AUBURN — After hearing from Auburn Middle School staff about their new teaching methods, School Committee member Bonnie Hayes said Thursday she’s satisfied with what’s happening there.

A School Committee workshop was held Wednesday at Hayes’ request, after she said she was hearing “horror stories” and complaints from parents about the school.

School Principal Jim Hand said the complaints indicated a need for the school to do more communicating with parents and share what the school is doing.

At the workshop, Hand and teachers shared the school’s practices and recent changes in how students are taught.

“It was a really good informational meeting,” Hayes said. “It explained a lot of things that I didn’t know. I am feeling confident about the middle school.”

AMS staff is using customized learning through Bright Futures, a curriculum recommended at the state level for middle schools, Superintendent Katy Grondin said. The school is also involved in expeditionary learning, intended to make learning more relevant and engaging.

Hand and his staff shared how students are learning, including how the school uses technology. Math teacher Jim Carmichael uses an iPad in class that allows him to make videos of his lessons, Hand said. When his students go home, they’re able to replay his lessons on their computer or email him questions.

Middle school students are encouraged to give back to ther community, such as a recent school spaghetti supper that raised $5,000 for Lewiston-Auburn fire victims.

Teachers are doing more integrated learning, which could mean history, English, science and art teachers working together on lessons. There are more student trips off campus, including going to Bates College to see a Wyeth art exhibit, or to the Ferry Beach Ecology School in Saco to learn about Earth science, the environment and conservation.

Students are getting more relevant learning, “but we still have a long way to go,” Hand said. “We are doing more character education for kids, how to make them better decision-makers.”

— Bonnie Washuk

To see the Auburn Middle School’s online student newspaper, go to:

http://www.amsfalconnews.com/