East Middle School reports improved accountability scores, new behavior interventions and programs

East Middle School staff presented a program spotlight to the Oak Creek‑Franklin school board on March 10, outlining schedule changes, a buildingwide positive behavior framework, tiered behavior supports and student outcome data.

James Morrow, an associate principal, described schedule adjustments that added two intervention blocks called “blue and gold” time for extra support in English language arts, math and guided study, plus extension opportunities for students seeking more advanced work. Paul Vashon, dean of students and athletic director, summarized Cougar Way, the school’s PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports) approach: consistent teacher expectations, a smart‑pass hall pass system, a hall‑pass paddle for teacher verification, limits on cell phones and headphones, and a minor/major infraction tracking process that routes serious referrals to the office.

Associate principal Casey Miller described a new set of explicit “social and academic behaviors” taught to students. Each quarter focuses on a different competency; staff said quarter three emphasizes self‑awareness. Teachers use pre‑ and post‑surveys to track student growth on those behaviors.

Principal Sarah Leatherman presented performance indicators for the school: she said the school’s overall accountability score rose from 74.5 to 76.8 year‑to‑year and that the growth score increased to 80.3, placing the school high among similarly sized Wisconsin middle schools. Leatherman said the school’s student enrollment rose from 862 last year to 936 this year and that about 122 students were new to the district or to East this year (as read aloud in the presentation). She also said suspensions are down about 28 percent compared with the prior year, and that East led the district in ELA growth and was second in math growth during the last reporting year.

Christy Thompson, the school psychologist, gave details on tiered behavior interventions: 11 students were participating in check‑in/check‑out programs, 11 in mentoring, 3 in small‑group or 1:1 social‑academic intervention, and 5 students had been referred to the student intervention team for additional supports (staff later noted some students were reconvened under IEP processes where appropriate). School counselors Christine Ruse and Emily Splan described a buildingwide trusted‑adult survey: staff said 945 students completed the survey and 96 percent identified at least one trusted adult in the building; staff said 28 adults were each identified by more than 100 students.

Staffers highlighted several community and culture activities including student recognition boards, a staff appreciation program (Cougar Gratitude), quarterly assemblies and a Mayoral visit earlier in the year. Speakers thanked the board for support and said community response to recent incidents showed broad support for East staff.

Ending: School leaders said they will continue to track behavior and academic indicators and return with data updates; no board action was required on the program spotlight.