MARYSVILLE – Marysville Middle School is trying to change its culture so students want to be there.

That’s what Principal Angela Hansen and some staff told the school board at its work session Oct. 19. They said they are creating a safer learning environment, and suspension rates are way down.

One of the things being done is creating a comfortable commons area for students to hang out together in at lunch. Last Friday, on a day off from school, 60 students came in anyway to help paint the area, along with five staff. In the area are some bean bag chairs and a big-screen TV. Movies, like the “Toy Story” series, are being played this week. In the future, Hanson wants students to be able to play video games there, too. Eventually she wants music piped in during lunch.

She hopes by students hanging out together more and having fun, they will find they have more things in common, and there will be fewer disciplinary issues.

“It’s student created and student owned,” teacher Che-Mai Gray said. “The kids take care of the space,” even cleaning up afterward.

Also, the school is rewarding positive behavior and attendance. This year, two-thirds of students have not missed a day. The office is calling and sending letters to parents, reminding them of the importance of school attendance.

Teacher Laura Maaradji said they look for “The story behind the kids.” Some live with chronic pain. Others face anxiety. The staff has identified students who struggle going to school. When they are there, teachers make sure to say, “I’m glad you’re here,” she said.

Some teachers and students talked about things going on in the classroom.

Teachers Travis Hammond and Jenny Trevitt talked about how stories are used to get students interested in words, their meanings and sentence structure.

Students David Hanson, Selena Morales and Anthony Sanchez explained the MMS code.

Morales said they Model respect by doing things like using good language. She said last year bad language was common.

Sanchez said they Make good decisions, by not rushing when eating for example.

And Hanson said they Solve problems, like not bullying each other.

Teachers Mike Cull and Bary Gould talked about their Advancement Via Individual Determination classes.

Twins Mohamed and Amir Aldowairi said AVID has helped them.

Mohamed said coming up with 30-second speeches helped him become more comfortable with them.

“I had mediocre grades until AVID,” he said.

Amir said repetition was key for him learning.

“Before I was shy, but now I’m more open,” he said.

Hansen also said special education is a focus because it did not meet those students’ learning needs previously. She said general education, paraeducators and a resource room should improve those efforts.

Vice Principal Dan Alderson said teachers are happy overall with Chromebooks for students, but professional development is going to help. He also said MMS is having Parents Nights Nov. 3-5 to inform them what’s going on.

“They’re being flexible and thoughtful, and they’re working their bahoogies off,” Alderson said of the teachers and technology. “There will be roadblocks ahead, but we’ll just get back up.”