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The West Middle School Community Will Enhance Student
Achievement, While Maintaining High Expectations for All. This new
mission statement was rewritten by West’s Building Leadership Team
during the 2005-2006 school year to reflect the role of the learner
and the educator. Our programs and policies at West reflect a high
standard that we believe all can attain. We believe setting high
goals will bring out the best in everyone.
SCHOOL POPULATION
During the 2007-2008 school year, West Middle School provided
education for over 800 seventh and eighth grade students who
represent various degrees of middle class backgrounds as measured by
economic, social, and cultural stratifiers. As a result of increased
numbers of West students qualifying for the Free and Reduced meal
programs, West Middle School has been a Title 1 school since 2001.
This means we qualify for assistive Federal funding. Our population
of students qualifying for Free and Reduced meals is increasing each
year. Our At-Risk or Title 1 population has been rising steadily and
now is between 50% and 60% of our student body.
SCHOOL STAFFING
The professional staff consists of a principal, an assistant
principal, two counselors, a media-specialist, a special education
consultant, forty two general education teachers, four Inclusion
Specialists (former resource room teachers) and two self-contained
Cognitive Impaired teachers. All educators meet the new Federal
standard of being Highly Qualified in their respective teaching
field under the No Child Left Behind Act, certified by the State of
Michigan, and meeting AdvancEd (NCA) accreditation standards.
Additional school district personnel provide staff and student
support services. These services include a child psychologist,
social worker, and school nurse. The county also provides an English
as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and a hearing impaired teacher.
SCHOOL CLIMATE
The professional staff at West is committed to quality education and
to a positive learning environment. Monthly newsletters to parents,
monthly Parent-School-Partnership meetings, updated information
available from the West website, and information posted on the
district cable channel are all methods we use to promote
communication to our parents. This year, West continued the usage of
an automated messaging system whereby I, Ms. Kaechele, or a teacher
can create a message by phone or email and send it out in a large
group message to one home, an entire class, one whole grade, or the
entire school. We have used this often and actually, the district
will be purchasing a similar service for next year for the entire
district. In addition, West has become more pro-active in
maintaining a safe and respected learning environment. West has
initiated programs on anti-bullying education to students which are
reinforced in the classroom and held teacher in-services on
Restorative Practices to assist the students who need strategies on
how to cope with problems in school. Ms. Kaechele initiated a
workshop where new teachers were trained in Restorative Practices
which is a means by which interpersonal problems such as bullying or
fighting can be resolved without resorting to suspensions only. West
actually initiated several multiple family involvement Restorative
Practice sessions to resolve conflicts within several families this
year.
SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Our Special Education program this year moved from resource rooms
into Inclusion which was the practice of placing the special
education students into general education classes with support from
the former resource room teachers. This was done at Hoover and West
and was not solely a West school decision, this was a district
decision to establish Inclusion. The teachers who formerly taught
special education resource rooms became Inclusion Specialists. West
also introduced Math Enrichment as a required course for those
students in seventh grade who did not earn a 1 or a 2 on their math
MEAP exam from results taken from their sixth grade year. Those
students taking Math Enrichment also took their regular math class
as well. Therefore, these students were taking two math classes
during the entire year (unless they tested out at the end of
semester one) which is obviously meant to improve their math
aptitude. West also piloted a new math course in Ms. Gabriel’s 8th
grade. Ms. Gabriel’s second hour class piloted the Cognitive
Tutoring program using our new HP laptops and new workbooks.
Students were given an online test to determine their aptitude level
on the laptop computers and they progressed through the program
working on the skills they need to improve based on the initial test
they took.
During the 2007-2008 school year, seventh grade students studied
language arts, math, science, social studies, adventure learning,
band, chorus, newspaper, physical education, reading, and world
languages. Newspaper was a new elective taught by Mrs. King this
year within the ELA department and we hope you enjoyed each monthly
edition. We are adding new components to next year’s newspaper
class.
