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Janice Dismiss Middle School credit: leaders cite staffing, schedule, programs for gains
Summary
JDMS leaders highlighted staff stability, reorganized schedules, honors pathways, reduced disciplinary incidents and new extracurricular and grant efforts driving gains at the middle school.
Janice Dismiss Middle School staff told the Board of Education the school has shown steady improvement driven by staffing stability, schedule changes and new programming.
Principal Dr. Matthew and Vice Principal Abe Alacone presented the school's turnaround narrative and current programming. They told the board JDMS serves 341 students, with 21% in special education and 15% classified as English language learners; the building employs about 66 faculty and staff.
Administrators credited an extended period of leadership continuity and a hiring push that they say resulted in a highly credentialed staff. "Most of our staff members have a master's degree or above," the presentation said. Leadership said that common planning time, grade "houses" named after Ivy League schools and a strengthened academic block have supported consistency of instruction.
School leaders reported discipline and climate improvements: only four harassment/intimidation/bullying complaints (HIBs) and four out-of-school suspensions year-to-date, described as a 73% reduction from the prior year. They said the Yondr pouch phone plan and expanded recess programming, including a partnership with Bergen Family Center called "the Zone," have helped reduce incidents and provide counseling.
Program highlights leaders described: - Honors selection by triangulating end-of-year grades, NJSLA performance and HMH scores; students can mix honors courses rather than enroll across the board. - Expanded high-level math offerings: a 7th-grade algebra 1 honors pilot started with 15 students; 11 of those were reported to have been proficient on the algebra exam. The 8th-grade geometry group reported 100% meeting/exceeding on the HMH geometry measure. Administrators said the Algebra Project and math discourse strategies contributed to growth. - A broad array of after-school clubs and competitive teams (STEM, Math League, Girls Who Code, Future Business Leaders of America) and targeted programs such as Homework Haven, which uses Title I funds to provide morning and after-school tutoring. - Outreach with community partners including BergenPAC, the Rotary, Bergen Family Center, and local civic groups for mental-health, arts and enrichment support.
Leaders discussed grant work and proposals. They said teachers and alumni fundraising paid for technology upgrades including drones, 3-D printers and podcast stations. They described three grant applications: (1) Botvin life-skills curriculum training from the University of Colorado; (2) an OutRight cycling grant to supply stationary bikes and a cycling program; and (3) a Carnegie Corporation grant to reintroduce AVID as an AVID-iE school model. Administrators said the Carnegie grant application reached the final round but the district did not receive the award.
Looking ahead, JDMS administrators proposed a modified dual-language pathway aimed at producing future Seals of Biliteracy and a proposed educational trip to London and Paris in 2027 with a multi-year parent payment plan.
Ending
JDMS leaders told the board their approach emphasizes whole-child supports, targeted academic acceleration and community partnerships; the board asked for follow-up data and indicated support for continued investment if gains continue.
