Important Dates for December 2016

12.1.16 Parent Conference Night

12.3.16 Redan vs. Tucker (Away)

12.8.16 Winter Concert

12.9.16 YLOD Father/Daughter Dance

12.10.16 Redan vs. Chamblee (Home)

12.14.16 Redan vs. Renfroe (Away)

12.20.16-12.21.16 Final Exams

12.22.16-1.4.17 Winter Holidays

Tips for Parents 2

Counseling Center 2

Media Center News 2

PTSA News 3

Parental Engagement 3

Student News 3

General Information 4

Curriculum and Instruction

REDAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

1775 Young Road

Lithonia, Ga. 30058

December 2016

Volume V Issue V

It is our desire to keep our parents engaged in meaningful conversations and posi-

tive interactions with their children, teachers, and the administrative team at Redan

Middle School. In that effort, we are asking that each parent take moment to moni-

tor your child's grades on a weekly basis. Our Infinite Campus portal system al-

lows you to have access to your child’s teachers by fingertip 24 hours a day either

on your computer or your mobile device. If you have any questions regarding In-

finite Campus, or if you need assistance creating an account or logging on, please

don’t hesitate to call us so that we can provide the assistance that you need to stay

current with your child’s academic progress.

Seasons Greetings Parents/Guardians:

I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to our teachers and our students

for their hard work thus far. It’s really hard to believe that we have come to the end of

another semester. Please come out and support our annual PTSA/Winter Concert on

Thursday December 8th. Our fabulous Fine Arts Department, led by two outstanding

musicians, Mr. Greene (Band), and Mrs. Lambert (Chorus) will be on display. You

don’t want to miss this extraordinary holiday performance. I look forward to seeing all

of you there. Please be advised that Final Exams will be held on Tuesday, December 20th and Wednesday, De-

cember 21st. Please make sure that your student is present both days. As we get closer to the end of the semes-

ter, please continue to check the Infinite Campus portal and remain in close contact with your child’s teacher to

stay abreast of their grades. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a safe and enjoya-

ble winter break, and a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Donald E. Mason, Jr.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

THE RAIDER

Here are some tips for Parents of Middle Schoolers for the month of December

Help your child learn good social skills:

Some children have a harder time than others making friends. You can help by talking abut the importance of: listening, cooperation and compromise, being polite, respecting differences, managing anger, apologizing when wrong and being supportive. Remind your child that true friendships are about mutual respect.

Talk about peer pressure:

Help your child practice ways saying not to negative peer pressure.

Tell your child that peer pressure can be positive, too—such as encouraging someone to study harder for a

test.

Teach your child that it’s OK to be different, and that real friends like you for who you are.

Counseling Center News

Page 2

Counselors

Head Counselor/8th

Grade

Dr. Treva Tucker

678-874-7928

7th Grade Counselor

Mr. Rahman Sparks

678-874-7929

6th Grade Counselor

Ms. Bridget Smith

678-874-7930

Media Center

Hours

8:00 AM-4:00

PM

Teacher-

Librarian

Mrs. Jenny

Holloman

678-874-7935

Media Center News

Volunteers are needed in the Media Center. Any amount of time that you could volunteer would be great

appreciated.

Our Book Club is in need of more copies of the Georgia Book Award nominees. If you are willing to pur-

chase a copy or copies of any of the titles, we would sincerely appreciate it. Feel free to contact Mrs.

Holloman if you have any further questions.

Parents, please continue to make sure that your student is reading for at least thirty minutes each even-

ing. Research shows that students who read on a consistent basis show significant academic gains both in

their classroom and on standardized assessments.

Do you have a research project coming up soon? Well, have you tried Galileo? Ask Mrs. Hollo-man for the password and check out the fascinating Galileo website.

Rising 9th

Grade Parent Night

Rising 9th grade Parent Night will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2016 in the Cafeteria at 6:00 pm. Redan HS Counselors and Administrators will be present to review high school expectations and courses requirements for our current 8th graders (The Graduating Class of 2021).

Suggestions for Stress Free End of Semester Exams

Check in with your teachers. Make sure you receive all exam review materials. Attend review sessions that are offered.

