My greatest priorities are to provide a safe environment and to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn from teachers who hold high expectations for all students. I plan to spend a good deal of my time in classrooms getting to know students and observing our teachers and students as they engage in the process of learning. Spending time in classrooms allows me to gain valuable information about how our students are performing, which then helps to guide our school improvement efforts. Each Thursday will be a minimum day at Aviara Oaks Middle and students will be dismissed at 1:10 p.m. This time will allow our teachers to collaborate on a regular basis with other teachers in their grade level, subject area, and with teachers at the other middle schools and high school in the district.

Middle school marks the age when students begin to assert their desire for independence from parents. While this is a very appropriate and normal stage of adolescent development, I encourage parents to stay actively involved in the education of their children throughout the middle years and beyond. One of the best things you can do to support your child is to make sure they attend school regularly. School attendance is one of the strongest factors that correlate to academic success. I also encourage parents to communicate frequently with teachers regarding the progress of your child. Our teachers have 150 students or more on their caseload and are unable to contact parents as frequently as elementary teachers. You can also support your child at home with providing them with daily structured time for homework and helping them organize and prioritize schoolwork.

Your child will have a wonderful educational experience here at AOMS through the cooperative efforts of our staff and our families. If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your support and for sending us such great kids!

Marge Watson
Principal, Aviara Oaks Middle School