One year ago, Alex Leaver arrived at Welches Elementary and Middle Schools
as the new principal. In his first year, he spent time watching, listening and
thinking about ways to improve the schools.

This month, as students and teachers return to the classrooms for a new
school year, Leaver has brought about some changes he thinks will help keep
the focus on academics.

“What I see about Welches kids is they are wonderful kids and some of the
kids are rock stars when it comes to performance, but what I want to see is
everyone – all the kids – to develop to a higher level,” Leaver said. “Not just
our rock stars at the top, but everyone, well prepared for high school when
they leave.”

“I inherited a wonderful staff,” he added. “I’m sure they’re up for the
challenges.”

The first switch will be for incoming sixth graders, a grade level that featured
two classes last year: one self-contained class and another that rotated
throughout the day. Leaver got the message that this system wasn’t working,
as one class was seen as the “bright” class over the other.

“I think that’s a bad message to send to our kids,” Leaver said.

This year, the sixth grade will feature two self-contained classes with a wide
range of skill level, similar to any other class at the school.

Meanwhile, seventh and eighth grade students will go from a block schedule
to a period schedule with eight periods per day, including six core periods
during the morning and two electives in the afternoon. And after hearing
complaints about large class sizes and lackluster electives last year, electives
this year will have fewer students (25-30) and include a more academic

offering, such as a natural history class or book club, along with a non-
academic class, such as art.

“My hope is that our middle school kids will get a more intensive academic
thrust in the morning and more enjoyable and targeted enrichment in the
afternoon,” Leaver said.

Seventh and eighth grade students will also have a morning period for
homeroom, where Leaver sees an opportunity for students and teachers to
work together on some social efforts, such as bullying and peer conflict, as
well as time to do some work.

New planners, featuring improvements on tracking work, will also be provided
to students.

Leaver added that overall class sizes are expected to up slightly this year,
while he hopes to foster greater parent involvement to compliment the
classroom learning.

Meanwhile, the school buildings have seen improvements over the summer,
including rewiring to support the schools’ computers, new security cameras, a
keyless entry system and acoustic tiles in the elementary school gymnasium.

And Leaver added that a counselor originally lost due to budget cuts will be
restored, working forty percent of the time at each of the Welches schools and
twenty percent of the time at Sandy Elementary School.