Ask for extra help if you notice that you have not mastered a concept or skill.

Manage Your Time. Make study schedule that includes breaks. Prioritize based on the class that requires the most studying for you. Ideally, you should begin prepping for end of semester exams at least two weeks before the exam date.

Do not wait!

Form a Study Group. Forming a study group will hold you accountable when you are not motivated to study. Work with the group to divide and master the definition of terms and concepts. A study group is a great way to share knowledge and

resources for each class.

Study in Chunks. Don’t cram everything into one night. Study in 20- to 40-minute increments with five-minute breaks

between sessions. Do NOT glance at your social media during those breaks. Five minutes on Instagram can quickly

become one hour!

Make Studying Interesting. Use mnemonic devices (PEMDAS – order of operations in math), use personal experiences

to create acronyms based on personal experiences, or bring information to life by adding it to music. If you like games,

electronic flash cards, or want a practice test to learn the material for the test, then consider using quizlet.com.

PTA MISSION

The overall purpose of PTA is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging

and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

PTA VALUES

Collaboration: We work in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations to

accomplish our agreed-upon goals. Commitment: We are dedicated to promoting children’s

health, well-being, and educational success through strong parent, family, and community

involvement. Accountability: We acknowledge our obligations. We deliver on our promises.

Respect: We value our colleagues and ourselves. We expect the same high quality of effort

and thought from ourselves as we do from others. Inclusivity: We invite the stranger and

welcome the newcomer. We value and seek input from as wide a spectrum of viewpoints

and experiences as possible. Integrity: We act consistently with our beliefs. When we err,

we acknowledge the mistake and seek to make amends

Assistant Principals

API/6th Grade

Sabrina Pressley

678-8747915

7th Grade

Aaron Moore

678-874-7913

8th Grade

Kerry Stroud

678-874-7914

Instructional Support

Mya Ward

678-874-7920

Page 3

Volume V Issue V

2013-2014 Redan Middle PTSA Officers

President-Dorna Sanders & Patrice Benton

Vice-President– Yvette Thomas

Treasurer-Jamilla Robinson

Secretary– Panya Dixon

Hello parents of Redan Middle School! What can the Parent Center at Redan Middle offer you?

Computer access with an internet connection

Resources to assist your child with homework and projects

School supplies

Infinite Campus (Parent Portal)

Information regarding parenting classes

Information about tutoring classes

Our mission is to keep you informed and in-

volved in the everyday activities of our student.

Our goal is to provide you with information in a

site based, user-friendly environment that will

facilitate the academic success of your student.

Recently our students had an opportunity to attend the Georgia Junior Beta Convention in

Macon, Georgia. Eight students, along with Mrs. Leach, our Junior Beta Club Sponsor

competed with other schools from across the state in several different categories. Alt-

hough we did not bring home any awards, our students had a wonderful time and are al-

ready in the process of planning for next year’s convention.

www. redanms.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Office Hours

7:30-5:00

Phone: 678-874-7902

Fax: 678-874-7910

The mission of Redan Middle is to foster an environment of academic

excellence that will effectively prepare all students for successful post

secondary studies and the challenges of the 21st century.

REDAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

1775 Young Road

Lithonia, Ga. 30058

Parents please be advised of the following:

Cell phones and other electronic devices should not be brought to school.

Our school day begins at 8:50 and ends at 3:50. If students are not involved

in an after school activity they should be picked up immediately at the end of

the school day.

All students should be dressed appropriately each and every day. Our young

men should have their pants pulled up and their shirt tails tucked in at all

times. Young ladies should not wear clothes that are too revealing, tattered

jeans, nor leggings.

Our buses leave promptly at 4:10 on a daily basis. Please encourage your

student to get on their bus once they are dismissed.

Please be aware that Calling Posts are delivered weekly that contain important school information i.e. im-

portant dates, upcoming events, etc.

General Information

Redan Middle School’s Mission Statement

“Education is knowing where to go find out

what you need to know; and it’s knowing how

to use the information that you get”

——William Feather