Middle school forum providing parents with more options

Representatives from five local middle schools will attempt to
entice students and parents into their respective districts with
program offerings presentations at the Middle School Preview Night,
a new event hosted by the Mark West PTA on Jan.15 at San Miguel
School at 7 p.m.
Five local middle schools including Santa Rosa Middle School,
Windsor Middle School, Rincon Valley Charter School, Rincon Valley
Middle School, and Mark West Charter School will each give fifteen
minute presentations covering their special programs and
extracurricular activities so local families can choose the school
most appropriate for their students.
Mark West PTA President Scott Gibson said he wants parents to
know they can choose which middle school their student attends. He
said unlike the traditional way of attending neighborhood schools,
parents are now given more opportunity to be involved in their
student’s education.
“I think that the most important thing to the PTA is that we
really want to help out the kids and schools as much as we can and
I don’t think there is still a great understanding that kids and
parents can pick out where they want to go,” he said.
While Windsor schools have been growing, declining enrollment
throughout the county is the norm and Gibson said schools are
trying to attract students which has given the public school system
a business feel.
“School are grappling for kids,” he said. “We want to find out
why we’re having kids go here. It is getting to be a little more
like an industry, we have to compete.”
The idea for the parent preview night was contributed by Santa
Rosa Middle School Principal Kathy Coker.
“I’m always thinking about how to outreach to the community
because I love this school and I love to get the news out,” she
said.
Coker said Santa Rosa Middle School has a broad range of course
offerings that make the school ideal for any student.
“We have very strong and rigorous academic programs. Electives:
two years French; Spanish; Orchestra; Band; Computer classes; Art;
art video,” she said.
Coker also noted that the school offers an all-inclusive
athletic program that allows all who want to play sports on the
team. She said all students at Santa Rosa Middle School are given
opportunities to get involved.
“This is a very special school and I want everybody to know
that. We are located in the heart of Santa Rosa and we reflect the
heart of Santa Rosa,” she said.
Windsor Middle School Prinipal Lisa Saxon said her school also
has an all-inclusive athletic program.
“We maintain a no cut policy for sports. In most middle schools
the traditional way is for kids to try out … At Windsor Middle
School we participate in two leagues which really broadens the
playing field. North Valley league and West County and that allows
all students to participate as well,” she said.
Saxon said the school has an impressive music, GATE and AVID
programs.
“What we can offer to parents and students that not all schools
can offer is a strong music program,” she said. “There are almost
300 students enrolled in strings, band and chorus programs. We also
have a gate certified instructor in our gate classes and they are
continuing to instruct more teachers. Next year we will be looking
to include intervention classes for reading and math for student
who need extra support.
“Advancement Via Individual Determination is a program that is
at the middle school and primarily targeted at students who may
have struggles in their lives but possess the attributes to be
strong students,” she said. “They visit colleges so all students
can have the opportunity to see the colleges. The idea is that the
students will continue to grow in their attitudes so they can
attend college at the end of high school.”
Saxon mentioned her school also offers advanced placement
courses in math and a year-long Spanish course.
The Director of Mark West Charter School, Pam Carpenter said her
school benefits students who like the feel of a small campus and
appreciate individual attention.
“On a small safe campus, that is really the thing that sets us
apart,” she said “Our strengths include accelerated academics for
every student, they all come in at their own level but we push
really hard to make sure they don’t fall below grade level. A lot
of our students complete community service projects so it allows
them to apply the skills they learn to real life situations and be
a positive part of their community as well.”
Carpenter also said Mark West Charter School also offers
videography, technology, art, and foreign language among
others.
Vice Principal of Rincon Valley Charter School Mary Lee Jones
said most likely a group of students will represent the school at
the preview night.
“We have a group of students that go around to all of our
elementaries that go out and make a presentations,” she said.
“They’re a terrific group. Eight seventh graders, broken into two
teams and they make presentations about the school. They emphasize
what is important in our school and what they like about it.”
Jones said she thinks parents will benefit from the event. “It
gives parents the chance to see the differences and make a decision
that is knowledgeable,” she said.
Likewise, Matt Marshall, Principal of Rincon Valley Middle
School said students will also participate in his school’s
presentation.
“The parent group called and requested that we come since some
of the students come here. We’ll show them our programs, bring some
students, and the assistant principal. We’ll have a small power
point that covers our programs and a video. Students will talk
about experiences here,” he said.
He said this event is unique because competing schools will
gather in the same place and give presentations to the same group
of people.
“This is the first time because typically we host a showcase and
(the schools) try to be kind to each other and schedule them on
different nights,” he said. “In today’s market parents get to
choose the school their students go to.”