Miguel Gomez Central

Middle School
Alex, Alexis, Emily, and Katie

Dr. Gomez, count

the cookies
 Grades 6-8
Mascot: Cookie Monster
Colors: Blue and Orange
Opening Fall 2018!
 Mission Statement

A child without meaningful

education is like a chocolate chip
cookie without chocolate chips.
Our school only employs teachers who have
been prepared by universities that are
accredited in middle grades education. In
addition, our teachers are screened in their
interviews to determine their potential impact
on our students. Our teachers have exemplary
backgrounds in working with middle school
students, and many offer after school activities
for the students to partake in. We pride
ourselves in having teachers that care!

1
MGCMS is focused on making learning
fun and meaningful for our students.
Through extensive research,
professional, parent, and student input,
we realize it is important for our students
to understand the reason and purpose
for their learning content and material
and it is essential to our learning
process. We strive to ensure learning is
always active, relevant, and engaging for
our students.

2
We will offer a variety of courses in
addition to the core classes (math,
science, language arts, etc) such as
business classes, agriculture, art, and
music. We would encourage students
to take a wide range of classes in
subject areas of their interest and keep
an open mind to considering classes
they may not have much prior
knowledge in. We will require our
teachers to teach real world skills in
not only these elective courses but the
core classes as well (i.e. credit,
character education, budgeting). 3
Our schools educators use multiple learning and
teaching approaches to design appropriate challenges for
all students. Our teachers are trained to effectively use
group work so that student engagement and
achievement are maximized. Students are grouped
randomly or by ability, which depends greatly on the type
of activity being used and the concept being taught.
Teachers and students are continually encouraged to
explore new ideas and are provided with supplementary
materials to deepen the scope of learning. This includes
utilizing community assets and the Internet.

4
Our teachers do not compile grades from
homework and tests alone. They use
various forms of assessment including
student demonstrations, portfolios,
presentations, and other projects at the
end of units to determine what students
have learned. Teachers give descriptive
feedback to help students understand
what they did wrong and how to improve
it. We also communicate with parents
about their students accomplishments.

5
School leaders will incorporate the
vision of their teachers, students, and
staff in the mission of the school. They
will use their feedback and
suggestions to make needed changes
in the school (i.e. changing a general
school rule).

6
We realize that it is important to give everyone a voice in what is happening
within the school. We encourage parent, student, and teacher input in
decisions that are made because we understand that they are affected
directly. Forums will be held monthly for faculty to receive feedback and
suggestions, along with regular communication with students and their
families, allowing them to be open and honest with any suggestions,
comments, or concerns.

7
Collaboration and courageous leadership are the
foundation of our schools commitment to challenging
and changing practices that hinder students learning.
Our principal works together with their leadership team
to gather information from all members of the school
community to ensure that current practices are effective
and collaborative, as a students success is dependent
upon long-term collaboration between instruction,
school culture, school leadership, and personal
development.

8
We regularly send our faculty to workshops and training sessions so that they
are always learning new information about educating middle schoolers.
Teachers are kept up-to-date in the newest teaching methods while
counselors and psychologists learn about the latest research in the
psychology and sociology of middle school students. Our principal is on the
state board of educators, and several of our teachers are involved in their
fields by writing and reviewing textbooks.

9
We encourage our staff to foster
meaningful relationships with the
students by holding one-on-one
conferences, at least once a week.
During these conferences, the student
and teacher can discuss anything from
educational concerns or excellence to
personal concerns the student might be
facing.

10
We will strive to make our school
inviting, safe, inclusive, and supportive
of every student that enters our
doors. Our teachers will differentiate
to each individual student's needs and
make sure that every student has the
opportunity to reach their full
potential and grow as a citizen of the
world, not just as students.

11
 Our students have many concerns pertaining to matters outside of
curriculum, which means that our students require opportunities to open the
door to discussion with each other and at least one staff member. As a result,
our school employs the concept of advisory grouping, which relates student
concerns and interests to teachers skills, abilities, and advocacy philosophies.
This grouping method allows students to meet regularly throughout the
school day and the corresponding program helps students develop mutual
respect for others, compassion, cooperation, decision making, and goal
setting. Our teacher-advocates fulfill a necessary advisory role, and they work
in conjunction with counseling and health services staff to fill in the picture of
comprehensive guidance for each student throughout their entire middle
school experience.

12
 Our faculty has received ample training in the psychology of and support
services needed by middle school students. We have 3 guidance counselors, 3
special education teachers, 5 paraprofessionals, 2 nurses with a combined 50
years of medical field experience, a social worker, and a school psychologist.
These professional work closely with our teachers to ensure that all students
needs are met, especially those who are at risk or have special needs. We also
heavily promote parent interaction and have an active PTA group.

13
 Despite our mascot, we encourage our
students to strive for healthy living in all
aspects of their life: physically, mentally, and
emotionally. We incorporate healthy decision
making processes into our curriculum by
including character education and critical
thinking into daily discussions. We also
encourage our staff to practice various
physical activities throughout the day with
their students, such as yoga, stretching, etc.
We encourage our staff to talk with students
and build relationships, allowing students a
safe place to discuss anything that may arise.

14
Our school will have an open door
policy for parents to come spend
time with their children in the
classroom throughout the day. We
will have projects for students and
parents to work on together and
opportunities for families to visit the
school after hours doing concerts,
art galleries, open house events,
etc. Teachers will also be required
to send home a newsletter (at least
once a month) to families.

15
We have established a cohesive bond between our school,
community, and local businesses. Types of organizations
involved are: local businesses, hospitals, social service
agencies, and various nonprofit organizations. This
partnership allows our teachers to provide students with
learning experiences and activities that cant be provided
in the classroom. Students are encouraged to get involved
in apprenticeships, shadow studies, service-learning
projects, and after-school programs that reflect their
interests, abilities, and initiative. This school-business
relationship benefits all involved and is carefully designed
with school policies, business considerations, student
needs, and school mission at equal levels of importance.

16
 Thank you!
Questions?
Comments?