The TR Wolf Call - Parent Edition
Weekly Update February 27th- March 3rd
A MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATION
Hello TRMS families,
Included in this update:
* Cell Phones, Social Media, and Our Students (new)
* 5 Essentials Survey
* 8th Grade Field Trip Form DUE THIS WEDNESDAY - NO forms will be accepted after 3/1!
* Notes from the Main Office (new)
* Notes from the Dean (new)
* Upcoming Dates (new)
* Student Drop Off Procedures
* After-School Tutoring Program
* Forgotten Laptop and Charger Procedures
* Social Work Support
* Item Drop Off Procedures
Please follow us on Instagram @timberridge202 or Twitter @timberridge202
Catie, Keith, Lindsey, and Denise
Academic Performance
We have a large number of students who are failing one or more classes this quarter. Please make sure that you are reviewing your child's grades through Home Access Center frequently. We encourage you to have conversations with them about missing work, and any classes they are struggling with and check to see if they have requested to retake any assessment they might not have done well on. Please reach out to your child's teachers to ask how you can help at home. Don't forget we offer tutoring after-school Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday every week from 3-4 - encourage your child to stay. We need to work together to ensue our student's success.
Cell Phones, Social Media, and Our Students
As stated in our student handbook, student phones are supposed to be off and in their lockers. We have given students some grace with this and have asked that they be silenced and put away. Unfortunately, we have students taking advantage of this and who are taking their phones in the bathroom with them, which is creating issues such as missed class time because they are playing games, texting friends, or taking pictures or videos. To help alleviate much of this, we have set new expectations for students when they leave the classroom to use the bathroom. Moving forward, when a student leaves class to use the bathroom, students will be expected to place their phone in a clear pencil box that will be placed on each teacher's desk. When they return, they will pick up their phone.
Please continue to have discussions with your children about the appropriate use of their cell phones and social media. We encourage you to monitor the pictures and videos that they take, the Snaps that they make, and the texts that they send, as our kids are much savvier with their phones than we often realize. Also, know that when a student deletes photos or videos, they are not necessarily deleted. Check their Recently Deleted and Hidden photo albums or their camera rolls or the For Your Eyes Only section of Snapchat.
As always, the Administration at Timber Ridge appreciates your support in maintaining a positive home-school connection.
8th Grade Field Trip Form & Money
A field trip permission slip went home to students who turned in their contracts this past week. The permission slip and money will be due for the trip no later than THIS WEDNESDAY, March 1st - no exceptions will be given to this deadline as we have a payment and number obligation due to the movie theater.
5 Essentials Survey
Dear Parent,
Students, parents and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the eleventh annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.
On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
· Effective Leaders
· Collaborative Teachers
· Involved Families
· Supportive Environments
· Ambitious Instruction
Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials.
All teachers and 4th through 12th grade students will be responding to this survey. 5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May 2023 and will also be included in the State School Report Card.
Additionally, your district has chosen to provide the optional Parent survey supplement. If at least 20 percent of Timber Ridge Middle School parents complete this survey, a parent supplement report will also be generated. The parent data will not be reported on the State Report Card.
Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for students and teachers will be conducted January 24, 2023 through March 31, 2023. The Parent Survey Supplement will be conducted during that same timeframe. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.
For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.
Sincerely,
Catie Peterson
Notes from the Main Office
We are under contract with Aramark to be the sole provider of food services for the students in our
district. If you are ordering lunch from food delivery services or bringing in food from outside restaurants, we could lose our contract. In addition, safety is a priority at TRMS. We need to limit the number of people entering the building throughout the day. Thank you for your understanding.
Notes from the Dean's Office
As the year progresses, please review with your students the importance of getting to class on
time. All students are expected to transition from one class to another within 4 minutes. If a
student arrives late, they will need to report to the main office or media center and will be issued a tardy. After 3 tardies, the student will receive a lunch detention and consequences will progress from there.
Additionally, recently we have seen an increase in disciplinary infractions concerning derogatory language usage, often focused on race. As middle school students, it can be challenging to understand the concept of intentionality. Families, we ask that you take some time out of your week to sit down with your student and discuss the intentionality of language usage and the appropriateness of the usage.
