Dearest Aggie Parents,

The chart below details our students' performance on the Fall 2020 iReady Assessment. Unfortunately the results are not what we hoped. As you will notice only 6% of 6th, 6% of 7th and 4% of 8th graders performed on grade level in Math on this diagnostic. The results for ELA were a little better with 7% of 6th, 13% of 7th and 12% of 8th graders performing on grade level. More alarming however, were the numbers of students who scored two or more grade levels below - over 65% in every grade.

Parents, we know many of our students did not take this assessment seriously. Some rushed through it, others simply refused to complete parts of it and many were distracted while taking the test and took hours longer than they should have.

Parents we need your help. The faculty and staff of Woodstock believe our students are capable of excelling and mastering any test the district and state puts in front of them, but this will not happen without hard work. Students must take responsibility for logging in to class on time, staying actively engaged during class, completing assignments when they are due and they must study for tests and quizzes. As you know, success only comes with hard work and we must reiterate to our students the expectation of putting forth 100% effort and trying their best.

Progress reports were accessible last week via PowerSchool and many of our students' grades reflected this lack of effort. Parents, Woodstock's teachers are teaching everyday and we are more than willing to assist students and parents as we navigate this new world of virtual learning. However, all students must do their part but as of right now, some students are doing little to nothing each day.

If you would like to know how your child performed on the iReady assessments, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's homeroom teacher. Additionally, if you need access to PowerSchool, please contact the school office at 416-4180. The more we all speak the same expectations, monitor student performance and hold each other accountable, the more student performance will improve.

With children in mind,

Principal McBride

Parents, we have been getting a lot of questions/ requests about makeup work. SCS Policy #6014 states:

Make-up Work

Students should make every effort and be afforded the opportunity to make up work missed due to excused and unexcused absences. In the event of an excused absence, students are expected to make up work missed within a reasonable time (e.g., at least one or more days of makeup for each day of excused absence).

In the event of an unexcused absence1 (including short-term suspensions), one day of makeup time shall be allowed for each day of unexcused absence, unless otherwise extended by the school or extended based on law or policy. Students and/or their parents should work with the teacher for assistance in making up work (e.g., obtaining make-up work/assignments, participating in available tutoring/requesting tutoring, etc.)..

As we adjust to the new platform, many teachers have been gracious enough to give multiple opportunities to submit make-up; however, it is critical that as parents you remember make up work is not mandatory for students who are in class but simply refuse to do it. It is our hope by allowing students another opportunity they will master the skills and standards. Please reiterate to every students the importance of completing all assignments when they are due.

Thanks in advance and if your child is experiencing difficulty completing assignments, please email the teacher immediately for support.

During the Spring of each year, all students across the state will participate in the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program. Students will take assessments in ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies. These tests require students to answer questions based on state standards in these content areas. The questions on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program are designed to assess true student understanding, not just basic memorization, and test-taking skills. It is a way to assess what our students know and what we can do to help them succeed in the future.

More information about state testing can be found in the TNReady Parent Resources link below.

As the world continues to experience the effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic, mental health professionals have indicated stress levels are higher than ever before. Not only are adults impacted by this new normal, but our students are as well. By addressing the social emotional learning needs of our students, the Woodstock Guidance Department will help our students better manage their emotions in ways that are safe and appropriate. With the challenges associated with virtual school, we are seeing many students experiencing great difficulty with online learning. Many students are not consistently engaged nor completing their daily assignments and coursework. The article below will provide our parents with six simple tips they can use to help their child adjust to our new normal of virtual learning.

Just like students, parents need emotional support during this pandemic. Our students need the support, encouragement and guidance of their parents to help them manage the complexities of online learning. The calendar below provides parents with some suggested daily activities/actions that will help you take care of yourself and others during this global crisis. Please stay safe and if you need any assistance please don't hesitate to reach out to our counselor, Mrs. Dowdy @ 416-4180.

Aggie Nation. October 26-31 is Red Ribbon Week. We will be teaching our students about being the dangers of drugs and promoting activities to help all Aggies remain drug free.

This year’s theme is “Be Happy, Be Brave, Be Drug Free”. Please have your children celebrate being drug free by participating in our theme days and submitting their photos to Mrs. Richard @ richardtr@scsk12.org.

Aggie Nation we are having a video contest to celebrate Red Ribbon Week. There will be cash prizes awarded to the winners:

• 1st place - $25.00
• 2nd place - $15.00
• 3rd place - $10.00

Please submit your video entries to Mrs. Dowdy via email at dowdycf@scsk12.org by October 29th. The contest rules are found in the graphic below.

The Special Education Staff at Woodstock Middle School are committed to helping your scholar excel. If you need any assistance, feel free to contact your child’s case manager.

Sped Chairperson:

• Mrs. C. Skinner Williams, williamsc33@scsk12.org

Case Managers:

• Ms. N. Smith smithn4@scsk12.org
• Mr. J. Tucker tuckerj1@scsk12.org
• Ms. T. Williams williamstm@scsk12.org

Mission

The mission of Exceptional Children is to enhance educational opportunities through comprehensive services that address academic, social, health, emotional, psychological, and behavioral needs of students, families, schools, and the community.•

Important Updates:

1. Mid-Nine Weeks Progress Reports will be emailed to each scholars’ parents email.
2. Case Managers will be contacting parents regarding your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) as they approach their annual review. Please contact the case manager to ensure your current phone numbers and email addresses are correct.
3. Scholars’ who will turn 14 years old during the school year should be thinking of what career choices they would like to pursue upon graduation. Case Managers will start discussing those options with them throughout the school year.

Greeting Parents,

Voting is a cornerstone of the American Democratic system.Therefore, I wanted to share Shelby County's Early Voting locations. It is my hope you will model this very important civic responsibility to our students.