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Patton Middle School showcases Hawk Time math gains, cross‑country growth and student music at board meeting
Summary
At a January Unionville‑Chadds Ford School District board meeting held at Patton Middle School, Principal Dr. Dissinger highlighted the Hawk Time math intervention (reporting high pre/post growth rates), expanding middle‑school cross‑country participation, student band performances and art contest winners.
Patton Middle School principal Dr. Dissinger told the Unionville‑Chadds Ford School District Board that several school programs are showing measurable gains and increased student engagement.
The most detailed update covered the school’s new Hawk Time math intervention for sixth graders, part of the district’s multi‑tiered system of supports (MTSS). Teachers use PSSA, STAR and i‑Ready data housed in the district system LINQ IT to form groups of about 10 students and deliver targeted instruction every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in a period at the end of the day. "Each session lasts about 2 to 3 weeks depending on the concept. We've completed 5 sessions, and about 90% of our students are showing growth from the pretest to the posttest," Dr. Dissinger said.
Dr. Dissinger said Hawk Time has also reduced silos among math teachers because students now seek help from any of three dedicated sixth‑grade math teachers instead of only their assigned instructor. He credited Kendall Yarish, Kelly Martinelli and Tom Grahl (sixth‑grade math teachers) for leading the effort.
The principal also reported a notable increase in middle‑school athletics participation: Patton’s cross‑country program expanded from six girls last year to 19 this season and fielded 29 boys, with the boys winning the Chesmont League Championship and the girls finishing fourth. Dr. Dissinger singled out student Ryan Blasco for recent individual achievements and coaches Colin Kirk and Suzanne Fleming for their roles.
As part of the visit, a student jazz‑inspired group called Union Verse — formed by students Lucas Glowatz, Jace Scagliardi and Noah Wilson — performed for the board and attendees.
The meeting included recognition of student art contest winners and a list of volunteer judges: Miss Loomis, Dr. Hoffman, Miss LaRoya, Miss Belew, Mr. Audubard, Dr. Lafferty, Dr. Dissinger, Miss Hague, Miss Dilworth, Mr. John Cox and Miss Kelly Painter. The board also recorded a Pennsylvania School Boards Association resolution recognizing school directors and dedicated books to libraries in the board minutes.
Board members and several community speakers praised the student performances and school programs; the board did not take formal policy action on those program updates during the session.
Patton’s presentation provided the board a program‑level view of in‑school intervention, extracurricular growth and community recognition as the district considers longer‑range facilities and budget planning.
