The news media continues to bring attention to the lack of interest in the hard sciences in today’s American youth.  The media also brings attention to the high interest levels in hard sciences and engineering amongst the youth in Asia.  Schools throughout the United States are responding to this situation in a variety of ways.

Minnesota has started to address this lack of interest by changing what is happening at the K-12 level.  During the last week of March, Minnesota held its FIRST  (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics competition sponsored by Medtronic, Boston Scientific and the 3M Foundation.  The competition included 54 high school teams who each designed and built robots that had to perform a variety of tasks.  These companies understand the value of having students leave high school interested in working in science and technological fields.

Another change has been an increase in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) classes at the K-12 level. STEM programs include course(s) or series of linked learning opportunities that enable students to discover, explore, and/or solve real-life problems through the integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics content.  Students in the early elementary grades are experiencing science and technology at increased level to help foster an increased interest in science, math and technology.

St. Raphael’s Catholic School has made changes in the last six years to help our graduates have an interest in math, science and technological careers.  Five years ago a new science program was purchased to provide students with an increase of hands on science investigation.  The addition of technology to help deliver our science curricular objectives has been a great asset to helping the students understand the complex scientific concepts. For years we have had two different math options for students in grades six through eight.  This allows students who excel in math to progress at a faster pace. More recently we have increase our use of technology for both teaching and learning in all subjects.  We have correlated this increase with an increased level of students being engagement in learning. These changes are making a positive impact on our students.  A higher percent of our current seventh and eighth grade students will express their interest in different science disciplines.  Additionally our graduates are now taking the maximum number of science classes in high school and many of them are taking the advanced sciences.

We are proud of our teachers and students.  It is a wonderful thing to celebrate; educating young children in their faith while preparing them for their future.

I recently read an article in the National Middle School Association’s journal titled “Listening to the Voices of Young Adolescents.” This article summarized the comments of 2,700 middle school students who responded to the question “What should middle school teachers know about middle school students?”

A few points resonated with me as I think about our middle school program here at St. Raphael. The first desire of middle school students is to have healthy and rewarding relationships with their teachers and peers. They want these relationships based on compassion, respect, personalization, fellowship and friendship. They desire to have positive relationships with teachers who are helpful, kind, happy, encouraging, patient, respectful and non-judgmental.

One student was quoted in the article. “I feel teachers don’t really get to know the real you. They spend all their time telling you what to expect that they don’t even take time to know your personality. …Most teachers seem as though they don’t care a thing about if you do well in school. They teach you the information you need to know then if you have questions they say look over your notes and you’ll find the answer. Obviously I looked over my notes already and I still don’t know so in that way they are no help.”

The experiences of the students at St. Raphael do not match the quoted student. Our middle school teachers work closely with the students for two or three years and really get to know them. They know the strengths, weaknesses, and personalities of each one. I see the students spend lunchtime and study hall getting help from the teachers. Additionally I know that the teachers check in with each student to make sure he/she understand the content and can successfully complete all tasks. The end result of this hard work and dedication is our graduates are well prepared for their future. Many graduates continue visiting the teachers throughout their high school years to inform them of their successes and seek advice as needed.

Another student was quoted. “It might be nice for them to know that we are living human beings, we have feelings and we are people. Sometimes teachers think of you just as a student not a person, so they push you over your limits … We are not perfect.  We can’t do everything perfectly the first time.  If teachers understand this, it might make us feel more comfortable and we might do better in school.”

One great quality of our close group of teachers and students is they work together to support each other.  If a teacher needs help with a computer he/she does not hesitate to ask a student for assistance.  I have been a part of a group of students and teachers laughing together at a mistake or a misconception.  These positive relationships demonstrate how much we do see each other as humans and not just teachers and students.

Middle school years bring about a change in how young adolescents relate to other people in their lives.  Through out these years they still desire positive experiences and need structure and predictability to navigate through these years.

As we approach registration for the 2008-09 school year, remember all we offer the young adolescent.   There is value in consistency that will help your child be successful in his/her preparation for the future.

