Wednesday, July 12, 2017

NMS Recognized As a 2017 "Model School"



John T. Nichols, Jr. Middle School Recognized As A Model School

On June 24 through June 27, Mr. Geoghegan was invited to the 25th Annual ICLE Model Schools Conference to present as a Model School.


The Model Schools Conference highlights schools that are transforming how education is delivered to its students.  Many of the 35 schools are picked for their tremendous gains in statewide assessments or turnarounds in how the school is performing.


There is, though, the culture of a school that cannot just be calculated with scores, and this is how we made the list as one of those recognized thirty-five Model Schools from across the country.


Our culture and climate is something we should be very proud of.  And one we were recognized for and celebrated.


Mr. Geoghegan in his presentations talked about our TIGERS program, ROAR Awards, #ShadowAStudent days, 1:1 Chromebook environment, and of course our #PositiveSignThursday tweets.


The #PositiveSignThursday portion of the presentation, definitely got the most from the presentation attendees.  Mr. Geoghegan also discussed some of our faculty and staff culture-building celebratory initiatives we have done such as faculty Pineapple Charting or Friday Memoing. 


In the end, it is as important as any indicator to school success:  Relationships and Relationship-Building.


Dr. Bill Daggett, the founder of the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE), stressed this in his opening keynote address that "Building relationships with our students is one of the most important things we can do as schools."


It was an incredible honor to represent the Middleborough Public Schools and specifically the John T. Nichols, Jr. Middle School at the 2017 Model Schools Conference.  I had an excellent time learning about the other schools and districts about what are doing, and am looking forward to putting to use some of those ideas.


I am also looking forward to another magnificent school year, where maybe we again can be a Model School for 2018.