David E. Owens Middle School

Goals and Objectives 2007-2008

                    Dr. Dennis J. McDonald Interim Principal

                      Mr. Russell D. Petrocelli Vice Principal

To implement Italian as a new world language offering to students in graders 6-8. To implement the eighth grade Algebra I Textbook program.

To implement a Long-Range Plan for accelerated Middle School students in mathematics.

To implement the summer reading assignment into the curriculum by using formal writing assessments.

To implement new exploratory offerings in "Communications", "Technology Linked Curricula" and "Math Skills" in grades 6-8.

To implement lab oriented science investigations in grades 6-8.

To continue to explore various teaching strategies, materials and assessment techniques for the New Jersey State mandated NJASK (6-7) and GEPA (8) tests.

To continue to use test data to improve instruction.

To implement an interdisciplinary or multiple intelligences unit of study in grades 6-8.

To pilot an advanced language arts section in grade 8.

To plan and conduct two (2) grade level field trips with a focus on social studies/science curricula.

To investigate the possibility of an eighth grade overnight field trip to Boston, Ma. To implement the new grading policy in grades 6-8.

To implement "Life Skills" as in-school substance abuse prevention and violence prevention program.

To explore offering the National Junior Honor Society Program as a means of recognizing student achievement in the academic, citizenship, service and leadership realms.

To continue to sponsor professional development opportunities and vertical/horizontal articulation meetings and workshops K-12.

To continue to provide in-service training with the New Milford School district Staff Development Program.

To continue to provide collaborative approaches among staff members, i.e. instruction of new hires, integration of grade level content areas with special subject area teachers and in-class support teachers and content area teachers to meet the needs for inclusion students.

To implement collaborative meetings with grade level content area teachers and the high school content area department chairs, grades 7-12.

To prepare the necessary documentation for compliance and approval of the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJ9SAC). "80" or Bust".

To provide Cooperative Learning workshop training for all seventh/eighth grade teaching team members.

To contract with Josten's Yearbook Company in order to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of the eighth grade yearbook.

Communication/Technology

To revise and publish the Teacher Handbook and Student Agenda Handbook.

To continue to integrate technology in the grade level content areas, i.e. Inspiration Program and Smart Boards.

To up-grade and up-date the Middle School Website.

To design and distribute Team newsletters for the Back-To School night program.

To continue to celebrate and showcase success.

To aggressively enforce student attendance requirements that focus on tardiness and absences.

To implement and orient staff and parents regarding the new district student grading policy.

To prepare an inventory of maintenance needs and recommendations for the improvement and up-grading of the Middle School facilities.

To continue to maintain quality hardware/software with adequate capacity and capability to support successful learning in classrooms, the media center and throughout the learning environment.

For the 2007-2008 school year five (5) additional computer workstations will be added to the Media Center. A Smartboard will be installed in the computer lab and five additional computers will replace older Gateway computers. Twenty-eight printers will be installed in classrooms.

TEAMWORK