The Middle Level Oversight Committee (MLOC) meeting scheduled for November 18th has been pushed back one week. There are several events on the 18th which conflict with the originally scheduled MLOC meeting. Therefore, the MLOC meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 25th at Julian Middle School. The meeting will start at 5:30 PM and should end by 8:00 PM.

Please contact me if you should have any questions:
Kelly D. Baird, Ph.D., J.D.
(708) 524 - 3027
kbaird@op97.org

The Middle School Study is an effort to review the research as to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional needs of early adolescents, to review current programming in the middle schools, and to make recommendations for the future. To initiate the Middle School Study, the district has formed the Middle level Oversight Committee (MLOC).

Each Action Team will be responsible for researching one topic. The topics to be examined include; but are not limited to:

• Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
  
• Extended Learning Opportunities (i.e. co curricular)
  
• Technology
  
• Organizational Structure (teaming, electives, etc.)
  
• Parent and Community Engagement/ Communication
  
• More topics can be added by the MLOC
  

Members:This committee is comprised of (from each middle school): the principal, one assistant principal, one 6th grade teacher, one 7th grade teacher, one 8th grade teacher, one elective teacher, one special ed teacher, one SEA representative, one minority parent, and four at large parents.
Co-Chairs: Dr. Kevin Anderson, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning and Dr. Kelly Baird, Curriculum Coordinator

Parents/ guardians and community members are welcome to participate in the Action Team process.

Meeting Dates:
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Julian Middle School Commons
5:30 – 8:30 PM

• Topic – The initial (formal) recommendations from the Action Teams will be presented to the Middle Level Oversite Committee (MLOC). The recommendations will include costs and personnel estimates.
  
• Outcome – The MLOC will provide its initial reaction to Action Team recommendations. The MLOC may have suggestions for revisions.

Thursday, February 26, 2009
Julian Middle School Commons
5:30 – 7:30 PM

• Topic – This meeting will focus on the final Action Team presentation of recommendations to the MLOC. Following this presentation, the MLOC will hold its initial approval discussion regarding these final recommendations.
  
• Outcome – The final discussion regarding the Action Team recommendations will have been held. The MLOC will have approved, rejected or suggested revisions to recommendations.

Monday, March 9, 2009
Julian Middle School
6:30 – 9:00 PM

• Topic – A continued discussion of Action Team recommendations will be held.
  
• Outcome – At this meeting, the MLOC will give its approval, rejection, or revision of the recommendations.

Thursday, March 26, 2009
Site to be determined
7:00 – 9:00 PM Community Forum

• Topic – A presentation will be made to the community as to the MLOC and Action Teams recommendations.
  
• Outcome – Following this meeting, the various constituencies of District 97 will have had exposure to the Middle Level Study recommendations through the community forum framework.

Presentations to the BOE

MLOC presentation to the District 97 Board of Education-District Office- 970 Madison, Oak Park, IL 60302
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 7:30 PM
A recommendation and an implementation plan will be presented to the Board of Education.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009- 7:30 PM
A Board decision potentially will be made regarding the MLOC recommendations.