Middle School
Middle School
Exploration, Transition
Learning, Experiencing, Growing
A time of discovery
Adolescence
Welcome to Brazil, São Paulo and the Graded Community! This is your Middle School! The above poem is called a cinquain. It is meant to capture the essence of the "Middle Years." The "Middle Years" are a journey of significant personal growth. This journey is truly exciting and follows many different paths. It is important to turn bumpy paths into learning opportunities and to celebrate when we reach scenic lookouts.
At Graded Middle School we believe:
- that each person is deserving of respect and caring;
- that all community members - students and staff - are capable of learning;
that all community members have the right to learn and work in an environment that
fosters a feeling of comfort and self esteem and that is safe and attractive;
that conflict should be handled in ways that show respect for oneself and others and for the physical safety of all;
that individuality and diversity in backgrounds and culture need to be respected;
that all community members can make choices that contribute to our mutual success.
Our program is designed so students engage in an academically rigorous program that values individual learning styles. We foster a warm, cooperative learning environment in which students develop a strong sense self and develop a sound understanding of their role as a responsible citizen in a pluralistic society. The ultimate goal of educators is to develop the skills needed by students in order that they may enjoy life-long intellectual, social, artistic, emotional, and physical well-being. We recognize the significance and the honor that you have entrusted us with your children. Indeed, our community works in partnership to ensure that the best interests of students is the underlying premise of what we do collectively as a school and individually as teachers.
Sincerely,
Jim Urquhart
Middle School Principal
