Marshall Middle School (Pittsburgh)

Marshall Middle School
Where I Make a Difference
Address
5145 Wexford Run Road Wexford, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County 15090-7458 United States
Coordinates	40°38′38″N 80°05′41″W / 40.643756°N 80.094782°W / 40.643756; -80.094782Coordinates: 40°38′38″N 80°05′41″W / 40.643756°N 80.094782°W / 40.643756; -80.094782
Information
Type	Public
Established	1993
School district	North Allegheny School District
Superintendent	Dr Raymond D Gualtieri, (contract 2011-July 2013) salary $174,942 (2012)[1]
Principal	Cynthia Kainaroi
Faculty	53 teachers 2011
Grades	6–8
Number of students	620 Sixth- 191, Seventh- 212, Eighth- 217
Color(s)	Black and Gold
Mascot	Tiger
Affiliation	North Allegheny
Website	www.northallegheny.org/Domain/970

Marshall Middle School (MMS) is a large, suburban public middle school operated by North Allegheny School District. It is one of three middle schools (6-8th grades) in the North Allegheny School District. The School is on a 92.79 acre campus located in Marshall Township, Pennsylvania.^[2] In 2013, Marshall Middle School reported an enrollment of 620 pupils, with 2% of pupil coming from low income homes. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.^[3] Marshall Middle School feeder schools are Bradford Woods Elementary and Marshall Elementary School.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 647 pupils in grades 6th through 8th, with 12 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 52 teachers yielding a student teacher ratio of 12:1.^[4] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[5]

Campus

The school has a two story 'H' shape with two large wings for the auditorium and gymnasium on either side of the "H". The eighth grade classrooms are in the central bar of the H on the second floor, the sixth grade classrooms are on the east wing on the second floor, and the seventh grade classrooms are on the west wing on the second floor.. There is a football/multipurpose field off of the gymnasium to the east and a softball field adjacent to it. Past right field lies cross-country trails that are used for middle school cross country meets and gym classes. Farther east of the cross-country trails are two soccer fields used by local soccer leagues. The Marshall campus also includes a pond used for science purposes and projects. Marshall planned to have a pool in the design of the campus, but that plan was abandoned due to the lack of swimming classes in middle school physical education curriculum. The Marshall Middle School campus houses part of North Allegheny School District's bus fleet. The school was founded in 1993 and cost approximately 30 million USD to build. Marshall Middle School's campus also houses Marshall Elementary School.

Principals

Mr. John Schwoebel was the school's original principal, serving until the 2005-2006 school year, when he retired his long standing post to Dr. Kathleen Roppa. Dr. Roppa left after the 2005-2006 school year to take the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Neshannock Township School District. The new Principal is Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) Kainaroi for the school years of 2006–2009 and (2011–present). There is also an assistant-principal, Mrs. Tracie Michalowski, who has been with the school from 2006–present. In the 2010-2011 school year Dr. Cynthia Kainaroi took a 12-month sabbatical and Tracie Michalowski was the Acting-Principal.

Academic Achievement

In 1999-2000 it was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence .^[6] The award was accepted by the studeny body president, Andrew Michael Jones, who went to Washington, D.C. to accept the award.

Western Pennsylvania ranking

In 2012, the eighth grade was ranked 4th among 8th grades, in the Western Pennsylvania region out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on the last three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, mathematics, writing and science.^[7] The ranking (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County).

• 2012 - 3rd^[8]
• 2011 - 2nd
• 2010 - 2nd^[9]
• 2009 - 2nd

Seventh grade ranking

In 2013, Marshall Middle School's seventh grade (7th) ranked 3rd among 150 seventh grades in local Western Pennsylvania schools. In 2012, Marshall Middle School's seventh grade ranked 2nd.^[10]

Sixth grade ranking

In 2013, Marshall Middle School's sixth grade (6th) ranked 8th among 198 sixth grades in local Western Pennsylvania schools. In 2012, Marshall Middle School's sixth grade ranked 5th.^[11]

2013 School Performance Profile

In 2013, Marshall Middle School achieved 94.7 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, writing, mathematics and science achievement. In reading, 92.5% of the students were on grade level, with 71% advanced. In Mathematics, 92% of the students showed on grade level mathematics skills, with 70% achieved advanced. In Science, 90% of the 8th graders demonstrated on grade level understanding, with 52% being advanced. In writing, 91.9% of the 8th grade students were on grade level.^[12] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.

