Central Middle School tells board its house system boosts student connection and quick intervention

Central Middle School principal Jeff Simon and teachers described the school's "house" system to the Forest Hills Board of Education on Feb. 9, saying the structure gives students a smaller, more supportive network inside a larger middle school.

Simon said the house system advances the district vision that "every student every day will be seen, heard, and cared for" by assigning students to core teams of four teachers. "We live and breathe this vision," Simon said, explaining that the arrangement lets teachers respond to students' social and academic needs quickly because "the other teachers are right there." He introduced assistant principal Natalie Glace and teachers Jocelyn Burnaby and Anne Roten Tyler as members of the leadership team for the house program.

Jocelyn Burnaby, a seventh-grade science teacher, told the board that the core-teacher grouping reduces the time needed to find colleagues and coordinate support when a student struggles. She described both informal, on-the-spot collaboration and monthly formal house meetings that include the head teacher, principals, counselors and sometimes a social worker to build plans for students who need help and celebrate progress.

Presenters cited concrete student experiences — team-building outings, weekly "fun Fridays," small ace groups and PBIS-aligned assemblies — that they said increase student belonging and engagement. Simon showed photos of activities and told trustees the system helps students "thrive" by giving them consistent adult relationships.

The presentation concluded with an offer to answer questions and a statement that school leaders would be available after the meeting for follow-up.