About

George Washington Middle School aligns its philosophies with the AMLE (Association for Middle Level Education).  Our weekly morning professional development focuses on creating a positive environment for learning and best practices in teaching and learning in the content areas.  Our teachers collaborate with one another using protocols to develop better more effective lessons and unit plans, formative and summative assessments, for example.  This “(t)eacher collaboration creates a culture of high student expectations, promotes sharing of best practices, and cultivates a sense of belonging.”  (AMLE)  Additionally, our students and staff are organized in houses to provide a smaller environment for our students in transition from elementary school to high school.  Our teachers collaborate regularly with house teammates to set and maintain high expectations and a safe and orderly environment.  We employ Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (PBIS) and Green Dot Education as our framework for a safe and orderly environment.  As stated in the AMLE, we believe in …

High Expectations

Three factors stand out from the research that guide implementation of this component of effective schools.

1. Faculty and staff must truly believe that raising the bar will increase student achievement. The teachers in the classroom must be willing to increase the rigor of instruction and the administrators must be willing to support these efforts. Just saying you have high expectations for students is not enough; faculty and staff members must put their beliefs into action.
2. Faculty and staff must communicate their high expectations to the students on a daily basis. Teachers do this by raising the bar for all students in the classroom and then doing whatever it takes to help the students succeed. Raising the bar without additional support is setting students up for failure. Administrators support the “culture of high expectations” by providing staff development, resources, and support for the efforts of the teachers.
3. Faculty and staff must have high expectations for themselves as well. This means faculty and staff members must increase the rigor of their instruction, be willing to learn and try new instructional strategies, and be available to provide additional support for students to ensure their success

A Safe and Orderly Climate

It is important to create an environment where all stakeholders feel secure. A safe and orderly school has a positive impact on student achievement.

Our Friday morning professional development focuses on creating a positive environment for learning and best practices in teaching and learning in the content areas.  Our teachers collaborate using protocols to develop better more effective lessons and unit plans, formative and summative assessments.  this “(t)eacher collaboration creates a culture of high student expectations, promotes sharing of best practices, and cultivates a sense of belonging.”  (AMLE)

DCSD and GEORGE WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL BELIEF STATEMENTS

The mission of the Dubuque Community School District is to develop world class learners and citizens of character in a safe and inclusive learning community.  Any form of discrimination or harassment can be devastating to an individual’s academic progress, social relationships and sense of self-worth. Therefore, the Dubuque Community School District will not tolerate discrimination or harassment in its educational program on the basis of a person’s protected status, such as age, color, creed, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, physical attributes, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.

The mission of George Washington Middle School is to develop each student’s learning potential in a caring environment.

PBIS SCHOOL CLIMATE EXPECTATIONS

All adults are responsible for teaching, whether that is within the walls of the classroom or in any other area of the building (hallways, cafeteria, etc).  All adults are responsible for the academic and social/emotional growth of our students.  Even though we are divided into houses, we are one community.  All staff members are expected to contribute to a positive climate/culture.  The culture of our building, our ability to provide consistency with expectations, and commitment to our mission directly impacts student performance and achievement.  Teams should focus on balance.