Long Valley Middle School

Principal’s Message

Mr. Mark S. Ippolito

“…These are the years when youngsters crystallize their beliefs about themselves and firm up their self-concepts, their philosophies of life and their values - the things that are the ultimate determinants of their behaviors."

“Understanding and Appreciating the Wonder Years”
John H. Lounsbury

We at Long Valley Middle School believe that middle level education should be based on the unique needs and characteristics of early adolescent learners. Recent studies have documented the important and critical nature of the adolescent years in the development of responsible and productive secondary learners and the future citizenry of our community. The movement from childhood to adolescence is a time of significant change, rivaled only by the first year of life. Therefore, we view middle school as a transitional period, bridging the gap between elementary and secondary education.

          The Carnegie Foundation’s Turning Points report describes a student who, having been well served during the middle school years, is:

• an intellectually reflective person
• a person en-route to a lifetime of meaningful work
• a good citizen
• a caring and ethical individual
• a healthy person

To make this vision a reality, Turning Points 2000 calls for middle schools that:

• teach a curriculum grounded in rigorous, public academic standards for what students should know and be able to do, relevant to the concerns of adolescents, and based on how students learn best
• use instructional methods designed to prepare every student to achieve higher standards and become lifelong learners
• staff middle grades schools with teachers who are expert at teaching young adolescents, and engage teachers in ongoing, targeted professional development
• organize relationships for learning to create a climate of intellectual development and a caring community of shared educational purpose
• govern democratically, through direct or representative participation by all school staff members, the adults who know students best
• provide a safe and healthy school environment as part of improving academic performance and developing caring and ethical citizens
• involve parents and communities in supporting student learning and healthy development.

Anthony Jackson & Gayle Davis, Turning Points 2000: Educating Adolescents in the 21^st Century, a report of Carnegie Corporation of America. New York: Teachers College Press, 2000

          In achieving the above goals, we recognize the school does not, nor should it, act as the sole provider in supporting students toward this vision. Therefore, we encourage family and community involvement and promote cooperation in encouraging our youngsters to realize their potential. Toward this end, I am available to respond to your questions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail using the information on this site.

Thank you for your interest in our school, and for your continued commitment to providing the students of Washington Township with the education and opportunities they deserve.