Dr. Debbie Silver will be the keynote speaker on Friday and Saturday. Dr. Silver is an award-winning educator with 21 years experience as a classroom teacher. Audiences everywhere respond to Debbie's use of humor and sensitivity to remind them of how important teachers are in the lives of children.
Metro
School Named in Nation's Top 100Western Oaks Middle School has been named one of the nation's top 100 most successful middle and junior high schools by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Don Wentroth, Western Oaks' principal, said the honor is all the more impressive because the Top 100 list is compiled just once every decade.
Teach a curriculum grounded in rigorous, public academic standards for what students would know and be able to do, relevant to the concerns of adolescents and based on how students learn best.
Use instructional methods designed to prepare all students to achieve higher standards and become lifelong learners.
Staff middle grades schools with teachers who are expert at teaching young adolescents, and engage teachers in ongoing, targeted professional development.
Organize relationships for learning to create a climate of intellectual development and a caring community of shared educational purpose.
Govern democratically, through direct or representative participation by all school staff members, the adults who know the students best.
Provide a safe and healthy school environment as part of improving academic performance and developing caring and ethical citizens.
Involve parents and communities in supporting student learning and healthy development.
One of the fundamental changes is the recognition that success for every student is the overall goal of the Turning Points 2000 design, not simply a recommendation or a goal on a par with all other recommendations.
Sherry Rowan
A discussion was directed by Sherry Rowan at the 8/22/00 OMLEA board meeting to implement awards to recognize overall middle school excellence. These awards would be given in 7 areas as described in Turning Points 2000 report. A committee is being selected to design an application form. If you are interested in being on this committee please contact Mrs. Rowan at <slrowan@ou.edu>.
"Middle level kids teach an important balance -- learn, laugh and love."
"They are great leaders."
"No matter what your mood, there is always one kid who will brighten your day."
"Teaching middle level kids keeps me young. Ponce de Leon should have been so lucky in his search for the Fountain of Youth -- I drink from it daily."
October 1, 2001 marks the launch of the 5th annual Month of the Young Adolescent, a collaborative effort of education, health, and youth service organizations. Initiated by the NMSA this celebration seeks to build strong partnerships among the school, parents, students and community members to help ensure that every 10-15 year old will have the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. We are encouraged to use this month to:
Educate parents about the needs of the young adolescent and how to respond to them.
Strengthen home-school connections to achieve high-quality education.
Increase school-community activities to enhance support of education.
Heighten community awareness of how we all can help young adolescents learn to make wise decisions and become healthy, productive and ethical citizens.
Vernon
Elected to NMSA OfficeCongratulations to Janet Vernon, past president of OMLEA, as she has been elected as the NMSA Southwest Regional Representative. She attended the NMSA conference this past July (2001) and was elected as an officer.
