Building Connections

A Middle-School Strategic Intervention Project

The Middle School Strategic Intervention Project (MSSIP) is focused on creating a more supportive school system that encourages attendance and increases the chances of graduation by developing the relationships between faculty, community, and students. 

To help address the difficulties that 12-14 year old students face in at risk households, MSSIP attempts to create a more cohesive relationship between students, teachers, and those of positive influence in the community. Hutcheson Junior High School in Arlington has been chosen as a pilot school for the project. The faculty of Hutcheson Junior High is asked to develop new relationships with students and encourage them to attend school. In addition, the community supports the project by offering mentorship, community programs, and events for parents and youth. Since students are the primary focus, they have the opportunity to provide feedback on the project and make suggestions for future changes.

By building these connections in students’ lives, TCYC hopes to increase school attendance, grades, and achievement scores (TAKS). This is also an opportunity to encourage community involvement in schools and create a more positive learning environment for students. 

TCYC launched this project in the fall of 2007 with the help of Communities In Schools, Courage & Renewal North Texas, and UTA College of Education.

Project Management:

Building Connections  is intended to be a replicable, sustainable community-based initiative.  There is a Project Design Team (PDT) that is responsible for:

-  generating the essential framework for the Building Connections model

-  monitoring the progress of the Building Connections pilot

-  making necessary adjustments to the Building Connections model 
-  promoting the Building Connections model to other middle schools

PDT members:

-  Tim Madigan, Building Connections Chair, TCYC Board of Directors, Star Telegram

-  Mike Steele, Executive Director, Communities In Schools

-  Cindy Johnson, Project Coordinator, Courage & Renewal North Texas

-  Rose Mary Bolden, Principal, Hutcheson Junior High School 

-  Evaluators:  Dr. Larry Nelson, UTA College of Education

-  Tacia Torres, Executive Director, TCYC