- Fugett MS
- FMS Action Plan and Supports
Community Day
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August 24, 2023 from 4 - 7 PM
Please RSVPFugett Families, stop by Fugett August 24th anytime between 4 pm - 7 pm to catch up with friends, meet new classmates, and master that new locker combination! You will have the opportunity for a self-guided tour of the school and “walk” your schedule across all grade levels. The school store will also unveil new merch to preview!
It is recommended you come with a printed schedule or device to view your schedule. Individual classrooms doors will be locked as rooms will have new student devices and teacher material ready for Monday. Please reach out to building administration if you require interpreting services for this event. Thank you!
Por favor avisa si vendrá s al evento
Familias de Fugett, pasen por la Fugett el 24 de agosto entre las 4 pm y las 7 pm para reencontrarse con amistades, conocer a los nuevos compañeros de clase y aprenderse la combinación del candado del casillero. Tendrán la oportunidad de hacer un tour de la escuela y “recorrer” las aulas en donde tendrás clase. ¡En la tienda de la escuela tendrán nueva mercadería para ver!
Recomendamos que vengas con la lista de clases en papel o en tu teléfono para saber qué aulas son. Las aulas van a estar cerradas con llave porque los materiales de los maestros y las computadoras nuevas para los alumnos ya están listas para el lunes. Por favor avisar a la oficina de la escuela si se necesitan servicios de interpretación ese día. Gracias.
July 31 Plan Update & Work Session
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Families came together for a work session with the administration team on three topics: Safety, Communication, and iCARE. Please review the presentation (espanol) from the evening.
Action Plan and Supports Presentation
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Thank you to our FMS families for joining us last week to discuss action steps and supports for the coming school year. For anyone not able to attend, the FMS Action Plan & Supports Presentation is linked.
You are also welcome to review the Frequently Asked Questions outlined below. These were developed based on the questions that families submitted following or during the meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
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STUDENT SUPPORTS
- How will the Intervention Specialists identify students to assist?
Intervention Specialists do not necessarily identify students to assist. They are available to students who either have been identified by the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) team, which they are a part of, or when students self-identify by needing immediate assistance. Intervention Specialists will continue to see students who may not need ongoing counseling; but rather more emergent support. They will also be very involved in prevention activities that will allow them to interact with all students. - What are the expectations for teachers and/or staff to intervene when they see student fighting and disrespectful or bullying behavior?
Teachers are expected to be in the hallways between classes to ensure appropriate student behavior and deter fighting. Employees who are not trained in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), de-escalation, and restraint techniques are not to physically break up fights between students. Administrators and staff who have received this training will do so, and staff are instructed to notify these individuals as soon as possible. Teachers and staff are also instructed to document and report any disrespectful behavior, including bullying. - How is the district addressing issues and sharing these changes for behavior expectations with the bus drivers as they are not district employees?
All new bus drivers receive extensive training as outlined in the School Bus Driver Manual by the bus companies. At various times during the year, additional student management trainings are held by the bus companies. The primary focus for all bus drivers is ensuring safety while on the road.
- How will the Intervention Specialists identify students to assist?
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FMS I C.A.R.E.
- What measures will be implemented to ensure the entire FMS staff is participating and emulating the behaviors I C.A.R.E. is encouraging?
Prior to the start of the school year all staff will be trained in the I C.A.R.E. program. At that time the expectation will be set that staff will teach and reinforce these positive skills to students. Administration will monitor the amount of positive tickets that are given to students when they are exhibiting positive behaviors. During team meetings I C.A.R.E. will be discussed and reviewed to ensure that teachers and staff are knowledgable regarding the importance of this positive behavior plan and are fully participating in its reinforcement.
- What measures will be implemented to ensure the entire FMS staff is participating and emulating the behaviors I C.A.R.E. is encouraging?
