Middle School Overview Vision Mission Values Being a
Middle School
Overview • • • Vision, Mission, Values Being a Middle School Student What we provide The Advisory System Support Services The Curriculum How we check for Understanding Communication New Learning Environments
Some Statistics • • • 250 students 53 new students Class sizes remain small Support has increased New learning environments New Technology
Vision, Mission and Values Our vision St. John’s students live our values to impact the world. Our mission St. John’s International School provides an English-language education based on Christian values, demands personal excellence and stimulates individual responsibility within a culturally diverse environment. Our values St. John's embraces its historical tradition and, in particular, the Christian values of: Companionship - the gentleness to befriend and strength to accompany Integrity - being true to ourselves, to each other, and to our world Respect - of people, languages, cultures, beliefs and values
Vision, Mission, Values Single most important statement of who we are as a community. All of our interactions and planning are guided by these statements. Our new curriculum is based on these statements
Being 11 -14 years Old • • • Brain Research Physical Changes Emotional Social Organization
The Learning Environment A safe, exciting and stimulating learning environment. Adaptable for multiple learning activities.
We provide……. A safe, exciting and stimulating learning environment.
The Middle School Journey
The Advisory System Structured Course for progression though MS Aprox. 12 students in an advisory Covers personal, social issues Meet regularly Focuses on the 7 competencies, especially “Self Assessor” • The advisor is an adult mentor for student • Advisor is main contact for parents • • •
Your Children’s Future They will be graduating in 2016, 2017 and 2018 They will have 10 or more jobs during their lifetime They will be entering an uncertain world. Changing fast. Success in this world will depend on them having the skills to navigate this world. Transferable skills. • They will make an impact on the world! • •
St. John’s Middle School Curriculum Supports the key skills needed to ‘navigate the modern world’ Demands Personal excellence Embeds the 7 competencies
Assessment/Checking for Understanding • • • We value each child and pursue personal excellence We see each child as if on a ladder- They need to know where they are and where they are going. Formative and Summative assessments (tests, projects, classwork, homework) Converted to 1 -7 for report card. The driving test (summative and Formative) Standardized, formative, summative Rubrics
Grading Scale St. John's 7+ 7 6+ 6 5+ 5 4+ 4 3+ 3 2+ 2 1 Descriptor of Understanding and Knowledge Outstanding Very Good Consistent and thorough Good, General Limited Very Limited Minimal α system A+ A AB+ B BC+ C D+ D F F F
Support Services Each individual child is given help to achieve Personal Excellence. The Team Pam Mobley Sue Finlay Mark Silcock Marie Charlotte Van der Mersch Adriana O’Hara Deirdre Crombie Karen Roche Head of Student Support MS EAL MS Counsellor School Psychologist MS Learning Support/EAL MS Learning Support Every teacher is a language and learning specialist and the support teachers support classes as needed.
MS Communication Back to School Night Progress Reports ParentTeacher Conference End of Semester 1 Student Led Conferences Progress reports End of Semester 2 15 th September 14 th October 20/21 st October 27 th January 8 -9 th February 26 th April 27 th June
Communication • September 8 – Meet the Board • September 9 – PTP Soiree for new families and buddy families • September 14 – PTP AGM
Communication • • Special Information Evenings Coffee mornings/Afternoon teas Weekly email from Principal Headlions Contact any teacher by email. They will respond within one working day.
Who to go to for what…. . Personal , Social, Organizational Advisor EAL Concern Sue Finlay Learning Need Pam Mobley Educational/Social /Emotional Mark Silcock Subject Concern Subject Teacher
Student/Parent Communication The Agenda. An important tool for organization and parent/student/teacher communication.
6 th Grade Write down ‘Homework’ or ‘No Homework’ after every class. Parent signature everyday. Checked weekly by advisor. 7 th Grade Signed every evening by parent. Checked weekly by advisor. 8 th Grade Signed every week by parent checked every week by advisor.
Study. Wiz/Netbooks Tool for teacher/student communication All 6 th, 7 th and 8 th graders have netbooks 6 th graders keep them in school
Homework Students often need to reinforce their learning at home. It needs to be relevant, interesting and personal. Students also need to be able to relax and spend time with their families Aprox. An hour per night. 20 -30 minutes per subject.
Parent/ School Team Please come along to our open events and if you have a query please email us, we will respond within one working day.
This presentation will be sent to all parents. Contacting us: A directory of teacher’s names and contact details will be available soon. Thank you for coming!
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