Remember, if you see something, say something. Please contact Ms. Bauer (dbauer@psd202.org) or the main office to report any compliment, comment, concern, question, or suggestion.
Important Drop Off Information
1) Do not park your car on Bronk Road or in the Car Line - Our buses are not able to get through when the road and entrance are blocked. This is creating a delay in their picking up the elementary school routes on time. IT IS UNSAFE TO LET YOUR CHILD OUT ON BRONK - we have seen an increase in parents letting their children off on the second lane that is formed on Bronk, having their children cross traffic - THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!
2) Please let your child out of the car when you arrive at the school. If it is below 20' we will let students in early, otherwise, it is okay for them to wait outside if they are dressed for the weather.
3) We have had an increase in students who are tardy to school in the morning. Your child needs to be in the building by 7:51 in order to get to their locker and to class on time.
Important Dates
Tuesday 2/28 - Girls Basketball: 7th gr @ Home vs Yorkville & 8th gr Away @ Yorkville
Thursday 3/2 -Girls Basketball: 8th gr @ Home vs Indian Trail & 7th gr Away @ IT - CONCESSIONS SOLD
Friday 3/3 - Teacher's Institute Day- No Student Attendance
Friday, 3/10 - End of 3rd Quarter
Monday 3/13 - School Improvement Day - No Student Attendance
Buy a Yearbook
Important Reminders/Updates
After-School Tutoring - Academic Intervention
* When: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
* Time: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
* Where: TRMS Media Center
* What: We will be offering after-school tutoring to our students who are struggling in Math and ELA. We will have a Math and an ELA teacher three days a week available to help students who are struggling and need additional support.
* How: Teachers will recommend; Parents and Students can request via Google Form (below) or have their child attend when needed.
* IMPORTANT - Students must be picked up at 4:00 pm. If a 4 pm pick-up time is preventing your child from attending sue to your not being able to pick them up until later, please contact Mrs. Peterson at cpeterso@psd202.org. If we are hosting a Wrestling Match or Basketball Game, we may be able to have your child stay with us until you are able to pick them up.
Academic Lunches - Academic Intervention
Students who are missing assignments and earning Fs in any class will be assigned to an Academic Lunch. This will start next week. If a student is recommended for academic lunch, parents will be notified so that we continue our school-home connection. Please consistently check your child's Home Access Center to monitor their grades. We have a significant number of students who are failing at our 3rd Quarter Midterm.
Laptops and Chargers
Students are required to bring their laptops and chargers with them to school every day as they are used in every class as a learning tool. Ideally, laptops should be charged every evening. Due to a large number of students who are not bringing their laptops and chargers to school every day, last week we instituted a new behavior intervention to encourage students to bring their materials.
1st - 3rd time a student does not have their laptop or charger and needs to get a loaner = warning
4th time - Lunch Detention
5th time - 1-hour detention
6th time - 2-hour Friday School
Since starting this new behavior intervention we have gone to an average of 20 students who come each period to request a loaner to 2-3. That is fantastic!
Yearbooks: If you have not ordered a yearbook for your child(ren) yet, you still have time. Follow the link here: www.yearbookforever.com. Yearbooks are $20.00
STUDENTS ATTENDING MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTING EVENTS: Students MUST have turned in a Student Fan Code of Code form, signed by student and parent, to Ms. Bauer prior to attending a game. Once forms are turned in, students will be given a sticker that will be placed on their student ID. To attend a game a student must have all work completed and they must be passing all of their classes (grades will be run every Friday); they must have their ID w/code of conduct sticker attached; they must adhere to all school rules and procedures while at the game. STUDENTS MUST BE PICKED UP BY 5:45 OR THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STAY FOR FUTURE EVENTS.
Big Brothers Big Sisters: Timber Ridge is one of the 3 D202 pilot schools that will be working with the BBBS SOAR program. If you are interested in being a mentor for one of our students, please contact BBBS at 815-723-2227 or go to their website BBBSWillGrundy.org. (Flyer Attached Below)
Social Work Support: We are seeing an increase in the number of students who are seeking out school social work support, and an increase in the number of families reaching out for assistance for their child. While we are happy to help and support our students in need, our school social workers are here to support our students with IEP goals and our General Education students who need support related to their academics and relationships here at school. Our social workers are unable to provide individual counseling or therapy like an outside private agency would. If you have concerns with your child's social-emotional well-being we do have the resources to refer you to outside agencies dependent on your insurance.
