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 2015-16 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 everyday.  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 24th-October 8^th) 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 (excuse 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 four days 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.  Make sure you mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 7^th (2:30-4p.m.) and Thursday, October 8^th (5-8 p.m.) and Friday, October 9^th (5-8 p.m.) for SRMS Parent/Teacher Conferences for 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders.  In addition we will hold  conferences for 6^th graders on Wednesday, October 14^th from 2:30-4 p.m.  There will be no school on Friday, October 9^th due to Inservice training for staff.  Most conferences will be drop-in conferences, with the exception of required conferences by school staff (teachers will contact parents for these conferences).

Eighth (8^th) grade parents, please note District 12 is sponsoring a High School Open House, November 9^th and 10^th  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., with school presentations starting at 6 p.m. and 6:40 p.m.

Thank you for your support for our school wide fundraiser.  We are sellingl 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