Northwest Middle School is
located in Travelers Rest, South Carolina, which is a growing
community in northern Greenville County. At Northwest, we
believe that all persons should be treated as shareholders in
our educational environment. The school climate is enhanced by
supportive parents and community groups who are active
participants in the school philosophy of "Student Centered
Education." Northwest students are encouraged to achieve to the
highest levels while maintaining appropriate behavior standards
at all times.
Our educational model is
guided by state-mandated Standards Based instruction. Teachers
have been trained in a variety of instructional strategies which
incorporate Learning Focus, Differentiated Instruction, and
Understanding by Design. Northwest is an authorized
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. (IBMYP)
school. IB MYP provides a frame-work of academic challenge that
encourages students to embrace and understand the connections
between traditional subjects and the real world and become
critical and reflective thinkers. NWMS teachers attend
additional training each year to maintain the professional
excellence needed to teach our children and maintain IB
certification. Students have opportunities to take advanced and
challenging classes. High school credit is offered to students
enrolled in Algebra I, Spanish I, and Honors English I.
It would be difficult to find
a school with a more pleasing environment. Implementation of the
International Baccalaureate standards has opened many new
educational avenues for our instructional program while con-
tinuing to enhance established programs which support math and
language arts for low achieving students. Northwest is dedicated
to maintaining the partnership between students, parents, staff,
and the community which has the ultimate goal of educational
success for every child.
WHAT IS
THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL?
The School
Improvement Council (SIC) serves as an advisory committee to a school's
principal and faculty. Unlike PTA/Os and other voluntary school
organizations, councils are mandated by law to exist in every public school in South
Carolina.
In March the SIC met with a representative of the Alliance for
Quality Education (AFQE). The AFQE is an advocacy group that
speaks on behalf of our children, our community and our public
schools to influence legislation, policies, and funding at the
local, state, and federal levels that impact children and our
schools. In light of the budget cuts facing our school district,
that will affect everything from class size to supplies, the SIC
is asking parents and community members to contact their
legislators in support of school funding. Summaries of pending
legislation and their affect on Northwest may be found at AFQE
website: www.afqe.com. A link may be found from the Northwest
SIC web page.
IB Evaluation and Recertification
Northwest Middle School received its five-year program
evaluation visit on March 8 and 9, 2010. Evaluators spoke highly
of teachers, students and community representatives. Teachers
prepared diligently with samples of curriculum, assessments and
evidences that we share the mission and commitment of the IB to
quality international education. The evaluation team submits
evidences of their visitation in a written report to the (IBNA)
International Baccalaureate North America for a committee
review. The Director of IBNA will respond with a written report
to the Head of the School, Mr. Givins over the summer.
Famous
Author Visits Northwest
A joint venture of the media center and the PTSA brought
author Neal Shusterman, ayoung adult author, from California to
Northwest Middle on October 12, 2009. He shared insights and
answered questions with all grade levels about his books, his
novels were sold in the media center, and he was photographed
with each student who had their book autographed.
New School District Bell
Schedule
Beginning in the fall of 2010 Northwest’s school
day will begin at 8:30. The change will not affect the Northwest
bus schedule. Parents will be able to drop off and pick up
students at the same times in the morning and afternoon. For
more information, please refer to Bell Schedule Q and A on the
school’s website.
IB Ambassador Program
Our ambassador program goal is to prepare
student leaders to communicate the goals of our school’s
International Baccalaureate Program and to embody our school’s
mission while representing Northwest Middle School. All students
are encouraged to apply and go through the application and
interview processes. Responsibilities of Northwest Middle School
IB Ambassadors’ participation includes: attend IB Student
Ambassador weekly meetings; greet visitors and introduce them to
faculty and staff members; conduct tours of the school and
explain various school programs; participate in Ambassador
Community and Service activities; demonstrate leadership and
become a role model for other students; maintain a C (80) or
better average in all subjects. Students serve for one year from
October to October of the following year.
Atlanta, GA Trip – In February,
6th grade students, accompanied by teachers, parents and
chaperones, spent the day exploring Atlanta.
Honor Band - The NWMS band received
a “Superior” rating in the South Carolina Band Director’s
Association band competition for the 4th year in a row. In April
the band traveled to Dallas, TX to participate in the Heritage
Concert Festival where they once again received a “Superior”
rating!
Northwest students volunteered at the Special Olympics and
visited Washington, DC, the Humane Society, and a local fire
department. The students presented a moving and memorable
Veteran’s Day program that recognized the sacrifices of
individuals and families in the community.
All of this is possible because of the support of teachers,
parents, friends, business partners and the surrounding
community. Northwest has a lot to be proud of!
The Northwest SIC
would like to thank all of the parents, grandparents, and community
supporters of the Panther Patrons program. Your gifts to Northwest
helped to make a difference in the classroom experience of our children.
If you have not yet made a donation, we covet your support.
You can
make a 2009-2010 tax deductible gift to Northwest by simply sending your check
to Northwest Middle and writing Panther Patrons on the memo line.
Thank
you for your support!
