Important Dates for November 2016

11.1.16 YMOD Canned Food Drive

11.8.16 Professional Learning Day

11.9.16 Redan vs. Druid Hills

11.12.16 Redan vs. Champion

11.16.16 Redan vs. Stone Mountain

11.17.16 Progress Reports

11.18.16 Student Advisory Committee Mtg.

11.21.16-11.25.16 Thanksgiving Holidays

11.29.16 Teacher Advisory Committee Mtg.

11.30.16 Redan vs. Henderson

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 2016

Volume V 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 Studies, and Science) and receive extra instruction to improve their academic achieve-

ment. Students are provided a snack and transportation home. If you would like for your student to

enroll please contact Ms. Mya Ward, program administrator.

In the very near future, we will be introducing a new feature to our students regarding our new

NEWA MAP Assessment system. The new feature is called Skills Navigator and this will allow

our students to work on mastering Math, Reading, Language and Vocabulary skills both here at

school and at home. Information regarding Skills Navigator will be forthcoming.

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 deliver

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 un-

derstanding 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, 2016 so please make

sure that you discuss your student’s grades with him/her so that they will understand your

expectations for their learning .

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.

Counseling Center News

Page 2

Counselors

Head Counselor/8th

Grade

Dr. Treva Tucker

678-874-7928

7th Grade Counselor

Mr. Rahman Sparks

678-874-7929

6th Grade Counselor

Ms. Bridget Smith

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 pur-

chase 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 even-

ing. Research shows that students who read on a consistent basis show significant academic gains both in

their classroom and on standardized assessments.

PSAT

Kudos to the 76 8th grade students who signed up to take the PSAT for free! We can’t wait to see their

results. We know they did an awesome job!

Rising 9th

Grade Parent Night

Rising 9th grade Parent Night will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2016 in the Cafeteria at 6:00 pm.

Redan HS Counselors and Administrators will be present to review high school expectations and cours-

es requirements for our current 8th graders (The Graduating Class of 2021).

Academic Advisement

Mrs. Smith (6th grade counselor), Mr. Sparks (7th grade counselor) and Dr. Tucker (8th grade counselor)

met with all students who were failing 2 or more courses. The counselors made some of the following

suggestions for improving grades:

Use a daily agenda planner to keep up with assignments and due dates. Review notes from class nightly. Form study groups. Utilize online websites to support classroom instruction.

Mrs. Smith has been working with the six grade students on appropriate classroom interactions. She excited about the improvement in the sixth grade students behavior overall.

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

accomplish 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. Accountability: 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 ourselves 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. Integrity: We act consistently with our beliefs. When we err,

we acknowledge the mistake and seek to make amends

Outstanding Citizens

Congratulations to Brandon Scott and Maya Jackson who received the Dekalb County All-Star Award for outstanding academics, leadership and sportsman-ship.

Assistant Principals

API/6th Grade

Sabrina Pressley

678-8747915

7th Grade

Aaron Moore

678-874-7913

8th Grade

Kerry Stroud

678-874-7914

Instructional Support

Mya Ward

678-874-7920

Page 3

Volume V Issue IV

2013-2014 Redan Middle PTSA Officers

President-Dorna Sanders & Patrice Benton

Vice-President– Yvette Thomas

Treasurer-Jamilla Robinson

Secretary– Panya Dixon

Hello parents of Redan Middle School! What can the Parent Center at Redan Middle offer you?

Computer access with an internet connection

Resources to assist your child with homework and projects

School supplies

Infinite Campus (Parent Portal)

Information regarding parenting classes

Information about tutoring classes

Our mission is to keep you informed and

involved in the everyday activities of our

student. Our goal is to provide you with

information in a site based, user-friendly

environment that will facilitate the academic

success of your student.

www. redanms.dekalb.k12.ga.us

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 8:50 and ends at 3:50. 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 weekly that contain important school information i.e. im-

portant 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