General Smallwood Middle School is working to address the many challenges that young people face in a rapidly changing suburban rural area. Academically, the school is focusing on reading across the content to improve student performance. The school has implemented a new behavior management program focusing on positive reinforcement that has significantly improved school climate.
Accomplishments. Since the full-service community school started at Smallwood, the school has been recognized by the district for its gains in attendance and homework completion.
After-school activities. About 97 students attend homework club and recreational activities four days a week after school.
Summer camp. The full-service community school collaborates with the Department of Community Services to offer summer activities for students. The full-service community school was the first to offer a summer camp for young teens in the County.
Attendance Incentives. The full-service community school hosts dances for students who miss less than three days of school each semester. The dances are credited with improving Smallwood's attendance rate.
School Day Activities: Mental Health Counseling. The lead agency, Tri-County Youth Services Bureau, runs Behavior Management groups for approximately 8 students at a time.
Family and Community Involvement. The full-service community school at Smallwood offers recreational activities for parents in the evening and offers access to its computer library after school.
Collaborations. The full-service community school has brought valuable resources to the school. Project Talent Search from the University of Southern Maryland provides tutoring and exposes the students to education beyond high school.
Tri-County Youth Services, Inc. is the lead community based organization collaborating with General Smallwood Middle School in developing a full-service community school. The partnership is addressing needs identified by the community, top among them safe, educationally rich environments for youth before and after school, on weekends and during the summer months.
The following programs and services have been built around the school's
instructional core: extended day activities, group sessions for behavior
management for a small number of students, outreach to parents and outreach
to community.
The Milton S. Eisenhower Foundation provides funding, technical assistance
and process and outcomes evaluations of the full-service school program.
General Smallwood has seen initial improvement as a result of the full-service
community school initiative: increased homework completion, better attendance,
and improved behavior and academic performance.
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Mr. Charles Gibson
Program Coordinator |
Ms. Karen Kunkel, Principal
Contact Person: Mr. Charles Gibson (301) 743-5422
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