Welcome to North Middle School Home of the Jr. Huskies! Open House 2008-2009 Dr. Celeste Shelton-Harris, Principal Kimbe

1. Welcome to North Middle School Home of the Jr. Huskies! Open House 2008-2009 Dr. Celeste Shelton-Harris, Principal Kimberly Kirshman, Assistant Principal

2. What’s New at North Middle School? Michigan ‘s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative MiBLSi

3. Why is it so important to focus on teaching positive social behaviors? In the past, school-wide discipline has focused mainly on reacting to specific student misbehavior by implementing punishment-based strategies including reprimands, loss of privileges, office referrals, suspensions, and expulsions, North Middle School – like many other schools, was no exception.

4. What the Research Shows: Research has shown that the implementation of punishment, in the absence of other positive strategies, is ineffective. Introducing, modeling, and reinforcing positive social behavior is an important aspect of every student’s educational experience.

5. Teaching and Learning Extends Beyond Academics with Middle Level Learners Teaching behavioral expectations and rewarding students for following them is a much more positive approach than waiting for misbehavior to occur before responding. The purpose of school-wide PBS is to establish a climate in which appropriate behavior is the norm.

6. What is the “Advisory Period”?6th hour every day, groups of approximately 20 students meet together with a teacher to promote Respect, Responsibility and Positive Relationships OR “The Jr. Huskie Way!” Lesson Plans are provided to each teacher in order to provide a consistent positive lesson for students.

7. Will my child always have an Advisory Period? Students will be assigned to an Advisory Period for the whole school year. However, behavior is only one component of the MiBLSi initiative, so the behavior lessons will continue throughout the 1st 9 weeks. As the year progresses, we will continue to phase in academic strategies, highlight employability skills, practice communication skills, all in an effort to support the academic, social and emotional growth of each child at North Middle School. Middle school is focused on the development of the “whole child.”

8. What Did Day OneLook Like for Students and Staff? NMS Opening Day~The Jr. Huskie Way!

9. Teachers Teaching Expected Behaviors This is the behavior, this is HOW we do it, and this is WHY we do it.

10. Teachers ModelingUN-Expected Behavior in the CafeteriaNOT the Jr. Huskie Way… Hey, you’re in my seat. MOVE!

11. Teachers ModelingExpected Behavior in the CafeteriaThe Jr. Huskie Way! Hi Ms. Stohrer, May I sit with you?

12. RESPONSIBILITY Modeled in the Cafeteria Sure thing! Excuse me, could you bring the trash can this way for me? Thank you!

13. Students/Teachers Modeling the Expected Behaviors! Cleaning up after yourself is: The Jr. Huskie Way!

14. Responsibility in the Locker Rooms This is the expected behavior, this is HOW we do it, and this is WHY we do it! Let’s try it together!

15. Students Model Building Positive Relationships in the Hallways! Whoops! Here, let me help you with that! Thanks, Man! Helping others is the Jr. Huskie Way!

16. Respect Modeled by Studentsin the Cafeteria Thanks for your patience guys! Hey, no problem!

17. Respect & Responsibility Modeled by Students in the Office You are so welcome! Have a nice day! Thank you Ms. Newhouse!

18. Respecting NMS Property is The Jr. Huskie Way!! Non-Example Example

19. Being On-Time for Class is The Jr. Huskie Way! Let’s hurry so we’re not late for class!

20. We look forward to working with and for all of our North Middle School Families! Have a great school year! A big thank you to Stephanie Wagner and the Bible Club for the wonderful photos and captions!