Carroll County Middle School students showed off their school to a selected group of community leaders this week in what Principal Dr. Robin Stephenson anticipates becoming a bi-monthly event.
The WEB Leaders, a group of eighth graders who mentor fifth grade students, led tours throughout the school. They visited classrooms and were given information about what students are learning and the methods used. The WEB Leaders also explained how smart pass, PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support) points work and the adults had the opportunity to speak with the students.
“We are really trying this year to change the culture of the middle school building,” said Assistant Principal D.C. Craig.”Our teachers are doing a phenomenal job.”
Each of the school’s administrators explained their responsibilities, such as behavior, cell phone policies, student recognition/club day, and social-emotional learning.
“We’re trying to make this building a place students are excited about,” said Assistant Principal Will Yager. “The best way to do that is to give them some ownership and opportunities beyond the classroom.”
The school has made a commitment to focus on the social-emotional skills of its students. Each day, students check-in through PBIS and tell adults what kind of day they’re having - red (bad), yellow (so-so) or green (good). That information is funneled to the correct person, who responds within 30 minutes.
“It has been a really useful tool for us,” said CCMS Social Worker Brandi McIntyre. She noted students can also use PBIS to tell an adult they’re struggling and need to speak to someone throughout the school day.
CCMS Guidance Counselor Kyndal Yager added that these tools help them teach the social-emotional skills to students. A lot of social-emotional skills are learned, such as shaking hands when introduced to someone and looking a person in the eye when talking to them.
“We’ve definitely seen an improvement in our kids with the way they interact with each other and adults,” Kyndal Yager said.
Madeline Sanchez, one of the WEB Leaders, said “It has improved a lot of our understanding that they try to focus on the student and you have the feeling that ‘Yeah, I’m noticed.’”
“We are changing our narrative,” Stephenson said. “We are confident about the potential of our students here at CCMS.”
