Middle Schools

A Culture of Dignity and Belonging

Delineated on this site is Solanco’s Dignity Honored initiative, which represents a commitment to continuous improvement of our anti-harassment/anti-discrimination efforts at the middle school level.   

This website is designed to provide parents and community members with an overview of Solanco’s efforts in this area both historically and currently.  In addition, this site shows how the multiple programs and initiatives implemented at each school level contribute to a supportive and caring school district environment. 

Committing to Compassion:

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior between people which involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated over time.  Cyberbullying involves the use of technologies to display behavior that harms another. Through email, instant messaging, text messaging and social networking sites, hurtful messages can be posted and shared.

Solanco Middle Schools believe in providing a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment for all scholars and staff. We want our scholars to develop compassion for one another and also foster friendships that will last a lifetime.  We know that when our scholars are comfortable socially and emotionally, they can achieve greatness academically.  Our staff actively works to create that atmosphere by modeling welcoming characteristics, fostering friendships, and creating opportunities for students to work together creatively and to develop compassion towards one another.

A list of resources and programs Solanco Middle Schools use:

• PRIDE Ambassadors-group of scholars that lead and model positive behaviors and programs that promote positive messages and interaction.  These scholars meet regularly as a group receiving targeted training; preparing to teach lessons and promote compassion.  PRIDE means “People Respecting Individual Differences Everyday”.  A focus for our PRIDE ambassadors under our PRIDE initiative will be for these leaders to find and support other scholars who are struggling socially and emotionally.  (Timeline=All Year)
• “Caught with Pride”-All scholars and staff have the opportunity to recognize one another for doing something thoughtful. Over the past few years, we have recognized approximately 100 learners a year for the positive and compassionate deeds they have displayed in our buildings. (Timeline=All Year-Drawings are on last Friday of the month during the morning announcements)
• “Celebrate Our Scholars”-Scholar recognition and kindness messages on lobby TV-regularly updated scholar recognition for accomplishments. (Timeline=All Year)
• “PRIDE Wall”- central location- displays positive messages about our scholars from their peers.  This wall will be designed and maintained by our PRIDE Ambassadors.(Timeline=All Year-PRIDE Ambassadors will lead a push at the beginning of each month to keep the wall changing)
• Mentorships- Each instructional team will have members identified as mentors.  At the core of mentorships is a trusting relationship between the scholar and a caring mentor who both advocates for and challenges the scholar to keep education salient.
• Morning announcement videos- During the year we have shown videos that focus on random acts of kindness, anti-bullying, and motivational videos.  These videos are followed with discussions with Advisory teachers.  (Timeline=All Year)
• Incentive Recovery Sessions-scholars that have earned discipline or missed a large amount of school can earn their way back into Hershey Park by creating a plan of action with the principals through after school tutoring.  This gives the scholar an opportunity to continue to have a good experience in school should he or she have made some poor decisions early in the year.  (Timeline=Oct-May)
• Random acts of kindness days-on designated days, scholars will be challenged and recognized for performing a random act of kindness for an individual in the school.  The school counselor and PRIDE Ambassadors will plan and ensure implementation.  Student Senate along with NJHS will each be assigned 2 quarters to plan and run theme weeks housed around anti-bullying. (Timeline=once per marking period)
•  Community service projects- Our Scholars will be given opportunities to lead projects that serve the community throughout the year.  (Timeline=Nov, Dec, March/April)
• Parent phone calls– Each scholar’s family will be called by the instructional staff prior to “Back to School Nights” with the purpose of welcoming to the New Year and discussing any possible parental concerns. (Timeline= prior to Sept. 7^th)
• Block 5 structure- Facilitators will spend time each week meeting with scholars as part of our MTSS structure.
• Advisory structure– Following announcements two days a week facilitators will spend time meeting with scholars and discussing academic progress and needs. Two days a week teachers will use advisory time expanding upon PRIDE lessons and themes discussed during these lessons.  (Timeline=all year)
• PRIDE lessons- Lessons run 2 times a month in advisory utilizing an adjusted schedule.  These lessons will be crafted and delivered by both our facilitators and PRIDE Ambassadors.  Lessons will also be included for how our students can be mature cyber-citizens.  A cyber citizen utilizes technology in an appropriate manner including etiquette, communication, education, access, commerce, responsibility, rights, safety and security. It is important to be cyber aware: back up your digital files, create strong passwords, post only appropriate comments and control privacy settings. (Timeline = all year)
• Youth Court- Youth court is a scholar run restorative justice program that gives learners that make a poor choice an opportunity to improve their behavior without being suspended or punished in the traditional way. Youth Court is a learner run organization that can help other learners become responsible for their behavior and make better choices in the future.  The goal of youth court is to help learners take responsibility for their actions/behaviors and to teach strategies for learners to become more successful. (Timeline=2^nd half of the year)
• Meetings on Social Media issues- During 6^th grade orientation, back to school night and other times during the school year the middle level and the districts SRO’s will inform parent/guardians and scholars on the concerns with social media. (Timeline=All Year)