Eighth grade students were scheduled for language arts, math,
science, social studies, art, band, careers, chorus, physical
education, reading, and technology. West is a school driven by data
instruction. Students are tested in all core areas in the beginning
of the year. This acts as their baseline score. As the year
progresses, they are tested two or more times at specific intervals.
Using this data and data from our MEAP scores, we determine the
adjustments needed to improve learning. These scores are also
graphed by students to gain a visual representation of how well
classes and individuals are progressing. Students are also tested at
the beginning of the year on learning styles, True Colors, and
cerebral hemispheric dominance to assist in lesson planning.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Our daily student attendance witnessed a tremendous upwards spike
this year. West averaged around 93% daily attendance. This is in
marked contrast to last year where the daily student attendance
averaged 84% for the 2006-2007 school year.
School Year & Attendance
2000-2001 – 91.1%
2001-2002 – 89.6%
2002-2003 – 90%
2003-2004 – 90%
2004-2005 – 89%
2005-2006 – 90.5%
2006-2007 – 84%
2007-2008 – 93%
RECOGNITION AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
West Middle School seeks to recognize academic and related
achievements through a variety of programs. Recognition programs
include an annual Honors Banquet for Eighth Grade Students, Band and
Choral District or State Competitions (Festivals), National Junior
Honor Society, Seventh Grade Awards Program, MEAP Recognition
Dinner, Junior Master Gardener Program (Ecology Club), History Club,
Science Olympiad Winners and one of our favorites is our Student of
the Month Recognition Program. We started this in January of 2007 by
asking each department to nominate a student monthly for
recognition. Each month Mr. Wiltse or Ms. Kaechele, along with
several teachers chaperone these seventeen students in a Hummer
limousine to Dearborn’s Mongolian Barbeque from January through May
and 86 total students earned this special trip this year. We hope to
continue this next year. Enrichment activities include opportunities
to participate in Student Council, Band and Choral Performances, and
Mega League sports competitions. Boys can compete in basketball,
swimming, and track. Girls can compete in cheerleading, basketball,
swimming, volleyball, and track. Several dances were offered for
social development. Students are also recognized for good behavior
and attendance by earning incentive field trips each marking period.
Our Random Acts of Kindness program recognizes and rewards
thoughtful deeds performed by students which when witnessed by
teachers are then recorded by the teachers. West was the recipient
of a 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant to host an
after-school program to enrich students with homework help,
recreation, cultural experiences through dance or music, field
trips, and a snack time. This program, entitled, Action Institute,
operates on a five year grant, Monday through Thursday, and six
weeks into the summer.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
West Middle School hosted the fourth 7th grade Orientation Program
on August 27, 2007. Over 200 students attended. Open House was held
on September 20, 2007 and 41% of our students or over 330 families
were represented. Student-Led Conferences were held on October 2nd
and 3rd of 2007 and 444 total families or over 56% of our families
attended. Parent-Teacher Conferences were held on February 20th and
31% of our families were represented. The Parent-School-Partnership
met monthly and assisted the school on many occasions. Mrs. Nancy
Stewart was invaluable in her leadership and organization as the
Parent-School-Partnership (PSP) secretary. The PSP assisted on 7th
Grade Orientation, Picture Days, Open House, Book Fairs, Share the
Warmth Clothing Drive, Science Olympiad, T-Shirt/Hoodie Fundraising,
and more. The PSP also initiated a new fundraising program by
enlisting the help of Applebee’s where we held two fundraisers this
year and earned over $700 from the two days. The PSP also
coordinated a fundraiser through Heritage Perk but this endeavor was
compromised by the wintry weather. Southland Mall initiated a new
program (“My School’s Cool”) meant to gain more shoppers for them
obviously, but rewarded participating schools with large cash
rewards based on which school’s families shopped at Southland the
most. Points were determined on a student enrollment/percentage
basis and how many families shopped. Mrs. Judy Petty coordinated our
involvement and accumulated many long hours documenting points for
West. Thanks also to Mrs. Nancy Stewart for starting us off on the
Southland program which Mrs. Petty then took over. West would also
like to acknowledge Mrs. Bens, Mrs. Lynda Hunter, Mrs. Petty, and
Mrs. Williams for their strong involvement in promoting parent
involvement and student success at West. In addition, Mrs. Gergel,
Mrs. Murphy, and Mrs. Woloszyk assisted in chaperoning our second
annual trip to New York City in December 4-8, 2007 which was another
incredible time!
