The following information may also be found in pdf form at the bottom of this page.
10/30/2024
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 improve 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 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 and instructional support during
grade level meetings to review updated information as well as to review data.
Recruitment & Retention of Effective Teachers
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 instruction and are now looking at
EVAAS data to move forward this school year.
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 - GEAR UP family nights are planned and encouraged.
We have set the following goals for Central Wilkes Middle School this year:
The school implements a tiered instructional system that allows teachers to deliver evidence-based
instruction aligned with the individual needs of students across all tiers.
ALL teachers arrange for supports and interventions when necessary.
The LEA/School regularly looks at school performance data and aggregated classroom observation data and
uses that data to make decisions about school improvement and professional development needs.
Our students need to experience higher achievement levels, but it will require hard work on the part of staff, students and families. Here are some strategies East Wilkes Middle School will be implementing:
Central Wilkes Middle School will monitor, evaluate, and adjust instruction on a monthly basis utilizing STAR
assessment data.
Central Wilkes Middle School will use STAR assessments and NC Check-In data in order to differentiate
instruction utilizing small group instruction.
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.
Stay in contact with your child’s teacher through the Remind.com platform.
Monitor the progress your child is making and attend meetings with your child’s teacher.
Monitor PowerSchool on a daily basis through the parent portal.
Keep your contact information current in order to receive current messenger calls.
Join the Central Wilkes Middle School Athletic Booster Club.
If you have questions about the content of this letter, please contact Principal Ebenezer Lancerio at
[email protected]
Sincerely,
Ebenezer Lancerio, Principal
Central Wilkes Middle School