Reporting Bullying:

Solanco Middle Schools encourage scholars and adults to report any type of bullying to a teacher, staff, counselor and/or administrator.  We want to know if there is unwanted or aggressive behavior towards a scholar that impacts learning.  We know that relationships between the school and families will lead to all parties feeling comfortable solving potential learning barriers for scholars.  

Methods to report bullying in Solanco Middle Schools:

• Lead a Hand lockers- Designated lockers that enable individuals to drop anonymous notes regarding incidents of concern or possible bullying involving themselves or another scholar. (Timeline=All Year-Lockers checked by principals/counselor daily)
• On-line form- An official opportunity for parents/scholars to report an incident if uncomfortable doing so in person or over the phone.  (Timeline=All Year)
• Reporting to a teacher or staff- Scholars can always share concerns with adults in the building that they feel comfortable with doing so.  (Timeline=All Year)
• Student and parent surveys- Surveys will be completed twice this year and will give our scholars and parents the opportunity to share experiences and information about areas our programs may be missing.  This includes the chance to identify locations and times that negative interactions seem to occur more regularly. (Timeline=September and April)
• Parent phone calls/emails- Each instructional team (6^th, 7^th, 8^th, UA) makes at least fifteen phone calls home regarding academic awareness, classroom performance, and to build relationships with families.  These conversations serve as an opportunity for parents to share concerns they may have regarding their child.  (Timeline=All Year)
• Access to counselor, facilitators, and school leaders– Counselors, facilitators and school leaders make a great effort to be present at all school events.  These activities serve as an opportunity for parents to foster relationships.  (Timeline=All Year)
• Monday Morning reflection cards- Every Monday morning facilitators will give scholars an opportunity to reflect in their morning advisory classes.  Scholars will have the chance to write about anything that could have happened over the weekend which could impact their day at school.  This will help staff and administration stay aware of possible negative social media activity over the weekend.  Any concerns teachers receive will be made aware to counselor immediately.  (Timeline=All Year)
• Enhanced Office Information Center- A brochure and community resources contact sheet will be available and easily accessible for parents/guardians as they enter the office.  Should parents have any concerns that they’re hesitant about sharing, this information can help them make informed decisions moving forward.   (Timeline=All Year)
• Learner emails/Schoology message- Each learner has a laptop with access to all the staff’s emails and the availability to Schoology message their classroom teacher. This can be done anytime throughout the day. If an incident does occur, the learner can email/Schoology message a staff member about the incident and the incident can be addressed in a quicker manner. (Timeline= All Year)

Intervening:

Solanco Middle Schools wants and will help! We will intervene in any situation that involves our Learners to help provide a safe and supportive environment in Middle School.

