Central Middle School Makes Schedule Enhancements Beginning Fall 2013

In the fall of 2013, CMS students will notice some exciting changes when they receive their class schedules. New, daily class enhancements are being implemented to improve upon the quality of learning at the middle school.

Mr. Randy Fortin, principal of CMS, spoke at the April BOE meeting about the upcoming changes that he would like to see.  Mr. Fortin stated that, “The CMS staff, students and parents had been working hard to make positive changes for the upcoming year, all for the betterment of the students and learning.” Mr. Fortin unveiled his ideas.

As far as core curriculum, students will still have classes of Math, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies, but now a separate Reading Class in all grades has been added. An additional five minutes has been added to core instruction.  Many core classes will now be co-taught, which will allow for students to benefit from two teachers working together to teach concepts.  Mr. Fortin explained further that, “Co-teaching will not be one teacher teaching and the other in the room monitoring.  Both teachers will be teaching simultaneously to all groups within the classroom.  This will give a significant advantage to our students at CMS.”

Other positive changes will include a year-long Advisory Teacher during the Academic Extensions period. Currently students change their Academic Extensions teachers monthly.  “The concept of keeping the year-long Academic Extensions teacher,” stated Mr. Fortin, “is to build that student/teacher relationship, thus giving a teacher further insight into a student and provide specialized supports.  The Advisory Teacher will have contact with a student multiple times per day.” Advising, social emotional development, and enrichment will be important aspects of the Academic Extensions Program.

Another addition is student’s choice for their Encore classes.  Currently students have five classes and are required to take all five.  The fall of 2013 will offer students six classes, of which they choose five.  “This option gives students a bit more control as they ready themselves for high school and for life.” said Mr. Fortin.  “We will give our students the opportunity to make their own choice regarding what areas interest them.  We still provide diversity, but in the end, giving them something to choose from will foster the student’s ownership and responsibility.”  Encore classes next year will be 40 minutes in length.

Mr. Fortin sees these schedule changes as a major step forward in the direction of the middle school philosophy.  “Middle school should be what it was created to be, a place to provide all students with the knowledge and skills that they need to take ownership over their own lives, to be prepared to address life’s challenges and create their own knowledge.  This should be done with the guidance and direction of a caring team of adults including staff and parents.  Something as small as class options can really open a student’s world and allow them to feel in control of their own education. It is not our position to overload them with choices, but to ease them in to it, and help to prepare them for the future.”

Central Middle School is in Tinley Park, and receives students from Fierke (Oak Forest), Kruse (Orland Park), Fulton, and Memorial (Tinley Park).  The school houses approximately 800 students and the principal, Mr. Fortin, will be completing his first full school year as the head of Central this June.