Tuesday, September 29, 2015


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 8th) 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 7th (2:30-4p.m.) and Thursday, October 8th (5-8 p.m.) and Friday, October 9th (5-8 p.m.) for SRMS Parent/Teacher Conferences for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.  In addition we will hold  conferences for 6th graders on Wednesday, October 14th from 2:30-4 p.m.  There will be no school on Friday, October 9th 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 (8th) grade parents, please note District 12 is sponsoring a High School Open House, November 9th and 10th  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

 

Monday, September 21, 2015

If your child was on free or reduced meal status on the last day of school last year, your student will remain on that meal status through September 30th of this school year. Students who have not turned in their 2015-2016 applications will become full paid students the morning of October 1st. You can now apply online at www.applyforlunch.com or pick up a paper application from your child's school cafeteria.  Please note that certain district fees can be waived or adjusted for students that qualify for free and reduced meal status. Billing for student fees will be sent each month on the 20th, starting in September.  If you have already sent in your application for this school year, applied online, or received a direct certification letter, please disregard this message.

Si su hijo recibía comidas gratis o de precio reducido para finales del año escolar anterior, su hijo continuará recibiendo los beneficios hasta el 30 de septiembre de este año escolar.  Los estudiantes que no entreguen sus solicitudes para el 2015-2016, tendrán que pagar precios regulares comenzando la mañana del 1ro de octubre.  Usted puede solicitar en línea en www.applyforlunch.com o puede pedir una solicitud impresa en la cafetería de su hijo. Por favor, sepa que algunas tarifas del distrito pueden ser eliminadas o ajustadas para los estudiantes que califican para comidas gratis o de precio reducido. Las facturas para las tarifas adeudadas por el estudiante serán enviadas el 20 de cada mes, comenzando en septiembre. Por favor, ignore este mensaje si usted ya llenó la solicitud para este año escolar, si solicitó en línea, o si recibió una carta directa de certificación.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

The 7th grade Literacy Extension classes are asking for the approval to use Matched, Reached, and Crossed by Ally Condie, Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix, Gone by Michael Grant in their classrooms.  The books would be used in reading classes to teach point of view and setting. In accordance with school board policy, all books will be available for parents to preview in the library at Shadow Ridge for the next two weeks.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

The 6th grade Literacy Extension class is asking for the approval to use A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park in their classrooms.  The book would be used to teach a multicultural unit on overcoming adversity. In accordance with school board policy, the book, A Long Walk to Water, will be available for parents to preview in the library at Shadow Ridge for the next two weeks.  

Christina

Sincerely,

Christina Campbell
6th Grade Literacy Extensions
Shadow Ridge Middle School