NORTH PLAINFIELD

MIDDLE SCHOOL

“CANUCK PRIDE”

“NPMS IS A PLACE WHERE STUDENTS ARE SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONED

FROM THE INTERMEDIATE SETTING TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

ENVIRONMENT WHILE DEVELOPING THEIR ACADEMIC, EMOTIONAL, MORAL,

AND SOCIAL POTENTIAL”

MS Planning Team: Purpose

Made up of over 20 teachers, parents, students

Establish goals and priorities Expand teaming protocols & interdisciplinary

connections Review current instructional-level objectives Assess curricular needs Analyze student achievement and make

recommendations for program improvement Develop a community relations program Develop plans regarding school climate

Common Planning Time/Team Meetings

Team members meet twice a week to improve upon multidisciplinary approaches and integrated curriculum

Design instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter and understanding of middle school characteristics

Use assessment feedback to monitor and adjust instruction

Four Domains of Performance

Planning and Assessment Instruction School community Communication and Community Relations

“Planning and Assessment”

Design instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter and understanding of middle school characteristics

Base instruction on goals that reflect high expectations

Through common team planning time, integrate concepts across content areas

Monitor student understanding

“Instruction”

Use multiple learning and teaching approaches: Vary teaching strategies

Collaborate with team members: Share ideas

Engage in active learning Make lessons relevant Incorporate problem solving, critical

thinking and performance skills

“School Community”

Manage classroom procedures to maximize learning time

Communicate clear expectations Develop positive interactions with

students Create a supportive learning environment

to promotes active engagement in learning

Work collaboratively with staff and maintain a professional demeanor

“Communication & Community Relations”

Forge partnerships with families Respond promptly to parental concerns Share instructional goals with parents Initiate communication with parents

concerning student progress or problems Encourage parent and community

involvement in classroom activities Celebrate school successes

Middle School Initiatives 2011-2012

Middle Planning Team Common Planning Time/Team Meetings Student self-actualization and goal

setting “NPMS Academic Olympics” Students earn gold, silver, or bronze “medals”

by achieving self-initiated goals Gymnasium hallway converted into “Hall of

Fame” for student recognition

Middle School Initiatives

Reading Liaison & Reading Facilitator Use of teachers to assist content areas in

identifying priority areas for improvement reading across the curriculum

Enhanced training of My-Access Greater articulation between Somerset School

and Middle School

Middle School Initiatives

Study Skills Assessment and workshop for students

Community Service Component with NJ CaresThe middle school is committed to ensuring that all

students appreciate the value of giving to the community and assisting others

Student management and behavior Student Expectation ForumPresentation by HIB Anti-bullying Specialist Dana Smith Monthly Character Education meetings with study body and

introduction of monthly character building themeMentoring Program

Middle School Initiatives

Greater parental involvement through active PTO

Increased student academic participation through Science/Math Expo & Poets Corner

Raised student awareness of higher education through visitation to Rutgers University

“ A boat doesn’t go forward if each one is rowing their own way”

Swahili Proverb