From the Desk of Mr. York

Principal's Advisory Council

During the 2007-2008 school year Griffin's first Principal's Adviisory Council was formed.  Five students were chosen from those nominated by their teachers to help provide me with a student's perspective of life at Griffin.  This year the council has been expanded to include twelve students chosen from numerous students nominated by the faculty.

Recently I had the opportunity to meet with the Council for the first time.  We had an chance to get to know each other and to establish our goals for the year.  The students developed two goals for themselves:  to address the concerns of their fellow students and to make Griffin a better school.

Council members include:

6th Grade - Jaylin Evans - Jamie Sanders - Christina Suggs - Luis Vela

7th Grade - Allen Hawthorne - Monico Hernandez - Emily Timmons - Hanna Watkins

8th Grade - Souleymane Camara - Kanchi Patel - Vanessa Ramirez-Broome - Sae'von Springer

Congratulations to these outstanding students!

AYP Appeal - Denied

As you may have read, Griffin Middle School appealed our AYP status to the State Department of Education.  This appeal was based on one student who was absent from school for over a month with a medical condition and two students who were out of the country during re-testing.  Unfortunately the appeal was denied.  Griffin's AYP status has then been determined based upon the test scores of one student.

We now put the AYP process behind us and look forward as Griffin continues to grow and improve.  With the implementation of America's Choice, the addition of a Math Coach and Literacy Coach, and the support of a great PTSA Griffin is going to have a great year.  Students are more engaged in class, the curriculum is being taught with more rigor for all learners and assessments are being used to adjust instruction.  Great things are truly happening at Griffin.

I invite you to become, not just involved, but engaged in your child's education.  "How?" you may ask.  Start by having discussions about what students are learning in class.  Your child should be able to share with you the specific standards that they are working on each day.  In addition, stay in contact with your child's teachers.  Homework Hotline, i-Parent, and the student agenda are all means by which you can keep up with your child's progress.