Director of Schools
Charlotte M. Britton

School Board Members
Robert Stidham, Chairman
Charles Fuller, Vice-Chairman
Kathy Cradic
Glenda Davis
Perry Dykes
Michelle Maddox
Debbie Shedden

Executive Secretary
Lois Mayes

Hawkins County Schools
200 North Depot Street
Rogersville, TN 37857
(423) 272-7629       Fax (423) 272-2207

Supervisors
Daffin Anderson
Dr. Reba Bailey
Rosie Bailey
Sarah Floyd
James Hageman
Tammy Gibson
Beth Holt
Ralph Hurd
Angela Jackson
Nedra Jackson
Becky Little
Gloria Silvers
Alice Snodgrass
Steve Starnes

August 1, 2008

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Rogersville Middle School (RMS) has been identified by the Tennessee Department of Education as a high priority school.  RMS was first identified as a high priority school last year (Summer 2007) because students with disabilities did not meet No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Federal benchmarks in the area of math on the Spring 2006 and Spring 2007 TCAP administrations. During the 2007 school year, the subgroup, students with disabilities, met the academic progress standard for math, but did not meet the additional indicator of attendance.  When Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is calculated for the school report card, each school must meet a specified attendance rate and a set academic benchmark in order to meet NCLB AYP standards. 

When a school is identified for School Improvement, the school remains on the high priority list for at least two years.  A school is removed from the high priority list when the identified group or subgroup makes progress for two consecutive years in the identified academic area.  For RMS, students with disabilities must make progress for two consecutive years in the area of math and maintain a set attendance rate in order to be removed from the high priority list.  RMS is in the second year of school improvement.

This week the Tennessee Department of Education released the list of schools on the high priority list.  Although RMS is identified as a high priority school in the second year of school improvement, it is now listed as School Improvement I – Improving.  This means that RMS has made improvement in achievement in math with the subgroup student with disabilities.  At this time, all other scores are embargoed by the State Department, and systems are not allowed to report those scores.  Report Card information will be released later this year by the Tennessee Department of Education.  You may locate adequately yearly progress (AYP) information at the following website:  http://www.state.tn.us/education/nclb/ayp/.  Report Card information may be found at the following website: http://www.state.tn.us/education/reportcard/.

Because RMS continues to be on the high priority list with the School Improvement I – Improving status, your child is eligible to transfer to another public school in the district.  You may choose to transfer your child to one of the following schools, and below is a comparison of those schools to RMS:

If you choose to transfer your child, please be aware of the following:

• The district will provide or pay for transportation to and from your child’s choice school as long as RMS is a high priority school identified for improvement.  If RMS meets achievement goals for two straight years, it will no longer be a high priority school. 
• Your child will be allowed to remain at the new school until he/she completes the highest grade. However, the system will no longer provide or pay for transportation to the school of choice should RMS be removed from the high priority list.
• If funds are not available for all students to be transported, priority for transportation will be given to low-income students.
• If requests for a choice school exceed that school’s capacity, priority for first choice will be given to low-income students.

RMS is working hard with the state and district to increase student achievement in math and reading.  Strategies were put in place during the 2007-08 school year, which was Rogersville Middle School’s first year in school improvement.   It is the goal of RMS to continue implementation of those strategies to strengthen instructional practices and improve student achievement for all students.  Some of those practices are described below.

• The school formed data teams to review testing information and plan for focused instruction of all students.    Those data teams will continue to work with Central Office Staff and consultants to improve instruction for all students.
• The school implemented an intervention period to work with all students.  Students were placed in intervention based on academic need.   Materials and equipment are in place to continue providing intervention for students.
• The staff at RMS has already begun and will continue to participate in research based staff development that focuses on academic achievement of all students. 
• The staff will continue to work with outside educational consultants to improve classroom instruction at all levels. 
• The school will work with Patty Rider, Title I Parent Coordinator, to implement strategies to encourage more parental involvement at the school.
• Special Education staff from the school district will work closely with RMS staff to monitor achievement of students with disabilities
• RMS will continue to offer the Rev-It-Up after school program to help students meet academic standards.

We encourage you to help by:

• Making good attendance a priority for your child. 
• Visiting or calling RMS should you have any questions or concerns.
• Attend school level meetings.
• Being aware of the new Tennessee Educational Standards and how those standards will affect your child’s path toward graduation, and working with the school to set high expectations for your child.
• Reviewing your child’s report card each six weeks.  If you have concerns about grades, please contact your child’s teacher.
• Reviewing interim reports that are sent home in the middle of each six weeks. Mark your calendar for the mid-six weeks and ask for those reports as well.  If your child says he/she did not get a report, contact an administrator.  If you have concerns about grades, contact your child’s teacher.
• Talking with your child about school.   Ask specific questions that require your child to say more than one word answers such as “good”, or “nothing”.  Ask about projects that may be due. 
• Contacting your child’s teacher if your child repeatedly struggles with homework.
• Working with your child on his or her organizational skills and help him/her be prepared for the school day.

If you would like for your child to transfer, you must complete the attached form and return it in the self-addressed, stamped envelope included with this letter.  The envelope must be postmarked by Saturday, August 23, 2008, in order for your child to be considered for a transfer.  The Director of Federal Programs of the district will notify you during the week of August 25-29, to provide transportation information and the date your child may start attending the choice school.  Please contact Dr. Reba Bailey, Director of Federal Programs at 423-272-7629, ext 115, or Ms. Rosie Bailey, Title I Supervisor at 423-272-7629, ext 118, if you have questions or need more information.

Transfer Form Click Here

Sincerely,

Reba Bailey
Federal Projects Director