NORTH PLAINFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL

1. NORTH PLAINFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL “CANUCK PRIDE”

2. “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”

3. 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

4. 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

5. Four Domains of Performance • Planning and Assessment • Instruction • School community • Communication and Community Relations

6. “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

7. “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

8. “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

9. “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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Middle School Initiatives • Study Skills Assessment and workshop for students • Community Service Component with NJ Cares • The 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 Forum • Presentation by HIB Anti-bullying Specialist Dana Smith • Monthly Character Education meetings with study body and introduction of monthly character building theme • Mentoring Program

13. 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

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