Crews Middle School

Greetings Students & Families,

Our theme for the 2024 -2025 school year is Back to Basics ~ Building Amazing Students who are Innovative, Creative, and Self-motivated. This year, we will continue our tradition of excellence by focusing on the essentials that spark curiosity and critical thinking; foster communication and collaboration; and promote rigor and relevance. Essentials that matter to each stakeholder of our school community. To ensure you have the essentials to support your family this school year, please review this newsletter with your student and keep it as resource and reference throughout the school year. Go Broncos!

In service to others,

Principal Moffett

• Please note that enrollment and registration processes begin online. Visit the district website to get started - New Student Enrollment/Registration.
• If you have questions or need support with records (i.e., residency, immunization, withdrawal), please contact our registrar at sheree.lewis@gcpsk12.org or 770-982-6940. School business hours are 9:00 - 4:00.

6th Grade Leadership Team

• Assistant Principal Kristen Jesse (Students A - M), Assistant Principal John Tronolone (Students N - Z). Counselor Kim Dickson

7th Grade Leadership Team

• Assistant Principal Bernard Taylor, Counselor Shayla Thompson

8th Grade Leadership Team

• Assistant Principal Dr. Rochelle Mungin, Counselor Tajah Pinkard

Please utilize our school website to connect with our leaders via email.

Crews Middle School’s newsletters and student progress reports are sent out weekly. Progress reports will come from 1 teacher but will contain grades for each of the student's six classes. Parents can monitor their student's grades, attendance, discipline and other key information through the StudentVue, ParentVue and the eCLASS portal. Staff will respond to emails/correspondences in 1-2 school days. If you have an urgent matter, please call our main office at 770-982-6940 and ask for your student's grade level assistant principal.

• Crews MS Back to School Website
• Crews MS General Website
• GCPS: Virtual Backpack
  
• GCPS Transportation Website
  

1/6: Students return for spring semester

1/6 - 31: Clear Backpack Implementation (See school and district communications)

1/7 - 10: iReady Testing

1/7 -10: Semester One Final Exam Makeup Testing

1/21 -24: Soccer Tryouts

1/22: 8th Grade Field Trip to Brookwood HS

1/29: Rising 9th Parent Night @ Brookwood HS

2/3: Rising 9th Grade Q&A @ Brookwood HS

2/20: Family Workshop: Social Media, Drugs & Dangerous Trends @ 6pm (Crews Cafeteria-Light dinner provided.)

The Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) standards were developed by our teachers, with input from our parents and community, in response to Gwinnett County Public Schools’ mission statement: The mission of Gwinnett County Public Schools is to pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills, and behavior for each student, resulting in measured improvement against local, national, and world-class standards.

Learn more about grade level AKS for each subject for Kindergarten through 8th Grade.

Students will be assessed on their mastery of AKS. Please review weekly progress and monitor grades in ParentVue.

• Please note that our school is finetuning scheduling to support teaching and learning. During the first weeks of school, there may be adjustments to student schedules to best support their learning needs.
• Schedule changes will only occur for priorities such as correct placements based on learning programs, sequence for accelerated coursework, gifted segments etc.
• Connection scheduling has been addressed based on school staffing plans and student preference surveys, which were completed in Spring 2024. Our goal is for students to have one of their top choices at some point during the school year. However, there may be other factors that impact those placements.

Review the GCPS promotion criteria for each grade level by clicking or copying-and-pasting this URL address - https://www.gcpsk12.org/students/promotion-and-graduation-requirements/middle-school-promotion-requirements. Academic supports include: academic assistance programs, Bronco Time classes, prearranged tutoring, and summer school. It is imperative that students and families review school progress reports and grades through StudentVue and ParentVue. The last month of each semester will only be focused on projects, performance-based assignments, and final exams, not missing or overdue assignments.

• Teachers assess student learning through common formative and summative assessments. Those assessment dates vary by grade and subject. Review each teacher's syllabus to see grade weights and remastery opportunities.
• Outside of local school assessments, students also engage in other assessments. Review the 25 - 25 Middle School District & State Assessment Calendar.
• Please ensure students are present for testing. Most occur through a digital platform. Therefore it is also important that students have fully charged Chromebooks and chargers with them at school each day.

To support student achievement and engagement, daily attendance is integral to school success. Please review our 24 -25 Crews MS Student and Family Handbook Information as well as the

district site for GCPS Attendance Policies & Procedures. When students have three or more unexcused absences, school letters will be mailed home. If students have 10 or more unexcused absences, families will have to attend meetings with our school's Student Attendance Review Committee (i.e. assistant principal, counselor, social worker) to determine student support plans.

Steps for submitting absentee notices, doctor notes etc.

• Families may alert teachers or support staff of students' absences as a mode to stay connected regarding assignments.
• However, please note emails do NOT constitute as absentee notifications. Families should have their students drop off absentee notes or medical excuses to their grade level office. Parents and guardians can leave these items at the front desk if needed for appropriate routing.
• When submitting absentee documents, ensure the document has the your student's full name, homeroom teacher's name, date(s) of absence, and reason for absence.
• Review the local school and district absences to see what is deemed excused vs. unexcused.

Students are released to homerooms at 8:55. Student class hours are 9:15 - 4:00.

