Ralston Middle showcases marine‑science, makerspace and PBIS gains at district board meeting

Ralston Middle School teachers, students and counselors used the Belmont‑Redwood Shores School District board meeting to showcase new classroom partnerships, after‑school programs and discipline data that school staff say point to improved student engagement.

School staff described a suite of curriculum and extracurricular additions this year, including a year‑long Ocean Ambassadors unit run with the Marine Mammal Center that has taken 7th graders on field trips to the Marine Mammal Center and Rodeo Beach and will include a bay cruise. Hannah Allen, a 7th‑grade teacher, said the Marine Mammal Center program “is designed for middle school students” and emphasizes rehabilitation, research and human impacts on marine life.

Students presented class projects during the spotlight. Student Celajin said the class examined specimens and patient records at the Marine Mammal Center and used a field notebook to track adaptations and health indicators. Another student, Roxy, described tours of the center’s treatment areas and hands‑on observations.

Teachers also highlighted a range of hands‑on STEM and arts experiences: an engineering exploration partnership with…