clayton county <strong>Public</strong> SchoolsOffice of the Superintendent1058 Fifth Avenue • Jonesboro, Georgia 30236 • (770) 473-2700 • FAX (770) 473-2778EDMOND T. HEATLEY, Ed.D.Superintendent of SchoolsJuly, 2012Dear Parents and Students,<strong>Public</strong> education has instituted many new programs through the years. However, Common Core State Standards (CCSS)may be more ground-breaking and may have a greater impact on student learning than any other initiative. CCSS, adoptedby Georgia and over 40 other states, began the transition with English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in 2011.Leader and teacher training will continue as educators begin teaching these standards this upcoming school year.While there are many similarities between the Georgia Performance Standards and the CCSS, you will notice changesin the content and concepts that are taught at each grade level. For example, the new ELA standards increased focus oninformational (nonfiction) text in elementary, middle, and high school. There is the expectation that reading and writingare used to increase students’ understanding of mathematics, science, social studies, and technical subjects. The keychanges in CCSS for mathematics will involve teaching the mathematical practices and skills across all grades and themathematical content that will be shifting to the lower grades.Over the next few years, you will also notice some changes in testing in our schools that will directly impact your child.It is important to us that you are aware of these changes and supporting resources. Therefore, leaders within the districtwill host community forums to provide you with insight regarding the new Common Core instructional and assessmentexpectations. Tips for how you can assist at home will be included. These new K-12 assessments will monitor students’progress toward academic mastery, provide leaders and teachers with timely information to guide teaching, and build apathway to college and career readiness by the end of high school. Next year’s assessments, both classroom and districtlevels, will include formats such as: multiple choice, constructed response, performance tasks and writing prompts.These changes in format will prepare students for the 2014-2015 Next Generation Assessments for Common Core StateStandards.Essentially, the adoption of the CCSS means that your child will be better prepared to meet the demands of collegeand the work place in the 21st century. The CCSS raises the bar in all grades to ensure that our students are receiving arelevant and quality education every day. Our district has taken steps to make certain our leaders, teachers, and studentsare ready to meet these more challenging, yet, exciting expectations. We have revised our K-12 core curriculum andscheduled ongoing training for leaders, teachers, and parents. We have organized community forums to discussinformation regarding these new standards with you and our community members. There will be a lot of informationavailable to support you and your child through this transition. We are committed to providing a world-class educationto our students so that they will be prepared to compete and succeed anywhere in the world!We look forward to a valuable partnership with you this school year. Please contact your principal for further informationregarding Common Core State Standards.Respectfully,Dr. Edmond T. Heatley, Superintendent of Schools2
<strong>STUDENT</strong> <strong>HANDBOOK</strong> SIGNATUrE PAGESchool_____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________ _________________Student Name Homeroom DateThis Parent/Student Handbook contains valuable information for you and your child to ensure success in theschool environment. This success is dependent upon mutual respect and clear understanding of rights andresponsibilities. Please read carefully each statement below and sign on the appropriate line to indicate yourwishes.I acknowledge that I have received copies of the Attendance Policy and Student code of Conduct. I understandthat students who are age ten or older by September 4, 2012 also need to sign this notice and return it to mychild’s school.I also hereby acknowledge receipt of the current and complete school Uniform Dress code contained within. Ifurther acknowledge that the final decision in all dress code related matters ultimately rests with the school’sadministration. As parent/guardian, I will ensure that my child understands the Uniform Dress Code and arrivesat school in complete uniform, adhering to all dress and grooming guidelines. I understand that there is nograce period for dress code offenses and that enforcement of the Uniform Dress Code begins the first day ofthe 2012-2013 school year. I understand that the district’s dress code regulations contain consequences, thatincludes suspension, detention and providing my child with the appropriate clothing during the school day, asnecessary.I acknowledge that all clubs and extracurricular activities with related information are listed at the school andhave been made available for me to review. Any new clubs or activities formed during the school year willrequire that information be sent home for my review and that I must grant permission for my child to participate.I understand that if I wish to “opt-out” my child from participation, I may do so by listing the activity or clubon this page for which I do not grant permission for his/her participation.__________________________________Student Signature________________________________Parent/Guardian Signaturemy child does NOT have permission to participate in the following clubs or activities:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3