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National Network of Partnership Schools

The National Network of Partnership Schools was established at Johns Hopkins University in 1996 to assist schools that are committed to developing strong programs of school, family, and community partnerships.  Each Partnership School strengthens its program with an Action Team for partnerships, a framework of involvement to engage parents, and a written Action Plan for goal-oriented family and community involvement linked to the School Improvement Plan.  District, state and other leaders assist schools to develop, evaluate, and continually improve their partnership programs.
 
Upper Merion Area Middle School joined the National Network of Partnership Schools in 2009.   We formed an action team of stakeholders and developed an Action Plan to further strengthen the already existing partnerships that we have built with parents, and business and education programs over the last ten years.

 

Community of Caring, Character Education Partnership and the National Network of Partnership Schools intermesh to provide professional development and to share best practices regarding parent and community involvement in order to inspire character, leadership, scholarship and service!

 

In September the National Network of Partnership Schools awarded Upper Merion Area Middle School a Promising Practice Award for our strong Transition Program for Grades 4 to 5.
 
 

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Upper Merion Area Middle School Teachers

Awarded Promising Practices and

Community of Caring Lead Teacher Awards

 

 

            In addition to Upper Merion Area Middle School being awarded the 2010 National School of Character in May, three of our teachers were also awarded prestigious Promising Practice Awards representing extraordinary educational practices which serve as models for other schools nationally.

            Amy Paciotti, a co-sponsor of Community of Caring, developed a motivational lesson and activity entitled “Soaring to Success” that united the entire school in discussing their goals and focus for the week of PSSA assessments.  Students excitedly wrote their goals on stars and attached them to their homeroom’s poster.  All posters were placed at the entry way to their classrooms for all to see each morning, reminding students to do their best on the tests. 

            Laura Beecher, co-sponsor of Community of Caring, has worked tirelessly with students to educate our school family about proper recycling.  Student leaders then developed a system of collecting the recycling for the entire school.  The Recycling Club earned two awards for helping the middle school in going green.

            Mrs. Paciotti’s and Ms. Beecher’s Promising Practice Awards were from the Character Education Partnership.

            Mrs. Kara Howell also received a Promising Practice Award from the John’s Hopkins National Network of Partnership Schools for her efforts in transitioning students from Grades 4 – 5.

            The Lead Teacher awards were presented by the National Community of Caring at their recent Conference in Sarasota, Florida.