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Pendleton Heights Middle School honored students, described PBIS and PLC reforms and expanded trades partnership
Summary
At the South Madison Community School Corporation board meeting, Pendleton Heights Middle School staff recognized student winners of the six pillars of character, described schoolwide PBIS and PLC systems tied to higher checkpoint scores, and presented community partnership awards to local contractors helping expand a trades education program.
Pendleton Heights Middle School staff used a presentation to the South Madison Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees to spotlight student character awards, outline systems changes intended to raise academic performance and attendance, and thank business partners for expanding a trades-education program.
The board recognized six students nominated for the school’s character pillars — trustworthiness, responsibility, citizenship, fairness, respect and caring — and presented certificates. Staff also awarded community-partner plaques to Midwest Remodeling and the Madison County Builders Association and noted support from the South Madison Community Foundation.
School presenters told the board the building has prioritized system-building so teachers can sustain gains across classrooms. That work includes weekly, 30-minute professional learning community (PLC) meetings, a three-tier support model for academics and behavior (tier 1 universal supports, tier 2 targeted small-group intervention, tier 3 intensive individual support), and a PBIS program anchored on three expectations: responsible, respectful and ready to learn. Administrators also described new incentives ("Arabian bucks"), common-location behavior matrices, classroom videos modeling expectations, and expanded intervention locations such as a retooled student-services room.
District presenters displayed checkpoint assessment data the school said show gains: seventh-grade math proficiency at the first checkpoint of 49% compared with a 34% state average, and eighth-grade math at 48% versus a 31% state average. ELA checkpoints were listed at 44% for seventh grade and 46% for eighth, compared with a 33% state average. Presenters characterized the checkpoint results as ‘‘encouraging’’ while noting the measures are early and the year is effectively a pilot for some practices.
Administrators said they are also tracking demographic shifts that affect services: an increasing number of students identified as English learners and a rising count of students receiving supports under 504 plans, which they said requires intentional resource allocation. They described schoolwide and advisory programs meant to support social-emotional needs — including referrals to Howard Health Services and Centerstone — and said staff have discussed how smartphone and social-media use contribute to stress for some students.
The presentation highlighted extracurricular and community engagement activities that staff say support attendance and school belonging, including multiple band sections, a school play, Veterans Day flag program, pep rallies and a community service day for eighth graders. Presenters invited volunteers for an expanded “Build Your Future” trades day scheduled for May 9, driven by a partnership with Midwest Remodeling and the Madison County Builders Association; the school also said LaPel schools have been invited to observe and may join in year three of the program.
The board and administrators thanked teachers, volunteers and community partners and invited families to take photos in the lobby following the presentation.
The meeting returned to other agenda items after the presentation.
