6th Grade Building Belonging Project Nelsen Middle School

Kathlene Simpson

School Improvement Plan Building Equity & Access

Increase positive responses on parent surveys Increase positive responses by students on surveys including feelings of belonging Increase connections between students and community

History
History of low family/parent involvement

Need for girls to feel empowered

Need for boys to feel connected Need for 6th graders to feel like they belong Desire to increase community involvement at the school

Successful Latina group

Meeting SIP Equity & Access Goals

Each student will be valued, connected, and achieving---no barriers. SMART Goal #1: By spring of 2011, students, staff and parents will respond to survey questions 75% of the time that Nelsen is a caring, respectful, learning community.

Strategy: Implement programs that promote better citizenship, responsibility and respect within the school community.

SIP Measurements

Parent and Student surveys developed and implemented 10% increase on students feeling safe within our school community.

75% of parents called will respond I feel welcomed at my childs school.

Goals of Girls Rock

Increase Community & Family Involvement Increase positive self-image Create a support system for girls and families Create a feeling of community Build a culture of respect and positive relationships

Community/Family Involvement
PTA volunteers for meetings

PTA support and budget

Family Volunteers Family Networking Day

DOJO 3 Zumba Instructor

Treasure Mapping Coordinator Community Careers Volunteers

Renton Chamber of Commerce community involvement through providing female role models

Positive Self-Image & Building Belonging

Connectedness through vulnerabilities Confidence Building Real girls presentation and discussion. Conversations about nutritional & physical health Correlation between physical, nutritional and emotional health Zumba activity

Positive Goal Setting & Careers

Treasure Mapping Goal Setting Collage NASA Mechanical Engineer Urban Area Security Initiative Coordinator, Emergency Preparedness Division Cookie Shop Owner Renton Fire Department

A Community of Support
Friendships
Being a friend Connections and support

structures for students

Connections and support structures for families

Encouragement to continue relationships outside of school

Girls Rock Specific Data

The Question
1I 2I 3I 4I 5I 6

% Increase or Decrease

feel that I know myself and the things that make me happy. am happy with the way my body looks. practice good decision-making skills and dont feel pressure from my friends to do things I dont want to. feel that I can talk openly to my friends and family about my true feelings. am in touch with my emotions and always know how I am really feeling.

7 20 -10 -35 8 3 10 7 5 16 -17 7 11

I feel that I am always a good friend and can be trusted.

7I

am well organized and feel good about school. am doing well in school and I am able to complete assignments. I have a question in class, I feel comfortable asking for help.

8I

9 When 10 11

I feel good about myself. I know who to go to when I need support.

12 I 13 I

know that other girls often have trouble with the same issues that I do. am confident, secure, and know that I am an important part of this world.

20

40

60

80

100

120

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Do you feel like the staff at Nelsen cares about you and your child? Do you feel welcome at Nelsen? Do you feel safe at Nelsen? Do you feel that you and your child are respected at Nelsen? Do you feel like you are part of the Nelsen Community? % positive Do you think your child has learned to be a better citizen due to Girls Rock? Do you think that your child learned about respect or how to be respected and respectful due to her participation in Girls Rock? Do you think your child has learned how to be more responsible due to her participation in Girls Rock? Do you think Girls Rock helped your daughter feel connected to the Nelsen Community?

Do you think the Girls Rock group helped your daughter feel valued at Nelsen?

Parent Data

Do you think Girls Rock helped your daughter be successful academically at Nelsen?

% positive

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

10

100

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Do you feel like the staff at Nelsen cares about you? Do you feel safe at Nelsen? Do you feel that you are respected at Nelsen? Do you feel like you are part of the Nelsen Community? Do you think there should be another girls group for 6th graders next year? Do you think there should be a boys group? % of positive Do you think you learned to be a better citizen due to Girls Rock? Do you think that you learned about respect or how to be respected and respectful due to your participation in Do you think you learned how to be more responsible due to your participation in Girls Rock? Do you think Girls Rock helped you feel connected to the Nelsen Community?

Do you think the Girls Rock group helped you feel like an important part of Nelsen?

Student Data

Do you think Girls Rock helped you be successful academically at Nelsen?

% of positive

Whats Next? What are our Needs?

Girls want to meet regularly Boys want a group Separate groups helps students feel safe

There is a need for all students to feel connected

There is a need to continue family & community involvement 6th graders have the hardest time transitioning 6th grade parents also need a support system

Proposal: 6th Grade Community Building Project

2 teachers: 1 female, 1 male
Create support curriculum for 6th grade students to help them transition to middle school Create a support system for students & families to build a sense of community & safety

Encourage more regular participation by community members at large