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
West is committed to collaborative school improvement and maintains
a dynamic Building Leadership Team. During the 2007-2008 school
year, the staff at West Middle School focused their School
Improvement efforts on: obtaining information on how to become a
Blue Ribbon School, further establishing West as a Professional
Learning Community (PLC) and rewriting our five (5) year School
Improvement Plan. We have set new goals for our school and they are
as follows:
Goal #1: All students at West Middle School will be proficient
readers
Objective (to measure to see if we meet this goal): 80% of students
overall will score in the proficient category on the MEAP in reading
including 70% of the male targeted group
Goal #2: All students at West Middle School will be proficient in
math
Objective (to measure to see if we meet this goal): 80% of students
overall will score in the in the proficient category on the MEAP in
Math.
Both of these areas will be witness to school-wide efforts to
improve student achievement within these arenas.
Due to a rising at-risk population and the need for students to
become better readers; West added a new reading teacher to our staff
for the 2007-2008 year. This allowed us to provide services to an
additional 170 students per year. West also hired an Academic
Teaching Assistant (ATA) for assistance in keeping students in
school. Our ATA was responsible for managing our In-School
Suspension Program as well as assisting on numerous other
assignments. The common assessment tests were and will continue to
be used to drive instruction. Each core area assessed students at
the beginning of the year and retested them (using the same test)
several more times during the year to compare growth and to realign
instruction if needed. Each core area also disaggregated the MEAP
data and took the 3-4 greatest areas of need to focus on for
instruction. State benchmarks were also listed for reinforcement.
Honors Assignments continue to be implemented to further student
achievement.
CONTINUING ENDEAVORS
In April 2002, West Middle School became the first middle school in
Taylor to receive full accreditation from the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) which has now become
AdvancEd. This was an exciting accomplishment for our students and
staff and reflects our commitment to excellence and continuous
school improvement. During the 2003-2004 school year, our NCA team
completed another NCA student profile document. This past year,
2007-2008, we took the steps to rewrite a new five year plan. West
will complete this plan next year and will be ready for the next
visit by the AdvancEd (NCA) team in the 2009-2010 school year. West
again received a certificate of accreditation from AdvancEd which
expires on 6-30-2010. West NCA goals were last evaluated by an NCA
team visit on May 24, 2005 whereby a very favorable review was
received.
West Middle School
Annual Report 2007-2008
Additions to the Teacher/Student/Parent Accomplishments
West had the highest middle school MEAP scores in the district for
ALL 7th and 8th grade categories!
West added a new Reading teacher to meet the needs of students
reading below grade level.
West added a full-time Academic Teaching Assistant for managing the
In-School Suspension program.
West and Hoover initiated the mandated Inclusion program for Special
Education students.
West piloted the Carnegie Cognitive Tutoring math class.
The Newspaper Class as an elective was added to the master schedule
and our 7th grade students produced a very fine solid first year
product of journalism that was an absolute joy to read!
West held a 7th Grade Orientation on August 27, 2007 where students
came in to get their schedule, visit classrooms and try locker
combinations before school started. We had over 200 students take
advantage of this opportunity.
Over 330 families attended Open House on September 20, 2007.
Student-Led Conferences were held on October 2nd & 3rd, 2007 and 444
families attended for 56%.
31% of our families attended Parent-Teacher conferences on February
20th, 2008.
Our Parent-School-Partnership organization assisted us greatly
through the year. A small but dedicated group of parents regularly
attended monthly meetings and staffed our Orientation, Open House,
Picture Days, Share the Warmth Clothing Drive after Christmas, Book
Fairs, Science Olympiad, T-Shirt sales, and created 3 new
fundraising opportunities through Applebee’s and Heritage Perk.
