1701 North Cherry Street, North Carolina, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27105 336.703.6731 (Main) 336.727.8245 (Fax) www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us
November 17, 2015
Dear Parent / Guardian:
I hope that the school year has begun successfully for you. I am writing to share important information with you about Kimberley Park. Please understand that we are committed to ensure that your child receives the best educational opportunities available and we strive to improve our service every day.
As part of the bill of the 2015-16 budget, the General Assembly of North Carolina has made some changes in the definition of "underachievement" and given any specific guidance and direction to these schools. As parent / guardian of a student in Kimberley Park, I am writing to let you know that Kimberley Park has been designated as a low- performing school by the Board of Education of the State of North Carolina. As defined in GS 115C-105.37: "The Board of Education shall develop and implement a procedure for identifying low-performing schools annually underperforming schools are receiving a rating of school performance D. or F and a school that receives a score of growth, 'expected growth fulfilled "or" not meet expected growth ", as defined in GS 115C- 83.15."
Performance ratings are based on the academic performance of students (80%) and growth (20%). The indicators and standards of competence or reference used to determine the academic performance include:
1. The end of grade testing in math and reading in grades 3-8 and science tests in grades 5 and 8 (Level 3 or above this level). 2. The annual end of course tests in Mathematics I, Biology, and English II (Level 3 or above this level). 3. The percentage of students who graduate and complete Mathematics II, Algebra II or Integrated Math II with a rating that allows you to pass the course / subject. 4. The percentage of students who are in grade 11 who achieve the minimum score required for admission to an institution of the University of North Carolina in the ACT (composite score of 17) 5. The percentage of graduates identified as concentration Career Technical Education and that meet the "Silver" or higher on the test certificate called ACT Work Keys. 6. The percentage of students who graduate in four years of high school "High School" (Standard [4 years] graduation rate)
Kimberley Park received "F" and, as an underperforming school, is required to develop an improvement plan that specifically outlines how the school will improve both the qualification and increase school performance scores school wide growth. The plan should also include how the superintendent and other central office administrators in the district will work with us and monitor progress in our school.
After initial approval by our board of education, we will present our district plan to the Board of Education for review. The state appointed board, officials Transformation Division and School District's Department of Public Instruction, read each plan and provide information to the school district. After considering the views of the state, our local board of education will give final approval of the plan, to be published in the local district (www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us) our Web site as well as on the website DPI (www.ncpublicschools.org). The Board of Education WS / FCS passed a resolution on October 27 where I identify what the district will do to support schools and opposed the definition of low performance for two reasons. Firstly, the Board thinks that identification is based on a calculation of the rating of poor school performance does not take into account academic growth, and secondly, defines the schools that met their growth targets such as schools underperforming. In the resolution the actions the district has adopted to support all schools, including those identified as underperforming by the State Board of Education from 2014 are also described.
Besides this, Kimberley Park has been identified as a priority by DPI School. Schools Priority are identified as a result of the level of achievement of "all groups of students" in terms of academic achievement (reading / math) for several years or, for high schools, which have a lower rate of graduation 60% for several years.
Schools have a requirement to implement priority interventions which are governed by the following federal rules "Turnaround Principles":
• Strong leadership • Effective teachers and improve instruction • Extended learning time • Program instruction strengthened / reinforced • The use of data • Safety and school discipline • The family and community involvement
We continue striving to improve academic performance of students [and the percentage of our students who graduate]. We have established the following goals for [this year: hardwork on the part of students, teachers and schools to achieve these objectives will be taken, and we are committed to it. Kimberley Park, we are committed to providing our staff personal development course high quality oriented after-school tutoring and parent meetings such as to keep you informed of changes in your child's academic progress. Our students need to experience high levels of academic achievement, but to achieve a strong work staff, students and families need. Here we include some strategies that we will implement: We understand the stakes being so high for students is very important that our teachers know and understand how to be effective in teaching students. Since there are a limited number of hours for teaching new information and make sure that students understand and learn the information we will need your help to make your child get any tutoring after school or academy offers in Saturday. Finally, recognizing that you are / the best defender from his / her son / daughter, we offer flexible meeting days and times so you can attend our workshops for parents.
We are very happy with relation to this school year and we are working for a successful year for your student. We have been planning hard for the beginning of the school year. This area includes asking partners and mentors to work with students and collaborate with some of the new initiatives and continue with our programs back.
We are already engaged in the work of perfecting our plan, and the superintendent presented a preliminary plan for our school board at its meeting on Tuesday, October 27. The next step in the process is to allow the community the opportunity to give their opinion on the plan. The district plan can be found in www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/lps. Public comments can be made by sending an email to [email protected] or by calling 336-727-2696. We will conduct a public hearing to allow hear from people on Tuesday, November 24 at 6:30 pm in the Auditorium of Education Building (4801 Bethania Station Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27105).
Our school is continuous improvement and look forward to working with each of you as we continue to focus on providing the best education for our children. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any specific questions as we go through this process.
Excellence is our’s Amber M. Baker Amber M. Baker, Principal
WINSTON-SALEM/FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOLS
WINSTON-SALEM/FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOLS