Strategic Plan 2017

Dr. Robert Avossa, our Superintendent, has unveiled the district's 5-year plan for increasing student achievement.  Three specific goals will serve as our measure for long-term student success:

• Graduation Rate – 90% of Fulton students will graduate on time
• College Readiness – 85% of Fulton’s seniors will be eligible for admission to a University System of Georgia college or university
• Career Readiness – 100% of Fulton’s graduates will be work-ready certified

“Building Our Future,” Fulton's strategic planning initiative, will focus on five strategic themes to achieve these goals:

• Instruction – Students will be engaged in learning that enables them to reach their full potential for college and career readiness
• People – Fulton County Schools will attract and retain the most talented and effective employees in K-12 education
• Technology – Students, parents, teachers and administrators will have the tools and information they need to accelerate learning
• Effective Schools – School leadership will be collaborative and will balance innovation with accountability
• Resources – Student needs will be supported with efficient and effective allocation of staff, instructional materials and equipment

At Hopewell, we are committed to supporting the district's strategic plan by working towards local school goals that will positively impact student achievement over the long-term.  Specifically, we are striving to:

• Increase the % of students exceeding standard in Reading on the CRCT
• Increase the % of students exceeding standard in Math on the CRCT
• Improve student achievement in writing

By targeting efforts towards the highest level of achievement, we are preparing students for the rigors of high school and equipping them for success no matter what their courses of study may ultimately be.

As parents, you play an important role as well. Thank you for partnering with us, supporting us, and entrusting your child to us. I look forward to working with you in our pursuit of excellence.

Characteristics of Effective Schools

What's the difference between a good school and a GREAT school? A synthesis of the research on effective schools points to 7 factors associated with high student achievement (Lezotte 1991):

Safe and Orderly Environment

• The school environment is conducive to learning
• Students work collaboratively
• Respect and tolerance are demonstrated

Climate of High Expectations for Success

• The staff demonstrates a belief that all students can learn
• Teachers use a wide variety of strategies to ensure student learning

Instructional Leadership

• The principal is an instructional leader
• The principal communicates the school's mission to teachers, students, and community

Clear and Focused Mission

• The staff understands and is committed to the mission of the school, its instructional goals, and priorities

Opportunity to Learn and Student Time on Task

• A significant amount of time is allocated to instruction in essential skills

Frequent Monitoring of Student Progress

• Student progress is assessed frequently in a variety of ways
• The emphasis is less on standardized tests and more on authentic learning

Home-School Relations

• Parents understand and support the school's mission
• Parents play an important role in achieving the mission
• Teachers and parents work as partners

At Hopewell, we're TOO GOOD not to be GREAT!

Student Dress Code Reminders...

Well the warm weather is here a bit early, and the dress code is once again a hot button topic! Rather than quote the guidelines that you've heard many times before and have read thoroughly in your child's agenda, I thought a visual might help get the point across...

Racerback tops and halter tops are not appropriate.

This is the desired length for shorts, skirts, and dresses - they should reach close to the knee.

Students may not wear jeans or shorts with holes above the knee.

These skirts are very popular right now! However, they are not the appropriate length for school.

Boys' pants and shorts should sit on their waist.

Cheer/soccer shorts should not be worn to school. Typically, they're too short anyway.  We also have the issue of girls rolling the shorts at the waist, which doesn't help either.





TOO SHORT! Shorts should reach the top of the knee (or VERY close).





These kids look great!

Thanks, parents, for your support!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Hopewell families! I can't believe that we're already in the middle of the school year!  There is so much to look forward to this semster, and numerous ways for you to get involved.  I hope you will take advantage of opportunities to support your child and our programs.

The TAG Department said goodbye to Lori Moore, TAG Math Teacher



Survey Request
We need to hear from you!  Parents....please take a moment to complete a short survey. We are interested in gaining feedback on communication and programming at Hopewell. Please complete one survey for each of your children. Simply click the link below:

Parent Survey - January 2012

8th Grade Writing Assessment

The Georgia Writing Assessment will be administered to 8^th students on Wednesday, January 18, 2012.  This state standardized writing assessment consists of an evaluation of student responses to assigned topics. 

 

Students are expected to arrive to school by 8:25 a.m. and will not be allowed to leave the testing site until approximately 11:10 a.m. when testing concludes.

Mr. Sewell's 6th grade TAG students view solar flares through a telescope

Hopewell Lives Well 2012

Mark your calendars and be sure to join us on Thursday, January 19th for our first annual, "Hopewell Lives Well" event!  As you know, we have created a student-led Health and Wellness Committee at Hopewell.  We are kicking off with a staff vs. student volleyball game at 4pm in the gymnasium. In the cafeteria, from 4:30-6:30, we will have vendors, displays, and a nutritionist to help us start the year right with healthy snacks, recipes, and tips.  We are looking to have the entire community there!

