Greetings from Administration

Welcome students and parents to the 2012-2013 school year,

We are very excited to welcome you to the middle school during a year of significant changes. In an attempt to improve our connections with families and students as well as increase academic performance we have made several changes to our past practices. It is our belief that during the three-year middle school experience these changes will prove to be very beneficial to all our students.

In the Academic areas our sixth grade students will experience smaller team sizes, as their teachers will be teaching multiple content as follows: Math/Science and E.L.A./Social Studies. This will allow for teachers to get to know their students better, make greater connections with parents/guardians, as well as provide greater opportunities for lesson integration. The students in the seventh and eighth grade classes will be “looping” with their current teachers over a two-year period. These students will have four different content teachers but these teachers will provide instruction of both seventh and eighth grade curriculum. This will greatly eliminate the need of “getting to know” students at the start of the second year as well as eliminate excessive “re-teaching” time after the summer break.

To provide additional academic support for all our students we will have a Learning Lab staffed by two teachers and an educational technician. This lab will provide supports and interventions to assist students who are struggling in math, reading, and writing.

In the area of School Climate we will be implementing an Advisor~Advisee program this year as well. Students will have a mentor that will provide them guidance and assistance for the entire three years they are at the middle school. We will be introducing students to Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports (P.B.I.S.) and Restorative Practices. P.B.I.S. promotes desired behaviors by teaching and reinforcing positive behaviors in all possible school settings and locations. Restorative Practices is a model of working together to address inappropriate/unacceptable behaviors before they become actions. We will also focus on the important issue of bullying and harassment by educating students of acceptable behaviors, providing support for students, empowering bystanders, and potential disciplinary/legal consequences for those engaging in such unacceptable behaviors. This will also include ongoing professional development for the staff during the year.

With the academic changes came the need to rename our grade level teams. The decision was made to select natural wonders that occur in the great state of Maine. The sixth grade teams formerly 6-1 & 6-2 are now The Hermitage and Moosehead. Last years eighth grade teams (this years seventh grade teams) 8-3 & 8-4 are now Acadia and Chamberlain. Last years seventh grade teams (this years eighth grade teams) 7-1 & 7-2 are Allagash and Bigelow. I encourage you to research these Maine wonders!

The final change would be that of the school colors at the middle school. Starting with the 2012-2013 school year the colors at the middle school are now Orange and Black. The school mascot will remain the Falcon, as there are several species of falcons that do have orange and black as their colors.

We wish everyone a great school year,

Todd Sanders, Principal
Ben Wilson, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director