DEAN RUSK MIDDLE SCHOOLHOME OF THE CHIEFS!

DRMS ADMINISTRATIONMrs. Cindy Cooper: PrincipalMr. Lawrence Gluckson: Assistant PrincipalMrs. Catherine Holman: Assistant Principal Dr. Tom Usry: Assistant PrincipalMs. Taylor Herman: CounselorMrs. Michelle Martin: CounselorMrs. Kasi Williams: Counselor

15-16 HIGHLIGHTS 8th Grade Band all Superior Ratings at LGPE 8th Grade Band invited to perform at Disney World in Orlando, FL Students selected for All-State Chorus Student selected as Alternate for All-State Band 8th Grade Girls Basketball Team placed 2nd in County Championship Students qualify for Regional and State Science Fair Competition Students qualify for Regional and State Social Studies Fair Competition 18 out of 25 students received an award on their National Latin Exam

ACADEMICS

Reading

Math

Social Studie

s

Science

Language Arts

CORE CURRICULUM

• All academic teams are computer generated • All ability groups• Consist of 4 or 5 teachers with

classrooms located in same area of hall• Send out progress reports/report cards

every 4 ½ weeks

ACADEMIC TEAMS

1st PeriodHomeroom Reading

2nd Period Connections3rd Period

Lunch Language Arts

4th Period Math

5th Period Science

6th Period Connections

7th Period Social Studies

TYPICAL STUDENT SCHEDULE

ArtBusiness

& Compute

r Science

Health

Technology

Exploration

Band

Physical Educatio

n

Family&

Consumer

Science(FACS)

Chorus

OrchestraMath

Success&

Reading

Success

CONNECTIONS CLASSESPurpose: To give students exposure to a variety of courses, to facilitate student identification of interests, to refine skills in a variety of hands-on experiences, and to prepare students to select subjects appropriately when they reach high school.

• 8:15am Students may enter the building. They report to cafeteria/gym– breakfast is offered

• 8:50am Students are released to homeroom/1st period• Students arriving after 9:00am are tardy and must be

escorted inside the building by a parent• 9:00am Academic day begins and students rotate through

seven class periods• Students have math, reading, language arts, science, social

studies, and PE/Connections classes.• Students have lunch between 10:30am and 12:30pm• Teachers are in the cafeteria supervising students during

lunch

TYPICAL DAILY ROUTINE

• A copy of your child’s 2016-2017 course placement will be given to your son or daughter during the month of May.• Please be aware that course placement

decision are data driven.• Email questions and requests related to course

placements to the following email address: DRMS.Scheduling@cherokee.k12.ga.us • These messages will receive a response until: Friday, May 20, 2016

COURSE PLACEMENTS

• Your child’s school schedule will be available on the ASPEN Family Portal a few days prior to the 2016-2017 Walk-Through.• Please be aware that all schedules are

subject to change within the first ten days of the school year based on student enrollment.• Please note that DRMS does not honor

requests for specific teams or specific teachers.

SCHEDULES

BEHAVIOR

• Student agendas contain a Behavior Card for each quarter of the school year. Parents should review the Behavior Card on a daily basis.• Points are deducted for behavioral infractions.• Students must carry their agendas to all classes

and must have their agendas with them when they leave the classroom; failure to have their agenda with them will result in a consequence.• Excessive point deductions will result in an

Administrative Discipline Referral.

STUDENT BEHAVIOR CARD

• Students will receive Administrative Discipline Referrals when they have earned excessive point deductions on their Behavior Card.

• Discipline is progressive.

• Students will receive Administrative consequences in accordance with the 2016-2017 CCSD Student/Parent Discipline Code Handbook.

ADMINISTRATIVE DISCIPLINE REFERRAL

• DRMS strictly adheres to the CCSD Board guidelines for student conduct, as described in the CCSD Student/Parent Discipline Code Handbook.• Discipline is firm and fair, and is

consistently applied to all students.• Please read and discuss the handbook with

your child.• You and your child will be required to sign

for receipt of the handbook.

CCSD STUDENT/PARENT DISCIPLINE CODE HANDBOOK

STUDENT DRESS CODE

• Second offense clothing must be changed and a day of In-School Suspension results.

• Progressive discipline for additional offenses.

• DRMS strictly adheres to the CCSD Board of Education dress code policy.• Students who are out of dress code (1st

Offense) will be allowed to change, for the day, into clothing provided by the school or they may contact their parents and have them bring a change of clothing.

• Dress Code - Applies to PE classes, athletics, cheerleading, intramurals, field trips.

ATTENDANCE

Research confirms the following:Students who have high absenteeism rates

typically do not perform in school as well as students with regular and consistent attendance patterns.

