School Philosophy

Smith-Hale Junior High was established in 1965 for the purpose of instructing the young people of the Smith-Hale Junior High School community in the democratic principles of an evolving society. As a public education facility, Smith-Hale Middle School follows the standards of the community as expressed in the directives of the elected representatives of the community.

The school shares with the home and the community the task of preparing its young people for responsible citizenship in the adult world. Education is both a right and a privilege and as such carries responsibilities that must be borne by all involved in the education process. Cooperation is based on mutual respect and understanding by the community, educators, and students.

Through sound pedagogical practices the school provides a firm foundation in broad general knowledge. Smith-Hale's program is diversified to engage each student at the level of his interest and ability in meaningful activities that bring him to a sense of his own worth, thus providing for the full development of the individual's mental, social, emotional, and physical potentials.

Education transmits cultural heritage. It provides the student with an understanding of the past and an ability to prepare for a better future.
 
 
 

We Believe...

  • The building will be kept in a state of cleanliness. The physical climate of a building affect's everyone's attitude.
  • You must establish an academic climate. This communicated by various adults. Academics are used to form leisure time pursuits.
  • Use academic skills to solve real problems, such as, allowing math students to figure attendance percentages, or an art student design your newsletter to parents.
  • Have high expectations but have reasonable acceptance of failure. Recognize the diversity of students and give awards/rewards often.
  • Use equity and judgement in remediating behavior.
  • That students can impact decisions about their school.
  • Information should be shared with teachers.
  • School should be a secure place. It should not ridicule or embarrass the student.
  • School should be a civil place for students. It should not accept students hassling students, etc.
  • The school is a place where students work on the obtainment of knowledge (learning).
  • There must be positive interactions between students and peers, and students and adults.
  • Focusing on small successes by students.
  • In building physical activity (hands on) into classroom learning.
  • In giving students structure and clear limits.
  • In giving attention to all levels of students competence and achievement.
  • The school should provide meaningful student participation in the community and community activities.
  • Students are given opportunities for finding self-worth and self-definition.
  • You cannot take children out of their context and expect to teach them.
  • If you do not know the character of the student... If you do not understand the behavior of the student... If you cannot accept the child, then how are you going to teach him/her?
  • We do not propagate winners and losers, rather, at our school, teachers will use win-win resolutions of conflicts.
     

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