On Wednesday morning Kare 11 news was at St. Raphael to film a segment for their “What’s Cool in Your School”. They were here to learn about our school musical. During the interview I told the reporter what a wonderful program we have and the variety of ways it helps the students. The morning went well and the broadcast should be in a few weeks.

I went about the rest of the day, performed my part on Thursday but I did not get to see the whole show until it’s third performance. As I sat in the audience I watched with amazement the talents of the eleven through fourteen year old students that were on stage. I know that many others are behind the scenes who help make the show run smoothly. All of the involved students work hard to be ready for the performance and it shows. What also is evident are the talents that Mr. and Mrs. Bowen bring to our school. I am aware they have many helpers including parents, alumni parents and alumni students but it is with their efforts our school has a program that truly in newsworthy.

My husband came last year for the first time. I had told him how wonderful the previous year’s show was ,so he came out of obligation as the principal’s husband. He was very impressed with the quality and he had been looking forward to attending this years show. As we drove home Friday night he said of all the theater he has ever seen this one was the most impressive. He explained it this way. When you see professionals you expect a good performance and usually you get it. When you see amateurs who are in community theater you expect it to be good. When you go to see middle school students you only expect a show. However, at St. Raphael you experience a wonderful production with a variety of music, dancing and costumes of which the students are well prepared and are having fun. I could not agree more with my husband.

To the students who are involved, I hope you realize the talents you shared with the audience is appreciated. It is wonderful you are willing to share the talents God gave you. For all of the adults the talents you shared will live on in the students you have worked with and I thank you for this. Everyone involved in the St. Raphael Theater should be proud, the show was fabulous!

When the Kare 11 news article is aired I hope that this dedication to the theater and the sharing of talents is what will be demonstrated. We can proudly say we have something here that is “Cool in our School.”

As a member of the National Middle School Association, St. Raphael receives the monthly professional journal, Middle Ground. In The Family Connection part of the the October issue one topic covered was what is the best grade configuration for young adolescent students. The article has been inserted below.

2007 • Volume 12 • Number 2

Parents Want to Know …

What is the best combination of grades for a middle level school?
For elementary age children and high school age adolescents, the options are fairly limited—to elementary and high schools. But, young adolescents, ages 10 to 15, are often found in a variety of schools with different grade configurations. While research indicates there is no one best configuration, every different combination has advantages and disadvantages for young adolescents’ learning. Here are several of the most common.

• K–8 schools, where students stay together for their elementary and middle school years. Advantages: The lack of transitions from school to school and the opportunity to have a school community for nine years. Disadvantages: K–8 schools often do not have the wide range of course offerings in areas such as art, drama, foreign language, and computers.
• Separate middle level schools (whether called middle school, intermediate, or junior high school) usually include grades 5–8, 6–8, or 7–8. Advantages: These schools should be designed around the unique learning needs of 10- to 15-year-olds—active and engaging learning opportunities for all students, at least one adult who knows every young adolescent well, opportunities to explore a wide variety of both core and elective subjects, and preparation for high school that build on successful middle level practices.
• K–12, 7–12, or others. Advantages: Potentially, continuity and consistency in program and relationships. Disadvantages: When middle level and high schools are together, often the middle level becomes the “country cousin,” receiving less priority than the high school. In some instances, the high school practices, often inappropriate for young adolescents, are adopted or pushed on the middle level.

While any school with any set of grades can provide the proper environment, young adolescents deserve the same attention paid to their schooling that younger and older students receive. Whatever the grade configuration, how students are treated, the chances they have for close relationships with peers and teachers, and the opportunities they have for being engaged in high-level work are three key components in any middle level school.

As I read the article I was so pleased to reflect on the education we provide for our young adolecent students. First we offer an enriching program that includes; art, music, choir, Spanish, physical education and the core subjects of religion, science, literature, English, social studies and math. All of these subjects have technology integrated into their instruction.

To further enhance our program we have the fall musical and a variety of athletic teams along with the church youth group activites. Our teachers know the students and take a personal interest in each child and help them grow and develop.

When I give tours to potential families they are amazed of all we have to offer. What stands out to them is that we have a full range of programs that meet the educational and development needs for each age group we have in our school.