Students who have high absenteeism rates typically do not score as well on standardized tests as students who have regular and consistent attendance patterns.

CONSISTENT ATTENDANCE

Per CCSD Student/Parent Handbook, the following are reasons for an excused absence:

Personal illness Serious illness or death in the family Recognized religious holidays observed by

one’s faith Absence as mandated by order of

governmental agency Conditions rendering school attendance

impossible or hazardous to one’s health or safety

After 7 absences, excused or unexcused, a doctor’s note is required for every absence.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

• Please be aware that your child’s number of absences, tardies, and checkouts are monitored by the school.

• In accordance with the CCSD protocols, you will receive standardized letters notifying you of your child’s excessive absences.

• Excessive absences will be reported to the CCSD School Social Worker.

• Field trip privileges can be revoked for students having more than 6 unexcused absences.

MONITORING OF ABSENCES, TARDIES AND CHECKOUTS

COUNSELING

• Individual and group counseling• Classroom guidance• Parent/Teacher Consultations• Crisis Intervention• Community Resources• Coordination of Special Events

COUNSELING SERVICES

OTHER INFORMATION

• New 30+ Million Dollar Building• One-to-One school• Addition of sixth grade students to population• Predicted opening enrollment at 1450 students• School time: 9AM – 4PM• 7 period day • Transportation: Middle school and high school students

transported separately starting in 2016-2017• School colors change to black, gold and gray• School mascot changes to arrowhead with interlocking DR• Total Faculty Members: 110• Three assistant principals and three counselors

CHANGES FOR 2016-2017

• One-to-One School – Each child with their own CCSD issued device• Five Computer Labs• Virtual Lab – 3-D Software• Latest Version of Smartboards• Wireless school• Charging stations in classrooms and

media center• Online educational programs• Online Textbooks (Math and Science)

TECHNOLOGY

• Extensive materials for reference, pleasure reading and research• Class size lab available• Student access to e-books• Student access to Virtual Lab for small group

or class activities• Fees charged for overdue books

MEDIA CENTER SERVICES

Open for individual students, small groups and classes. Hours: Monday – Friday 8:45am – 4:15pm

Breakfast: $1.50Everyday from 8:15am – 8:50amLunch: $2.6025 minutes daily periodSeating: Students sit with their assigned class at assigned tablesChoices: Hot lunch linePurchasing Options:Cash and/or lunch debit accountA courtesy tray/sandwich and milk are available if student has no lunch money. Cost for tray is .75.

CAFETERIA SERVICES

• Drama Club: School Plays• Art Club• Jr. Beta Club• National Jr. Honor Society• Fish Club• Robotics Club – “The Brick Army”• Yearbook Team• Academic Bowl Team• Student Council• Spanish Club• Relay For Life Team• Optimist Club

Activities offered will be posted on the school website

DRMS CLUBS

• 7th and 8th Grade Girls & Boys Basketball Teams• Academic Team• Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Team• Robotics Team – “The Brick Army”• Science Fair• Social Studies Fair• Snack Wars Team• Technology Fair• District Band• District Chorus• 7th and 8th Grade Cheer Squads (non-competitive)• Intramurals – Information published at beginning of

the 2016 school year

DRMS TEAMS/COMPETITIONS

The state-mandated Bridge Bill, provides weekly advisement for academic, career and character education, as well as transition to high school. This is for grades 6 – 12.

•Goal Setting•Leadership•Social Skills•Career Choices•Bullying Prevention

TEACHERS AS ADVISORS

• Student Agendas• Conferences• Email (teacher’s email

addresses are located on the DRMS website)

• Teacher’s ASPEN Page• School Phone (770. 345.

2832)• Course Syllabi (on Teacher’s

Aspen Page)• Grade Access: Parent Portal• DRMS website:

http://www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools.deanruskms/default.aspx

Contacts Parents are encouraged to seek assistance from school personnel. It is requested that the following sequence be used:

1. Classroom teacher

2. Counselor

3. Assistant Principal

4. Principal

COMMUNICATION & CONTACTS

• PTSA Committees• School Council• Media Center• Veteran’s Day Celebration• Field Trip Chaperones• Assist Teams with various tasks

Parents can get involved & show their Chief spirit in a number of ways…….

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

DRMS will NOT hold a camp (formerly known as Panther Camp)

prior to the beginning of the 2016-17 school year.

6th Grade – Thursday, July 28th 12:00pm – 2:00pm

7th Grade – Friday, July 29th 2:00pm – 4:00pm

8th Grade – Thursday, July 28th 3:00pm – 5:00pm