Dear
Parents,
We
are off to a great start and the first six weeks have progressed smoothly! It is hard to believe in nearly two weeks
we complete the first quarter of the 2014-15 school year. I am sure you have noticed Middle School is a
time of great change for your student.
Students seem to grow inches overnight and begin to develop a sense of
independence. Hopefully by now, your
child has a solid understanding of the school and the many teachers he/she
interacts with on a daily basis.
Thank
you for reinforcing the importance of attendance, promptness, academics at
school and at home, and having your student wear their student identification
badge every day. As most of you know,
October is a critical month for us due to the “Official Count Day,” which determines how public schools are
funded. We appreciate your efforts in
having your student at school during the count window (September 27-October 3)
and every day of the school year.
Attendance is a critical factor
in a student’s ability to attain the maximum benefit from the educational
environment. Some of you may have experienced a call or a
letter regarding an attendance concern.
The district attendance intervention helps schools prioritize levels of
student attendance concerns and direct resources proactively through the
systems’ support strategies. The
following steps are being implemented to prevent attendance concerns: 1. A teacher will speak to a student once the
student has 2-3 absences (excused or unexcused). 2.
When a student has 4-5 absences (excused or unexcused) a teacher may
make parent contact to discuss the possible attendance concerns. 3. When a student has 6-7 absences (excused
or unexcused), an administrator will either call or send a letter to notify
parents of his/her concern about continued absences. 4. When a student reaches 8-10 absences (excused
or unexcused), an administrator will arrange for a conference to be held with
parents, student, and teachers to develop a Student Attendance Stipulation
(Contract). Again, the purpose of the guidelines is to assist your child in
realizing the importance of school and becoming the best student possible.
The
staff continues to support academics by providing extra help before/after
school, during lunch and at RAMS Time (four days before and after school in the
media center). Always feel free to
contact your teacher by email or phone, with email being the more efficient
source of communication. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October
8th (2:30-4 & 5-8), Thursday, October 9th (5-8 p.m.) and Friday,
October 10th (1:00-3:30p.m.) for Parent/Teacher Conferences. There is no school on Friday, October 10th
due to morning training for staff and conferences beginning at 1:00.
Eighth (8th) grade
parents, please note District 12 is sponsoring a High School Open House,
November 12th and 13th from 5:45-7:10 p.m at the Adams 12
Five Star Schools Educational Support Center (ESC).
A general welcome will occur from 5:45-5:50 p.m. School presentations will start at 6:00 p.m.
and 6:40 p.m.
Thank you for your support for
our school wide fundraiser. We are to sell cookie dough and
Entertainment Books this year. Our goal
this year is to raise over $12,000. As
most of you know, the fundraiser is spent on building technology. We continue to implement technology into our
instruction in various methods.
Thank you for your continued care
and support for your student, Shadow Ridge Middle School, and Adams County
School District 12!
Sincerely,
Susie
Wickham
Principal
