School News and School Improvement Plan
JHMS School Improvement Goals for 2009-10
Improve LITERACY for all students.
Improve social equity and cultural awareness by continuing to address Social and Emotional Learning goals.
Improve student learning through providing common, formative assessments.
JHMS School Improvement Plan 2008
Based on feedback received at Open House 2008, curriculum and program opportunities was the #1 concern of our parent community.
In 2008, communication concerns from parents had drastically decreased based on the data received from parent surveys. Parents expressed concern over opportunities for students participating in the foreign language program as well as after school clubs, sports, and activities. To improve programs and opportunities, we:
- Opened a Foreign Language Survey course for all 6th graders, and opened 7th and 8th grade foreign language (French and Spanish) opportunities to ALL students.
- Provided a Reading Strategies course in 2009-10 for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students which supports all students in the area of reading.
- Added a Public Speaking Encore course in 2009-10 for 6th grade students.
- Added an Applied Technology lab in 2009-10 with 30+ modules which include Forensics, Interior Design, Robotics, Aviation; all modules incorporate math, science, and English learning standards.
- Added a Read to Succeed course in 2008-09 to support reading comprehension and strategies for students.
- Provided an opportunity for students to take both Band and Choir during the school day.
Based on feedback received at Open House 2007, communication was the #1 concern of our parent community.
In 2007, the Open House data shared that bullying concerns had drastically decreased from 2006-07 school year. At Hille Middle School, we understand the importance of communication between home and school, and we strive to forge partnerships with our parent and school community. We continue to work with our School Leadership Team to address and improve communication. To improve communication, we:
- Began a principal's e-mail list to inform parents of important information at school
- Continue to communicate through schoolnotes.com, wiki pages, and/or PowerSchool
- Provide students and parents access to the Parent Portal in PowerSchool where parents can get immediate information about courses, grades, assignments, attendance, and daily bulletin information
- Survey parents on a regular basis
- Improved Parent-Teacher conference set-up
- Communicate student learning and progress on a regular basis
- Provide parent learning opportunities including Family Science Night and Family Reading Night
Based on feedback received at 2006 Open House, bullying was the #1 concern of our parent community.
In 2006-07, our parent community expressed that their #1 concern was bullying. In order to address these concerns, our school implemented several initiatives to address bullying at our school.
- Character Education
- Character Committee comprised of students and staff
- Mix It Up Day
- Character Commendations
- Advisory/Connections program implementation for 2007-08 school year
- Social and Emotional Learning goals
On April 4th, 2007, Hille Middle School hosted its first MIX IT UP DAY.
Why Mix It Up?
Studies show that on average:
- 70% of students name the cafeteria as the school setting where social boundaries are most clearly drawn.
- More than half of students describe their schools as "quick to put people into categories."
- 40% of students admitted that they had rejected someone from another group.
- Mix It Up at Lunch Day encourages people to cross lines and meet new people.
- You care, you're someone who can change the school and bring down the walls!
Since it's inception at Hille in 2006, students and staff collaboratively plan the day by organizing meetings and events to share ideas. Students enter the cafeteria and are given numbers of corresponding tables. Each table has an adult supervisor who facilitates various activities during the lunch period. Students are asked to complete "exit slips" about their experience. Students and staff both share positive comments about the experience! This activity provides students with an opportunity to meet new people and appreciate others' experiences and perspectives.