December 12, 2007

Dear Parents, Students, and Community Members,

The semester is quickly coming to a close and a new year is right around the corner.  While reflection is beneficial at any time, I find it is particularly valuable at this time of the year. 

Based on our students’ performance on the CRCT last year, Crews was able to reclaim the “Gold Award” for highest percentage of students meeting and exceeding state standards.  In fact, the percentage of all students meeting and exceeding the state standard increased in all the following areas as compared to the previous year’s scores:

§         6^th and 7^th grade Language Arts

§         6^th and 7^th grade Reading

§         6^th and 7^th grade Science

§         6^th grade Social Studies

§         6^th and 8^th grade Math

Also impressive, the difference in achievement narrowed between White students and subgroups as identified by No Child Left Behind, with the different student groups increasing in achievement, not the scores of White students decreasing:

§         African Americans students in 6^th grade Reading, Social Studies, and Science and 8^th grade Math;

§         Hispanic students in 6^th grade Reading, Social Studies, and Math, 7^th grade Social Studies and Science, and 8^th grade Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Math

§         Students with Disabilities in 6^th grade Reading and Math, and 8^th grade Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Math.

§         English Language Learners in 7^th grade Language Arts, and 8^th grade Social Studies

Students also made significant gains on the Algebra I End of Course Test:

§         95% of the 431 Eighth Grade students taking the EOCT received a Pass or Pass Plus Score (up 3% from the previous year).

§         84% of the 431 Eighth Grade students taking the EOCT received a Pass Plus Score (up 5% from the previous year).

§         84% of the 56 African American students taking the EOCT received a Pass or Pass Plus Score (up 4% from the previous year).

§         70% of the 56 African American students taking the EOCT received a Pass Plus Score (up 4% from the previous year).

§         100% of the 21 Students with Disabilities taking the EOCT received a Pass or Pass Plus Score (up 49% from the previous year).

§         81% of the 21Students with Disabilities taking the EOCT received a Plus Score (up 49% from the previous year).

§         83% of the 54 Economically Disadvantaged students taking the EOCT received a Pass or Pass Plus Score (up 3% from the previous year).

§         72% of the 54 Economically Disadvantaged students taking the EOCT received a Pass Plus Score (up 26% from the previous year).

These accomplishments are key indications that all students receive a quality-plus education at Crews Middle even with differences that may exist among them.  It is important to know that our achievement increased last year even though our percent of students on free and reduced lunch also increased.  As is evident of the consistently high results of student learning, Crews students are receiving a rigorous curriculum that enables all groups to achieve at or above grade level and ultimately, achieve their potentials.

Crews teachers, staff, and administrators recognize that our students’ high levels of learning would not be possible without the phenomenal parental support we receive.  The Crews faculty and staff are among the most blessed educators in America because of the support we receive from our parents and community but also, because our students come prepared to learn and have an intrinsic value for education.  Again, we give thanks to our parents for instilling the value in our students.

Realizing how much our students and parents are giving to us, the Crews faculty is committed giving our all to them.  This past summer, approximately 50 teachers and four administrators attended “Crews Summer Leadership,” a three-day staff development session to develop “Reading, Writing, and Thinking Units.”  The learning units integrate at least two significant writing assignments and reading and higher order thinking strategies in a consistent and pervasive way to make reading, writing, and higher order thinking an unmistakable part of the instructional culture at Crews.  Additionally, Crews is an integral part of the Brookwood Cluster Social Studies Vertical Team for Reading, Writing, and Higher Order Thinking.  Crews hosted the first meeting of the vertical team and the team is scheduled to meet again in January, 2008.

Starting at the end of the 1^st nine weeks, students scoring a Level 1 on the CRCT and all students “on the bubble” of earning a Level 1 or 2, including Special Education students, have been offered 80 minutes of instruction in Math via release from Connections on A or B Day.

In maintaining Crews’ reputation for being “first in technology,” over 50 teachers now have either a Mimio or SmartBoard (i.e., technology to make whiteboards interactive) in their rooms.  Just a year and a half ago, Crews only had one SmartBoard!!!  To support teacher proficiency in using this new technology, monthly in-service and distributor staff development sessions are being conducted.

Finally, twenty-minute observations as well as walk-throughs are being used to provide teachers with rich feedback on higher level thinking, student engagement, use of research based instructional strategies, and reading and writing.

What a year this has been!!!  Success doesn’t just happen.  It is something that you work on, day after day, lesson by lesson, student by student.  As this very successful year comes to an end, know that the Crews faculty and staff realize that the students you bring to us to teach are gifts in our lives.  We cherish your gifts with all the care and competence of a professional educator and we commit to you that tomorrow, and the next day, and the next year will be even brighter.  In the words of Dr. Alton C. Crews, we are committed to being “evergreen,” continually improving, so tomorrow will be better than today.

Thank you, your principal,

Gene Taylor