Family and School Partnerships

Ranchero Middle SchoolCal STAT Leadership Site Award

What is ExCEL?

• It is NOT a program of set strategies

• It IS a framework of strategies that build upon the philosophy that “all children can learn.”

ExCEL

• It is a hybrid of research-based best practices that have been proven to be effective with all students including those with academic deficits.

• Focuses on 5 focus areas:

1. Early intervention and prevention strategies in reading

2. Behavior intervention and remediation emphasis

3. Parent involvement in a family/system focus

4. Speech and language mastery

5. Emphasis on survival skills

Scaffolded Classrooms

• A heterogeneous mix of students

• “Scaffold,” as it is referred to in ExCEL, is a way of organizing students for instruction.

• “Scaffolds” may be “tools”

• Scaffolding is supporting the student as they learn skills. It is a method of differentiated instruction

Scaffolded Class Levels

• Level E- Above Proficiency/GATE

• Level D- At Proficiency

• Levels A, B, & C- Below Proficiency

ExCEL Level A

• Designed for students who read below the 3rd grade level

• Classes are made up of SDC, RSP, and general education students who will benefit from this level of instruction.

• Available for all academic areas• Majority of this level are taught by

experienced Special Education teachers

ExCEL Level B

• Designed for students with reading levels around 4th grade

• Classes made up of SDC, RSP, and general education students. Students in this level may also be placed in ExCEL Social Studies and/or Science

ExCEL Level C

• Designed for students who are close to grade level in reading and writing skills

• May include RSP and general education students• Depends on ability level and an IEP decision• Most of these students are successful in general

education Social Studies and/or Science, but may be placed in an ExCEL Social Studies and/or Science

Level D & Level E

• Level D

• “General Education” level

• Students are proficient in academic areas

• Level E

• GATE/ honor students

• Students who are above proficiency in academic areas

Overall ExCEL

• All Students Can Learn!!!• The purpose of the Ranchero Middle School

ExCEL model is to provide every student with instruction at his/her developmental level while ensuring the teaching of grade level standards.

• Mastery of grade level standards is the goal for all students through differentiated instruction

• Fluidity based on on-going assessments and teacher input

Communications

• Homework Hotline

• Web grading system

• Parent/teacher/student conferences

• Regular progress reports

• Binder reminders

• Phone calls home

• District Parent Notebook

More Communications

• Notes home• Parent in-services• STAR Chats• Celebration of

Education• Parent Newsletters• Invitations to events

Volunteering

• Family Resource Specialist coordination of volunteers

• Parent/Community member volunteers for: dances, sports, fundraisers, school events, etc.

• Student and staff participation in service clubs

• “Spirit of Giving Week” collecting and distributing canned foods for holiday dinners

Collaborating with the Community

• Career Day

• Principal-for-the-Day

• Job shadowing

• Membership with Kiwanis & Rotary

• Invitations to performances, conferences, & workshops

• Parent Night

Collaborating with the Community

• CJSF- California Junior Scholastic Federation

• Kiwanis Club

• Builder’s Club

• ASB- Associated student Body

• “Incentive” program

• Building community relationships- Parks & Recreation

Student Roles

• Collaborating with community

• Representation in School Site Council

• Attending and having a voice in the Individual Education Plan process

More student Roles

• Responsibility for academic learning through autonomy

• Attending parent/teacher/student conferences

• Communicating through the binder reminder

Meeting Students/Parents Needs

• Assistance of a bilingual aide• Newsletters created in Spanish• District Interpreter• Bilingual staff and teacher support• District and site English Language Learner meetings • Teachers trained in Ruby Payne’s Framework for

Understanding Poverty• Teachers trained with Specifically Designed

Academic Instruction in English strategies

Meeting Needs

• Flexible scheduling conducive to “families”

• Creating progress reports and notes home for multiple households

• Making home visits if requested

Collaborative Decision-Making

• Teachers, administrators, families/parents, and student involvement of decisions

• School Site Council

• Individual Education Plans

• Program meetings held on a monthly basis

• Use of parent surveys to determine the needs, programs, and clubs for students

Our Family Resource Specialist

• Creates monthly newsletter

• Creates mailings • Coordinates parent

volunteers for athletics, performances, and other school events

• Attends the Parent Coordinating Council for the district as a site representative & President

Family Resource Specialist

• Organizes parent chaperones & volunteers to work in the classroom

• Assists with Parent Night

• School Site Council• Our “Family Liaison”

2005-2006 School Year Examples

• Parent involvement in Sept. 30th Rewards Field Day

• Fundraisers & selling of yearbooks

• Red Ribbon Week volunteer for “Bring Your Own Banana”

• Back- to School Night

• Athletics

• AVID Skate Night

• December Parent Night

• School Site Council

• Parent Coordinating Council

• Conferences

• Builder’s Club & Band participation in Hesperia Days Parade

2005-2006 School Year

• Monthly Parent Meetings with the Principal

• Parent notification of student awards

• Mr. Ingram help with reading

• Community member band volunteers

• Scheduled Parent Nights for subject areas

2005- 2006 School Year

• Ski Club at John’s Incredible Pizza Night• Community use of facilities for athletics• Web grades and Site webpage• Thanksgiving Basket donation• District Parent Notebook• Dance chaperones• Hurricane Katrina contributions (change bottles

and Mardi Gras bead fundraisers)