• Counselor/Administrator Mediation- When a concern is first brought to the attention of the staff, our school counselor/administrator will discuss the situation with the scholars involved.  If possible, learners will resolve the situation with mediation through the guidance counselor and/or school administrator.  A phone call to parents/guardians will follow these situations.  (Timeline=All Year as needed)
• Seat Changes- A simple seat change within one classroom (or at lunch) could solve concerns between two learners.  (Timeline=All Year as needed) 
• Administrator conferences- If a concern has happened more than once, administrators will have a conference with either the learners, parents/guardians, or both.  The counselor will stay involved in this process to keep the intervention supportive.  Conferences could also involve the counselor and teachers.  (Timeline=All Year as needed)
• Cease and Desist- When scholars cannot resolve issues that have been consistent, parents will be notified, and learners will sign a contract agreeing to refrain from negative contact with the other party.  By signing the contract, they are stating that they understand any further concerns can result in immediate discipline action.  (Timeline=All Year as needed)
• Schedule Changes- We rarely make this move because the goal is always to lead learners to restoring relationships and solving problems.  If needed, a learner could have a schedule change for the purpose of keeping the learning environment emotionally and physically safe for all learners.  (Timeline=All Year as needed)
• Restorative mentorship program- Students with multiple situations involving bullying characteristics will be subject to restorative actions.  Examples: book studies, writing tasks, community service, teach, online learning modules, anti-bully lessons with elementary students, and designing plans of action to demonstrate improvement with social interactions.  There could be traditional disciplinary action involved in this process (detentions or suspensions).  These will be assigned mandatory educational programs for our repeat offenders.  (Timeline=All Year as needed)
• Youth Court- Youth court is a scholar run restorative justice program that gives learners that make a poor choice an opportunity to improve their behavior without being suspended or punished in the traditional way. Youth Court is a learner run organization that can help other learners become responsible for their behavior and make better choices in the future.  The goal of youth court is to help learners take responsibility for their actions/behaviors and to teach strategies for learners to become more successful. (Timeline=2^nd half of the year)

Supporting Each Other:

Solanco Middle Schools will provide opportunities to guide, support and show compassion to all parties involved in an incident of bullying.  Bullying occurs when individuals perceive that they are not being supported or welcomed.  Supporting our staff and scholars through planned recognition and opportunities to be kind will lead to positive interactions.

• Peer Groups- Our counselor, staff members, along with our SAP assessor from the Caron Foundation, will run different “groups” that could focus on different situations some of our learners may have in their lives.  This gives scholars the opportunity to form friendships with individuals dealing with similar concerns and celebrate victories together.  (6-8 week groups running: Oct-Nov, Jan-Feb, March-April.  Students can be added as necessary)
• Student Assistance Program- Solanco contracts with The Caron Foundation, our buildings have a trained assessor that can support families to determine the next steps in finding additional support for individual children.  Our SAP team, including the Caron Assessor, is made up of teachers and administrators in the building.  This program allows learners to have a mentor that helps our scholars focus on emotional success to lead to greater academic success.  (Timeline=All Year)
• Texas Roadhouse Recognition Shout Outs- Staff have the opportunity to recognize and support each other by nominating one another for the monthly drawing to Texas Roadhouse for a gift card.  Facilitators can be nominated in one of the four areas that Solanco focuses on (Courage, Kindness, Respect, and Responsibility).  (Timeline=All Year)
• Lobby TV- Scholars and staff will be recognized with pictures and music on our lobby TV through a slideshow.  This will be updated biweekly.  Learner representatives will play a role in this project.  (Timeline=All Year)
• Sharing is Caring- The Sharing cooler is a place where students can place unopened food and drinks that they choose not to eat or drink. This provides an opportunity for other learners to take additional helpings of food or beverages from the Sharing Cooler at no cost to them. (Timeline = All Year) 
• PRIDE Ambassadors- Throughout the year PRIDE Ambassadors will make calls to all our 6^th grade families along with new scholars welcoming them to our buildings.  (Timeline=All Year).
• Kindness Day– Once a year the PRIDE Ambassadors will sponsor a “mix-it-up day,” where scholars are seated at different lunch tables with different peers.  PRIDE Ambassadors will facilitate conversations, so scholars broaden views of their peers.  (Timeline=Second Semester) 
• “Just Checkin”- When a possible situation involving bullying is reported, there is a designed follow up plan (developed check list-copy made available to parents/guardians).  This plan may be modified to meet the needs of the individual family.  The structure includes the following: (after the situation has been handled):  (Timeline=All Year as needed)
• Personal learner check-in the next day in person with the counselor or administrator. 
• Teachers will be made aware of situation and things to be aware.
• Call home the same day as the learner check-in to reiterate what the learner shared.  Let them know you’ll be touching base again in a week and that teachers are aware to inform you if something more is seen.
• 3-4 days later the counselor or teacher will check in with the learner again.  This will be a light conversation where they can look at grades together as well. 
• 1 week after the incident-parent will be called again to check in.  “How has he been?  Things seem to be going well for him.  Here’s what I’ve seen…”
• 2-3 weeks after the incident-another learner check in.  These will continue monthly as needed.
• All dates and check-ins will be listed on check list so parents can see these follow-up measures.

