141 Davis Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
413.772.1300
413.774.7940 (fax)
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Greenfield Middle School
195 Federal Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
413.772.1360 (voice)Principal: Gary Tashjian
GMS Students Produce Anti-Cyberbullying Movies
Click here to watch the first video in the series
From the Principal's DeskMay 21, 2010
As we approach June, I would like to let everyone know what we are planning for next year in order to make this an even better school. Some of our plans are to:
- Create smaller teaching teams in grades 4, 5, and 6:
- Students will have more time and ability to connect with one adult and will experience fewer transitions between classes.
- The fourth grade will become three distinct teams. Two groups will have the same teacher for all core subjects, and one group will have two teachers each of whom will teach two subjects.
- The fifth grade will also become three distinct teams with three self-contained teams and one two-teacher team
- The sixth grade will change to three two-teacher teams
- Create innovative learning environments:
- All classes will consist of students of mixed abilities. The only exception will be in grade seven math. Teachers will continue to seek lessons that involve cooperative learning and small group work. Research shows that students often learn best from and with each other.
- Many teachers are working in a book group (using the book 60 Strategies for Boosting Test Scoresby Donna Wilson) to develop lessons using a system called Brain-Based Learning. This system provides insight into how we can more fully harness the power of the brain for student success.
- We will begin to plan the formation of a science school, housed within GMS or another school in the district.
- Purchase new and up-dated materials:
- Staff is currently investigating the purchase of science and social studies texts. These textbooks will further integrate using textbooks in combination with technology.
- This year, we added twenty Smart Boards. We hope to be able to purchase additional Smart Boards for use in core, encore, and special education classrooms, as well as in shared common areas. Teachers will continue to have classes which will help them expand their repertoire for continued development of engaging lessons and learning.
- Create new systems for students:
- Student Council’s role at GMS will expand next year to include an advisory role. I will be looking to these student leaders for their voice in creating an innovative school environment.
- Mediation training for students will be new and improved. This initiative will help this community develop checks and balances throughout student social interactions.
This is only a small sample of our new plans for next year. In terms of our current practices, which we believe are working well, but can always use improvement, two areas we will focus on are:
- Increasing the amount of communication to home. Next year, in addition to my weekly letters home, all teams will send home letters once each month to help parents know the curriculum and activities going on within the classrooms.
- Improving recess time and our playground area. Our new playground is almost finished. Thank you to the Town’s Department of Public Works for their work. Four structures have been installed and are being used by our students. Two more should be fully functional by the end of the month. Next year, we will create more games to be played within the tarred and grassed areas.
Thank you for supporting Greenfield Schools as we continue our innovations and building excellence.
Field Trip Policies and Permission Slips
Policy and form for Greenfield Middle SchoolPage last updated: August 23, 2010
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