Southland Mall organized a year-long 24 school competition for cash
prizes called “My School’s Cool” where West families’ shopping
earned West $400 at the end of the contest.
West scheduled Mobile Dentists for October 26, 2007 and over 40
students were treated.
West held one Scholastic Book Fair this year where we sold over
$1,000 worth of books over a two day period.
Student Council/NJHS coordinated the Share the Warmth clothing drive
which resulted in 18 bags of clothing for needy Taylor families.
35 students and 7 adults traveled to New York City from December 4th
– 8th, 2007. It was another great trip!
MEAP Recognition Dinner at Knights of Columbus Hall on April 17,
2008 for 40 students who met or exceeded state standards on all MEAP
tests.
West continued Random Acts of Kindness program to recognize students
who perform acts of kindness without being asked.
The Ecology Club, through Mrs. Carrier’s efforts, applied for
Michigan Green School status for West and received it! West is the
first school in Wayne County to be recognized as a Michigan Green
School which means we are recognized as a school that participates
in environmentally friendly practices. West had to meet at least 10
out of 20 activities such as recycling various materials, decreasing
energy usage, creating gardens and/or landscaping the campus
grounds.
Ecology Club met after school and continued beautification of campus
grounds. The Ecology Club landscaped the entrance by the front of
the school in May by placing retaining wall blocks in an arc pattern
and then adding soil behind the wall to plant flowers and shrubs.
The Ecology Club also removed the patio blocks under the pond and
replaced it with green indoor/outdoor carpeting.
The Ecology Club advisors, Mrs. Carrier and Mrs. Cox, are continuing
the program with Cartridge World/Southgate to recycle and refill our
printer cartridges and added household batteries for recycling.
Four members of the Ecology Club, Jared Haapapuro, Audra Henry,
Devon Hull, and Blake Warne earned Junior Master Gardener
Certificates at the Honor’s Banquet.
NJHS Induction and dinner for 7th Grade was held on May 1st, 2008
and 36 students were inducted.
NJHS service projects included: Trip to Washington D. C./Gettysburg,
Made blankets for Children’s Hospital in Detroit, Cystic Fibrosis
walk throughout the school which earned $810, batteries for
Penrickton School for the Blind, Share the Warmth clothing drive,
Make-A-Wish foundation, and assisted in after-school tutoring.
NJHS presently has 54 members as of May 28, monthly meetings
averaged around 60+ students.
Student Council Activities:, school-wide elections/campaigns for new
officers, Jerry’s T-shirt fundraiser (for council operating expenses
and for DC trip), participation in Kids Helping Kids (fundraiser for
Hurricane Katrina victims), Student Council Cardinal suggestion
boxes were given to each classroom for the student body to use,
Halloween Dance/Costume Contest, Operated concession stand for fall
and winter sports, Thanksgiving Art/Drawing Contest, New Year’s
Fortune Cookies (fundraiser) for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital,
Cards/Letters thanking the troops, Co-sponsored Applebee’s
fundraiser, Dining for Dollars with PSP, Pizza kits fundraiser for
Washington D. C. trip, Candy Cane Grams fundraiser for donation to
YMCA, Share the Warmth collection of winter wear for donation to
needy families in Taylor, Valentine Grams – donation to Share the
Warmth, Spirit Week Activities (7th grade won again) and a pm
celebration for the winning grade, Spirit Color Days for points for
Spirit Week, Principal for a Day Essay Contest (Student Leaders),
Trip to Washington D. C./Gettysburg, Teacher Appreciation Week,
Talent Show Auditions (fundraiser), Cystic Fibrosis Walk (with NJHS)
and the Honors Banquet to end the year.
Science Olympiad Finals were held March 28th, 2008 and there were 8
students recognized for first place through honorable mention. Four
teams of two students each won gift cards from Southland Mall
compliments of our Parent-School-Partnership (PSP). 1st place won
$25, 2nd place won $20, 3rd place won $15 and honorable mention won
$10.
The History Club began in January with three members who worked on
genealogies.
