Programs and Opportunities

PHILOSOPHY

The middle school years are a time of great physical, cognitive, emotional and social change.  As a result, Delano Middle School programs are designed to meet these needs.  The school offers a wide range of academic, social and physical experiences.  Students are provided with opportunities for exploration and enrichment, as well as a strong basic skills education program that makes allowances for individual learning styles.

The Delano 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.

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, boisterous, argumentative and/or risky behaviors

4.  Fears and worries over things like non-acceptance, school work, money, physical ability and development, facial blemishes, belong and acceptance by opposite sex.

5.  Identify with a hero. Educators and parents have the opportunity to be the role model.

6.  Strong desire for fair treatment

7.  Search for peer acceptance and 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 change.

10.  Search for sophistication.  Adolescents desire new experiences, wisdom in ways of the world and don’t want to be treated like a “baby”.

Delano Middle School Staff

As Delano Middle School Staff, our purpose is to create a nurturing environment which fosters cognitive, social and emotional development that prepares and encourages our students to be productive, contributing citizens.

We will:

·         Work to develop a sense of belonging within students and staff

·         Work to develop a feeling of self-worth among students

·         Work to foster and promote student-staff-parent communications

Students will accept responsibility for:

·         their behavior and the consequences thereof

·         their academic progress

·         developing interpersonal relationships and positive interpersonal skills

Students will:

·         utilize effective decision making skills

·         develop effective learning habits.

PROGRAMS

A comprehensive, coordinated curriculum that is aligned to the MN Academic standards is offered in Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies.  All teachers meet the MN Department of Education’s criteria to earn the distinction of highly qualified.  Music, Art, Gateway to Technology, Family and Consumer Science and Physical Education/Health are taught by fully licensed specialists.

·         Language Arts and Math programs that allow students to learn at different paces.

·         Counseling based on demonstrated need for divorce, grief, friendship, decision making

·         Science Olympiad and DestiNation Imagination programs

·         DARE (grade 5)

·         Curriculum review on a 5 year cycle

·         Homework Help after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays

·         Targeted Services for academic skill development

·         Developmental Design (grades 5 and 6)

·         Encore daily to allow student’s access to teacher for clarification/reinforcement

 (Grades 7 and 8)

·         CORE (7^th & 8^th grade) is additional reading or math instruction designed to solidify foundational skills

·         Tiger Time (5^th & 6^th grade)  is enrichment or reinforcement instruction designed to solidify and/or expand foundational skills

·         WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) transition program for 5^th graders

Enrichment/Exposure classes:

5^th and 6^th grade:   

Band, Choir or General Music;            Art

Media                                                          Physical Education

Gateway to Technology (1 module/ 6^th gr. only)

7^th grade:      

Band, Choir or General Music;            Art

Family and Consumer Science            Physical Education

Gateway to Technology (2 modules)     Math Applications

8^th grade:

           Band, Choir or General Music           Physical Education

           Health                                               Communication Arts

           Gateway to Technology (2 modules)    East Asia Experience

ACTIVITIES

          Spelling Bee                              Geography Bee

          Math League                                      Drama

          Athletics                                   Choir/Band/Jazz Band/ Honor Ensembles

          Exploratory Day                        After school parties (5^th & 6^th gr)

          Student Council                        Growl (student news broadcast)

          Winter Activity Day                             I Love to Read Month

          Science Olympiad                     DestiNation Imagination

          History Day                              Accelerated Reader         

          Battle of the Books                    Dances (7^th & 8^th gr)

          WEB activities                          Patriot’s Pen

          Various contests                       Talent Show

          Math Masters                           Wax Museum

          Festival of Nations

STUDENT RECOGNITION

          Hall of Fame                                       Honor Roll

          8^th gr. culminating activity                  Citizens of the Month

          All academic activities              Perfect Attendance

          Honor Ensembles

OTHER

·         Planner provided for each student by DMS Partners in Education

·         Back to School Open House

·         Orientation Sessions for parents and students

·         Monthly newsletter

·         Teacher webpages with class information and assignments

·         Parent portal to allow 24/7 access to grades, health, discipline information

·         Various lyceums

·         Site Base Management Team

·         Partners in Education organization