To support student engagement in before school activities and family needs, we allow students onto campus 8:05 - 8:55. Please review opportunities and school expectations.

• Students can only be dropped off in the car-rider area once a staff member opens our "Bronco Doors" at 8:05. Families may not drop students off at the front entrance, along sidewalks, in the teaching parking lot etc. Doing so can result in those families having to wait until 8:55 to drop off their students.
• When students arrive before 8:55am, they must report to the cafeteria to work quietly unless they have a teacher pass or permission to attend a before school club or activity. Students who do not follow expectations may lose the opportunity to be at school early and/or issued consequences.

• Car-rider lines will close promptly at 9:15. Families who arrive to the car-rider section after 9:15 must drive their students to the front parking lot for check-in.

• Students who arrive 9:16 - 9:24 may check themselves in at the front desk. At 9:25 or later, parents must bring their students into school for check-in. Families who have students with frequent late check-ins may have to participate in attendance review meetings.
• Students who arrive late on a bus will be allowed into class.

To support a safe, orderly school environment, it is important that all adhere to school drop-off and delivery procedures for bus riders, car-riders, and walkers. Review our Bus, Car Rider, Walker Infographic carefully. Safety is everyone's job.

If a bus is assigned to your family's residence, please confirm the bus stop location and pickup time with the school. Visit the GCPS Transportation Website to get more information regarding bus safety, rules, requests for an alternate route etc.

Important reminders:

• Middle school students are the last to be picked up and dropped off in GCPS. Expect delays in the first weeks of schools. Ensure your student is at their stop at the communicated/projected time.
• Note that bus drivers are not responsible for student behaviors at bus stops. Concerning student behaviors on the bus may lead to disciplinary consequences and/or loss of bus privileges. If you have concerns, contact your student's assistant principal.

Students have to be dropped off in the car-rider section 8:05 - 9:15. Students can only be dropped off in the U-section past the teacher parking lot where staff are on duty. After 9:15, students must be dropped off at the main entrance/front office area.

We have a large number of walkers at our school. Speak with students about traveling with a trusted friend or group and share the importance of watching their surroundings. It is important that eyes are focused on traffic and their environment, not their devices. It is also imperative that students only walk where there are sidewalks. We have 1-2 crossing guards to support them at the 4-way stop outside of our school. Please ensure your family has an alternate plan during inclement weather.

Temporary bus passes will be issued for verified emergencies only. Passes are not allowed as a means of transport to get to others' homes beyond a true emergency. In the case of an emergency, appropriate documentation will be required for approval consideration. Without documentation and approval, a pass will not considered nor issued.

Please visit our school's website for Clinic Information and Forms. To support a positive teaching and learning environment, please refrain from strongly scented lotions, colognes, perfumes etc. These can major triggers for those with asthma and allergies.

A huge key to student success along with academic achievement and stellar attendance is meeting behavioral expectations. Our PBIS matrix (Citizenship, Advocacy, Respect, & Engagement) models how students are to behave during curricular & extracurricular activities. Review our Crews CARE Matrix with your child(ren). Please note that violations of our code of conduct may lead to detention, in school or out of school suspension, and/or prohibit participation in extra-curricular/social events (i.e. dances, Bronco Fun Day). More details can be found in our 24 -25 Crews MS Student and Family Handbook Information

It is important that students and families review the district's Responsible Use of Technology and Electronic Media for Students guidelines as well as our 24 -25 Crews MS Student and Family Handbook Information. As a 1:1 device school, we have schoolwide guidelines regarding device use that interferes with teaching and learning. Students that do not adhere to these guidelines can have their electronic device (phone, smartwatch etc.) pouched. Students who refuse to have their phones pouched and/or have repetitive device concerns will received escalated consequences (i.e. receiving a discipline step or referral).

Resources:1:1 Device Parent Support Page

• We encourage all families to monitor student accounts and clear any lunch fees and media fines incurred.
• Please note that technology fees for school issued devices have changed.
• Damaged Beyond Repair or Lost Chromebook: $200
• Damaged Chromebook or Parts (i.e, cover, keyboard, hinges): $25
• Lost Adapter: $25
• Technology issues that result from deliberate, intentional, and/or repetitive patterns can lead to restitution costs and/or disciplinary consequences.
• Unpaid fines and fees can limit participation in extracurricular activities or events.
• Resource: Parent and Student Responsibilities for Devices (includes fine structure)

Review our 24 -25 Crews MS Student and Family Handbook Information for more specific dress code guidance.

Rolling Full-Time Enrollment throughout the year

Full-Time Enrollment

Graduate Gwinnett

Supplemental Classes

Course Offerings

GOC Centers

GCPS does not provide standard General Liability insurance coverage that would cover student injuries; therefore, we provide parents an opportunity to purchase this accidental insurance policy through K&K. Learn more by visiting the K&K website for plan information or to complete the enrollment application online at www.studentinsurance-kk.com.

This event is for parents and guardians. Plan to enjoy a workshop model where school staff will provide an overview of academic requirements, behavioral expectations, and Connected @ Crews opportunities for students and families. Families will also get to be a student for a day by following their child's schedule and meeting teachers. Thank you in advance for making childcare arrangements.

• August 20th : 6th Grade 5:30 - 7:00
• August 22nd: 7th and 8th Grades 5:30 - 7:00