Blue Heron Middle School

Blue Heron Middle School
3939 San Juan Avenue
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360)379-4540
Principal: Ami J. Fields

Performance Report Technology Plan
School Improvement Additional Information
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Performance Report

• Thematic units of study
• Flexible scheduling to accommodate special activities
• Coordination of academic and social skills
• Student and parent conferences
• Student discipline
• Test and evaluation schedules

We believe...

• learning is a balance of active exploration, interaction and discovery. We value a variety of strategies for the acquisition of knowledge.
• learning cannot occur in isolation. We value networks of communication for the flow of ideas, information, and experiences among students, staff and community.
• effective teaching focuses on the needs of the learner. We value a curriculum that addresses the varied needs of early adolescents.
• learners vary in mode as well as speed of learning. Teachers exhibit diverse styles and employ different methods to facilitate learning. We value an educational atmosphere where individual differences are respected.
• students learn best in a safe, positive and nurturing climate. We value such an environment.

Technology Plan

At Blue Heron Middle School two file servers enable all workspaces to be networked and connected to the Internet and will accommodate additional technological growth. Each classroom has one on-line computer, an audiovisual PowerMac 5200LC, that allows teachers access to the school file server plus the use of spreadsheet, word-processing and grading programs, not to mention access to the Internet, the World Wide Web (WWW) and email. Teachers may sign up to use any of the 7 on-line PowerBooks and each office person and counselor has one on-line computer.

Teachers may sign up to use the computer lab which has 30 on-line LC580's without CD rom to have a whole class work on a project together. Students will complete a one semester required computer literacy class which will integrate word processing, graphics, database, spreadsheet and programming skills with core class curricula. Also, students will complete a one semester required exploratory technology class. Among the topics covered in that exploratory class students will learn CAD, electronics, video production, computer graphics, computer programming, robotics, biotechnology, lasers, and transportation. Students will continue to develop skills in using computers for research purposes including use of the electronic library catalog, on-line magazine, article summaries, on-line encyclopedia, and the Internet. Students will have the opportunity to communicate with peers through the email system. Students will be expected to use word processing and desktop publishing skills for several core class assignments.

Plans for the future include training for staff, students, parents and community in using the technologies already in place, and, as we improve our ability to utilize modern tools, we recognize that the demand for access will increase exponentially. Areas of concern include: access for individual students to computers in classrooms or computer labs both during the school day and after school hours; increased capability for projection of computer output onto large screens; increased memory for computers to be used for creating multimedia; and establishment of a video production studio. Further, curricula and supporting equipment must be articulated amongst the grade levels. Introduction to keyboarding and word processing, at the elementary level, should be supported by practice and advancement in the secondary years. Skills in the use of spreadsheet, database and graphics software, which are integrated into academic studies during the middle school years, must be expanded throughout the students' school years.

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School Improvement

1. Improve student behavior.
2. Promote and maintain peer mediation program.
3. Implement Service Learning Program Grant.
4. Challenge gifted students and modify assignments for special education students.
5. Increase the effectiveness and frequency of contact with parents.
6. Enhance effectiveness of interdisciplinary teams.
7. Strengthen effectiveness of substance abuse intervention program.

1. Expand writing assessment and instruction for grades 6 through 8.
2. Implement new math assessment for grades 6 through 8.
3. Implement new science curriculum for grades 6 through 8.
4. Implement new social studies curriculum for grades 6 and 7.
5. Implement new exploratory technology program for grade 8.
6. Expand and strengthen foreign language program for grades 6 through 8.
7. Improve operation and use of resource computer lab.

The success of our teamwork is based on the partnership we develop with parents and students. We strive to work together to educate our young people and help them be responsible individuals and respectful of one another. Parents play a key role in their children's education. Some things you can do to help your children: Get to know your child's teacher and principal. Take an active interest in school assignments. Volunteer for classroom or school duty. Show your appreciation to staff for their work with your child. Show you child that you value education by talking about school and learning. Parents and community members can assist the school to accomplish its mission and goals through volunteer situations such as: POPS (our Parents on Patrol program), tutoring, intramural lunch activities, score keeping at athletic events, field trip chaperone and classroom or office assistance.

Parents may contact Mrs. McGinnis at (360) 379-4540 for additional information about opportunities to volunteer in the school and/or participate on planning committees and the site council which make recommendations regarding school improvement.

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Additional Information

Other special features about our school:

We have an outstanding music program. The band, orchestra and vocal ensembles perform frequently and participate in festivals, contests and adjudication. As a result of interagency agreements, our science program features opportunities for students to engage in authentic research for local wetlands as well as air and water quality monitoring projects. Our school is the site of a weather station which is accessed by the community and King 5 in Seattle. A three day field trip to Mt. St. Helens provides eighth grade students with a culminating activity for the language arts and science curriculum.

Please visit our school home page to see more information about our school:
Blue Heron Middle School

Also feel free to visit one of Blue Heron's teacher's web page detailing a Language Arts/Social Studies class:
Introduction to a Blue Heron class.


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Last updated on Wednesday, July 22, 1997. Please report any errors to the following:

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