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


Accepting the Challenge

There has perhaps never been a more difficult time for our young adults than the current times in which we live.  It seems that the dangers we as adults faced growing up pale in comparison to what is the norm today.  Consider bullying, for instance.  I shared with faculty that there are certain things I am self-conscious of as an adult because of the teasing I endured as an adolescent.  And while at that time parents and teachers may have brushed aside reports of teasing and taunting, a lot has changed since then, and sadly, many lives have been lost as a result.

At Hopewell, we realize the delicate stage of growth and development that our students are either entering or currently going through.  This is one of the reasons we have chosen to address bullying and harassment from many perspectives:

1. Hopewell Administration communicates to students on a regular basis that there is absolutely no tolerance for bullying and harassment. Student reports of bullying and harassment are addressed as quickly as possible.
2. Hopewell students are being asked to "accept the challenge" on Wednesday, October 5th. You will have an opportunity to accept the challenge as well on October 5th at 7pm in the gym. Want to know what it's all about? Visit www.rachelschallenge.org for more information.We have invited the entire community, and hope you will join us to be a part of this exciting, life-changing experience.
3. On Friday 9/30 during homeroom, all students will view a presentation I created to help them understand the severity of bullying and harassment behaviors and the consequences if they choose to engage in them.  I will make the presentation available on the website as well as this blog.

2011 PTA Fall Family Picnic

Beautiful weather, great food, and a relaxed atmosphere... I can't think of a better way to kick off the fall season!

Thank you to all of those who contributed in any way to PTA's annual Fall Family Picnic. I had a great time meeting families, eating ice cream, and watching the kids have a ball on the jumper. 

If you missed it, we'd love to see you next year! Support the Hopewell community and be a part of this wonderful event!