56 students attended Civil War Remembrance Days at Greenfield
Village and completed an 11 page packet of questions for historical
individuals such as Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and Admiral
Farragut. Some students enlisted, drilled with their units, or had
‘wounds’ tended to by the Army surgeon.
Incentive activities involved going to Taylor SportsPlex, Skore
Lanes for Bowling, and Comerica Park.
West Middle School website continues to provide an anonymous
anti-bullying email hotline whereby students could send in
information anonymously to inform us of bullying.
Bill Sowers, an outside consultant on Safe Schools provided one half
- day of training for all of our new teachers on Restorative
Practices.
Continued our Anti-Bullying Program through videos and circles
(Restorative Practices)
Our joint library & language arts project continued again where
students learn research skill using the MLA format. This Library
Animal Research Project encompasses all 7th & 8th grade core ELA
classes as well as inclusion students. This two week project
encourages students to: learn use of indices; develop research
skills; develop note taking skills; develop outlining skills,
enhance vocabulary; learn MLA “Works Cited” methods; further develop
writing skills; improve keyboard skills; as well as further develop
speaking and presentation skills. These objectives are achieved
through MLA, index, and research instruction using information
located in the media center on animals previously unknown to the
students. Final reports are created on the computer using
instruction of MLA formatting on Microsoft Word. Numerous ELA GLCE’s
in the “Discourse and Inquiry” strand are addressed throughout this
project.
Three West students were selected as semi-finalists to represent
Michigan in a National Reading/Writing Competition entitled Letters
about Literature. Students had to write to an author, living or not,
any genre, explaining how the author’s work(s) changed the student’s
way of thinking about the world or themselves. These three West
students were selected from over 1,000 initial applicants and have
now made the semi-final cut along with 43 other students.
Congratulations to Dominique Cooper, Clarissa Merrell, and Tierra
Whitfield!
125 students participated in Band this year: (24 Cadet – 18 of which
were promoted to Varsity or Concert band by mid-year, 50 Varsity,
and 67 Concert band members)
On February 2nd, 2008, 13 students performed at MSBOA Solo and
Ensemble Festival in Livonia. They all received either Division I
(Excellent) or Division II (Good) ratings.
On March 8, 2008, Concert band performed at MSBOA band festival and
earned a rating of ‘Good’.
The “WestWinds” performed for the Honors Banquet on May 20, 2008.
175+ students participated in Chorus this year (80 Cadet Choir, 55
Cardinal Singers, 40 Men in Black)
On September 20th, our band and choral groups performed at the Turn
Off the Violence Day sponsored by the Taylor Rotary.
10 Choral students performed at Solo and Ensemble on January 21st,
2008 where they received either Division I (excellent) or II (good)
ratings
Chorus Christmas evening concert was December 18, 2007 at Beacon
Baptist Church
Band Christmas evening concert was December 19, 2007 here at West.
On January 23, 2008, a group of Cardinal Singers and Men in Black
sang the Star Spangled Banner in 4-part harmony at an Eastern
Michigan University women’s basketball game.
Spring Concerts were: June 3rd, 2008 for the Chorus groups and May
21st, 2008 for the Bands.
District Choral Festival: Division I Rating: Excellent
March 24, 2008 Cadet Choir
Division II Ratings: Good
Cardinal Singers, Men in Black
State Choral Festival (Invitation Only) Performed Well / received
constructive comments from judges
May 8, 2008 (Cadet Choir) as well as further instruction in a clinic
with a veteran music teacher. Afterwards, students dined at Pia’s in
a celebratory luncheon.
Solo and Ensemble Band Winners: 31 students performed in solos,
duets, trios, and quartets
February 10, 2007 at MSBOA Solo and Ensemble Festival at Livonia
Franklin H.S. All earned either a rating of Excellent (I) or Good
(II)
Athletic Teams:
Basketball 1st Place: Girls Combo Team: 10-0
Track City Champions: Girls
City Champions: Boys
League Champions: Girls – Undefeated Season
League Champions: Boys – Undefeated Season
To view the Annual Report for 2006-2007,
click HERE.
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