From the Principal’s Desk

Important Dates for November

Title I Science Night 11.6.14

Blue/White Game 11.6.14

Redan vs. Druid Hills 11.12.14

Redan vs. Champion 11.15.14

Title I Districtwide Parent Meeting

11.15.14

Progress Reports 11.17.14

Picture Retake 11.18.14

Redan vs. Stone Mt. 11. 19.14

Parent Conference Night 11.20.14

Thanksgiving Holidays 11.24-14-

11.28.14

Tips for Parents 2

Counseling Center 2

Media Center News 2

PTSA News 3

Parental Engagement 3

Student News 3

General Information 4

Curriculum and Instruction

REDAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

1775 Young Road Lithonia, Ga. 30058

November 2014

Volume III Issue IV

Parents please be advised that our after school tutorials are still in session and we are still accepting students

who wish to enroll. Students may enroll in any of the four content areas (Math, Language Arts, Social Stud-

ies, and Science) and receive extra instruction to improve their academic achievement. Students are provided

a snack and transportation home. If you would like for your student to enroll please contact Mrs. Amethyst

Clowers-Davis, program administrator.

Our students just took their second common assessment about three weeks ago and the results are really en-

couraging. During our data talks last week with teachers, it was revealed that the majority of their students saw

exponential growth on their second assessment compared to the first common assessment. Our teachers will

administer another common assessment in the common weeks to deter-

mine their students’ proficiency on the standards that are currently being

taught.

Greetings Parents/Guardians:

Parents, things are moving at a vary rapid pace was we approach the holiday season. I want you to

know that our focus remains steadfast on student achievement and ways that we can continuously deliv-

er quality instruction in every classroom, to every student. Please know that it is very important that

your child reads on a daily basis. One of our instructional goals this year is to increase our students’

understanding of vocabulary in the many different types of texts that they read. In order for our students

to have a deep understanding of what they are reading they have to expand their vocabulary knowledge,

therefore, please encourage reading and the use of the trusty dictionary and thesaurus. Please note that

Progress reports will be sent home on November 17, 2014, so please make sure that you discuss your

student’s grades with him/her so that they will understand your expectations for their learning . Also,

please be advised that you can have the opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher on Thursday,

November 20, 2014 during Parent Conference Night. Please call the grade level office Administrative

Assistant to set up an appointment. Thank you for all of your support and I hope to see you at the

events that we have planned for November.

Donald E. Mason, Jr.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

THE RAIDER

Here are some tips for Parents of Middle Schoolers for the month of November

Teach your child to be organized:

Show your Child how to record class assignments in a notebook or planner.

Show your child how to write down key information and use abbreviations when taking notes.

Explain to your child that a good way to complete a large project is to break it down into smaller steps.

Encourage your child to keep all school materials neatly stored in one place at home.

Set up a Study Space

Find a spot in your home that is quiet and free from distractions (like a TV or cell phones).

Make sure that it is well-lit.

Provide a comfortable chair and any needed supplies for your child.

Tips for Parents

Counseling Center News

Page 2

Counselors

Head Counselor/8th Grade

Mrs. Robbye Watts

678-874-7928

7th Grade Counselor

Dr. Treva Tucker

678-874-7929

6th Grade Counselor

Mrs. Bonnie White

678-874-7930

Media Center Hours

8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Teacher-Librarian

Mrs. Jenny Holloman

678-874-7935

Media Center News

Volunteers are needed in the Media Center. Any amount of time that you could volunteer

would be great appreciated.

Our Book Club is in need of more copies of the Georgia Book Award nominees. If you are

willing to purchase a copy or copies of any of the titles, we would sincerely appreciate it.

Feel free to contact Mrs. Holloman if you have any further questions.

Parents, please continue to make sure that your student is reading for at least thirty

minutes each evening. Research shows that students who read on a consistent basis show

significant academic gains both in their classroom and on standardized assessments.

. Parent-Teacher Conference Discussion Topics and Questions

Homework- is my child’s homework completed thoroughly, accurately and on time? How

often do you assign homework?

Class Participation- Does my child ask questions, volunteer information and participate in

discussions?

Organization- Does my child seem organized? Does he/she come to class prepared?

