Phase+I

=__ First Impression: __=

Riverside Middle School is a new facility, it is replacing Williamston Middle School (built in 1929). The new 85,000-square-feet school will house up to 600 students in grades 6-8. The school has been built at a cost of $15 million. I was very impressed with the facility. The custodial staff and a few teachers, who were also eager to see the new building, greeted me when I first entered during the Summer of 2012. The building was very clean and impressive. Unpacked boxes were awaiting for the return of staff members to begin the new school year. The county maintenance staff and building custodial staff have worked very hard sweeping, dusting, painting, waxing floors and preparing the building for teachers to enter their classrooms. The staff was still in transition, moving their belongings from the old school. But, not much was coming because there was new furniture; desks, tables, book cases, etc. throughout the building. It was an exciting time. The faculty and staff had a general attitude of awe and appreciation, the old building had been in such bad shape, that they were all thankful to be in a new facility. Everyone was very welcoming.

=__ Facilities Video: __=

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We are fortunate to be in a brand new building, in which the architects carefully thought about aesthetics, functionality and best designs for learning. The grade-level wings create mini-campuses within our school. This is highly favored by the teachers because all grade-level classes, with the exception of electives (band, PE, art, and computer technology education) are within the wing. Student movement is predictable, teachers have more opportunity and access for collaboration. Grade-level teachers have common planning, therefore providing time for effective team planning, Professional Learning Communities, professional development during the school day, and time for maintenance or custodial needs without students in the wing.

The computer lab, fishbowl room, is designed so that all computer monitors are visible providing easy monitoring of computer use. There are some improvements, that could be made. The Security Resource Officer's office is, too, a fishbowl. This could be problematic in terms of confidentiality. The outdoor play areas could be more accessible for challenged learners. We are in the infancy stages and have a lot of growing to do, I would like to see shaded areas and covered areas for students to enjoy.

=__ Student Population: __=

=__ Financial: __=

Riverside Middle School is a Title I school, so the majority of its budget comes from Title I funds. Race to the Top and other funding sources are also utilized. The remaining budget is spent on faculty and staff salaries. What is left, is primarily spent on instructional supplies. Principals are not given complete information and disclosure of an annual budget for their building, but are informed if monies are available for the instructional purposes of their building. Maintenance or capital outlay forms are provided for request and review. Instructional Technology requests are made separately. child Nutrition, Vocational Education and all Federal Programs are considered in their respective categorical budgets.

=__ School Curriculum: __=

Riverside Middle School teachers use the Common Core and Essential Standards and pacing guides developed at the county level to guide their classroom instruction. Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Language Arts are taught on every grade level. Enrichment Courses include Arts Education (Visual Arts & Filmmaking), Band ( 6th - 8th Grade & Jazz Band), Computer Technical Education, Spanish, Health and Physical Education. Classes meet for 90 minutes.

Teachers meet with their grade groups to discuss student progress or regression and other areas of concern among that particular grade.These meetings are held once a week or more, if needed. There are several staff development opportunities that our teachers participate such as: Partners in Math, Writing Consultant, Summer Reading, etc. School administrators have assisted teachers with individual requests of staff development such as: classroom management workshops and bullying.Teachers have completed staff development on formative assessments through NC Falcon.

Riverside Middle School has a large number of students identified as exceptional children. We are currently at approximately 60 students that fall within this category. We currently have high qualified exceptional children’s teachers to best meet the needs of our identified population. Individualized Education Plans (IEP) are kept up to date and students who qualify for ESL services are provided. We currently have a school wide accommodation/modification schedule in effect to best provide these services for the students identified. Teachers communicate with each other and are available throughout the school day for separate setting and read aloud accommodations. Teachers are also using ClassScape to create assessments to identify areas of need and guide instruction to meet those needs.

