Lexi Reeves

Setting and Context

Steamboat springs is a small, close-knit community of whom has two elementary schools, one middle school,
and one high school. Within Routt County School District there is one of the states top schools to watch:
Steamboat Springs Middle School (SSMS). The school is home to roughly 588 students, 58 teachers, and around 60
other support-staff members. This school has a strong sense of awareness of self-discipline, community,
responsibility, and kindness. The schools mission and vision statements are currently being revised, but the goal is
that the mission will represent the schools comprehensive sense of respect and responsibility, and an emphasis on
achieving educational goals for each student.
The ethnic representation for SSMS is comprised of a mostly Caucasian students, followed by Hispanic, Asian,
Black, American Indian, Pacific Islander, and multiple race students. In the figure below there, a comparison is shown
between SSMS, the city of Steamboat Springs, and lastly the
state of Colorado. It is evident that this community has a
higher percentage of Caucasian decent shown at 80%, while
the state as a whole is shown to have about 50%. According
to SSMS Principal Jerry Buelter, this percentage has changed
slightly over time. Mr. Buelter began as an administrator in
2001. He outlined in his interview that the minority races
have become more prominent over time. He recalled that in
2001 there were only two ELL students in the school (English
Language Learners), and today, the number has grown to be
significantly more. Mr. Buelter was quick to inform me that
the minority students have been encouraged to become involved with school groups such as sports and clubs and this
has, universally, made a huge impact on the culture of the school as they have, over the years, taken the advice to
heart. Regardless of the demographics that create this school, students of all races feel as if they are at home at
Steamboat Springs Middle School.

Steamboat Springs Middle School has a growing school community that is based on two key factors that have
been implemented through teachers, administration, and staff: Know the Code and The C.A.R.E. Matrix. Each of these
serve as a reminder for overall expectations within the four walls of the school. The C.A.R.E. Matrix places an
emphasis on academic behavior expectations while Know the Code emphasizes a general code of conduct throughout
the school.
The acronym C.A.R.E stands for Commitment, Attitude, Responsibility, and Engagement. This matrix was
created by RTI(Response to Intervention), a program run through the school with staff, teachers, and parental
support. The goal of this matrix is to begin to implement a whole school understanding of the academic behavior
expectations. This matrix is used by every teacher in every classroom to help create a sense of academic community
for the students and to reassure the parents of the schools common academic goals.
Know the Code is a phrase that represents the overall behavioral expectations for students while in the school
or at a school function. This code was created by PBiS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support), a program that is used
to reinforce appropriate behaviors. Similarly, RTI is a program run through the school with staff, teachers, and
parental support. The code involves S2 , R2 : Self-Control, Safety, Responsibility, and Respect. Teachers and staff use
Know the Code cards to reward behavior that is representative of the code. This matrix, as well as the Know the
Code expectations, are located on school walls, in classrooms, and in the student handbook and individual planner.
According to Jennifer Sherman and Amy Piva, cooperating teacher and team leader, these two programs have
made a large, long lasting impact on behavior in the school. Students are now all being held to the same standards
that have been established by the C.A.R.E. Matrix and Know the Code which helps tremendously to minimize behavior
issues that may have been prominent in previous years. Principal Jerry Buelter agrees that PBiS and RTI programs
have improved the whole schools mindset on achievement in both an academic and a behavioral sense. Piva and
Sherman, additionally, agree that through these programs more parents have become involved and more supportive
of teacher/staff/administration decisions.
After learning about these policies and procedures that have been put into place it wasnt surprising to find
them highly reflected in the culture of the classroom. The students within the classroom, as well as the school, are
respectful, responsible, mentally involved, and receptive to peers and teachers. After just a month of observation, I
could see the direct correlation between C.A.R.E. matrix and Know the Code through all of them regardless of the

class in which they are currently involved. I can boldly say that these policies have made a huge impact on student
moral in the school as a whole.
Aside from the policies that have impacted the students attitude, these students are genuine, kind, and
engaged. They are all eager to learn while in the classroom or excited to be involved in the school. There are a few
clubs, teams, and programs that the students have the opportunity to join such as: Student Council, yearbook, Math
Club, Volleyball, Football, Basketball, Girls On The Run, Green Team, Science Olympiad, student involvement portion
of PBiS, EOS (Everything Outside Steamboat), and the performing arts. These extracurricular activities have allowed
students of all demographics to come together and form a Steamboat Sailors Family.
Within the community of the school is a group of parents who are dedicated to being involved in the school,
as well as keeping other parents in the loop. Parents have created a committee entitled P.I.C.(Parent Involvement
Committee.) This committee organizes parent involvement within the school, and offers a home for parents. This
committee has a variety of members including administrators, teachers, parents, and a few students. This committee
has made huge contributions to areas such as the school store, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (that meets
before school in the morning). P.I.C. is not the only way for parents to become involved in the school, but it is one of
the first avenues travelled when the desire arises. Through this committee, Steamboat Springs Middle School has
been able to create a very healthy balance of parent involvement.
All in all, SSMS is a school that provides an amazing structure that the community and culture of the school
has been able to thrive upon. Through PBiS, RTI, and other programs such as sports and clubs students have been
able to truly build a home within the 4 walls of Steamboat Springs Middle School. When the laws come to the surface,
there are many variables that should be considered and thoroughly evaluated as future educators take the next step
into their careers. The list of laws that were discussed here are only a few that stand out to the current teaching staff
of SSMS. Overall, the laws may affect how the classroom is ran, but the culture and mission that is carried out is
without a doubt facilitated by the staff members, students, and parents of the school.

Works Cited
http://public-schools.startclass.com/l/17122/Steamboat-Springs-Middle-School
http://sms.steamboatschools.net/