Piedmont

The Staff
The staff at Piedmont is committed to academic achievement and providing a caring, nurturing, learning environment. All staff members —
teachers, media technician, paraeducators, clerks, secretaries, counselors, and administrators —
work as a team and encourage parent participation to ensure the success of all students.

Student Achievement
Our teachers have high expectations for all students and are implementing the district’s standards. Students will be effective communicators, effective problem solvers, group contributors, and life planners. Teachers work at renewing their skills using the most current research-based information about how students learn.

Teachers are available either before or after school for extra assistance. Innovative programs are being developed by individual teachers and teams of teachers to integrate various aspects of the curriculum to help students engage in the highest level of thinking. English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are provided for students who are not English proficient.

Curriculum
In Social Studies, students are encouraged to explore history beyond the textbook. Individuals, events, and beliefs are examined in a manner that requires students to use complex reasoning skills. Science and math classes address real world issues and problems by integrating investigation, problem solving, and cooperative learning into the curriculum.

Experts from the field are invited to help students gain a better understanding of real world problems. Science classes use state of the art technology in multimedia projects, video digitizing and enhancement, and to access scientific information on the Internet.

The physical education program introduces students to a wide selection of lifetime sports, emphasizes health issues, and cardiovascular fitness.

Language arts classes expect students to extend writing skills through a variety of experiences and apply reading, writing and oral language skills to the analysis of literary works.

Exploratory classes provide students the opportunity to participate in visual and performing arts, applied arts, technology, and foreign language.

Human growth and development classes help students deal with real life issues and understand their own need to make good decisions.

Instruction and Assessment
Teachers use a wide variety of instructional strategies to make learning meaningful.

Technology is used to enhance student learning with computers in individual teacher’s classrooms and two computer labs available to enrich and extend instruction.

Student assessment is an important part of our program. Assessment is used to measure what students have learned, provide the teacher with feedback for program improvement, and provide parents with information about their child’s academic progress. A variety of assessment tools are used which include standardized tests, teacher exams, lab investigations, class assignments, homework, journal writings, and presentations.

Supportive Programs/Services
Students have access to our outstanding counseling services that provide for academic, emotional, and social support.

A variety of sports are offered after school to students who maintain their grades and want to compete against other schools. Recreational activities such as chess, table tennis, science, creative writing, photography, study lab, cooking, computer lab, body conditioning, and wood shop are available throughout the year for all students.

Our School Site Council consists of parents, staff members, and students who work together to oversee the implementation of the school plan and school budgets. The Boosters are a group of parents and teachers who actively engage in fundraisers to support and enhance the programs at school.

Berryessa Union School District supports the idea of "Families"— a middle school and its designated elementary schools. We have joint School Site Council meetings to discuss mutual issues and develop ideas to make the transition from elementary to middle school as easy as possible.

Some suggestions that have already been implemented include better articulation, students coming to the middle school campus to work on special projects, and a beginning of the year barbecue for incoming sixth graders and their parents.

A leadership class affords students the opportunity to be involved in decisions regarding programs and activities and to develop skills necessary to become good leaders.

The Career Center is a unique feature here at Piedmont that features guest speakers and computerized references and resource material both for college and the job market.

School Safety
All teachers have a code of conduct with consequences in their classrooms. There is also a school-wide code of conduct that is enforced by the administration. Students are able to attend school in a safe and orderly environment and are expected to follow these rules and behave in a courteous and considerate manner.

In order to maintain a positive school climate, students are to dress appropriately and a dress code is enforced.

We also participate in the county’s Zero Tolerance program which prohibits the possession of any weapon, dangerous object, or drugs and alcohol on the school campus or any sponsored school activities.

Piedmont Middle School reflects the unique and wonderful community it serves. This is seen in the positive and respectful relationships between our students.