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Middle school launches house program as behavior incidents and office visits fall compared with last year
Summary
Administrators described a new house program at the middle school to boost belonging and noted early declines in office visits and health-office visits compared with the prior year; they also outlined club and extracurricular proposals.
Weare middle-school administrators described a new "house" program on Sept. 16 intended to increase student belonging and cross-grade relationships, and they reported early data showing fewer office behavior referrals and health-office visits than the same period last year.
House program and student engagement The house system groups students and staff into four houses that meet weekly during advisory and participate in positive competitions and assemblies. Administrators said Friday advisory with house activities is not optional so that every student and staff member participates and the houses build continuity and connection across grades.
Why it matters: Administrators said the house model creates regular cross-grade interaction, gives staff opportunities to work with students outside of their own classes, and that early assemblies showed strong student enthusiasm.
Behavior and attendance data Middle-school administrators presented two-year trend charts showing a marked reduction in office referrals and visits compared with last year at the same point; they said fewer students were being recorded in the health office for avoidant behavior and that administrators and coaches are seeing improved capacity among staff to address lower-level incidents.
Clubs and extracurriculars Administrators listed potential new clubs (baking club for grades 4–5, a film/production appreciation club for grades 4–8) and said they are tracking interest from students. The administration also said that band and chorus participation remains strong and that staff are exploring whether an additional after-school transportation run would be feasible to expand participation for students who lack rides.
Board direction and next steps Board members asked for follow-up on points-only scoring and restorative options; administrators said points awarded within houses will be only positive behaviors and staff will run assemblies and house competitions. The board asked the administration to investigate the feasibility and cost of an afternoon bus run for middle-school activities and to place that on a future transportation-committee agenda.
Ending Administrators will return with more detailed attendance and office-referral numbers in November and will schedule a transportation committee meeting to examine after-school run feasibility and estimated costs.
