Grace M. Breckwedel Middle School is one of two schools in the Jamesburg School District. Approximately 188 students attend classes in heterogeneous groups with a focus on data-driven, differentiated and high level instruction. Our highly qualified and dedicated staff provides opportunities for regular and special education students to interact in traditional and nontraditional settings with an emphasis on high achievement for all students. For the current school year, we continue to offer an Algebra 1 class for qualified 8th grade students.

Board approved District Goals for this school year are: 1. Raise language arts literacy achievement K-8 and mathematics achievement at the elementary level, with particular emphasis on closing the achievement gaps between subgroups 2. Greater utilization and integration of technology across the curriculum K-8 and expansion of Genesis 3. Resolution of the send/receive fiscal issue in order to expand opportunities for our K-8 students 4.  Expansion of community and student outreach and engagement programming.

At the GMB School we continue to provide rigorous course work, requiring all students to complete performance assessments, timed writing samples, and extensive research projects. More specific school objectives and action plans have been crafted to address the stringent No Child Left Behind and NJQSAC accountability mandates in language arts literacy and mathematics.

The use of technology as a learning tool in all content areas is paramount at GMB. Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a wide variety of sources as well as to employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real world. Students use technology to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.

Identified students participate in a Gifted and Talented program as well as Academic Support and ELL After-School programs.  Creative scheduling has resulted in adding an additional 20 minute period that is used to implement programs addressing Bullying and Peer Pressure, Study Skills, and Study Island, a web-based instructional program.  Our Star Student Achiever Program is being implemented as an important component of our character education program.  Students also have an exciting field day to Black Bear lake scheduled at the end of the year.

We are proud of the accomplishments of our teachers and of the recognition the district has received. For example,  as recipients of IMPACT grant funding through Rutgers University, select teachers received training in core content areas and utilize new technology in their classrooms, including scanners, digital cameras, and clickers.  Additionally, in order to bring high quality instruction to our students, teachers in GMB received ongoing training in a variety of instructional models, including Marzano’s Classroom Instruction That Works, Understanding by Design, Co-Teaching, and Benchmark Assessments.  Teachers also attend professional training through the Middlesex County Professional Development Academy and Rutgers Initiative for Improving Student Achievement at Rutgers University. We will be training teachers this year in a new Teacher Effectiveness Model and Response to Intervention.

Finally, our district theme, Celebrating Pride in Ourselves, Our Schools, Our Community, continues to be showcased in our school.  At GMB, we proudly promote a student-centered school community, with an active support network to facilitate student success, increase motivation, and develop independent thinking in our students. Please visit our website at www.Jamesburg.org to see all that our school has to offer.

Gail S. Verona, Ed.D., Principal/Superintendent of Schools
732-521-0303

gverona@jamesburg.org