TIMBERLANE MIDDLE SCHOOL 2010-2011
Unity through Diversity
Timberlane Middle School seeks to inspire students to make a difference in the world through their thoughts and actions. This year our school theme is “Unity through Diversity.” Our goal is to emphasize to our students that strength comes in numbers and that although each of us is different in many ways, working together we can accomplish anything. Our courses and after-school enrichment programs cultivate creative, analytic and independent thinking to prepare students to be citizens of tomorrow. Our community service and extracurricular offerings promote compassion, care and social responsibility.
Highlights of Timberlane Middle School’s Program
TEAMS OF STUDENTS: Team teaching is the centerpiece of our academic program. Each grade level is divided into three or four teams, and each team is comprised of three or four teachers. Between 70 and 100 students are assigned to a team. These small communities give students a strong sense of belonging and allow them to form close ties with their teachers. Team teachers meet each day to plan interdisciplinary activities, discuss their students and communicate closely with parents. The daily schedule provides fifty-two minutes of instructional time in each content area along with common planning time for teachers.
EXPLORATORY COURSES: Middle school students need to explore new activities, ideas and skills. These required courses help them do just that. Sixth graders take computers, art and music. Seventh graders take technology education and family consumer science. Exploratory courses in 6th and 7th grade give students the knowledge and experience needed to choose electives in 7th and 8th grade and in high school.
ELECTIVE COURSES: Students choose from band, chorus, orchestra and art, as well as computers and performing arts for 7th and 8th grades, and technology education and family and consumer science for 8th grade.
WORLD LANGUAGE: Timberlane is committed to building global literacy. Spanish, French and German are offered every other day in 6th grade. Students in 7th and 8th grade study a world language every day for fifty-two minutes.
WELLNESS: Timberlane is committed to the physical and emotional well-being of its students. Health and physical education are offered every day. The wellness program engages students in activities ranging from rock climbing to mountain biking. The health program emphasizes an understanding of the body and mind and covers critical issues including alcohol, drugs, AIDS, reproduction, conflict resolution along with bullying and harassment.
AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAMS: Our offerings after school are extensive and provide students with opportunities to develop new friendships and skills. Activities include art, computers, woodworking, robotics as well as Math and Science Olympiads. These activities offer an opportunity to explore new interests and develop strengths. This year we initiated an intervention system for our students to monitor their academic progress throughout each marking period. Students requiring additional academic support have been assigned to our learning center, which meets after school two days a week. In our learning center, students receive small-group instruction focusing on organization and skill development. We have also incorporated a Saturday Guided Study Program for any student whose running average dips below 65. This service is offered four times per marking period. It provides students the opportunity to work in small groups with a teacher in order to develop skills and to ensure mastery of concepts required for moving forward in their coursework.
ATHLETICS AND EXTRA-CURRICULARS: Students may participate in interscholastic sports, including cross-country, track, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, cheerleading, wrestling, baseball, softball and field hockey. We also offer opportunities in peer leadership, peer mediation, student council, drama, choir, jazz band, Mural Club, Environmental Club, and yearbook.
SUPPORT SERVICES: To support students and help them achieve, we have three grade-level counselors, a child study team, a full-time school nurse and a student assistance counselor. We also have an advisory program in which small groups of 10-12 students meet regularly with a staff member to build academic and interpersonal skills to promote overall success in and out of school. The advisory program is based on the “Six Pillars of Character,” which are infused daily into the middle school program. The advisors in the program loop with the same students for all three years at middle school. Every adult in the building has an advisory group.
TECHNOLOGY: Technology is an essential part of the educational program because it enhances teaching and learning and prepares students for a world in which they are expected to be computer proficient. Timberlane has six computer labs, two wireless laptop carts, as well as computers in the classrooms and the media center. Students have online access and use of the Internet for research. Each classroom has a projector or TV monitor with connection to DVD, cable, and Internet, for integrating technology into classroom instruction. There are also fifteen smart boards located in classrooms throughout the building.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Our results on the NJASK exams indicate that Timberlane has produced an outstanding group of students in reading, writing and mathematics. We provide a strong core program in the four major areas of language arts, social studies, mathematics and science. Students may accelerate in mathematics with most students completing algebra by the end of 8th grade and 20 percent of students completing geometry. The science program emphasizes hands-on lab experience and gives students a sound background in both life and physical sciences. Students with exceptional abilities in language arts may participate in an honors program. Students may also take an advanced program in art and drama. Programs are available for students with special needs, including basic skills in math and language arts. All of our courses are consistent with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards.
Timberlane is proud to provide a superior education to young adolescents in an environment that supports and encourages their overall development. We maintain a close partnership with parents and welcome inquiries from families interested in learning more about our school.