A LOYALTON MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE was given during the joint meeting of Sierra Plumas Joint Unified School District and Sierra County Office of Education on November 12th. District Superintended Sean Snider stated the District sent out a survey to all Middle School families and also surveyed the students. They received 70 student responses and 24 parent responses. Middle School Teaching Principal Laurie Petterson called the Middle School an exciting and positive step forward for students with space that truly fits their unique development. It has fostered a great sense of community and teachers are able to collaborate more effectively. Fridays feature Olympic competitions which help build healthy relationships and develop confidence. Petterson stated the Middle School is an important investment in students’ growth and teachers are working hard to support student achievement and create a strong middle school identity and culture.
She listed some needed improvements, which included a place to store backpacks whether installing lockers or creating areas in the classrooms. There’s a need for a bigger space for sports and socializing and at lunchtime especially during bad weather. Students want more elective choices and there needs to be more teachers to offer more courses and support. Petterson stated some of the kids have the same teacher four or five times a day. She stressed the need to have a full-time principal as she teaches three periods and has been substituting in the afternoon, so this leaves little time to do what needs to be done as a principal.
The surveys echoed a lot of Petterson’s pros and cons. Students also love changing classes with shorter class times and parents overwhelmingly appreciated the supportive teachers and staff.
She listed some needed improvements, which included a place to store backpacks whether installing lockers or creating areas in the classrooms. There’s a need for a bigger space for sports and socializing and at lunchtime especially during bad weather. Students want more elective choices and there needs to be more teachers to offer more courses and support. Petterson stated some of the kids have the same teacher four or five times a day. She stressed the need to have a full-time principal as she teaches three periods and has been substituting in the afternoon, so this leaves little time to do what needs to be done as a principal.
The surveys echoed a lot of Petterson’s pros and cons. Students also love changing classes with shorter class times and parents overwhelmingly appreciated the supportive teachers and staff.
