Our School Plan Progress 2017-2018

Improving Student Learning

The Abbotsford School District’s Strategic Plan reflects our public commitment to BC’s new curriculum by working together to continuously improve learning for each student.

School Goals

Under the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning, all Abbotsford School District schools are required to develop a long term plan to improve student achievement, one that maintains a balance on the intellectual, social and career development of students. Each year, every school will also set individual school goals to assist them in achieving progress. 

Abbotsford Traditional Middle School Goals

Abbotsford Traditional Middle School has a school focus that includes an emphasis on academic achievement.

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PDF icon 2016-17 ATMS School Plan

Intellectual

Our students will learn key academic skills - like reading, writing and math - to encompass the knowledge and processes associated with intellectual development. As learners and meaning-makers, students take subject-specific concepts and content and transform them into a new understanding. 

Our celebrations of learning

1-1 Chromebook Program @ ATMS

Students are very fortunate to learn how to use a wide variety of technological tools while ensuring we stay true to our “Traditional” tenets. Our students have the first and only school wide Chromebook BYOD program in Abbotsford. As a result, our students are able to adapt quickly to technological changes and train themselves for jobs that might not even exist by the time they finish high school. The presentations, research capabilities, and opportunities to explore the new curriculum are astounding at ATMS.

Fine Arts @ ATMS

Fine Arts are a crucial part of a well-rounded education. The ability to be creative, think critically, and cooperate with group members are all enhanced with a Fine Arts education. At ATMS we are proud to offer a band program, as well as art, cooking, sewing, and technology education. We are now experimenting by adding two new courses to our exploratories: drama and music.

Math Problem Solving

At ATMS we embrace the new curriculum and take every opportunity to challenge students with problem solving, collaboration, and team work. Student engagement is clearly demonstrated with inquiry based learning.

Human & Social

Our students will study personal and human social skills and as they relate to students' identity in the world - both as individuals and as members of their community. We are learning that personal and human social skills encompass the abilities students needs to thrive as individuals, to understand and care about themselves and others, and to find and achieve their purposes in the world. 

Our celebrations of learning

Athletics @ ATMS

Studies have shown that students who play sports and engage in physical activity also learn more effectively and become more connected to the school. Here at ATMS we are proud to offer a wide variety of sports for all our students. Some examples of these sports are volleyball, cross-country running, basketball, rugby, soccer and wrestling. Furthermore, we offer intramural sports throughout the school year and daily physical activity in each class. 

Zarish & Gurveen Cooking Show

Students were asked to collaborate and create their own cooking show, just like you might see on television. They chose a recipe to bring to life as they filmed themselves. Later, students went through the editing process and learned how to use “Premier Elements” to make the cooking show come to life. Needless to say, this took collaboration, creativity, as well as technical skills to make the show something to be proud of.

WEB Program and Service @ ATMS

Fostering and building character is another main goal for our school community. As part of the “Schools of Character” we place a value on empathy, responsibility, integrity, courage, respect, and service. Our WEB program (Where Everyone Belongs) takes this opportunity one step further. In this program our Grade 6 students work with our Grade 8 leaders to make the transition to middle school as smooth as possible. Please watch the video and find out more!

Cultural Identity @ ATMS

As part of any inclusive environment we are proud to emphasize cultural identity within the learning environment. At ATMS we place a great value on learning and understanding the cultural similarities and differences. Some examples of this focus include field trips, cultural lunches and celebrations, and Aboriginal worldviews and perspectives.

Character Conference

As a School of Character ATMS is happy to encourage students to model empathy, responsibility, integrity, courage, respect, and service. Our high expectations are are obvious in the hallways, as well as in the class room.

Careers

Our students will succeed in a much different future from the one we envisioned 10 or 15 years ago. It is our responsibility to prepare all children for success in whatever life path they choose, connecting learning opportunities with future career possibilities. We know that real-life experiences - like community involvement, gaining business knowledge, and hands-on-learning - build better students and life-long citizens. 

Our celebrations of learning

Entrepreneur Show

We are always trying to prepare our students for the skills that they will need when they graduate from high school. One such challenge that embodies this goal is the Entrepreneur Challenge. The students that take part learn how to plan, research, create, and sell a product to our other students. The end result is that these students can learn what it takes to be a successful business owner if their career path meanders that way in the future.

Coding @ ATMS

The Chromebooks, and our computer lab are the perfect environment for our students to hone their computing and coding skills. All of our students learn how computer programs work by learning how to code the directions behind the scenes. Another great opportunity to pick up the skills necessary to be successful in the future.

3D Printing  @ ATMS

Another method that we use to engage our students in critical thinking is to have them design and print items on our 3D printers. The skills that our students learn are multi-disciplinary and encompass many abilities that employers of the present and future search for. Robotics is another example of this student learning opportunity.