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Programs and Opportunities

PHILOSOPHY
 
The middle school years are a time of great physical, intellectual, emotional, and social change. As a result Delano Middle School programs are designed to meet these special needs. The school offers a wide range of intellectual, social, and physical experiences. Students are provided with opportunities for exploration as well as a strong basic skills education program that makes allowances for individual learning styles.
 
The Middle School staff is committed to fostering a climate that allows students to develop skills in fact finding, critical thinking and decision making skills. The ultimate purpose of the middle school is to provide a smooth educational transition for students between elementary and high school while ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed.
 
PROGRAMS
Teacher/Advisor Program: Every student has an adult who is their personal advocate and counselor. Students meet 15 minutes daily with their advisor and learn skills ranging from decision making, study skills, to peer relationships.
 
Comprehensive coordinated curriculum offerings in Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies and Special Education.
 
Music, Art, Industrial Technology, Family & Consumer Science, Physical Education specialists.
 
Extended learning opportunities in all core area classes (Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Math), including Spanish, Technical Writing, and Computer Communications.
 
Reading and Math programs that allow students to learn at different rates. Special needs group counseling, i.e. divorce, friendship, behavior, decision making.
Two fully equipped computer labs plus computer stations in the individual classrooms and media center. Monitored internet access, keyboarding instruction for grades 5 and 6, Computer Communications class for grade 8. Other teachers integrate the computer into their instruction at all levels.
 
 
ACTIVITIES
 
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Hall of Fame – quarterly recognition of students in the various academic classes in grades 5-8
Honor Roll recognition
Principal’s Honor Roll awards/recognition breakfast
Presidential Academic Fitness awards
Quarterly reward lyceum for students not having a disciplinary infraction
8th grade culminating activity
Citizen of The Month in all grades selected by staff
Accelerated Reader Program
 
OTHER
 
 
TEACHER/ADVISOR PROGRAM
 
RATIONALE/PHILOSOPHY
 
The middle school years can be a time of great change. It is a time when many students begin to identify strongly with a peer group, re-define their value systems, undergo physical and emotional changes and contemplate their adult years. With the aid of a caring teacher/advisor, it is hoped that the middle school years can become a more positive, less stressful experience. Research has identified the following characteristics of the emerging adolescent:
1.         Search for independence from adults
2.         Fear of new settings
3.         Unusual/drastic behavior. Students of this age can demonstrate aggressive, daring, boisterous, and argumentative behavior.
4.         Fear and worries over things like, non-acceptance, school work, money, physical ability and development, facial blemishes, belonging and acceptance by opposite sex.
5.         Identify with a hero. We as educators have the opportunity to be role models
6.         Strong desire for fair treatment
7.         Search for peer acceptance/conformity
8.         Need for play/activity
9.         Feelings for self and other/relationship. Feelings about self are usually at a low point while feelings about peers changes.
10.       Search for sophistication. Adolescents desire new experiences, wisdom in ways of the world and don’t want to be treated like a “baby”.
 
PROGRAM GOALS:
1.         Develop a sense of belonging or “family” within students and staff
2.         Develop a feeling of self-worth among students
3.         Foster and promote student-staff-parent communications
4.         Students will accept responsibility for:
            A.        Their behavior and the consequences thereof,
            B.        Their school progress, and
            C.        Developing interpersonal relationship and positive interpersonal skills
 
 
5.         Students will:
            A.        Utilize effective decision-making skills
            B.        Develop tentative educational and career plans
            C.        Develop effective study skills