Additionally, Plainfield CCSD 202 has partnered with Hartgrove Behavioral Health where students can access outpatient counseling during the academic year within our school. There is a flyer attached that describes the services available and who to contact to schedule an appointment. Hartgrove's counselors will come to Timber Ridge to see your child for their appointments as part of this service. Their number is 779-252-4090 to schedule an in-school appointment.
TRMS CLUBS: Everyone is welcome! Check the TR website for dates/times or email the club sponsor for more information: Intramural Sports, Student Council, Art Club, Cooking Club, Kindness Club, Multicultural Club.
Attendance:
If your child is absent, please call the office at 815-439-3410 by 9:00 am.
Tardy to School & Tardy to Class:
When a student is tardy to school, they need to report to the main office where they will scan/enter their ID # and they will be given a tardy pass to class. If your child is tardy you will receive communication via the Hero system.
Cell Phone Procedure
Cell phones are not permitted for use during the school day. Students must put their cell phones in their lockers, backpack, or pocket. Students who access their phones without administrator approval will be subject to the following:
- 1st Offense Cell phones will be confiscated by staff and turned into the main office. Parents/guardians will be contacted by the teacher and returned to the student at the end of the day.
- 2nd Offense Cell phones will be confiscated by staff and turned into the main office. Parents/guardians will be contacted by the Dean of Students and returned to the student at the end of the day.
- 3rd Offense Cell phone confiscated by staff and turned into the main office. Parents will be contacted by the Dean of Students and the student will be placed on a cell phone contract for the remainder of the quarter. This contract will require students to turn their phone into the main office at the start of every school day and they will pick it up at the end of the day.
- This policy will reset at the beginning of each quarter.
Breakfast/Lunch:
If your child(ren) would like to purchase their breakfast or lunch at school the cost is $1.90 (Breakfast) and $2.90 (Lunch). Lunch consists of an entrée, milk, fruit, and a vegetable. If a student would like to purchase chips, cookies, juice, or water, there is an additional cost. If your child(ren) has qualified for free or reduced lunch, they are able to get a breakfast or lunch at the free or reduced rate, but the a la carte items are not included. All students need to swipe their ID card or enter their ID number with the cashier. No student will be denied lunch, even if they are a paid student. The cost of items purchased for paid students will be subtracted from their account and if there is a negative balance, Aramark will contact parents.
PTO News
Meeting Dates March 15; April 19; May 17 - *Meetings begin at 5:00 in the LRC at Timber Ridge
Upcoming Fundraisers - See attached flyer
Important Safety Procedures
SAFETY MEASURES
1) All students and staff must wear their IDs and Lanyards at all times (except PE) while in the building. This allows us to identify people who should and should not be in the building. All students have been given a lanyard and all students now have their IDs.
2) E-Hall pass has been successfully implemented in all classes at Timber Ridge which is allowing us to make sure our students are safe and accounted for. (OLD)
3) You may have noticed is our new doorbell camera at the main entrance. Our new system provides us with a clear picture of who is at our front door and does record anytime there is motion in the front of the school. When you enter the building, please do not let anyone else in the door with you. If another party is also at the door, they will need to ring separately and answer our screening questions. If you need to enter Timber Ridge or any building in the District, you will also be asked for your name, the reason for your visit, your child's name and grade, and finally, the office staff will take a moment to verify the information in our record-keeping system. This is a new procedure as determined and mandated by our District Safety Committee to ensure that all of our visitors have a true purpose in the building. (OLD)
4) When signing out your child, you will need your driver's license as proof you have the right to pick up the student. If you need to send an emergency contact or someone not on the emergency contact list to pick up your child, you will need to send an email to cpeterso@psd202.org for approval and written documentation and call the main office to confirm your request. (OLD)
We appreciate your help in making sure we have a safe learning environment.
The Timber Ridge Administrative Team