Chris Hall, Principal

Achieving Student Success...One Relationship at a Time.

Sterling Intermediate School

Sterling is a North Central Washington accredited three-year intermediate school, grades 5, 6 and 7, located in East Wenatchee and draw our students from its urban area and rural Douglas County from Orondo to the north, Palisades to the south, and Badger Mountain to the east. Our 608 students come from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds including 21.3% Hispanic population.

Sterling’s professional staff of 44 certified teachers, over 23 para-professionals, office personnel, custodians, librarian, counselors, and administrators provide a safe and caring place where the focus is the academic and emotional growth of young people in transition. We offer counseling through a school psychologist and counselor, bilingual counselor, peer mediators, and regional drug and alcohol resource personnel.

The instructional program and schedule reflect an outcome-based philosophy, which states that “all kids can learn.” This is manifested in clearly defined expectations, a variety of quality instructional strategies, daily correctives classes, and extended opportunities for remediation in addition to the regular 180-day school year.

Sterling ’s curriculum includes math, science, language arts, social studies, reading, health, physical education and music. All students also take exploratory courses, which include art, computers, woodshop, Spanish culture, drama, and library skills. Migrant/bilingual programs, Chapter I and L.A.P. programs, and an inclusion model special education program are available for qualified students.

Our students participate in the National Spelling Bee, the North Central E.S.D.’s Creativity Fair, Washington Imagination Network (creative problem solving), High Five (promoting a drug-free lifestyle), Builders Club (a service organization), Challenge Club, Web Page, Mission to Mars, Young Writers, YMCA Leadership, Math Olympiad, Marine Science Camp as well as traditional athletic competition for 7 th graders.

We provide opportunities for visual and performing arts performances including drama, band, chorus, and a strings ensemble. Students have access to up-to-date technology and research with four computers in each classroom, and three computer labs..

Student progress is reported with quarterly report cards and excellence and effort are recognized with a variety of award programs. These include the honor roll (GPA of 3.5 or higher), Sterling Student Awards (given by individual teachers), Student of the Month nominations, Sharp Musicians, Art Club’s Outstanding Student, Citizenship Awards and Leadership awards.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

• Participate in your student’s school activities:

1. Chaperone events such as field trips and drug-free fun nights.
2. Assist teachers in the classroom(s).
3. Attend parent/teacher conferences.
4. Attend monthly parent meetings, and read newsletters.
5. Attend student performances, athletic games, musical programs, academic competitions, etc.
6. Steering Committee (parents/staff)
7. Open Houses

• Send your student to school ready to learn:

1. Feed your child a nutritious breakfast, and ensure your child has a balanced lunch.
2. Require your child to get a proper amount of sleep at night.
3. Establish a good study environment at home.
4. Encourage high academic performance from your child.
5. Hold your child accountable for schoolwork and check his/her homework.

• Teach your child good manners and responsibility.

1. Encourage well-mannered behavior.

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

We are building in continual transition that is committed to creating a successful and meaningful transition for students from the elementary grades to the secondary schools.

We are a building staff that is currently using performance-based curriculum with the integration of current technology to enhance student learning. We are continuing to strive toward the state WASL test.

Our direction is focused on encouraging students to become self-reliant, independent and self-disciplined learners who take responsibility for their own education and actions. We continue to grow toward our goals through professional development classes, team teaching, cooperative learning and integration of classes and curriculum.

We are interested in targeting greater communication between students, parents and school staff, to create a greater appreciation and understanding of different life styles and cultures.

WHAT IS OUR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN?

We are continually seeking ways to improve our school environment by recognizing students who display positive academics and behavior. Students are encouraged to use conflict resolution skills through our peer mediation program to alleviate minor disputes that can disrupt the learning environment. Leadership and community service opportunities are provided through Builder’s Club. Students are encouraged to volunteer their time for worthwhile community projects. Drug and alcohol abstinence and refusal skills are reinforced through our health curriculum and High Five Club.

We continue to upgrade our knowledge and skills in the area of computer technology. School-wide networking will increase our technical capabilities and increase student use of computers in academic areas. We have programs for use in writing, geography, research, art, careers, and much more. We will continue to stay abreast of new developments that will enhance student learning.

We encourage high academic performance from students. We stress the need for students to produce quality work. In order for students to perform well, we need parent help. Students need to come to school ready to learn; well fed, well rested, and academically prepared. Parents are an important part of the learning team. We encourage parents to get involved by reviewing classroom and school goals, attending parent/teacher conferences, and getting involved in parent support group, and attending student performances such as athletic events, music programs, spelling bees, etc.

Teachers at Sterling Middle School are continually upgrading their skills in effective methods of instruction. Staff development is a high priority in this building and time is provided for working on curriculum. The staff utilizes a site-based form of decision making that involves staff members, students and parents in planning for the needs of students here at Sterling. Some areas that we continue to research are: New forms of assessment, alignment of curriculum (K-12), teaming, improving extensions, current trends in middle school philosophy, student government, school-to-work transition, and a 3-year middle school to promote school pride and leadership skills.