Middle School Happenings

The Manchester-Essex Middle School is a member of the New England League of Middle Schools. We are guided by the best practices of the "Middle School Model."

Unlike a "junior high school," which functions as part of a larger high school model and is structured around the developmental needs of 15 to 18 year olds, a true middle school, like ours, organizes teaching and learning through:

• Teaming: Our faculty are experts in teaching young adolescents. They work together within grade-level teams to create specific learning environments and experiences that are best suited to meet the needs of this unique developmental period in our children's lives.

• Curriculum: When developing curriculum, our teams leverage the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and create interdisciplinary learning experiences that are relevant, authentic, and based on how adolescent students learn best.

• Instruction: Varied instructional and assessment methodologies are designed to prepare all students to achieve higher standards and become lifelong learners.

• Relationships: The Middle School Model encourages and allows for multiple adults to come together for the benefit of their shared student body. They develop strong individual and community relationships and prioritize creating safe spaces for students.

To learn more about the attributes of a successful middle school, click the link below.

https://www.amle.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AMLE_SMS_Summary_Color.pdf

It was wonderful seeing all of our students gathered together, as we start to prepare them for this new school year. In addition to the necessary nuts and bolts, we revisited and reintroduced our Middle School Charter. The Charter builds and sustains positive emotional climates by creating agreed-upon norms for how people want to feel.

The Manchester Essex Middle School has a strong and effective approach to social, emotional learning. We leverage Yale University's RULER program, which has guided us through this work for the past several years.

Featured in the picture above is Dean of Students, Kim Provost. In addition to the important social, emotional, and behavioral supports she provides to middle school students as our Dean of Students, Kim has also taken on a new role as District K-8 RULER & SEL Coordinator.

Here's a quick glimpse into some of what our students were up to on the first two days of school.

One of our middle school traditions takes place on the first two days of school. Our exploratory team works with students at each grade level and engages them in community building activities and learning.

Through this work, our students begin to experience the benefits of collaboration and the importance of sound decision making. This is the start of developing skills for creating and fostering an atmosphere of respect with their peers and teachers.

This important work is essential learning for young adolescents and helps lay the foundation for developing the dispositions and attributes as defined by our Vision of the Graduate.

We are so excited to start this new school year. We love what we do, and we love our students!

Email: mainoj@mersd.org
Website: www.mersd.org
Location: 36 Lincoln Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, USA
Phone: 978-526-2022
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterEssexRegional/
Twitter: @MERMS01944

Image Credits:

This We Believe: https://www.nelms.org/