BACK TO SCHOOL 2011: Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School

students shouldn't be bored with the curriculum this year, because a new initiative should offer something for everybody.

In lieu of an MCAS Prep block, Principal Tom Brow said that this year the middle school will offer 36 new exploratory courses in English, math, science and history. Each teacher in those subject areas will see three different groups of students throughout the course of the year.

"For example, Mr. Whittier’s teaching a course in English in the sixth grade called ‘Film as Literature,’" Brow said. "In the seventh grade, Mr. Mayers is teaching an exploratory English 7 course, which is 'Introduction to the Theater.' Mrs. Haney is teaching a course called 'Fables, Fairy Tales and Folktales.' In the eighth grade. Ms. Johnson will be teaching a course called 'Poetry and Music.' Those are just some of the examples of the 36 exploratory courses."

Brow also added that because of the trimester schedule the middle school implemented last year, some students will be taking as many as 17 elected courses in one school year.

New web-based program gives parents access to schedule, student records

The middle school is also moving to a new web-based program called Aspen, which Brow said will integrate grade books, scheduling, and family and student portals as a communication tool that integrates with the COGNITE system currently used at the middle school.

"What makes this program a little different from what we had in the past was that COGNITE was a tool which students, parents and teachers could use, but it was separate from our scheduling and reporting tool, which was called Admin Plus," he said. "So we got a new tool that combined all the various data-keeping features. Parents will be able to have access to students records and also, just like they did in the past through COGNITE, to their individual classrooms."

Partnering with Tufts mentoring program and more

Other new initiatives and changes at the middle school this year, according to Brow:

• The school is partnering with Tufts University's STOMP program (Student Teacher Outreach Mentoring Program), through which a science mentor from Tufts will team with a seventh grade science teacher at the middle school.

• The middle school is collaborating with the in offering over 20 programs for middle school students after school, including: two football teams; a hockey team for the first time; basketball; track and field teams; cheerleading squads and more.

• For the first time, a small group of middle school students will be taking online, virtual high school courses.

• There will be a record 50 co-taught classes.

• There are at least nine new faculty members.