Family and School PartnershipsRanchero Middle School

CalSTAT 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
• 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
• 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)

Working together to pursue greatness in education!