Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Academics And Student Supports topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Yellow Breeches Middle School principal outlines curriculum shifts, student supports and testing plans
Summary
The principal of Yellow Breeches Middle School briefed the South Middleton School District board on schedule changes to increase core instructional time, formative-assessment strategies to improve PSSA math performance, executive-function supports (planners and peer mediation), and upcoming student activities and trips.
The principal of Yellow Breeches Middle School presented to the South Middleton School District board on March 17, describing schedule and instructional changes intended to improve student learning and support systems.
The principal framed the presentation around four strands: adding minutes to core classes via a revised period schedule to deepen learning; a daily flex period at the end of the day to support student organization and provide teacher check-ins; concentrated project-based creative-arts time with smaller class groupings; and focused use of formative assessment so teachers can better "transfer knowledge" and adapt instruction. The principal said the school uses planners and a flex teacher check to strengthen executive functioning and promote family communication, and described a schoolwide "bubbler pride" incentive tied to daily planner use.
On assessment, the principal walked the board through a heat map-based analysis of PSSA math anchors, noting some item-weighting (statistics and probability worth more points) and saying teachers are using that analysis to adjust instruction and embed deeper conceptual problem solving in math and language-arts classrooms. The principal described a balanced multi-tiered system of supports and planned professional development to build teachers' policy knowledge and instructional practice.
The presentation also highlighted student extracurricular successes (regional spelling bee advancement, Math Mania evening hosted by high school students, wrestling and swimming state qualifiers), upcoming field trips including a middle-school trip to Washington, D.C., and logistical reminders about spring conferences and PSSA testing windows (the PSSA will be administered online this year with increased Chromebook deployment).
Board members thanked the principal and praised academic and extracurricular achievements. The superintendent noted the district would continue to support scheduling and testing logistics as the school implements the initiatives.
