Philosophy
The Matthew Henson Middle School philosophy centers on the student. The middle school years are a special time in the early stages of adolescence. They have a great variety of physical, social, emotional and academic needs, which the school, the home, and the community must endeavor to meet. Charles County offers a well-balanced middle school program by emphasizing basic skills and by providing opportunities to explore new, enriching, and challenging areas. At Matthew Henson Middle School, the child is the focal point of all effort. To develop each to his/her best intellectual potential is our mission.
Matthew Henson Biography
Matthew A. Henson Middle School was named in honor of Matthew Alexander Henson, who was co-discoverer of the North Pole and the first person in recorded history to set foot on the North Pole. He was born in Nanjemoy, Charles County, Maryland, on August 8, 1866.
Henson served on expeditions with Admiral Robert E. Peary as his personal attendant and dogsled driver. Henson was the only American who accompanied Peary when the explorers reached the North Pole in 1909. Before his death in 1955 in New York City, Henson wrote A NEGRO EXPLORER AT THE NORTH POLE and lectured widely around the country.
History
On April 8, 1962, the State of Maryland in Henson's honor placed a plaque and monument on the ground of Pomonkey Junior-Senior High School, now Matthew A. Henson Middle School. It was not until 1969, however, that the school’s name was changed to Matthew Henson Middle School. This event occurred simultaneously with the conversion of the school from high school to middle school. Before the changeover, the building served as an integrated junior-senior high school from 1966 to 1968 and from 1958 to 1966 was one of the two junior-senior high schools serving the black population of Charles County.
The present building was constructed in 1958. An addition to the building was completed in 1962. In January 1982, an extensive renovation of the facility was completed. The building is now a modern educational facility designed to serve 775 students. Incorporated into the redesign were:
- Media Learning Center, which holds up to 150 students
- A modern school library media center
- Air conditioning in all areas except the gym
- Carpeting in 80% of the building
- A closed circuit TV system
- A computer lab
- A modern two-way communications system
- Internet and wide area network access
During the summers of 2002 and 2003 eight portable classrooms were installed on the south side of the main building. The back parking lot with perimeter sidewalks was renovated during the winter of 2002 and spring of 2003. The Kate Donahue Memorial Garden was dedicated in the spring of 2004 and new landscaping for the front of the school walkway was completed during the summer of 2004 and 2005. A wireless network system was installed in the fall of 2006. During the summer of 2007, all carpeting and tiling was replaced, lockers were painted, student restrooms renovated, and hallway and cafeteria lighting upgraded. Over several years, the Environment Club, with funding from the PTO and Chaney Enterprises has planted native flowering trees along the driveway and built a butterfly garden behind the school. There are future plans to replace all windows, provide security cameras for entrances and common areas, and to replace the flooring in the gymnasium.
School Organization
The Henson Staff is divided into teams for instructional and organizational purposes.
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM – The principal and vice principals oversee the instructional program and all supportive operations.
TEAM 6 – All sections of sixth grade students and teachers of language arts, reading, math, social studies, and science.
TEAM 7 – All sections of seventh grade students and teachers of language arts, reading, math, social studies, and science.
TEAM 8 – All sections of eighth grade students and teachers of language arts, reading, Spanish, math, social studies, and science.
RELATED ARTS TEAM – Teachers of art, band, strings, chorus, computer technology, and Gateway to Technology.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEAM – Teachers of health and physical education.
IEP TEAM – Students and teachers involved in providing special education services.
COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE TEAM – Two counselors provide counseling and guidance services to Henson students, parents, and staff. (Crisis counseling, peer mediation, career information, and interpersonal growth). A part-time data entry clerk inputs student data for enrollment, grades, scheduling, and administrative reports. A full-time Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) is available as a student and parent advocate assisting in a variety of concerns and issues. A community resource officer is also available to provide support and assistance. A Pride, Spirit and Commitment Coach is available to assist students who are transitioning from Robert Stetham Educational Center or for students who need one-on-one instruction regarding school and community expectations.
MEDIA/COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY TEAM – The media specialist supervises the media center, computer lab, and library for teachers and students. A part-time computer analyst, with the assistance of the full-time media specialist and a media aide, looks after the wide area network and local area network and all electronic hardware and software available to the faculty.
SECRETARIAL TEAM – Two secretaries work in the main and one secretary works in the guidance office.
BUILDING SERVICE TEAM – There is a full time crew of three and a half building service workers and one building service manager.
FOOD SERVICE TEAM – The food service manager and four part-time food service workers prepare the daily meals for students.
STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM/504 TEAM - The SST and 504 are school-based committees responsible for the screening, referring, and monitoring of students in need of additional support services. Staff, parents, or other support personnel concerned about a student may make referrals to these teams. A concern may be noted by a parent, teacher, other professional, etc. A referral for assistance is made to the facilitator of SSTor 504 and a form is completed. The SST or 504 will conduct a meeting, review the referral, and finally determine appropriate support service options. The team will also designate a SST or 504 case manager to work with the student. The case manager will monitor the student until a final review by the committee. Team members include school counselors, the vice principal, the pupil personnel worker, school psychologist, SST/504 facilitator/counselor, speech therapist, school nurse, school resource office, referring staff member, and the parent(s) of the student (when needed).
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM - This team includes the Principal, Gifted Education Resources Teacher, Instructional Specialist, the Reading Resource Teacher, Testing Coordinator, and the Vice Principals.