GEORGE A. SMITH MIDDLE SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT:

GEORGE A. SMITH MIDDLE SCHOOL IS CHARACTERIZED BY:

• Educators committed to young adolescents -

The educators at George A. Smith Middle School have made a conscious choice to work with young adolescents.  They understand the developmental uniqueness of young adolescents and are as knowledgeable about their students as they are about the subject matter they teach.  They are advocates for all young adolescents.

• A shared vision - George A. Smith Middle School is guided by a vision.  Our vision reflects the very best we can imagine about all the elements of schooling including student achievement, student-teacher relationships, and community participation. Our vision will be revisited on a regular basis as circumstances change and new research and practices emerge.

• High expectations for all - George A. Smith Middle School holds and acts upon high expectations for all students, and the students themselves have expectations of success.  Students are empowered to learn, to become intellectually engaged, and to behave in keeping with responsible citizenship.  Our teachers and administrators hold high expectations for themselves and for one another.

• An adult advocate for every student - The staff of George A. Smith Middle School are advocates for our students.  We aspire to provide each student with one adult who knows and cares for that individual and who supports that student’s academic and personal development.  We demonstrate a continuity of caring that extends over the student’s entire middle level experience.

• Family and community partnerships - Families and community members are important stoke holders in George A. Smith Middle School .  We recognize and support families and community members as participants in school programs by encouraging their roles in supporting learning and honoring them as essential volunteers.  We expect our families and the community to take advantage of opportunities provided for involvement in support of education.

THEREFORE, GEORGE A. SMITH MIDDLE SCHOOL STRIVES TO PROVIDE:

• A positive learning climate - The climate of George A. Smith Middle School is safe, inviting, and caring; it promotes a sense of community and encourages learning.  Human relationships are paramount, and all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.  Our students and staff recognize and accept one another’s differences; curiosity, creativity, and diversity are celebrated.  They are empowered as they share in the decision-making process.  The ambiance is student-centered, and it is clear that learning is the priority.

• Curriculum that is challenging, integrative, and exploratory - George A. Smith Middle School ’s curriculum is designed to embrace every planned aspect of our school’s educational program and to accomplish our school’s vision.  Our challenging curriculum addresses substantive issues and skills that are relevant, is geared to the student’s level of understanding, and enables students to increasingly assume control of their learning.  Our curriculum is integrative when it helps students make sense out of their life experiences.  The curriculum is exploratory in nature. 

• Varied teaching and learning approaches - The distinctive developmental and learning characteristics of our young adolescents provide the foundation for selecting teaching strategies.  Our teaching techniques enhance and accommodate the diverse skills, abilities, and knowledge of our young adolescents and capitalize on our students’ individual learning styles.  Technological resources advance instruction whenever possible.  Our students need to investigate the aspects of what it means to live in a technological society.

• Assessment and evaluation that promote learning -  Continuous, authentic, and appropriate assessment and evaluation are essential components of the learning process providing information that students’, teachers and family members need to plan further learning.  In George A. Smith Middle School assessment and evaluation procedures reflect the characteristics and uniqueness of young adolescents.

• Flexible organizational structures - George A. Smith Middle School is flexible in grouping, scheduling, and staffing.  Scheduling and staffing accommodate the need for teachers in all areas to interact with their colleagues.  In lieu of academic tracking, we use enrichment programs, cooperative learning groups, and independent study to respond to the variety of student competencies, interests, and abilities.  Our teachers design and operate much of the program, collaborate across teaching specialties and share responsibility for literacy development, guidance/advocacy, and student life.

• Programs and policies that foster health, wellness, and safety - George A. Smith Middle School provides abundant opportunities for our students to achieve and maintain healthy minds and bodies and to understand their own growth.  Our comprehensive health and fitness program deals with nutrition, substance abuse, mental health, safety, peer mediation, sexual harassment, and health services.  A sense of school community is developed by helping teachers and students manage anger, resolve conflicts peacefully, and prevent hateful or violent behaviors as we strive to develop a sense of respect and responsibility toward self and others.

• Comprehensive guidance and support services - George A. Smith Middle School provides both teachers and specialized professionals who are readily available to offer the assistance many students need.  Our faculty is aware of appropriate referral services and procedures to follow when recommending students for specialized services.  Our school counselor supports teachers in advocacy programs, demonstrates group activities and offers one-on-one and small group guidance sessions as needed.  He/she shares their expertise with teams and individual teachers and serves as a resource person in classroom activities.  Our counselor meets with parents, often in conjunction with teams or individual teachers.