JAY M. ROBINSON MIDDLE SCHOOL

1. JAY M. ROBINSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Charging Into the Future 2014 - 2015

2. Awards and Distinctions National “School to Watch” Academically Excellent Developmentally Responsive Socially Equitable NC Honor School of Excellence with High Growth – top 1% of all middle schools in the STATE Since opening in 2002, we have EXCEEDED all local, state and national goals

3. Awesome Achievements MATHCOUNTS – Regional Winner National History Day – Regional Winner Science Olympiad – 3rd in the Region NCASA National Champions 1st in Region – Going to STATE competitions in the following: Art Showcase, Quill, Quiz Bowl, Twelve, and Encore Singers

4. Student Demographics 1113 students 70.7 % White 8.7 % African American 6.6 % Hispanic 14.3 % Asian 4.6 % Multi-racial/Other 2.1 % LEP 22.2 % identified as academically gifted

5. Parent Information • Hours: Students are allowed in the building at 7:45 AM • Students are considered tardy after 8:10am • Our instructional day ends at 3:15 PM • Do not park in the fire/carpool line • Carpool: Students are to be let out of your car ONLY in front of the building

6. Parent Information • Grades are found on the Parent Portal - Teachers have 10 days to enter grades following an assignment’s due date • Tutoring: All teachers offer at least one session per week

7. Communication

8. T-Dap • Vaccination required for 6th grade • Must be compliant by 30 days from the start of school or risk suspension • www.immunizenc.org

9. Let’s talk TEACHERS!! 68 Certified Staff Members 79% Experienced (more than 3 years) Many have dual certification Many National Board certified

10. Initiatives for 2014 - 2015 • Balanced Literacy • Bring Your Own Technology • Common Core Essential Standards • Cultural Competency • Differentiation • Professional Learning Communities

11. Middle School Philosophy Teaming Limit movement throughout the building Exemplary effort leads to excellent performance Expect students to take greater responsibility

12. Purpose of Middle School Our purpose is to prepare students for: Collaboration with peers Global Economy Life in 21st Century

13. Coursework is Rigorous Academic Rigor equals… Critical Thinking and Reasoning Skills Problem Solving Skills Expecting Students to Analyze, Evaluate, Critique, Synthesize, Communicate and Create New Knowledge

14. Homework Expect 20 to 30 minutes of homework in each subject every night Homework helps reinforce mastery Read, read, read Practice math skills

15. Summer Reading Assignment Read 1 of 2 books with written component Details will be posted on our website when available

16. Math Placement District rubric to help determine placement Math 6 Math 6 Honors Request Form Enrichment and differentiation

17. Block Schedule Students take 4 core classes per year: Language Arts, Math, with Science & Social Studies (on A/B day rotation) All classes are heterogeneously mixed

18. Serving Our Gifted Students Our school practices inclusion Gifted students are cluster grouped within the core classrooms Our Academic Facilitator works with the core teachers to push, stretch, and extend the curriculum for our gifted students

19. Serving our EC Students We use a co-teaching model to serve some of our students in the Exceptional Children’s program We have 1 self-contained autistic class and 1 self-contained Specialized Academic Curriculum (SAC) class Buddy Program – students should listen to announcements for application period

20. Elective Options Students take 2 semesters of electives per year on an A/B day rotation Band or Orchestra (year long) Exploring Foreign Language (French & Spanish) Career and Technical Education Cultural Arts (Art, Dance, and Drama) * PE / Health is required by the state of North Carolina

21. A Day in the Life of a 6th Grader Homeroom(School opens at 7:45 AM) 1st block: Language Arts 2nd block: Math 3rd block: Lunch, Social Studies (A day), Science (B day) 4th block: PE (A Day)and Cultural Arts (B Day) Dismissal begins at 3:15 PM

22. Charger Chatter Newsletter We publish a weekly newsletter highlighting the events in our school It will be emailed to you An accurate phone number is needed on your student’s blue information card (update if changed throughout the year)

23. Other ways we communicate… Student Planner Facebook and Twitter Email, Staff Wikis, Connect Ed Quarterly Progress Reports, Parent Portal How can I schedule a parent conference? Wednesdays are specifically designated for parent conferences. Call Mrs. Cockerham (our 6th grade counselor) for an appointment.

24. A Positive Environment Order, Discipline and Safety are a top priority Frequent Safety Audits practiced We earned a 100% CMS Safety Audit for the 13-14 school year Orderly, supervised transitions

25. A Positive Environment Our students have more freedom and responsibility than in elementary school – we teach, model, and expect superb behavior Open House in August

26. Competitive Cohorts American Mathematics Competition Battle of the Books Chess Team Geography Bee MATHCOUNTS Team Science Olympiad Shakespeare Recitation Competition Spelling Bee

27. Other Extracurricular Activities: Fine Arts Performances Musicals Student Council Work toward eligibility for: BETA Club National Junior Honor Society

28. JAY M. ROBINSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Excellence in education is our primary focus