Central Wilkes Middle School 3541 NC-16

Moravian Falls, NC 28654 Phone (336) 667-7453

Principal: Mr. Ebenezer Lancerio

November 29, 2022

Dear Parent/Guardian:

I hope the school year has started successfully for all of you. As a parent/guardian of a student in Central Wilkes Middle School, I am writing this letter to let you know that Central Wilkes Middle School has been designated as a Targeted Support & Improvement Additional Targeted Support (TSI-AT) school by the North Carolina State Board of Education. As stated in ESSA Section 1111(d)(2), North Carolina had to identify schools for targeted support and improvement. TSI- AT schools in North Carolina are those that have a subgroup that is under-performing. The intent of this opportunity is to lmprove educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, increase equity, and improve the quality of instruction.

As a TSI-AT school, Central Wilkes Middle School is required to develop a comprehensive plan that specifically addresses how the school will improve student achievement. The plan will also include how our district will support us and monitor the progress of our school. The comprehensive plan will address the following areas:

• Classroom Management - All beginning teachers are required to attend classroom management professional development.
• Standards-aligned Instruction - Lesson plans are checked on a weekly basis and reviewed during PLCs to make certain instruction is being delivered and NC Standards are being taught within a normal pacing time.
• Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) - All teachers have a designated weekly time to meet with the instructional specialist.
• Instructional Leadership - All teachers meet weekly with administrators during a grade level meeting to review updated information as well as to review data.
• Recruitment & Retention of Effective Teachers - A team of teachers support hiring, and newly hired teachers are supported to learn process and procedures of Central Wilkes Middle School
• Support for Grade-to-Grade Transitions - Support days are put in place utilizing student leadership to host and inform incoming students. Wilkes Early College High School as well as Wilkes Central High School host eighth grade students and allow students to have small group tours to get acclimated to their campus and become familiar with the programs offered at each campus. All grade levels try to plan field trips that allow our students to take advantage of multiple college/university tours.
• Data-Driven Decision Making - All teachers and teams review last year's data and are now looking at EVAAS data to move forward informing this year's data as well.
• Student Support Services - Individual student and family support has been made available for students who are at- risk for dropping out.
• Family and Community Engagement - Parent teacher conferences and GEAR UP faintly nights are encouraged. Participation has increased over last year.

We have set the following goals for Central Wilkes Middle School this yea-r:

• We will improve the academic growth of our students that are on monitored intervention plans by implementing prescriptive interventions and progress monitoring.
• We will decrease the number of students with 2 or more ODRs from 123 in 2022-2023 to 110 in 2023-2024.
• We will increase our attendance from 92.45 in 2022-2023 to 93% by the end of 2023-2024.
• The percentage of students who exhibit personal responsibility will increase from 55% to 60%.
• We will increase student engagement by monitoring and promoting high expectations for student attendance in the by implementing highly effective practices, ongoing professional learning for blended learning strategies, and ongoing professional learning around social/emotional learning.

Our students need to experience higher achievement levels, but it will require hard work on the pan of staff, students and families. Here are some strategies Central Wilkes Middle School will be implementing:

Central Wilkes Middle School will monitor, evaluate, and adjust instruction on a monthly basis utilizing the STAR assessment data.

• Central Wilkes Middle School will use the STAR assessments and NC Check-In data in order to create pathways of instruction for students.

Parent engagement is at the heart of our school improvement efforts. Here are some ways we can work together:

• Make sure that both you and your student are aware of academic expectations set for your student this school year. A list of learning objectives in student-friendly language is available from your student's teacher(s).
• Call Central Wilkes Middle School, 336-667-7453, if you have questions or concerns about your student or to set up an appointment to meet with a school staff member who will be working with your student.
• Make sure that your student is prepared and attends school each day.
• Monitor your student's homework.

» Monitor the progress your child i5 making and attend meetings with your child's teacher.

» Monitor PowerSchools on a daily basis. Grades are updated weekly.

• Keep track of our website.
• Join the Central Wilkes Middle School PTSO and Athletic Booster Club.

Sounds like a lot but preparing our student5 sO that they can succeed is not easy and is a group effort. Here are some resources available to help:

Graduation requirements: www.ncpttb1icscliools.ord/qm’ac1requi1’ements/

K-12 standards in academic subjects: www.iicpub1icsc1aools.on/curricrl1uin/ State student achievement test results: www.ncpub1icsc1ioo1s.on/accountability/

N.C. School Report Cards: https://ncre aortcarcJs.ondemand.sas.com/src

We're excited about this school year and are working to make it a success for your child. If you have questions about the content of this letter, please contact Ebenezer Lancerio at [email protected] or 336-667-7453.

Sincerely,

Ebenezer Lancerio, Principal Central Wilkes Middle School