Fillmore Middle School Presents at Annual Conference

Six staff members from Fillmore Middle School (FMS) presented at the California League of Middle Schools Conference. This annual conference was held in Sacramento on February 27 -29. FMS was one of 100 presenters over the three day weekend. Representing the school in the presentation were Todd Schieferle, Tricia Godfrey, Jennifer Beal, Scott Carroll, Anna Morielli, and Jenny Lindemann.

The annual conference brings middle school staff from around the state. High quality professional development remains the key to helping teachers and instructional leaders improve student learning. The conference is a way to connect teachers and administrators through a variety of presentations that are addressing challenges impacting California’s middle schools. It allows attendees to listen to practitioners who have created useful ideas, strategies and tools to improve student achievement at their school.

FMS was selected to present an innovative intervention strategy the staff designed to improve instruction. Their advisory period is used to address students’ needs by providing additional instruction in key academic areas. It also provides enrichment activities for those students who are meeting grade level standards. This new strategy is one of several new approaches this collaborative staff has created over the past two years as they continue to meet the needs of their students.

Those attending the conference presentation were impressed with the design of the model, with several asking questions and asking for more information. Several also indicated they would love to come to Fillmore to see the advisory model in action. All of Fillmore/Piru should be proud that one of their sites was asked to present at this prestigious conference. More importantly, kudos go out to the entire staff for their willingness to search for innovations that will increase student achievement.