Teamwork Makes Positive Changes at Jones Middle School
Written By: Autumn Ray, Ignite Intern for Stinger Media
Florence, Kentucky – January 11, 2021 The Rotary Club of Florence, Kentucky held a zoom meeting on January 11, 2021 with the Jones Middle School Principal, Ryan Montgomery and his staff. They shared their journey of the school of lifting themselves out of the bottom 5% academic preforming schools in Kentucky as well as how they managed to work through the limitations of the pandemic. The school scored in the bottom 5% academically in the Commonwealth prior to the pandemic. Mr. Montgomery explained that he and his staff are working hard to lift the school out of the bottom and make the school a rising start of the district. Jones Middle School is filled with great teachers and students with lots of potential. Mr. Montgomery shared that the tests are not a reflection of his staff or students.
Mr. Montgomery shared a video of a man who was on his way to work. The man was wiping all the snow off a car but then realized it was not his car. Mr. Montgomery said that the pandemic can often have us feeling the same way. Although, through the difficulties, he and his staff are focused on making positive changes in the school by creating a Positive Behavior Intervention System and a Teach and Learn System using JET SET curriculum and PLC protocol. He explained the Achievement Gap which is educational discrepancies between white students and students of color. Achievement Gaps typically affect racial and ethnic minorities, English Language Learners, those with disabilities, gender identity, and students that come fr
om low- income families. Eighty-two percent of the student body at Jones Middle School receives Free and Reduced Lunch. 85% of the student body are two plus grades below grade level. Although very proudly despite these circumstances, 85% of students at Jones Middle School have had a .6 grade level gain in reading during the pandemic.
One in five students at Jones Middle School are English Language Learners. Jones currently has 24 different languages, most being Spanish. Many students are illiterate in their first language which can make it more difficult when learning English. Eleven members of the staff can speak more than one language which greatly helps with communication in such a diverse school. Jones is the 13th most diverse middle school out of 373 schools across the state and the 8th largest English Language Learner population.
Jones Middle School conducts a survey each year regarding social and emotional health. A large group of the student body did not have a strong bond with one or both of their parents when they were younger. The surveys also showed there was a high rate of trauma among the student body. Mr. Montgomery stressed that these may be some of the causes of the Achievement Gap. His staff focuses on building strong relationships with the students. The staff helps the students overcome social or academic delays due to trauma or a weak bond with their parents from a young age.
Another way Jones helps the kids through their trauma and emotional/social setbacks is through a partnership with New Day Ranch . New Day Ranch helps kids connect with a horse over a 12-week period. They teach the kids new coping skills, self-awareness and communication skills. Horses speak using body language so the end of the 12 weeks the kids are able to lead the horses through an obstacle course. During this time with the horses the kids grow a strong bond with the horses and learn to use their trauma and turn it into something positive.
It is great to see Jones Middle School change so much and inspire the hearts and minds of children. The staff is doing a wonderful job of mentoring the children that need it most. Since children are very impressionable, having positive leaders to guide them and show them how to stay positive is wonderful! Keep up the great work Jones !
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Click here to see a video explaining 10 facts about Jones you probably don’t know.
Click here to see the presentation.
A recording of this presentation and past meetings of the Rotary Club of Florence is available on the club’s Facebook Page:
The Rotary Club of Florence, Kentucky (serving all of Boone County) is a community service organization focusing on “service above self”. The club meets weekly on Mondays via Zoom during COVID. Guests are always welcome. To learn more about upcoming speakers and events, please visit the club’s website at www.florencerotary.org or follow their Facebook page.
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