Looking Ahead to the 2019-20 School Year
First, I would like to thank our Warren students, families, staff, and community for a successful 2018-19 school year. Our class of 2031 is finishing up their first year of school while our class of 2019 is completing their last year and will start their next chapter after June 5th. The future is bright for all of our students!!
As we maintain our focus on ending this school year, we are excited for things to come in the 2019-20 school year. Below are a few of the highlights. Please be sure to download our Warren app and check our website regularly for updated information and events.
Kindergarten Enrollment Age
During the 2019 legislative session, the enrollment age for Kindergarten was changed from August 1 to September 1. Students who will turn 5 on or before August 1st will be eligible to enroll in Kindergarten. For those students who turn 5 between August 2 - 31, families will be asked to submit a waiver for early entrance. Warren will not accept students who turn 5 after September 1. This information will be available on our website and during registration on July 16, 2019 from 12:00 - 8:00.
Focus on the Freshman - Destination: Graduation Class of 2023
We know when students transition from their middle school setting to the high school setting, there is a lot to consider and a lot of need for support. This school year, we implemented a cohort model at the high school where students are supported by an administrator, two counselors, and an academic coach. Next year, Mr. Jacob (admin), Mrs. Bush (academic coach), Mrs. Thomas, (cohort secretary), Mr. Williams (social worker), Mr. Clark (counselor) and Mrs. Schwering (counselor) will be supporting the incoming freshman class. This team has visited with 8th graders and talked to them about changes they will experience as a high school student. They have created a text hotline for freshman to send and receive information. Students and families can text the message @99bd4k8 to 81010 to join this group. Orientation sessions are being held on July 23 and July 24, 2019. More information will be available on the high school webpage and through social media.
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
At the May 15, 2019 MSD Warren School Board Meeting, the board approved to implement the Community Eligibility Provision to allow all MSD Warren students to have access to free lunch in addition to free breakfast during the school year. This program is available to all students in every MSD Warren school. It is important to note that this program is not related to textbook rental. Families who need textbook rental support will still be required to complete a Textbook Rental application after July 1, 2019. More information can be found on our website.
Three Tier Bussing - School Start Times
Beginning in the 2019-20 school year, Warren will be implementing a three tier transportation schedule. As a result, there are new school start times for our students. These changes will allow us to provide a safer and more efficient transportation experience for our students. More information will be available on our website and at registration in July.
High School (9-12) - 7:15AM - 2:20PM
Elementary School (K-4) - 8:05AM - 3:05PM
Intermediate/Middle School (5-8) - 8:55AM - 3:55PM
Warren Early Childhood Center & Renaissance - 8:55AM - 3:55PM
The 5-8 Experience - 1 Intermediate/Middle School
In an effort to provide our students, families and staff a more coherent 4-year experience in grades 5 thru 8, MSD Warren will be moving from a two-school model to a one school model. Currently, our students spend two years in the intermediate academy and another two years at the middle school. Beginning in the 2019-20 school year, our students will spend 4 years in their intermediate/middle school. Within this model, there is one school principal with an administrator and counselor supporting each grade level. These support teams will travel with the students from year to year. This will allow them to build significant relationships with their students and families over the 4 years. This model will lessen transitions for students and families, create common expectations and procedures during the 4 years, allow for more extracurricular access to 5th and 6th graders, and create a single identity for the school community. Registration for the intermediate/middle school level is July 16 (5th/6th) and July 17 (7th/8th) from 12:00 - 8:00. Families with students in multiple grades can register either day.
Supporting the Whole Child - Social Emotional Curriculum
In the 2019-20 school year, to support the board goal of supporting the whole child by providing the instruction and support for the development of their social and emotional well-being to ensure our students are socially and emotionally strong, every K-8 student will receive direct instruction in social emotional skills using the Second Steps curriculum. To ensure coherence, PBIS Tier 1 teams will work this summer to create a scope and sequence, as well as roll out plans that align with other building initiatives and goals. We look forward to the enhanced experiences and strengthened relationships our students will foster with the new skills acquired this upcoming school year.
School Counselors - K-12
For the first time in Warren, all students in grades K-12 will have access to a school counselor. Our focus on social and emotional needs of students has reinforced to us that students having access to school counselors grades K-12 is a priority. Our school counselors will assist with identifying student needs through the use of data, consulting with teachers, administrators and families. They will use this data to design instructional plans to support student academic, career and social/emotional development in addition to balancing delivery methods, recognizing that students learn in multiple ways. The end result of this work will be reflected in improvement in academic, attendance and behavioral outcomes related to academic development, college and career readiness and social/emotional development.