January 2015
Dear Parents,
The break is over, the holidays have been
celebrated, and we are in 2015. It is hard to believe that we have
progressed to the half-year mark! Shadow Ridge has
had many celebrations and memorable events this school year. We are
extremely proud of the students in our National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).
The NJHS graciously sponsored several families in need for the holidays,
they also collected hundreds of cans of food for the food drive.
The SRMS Music Department students displayed
amazing musical talent in their concerts. The SRMS Drama Department and
Music Department presented three performances of “Legally Blonde.” The
production was amazing. Congratulations to both the students and teachers
who did an unbelievable job. There are very few middle schools that would
take on the production of a musical.
Winter has arrived in Colorado. Please remind
your child to wear a coat to school for lunch recess. The students need
fresh air and we do not like to allow students outside without proper gear.
Thank you for assisting us with this health concern. Please
remember the district will post any school closures on the television news and
radio. We do not have a late start snow schedule like some
districts. Our staff understands you, as parents, are doing your best to
get your child to school safely during inclement weather.
Please remember to refer to Infinite Campus for
your child’s academic progress. Infinite Campus is a student database
program accessible through the “web.” In order to access Infinite Campus,
go to SRMS Website and click on the link Infinite Campus.
Family registration is necessary before you are able to pull up various
records from your child’s past and present school years.
The Shadow Ridge Middle School Staff is
constantly focused on student achievement. In order to improve student
achievement in reading, writing, and ESL, teachers are using the Reading and
Writing Workshop approach to instruction, which emphasizes a structure of time
that allows students to be reading, writing, thinking, and discussing for the
majority of each class period. Adolescent literacy research emphasizes the
importance of students reading and writing every day, for important, relevant
reasons. Teachers provide modeling and facilitate systems, structures,
routines, and rituals that allow for student communities of learners to go deep
with learning. Key elements of the workshop approach include increased
student choice and teachers working with individuals or small groups on a daily
basis to meet each students’ learning needs.
One last important topic I’d like to mention is that the first
round Choice ends January 30th. It is critical to remember that applying
for Choice is necessary for students out of their home school’s boundary every
year. Please review the process on the Adams 12 website (www.adams12.org).
I hope that 2015 is a
happy and healthy one for you and your family!
Sincerely,
Principal Wickham