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• Grade 8 Virtual Art Show
• Grade 7 Virtual Art Show
• Distance Learning Art Show

The English program recognizes the diversity of its learners and individual strengths, interests, and abilities of middle school students. Students will read with understanding and respond thoughtfully as they enhance their writing skills. They will understand and appreciate texts from a variety of literary periods and genres. In addition, students will continue to read informational texts to help support their understanding of the historical context of the literature read. Developing skills to read, write, speak, listen, and view texts to construct meaning enables students to become independent, lifelong learners.

Level I English/Language Arts is designed for high achieving students who consistently demonstrate superior ability in written expression, who are highly motivated and consistently responsible, and who have a sincere interest in reading. At this level, students are expected to be independent learners, apply their knowledge, and also manifest the ability to work in collaborative groups. Students must demonstrate evidence of abstract reasoning and higher order thinking skills, including inferential, interpretive, evaluative, and analytical skills.

Level II English/Language Arts is designed to instruct and challenge students in written expression and motivate students to develop a sincere interest in reading. Students develop skills as independent learners, apply knowledge, and work in cooperative groups. Students will continue to develop abstract and higher order thinking skills, including inferential, interpretive, evaluative, and analytical skills, helping them grow into mature and independent learners.

The Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum prepares students to function in an ever-changing world, as they learn how to manage their life and work effectively. Our goal is to assist students in becoming productive, contributing members of society. Through experiential learning, students work in an active, product-oriented setting which develops responsibility, motivation, creativity, interpersonal skills, problem-solving strategies, time saving techniques, and many other life skills. Lab work, projects, and hands-on activities guide learning.

Health Services website

HJMS Library Media Center

The mathematics courses for grades 7 and 8 are student-centered and are aligned with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards and Connecticut State Framework for Mathematics. Math classes in both grade 7 and 8 incorporate a variety of teaching strategies in order to meet the needs of all students. The objectives are to develop critical thinking, problem solving and reasoning skills, and to learn how to communicate mathematically.

We offer two levels of math as an additional way of meeting the developmental needs of our students at the middle school level. Placement is based on standardized achievement test results, district assessment performance, classroom performance, and teacher recommendation.

The music education program is designed to engage students in a broad depth and breadth of musical experiences. While at Henry James Memorial School all students are required to participate either in band, orchestra, chorus, or music technology. To be a member of the band and orchestra, a student must have prior instrumental experience and in some cases may be required to participate in an audition process.

At Henry James, students have the opportunity to participate in both an instrumental ensemble (band or orchestra) and chorus. Although we will make every effort to accommodate students who would like to participate in two groups, this may not be possible in all cases. If a student selects more than one music choice, the number of days in the individual course will be reduced.

The Physical Education and Wellness program has been created based upon the SHAPE America and National Health Standards.  Through a variety of different units, students will receive instruction that focuses on the core concepts of accessing health information, self-management of healthy behaviors, analyzing internal and external influences, communication skills, decision-making, goal setting, and advocacy. Students receive essential information and skills to make decisions that pertain to their physical, social, emotional, and mental health.  In addition, students participate in lifetime fitness and team-related activities that encourage the HJ Way, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Students are given opportunities to build and expand their skill set to create the foundation for becoming lifelong healthy and active individuals.

See also School Counseling Department website

The school counseling program is designed to work in conjunction with all school services to provide an environment conducive to helping middle school students achieve success. All seventh and eighth graders are assigned to one of three school counselors for their two years at Henry James Memorial School. Students often have concerns about their transition, schedule, family or friends. The middle school counselors are trained to give assistance on these issues. Students are encouraged to speak to their counselor individually or in small groups as issues arise.

A developmental guidance curriculum is implemented by the counselors throughout the year and is encapsulated in our Student Success Plan (SSP). As part of the SSP, all students will create a Personal Learning Plan with their counselors in both grade 7 and grade 8. Students will set personal, academic, and career goals while exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Topics such as respect, responsibility, goal-setting, tolerance, and problem solving are discussed in both grade 7 and grade 8. Individual groups in transition, divorce, bereavement, stress, anger management and problem solving are held during the year as needed. Students may ask for or be referred by their teachers or parents for these groups.

The school counselors and other support team members (administration, school psychologist and social worker) meet with the teams on a regular basis to discuss student performance and behavioral and social concerns. This process is called "Hands Up" and encourages discussions of all students several times a year. Classroom interventions are suggested that help to ensure that all students experience success. The School Counseling Department organizes and supports programs during the school year, including: Grade 6-7 Transition Programs, Grade 7 Orientation, Leadership Academy, Choice activities, Lunch and Learn, CMT preparation and Grade 8-9 Transition Programs.

The school counselors consult regularly with parents and teachers. Team conferences are arranged either by contacting the student’s team leader or the individual counselor. Appointments may be arranged by calling the school counseling office at 860-651-3341, ext. 2.

The science curriculum is designed to develop the students’ natural curiosity about living things and the world around them, to teach students how to discover those answers, and learn that through science, lives and society can be improved.

Throughout the year, students become familiar with problem solving and the scientific method of inquiry. This enables students to design, develop, and carry out their own investigations. Technology (computers, internet, Smartboard presentations and computer simulation programs) is incorporated into the curriculum in a useful and meaningful way, with an emphasis upon science processing skills. Emphasis on understanding science and its place in society (and our everyday lives) helps students realize the value of learning science. The courses also foster the development of good study habits, organizational skills, self-discipline, and responsibility.