2011-2012 School Improvement Goals

After careful review of our 2010-2011 School Improvement Plan, we've decided to maintain an overall focus in 2011-2012 on the same areas: math, science, and writing. Data will be collected throughout the year to assess progress toward these goals. Feel free to offer input on strategies for proceeding!

In the area of math, our goal is to increase the percentage of students exceeding standard (a score of 350 or above) on the CRCT.  We have disaggregated the data (broken it down by subgroups - white, black, hispanic, economically disadvantaged, and special education students) and have also created specific goals for increases in the percentage of students exceeding at the subgroup level.

a.     White students: from 60%  exceeding standard (2010 result) to 64%  exceeding standard (2011 target)

b.     Black students: from 27% exceeding standard (2010 result) to 31% exceeding standard (2011 target)

c.      Hispanic students: from 38% exceeding standard (2010 result) to 42% exceeding standard (2011 target)

d.     Students with disabilities: from 19% exceeding standard (2010 result) to 23% exceeding standard (2011 target)

e.     Economically disadvantaged students: from 23% exceeding standard (2010 result) to 27% exceeding standard (2011 target)

In the area of science, we have also maintained the goal of increasing the percentage of students exceeding standard on the CRCT (scoring at or above 350).  We will look for specific gains across the subgroups in this area as well.

a.     White students: from 59% exceeding standard (2010 result) to 63%  exceeding standard (2011 target)

b.     Black students: from 26% exceeding standard (2010 result) to 30% exceeding standard (2011 target)

c.      Hispanic students: from 35% exceeding standard (2010 result) to 39% exceeding standard (2011 target)

d.     Students with disabilities: from 16% exceeding standard (2010 result) to 20% exceeding standard (2011 target)

e.     Economically disadvantaged students: from 24% exceeding standard (2010 result) to 28% exceeding standard (2011 target)

Finally, we did not meet our target to increase the percentage of 8th grade students scoring in the exceeds category on Georgia's 8th Grade Writing Assessment in spring 2011.  We will maintain a focus on this goal and look to increase the percentage of students exceeding on the spring 2012 administration.  We have also included a goal for our students with disabilities.

o   Overall student performance: from 9% exceeding standard (2010 result) to 15% exceeding standard (2011 target)

o   Students with disabilities: from 65% meeting or exceeding standard (2010 result) to 74% meeting or exceeding standard (2011 target)

News and More

What a busy time of the year! We have been involved in so many exciting activities both in and outside of the building. Take a look....
         
          *Junior Beta Induction Ceremony
          *6th and 7th Grade Dances

          *PTA Reflections Ceremony
          *Volleyball
          *Special Olympics
           *Red Ribbon Week

          *Book Fair
          *Talent Show
          *Field Trips
          *Selection of student ambassadors for our Health and Wellness Committee

          *Rachel's Challenge Rally on 11/11/11

          *Main Event - Teacher of the Year and Staff Member of the Year Recognition
          *Academic Bowl

          *Student Government Canned Food Drive

          *Junior Beta Convention
          *Thanksgiving Feasts

I am so proud of our students and all of the great ways they represent Hopewell Middle School. Stay tuned...!

The Impact of Rachel's Challenge

By now, you have probably heard talk of the Rachel's Challenge Event we hosted on Wednesday. Whether you experienced it first-hand, heard the events recounted by your child, or saw coverage on the news, it is difficult to deny the program's impact.  The Rachel's Challenge Event was comprised of 2 student assemblies, a student training for the "Friends of Rachel (FOR)" club, and an evening community event.  I can't speak for anyone else, but I know the experience is going to ultimately be life-changing for me.

JB from Rachel's Challenge, Dr. Patterson, and Duffie Dixon of 11 Alive News

Rachel's Challenge combines the tragedy of the Columbine High School shootings with the beauty of Rachel Scott's writings and legacy, to challenge individuals to live differently.  The challenge has 5 components: 1)To eliminate prejudice; 2)Speak words that heal not hurt; 3)Forgive yourself and others; 4)Choose positive influences; and 5)Start a chain reaction.

Students sign the Rachel's Challenge banner to officially accept the challenge.

Rachel's Challenge doesn't end with the assembly. In fact, it's just beginning, and we need your support! We are all so excited and inspired to reach out and start our own chain reactions. The students have shared their ideas and we want to support them. As we post projects, feel free to reach out and help in any way you can. If you have an idea for a project, no matter how small, let us know about it so that our students can help!  Rachel Scott's message is a testament to us all of the powerful difference that one person can make.

"I have this theory that if one can go out of their way to show compassion, it will start a chain reaction of the same."

-Rachel Joy Scott