Oakland Bay Junior High has changed a lot in the last few years, and this extended conversation offers a clear look at what that transformation actually looks like day to day.

Recorded on site at OBJH, Jeff Slakey sits down with Principal Marianne Marshall, seventh-grade ELA teacher Andrea Smith, and Shelton School District Superintendent Wyeth Jessee for an in-depth roundtable discussion about how the school is creating a safer, more predictable, and more welcoming environment for students in grades 7 and 8.

The conversation covers how consistent routines, shared expectations, and common language across classrooms help students know what’s expected of them — from the moment they walk into the building to the way they engage in learning throughout the day. You’ll hear how visual expectations, “Do Now” activities, and structured classroom entry and exit routines reduce distractions and increase instructional time.

The group also talks candidly about why junior high is such a critical stage for students. Seventh and eighth graders are navigating identity, independence, social pressures, and growing academic demands, and the adults in the building emphasize relationships as the foundation for helping students succeed. There’s a thoughtful discussion about listening to students, meeting them where they are, and giving them space to find their voice while still maintaining clear boundaries and expectations.

You’ll also hear details about:

• How the cell phone policy has improved focus and behavior
• How reading instruction works in a seventh-grade ELA classroom
• The role of electives, clubs, band, and CTE classes in student engagement
• Why extracurricular activities matter for social development
• How data, assessments, and interventions guide instruction
• How families can get involved and support the school
• How levy funding supports programs that aren’t covered by basic education dollars

This is part of an ongoing series of conversations highlighting schools across the Shelton School District, aimed at giving families and community members a clearer picture of what’s happening inside classrooms and hallways — beyond headlines or old reputations.

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