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Ross Middle School Newsletter
www.rossrams.com

Dear Ross Middle School Parents, Students, and Community Members,

Spring is finally in the air. The weather has begun to warm up and all around us is a sense of renewal and fresh beginnings. We hope that each of you were able to enjoy your much deserved spring break and were able to recharge for the final weeks of the school year.

The next few weeks are very important for students in the state of Ohio and those at Ross Middle School. All 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students are required to take the Ohio Achievement Tests (OAT’s) beginning at the end of April. Students will test utilizing the following schedule:

5th Grade: M 4/21 Reading, F 4/25 Math, T 4/29 Science, TH 5/1 Social Studies
6th Grade: M 4/28 Reading, W 4/30 Math
7th Grade: M 4/21 Reading, TH 4/24 Math, T 4/29 Writing
8th Grade: M 4/21 Reading, TH 4/24 Math, T 4/29 Science, TH 5/1 Social Studies

We would like to remind all students and parents of the importance testing plays in the planning of our educational program. Testing results are closely monitored and we review the data looking for ways to improve our already strong educational program. In addition they are the main component on the district and school building’s state report card. It is important for our students to come prepared to do their very best on their designated testing days. To that end, we ask parents to support their child by making every effort to insure they are well rested, fed, attend school on their designated testing days, and are ready to do their very best. We are confident that, with the support of our teaching staff and parents, our students will be able to perform to their potential during this testing period, and Ross Middle School will continue to be a great place to learn!

You should have received your child’s third quarter report card on Friday, April 11th. As a reminder, 4th quarter progress reports will be handed out to students on Tuesday, May 6th. It is absolutely imperative you review these with your child to ensure he or she continues to perform at the level at which they are capable. It is particularly important that students who may have had difficulty passing classes during the previous three quarters redouble their efforts. We believe that students are to be held accountable for their course work and, if appropriate, attend summer school if they are not passing courses during the regular academic year. Remind them it is not too late to bring their grades up to passing levels and thereby assuring they avoid attending classes this summer.
Sincerely,
Chris Saylor, Principal
Christen M. Davis, Assistant Principal

Schools in Ohio are permitted a maximum of five calamity days that do not have to be rescheduled. All days missed past the five have to be rescheduled. Following is the make-up schedule for the Ross Local School District:

Tuesday, June 3 is now the last day for Seniors. Friday, June 6 is now a make-up day for Ross High School.

Friday, June 6 and Monday, June 9 are now make-up days for Ross Middle School, Elda Elementary, and Morgan Elementary. Should we miss any more days this school year, the following days will be used for make-up, June 10, June 11, and June 12.

Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, the Ross Local School District will utilize four days of planned, one-hour delays for students for the purpose of providing professional development to teachers. Trying to provide teachers with the professional development needed to deliver high quality instruction is challenging due to the nature of school schedules, teacher schedules, extra-curricular activities, etc. This will allow all teachers to attend focused programs on increasing student achievement. The four one-hour delays will be spaced throughout the school year and announced as part of the 2008-2009 school year calendar. The cNotify parent contact system will be used to remind parents of the delayed start days.