Adequate Yearly Progress History

In 2012, Marshall Middle School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging achievement of its special education students in reading and mathematics.^[13] In 2010 and 2011, Marshall Middle School achieved AYP status.^[14]

PSSA Results History: Tests are given in the spring of each year to 6th grade (reading/math); 7th grade (reading/math); and 8th grade (reading/math/science/writing).

8th Grade Reading:

• 2012 - 100% on grade level, 92% advanced (0% below basic). State - 79%^[15]
• 2011 - 98% on grade level (91% advanced). State - 81.8%^[16]
• 2010 – 96% (85% advanced) (2% below basic). State - 81%^[17]
• 2009 – 98%, 86% advanced (1% below basic), State – 80%^[18]

8th Grade Math:

• 2012 - % on grade level (% below basic). State - 76%^[19]
• 2011 - 94%, 74% advanced (3% below basic). State - 76.9%
• 2010 – 96%, 78% advanced (1% below basic). State - 75%^[20]
• 2009 – 94%, 77% advanced (1% below basic), State – 71%^[21]

8th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 90% on grade level, 50% advanced (1% below basic). State - 59%
• 2011 - 90%, 50% advanced (4% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 – 85%, 49% advanced (4% below basic). State – 57%
• 2009 – 92%, 54% advanced (3% below basic), State – 55%

7th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 96%, 73% advanced (1% below basic). State – 76%
• 2011 - 99%, 78% advanced (0% advanced). State – 76%
• 2010 – 96%, 75% advanced. State - 73%
• 2009 – 93%, 69% advanced (3% below basic). State – 71%

7th Grade Math

• 2012 - 93%, 75% advanced (1% below basic). State - 80%
• 2011 - 98%, 84% advanced (0% advanced). State - 78.6%
• 2010 – 94%, 78% advanced (1% below basic). State - 77%
• 2009 – 91%, 66% advanced (2% below basic). State – 75%

6th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 90%, 63% advanced (2% below basic). State - 68%
• 2011 - 91%, 69% advanced (2% below basic). State - 69.9%
• 2010 – 95%, 71% advanced (1% below basic). State - 68%
• 2009 – 91%, 59% advanced (2% below basic). State – 67%

6th Grade Math

• 2012 - 92%, 66% advanced (2% below basic). State - 77%
• 2011 - 95%, 78% advanced (3% below basic). State - 78.8%
• 2010 – 95%, 81% advanced (2% below basic). State - 78%
• 2009 – 92%, 73% advanced (0% below basic). State – 75%

Events

Yearly Field Trips

Every year, grades have at least one field trip. Sixth graders normally visit Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA for a Pittsburgh Orchestra concert. Seventh graders take a trip to see "A Christmas Carol" every year during the holiday season since it ties in with the English curriculum. Eighth graders watch a Pittsburgh Pirates game every year. Also, for all grades there is Mini Course Day where students sign up to participate in fun activities.

Talent Show

During the spring, Marshall Middle conducts a talent show open to all students. Participants put on their acts for peers, teachers, and parents. Ms. Amy Baschnagel, eighth grade science teacher, and Mr. James Furlong, chorus instructor, coordinate the event. Christina Aguilera performed in the talent show as an 8th grade student.

Concerts

Every winter and spring, each of the musical classes offered at the middle school hold a concert. They are headed by Mr. Wesley Taylor, Mr. James Furlong, and Mrs. Dana Leasure. One concert is performed during school hours for students and staff, and one is performed in the evening after school for parents and guests.

Civil War Day

Because it ties into their social studies curriculum, eighth graders participate in a day in which it is popular to dress up in fashions from the 1860s and as civil war veterans. Often, an Abraham Lincoln impersonator gives a speech, and the students have an outdoor parade around the front of the school. They then return to their classrooms for refreshments.

GOAL in MMS

GOAL is an acronym for Gifted Opportunities for Advanced Learners. This is a program in North Allegheny School District where advanced students who have done well on ITBS tests and/or CogAT tests or have an IQ of over 130, have a chance to take a specialized test to get into the program which enhances their learning experience. In Marshall Middle, the GOAL program is very prominent. GOAL has their own office in the eighth grade hall where GOAL students meet at times. The office is ruled by a student government consisting of a President, Vice President of the Upper Class-men, Vice President of the Under Class-men, treasurer, paperwork secretary, and errands secretary. The Marshall department is headed by Dan Williams, succeeding Pamela Ross in her retirement. Goal also goes on many different education based field trips, called IO's. Some of the IO's include the viewing of an open heart surgery, a weekend trip to the Chesapeake Bay, many different competitions, and more. There are many different IO's for each subject of learning, so all students find something that interests them. GOAL classes are held during reading for sixth and seventh graders twice a week and during English for eighth graders once a week.

