Faculty Commitments
We established these guiding principles as a reflection of our shared commitments as teachers at Rocky Run Middle School.
We will work collectively to develop mechanisms for communication and collaboration that actively engage all members of the school community in the learning process.
Therefore, we will:
- Develop a thorough understanding of the mission, vision, and commitments in place at Rocky Run Middle School and ensure that these foundation elements are visible, articulated, demonstrated, and celebrated.
- Involve parents in the education of their children by keeping them informed of student progress and offering suggestions for assisting their academic growth.
- Keep informed of school operations by consistently reading all procedural memos and email correspondence.
- Remain knowledgeable regarding the contents of the Rocky Run operational handbooks and the school calendar.
- Respond to parent inquiries in a prompt, precise, and professional manner. Prepare for conferences in advance by reviewing relevant student data.
- Communicate instructional information to parents at Back to School Night and spring orientation sessions.
- Participate actively in all required meetings (i.e. faculty, department, cross-curricular, committee, and team). Contribute to the completion of group tasks and products. Create conditions that result in the timely sharing of information between core and related arts teachers.
- Attend and participate in all required staff development activities as communicated by the principal, principal's designee, or department leaders.
We will provide an inviting learning school environment, characterized by clear expectations, which encourages students to become active in the life of their school, take responsibility for their actions, and embrace the learning process.
Therefore, we will:
- Hold high expectations for student achievement and character.
- Provide an emotionally and physically safe environment that is free of alcohol, drugs, and violence.
- Implement the policies and procedures as specified in the Student Responsibilities and Rights document for FCPS and the school-wide Discipline Plan.
- Model the qualities and characteristics that we hope to instill in our students.
- Act in a professional manner with integrity and honesty and develop relationships distinguished by caring and respect. Demonstrate respect for the cultural and personal differences among parents, students and staff.
- Care for our physical environment and school property and require the same of our students.
- Demonstrate the importance of life-long learning for our students through our own ongoing professional development.
- Remain knowledgeable of adolescent intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development.
- Conduct a supportive activity program through the lunch/activity period.
- Recognize and celebrate student success and the contributions of our colleagues in a positive manner throughout the school year.
We will help students achieve the intended outcomes of the curriculum by working collaboratively to develop instructional strategies and operational best practices that advance the vision of the school.
Therefore, we will:
- Develop and/or review curriculum maps within our departments that clarify what all students will know and be able to do, identify the criteria for subject mastery, and provide for a unified scope and sequence of instruction.
- Evaluate instructional practices on the basis of course grades, formative assessment data, and standardized test results. Use this information to discuss and share teaching strategies with our colleagues that produce the desired academic results.
- Provide appropriate instruction to address the educational needs and learning styles of our students in the manner consistent with the guidelines outlined in the Rocky Run Middle School Instructional Plan (FY2007).
- Use available technology and instructional tools as appropriate to enhance classroom interactions and learning experiences of our students.
- Establish interdisciplinary connections and highlight content information contained in more than one subject area for our students whenever possible.
- Develop the life-long learning skills in our students including reading, writing, speaking, and problem solving that encourage them to become self-directed learners.
- Provide a curriculum that broadens student perspectives so that they can better understand and appreciate diverse cultures.
- Work with our elementary and high school colleagues within our pyramid to provide a continuum of instruction and a smooth transition of students between the grade levels.
We will consistently assess student progress, provide a variety of opportunities to demonstrate subject mastery, and offer the support services necessary to foster academic achievement.
Therefore, we will:
- Implement grading procedures for students in the manner specified in the Middle School Grading and Reporting to Parents document and the Assessment Plan for Rocky Run Middle School.
- Collaborate with our departments to develop consistent methods of assessments that give students accurate feedback regarding their progress toward meeting the identified standards and benchmarks.
- Use both formative and summative assessment practices to guide the learning process and promote student achievement. Use ongoing assessment information provided through the school planning process and/or obtained through collaborative efforts within our departments as a basis for refining instructional plans. Develop assessment methods that address the needs and learning styles of middle school students.
- Monitor student progress and implement appropriate enrichment and remediation strategies as specified in the Student Support Services Plan (FY2007) for Rocky Run Middle School.
- Remain available after school at least one day per week to provide students with support and enrichment as needed.
