What exactly do home team teachers do with the time in their day when they don’t have students?
Each day students attend classes with their grade level teachers and they also attend expos (specials) classes. During the time when students are in specials, their teachers meet to plan, develop and discuss curriculum and assessment; meet with support services faculty; look at student work together; or research an educational topic they want information. This time is called “team time” and is a key component of successful middle level programming.

When do parents begin receiving information about upcoming events?
Each month we will send home a middle level events calendar. This calendar will also be posted on our website: www.morrisville.org. There is a lot of great information for you to check out on our website! Visit frequently.

Are there opportunities to volunteer?
Most definitely. Lisa Cross is our parent volunteer coordinator and can be reached by calling the elementary school at 888-3107 or you may contact your child’s home team teacher or the office if you want to come in.

Are there foreign languages offered at middle Level?
No, not at the middle level. Students can take Spanish or French in high school.

Does middle level offer orchestra or band?
Yes, we do. We have a middle level band that students can join. We also have chorus and select chorus. Students in 6th grade also take a general music class where they are introduced to the clarinet or trumpet. Mr. Dan Bruce is our new music teacher.

How do teachers make sure that the homework each night is balanced and reasonable?
Middle level students should expect between 60-90 minutes of homework per night (pg. 10 of the Parent-Student Handbook.) Grade level teachers try to coordinate their assignments, projects and tests to stay within that range. If homework is taking your child considerably longer than the expected duration, please contact your child’s home team teacher.

How do children get “extra help?”
We have a system of support at Peoples Academy Middle Level that happens both in the classroom and out of the classroom. Teachers on grade level teams meet daily to discuss curriculum and student success and struggles. If they realize that a student is having difficulty they create a plan for support which may include extra help within the classroom, working in the Learning Center or attending some intervention workshops for math, literacy or social skills. These intervention workshops run for approximately two weeks per skill. If you have a particular concern, please contact your child’s home team teacher.

How does communication between parents and teachers happen?
Call. If you have any question or concern, call the middle level office and leave a message for your child’s home team teacher and someone WILL get back to you.

How does PAML provide academic challenges and choices?
PAML uses a process called differentiated instruction to work with students to take them to their next learning steps. This looks a lot of different ways. Sometimes students will have choices about how they want to show their learning. Sometimes they will get to choose what they learn and other times how they learn. Many students will participate in PLP’s (personal learning projects.) We are always looking for ways to extend and modify learning activities to meet the needs of students.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Middle Level office at 888-1402.