asked, “Then how did you ever get to be principal?”
I laughed as I told him that grades are not always a great predictor of future success. I explained that I was bored in much of middle school and high school and that it wasn’t until college that I finally got serious about learning. It wasn’t until I saw that education had a purpose beyond just filling up reams of notebook paper with notes that I would forget as soon as I turned them in. It wasn’t until I took classes from some passionate professors who ignited my smoldering fuel that I grew to love learning. Thankfully every Taylor student is not the underachieving slacker I was. I can attest to the fact that many of your kids want to learn. And our teachers are eager to teach them. So it is with great joy that we honor our straight A and 3-5-4.0 honor roll students next Friday. I hope you will be able to join us as we celebrate their accomplishments.
“I think, at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity”. - Eleanor Roosevelt
I laughed as I told him that grades are not always a great predictor of future success. I explained that I was bored in much of middle school and high school and that it wasn’t until college that I finally got serious about learning. It wasn’t until I saw that education had a purpose beyond just filling up reams of notebook paper with notes that I would forget as soon as I turned them in. It wasn’t until I took classes from some passionate professors who ignited my smoldering fuel that I grew to love learning. Thankfully every Taylor student is not the underachieving slacker I was. I can attest to the fact that many of your kids want to learn. And our teachers are eager to teach them. So it is with great joy that we honor our straight A and 3-5-4.0 honor roll students next Friday. I hope you will be able to join us as we celebrate their accomplishments.
“I think, at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity”. - Eleanor Roosevelt
Friday, January 8, 2010
What's new at Taylor?
With spring just around the corner, a not-so-young man’s fancy turns
to thoughts of master schedules, educational plans for student
success, and soccer.
Master Schedule Changes Proposed by APS: Superintendent Brooks
convened a study group in September to look at the feasibility of
having a single master schedule for all APS middle schools. The two
schedules under consideration are a six-period day and a five-period
day. The six-period day would feature:
• Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and one
elective every day of the week for 60 minutes.
• The sixth class would be known as META (maintenance-enrichment-
tutorial-advisory) and would last 45 minutes.
The five-period day would feature:
• Math and language arts every day of the week for 75 min.
• Science and social studies every other day for 75 minutes.
• Two electives every other day for 75 minutes.
• META every day for 45 minutes.
A selection is expected by the Superintendent’s Office in February.
EPSS: The Instructional Council reviewed the CLASS survey results
from parents, students, and staff. They distilled the following keys:
Parents indicated Taylor’s strengths were: (1) respectful relationships
with parents, (2) stresses importance of student achievement, and (3)
students are treated with equity and fairness. The main opportunity
for improvement was providing timely feedback to parents regarding
a child’s progress. Student surveys indicate the following strengths:
(1) students appreciate how teachers allow different ways to
demonstrate proficiency, (2) Spanish speaking students feel positive
about their relationships with teachers, (3) disciplinary rules are in
place and are stressed, and (4) students feel they are treated
respectfully and fairly. They said opportunities for improvement
were: (1) teachers could do a better job of helping all students
including ELL and special education students to learn, and (2) reteach
content to students who do poorly on tests. Staff members
indicated that they taught Taylor’s strengths were: (1) classroom
based practices, (2) quality of curriculum, (3) content knowledge, and
(4) opportunities to demonstrate proficiency. Areas for improvement
included the need for grade and department level collaboration and
training in continuous classroom improvement practices.
Soccer: Due to popular demand, we will be starting boys’ and girls’
soccer teams this spring. We are finalizing who will coach and the
schedules. We realize we have some extremely talented soccer
players among our students and we want to give them an
opportunity to showcase their talents against other middle schools.
We will be having an after-school meeting in the near future to share
information with students and parents.
That’s it for this week. Next week I will be sharing information about
the projects at Taylor to be funded by the bond. Stay tuned! ;o)
to thoughts of master schedules, educational plans for student
success, and soccer.
Master Schedule Changes Proposed by APS: Superintendent Brooks
convened a study group in September to look at the feasibility of
having a single master schedule for all APS middle schools. The two
schedules under consideration are a six-period day and a five-period
day. The six-period day would feature:
• Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and one
elective every day of the week for 60 minutes.
• The sixth class would be known as META (maintenance-enrichment-
tutorial-advisory) and would last 45 minutes.
The five-period day would feature:
• Math and language arts every day of the week for 75 min.
• Science and social studies every other day for 75 minutes.
• Two electives every other day for 75 minutes.
• META every day for 45 minutes.
A selection is expected by the Superintendent’s Office in February.
EPSS: The Instructional Council reviewed the CLASS survey results
from parents, students, and staff. They distilled the following keys:
Parents indicated Taylor’s strengths were: (1) respectful relationships
with parents, (2) stresses importance of student achievement, and (3)
students are treated with equity and fairness. The main opportunity
for improvement was providing timely feedback to parents regarding
a child’s progress. Student surveys indicate the following strengths:
(1) students appreciate how teachers allow different ways to
demonstrate proficiency, (2) Spanish speaking students feel positive
about their relationships with teachers, (3) disciplinary rules are in
place and are stressed, and (4) students feel they are treated
respectfully and fairly. They said opportunities for improvement
were: (1) teachers could do a better job of helping all students
including ELL and special education students to learn, and (2) reteach
content to students who do poorly on tests. Staff members
indicated that they taught Taylor’s strengths were: (1) classroom
based practices, (2) quality of curriculum, (3) content knowledge, and
(4) opportunities to demonstrate proficiency. Areas for improvement
included the need for grade and department level collaboration and
training in continuous classroom improvement practices.
Soccer: Due to popular demand, we will be starting boys’ and girls’
soccer teams this spring. We are finalizing who will coach and the
schedules. We realize we have some extremely talented soccer
players among our students and we want to give them an
opportunity to showcase their talents against other middle schools.
We will be having an after-school meeting in the near future to share
information with students and parents.
That’s it for this week. Next week I will be sharing information about
the projects at Taylor to be funded by the bond. Stay tuned! ;o)
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