New PARCC info

March 2018

Dear Parent/Guardian,

This year New Jersey will again be administering the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) as the statewide assessment for all students enrolled in grades three through eleven. This is a computer-based test that will assess your child’s knowledge of the curriculum standards in two areas – Mathematics and Language Arts.

This streamlined schedule was designed to maximize instructional classroom time and minimize test taking time.  This is a computer administered test.  This schedule is subject to change.

High School LAL testing is scheduled for April 24^th, 25^th and Math testing April 27^th, 30^th.

Students will participate in testing with their grade level and/or subject area. PARCC assessments are scheduled in 2 1/2 hour blocks.

Students with IEP/504 accommodations may have alternate schedules based on specific provisions outlined in their IEP/504 plans. We are asking students to bring a book with them from their classroom library, media center, or home. If they finish testing early, they will be asked to read quietly until the end of the session.

HS Students: 12^th grade Non-test takers will report to school by 7:43 and they will be dismissed at 12:15 each day. On Math testing days, Calculus and Pre-Cal students will report to school at 7:43 and stay for a full day.

Parent/student checklist for PARCC:

• Get a good night’s sleep
• Eat a healthy breakfast
• 8^th to 11^th grade students must bring their charged iPads to school during testing
• All students should bring their own ear buds/headphones for testing
• Do your best on the assessments
• Bring a book to read during free time

For more detailed information about PARCC testing, please visit:

https://parcc-assessment.org/parent-resources/

Thank you,

Marvin Tucker

Principal

Clayton Middle School’s Annual Spelling Bee March 2018

Clayton Middle School’s Annual Spelling Bee
March 2018

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Below is information on the Annual Spelling Bee. What: Clayton Middle School Spelling Bee When: May 23, 2018 Time: 6:00 PM Where: Clayton Performing Arts Center

Here’s how it works:  A list of words has been given to every student through their Language Arts classes. Please practice these words with your child.  The students will participate in a preliminary round in their Language Arts classes before the end of March. Three winners will move on to a grade level bee.  The three winners from every classroom will move onto the grade level bee on April 20, 2018. The winners of this round will move on to compete in the final spelling bee.  Finalists’ parents/guardians are welcome to attend the final spelling bee event on May 23, 2018.  ALL grade-level finalists will receive a free T-shirt to wear the night of the Bee.

This is going to be a wonderful event for your child. Please encourage your child to do his/her best in the classroom competition and the final spelling bee. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of us.

Sincerely,

Ms. Gelston, Mrs. Pancoast, and the Spelling Bee Committee

Congratulations to Hailey Cowgill and Arianna Martinez. Their designs will appear on the OFFICIAL Clayton Middle School Spelling Bee shirt. The finalists will wear this shirt the night of the Bee!

Electronics Letter to Parents (posted 9/11/2017)

September, 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians

Hello,

It has always been a practice here at Clayton Middle School to prohibit students from using ANY electronic devices in the HALLWAYS and CLASSROOMS (unless teacher permits) during the school day. The cafeteria is the designated area where students can use their devices freely, unless instructed otherwise by administration. Electronic devices can be considered as, but not excluded to; cell phones, headphones, ipads, ipods/other music devices and hand-held games etc. Students are required to put all electronics away when leaving the cafeteria and keep them unseen, until entering the cafeteria during lunch periods or at the dismissal of the school day.

Please assist us and remind your child of these guidelines. If messages need to get to your child before the end of school day, please feel free to contact our office and they will relay the message to your child. If you do send your child text messages, please do so during their assigned lunches or encourage them to check their messages during that time.

Restricting technology use in the hallways and classrooms will reduce off task behaviors, distractions, and improve instructional time. This will allow students to focus on their academics. Isn’t that why we are here? We also want your child to have a memorable and enjoyable experience here at Clayton, so their time in the cafeteria is available for that purpose. As we know, technology is great! However, it can be a distraction and a hindrance at times. Please help us create an environment where our teachers can maximize their time, efforts and resources to provide the best education possible for your child here at Clayton!

Sincerely,

Marvin Tucker
Principal

MS Back to School Letter 2017-2018 (posted 9/11/2017)

September, 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We cordially invite you to attend our annual “Back to School Night” on Wednesday, September 20^th, the doors will open at 6:30 pm. at which time you will go directly to your child’s Homeroom/1^st period class. The night will begin at 6:45 pm with a brief welcome message.  In class you will receive a copy of your child’s schedule, course syllabus, a school map, PARCC scores from last year and other important information.

This is a very important event for your child and the faculty at Clayton Middle School. Back-to-School Night provides an excellent opportunity for you to become acquainted with our facilities and to meet your child’s teachers. It’s an opportunity to find out what the expectations, curriculum, classroom procedures, and methods of assessment will be for each course.  Most of all, it allows you to put faces with the names of the people who teach and are involved in your child’s success.

Lunch periods will not be a part of our program.  Members of our Guidance Department will be available to discuss any questions concerning PARCC scores. Clayton Place and the 21^st Century, will be in the cafeteria to discuss student support services. Please feel free to stop by and speak with them during the evening.

It is our goal to provide your child with a positive and successful educational experience. Please help us to achieve this by attending our “Back to School Night.”  I am looking forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,

Marvin Tucker
Principal