NMSA2011 School Visits

• See exemplary middle school practices in action.
• Talk with teachers, administrators, and students.
• Hear firsthand the challenges and rewards of implementing what you learn at the conference.
• Ask about lessons learned and improvements made.

School visit participants, must have a ticket to attend. Tickets must be purchased with conference registration.

All School Visits will take place on Thursday, November 10, 2011

SV01 ($40)
One-to-One Computing: Learning without Boundaries
Thursday, November 10, 2011, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Bus departs at 8:00 a.m.
Charlestown Middle School
Charlestown Middle is in the second year of a one-to-one laptop initiative, and every classroom is becoming a 21st century classroom that helps students build the skills they need to succeed in a technology-driven, global society. You'll learn how the school implemented the one-to-one computing model, and you'll see projects that truly engage students as well as data that illustrates the program's success. Find out why the motto at Charlestown Middle is "It's not if; it's where!"

SV02 ($40)
The Greatest Middle School on the Planet Welcomes You!
Thursday, November 10, 2011, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Bus departs at 9:00 a.m.
Highland Hills Middle School
At Highland Hills, you'll see how education technology helps students excel. The school also uses a 90-minute ELA framework, common formative assessments, SMART Board technology, and a comprehensive reading intervention program. Ongoing data collection supports both intervention and acceleration to ensure every student has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.

SV03 ($40)
In the Trenches: Responding to the Developmental Needs of Adolescents
Thursday, November 10, 2011, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Bus departs at 7:45 a.m.
Mount Washington Middle School
Mount Washington Middle excels at meeting the unique developmental challenges of adolescents. You'll see this approach in action, learn why developmental responsiveness is a critical attribute of an effective middle school, and receive practical tools and program ideas that can be implemented immediately to improve student engagement, school climate, and overall success.

SV04 (40)
A "Noe-ticeable" Difference in Education!
Thursday, November 10, 2011, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Bus departs at 8:15 a.m.
Noe Middle School
Recognized as a National School to Watch and a National PTA Parent Involvement School of Excellence, Noe is one of Jefferson County's largest and most diverse middle schools. You'll see how it meets the individual needs of all 1,300 students by providing an array of innovative programs, including the district's only middle school gifted and talented magnet program. Noe also offers the ADVANCE Program, the English as a second language (ESL) program, and the visual and performing arts magnet program.

SV05 ($40)
Student-driven Curriculum
Thursday, November 10, 2011, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Bus departs at 7:50 a.m.
North Oldham Middle School
You'll experience "studio day" at North Oldham Middle. Students conceive curriculum and complete projects based on their individual interests. Studio day gives students the freedom to address learning standards by choosing the educational approach and activities that match their interests and their learning styles. Benefits of the initiative include enhanced teacher efficacy and improved student engagement.

SV06 ($40)
Every Time, Every Day, without Fail, No Exceptions
Thursday, November 10, 2011, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Bus departs at 7:55 a.m.
Ramsey Middle School
You will get an up-close look at an environmentally friendly, high-tech learning environment. An Energy Star school that opened in September 2008, Ramsey was the first Jefferson County public school to install a wind turbine, and the students have joined forces with GE to collect data from the use of the school's solar panels. Ramsey also offers the ADVANCE Program and the CARE for Kids program, which teaches middle schoolers social responsibility and encourages enthusiasm for making a difference in the world.

SV07 ($40)
Technology in Action
Thursday, November 10, 2011, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
TJ Middle offers a case study in the use of educational technology to meet No Child Left Behind goals. The school is designing 21st century classrooms with interactive white boards, wireless slates, student response systems, and document cameras. TJ also is developing lessons and learning targets that assess and support the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). A large, urban school with an extremely diverse student population, TJ has one of the largest ESL/LEP programs in Jefferson County. Eighty-five percent of the students receive free or reduced-price meals. TJ also has 12 special education units. It offers the ADVANCE Program as well as a popular, district-wide communications magnet program.

Full-Day School Visits

SV08 ($80) Two Single-gender schools in one visit
Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
Thursday, November 10, 2010, 8:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m., Bus departs at 7:35 a.m.
Olmstead Academy South Middle School
See how research-based instruction, creative scheduling, and analysis of individual student data enhance student achievement at Kentucky's only public all-girls school. Olmsted South provides reduced class sizes, state-of- the-art technology, and instructional strategies focused on the way girls learn. Learn how Olmsted South serves a population of highly diverse students; they speak 20 languages and represent 28 countries. Eighty-seven percent of Olmsted South students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Travel to Olmsted Academy North (boxed lunch upon arrival)
10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Respecting the Man the Boy Will Become
Thursday, November 10, 2011, 11:00 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Olmsted Academy North Middle School
You'll see how teachers and students are making significant strides toward the Olmsted North vision: "Every Child Proficient." The school implements the CARE for Kids program to teach social responsibility, foster healthy learning communities, and build positive peer and student-teacher relationships. Olmsted North also offers the ADVANCE Program and the ESL program. The school maintains the type of focused learning environment that helps boys build academic skills and leadership abilities.