Staff and Faculty are continuing to implement the Positive Behavior Instructional Support (PBIS) initiative and will be looking at data to see if there is a reduction in discipline referrals. They realize that it will take several years for significant growth to occur, but are optimistic that it is making some difference in the school morale and environment. They have also established a Problem Solving Team to look at students who are continuing to struggle in lieu of interventions tried within the classroom setting. Teachers are also creating Personalized Education Plans (PEP) for specific students who are struggling to help identify their area(s) of need and provide appropriate instruction to meet those needs. Interventions are documented on these forms and are forwarded to the problem solving team if problems are persistent.

Riverside Middle School Features/Programs
Academically and Intellectually Gifted Program (AIG) Accelerated Reader Art Club Battle of the Books Computer Labs on Every Grade-Level Hall Mobile Computer Carts with Tablets Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Jazz Band Junior BETA Club (MATCH) Math Counts Program Parent-Teacher Association Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) Remediation and Enrichment Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 Special Olympics Study Island Success Maker Visual Arts: Filmmaking

3 extra minutes allows for morning announcements || Mondays - Homeroom and Club Meetings Tuesdays - 1st Block Enrichment Wednesdays - 2nd Block Enrichment Thursdays - 3rd Block Enrichment Fridays - 4th Block Enrichment || 30 minutes ||
 * ** TIME ** || ** EVENT ** || ** MINUTES ** ||
 * 7:25 am - 8:00 am || BREAKFAST || 35 minutes ||
 * 8:00 am - 9:33 am || 1st BLOCK || 93 minutes
 * 9:33 am - 9:36 am || Class Bell || 3 minutes ||
 * 9:36 am - 11:06 am || 2nd BLOCK || 90 minutes ||
 * 11:06 am - 11:09 am || Class Bell || 3 minutes ||
 * 11:09 am - 11:39 am || Enrichment Flex Block
 * 11:39 am - 11:42 am || Class Bell || 3 minutes ||
 * 11:42 am - 1:37 pm || Lunches and 3rd Block || 1 hour and 55 minutes ||
 * 1:37 pm - 1:40 pm || Class Bell || 3 minutes ||
 * 1:40 pm - 3:10 pm || 4th Block || 90 minutes ||
 * || Total School Hours Per Day || 7 Hours 10 minutes per day ||

=__Achievement: __=

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[|Williamston Middle School 2009-2012 NC Report Card] [|Williamston Middle School 2008-2009 NC Report Card]

=__Culture: __=  __[|2012 Results] __ __[|2010 Results] __

=__Calendar: __= media type="custom" key="20725780"

=__ School Web Site/ Communication: __=



The Williamston Middle School website clearly expresses the school's mission and provides a direct message from the principal. The contact telephone number is accurate. One of the key components of a useful school website is that the website is current. The Williamston Middle School website should be updated to the Riverside Middle School website with current information about location, etc. What a great way to showcase and get the word out about our fabulous new school, than online media. It would be helpful for us to get the word out about the fantastic things that are happening, by highlighting more student activities and including more photos. The school staff is not directly responsible for updating and maintenance of the web site, but the county webmaster should make the necessary changes to showcase the new Riverside Middle School. The website should also include more information for parents to understand the changes that are occurring in North Carolina curriculum, especially Common Core. Many parents do not understand the changes and the impact upon their students. The website could answer questions and provide a place for parents who can not come to the school, for example due to work schedules, to keep in touch with "The Knights". = =
 * **__ Component __** || **+** || ** - ** || ** Δ ** ||
 * Webpage highlights students ||  ||   || ** Δ ** ||
 * Links to school calendar || **+** ||  ||   ||
 * School vision/mission statement on the web page || **+** ||  ||   ||
 * School contact information (including principal, nurse, guidance counselor, teacher e-mail) || **+** ||  ||   ||
 * Information About Common Core ||  || **-** ||   ||
 * Link to School Activities ||  || **-** ||   ||
 * List of School/Student Awards ||  || **-** ||   ||
 * Parent Friendly ||  || **-** ||   ||
 * Brochures or newsletters ||  || **-** ||   ||
 * Letter from Principal(s) ||  ||   || ** Δ ** ||