Birchland Park Middle School

            Birchland Park Middle School, serving a population of 700 students in grades six, seven, and eight, offers its occupants a state-of-the-art technology education center, family & consumer science lab, library media center, TV studio, two computer labs, science labs and 50 classrooms.  Each learning space is equipped with four student and one teacher computer station, and television monitors with VCR, CD and DVD capabilities.  The physical plant is designed to offer residents use of a ‘community wing’ that includes a gymnasium, equipped with a climbing wall, a cafetorium (large group seating of 600), and a community room for civic gatherings.  Equipped with an emergency generator, it is the main emergency shelter for the community.  The athletic fields complex offers track and field event stations, two softball diamonds with spectator seating, a soccer field, and a walking track for school and community use.  In addition, the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative, and the Willie Ross School for the Deaf house component programs at BPMS with students from both of these programs integrated into BPMS classrooms.

            BPMS provides a comprehensive academic program, cultural enrichment through fine arts and foreign language exploration and an emphasis on wellness through instruction in physical education and health education.  Students work in teams of approximately 115 students that create small communities of learners.  Team teachers meet daily to plan for student needs, coordinate and integrate units of instruction, and contact parents through team meetings, teacher web pages, email and a nightly homework posting at eBoard.com.  A comprehensive guidance program is designed to assist students in dealing with the challenges of early adolescence.  Attention to all learning styles and abilities is accomplished through a gifted & talented program, grade level Learning Centers, and through special education assistance.  The student-run TV Studio provides a daily morning news program with close captioning and develops teaching videos for the instructional program.  BPTV has been featured in regional and national publications and educational conferences for its innovative and exemplary curriculum.  This year BPMS was selected as a semi finalist for best middle school practices by the New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS) Spotlight Schools Award.

            The middle school has developed a strong relationship with the greater community of East Longmeadow through partnerships with the Scantic Valley YMCA, American Saw, Veritech, The Reminder and the East Longmeadow Chamber of Commerce allowing local businesses to share their talents with students, provide one-on-one mentoring to students, and plant the seeds for career exploration field trips for grade 7 culminating each year in an annual Career Day for grade 8 students.  Educational partnerships exist with American International College, Springfield College, Westfield State College, Elms College, and the University of Massachusetts.  The BPMS PTO conducts an annual magazine drive whose profits are used to support enrichment programs, assemblies, field trips and special requests from teachers.

            In addition to the academic program, many extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities exist for middle school students.  Band, chorus, jazz band, Mathcounts, yearbook, student council, peer educators, community service club, National Junior Honor Society, Harmony Team, Birchland Banner, the school newspaper, and drama club are available beyond the school day to allow students to develop a wide range of interests.  Resources from the Healthy Choice Grant supports the 5-2-1 Club which advocates healthy behaviors.  The Scantic Valley YMCA offers students the opportunity to take part in after school intramurals, a cooking club, an art club and periodic dances.