1. Walters Middle School Conversion STEAM Magnet Proposal

2. Outcomes for Tonight’s Meeting
Review Timeline
Discuss STEAM proposal for Walters Middle School
Address and/or Record concerns and questions

3. Important Dates
Monday, April 10 6:00-7:00 Kennedy Attendance Area STEAM Magnet Walters Junior High School Gym
Monday, May 15 6:00-7:30 Middle School Task Force Open Forum Walters Junior High Gym
Wednesday, May 24 STEAM presentation to the FUSD School Board District Office Board Room 6:00
Walters Middle School Conversion

4. Conversion in
Walters Junior High becomes Walters Middle School
All 6th grade students in Kennedy attendance area will attend Walters starting in Fall
Transfer students may return to their neighborhood elementary school (pending space) for 6th grade and then attend neighborhood junior high for 7th and 8th

5. Walters Middle School - Proposed STEAM Model
STEAM magnet schools focus curriculum, instruction, and extracurricular programs on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics
Proposed implementation model for Walters:
STEAM Model
Partial Immersion:
Describes a non-traditional school experience where STEAM experiences are integrated into the curriculum. (STEAM in elective, science, ELA, social studies, and math)

6. Benefits of a STEAM program
Offering STEAM programs raises achievement overall
Innovative curriculum (Project Based Learning, inquiry instruction, etc) increases student engagement
Students attending magnet schools are more likely to exhibit positive academic attitudes and behaviors than their peers enrolled in traditional public schools
Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary STEAM instruction: increased relevance and rigor
Greater parent and teacher satisfaction
STEAM is a valuable tool for helping improve English for English Learners

7. Intended impact on teaching and learning
Goal 1
Improve student attitudes toward STEAM by providing students a challenging learning environment focused on math, science, art, and technology and fostering a culture of innovation
Goal 2
Improve student performance and engagement in math and science by applying math and science concepts to real world problems
Goal 3
Increase the number of students who enroll in STEAM related electives and fields of study in high school
Goal 4
Increase STEM literacy for all students, including those who do not pursue additional study in the STEM disciplines
Goal 5
Increase STEM participation of underrepresented groups especially African Americans, Hispanics, and low-income students

8. How will we measure success?
Smarter Balanced Assessment and California Assessment in Science Test scores
Increased enrollment and interest in STEAM related electives and fields of study in high school
Benchmark assessment data
Teacher observations of student engagement and student problem solving skills
Increased parent involvement

9. Timeline from conception to full implementation
Date
Plan
Community Outreach
Teacher Outreach
Presentation to School Board
Establish leadership team to determine goals and vision
Continued Community Engagement
Develop implementation plan
Outreach to county office and surrounding districts
Identify needs and resources
Begin professional development
Establish partnerships (Regional Occupation Program, local businesses, Math Science Nucleus)
Program Implementation
Continued professional development

10. Resources Needed Category Resources Needed Facilities/Materials Staff
Completion of facilities expansion to accommodate 6th grade (will address labs and flex rooms)
Technology infrastructure upgrade and increased accessibility to laptop carts
Staff
Extensive Professional Development
Teachers needed for additional 6th grade students (Transfer or new hire)
Potentially more electives teachers (elective wheel at 6th grade)
Supplies
Science Lab Materials
Art and Design Thinking Resources
Project Lead the Way Supplies
Makerspace
Flex Room
These bulleted focuses on impact rather than what are you going to need to make this happen

11. Admissions
Students who live in the Walters attendance area will automatically attend unless they choose to apply (pending space available) for an interdistrict transfer
Depending on space available, at the end of 5th grade, students who do not live in the Walters attendance area may apply to attend Walters STEAM Middle School
Current Projections: 477 Incoming 6th graders (Expansion will provide approximately 500 spaces)

12. Developing Partnerships
Continued Mission Valley Regional Opportunity (ROP) Partnerships
Walters Parent Science Nights (beginning in April)
City of Fremont (FUSE)
Local Businesses/Manufacturing Corporations

13. Preparing for Success:
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) school blueprint to guide planning and implementation
Collaboration time
Professional development
Explicit and intentional Professional Development to support Special Education and English Language Learners
Strong academic supports
Small school size
Strong support from district office
Next Steps
Community Meetings (April 10)
Middle School Task Force Open Forum (May 15)
Board approval

14. Possible 6th Grade Schedule:
CORE 1
English Language Arts & Social Studies
CORE 2
Math & Science
CORE 3
Physical Education
CORE 4
Elective (Part of an elective wheel)

15. MakerSpace
Classroom environment that allows students to achieve through making things and learn through hands on design
Engineering Overlap:
Problems to solve, criteria and constraints
Identify flaws in proposed solution
Strengths and limitations of design
Effectiveness, efficiency, durability under different conditions
Test (design process) → Optimize