Wellness policy

North Allegheny School Board established a district-wide Student Wellness Policy 3441, in 2006.^[22] The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 – 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.^[23]

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.^[24] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

Marshall Middle offers a free school breakfast and free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals.^[25] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.^[26]

In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D.^[27] In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch.^[28]

Marshall Middle School provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in each building to conduct annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and state Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health’s extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance.^[29] Nurses also monitor each child's weight.

Highmark Healthy High 5 grant

In 2011, the Marshall Middle School received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. Marshall Middle School received $8,543 which was used to purchase gym equipment.^[30] Beginning in 2006, Highmark Foundation engaged in a 5-year, $100 million program to promote lifelong healthy behaviors in children and adolescents through local nonprofits and schools.

Academic Competitions

Calcu-Solve Mathematics Competition

National Academic League

• Regional Champion 2011, 2010, 2015
• National Final Four 2011, 2014
• Elite Eight 2012, 2010, 2015.^[31]

National Middle School Science Bowl

• Regional 3rd Place 2009
• Regional Champions 2014, 2011, 2010, 2015^[32]
• National 4th place 2012, 2010, 5th place 2011
• National Civility Award 2010

TSA in MMS

The Technology Student Association at MMS is one of the finest in the district, as the Technology Department offers many different opportunities to the students. They have won many awards at regionals, states, and nationals. The teacher coordinator of this group is Mr. Nick Vorassi.

Notable Awards

2010

• Regional: 1st Place, Tech Bowl
• State

• 1st Place, Robot TOBOR
• 2nd Place, Manufacturing

• National: 9th Place, Robot TOBOR

2011

• Regional

• 2nd Place, PA CAD
• 3rd Place, PA CAD
• 1st place Robot TOBOR
• 3rd place Engineering Design

• State

• 1st Place, Technical Drawing
• 1st Place, Tech Bowl
• 2nd Place, Technical Writing
• 2nd Place, Transportation Challenge

2012

• Regional: 1st Place, Tech Bowl

2014 Regional 2nd and 4th, Career Prep 1st and 4th, Challenging Tech Issues 1st, Community Service Video 2nd, Digital Photography 7th, Dragster 2nd, Flight 1st and 2nd, Go Green Manufacturing 6th and 7th, Problem Solving 10th, Structural Model 3rd, Tech Bowl 2nd and 3rd, PA CAD State 5th and 10th, Challenging Tech Issues 2nd, Community Service 4th, Digital Photography 9th Essays on Technology 7th, Go Green Manufacturing 6th, Tech Bowl 8th, Technical Design 4th and 6th, PA CAD 8th, Tech Bowl - Written

Extracurricular

The Marshall Middle School offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, costly sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.^[33]

Academics

• After School Achievement Program (ASAP)
• American Mathematics Contest 8 (AMC 8)
• Calcu-Solve Mathematics Competition
• Civil War Week
• Junior Classical League (JCL)
• Knowledge Master Open
• National Academic League (NAL)
• National French Exam
• National Geographic Bee
• National Latin Exam
• National Middle School Science Bowl
• Pennsylvania Mathematics League (PAML)
• Scripps National Spelling Bee

Art

• Central Board Room Display

Clubs

• Book Club
• Student Newspaper @ Marshall Middle (SP@MM)
• Technology Student Association (TSA)

Club Sports

Interscholastic Sports

According to PIAA directory July 2013^[34]

Intramural Sports

• Intramural Volleyball
• Intramural Basketball- 7/8 Grades
• Intramural Flag Football—6th Grade
• Intramural Street Hockey
• Intramural Tennis
• Intramural Weight Training

Music

• Band
• Jazz Ensemble
• Orchestra
• Chamber Orchestra
• General Music
• Choral Ensemble
• Chorus

Service Jobs

• Counselor Aides
• P.A. Announcers
• Peer Mediation
• Stage Crew

Notable alumni

Popular music artist Christina Aguilera is a graduate of Marshall Middle School. Surprisingly, Christina Aguilera was never accepted into the school's choral ensemble.

References