Communication/Publication:

We are focusing on ensuring that all stakeholders (scholars, parents/guardians, teachers, counselors, administration, and community members) are involved in our process as well as informed of actions and opportunities the PRIDE initiative will provide.  Involving the community gives our scholars the chance to thrive through interactions from multiple sources all sharing a common vision.

Scholars:

Our new scholars and their families were first informed of PRIDE at our 6^th grade orientation programs.   The concepts of reporting, advocating, and encouraging others through the Solanco Core beliefs (courage, kindness, respect, responsibility) were highlighted and explained.  The makerspace/incentive room, Lend a Hand Lockers, the PRIDE program, PRIDE Ambassadors, and the Monday Morning Reflection cards were all highlighted.  Through consistent efforts, our scholars will become familiar with the importance of building a positive culture. 

Throughout the year, our scholars will be continually celebrating to reinforce the concepts.  Advisory activities, incentives, and classroom meetings will allow learners to build advocacy for each other as well.

Parents:

Parents are an essential piece to the process of keeping learners emotionally safe.  They will have the opportunity to share concerns on an online reporting system which can be found on the school’s home page.  Communication with parents is successful when it’s done often and, in many forms, (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, school monthly newsletter, weekly informational letter, learners sharing positives, invites and opportunities to participate in multiple school events, and to celebrate their scholars).  Parents want to know that they’re being cared for at the same level that they care for their own scholars.  An essential piece to this will be regularly communication with teachers through the homework hotline and the 15 calls per week made by each instructional team.  Teachers know that the confidence parents have in them comes from the interactions and relationships teachers build with scholars and their families.  The first opportunity that most of our staff will have to make a great first impression will be at Back to School Night on September 7^th, 2023. 

Facilitators:

Professional Development Time- Facilitators reviewed PRIDE and the new pieces for this coming year.  All teachers were given a copy of the plan as well as materials needed (Mindful Mondays).  The message has been set that “we will be the best in the state” at meeting the emotional needs of our learners and creating a positive environment in which our scholars get excited to attend.” 

Emotional Intelligence- It’s essential that teachers also are celebrated and stay positive themselves. Teachers will continuously be given the opportunities to celebrate other staff members and learners through “Caught with Pride” and “Texas Roadhouse” nominations and “free Jean Day” certificate.  We truly believe that building our staff and scholars will produce excellence.

Staff Surveys- During the school year the staff will be given some surveys to help the administration see and reach the needs of the staff.

Community:

The community wants to support us and looks for opportunities to be involved.  It’s part of the school’s role to give them chances to be involved and support our scholars.  Regular celebrations of excellent work through the Chronicle, Advertiser and social media give the community their first impression of what we do.  A clear message that stays consistent will lead them to having confidence in our building.  Once they feel good about who we are, it gives us the chance to serve them (through some of our projects with PRIDE ambassadors) and allow them the chance to serve us (through volunteering with our game café and enjoying our school-based events like Fall Fest, PTO events, School and Community Day). 

Social media posts during the week will help us make the community aware of our message.

New Focuses for 2023-24 Designed to enhance our efforts in providing a safe and supportive environment for all.

• Youth Court- scholar run restorative justice programs that gives learners that make a poor choice an opportunity to improve their behavior without being suspended or punished in the traditional way.
• Think Before You Post Campaign- Meeting is PRIDE groups, videos, and assemblies with parents/guardians about social media concerns.
• In-Service Offering– Community connection/understanding of the make-up of our community and their wants and needs.