The social studies program is designed to promote an understanding of the world, human interaction, cultural diversity, and cultural heritage. Additionally, the program provides students with the knowledge and understanding of the past and the present in order to predict and plan for the future. At Henry James Memorial School, social studies fosters the recognition of inter-relationships among the sciences and humanities and provides students the necessary understandings to become responsible citizens and communicators.

SCIENTIFIC-BASED RESEARCH INTERVENTION

The Simsbury Public Schools has adopted a Scientific Research-Based Intervention (SRBI) model that includes a three-tiered system of interventions. As students move up the SRBI Pyramid, the intensity of interventions increases, and interventions become more individualized to meet the needs of students who require support.

Special education and related services are provided to students who have been identified under the following disability categories as outlined in federal and state statutes: Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Emotional Disturbance, Orthopedic Impairment, Deaf-Blindness, Traumatic Brain Injured, Autism, Other Health Impairment (ADHD, etc.), Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disability.

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed to outline, among other items, the student’s present level of educational performance, annual goals, short-term objectives, special education instructional/related services, and any accommodations/modifications necessary within special and/or regular education classrooms.

At Henry James Memorial School, highly qualified and certified special education teachers instruct students in co-taught environments and on an individual and/or small group basis to assist them in developing academic, social/emotional and/or compensatory skills. A number of special education programs are available for students based on individual need. Students are included in regular academic and elective courses to the fullest extent possible as determined by the Planning and Placement Team (PPT).

Parents having questions about the availability, appropriateness, or adequacy of Special Services Programs for their child should contact the principal or the Director of Pupil Services, at 860-658-3873. A brochure, "A Parent and Student Guide to Special Education in the Simsbury Public Schools," which explains special services and outlines procedural safeguards for parents, is available in each school. A copy may also be obtained from the Department of Pupil Services. In addition, information on special education services can be found at our website (www.simsbury.k12.ct.us) by clicking on the "District/Pupil Services" link.

Tier 1 Intervention through Hands-Up Universal Screening

Tier 2 and 3 Interventions

Student Intervention Team (SIT)

HJMS Intervention Programs

TIER 2 READING is designed to provide students with opportunities to practice, use, and apply a wide range of reading strategies to literature and content-based materials. Through continued teacher modeling and guided practice, students will be able to independently use multiple strategies to improve their understanding of text. Critical thinking and responding to text are emphasized.

TIER 3 READING Students recommended for Tier 3 Reading will receive an intensive 90-minute reading and language arts intervention designed to improve reading and writing abilities using a research-based program. This comprehensive literacy curriculum targets the needs of struggling readers and accelerates progress toward grade-level proficiency by using a sequential, skill-based instructional format that addresses all learning styles. Students receive direct, explicit instruction in the six important areas of reading and language arts: phonemic awareness and phonics, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and writing.

English Language (EL) Program

The primary focus of the Simsbury Public Schools EL program is to ensure that all English Language Learners receive high quality instruction that will result in English language proficiency. Trained EL tutors have been designated to support identified students. EL student support services are determined through the collaboration of the EL tutor, designated Reading teacher, and classroom teachers based on data from the LAS Links testing, as well as state and district assessments. EL student support services at HJMS may include individual/small group instruction with an EL tutor, Tier 2/Tier 3 Reading, Academic Support Center tutoring, and/or classroom modifications monitored by the Reading teacher.

Academic Support Center (ASC)

The Academic Support Center (ASC) offers additional support to students who have been identified for the intervention based upon state and district assessments, as well as classroom performance in the areas of language arts, math, and/or content areas. The intervention program provides students with additional practice, reteaching, and opportunities to transfer and apply skills independently. Interventionists deliver focused, research-based instruction and monitor student progress to measure understanding and to adjust instruction. The program also helps students develop study skills, including work completion, organization, planning, note taking, and studying for tests and quizzes.

Student Success Center (SSC) Afterschool Program

The SSC provides a supervised afterschool homework completion intervention. Students are recommended by their team or through SIT. The goal of the program is to assist students with completing daily homework assignments. Students receive help in organizing their materials and planning for upcoming assignments. Students are monitored by the SSC staff. A student can be removed from SSC once he/she begins to consistently and successfully complete homework through SSC support, gains academic confidence, and improves grades.

Technology education is a meaningful learning experience for all students. All are provided with the knowledge and skills to confidently utilize, create, manage, assess and understand technology. Students develop the skills necessary to become technically literate in today’s ever-changing world. In technology education we emphasize academic, technical and social growth by integrating mathematics, science, humanities and engineering concepts. Through strong vertical articulation, the middle school exploratory program and the high school clusters prepare students for success beyond high school in an advanced technological society.

World Language Choices for Grade 7

The world language program is designed to provide 7th and 8th grade students with opportunities to develop and expand their proficiency in the five language skill areas: speaking, listening, reading, writing, and culture. Students make cross-cultural comparisons and connections to other areas of study as they increase their awareness of the social and cultural values of other societies. Students work collaboratively to communicate in the language on a daily basis and to express themselves in new and fun ways. All students have the opportunity to succeed and are assessed in a variety of formats.

World language is a required full-year academic subject in both grades 7 and 8. Students have the opportunity to continue with Spanish or enroll in Chinese, French, or Latin as they enter middle school in grade 7. Classes in all four languages continue in grade 8.

However, depending on enrollments, we may or may not be able to honor each student’s first choice of language. Students will be notified if their first choice becomes unavailable.