We are looking forward to another year of learning and growth for students and staff at Manhattan Middle School of Arts and Academics. This year we will focus on the integration of the Arts in all content areas.  In addition, we will continue to study and implement high leverage instructional strategies that benefit all learners. Finally, we will further explore ways to meet all students’ needs while holding high academic and behavioral expectations for all students. We have seen a positive effect on our school climate since the implementation of the RISE (Respect, Individual responsibility, Safety and Excellence) code of expectations for behavior.

Our commitment to academic excellence and student achievement continues to be at the center of all of our endeavors. Our School Improvement Plan goals are in the areas of mathematics and literacy. Our math teachers are continuing to implement the findings of a three-year partnership with CU and BVSD to address teaching strategies for deep conceptual understanding in mathematics. In addition, Manhattan is fortunate to be among select schools to participate in a grant-sponsored, year-long professional development program provided by the Center for Transforming Learning and Teaching. Teachers will have the opportunity to learn how to apply the most current research in assessment. Our school Organizational Goal states, “All curricular and extracurricular activities at Manhattan will be reflective of school student demographics.” This Organizational Goal is designed to decrease the “opportunities gap.”

School climate is always an area focus for us. We will be hosting a series of events throughout the year to strengthen our connections to families and support parents’ understanding of school climate issues including the social-emotional development of adolescents. Our first presentation of the year, sponsored by our counselors, is titled, “Supporting Your 6th grader Through the Transition to Middle School.”  In addition,. our weekly advisory program includes instruction on Bully Proofing and Creating a Caring Community in sixth grade, Becoming an Ally in seventh grade and Peace Jam in eighth grade. Academic accountability, community service, and relationship building are also stressed through our Advisory program. New Vista High School students run our Restorative Justice program, which serves as a way for students to resolve conflicts in a productive manner. Many of our faculty members are also participating in a year-long district sponsored equity leadership training. We are proud of the distinction we gained 2 years ago as becoming the first school in the Rocky Mountain Region to gain the ADL designation as a No Place for Hate campus.

We continue to be recognized by various agencies for our strong sense of caring for others in our city, state, country, and world. Several service learning projects have become an on-going part of our community’s experience including Coats for Kids, a Penny Pot fundraising drive, and contributions to the Melanoma Society and the Tracy Ayers Fund. These efforts will continue during the 2009/2010 school year.

Thanks to all of you who help us to sustain and increase our momentum in providing the very best educational experience for all students at Manhattan.

Robbyn Fernandez, Principal