NewsPre-K to 8
Middle School Aims to Strengthen Technology, Advisee Programs
Aug 1, 1999 12:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
During the past academic year, the Middle School made some notable accomplishments. Students increased their involvement with Middle School publications. An impressive percentage of Middle School students who were invited to take the SAT qualified for the Duke University TIPS program. More Middle School students volunteered more of their free time to community service than ever before. The golf team ended the season with the region title. And the Middle School record of retaining students from one grade to the next remains outstanding.
To continue on this positive road, Principal Jim Van Es and Assistant Principal Sally MacLeod have set clear objectives for the Middle School for 1999-2000. Maintaining a safe environment and continuing to increase faculty knowledge about the needs of adolescents are ongoing goals fundamental to the school’s success, they said, stressing four new goals for the academic year:
• To increase advancements in computer technology;
• To continue to provide a positive learning environment;
• To strengthen the advisee program;
• To maintain the excellent rate of retention.
Computer Technology
Currently, all Middle School students receive some computer exposure. Van Es and MacLeod plan to continue to increase computer usage and knowledge among students and faculty. Increasing the number of computers available to faculty and students is essential to this goal. Thanks to a Parents Association grant and a parent gift, the school was able to purchase new computers and other equipment this summer (see story at right).
This academic year, sixth-graders will begin using computers in their English classes. Seventh-graders will attend a computer class that focuses on word processing skills, Internet use, production of documents for publication, and simple computer programming. And eighth-graders will learn the usefulness of computers as they build word processing skills, research via the Internet, and write term papers.
Positive Learning Environment
With learning as the main focus, the Middle School will continue providing a positive learning environment by offering workshops to faculty in order to help them improve their teaching strategies.
“Learning is the reason we are here. Both faculty and students value the time spent in the classroom,” MacLeod said. “Teachers and students respect each other and understand the importance of a good education. It is a joint effort.”
Advisee Program
The Middle School’s advisee program provides a vehicle for communication among students, faculty, and parents. The program is a way to communicate information in small groups, a network to recognize problems, an opportunity for students to express their concerns about school issues, and a resource for parents when they need information or an advocate for their children.
Van Es and MacLeod are taking steps to strengthen this program by scheduling regular meetings of advisers with the students in their advisee groups, increasing communication to advisers when problems—academic, social, or emotional—arise among their advisees, encouraging advisers to communicate concerns about students with the administration and other faculty members, and reminding parents to call their student’s advisers with concerns and questions.
Retention
The final goal is to maintain the excellent rate of student retention the Middle School currently maintains.
“If we are striving to reach our goals of advancing computer technology, providing a positive learning environment, and encouraging stronger communications with students, we will continue to have a strong rate of retention,” MacLeod said.
To continue on this positive road, Principal Jim Van Es and Assistant Principal Sally MacLeod have set clear objectives for the Middle School for 1999-2000. Maintaining a safe environment and continuing to increase faculty knowledge about the needs of adolescents are ongoing goals fundamental to the school’s success, they said, stressing four new goals for the academic year:
• To increase advancements in computer technology;
• To continue to provide a positive learning environment;
• To strengthen the advisee program;
• To maintain the excellent rate of retention.
Computer Technology
Currently, all Middle School students receive some computer exposure. Van Es and MacLeod plan to continue to increase computer usage and knowledge among students and faculty. Increasing the number of computers available to faculty and students is essential to this goal. Thanks to a Parents Association grant and a parent gift, the school was able to purchase new computers and other equipment this summer (see story at right).
This academic year, sixth-graders will begin using computers in their English classes. Seventh-graders will attend a computer class that focuses on word processing skills, Internet use, production of documents for publication, and simple computer programming. And eighth-graders will learn the usefulness of computers as they build word processing skills, research via the Internet, and write term papers.
Positive Learning Environment
With learning as the main focus, the Middle School will continue providing a positive learning environment by offering workshops to faculty in order to help them improve their teaching strategies.
“Learning is the reason we are here. Both faculty and students value the time spent in the classroom,” MacLeod said. “Teachers and students respect each other and understand the importance of a good education. It is a joint effort.”
Advisee Program
The Middle School’s advisee program provides a vehicle for communication among students, faculty, and parents. The program is a way to communicate information in small groups, a network to recognize problems, an opportunity for students to express their concerns about school issues, and a resource for parents when they need information or an advocate for their children.
Van Es and MacLeod are taking steps to strengthen this program by scheduling regular meetings of advisers with the students in their advisee groups, increasing communication to advisers when problems—academic, social, or emotional—arise among their advisees, encouraging advisers to communicate concerns about students with the administration and other faculty members, and reminding parents to call their student’s advisers with concerns and questions.
Retention
The final goal is to maintain the excellent rate of student retention the Middle School currently maintains.
“If we are striving to reach our goals of advancing computer technology, providing a positive learning environment, and encouraging stronger communications with students, we will continue to have a strong rate of retention,” MacLeod said.
