West Allis- West Milwaukee School Districts Multifaceted Approach To Freshmen Success

1. West Allis- West Milwaukee School Districts Multifaceted Approach To Freshmen Success Nathan Hale High School –Freshmen Mentoring Nathan Hale High School - 9 for 9 Initiative Central High School – Freshmen Academy Presented by: Nikki Levine and Nate Riceman, Nathan Hale Dan Langkammer and Paul Mielke, Central

2. Nathan Hale High School Freshmen Mentor Program 2013

3. HISTORY • MODELED AFTER ADLAI STEVENSON HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN MENTOR PROGRAM IN LINCOLNSHIRE, ILLINOIS • NATHAN HALE PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN 2004 • MODIFICATIONS SINCE THEN INCLUDE: FORMAT,TRAINING, STRUCTURE AND LESSON CONTENT

4. THE ROLE OF PEER MENTORS • POSITIVE ROLE MODELS • HELP ACCLIMATE 9th GRADERS TO HIGH SCHOOL • ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS WITH 9TH GRADERS

5. MENTOR PROGRAM STRUCTURE • TWO-THREE MENTORS ARE ASSIGNED TO EACH FRESHMEN HOMEROOM FOR 25 MINUTES TWICE A WEEK • VETERAN MENTORS PAIRED WITH NEW MENTORS • SOPHMORES –SENIORS ELIGIBLE • MONDAY/TUESDAY: LESSON PLANNING • WEDNESDAY: LESSON DELIVERY • THURSDAY: LESSON REFLECTION • FRIDAY: CONNECTION ACTIVIITES WITH FRESHMEN

6. SAMPLE LESSON TOPICS • PEER PRESSURE • TIME MANAGEMENT AND STUDY SKILLS • BULLYING • FRIENDSHIP, DATING AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS • DEALING WITH STRESS • HOW TO ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS

7. MENTOR SELECTION PROCESS • NOMINATION BY TEACHER • SELF-SELECTION • APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS • APPLICATION REVIEW • AUDITIONS • MANDATORY SUMMER TRAINING • CONTRACTS

8. BENEFITS TO MENTORS • LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE • COMMUNITY SERVICE • SELF-CONFIDENCE • PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS • CORDS AT GRADUATION • COURSE CREDIT

9. GENERAL EXPECTATIONS OF MENTORS ENTHUSIASTIC FULLY PREPARED FOR LESSONS ON TIME GOOD ATTENDANCE OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH CO-MENTORS AND ADVISORS MAKES POSITIVE CONNECTIONS WITH 9TH GRADERS

10. MENTOR ADVISORS • ASSIST IN PLANNING LESSONS • OBSERVE MENTORS DELIVERING LESSONS • EVALUATE MENTORS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH FEEDBACK • LIASION WITH STAFF • TRAIN MENTORS

11. MENTOR COORDINATOR • OVERSEES ENTIRE PROGRAM • SUPERVISE MENTOR ADVISORS • CREATE CURRICULUM AND SELECT SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS • FACILITATE TRAINING SESSIONS • SET POLICY • PROGRAM ADVOCATE

12. OBSTACLES • HOMEROOM TEACHER SUPPORT INCONSISTENT • ACCOUNTABILITY OF MENTORS • TOO LITTLE TIME FOR PLANNING • OVERSCHEDULED MENTORS • CHEMISTRY • CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT ISSUES

13. BENEFITS TO MENTORS • COURSE CREDIT • LEADERSHIP/COMMUNITY SERVICE • PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS • SELF-CONFIDENCE • ELITE STATUS

14. PROGRAM BENEFITS TO FRESHMEN AND SCHOOL • A GO-TO UPPERCLASSMEN AND ROLE MODEL • SETS HIGH BEHAVIOR AND ACADEMIC STANDARDS • CREATES A WELCOME ATMOSPHERE FOR NEW FRESHMEN

15. 9 for 9 • Nine connecting activities first nine weeks : • Orientation (1) • Curriculum: Pathways to Success (2) • Curriculum: Safety and Wellness (3) • Individual Planning Conference (4) • Five “old school” USPS letters (5-9) • Message #1: Orientation invite, Get to know me • Message #2: Homecoming, Get involved, Goals • Message #3: 9th Grade Conference Preview & Invite • Message #4: Attend., Attitude Academics, Activities • Message #5: Work hard, Seek extra help, Aim high

16. Freshman Academy West Allis Central High School

17. Next Generation Learning The School District of West Allis-West Milwaukee believes a personalized learning environment engages today’s learners in a rigorous curriculum that is paced to individual learning needs and tailored to the specific interests and learning styles of our students. Within the context of core academic knowledge, students collaborate, communicate and problem solve using critical thinking. Student voice and technology drive global pathways creating authentic experiences that are relevant and accessible anytime, anywhere.

18. Next Generation Learning • College and Career Readiness • Graduates have the essential skills, including academic, technical, employability and interpersonal, to succeed at the next level in a post-secondary education or career pathway. • Student Centered Learning Environments • Learning environments are varied and flexible to accommodate the needs of learners and provide ongoing opportunities to build a collaborative community of students and staff. • Competency Based Progression • Learners demonstrate evidence of deep learning along a continuum based on the rigor of the Common Core Standards. • Student Voice in Learning • Learners have significant and meaningful influence in co-designing their educational experience through the use of goal setting and rigorous personal learning paths. • 21st Century Skill Set • Students will collaborate, communicate, think critically and problem-solve using creativity, innovation, and technology as a tool for personalized learning. • Family and Community Partnership • Meaningful relationships with parents and community provide expertise and contributions that are leveraged to support student success.

19. Why a Freshmen Academy? • Movement towards NxGL • Movement toward Personalized Learning • Give students more choice and voice in their education • Maximizes our 1 to 1 iPad initiative • Flexible Scheduling • Proactive approach to help students transition • Build student connections and relationships to school

20. What is the Freshman Academy? • 125 freshman, amongst a total freshman population of approximately 400 • All the core classes are represented • English, Math, Science, Social Studies • Reading and Special Education teachers are also part of the staff • Students leave the Academy for electives and lunch • Core classes have their own wing in the building, and classrooms are interconnected

21. How were students selected? • By invitation • Parent request • Recommendation • From middle school staff member • Coach • Administration

22. Student Body • Representative of the student body as a whole • Male vs. Female • Demographically • Honors, Advanced Placement, Special Needs, English Language Learners

23. How do we help transition? Mentorship • Each student is mentored by one of the six staff members • Attendance, grades, and other concerns are monitored closely by mentors Organization skills • Online portfolios • 3 ring binder with weekly binder checks • Online planners Monthly goal setting • Personal, academic, long-term, short-term Flexible Scheduling • Class start and end times are flexible • Student movement is flexible Cross-curricular instruction • Staff meets daily to plan inter-disciplinary units

24. Benefits of the Freshman Academy When compared to the freshman in the “general” student body for 2012-2012, Freshman Academy students had… • Higher GPA • 2.95 • 2.77 (non-academy freshman) • Higher Attendance • 92.2% • 88.7% (school-wide) • Fewer behavior referrals

25. Freshmen Academy Video

26. Resources Google Accounts • Email • Google Docs (online portfolios, note taking) • Google Forms (assessments, surveys) Max Journal • Goal setting • Bell ringers and exit tickets My Homework/Teachers.io • Online planners/schedules for students • Teachers can insert assignments • Students can access all assignments Notability and Paperport Notes • Online Note taking • Online assignment completion and submission

27. Questions?