PIA Ambassadors Program by Ruth Cortes https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz Helping new dolphins feel a part of the cove while enhancing student leadership. en-us 2023-06-12 18:31:22 UTC 2025-10-22 11:27:05 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f42c.png I. Educational Challenge e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621410415 PIA is a 2-year-old school. Although it is not a traditional middle school, and its processes are very organized and tight; the focus was now on how to enhance our ongoing middle school enrollment experience for new students/families to help enhance two areas as we continue to grow: 
1. Student leadership 
2. Positive Community within a middle school with its first year having 8th grade]]> 2023-06-12 19:05:24 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621410415 II. Challenge Breakdown e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621436364 A. School Search: "people want to send their children to an institution where they’ll receive a high-quality education. They also want to ensure it’s a positive and encouraging culture filled with opportunities to explore interests, make new friends, and feel accepted." (C. Gleason, n.d.). 

B. Data: A 2019 survey done by Challenge Success reflected that around 1/3 of students do not feel that they can be themselves at school or that they are a part of the school community, compared to 40 percent who do. (S. Miles, 2020). 

C. Reflective Question: How does a 2-year-old school enhance student leadership for middle school grades? 

Article links: 
Student Ambassadors: What They Do & Why You Need Them | Finalsite Blog

Why Student Belonging Matters: October 2020 | NASSP]]> 2023-06-12 19:50:59 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621436364 III. FPLS Application e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621518039 2023-06-12 23:06:19 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621518039 Resources to help guide Program Initiation e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621526716 Goal 1: To establish a program that will help new students acclimate to the Pine Island Academy community regardless of where they come from (Ex: District school; virtual; another state; another country).  ]]> 2023-06-12 23:25:01 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621526716 Resources to help guide Program Initiation e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621533124 Goal 2: The PIA Ambassador Program will provide W.A.V.E. leaders a leadership opportunity in their eighth-grade year within their middle school that will help them mentor and serve new students as they enroll. ]]> 2023-06-12 23:38:04 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621533124 IV. W.A.V.E. Motto at PIA e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621533538 W.= We are respectful 
A.= Always responsible and safe
V.= Value each other and ourselves
E.= Everyone Achieves]]> 2023-06-12 23:38:55 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621533538 V. PIA Mission e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621537456 All programs should align to mission and vision to maintain cohesion and unified vocabulary. 

"One pod, making waves, Fins Up! 
Focusing on building an 
Inspiring 
Nurturing 
Safe environment 
 
Unlocking, unlimited 
Potential" 
]]> 2023-06-12 23:45:47 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621537456 VIII. W.A.V.E. Planning Team Resources e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621573447 Fullan (2001) was quoted saying, “the litmus test of all leadership is whether it mobilizes people’s commitment to putting their energy into actions designed to improve things”.

Friend and Cook (2007) also expressed that, “teaming is the most frequently advocated structure for implementing school reform initiatives” (p. 58).

The National Institute for Urban School Improvement (NIUSI, 2005) accentuated that “team leadership helps to facilitate rapid and sustained change” (p. 2).

Article link(s)/Bibliography:
The Many Faces of Leadership (ascd.org)

Friend, M., & Cook, L. (2007). Interactions: Collaboration skills for school professionals (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. 

National Institute for Urban School Improvement. (2005). The building leadership team 

]]> 2023-06-13 00:28:27 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621573447 VI. PIA Ambassador Program Planning Team Members e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621588209 School year 2022-2023: PIA had 14 students selected the year prior to help with School Pep Rallies; Tie Dye school events; and continue enhancing a student leadership program.

A. 2022-2023 School Year 8th grade W.A.V.E. Leaders (14)
B. PTO Representative
C. W.A.V.E. Leader Teacher Sponsor
D. Assistant Principal
E. Middle School Computer Operator


]]> 2023-06-13 00:42:17 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621588209 PIA Ambassador Qualifications e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621626416 This qualification document is subject to changes as we continue to evaluate and improve the program based on school needs. ]]> 2023-06-13 01:18:20 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621626416 PIA Ambassador & New Student Connection Process e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621639920 This document was started in October 2022 and revised/updated based on program evaluation during School Year 2022-2023 in May 2023. ]]> 2023-06-13 01:29:05 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621639920 New Student Folder Welcome Checklist e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621643308 This checklist is included in the PIA Ambassador folder which is located in the Middle School Computer Operator's tray outside her office for students to easily access. ]]> 2023-06-13 01:31:59 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621643308 New Student Helpful Middle School Tips e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621647459 These tips were developed and agreed upon by planning team including all stakeholder input.

It is subject to change based on school changes/updates/needs. ]]> 2023-06-13 01:35:56 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621647459 New Student Campus Tour Guide e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621649811 This document is subject to change based on school changes/updates/needs. ]]> 2023-06-13 01:38:16 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621649811 PIA Ambassador Folder e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621652999 2023-06-13 01:41:32 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621652999 e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621653735 2023-06-13 01:42:19 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621653735 Sample Label 1 for New Student Folder e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621655850 2023-06-13 01:44:38 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621655850 Sample Label 2 for New Student Folder e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621656436 2023-06-13 01:45:15 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621656436 eSP Entry Report e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621663112 Report showed that as the year progressed, 3-4 new students from 5th-8th Grade would enroll at PIA in 1 day.

Updated Note from end of year: there was a total of 21-22 new students within the school year from the start date of the Ambassador Program (November 2022)- we are projecting more this upcoming year with new construction being finalized. ]]> 2023-06-13 01:52:20 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2621663112 VII. End of Year Evaluation for Next Year Improvement e011450 https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2630230087 Ambassadors were asked 4 questions in this survey and all new students were asked 2 questions at the end of their first week of school. ]]> 2023-06-22 15:04:21 UTC https://padlet.com/e011450/428pmjq6vqrue7kz/wish/2630230087