Shawnee Mission School District USD 512 Activities, Athletics & Organizations

SHOULD 6 TH GRADE BE A Part OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE?

Activities, Athletics & Organizations Independence- Allows 6 th graders independence in order to prepare them to be College and Career Ready through an exploratory middle school model.

Access to Extracurricular Activities- 6 th graders attending the middle school would have access to more extracurricular activities, such as art, band, music, clubs and athletics. Restructuring would allow the middle school teachers to service more students in the same building, rather than sharing amongst the other schools. Factors of Sixth Grade in Middle School

Innovative Programs or Academic Extension- 6th graders would be able to participate in such programs that they wouldn’t have been able to experience, at the elementary level. Current examples include Academic Enrichments, Clubs, and Intramural Activities. Factors of Sixth Grade in Middle School

Exposed to older teens- 6 th graders are easily influenced by their peers. If they are at the middle level they could garner habits of 7 th and 8 th grades students. Exposed to younger students - 6 th graders can influence their younger peers. If they are at the elementary level they could influence habits of younger students in the same elementary. Leadership Opportunities - 6 th graders would be seen as leaders at the elementary. 6 th graders would have more leadership opportunities at the middle school level through extra curricular activities and innovative programs. Schools located further from homes- Since there are fewer middle than elementary schools, elementary schools are typically closer to students’ homes. Factors of Sixth Grade in Elementary School

Regional 6 -8 Sources Olathe School District – Students are allowed to participate in cross country and track. The district works to provide students an introduction to the middle school athletic experience. There has been an increase in student involvement in fine arts including choir, band, and orchestra. There are more academic extensions available to 6 th grade students. Blue Valley School District - There are no school- based athletics available for 6 th grade students. All students are eligible for fine arts activities such as the fall musical, spring play, band, orchestra and strings. All 6 th grade students are eligible for the various clubs (Broadcast Club, Chess Club, STUCO, FCA, Glee Club, Homework Club, Math Club, Presidential Community Service Challenge, Robotics Club, Yearbook Club, Courtyard Crew and SPARK). The district is considering the possible addition of wrestling & cross country as well as intermural activities.

Regional 6 -8 Sources Wichita School District -There are no school- based athletics available for the 6th grade students. Due to KSHSAA regulations and catastrophic insurance the district has not included students in athletic events. Students are involved in a variety of clubs and after school activities. DeSoto School District - There are no school-based athletics available for the 6th grade students. Students are involved in a variety of clubs and after school activities that include drama, StuCo and Science Olympiad.

Committee Members Ben Pretz – Hocker Grove MS Principal Richard Kramer – Shawnee Mission North Principal Brittany Gonser – Elementary Instructional Coach Angie Tucker – Indian Hills PTA President