Deming interMediate School 2011-12
DMS EPSS – Educational Plan for Student Success
Literacy: The percentage of Deming interMediate School 6th grade students scoring proficient or above in Reading will
increase to the Annual Measurable Objective (AMO) of 76% as measured by the 2011-12 NMSBA.
Numeracy: The percentage of Deming interMediate School 6th grade students scoring proficient or above in Math will
increase to the Annual Measurable Objective (AMO) of 74% as measured by the 2011-12 NMSBA.
Parent Involvement: Deming interMediate School staff and parents, Deming Public Schools, and the community of
Deming will work to increase parent/community involvement and support at Deming interMediate School.
Behavior & Discipline:
We expect our school to be a secure, safe, and friendly place where students can learn. Every student is responsible to do
the best that they can do in ALL that they do. Appropriate behavior and good manners are expected at all times.
School rules and all policies regarding behavior will be focused on learning appropriate behavior and being respectful to
their peers, their teachers, and themselves. Students who do not choose to follow these rules and policies will be disciplined
according to the school discipline plan.
Step 1: Warning
Step 2: Individual Teacher/Student Conference
Step 3: Individual Teacher/Student/Parent Conference with Student
Step 4: Team/Parent/Student Conference
Step 5: Office Referral
Most discipline problems will be handled using this process. However, the severity of the problem will determine parent
contact and office referral. Please refer to our school handbook for more information.
Core Subjects
6th Grade Language Arts Reading/Literature & 6th Grade Language Arts - Writing
CONTENT: Language Arts Reading/Literature and Language Arts Writing classes will be more in-depth than fifth grade.
All students will work on improving skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. This will be accomplished through
their study of literature, which will include short stories, nonfiction, poetry, plays, and novels. We will look thoroughly at
author’s purpose and perspective as well as figurative language found throughout literature. Grammar, punctuation,
spelling, and vocabulary will also be refined this year. Students will practice writing and speaking skills each day. Students
may also be required to participate in project-based assignments each six weeks.
6th Grade Math
CONTENT: Sixth grade mathematics will include the study of number and number relations (whole numbers, fractions,
mixed numbers, decimals, integers, rational, and real numbers), computation and estimation, operation concepts,
measurement, geometry, data analysis, statistics, probability, algebra, and problem solving.
6th Grade Science
CONTENT: The sixth grade science curriculum will include the study of Life, Physical, and Earth/Space Sciences. The
course will cover the terminology, concepts, and skills associated with these three fields of science through a variety of
activities that will include hands-on and laboratory experiences.
6th Grade Social Studies
CONTENT: Social studies will concentrate on the study of ancient histories of the world, geography, and current events
of the world. This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of political, economical and social
values in a multi-cultural world using critical thinking, communication and problem solving skills. In addition, they will
understand how physical, natural and cultural aspects affect where and how people live and how societies interact with one
another and their environment. The students will also learn the responsibilities and rights that are critical in being a
productive and responsible citizen.
INTERVENTION:
Corrective Reading Intervention and Math Academy Intervention classes are required for all students that are nonproficient (need additional time and assistance) in the areas of Language Arts and Mathematics. (Determined by 5 th Grade
Report Card Data, 5th Grade Fall, Winter, and Spring Short Cycle Assessments, and 5th Grade NMSBA Results)
ELECTIVES:
Students will have opportunities to explore more traditional electives – Art, Band, PE and Tech Deck.
Integrated Studies: Integrated studies may be used in a variety of classes and may include individual projects, class
projects, and/or community service projects.
Special Requirements: Individual departments may assign special projects throughout the year that will require students
to complete work at home. We encourage parents to take an active role and participate with their children.
Homework: Homework, if assigned, is intended to provide practice opportunities or to reinforce ideas learned in class.
Work not finished in class will also be assigned as homework if sufficient instruction has been given in class to enable the
student to complete the assignment at home and if the student has all necessary tools/materials at home to complete the
assignment. All assigned homework is due when directed by the teacher.
Make-up Work Due to Absences:
Students are responsible to collect make-up assignments from each class upon
their return. Students are required to make-up missed lessons in accordance with guidelines found in the student handbook.
Extended projects and assignments are due on the date specified. (Note: This may require students to turn projects in
early if conflicts arise in their personal/family schedule. Parents/Guardians may need to bring projects to school and turn
them in to the teacher if the student is ill on the day Long Term projects/assignments are due.)
Student Planners
Student Planners are used in all classrooms. Students are expected to take their planners to all of their classes every
day, and are required to write their daily assignments and homework in them. When absent, students are required to write
all of their missed assignments down for the day(s) they missed. This assists them in completing all of their makeup work.
Lost planners must be replaced by purchasing a new one in the front office at the cost of $5.00 each.
We encourage parents to check their child’s planner every day and to use it as a communication tool between home and
school. It is a great way to stay in touch with teaching staff.
Deming InterMediate School Learning Cycle Information
Learning Targets are set by CORE academic departments each week OR according to performance units in ELECTIVE
classes. This means that student performance and learning expectations are evaluated/re-evaluated each week.
Length of our Learning Cycles:
One week learning cycles (lesson plans) are prepared by the Language Arts and Math departments. Two week learning
cycles (lesson plans) are prepared by the Social Studies and Science departments because of their A-B rotation in our
schedule. Elective classes are also on a 2 week rotation and plan according to performance units of study.
Learning Cycle Components:
(a) The specific learning target(s) or the objective(s) of the week,
(b) The assessment or evaluation of learning* that will be used to determine proficiency for each target within the
week’s cycle, and
(c) The proficiency measure or grade** that must be earned in order to be considered “proficient” on the weekly
target(s).
