Roberto Clemente MS

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Comprehensive Programs

The IB Mission:

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

The Roberto Clemente Mission:

We inspire passion in individuals through authentic learning experiences that connect with student interest and global issues. We recognize the diverse needs of our students and adapt our instructional approaches to allow for learning to be demonstrated in multiple ways.

We develop the whole child through the integration of the learner profile within our instructional program. We value and prioritize social emotional learning and wellness by cultivating a supportive and restorative community that provides spaces for students to acknowledge and celebrate their individual identities.

We create agents of change by facilitating collaboration, critical thinking and risk taking. We continue to build a community of lifelong, reflective learners devoted to restorative justice that positively affects global and local change through inquiry and direct action.

About the IB at RCMS:

As of the 2018-2019 school year, Roberto Clemente Middle School has been officially authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) World School.  These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Roberto Clemente Middle School believes is important for our students.  This authorization status serves as recognition of the significant efforts by all stakeholders to utilize a philosophy that encompasses the whole child and encourages students to be global citizens who strive to improve the world around them.

As we continue to implement the philosophy of the International Baccalaureate Programme, we constantly review and shift how we plan and deliver instruction to students. Teachers will continue to plan collaboratively, and we will focus on cross-curricular concepts and units. We will focus on educating the whole child through the implementation of the learner profiles and increasing international mindedness. We will continue to plan for opportunities for students to research topics; students will take ownership of their learning by inquiring into topics of interest. We will continue to engage in International Baccalaureate professional development embedded throughout the school day.

Throughout the year, RCMS students can expect to:

• Participate in authentic learning explorations to demonstrate their understanding of content,

• Explore the purpose of each learner profile trait and receive recognition,

• Engage in design cycle projects through PE and Health classes,

• Experience lessons that specifically build communication, social, thinking, research and self-management skills,

• Connect learning across content areas through an MYP in-school field trip,

• investigate and collaborate with a group to complete the MYP community project to address a need within the community (grade 8 students only).

For more information about the Middle Years Programme, please visit the official IB website at: www.ibo.org.  
You may also contact the Middle Years Programme Coordinator at RCMS, Elizabeth Gall.

RCMS MYP Policies

What is so special about IB programmes?

• IB programmes are recognized around the world and ensure an increased adaptability and mobility for IB students.

• The curriculum and pedagogy of IB programmes focus on international perspectives of learning and teaching, while insisting that students fully explore their home culture and language.

• IB World Schools must undergo an exhaustive authorization process in order to offer one or more of the programmes, which includes a study of the school’s resources and commitment to the IB mission and philosophy.

• IB teachers participate in a wide variety of professional development opportunities to constantly update their knowledge and share their expertise with colleagues around the world.

• Many students graduating from the Diploma Programme find that it enhances their opportunities at tertiary institutions. The IB works closely with universities around the world to gain recognition for IB programmes.

Interdisciplinary Events:

As one way to recognize interdisciplinary learning and international mindedness, each grade level participates in an in-school field trip each year to celebrate and connect learning across multiple subject areas.  These events utilize performances, guest speakers and lessons that focus around a common theme.  While subject to change, themes for the current year are as follows:

• 6^th Grade – Passport Through China
• 7^th Grade – Exploring Latin America
• 8^th Grade – Maryland Then and Now

Volunteering Opportunities:

We always need help during our MYP days (see above) for anyone interested in guest speaking, supply preparation, and/or serving lunch!

Contact Elizabeth Gall for additional opportunities!

Elizabeth K. Gall
Middle Years Program Coordinator
Roberto Clemente Middle School
Email: Elizabeth_K_Gall@mcpsmd.org

Phone: 301-284-4750
Fax: 301-601-0370