October 16, 2014
Dear Jaguar Families,
It’s amazing that we are already finished with the first quarter of the school year. Our International
Night was a huge success last week. I am always amazed at the wonderful food that is brought in by
our families and then the incredible talent of our students. It’s a great night to celebrate and honor
the diversity of our school.
Students started in their new Connection classes this week and are busy with their work. As always,
as grades come home, please take a few minutes to review the grades, making sure the students are
focusing their energies on “the right stuff.” Our counselors are also busy working with the students
and teachers with study skills so that the students can learn some tips for how to study better. Some
helpful hints are listed below so that you can better support the children at home each night:
• Have a place set aside at home that is free of distractions for study time.
• Review the agenda and Edmodo each night to make sure the study time is focused.
• Review for upcoming tests and quizzes (review notes, make flash cards, practice skills and basic
facts, check out some current educational websites, etc).
Sharing GREAT news!
Just a couple of great tidbits to share:
• Classroom Projector Installation: Our installation is nearing completion since my last letter. The
teachers are very excited about this technology addition to the interactive projectors to classrooms.
• PTA Mini Grants: Our wonderful PTA has just approved a bunch of mini grants that teachers
applied for earlier this year. Our PTA is so generous…..these mini grants will support the work in many
of our classrooms.
School Governance Council Update:
I am including this information again in this month’s newsletter. For those of you who are new to
Webb Bridge Middle School, we now have a School Governance Council (SGC) in place of the
traditional Local School Advisory Council (LSAC). The SGC is an integral component of Fulton’s Charter
System. The SGC) is responsible for setting and monitoring the strategic direction of the school. The
Webb Bridge Middle School SGC has nine voting members listed below. The principal serves on the
council as a non-voting member. We are getting ready to go through the public comment for Request
for Flexibility (RFF). I will send out a School Messenger once the RFF is ready for public review.
Webb Bridge Governance Council Members:
Tammara Baker
Parent, SGC Chair
Mary Paradis
Nan Bodeep
Parent
Shaloo Sawhney
Nan Brown
Carmen Hurst
Susan Opferman
Elected Staff Member
Elected Staff Member
Principal
Shari Schwalbe
Jessica Tucker
Michael Vorick
Appointed Staff Member
Parent/Community
Member
Parent
Community Member
Appointed Staff Member
Webb Bridge elected staff and parents to our council last spring and we have been busy attending
training together to learn about writing the Strategic Plan for our school. The Webb Bridge Strategic
Plan was derived from the results of needs assessments conducted with teachers, students, and
parents last spring. Our council just voted on our Strategic Plan and submitted it to the district for
final approval of our plan. The plan has three main focus areas:
• Instructional Strategies: Utilizing strategies and activities that ensure a high degree of student
engagement and student centered learning.
• Climate and Culture: Creating a school environment that focuses on building positive relationships.
• Student Support: Fostering programs and initiatives that help students grow into mature citizens.
The Strategic Plan will be posted on our SGC website sometime next week. Several council members
were able to attend the Request for Flexibility training and are excited about all the possibilities that
can come with flexibility and seed fund monies. Make sure to check out our SGC website from time to
time to stay updated on the progress of our Strategic Plan.
Update on the Lighthouse School to Watch visit?
Our re-designation visit is scheduled for October 30. I am very excited for the committee to visit so
that we can share all the wonderful aspects of our school. As our Administrative team has been in
classrooms, the students are learning at high levels, technology is being used to support instruction,
and students are excited about their classes. It is a great honor to be designated as a Lighthouse
School to Watch and we look forward to sharing all of our great work when the committee comes to
visit with us.
Georgia Lighthouse Schools to Watch seeks to identify high-performing middle grades schools in
Georgia. Georgia was one of the first three states to qualify to be part of the prestigious National
Forum Schools to Watch® program. Schools across the country that are committed to a journey of
excellence are identified based on their levels of implementation of the 4 domains of the program:
Academic Excellence – High-performing schools with middle grades are academically excellent. They
challenge all students to use their minds well; Developmental Responsiveness – High-performing
schools with middle grades are sensitive to the unique developmental challenges of early adolescence;
Social Equity – High-performing schools with middle grades are socially equitable, democratic, and
fair. They provide every student with high-quality teachers, resources, learning opportunities, and
supports. They keep positive options open for all students; and Organizational Structures and
Processes – High-performing schools with middle grades are learning organizations that establish
norms, structures, and organizational arrangements to support and sustain their trajectory toward
excellence.
Follow me on Twitter!
Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/Opferman1 if you want regular updates about what is
happening at Webb Bridge!
It is my pleasure and honor to serve as principal of Webb Bridge Middle School. Please reach out to
me if I can be of assistance to you. I am committed to our E3: Exemplify Excellence Every Day! I look
forward to meeting all of you in days, weeks, and months ahead!
Proud Principal,
Susan Opferman