Academic Success- Overall, how is my child performing in your class? Is my child working

up to his/her potential?

Classroom Time Management- Does my child use class time wisely?

Attendance and Punctuality- Does my child attend class everyday? Does he/she arrive to

class on time?

Focus- Does my child pay attention in class?

Social Adjustment- Is my child respectful and courteous to adults and classmates? Does

my child appear to get along well with other students?

PTA MISSION

The overall purpose of PTA is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering

families and communities to advocate for all children.

PTA VALUES

Collaboration: We work in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations to accom-

plish our agreed-upon goals. Commitment: We are dedicated to promoting children’s health, well-

being, and educational success through strong parent, family, and community involvement. Ac-

countability: We acknowledge our obligations. We deliver on our promises. Respect: We value

our colleagues and ourselves. We expect the same high quality of effort and thought from our-

selves as we do from others. Inclusivity: We invite the stranger and welcome the newcomer. We

value and seek input from as wide a spectrum of viewpoints and experiences as possible. Integri-

ty: We act consistently with our beliefs. When we err, we acknowledge the mistake and seek to

make amends.

As a result of a very generous donation form OneSight, an organization which is dedicated to providing sus-

tainable access to quality vision care, thirty-two of our students were able to receive brand new glasses. One-

Sight doctors and trained volunteers have helped more than eight million people across thrity-seven countries.

Student News

The Title l-Office of Federal Programs is hosting the Districtwide Parent Involvement Conference, Saturday, November 15, 2014, 8:00 am until 2:00 pm- at the DeKalb County School District Administrative & Instructional Complex, located at 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain GA 30083. The conference, titled “Harnessing Success for Every Child: ilearn, ishare, iconnect” focuses on engaging parents in the well-being and academic achievement of their chil-dren, through increased knowledge and access to 21st century technological tools and techniques needed to help their children at home. The conference will feature hands on technology activities, strategies to help increase student’s lexile scores, access to technologies being utilized in the classroom and break-out sessions on grade level common core curric-ulum training and sample Georgia Milestones testing items. Breakfast, lunch, and childcare will be provided. Transporta-tion services will be available for parents in Title I school areas at specified pick up locations. For more information and to register please visit: http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us and click the events tab.

For additional information contact:

Marcia Coward, District Family Engagement Liaison at 678-676-0381 or Dr. Morcease J. Beasley, Executive Director for Curriculum, Instruction, Professional Learning and the Office of Federal Programs at 678-676-0381.

Assistant Principals

API/6th Grade

Sabrina Jackson

678-8747915

7th Grade

Aaron Moore

678-874-7913

8th Grade

Kerry Stroud

678-874-7914

Page 3

Parental Engagement

Volume I I I I s sue IV

Head Counselor/8th Grade

Media Center Hours

4:00 PM

Librarian

Mrs. Jenny Holloman

7935

2013-2014 Redan Middle PTSA Officers

President-Sherri Chance

Vice-President– Vacant

Treasurer-Sharon Ingram

Secretary– Vacant

www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/redan/

Office Hours

7:30-5:00

Phone: 678-874-7902

Fax: 678-874-7910

The mission of Redan Middle is to foster an environment of academic

excellence that will effectively prepare all students for successful post

secondary studies and the challenges of the 21st century.

REDAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

1775 Young Road

Lithonia, Ga. 30058

Parents please be advised of the following:

Cell phones and other electronic devices should not be brought to school.

Our school day begins at 8:15 and ends at 4:15. If students are not involved

in an after school activity they should be picked up immediately at the end of

the school day.

All students should be dressed appropriately each and every day. Our young

men should have their pants pulled up and their shirt tails tucked in at all

times. Young ladies should not wear clothes that are too revealing, tattered

jeans, nor leggings.

Our buses leave promptly at 4:10 on a daily basis. Please encourage your

student to get on their bus once they are dismissed.

Please be aware that Calling Posts are delivered on a weekly basis that contain important school information

i.e. important dates, upcoming events, etc.

General Information

Redan Middle School’s Mission Statement

“Education is knowing where to go find out

what you need to know; and it’s knowing how

to use the information that you get”

——William Feather