Dear Parents, Staff, Students, and Community Members:
We’re very excited to update you on the progress of the Middle School Study Team. They have been working hard since May 2015, on the 6th – 8th middle school design. We invite you to review information below and consider attending our October 19, 2015 Board Meeting.
BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE IN OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Over the past few years, our community has had a number of opportunities to offer input as to what is important to us in education. Over and over again, we at Billings Public Schools have heard the call for providing our students with an education that expands beyond traditional notions of teaching and learning. One key aspect of that call is focusing on helping our middle school students and their transition from elementary to high school. In order to accomplish this, we have asked stakeholders to look for an updated way of doing things in our middle schools.
Middle Schools of the Past
The current Billings Public Schools 7th – 8th grade middle school model has been in existence since the 1990-1991 school year. For 25 years middle schools have included only these two grades and we are proud of the quality education that has been provided to our middle school students. However, recently a number of changes have taken place in how education is viewed, allowing us to take a second look at our middle school model.
Transitioning to 6th – 8th Grade Middle Schools
During the December 17, 2012 Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees approved moving to a 6th – 8th grade middle school model. Considerations in making such a change included but were not limited to the following: providing an additional year for students to transition between elementary and high school, striving to meet accreditation standards, providing a review of curriculum, and expanding course offerings for all students.
Strategic Planning as a Foundation for Change
Our ongoing strategic planning process has provided us with feedback to consider while developing the new 6th – 8th grade plan. Throughout this process, a number of considerations rose to the top, including updating curriculum and professional development, increasing rigor, improving financial efficiencies, ensuring career and college readiness of students, further supports for all students, and expanding career technical education.
The task of addressing these points was considerable and required diverse input. Therefore, in May 2015 a team of stakeholders was tasked to begin working on a comprehensive 6th – 8th grade middle school plan. This study team continues to work and consists of parents, a trustee, teachers, administrators and BEA representation. The group’s task has not been an easy one, and by working together they have drafted a recommendation for the Superintendent to review, as discussed below.
Exciting Recommended Changes for the Future
The changes designed by the study team are truly innovative ideas for bringing our middle schools into the future. The preliminary plan would result in several additions to the current offerings. For example, under the plan 6th grade students will have the ability to take two exploratory classes, and will also be integrated into many of the middle school activities program offerings. In addition, 7th and 8th grade students will have more elective choices during the year. The plan is also to offer high school credit at our middle schools in the areas of Algebra and Geometry as well as other potential areas, a clearly valuable addition for our students.
The changes improve existing offerings, as well. Through the study team’s plan, the District will be able to offer choices far more relevant to preparing students for today and the future. Existing classes are expanding to focus on the whole child and his or her future, and while the names of these courses may change, their updated curriculum keeps the integrity of the course. Art and music will remain an important component of the middle school elective offerings. The focus on such programs has allowed the study team to take our existing model and see how it can be made even better.
The preliminary plan for our middle schools maximizes opportunities for our students and allows them to have a diverse education with a wide array of offerings. A brief presentation of the model will be presented at the October 19, 2015 Board Meeting, and we encourage you to attend. We are so excited to see the final design and to ultimately witness its positive effects on the students of Billings Public Schools.
IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION
The immunization compliance has been a monumental task. I cannot thank our families enough for their diligence in providing the schools with the documentation and immunization records necessary to meet the new state immunization standards.
School officials continue to update records and efficiently identify students who still are not in compliance.
Next week post cards will be mailed to students whose school records indicate they are missing vaccination documentation. Please understand families may be notified that have met the standards. Should you be notified, either by mail or telephone, and your immunizations are current, please contact your school to ensure your records are corrected and provide any documentation to the schools if necessary.
Again, thank you for your cooperation and attention to this urgent matter.
Thank you,
Terry Nelsen Bouck
Superintendent
(406) 670-7750
Check back often for updates
