Schools

'Team' Approach for Walker School Kids; Good-Bye to Mary Kenny

Summit Hill School Dist. 161 gave veteran member Mary Kenny a fond farewell and learned updates on plans to prepare 6th graders for junior high.

Before the regular meeting started, Board President Mary Kenny was surprised with a farewell program, honoring her nearly 30 years of commitment to the Summit Hill Dist. 161 Board of Education.

A video presentation filled with accolades and fond memories from the district along with a band presentation preceded the April 10 meeting at Summit Hill Jr. High School.  After a break for cake and camaraderie, the board members heard a presentation about next year's changes at Walker Intermediate School.

Beginning in August, 6th graders at Walker School will get a taste of junior high by switching classes during the day. Principal Mike Ruffalo and Asst. Principal Dana Wright showed a PowerPoint about plans to prep 6th graders for junior high. Instead of remaining in one classroom for encore classes throughout the day, they'll get up and move from room-to-room.  

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Ruffalo said, "The 6th grade student will switch from one classroom to another just like at (Summit Hill Jr. High) SHJH." A key change is the fact that the 6th-grade teachers will no longer escort the entire homeroom of students to and from encore classes, he said.

In an effort to better monitor the day-to-day comings and goings of a lively group of pre-teens, the teachers requested that 6th grade classes be moved to the first floor. The rationale, said Wright, takes into consideration student management and the existing building arrangement.  

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It allows for easier monitoring

Improves safety by avoiding a crowded shuffle of students up and down stairs

Reduces chances for bullying during the transition between classes

Already, Ruffalo said, the bulk of encore classes are located on the first floor, such as PE, the learning center and music. Intramurals, technology and lunch are on the first floor. At the moment, the only encore class  on the second floor is art.

Creating a Team Atmosphere with a Common Plan

In an effort to enforce the concept of a "school within a school," Walker staff  look forward to focusing on a team atmosphere. Ruffalo said, "The 6th grade will have three teams with five teachers per team. The 5th grader will feature three teams—five teachers will work on two teams; and one team will have four teachers. The students will switch only within their team of teachers.

The benefit, said Ruffalo, "We create small schools within a large school while preparing our 6th graders for SHJH."

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