Document 13
Central Middle School
We believe all students deserve:
a purposeful, enthusiastic, and dedicated teacher that is knowledgeable in their subject area, has a professional demeanor, and gives prompt feedback. We believe that students deserve teachers that care about them outside the classroom. We believe that all students deserve a quiet, safe, positive, and nurturing environment without distractions, that is conducive to learning. We believe that all students deserve equal access to tools, books, technologies, cultural enrichment, and educational opportunities. We believe that all students deserve consistent expectations and consequences, and should be given a chance to succeed. We believe that students deserve respect and should be pushed to achieve. We believe that all students deserve a well rounded, diverse, and quality curriculum with structure, predictability, and meaningful activities. We believe that all students deserve IEPs if needed, and added assistance. We believe that students deserve an equal opportunity to learn and help to reach their goals and help in building their futures. We believe that students deserve to have proper nutrition with enough time to eat. We believe that all students deserve a college education and less high stakes testing. We believe that students deserve community and parental support that expresses a value to education and the variety of learning experiences. 2012-2013 The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. Central Middle School aims to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. Central Middle School encourages students to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
All adults in our community are living by these core convictions daily and as a result, show the following attitudes and actions:
As we live with these core convictions about students, the following attitudes and actions are present in our educators. Teachers at Central Middle School are professional, energetic, flexible, and life long learners. Teachers use a variety of teaching styles while recognizing the learning styles of their students; they believe that all students can achieve at some level. Teachers communicate high expectations for students and even teach beyond the standards. Teachers take time with students, award them when they achieve, and listen to the needs of their students. Teachers utilize a team teaching approach incorporating rotational and special education classes. They design lessons that are highly engaging, using real world simulations and situations to make learning meaningful. Inclusion is practiced with special Education students with IEPs who are given extra time and other necessary accommodations that the classroom teacher utilizes. Teachers are enthusiastic about their subject areas and implement the best practices instilled by the professional staff development support from the administration, both district wide and school wide. Teachers use technology in both instruction and assessment. Teachers keep parents informed about the problems their children may be experiencing in the classroom and work together in the grade level teams and with parents to help the students turn their weaknesses into strengths.
In this environment where all adults are living by their core convictions, all students:
are fully engaged in the learning process. All students are motivated and ready to learn, with a good sense of self and a desire to learn how to set goals for themselves, while participating fully in both the academic and extracurricular spheres of the middle school. All students are capable of learning; they are good writers and speakers, with the proper level of maturity for their age. They make effective use of time and have common sense and good humor. They are eager and prepared to learn despite home circumstances. In the classroom and throughout the areas of school influence, students are polite, kind, responsible, cooperative; respectful of authority, themselves, and other students. In their classroom duties/ activities, they are punctual, organized, have all necessary materials for the class, have homework done, and meet deadlines set by the teacher, while putting forth their best efforts at all times. Students expect to participate fully in the classroom, with attention, open minds, and a positive, nonjudgmental attitude to help themselves and others to achieve the required goals. They ask questions when they need clarification, and are focused on understanding the importance of practicing the skills they learn. All students can work in cooperative and collaborative groups, contributing their best effort for the achievement of the group goals. Our students support one another in efforts to learn and share information and skills, and see themselves as contributing members of their community, utilizing their talents to reach out and serve others. All students look to the future and map out strategies for it, working hard towards their goals and taking pride in their successes, while learning from the failures along the way. All students wear the school uniform that reflects pride in appearance and a serious attitude about their academic, societal, and civic responsibilities. All students should experience a social, emotional and personal growth in Career Awareness.
As a result of these efforts, our school's student achievement data is as follows: