February 25, 2009

Dear Parents and Community Members,

As we approach the last quarter of the school year, I would like to provide an update on the implementation and progress of the Excellent Middle Schools program approved by the Board of Education last year. The Excellent Middle Schools program represents PUSD’s focus on reforming middle schools to ensure a high-quality, equitable educational experience for sixth through eighth grade students throughout PUSD. Many of you are familiar with this plan, as you participated in a series of community forums that improved the plan’s focus on parent involvement and participation at the school site level.

The plan is built upon seven guiding principles, or pillars, for meeting the academic, social, emotional and physical needs of middle grades students. I am pleased with the progress our middle schools have made to increase the rigor and relevance of our middle school program by implementing those principles this year. Eliot, Sierra Madre, Washington and Wilson Middle Schools have established the block schedule to allow more time for instruction, individualized support and enrichment for students, and teacher collaboration. These schools have also established advisory periods to provide personalized support for students in an individual and/or group setting. Additionally, our middle schools have expanded the range of electives and student activities available to enhance students’ academic experience, while increasing their exposure to college and career options.

The Excellent Middle Schools Team, composed of all principals with sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students, has continued to meet regularly to oversee implementation of the Excellent Middle Schools program and to plan for the next phase of implementation. In 2009-10, the Excellent Middle Schools program will maintain its focus on curriculum and instruction, while emphasizing parent involvement. The team will also work to deepen implementation of the guiding principles related to meeting all student needs, student activities and personalization.

Middle school administrators have initiated the process of establishing School Design Teams to assist with the design, structure and implementation of these components next year. School Design Teams will invite participation from teachers, parents, students and other community stakeholders. They will meet regularly to examine educational research, best practices, and successful school research to help guide their decision making. This spring, the Excellent Middle Schools Team will convene a workshop for representatives of all school design teams to evaluate the Excellent Middle Schools components currently in place, and identify potential areas for improvement, investment or modification.

Next month, the Board of Education will consider a recommendation to implement the District’s grade configuration policy in 2010-11. This policy would establish K-5 elementary schools district-wide, and ensure that all sixth graders have access to an equitable, high-quality middle school academic program. PUSD is seeking input from parents and community members to help identify parents’ concerns about the transition, and to establish strategies to provide information and support to families. We are beginning this dialogue more than a year in advance of the transition because we understand the need to assist parents through this process and address all questions and concerns in a thorough, comprehensive manner.

It is especially important that parents of elementary school students attend upcoming community forums to learn more about the benefits and impacts of the grade configuration policy. The dates and times for these forums are as follows:

• March 2, 6:30 p.m., Washington Middle School
• March 5, 7:00 p.m., Wilson Middle School
• March 9, 6:30 p.m., Eliot Middle School

These forums are only one of multiple opportunities parents and community members will have to learn about and participate in the development of the middle school program. Middle school principals will continue to meet with elementary PTA’s to answer questions and discuss opportunities for students and parents at the middle school level.

The School Design Teams will continue to meet and provide feedback and recommendations to middle school principals. The Excellent Middle Schools Team will collaborate on an ongoing basis with parents and students from the School Design Teams as well as elementary and high school representatives on issues related to implementation, budget impacts, and alignment with other initiatives and programs.

I strongly encourage parents to continue to stay informed, involved and engaged as we develop and refine our middle school reform efforts. Middle school reform remains among my top priorities for improving student achievement in PUSD, and I appreciate your support and commitment to continuing this dialogue.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Edwin Diaz