Principal's Message
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Dear Parents/Guardians:
Apollo-Ridge Middle School strives to provide a safe and developmentally appropriate transition for students from elementary school to high school. During this transition, the Apollo-Ridge Middle School Community will provide for the academic, physical, social, and emotional needs of ALL learners by instilling RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, and RELIABILITY through a research-based curriculum and a compassionate environment. Our goal is that through these efforts, our students will become lifelong learners, creative problem solvers, and productive citizens.
During their time here at Apollo-Ridge Middle School, students will be a part of grade level teams consisting of five core academic teachers (Reading, English, Science, Social Studies, and Math) that meet and collaborate daily to plan interdisciplinary units and discuss student progress and concerns. Each grade level team provides support each student needs to ensure their academic, physical, social, and emotional needs are being met.
We recently expanded our related arts courses here at the middle school. Some of our offerings now include automation and robotics, design and modeling (pre-engineering), computer science, video editing and production, Latin, career & social development, general music, art, family-consumer science, instrumental music, and chorus. Apollo-Ridge Middle School also offers multiple opportunities for students to become enriched. These classes include Latin 1, Pre-AP Science, Pre-AP English, Algebra 1, and Geometry. Our middle school students will also participate in our Olweus Bullying Prevention program. Creating a positive environment that is safe for all students is a primary focus here at Apollo-Ridge. The program is designed to help students learn what is and what is not bullying, what to do if they or someone else is being bullied, and other strategies to help build resiliency and positive social skills. These courses allow us to provide a rich, meaningful, and well-rounded curriculum to our students, while enhancing their creativity, social skills, and problem solving ability.
As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. We will continue to strive to work together as a team to meet your child’s needs. I encourage you to be active in your child’s education. Examining papers they bring home, helping to establish consistent homework times and locations, communicating with teachers, reading with them or to them, volunteering at our school, establishing clear rules and behavior expectations, encouraging them to volunteer or participate in extracurricular activities like sports or scouting, setting challenging (yet achievable) goals, or simply encouraging them to do their best are just some of the ways to become active in your child’s education. Please remember that we are here to work together with you to help your child reach their full potential. Through our combined efforts, we hope that every student has a safe and fulfilling experience here at Apollo-Ridge Middle School. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me here at school.
Educationally yours, Mr. Travis Barta |
Mr. Travis Barta |
