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Talawanda Middle School reports academic gains, new supports and safety upgrades
Summary
TMS leaders told the board about test-score improvements, new academic supports and mental-health and safety initiatives after receiving state momentum recognition.
Tallawanda Middle School leaders reported academic gains, expanded student supports and recent facility and safety improvements at the Talawanda City School District board meeting on March 20.
TMS officials said the school’s sixth-grade math scores were the highest in Butler County and that the building earned a 4-star value-added progress rating and a state "Momentum" award for sustained gains. Presenters noted the school’s performance index rose from 78 to 87 over four years and described growth across achievement, progress and gap-closing metrics.
Administrators outlined practices that contributed to the results, including a "green slip" recovery program for missing assignments, extra-help and tutorial blocks, a 0-bell (before-school) option and targeted small-group instruction. The school also added a Butler County Success Liaison to connect families with food and housing supports and to run a backpack/food-home program.
TMS described social-emotional and safety initiatives: partnerships with Bestpoint and Primary Health Solutions for therapy and day treatment, therapy dogs that visit the building, updates to staff radios and parking-lot signage, reflective vests and "light sticks" for arrival/dismissal duty, and a building safety team that reviews drills and procedures. Staff noted a successful "100 positive calls" effort and a PBIS-based "Brave Bucks" incentive program that includes a school "Brave Shop."
Staff highlighted community grants and partnerships: a $35,000 bleacher upgrade grant, $12,500 from the McCullough Hyde Foundation to create a mountain-bike program, and engineering/3D-printing classroom projects that provided student-made keychains for board members. Leaders described an increase in extracurricular offerings including fishing club, Latin club and builder's club and noted that student athletes maintain solid average GPAs.
Ending: Middle school leaders thanked the board and noted continued emphasis on data-driven interventions and family/community partnerships to sustain gains.
