Ram Nation News
Week of August 19, 2019
Vision
Mission
At Thomas J. Rusk Middle School, our mission is to empower our scholars to become college and career ready by providing them a culture of excellence through challenging opportunities, powerful relationships, and strong community partnerships.
During our last two weeks, we had the opportunity to reflect on our main purpose of being beacons of hope for our community, prepare for a successful year of EXCELLENCE, and renew our commitment of working together toward our mission. It was invigorating and exciting to see each one of you engaged in the learning process and preparing to continue to provide a transformative experience for our students and community.
We are very excited and proud about the progress and accomplishments we have made so far!!! From Improvement Required two years in a row (IR2) to Met Standard with three distinctions during our 17-18 school year to a "B" with five distinctions last year is a remarkable accomplishment; it shows that our work is crucial in creating transformation for our students creating better opportunities for them. All this progress was possible by the hard work and dedication of our teachers, support staff, and administrative team. We know that great things are possible when we have growth mindset, high expectations, and inspiring relationships.
We will have about 630 scholars return to our classrooms for the start of a new school year. I know that each grade level has its own special group and everyone is excited to greet each and everyone of our Rusk Rams!!! We are ready!!!!, let's make of this year the best for our students!!!
THANK YOU
- Rams for your commitment to our scholars; your participation during our PD sessions and collaboration in PLCs was amazing. We appreciate your vulnerability, open-mindedness, and positive attitude.
- Mr. Ramirez, Ms. Cruz, Ms. Russell, and Ms. Valdez for making sure our building was ready for teachers, parents, and students.
- Ms. Miranda and Mrs. Gomez for their planning, support, and other logistics during breakfast on our PD days. We really appreciate having something to eat during PD time to help us focus on the learning.
- Mrs. Mooty, Ms. Calderon, Ms. Woods, and Ms. Herrera for ensuring that 100% of the students who registered were scheduled in classes by day one.
- Mr. Garcia, Mr. Harris, Ms. J. Garcia, Ms. McGee, and Mr. Sanders for their commitment, eagerness, and support to ensure that each one of our teachers had the furniture, materials and supplies needed. Also, ensure that our building had bulletin boards ready and displays set. Being prepared makes a huge difference in the lives of our kids!!!
- Mr. Johnson, Ms. Minter, Ms. Brown, Ms. Ingram, Ms. Lewis, Ms. Reeves, Mr. Brown, Ms. Molla, Ms. Rendon, Ms. Perez, Ms. Michael, Ms. Brunson, and Mr. Geiger for their leadership and support during PD and PLCs as they presented various important topics related to instructional practices, culture, and our evaluation system. This is a great example of expanding leadership in our campus.
- Our Administrative Team, Ms. Guerra, Ms. Tucker, Ms. Scott, Ms. Wells, and Mr. Maymi for their leadership and commitment as they led PLCs and supported the collaborations. These PLCs will continue to focus on planning sessions, data analysis sessions, and the sharing of best practices.
- Mr. Maymi for distributing all technology to our teachers. By doing so, students will have the opportunity to receive Good First Instruction from day one.
Building Trust through Developing Effective Teams
Learning and Collaboration
Community Involvement and Partnerships
REMINDERS FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL
- Pick up students' schedules to distribute to your first period students. They are located in your box.
- Be prepared and provide high expectations for our students
- Greet students with smiles and consistent firmness
- During transitions remember WALQ (Walk on the right side, All hands, feet, and object to self, Low voices, Quick pace)
- Engage learners throughout your lessons. It will support the increase in student achievement and reduce disruptions
- Incorporate your classroom culture expectations and routines within your instruction
- As you begin to fill your bulletin boards, ensure that you have an appealing and purposeful display to reflect what is taking place in your classroom
- Purposefully plan to build positive relationship with our students
- Remember we cannot do pre-tests. We must use the data we already have and then we can give MAP, new universal screening inventory.
DAILY EVENTS
- First day of school!!! Doors will open at 7:40 a.m.
- 9:45 a.m. Enrollment count due. Remember to count students who are present only not the number of students in your rosters.
- Meet with your grade level teams to align your Lesson Plans, continue the analysis of the common assessment, and analyze data profiles for your students.
- 4:45 p.m. First day of school staff meeting - Library
Tuesday, August 20-
- 9:45 a.m. Enrollment count due. Remember to count students who are present and those who are absent, but were present on Monday and are still showing in your Powerschool.
- Meet with your grade level teams to align your Lesson Plans, continue the analysis of the common assessment, and analyze data profiles for your students.
- 4:45 - 6:00 p.m. After school collaboration with PLCs.
Wednesday, August 21-
- 9:45 a.m. Enrollment count due. Remember to count students who are present and those who are absent, but were present on previous days and are still showing in your Powerschool.
- Meet with your grade level teams to align your Lesson Plans, continue the analysis of the common assessment, and analyze data profiles for your students.
- 4:45 - 6:00 After school collaboration with PLCs.
- Tentative - 4:45 - 6:00 p.m. BOC and activity fund training - club sponsors and Mrs. Gomez - Library
Thursday, August 22-
- 8:00 a.m. - Lesson Plans Due
- 9:45 a.m. Enrollment count due. Remember to count students who are present and those who are absent, but were present on previous days and are still showing in your Powerschool.
- Department Collaboration PLC - Department Chair and AP/CIC
Friday, August 23-
- 9:45 a.m. Enrollment count due. Remember to count students who are present and those who are absent, but were present on previous days and are still showing in your Powerschool.
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 17 -
- After School Tutoring Begins
September 20 -
- Development of the Student Learning Objective (SLO) and submission online using Cornerstone
October 18 -
Happy Birthday -
We want to wish our August birthdays the best and many blessings for the years to come.
13- Mrs. Tucker
23 - Mr. Clark
?? - Mr. Harris
Thomas J Rusk Middle School
Email: jcordoba@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/rusk
Location: 2929 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: 972-925-2000