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POSITIVE BRANDING
- What does FMS Positive Branding look like? Positive Branding through materials and messaging in Fugett Middle School is intended to help set expectations for appropriate behavior throughout the school as well as reinforce a sense of belonging and community. While this is still in development, some examples are posters reinforcing the I. C.A.R.E. or We C.A.R.E. Program as well as behavior expectations and rules in spaces like the cafeteria, hallways, gym, and classrooms. All materials will display Fugett Middle School colors and logo to act as a reminder of the students’ and staff members’ school community at all times. We do want to be clear that these materials work in conjunction with the plans, policies, and programs being developed to address the deeper concerns regarding FMS, they are not intended to replace effective and appropriate disciplinary or preventative measures.
- Who will be developing the new positive branding?
The District’s Communication Department is working on developing a draft of positive branding materials and messaging to share with FMS staff, students, and families. We would like this process to have guidance and direction and also be a collaborative effort that the entire school community can take ownership of and pride in.
- What does FMS Positive Branding look like? Positive Branding through materials and messaging in Fugett Middle School is intended to help set expectations for appropriate behavior throughout the school as well as reinforce a sense of belonging and community. While this is still in development, some examples are posters reinforcing the I. C.A.R.E. or We C.A.R.E. Program as well as behavior expectations and rules in spaces like the cafeteria, hallways, gym, and classrooms. All materials will display Fugett Middle School colors and logo to act as a reminder of the students’ and staff members’ school community at all times. We do want to be clear that these materials work in conjunction with the plans, policies, and programs being developed to address the deeper concerns regarding FMS, they are not intended to replace effective and appropriate disciplinary or preventative measures.
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GENERAL QUESTIONS
- Who created the dress code and when? Can the dress code be reviewed and new guidelines be established?
The West Chester Area School Board in collaboration with District Administration established the Dress and Grooming Policy, or Policy 221 and Administrative Guideline 221. The Board last reviewed Policy 221 on June 22, 2015, and the Administrative Guideline on May 18, 2015. The Board and Administration is currently in the process of systematically reviewing all board policies through the Policy Committee which meets on the 3rd Monday of the month except in July. We do plan to reinforce these policies with our administrators, staff, and students in the coming school year. - When will the survey results be shared with FMS families?
Survey results from staff and FMS families will be shared in August 2023 as we begin the new school year and share goals for the 2023-24 SY. -
What is the process for repeat offenders once they return from suspension?
There are a number of steps taken with repeat offenders including, but not limited to;
- A transition meeting with Administration upon return to school (including the family and the student);
- defining times for the student to meet with the School Counselor;
- recommendation to the MTSS Team;
- and recommendations/referrals for additional supports and services.
- Have you considered partnering with parent volunteers who can help monitor hallways, the cafeteria or anywhere else eyes are needed?
The PTO has shared volunteer opportunities and information with parents hoping to assist within the building. We encourage anyone interested in volunteering to visit the WCASD Volunteer Page to begin the process of obtaining the necessary clearances. - Can we teach the kids better ways to deal with anger instead of fighting? Can we talk to them about what to do if a fight starts?
FMS remains committed to teaching students that there are always better ways to deal with anger instead of fighting. Our Social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons will focus on kindness and healthier reactions. We will focus on character traits such as honesty, compassion and integrity, in addition to skills like understanding emotions and solving problems. Families will have first-hand knowledge of the skills and activities that are being taught in school with the hope that these same traits and skills can be practiced and reinforced at home. Additionally, we will continue our work around restorative practices as a way of working through conflict and putting the focus on repairing the harm that has been done.
- Can we be clear with them (students) about consequences if they do fight or act unkindly?
Families are asked to review the WCASD Code of Conduct at the beginning of each school year. Additionally, the FMS Administration will remind students about these expectations for acceptable and appropriate behaviors during Town Hall Meetings, assemblies, and visits to homerooms.
- What data will be looked at to see if these new plans are making a positive impact/change in the behaviors that were seen in the 22-23 school year?
The FMS Administration and Data Teams will review survey and disciplinary data on a quarterly basis to note the impact/changes in behaviors.
- Who created the dress code and when? Can the dress code be reviewed and new guidelines be established?