Some assignments and ALL assessments are standardized by academic departments.
**DMS has set building-wide proficiency expectations at 80%. That means that in order to be considered
“proficient” on a certain target/standard a student must score an 80% or better on their learning cycle
assignments and proficiency (summative) assessments.
Student Involvement:
It is important that our students understand what the weekly expectations are in all of their classes and how they will be
assessed on each learning target. So, all students are informed of their learning targets each week as a new cycle begins
and daily objectives are provided in all of their classes. In short, this means that our students know exactly what will be
covered each week in all of their classes.
Students are expected to complete all assignments and assessments in all learning cycles. They also monitor their own
progress via discussion/feedback with their teachers as they go through learning cycles and analyze their results upon
completion of their assessments.
Target / Cycle Evaluation:
After the completion of each cycle, departments reconvene and analyze student performance results. At this meeting the
departments will decide “next steps.” Several things can happen at this point.
Examples:
A department could decide that data is an accurate picture of student performance. In this situation a student’s
grade would be recorded and final.
A department might choose to stop, re-teach the cycle material and reassess the skills covered. It would be
common to see an assessment or assignment immediately pulled from the academic record and replaced with the score
earned on a second attempt.
A department might prefer to move forward and expose the students to new curriculum and then spiral back to
difficult targets at a later date after students have had the opportunity to cover new/different material that could assist them
in being more successful on their second attempt. In this situation a failing grade may remain until replaced by a new
assessment to occur at the department’s discretion.
What does this mean?
1. All instruction is aligned to 6th Grade NM Standard and Benchmarks, mapped out, differentiated and monitored weekly,
over the course of the school year.
2. With grades, we document the progress of our students and our teaching. We are able to provide feedback to students
and their parents, and we make instructional decisions regarding student progress based on actual/standardized student
performance data.
3. A grade earned at Deming interMediate School represents a clear and accurate indicator of what a student knows or is
able to do based on 6th Grade NM Standards and Benchmarks. We work diligently to make sure the grades our students
earn are accurate renderings of their mastery. Non-academic factors (behavior, attendance, effort, extra-credit, bonus
points, group grading, etc.) are not incorporated or factored into student’s grades.
Grading Scale / Proficiency Expectations:
Deming interMediate School uses the following grading scale:
A+
98-100%
A
93-97.9%
Advanced
A90-92.9%
B+
88-89.9%
B
83-87.9%
B80-82.9%
Proficient
C+
78-79.9%
C
73-77.9%
C70-72.9%
Nearing Proficient
D+
68-69.9%
D
63-67.9%
D60-62.9%
Beginning
F
50-59%
School developed rubrics (ACE for Math or RACE for Language Arts & Writing) are also used on assignments.
Student Progress
Parents will be notified of student progress every three weeks. Students will receive their progress reports through CATS
class at the mid-point of each grading period. Report cards will be sent home at the end of each six weeks.
Communication With the School
In order to meet the needs of our students, it is essential that the home and the school make every effort to
communicate frequently. At DMS, we will meet this need through our reporting procedures and parent-teacher
conferences. It is of equal importance that parents keep teachers informed of any developments that might influence
the student’s performance at school. Parents are often reluctant to call the school with information or questions.
Please be assured that we welcome your involvement as it helps us to better meet the needs of our students.
PLEASE Remain Involved in Your Child’s Education
1. Talk to as many of your child’s teachers as you can. Don’t wait until there is a problem.
2. Check in now and then with their CATS Teacher and the school counselor.
3. Read everything the school sends home, and
4. Get to know other parents that are active at the school. Find out how they are involved, and join them.
Contact Information - Availability of Teachers
Teachers are available for conferences/phone calls before school, during their preps of after school. Please call the office
to schedule an appointment or call and leave a message and phone number where you can be reached. Teachers will return
your calls in a timely manner. (DMS office phone – 546-6568)
Please contact us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. We would be more than happy to speak and/or meet
with you. We look forward to an exciting and productive year with your child!
Alfaro, Melanie
Escareno, Maria
Gaffikin, James
Green, Theresa
Guillen, Antonio
Hutchison, Lynne
Johnson, Brent
Lane, Lynn
Lenhardt, Wendy
Luchsinger, Patricia
Lynch, Charma
Nunez, Cindy
Pacheco, Johnny
Parra, Monica
Reynolds, Cheri
Ribble, Lori
Salcido, Fred
Sandoval, Anamaria
Soderberg, Toby
Sutton, Annette
Treadwell, Tami Jo
Wertz, Troy
melanie.alfaro@demingps.org
maria.escareno@demingps.org
james.gaffikin@demingps.org
theresa.green@demingps.org
antonio.guillen@demingps.org
lynne.hutchison@demingps,org
brent.johnson@demingps.org
lynn.lane@demingps.org
wendy.lenhardt@demingps.org
p.luchsinger@demingps.org
charma.lynch@demingps.org
cindy.nunez@demingps.org
johnny.pacheco@demingps.org
monica.parra@demingps.org
cheri.reynolds@demingps.org
donna.ribble@demingps.org
fred.salcido@demingps.org
anamaria.sandoval@demingps.org
toby.soderberg@demingps.org
annette.sutton@demingps.org
tamijo.treadwell@demingps.org
troy.wertz@demingps.org
Sera, Cathy
Counselor
cathy.sera@demingps.org
McKinley, Terry
Instructional Leader
terry.mckinley@demingps.org
Ruttle, Denise
Principal
denise.ruttle@demingps.org
DMS is WILD about CATS!!