Title I

Francis C. Hammond Middle School values parent engagement as a critical role in the academic success of students. Francis C. Hammond MS believes that parental involvement means the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including ensuring the following:

1. that parents play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning

2. that parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their children’s education at school

3. that parents are full partners in their children’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their children

Parent and Family Engagement Policy - Amharic (PDF)

Parent and Family Engagement Policy - Arabic (PDF)

Parent and Family Engagement Policy - Dari (PDF)

Parent and Family Engagement Policy - Spanish (PDF)
 

Planning Process

Francis C. Hammond Middle School jointly developed this parental involvement policy in consultation with school personnel, community members, and parents and adopted it on Nov. 8, 2017. The policy was updated on Sept. 14, 2020. This policy was distributed to parents and, to the extent practicable, provided in a language the parents can understand. This policy will be made available to parents and the local community on the school’s website, email, and via newsletter. If the Title I plan (application) is not satisfactory to parents, the [local educational agency] will submit any parent comments with the application when the plan is submitted to the state. The parent involvement plan may be updated annually to meet the changing needs of parents and the school.

School and Family Agreement

Francis C. Hammond Middle School and the parents of the students attending the school agree that this compact outlines how the parents, the entire school staff, and the students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership that will help children achieve the State’s high standards. This school-parent compact is effective for the school year 2021-2022.

School Agreement

Francis C. Hammond Middle School will:

• In alignment with ACPS 2025, adhere to the core values of being Welcoming, Empowering, Equity-Focused, Innovative, and Results-Driven.
• Provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables the participating children to meet the state’s student academic achievement standards as follows:
• Provide motivating and interesting learning experiences in our classrooms.
• Determine and use techniques and materials that work best for each student to support the curriculum.
• Maintain the highest learning expectations for our students.
• Partner with families to offer ways to support their children's learning, such as monitoring attendance, literacy, and technology training, as appropriate, to foster parental involvement and participation in decisions relating to the education of their children and positive use of extracurricular time.
• Convene an annual meeting at a time convenient for parents of participating children to inform parents of their school's participation in Title I, the requirements of Title I, and the right of the parents to be involved. All parents shall be invited and encouraged to attend.
• Hold parent-teacher conferences twice per year during which this compact will be discussed as it relates to the individual child’s achievement.
• Conferences can be held any time a parent or teacher requests one due to a concern or need.
• Provide parents with frequent reports on their children’s progress. Specifically, the school will provide reports as follows:
• Report cards are sent home at the end of each academic quarter. Report cards will be sent home after the following quarter-end dates: November 1, January 27, April 8, and June 10.
• Parents are also provided reports on their child’s progress upon parent request through the use of emails, text messages, and/or phone calls.
• Involve parents, in an organized, ongoing, and timely way, in the planning, review, and improvement of the school’s Title I program.

Principal/Administrative Team Agreement

Francis C. Hammond Middle School Principal/Administrative Team will:

• Foster and support the implementation of the Family Involvement Policy.

• Foster a positive atmosphere for learning.
• Foster an environment that allows communication between teacher, parent & student.
• Support and attend school functions, committees, and programs.

School Staff Agreement

Francis C. Hammond Middle School Staff will:

• Provide a caring learning environment where your child can be responsible for learning.
• Foster a welcoming environment for families.
• Support and attend school functions.
• Provide an enriched and challenging curriculum, aligned with the ACPS Curriculum and State Standards.
• Provide a nurturing learning environment which fosters healthy social and emotional learning
• Foster an environment that promotes college and career readiness.

Parent/Guardian Agreement

Francis C. Hammond Middle School Parents/Guardians will:

• Emphasize punctuality and regular school attendance.

• Inquire about their child’s school day and what they are learning.
• Emphasize the completion of all assignments on time.
• Maintain regular school contact through parent/teacher conferences and/or PowerSchool and Canvas updates.
• Make a best effort to participate in at least one school function each year (i.e. PTA, Back To School Night, School Concerts, Parent Coffees, Open House, etc.)

Student Agreement

Francis C. Hammond Middle School Students will:

• Attend school regularly and be punctual.
• Understand the expectations of each course syllabus for their classes.
• Strive to demonstrate Admiral Pride.
• Ask questions and be curious about their learning.
• Be an active participant in their learning and complete all assignments.
• Come to school prepared for learning with necessary materials and/or learn to advocate for themselves when materials are needed (Example: Chromebook, Agenda Books, Pens, Pencils, Notebooks, Binders, etc.)

ACPS Curriculum Description

English Language Arts

Students in an ELA classroom will learn to communicate, read, write, and research throughout the year.
 

Mathematics

Students will focus on number sense and computation, measurement, geometry, algebra, and data analysis and probability in each grade level.
 

Science

Students will generate and use evidence to develop, refine, and apply scientific explanations.
 

Social Studies

Students will understand our national heritage in order to shape our nation’s future. Students will learn to analyze and interpret historical events, people, and places. Teachers will promote a civic-minded, democratic society.

Electives

• World Languages: Students will comprehend and communicate in languages other than English. Students will learn skills and knowledge in their foreign language classes that supports their learning in other classes. World Language courses offer students the opportunity to earn high school credit while still in middle school.
• Art: Students will apply creative thinking to communicate personal ideas, experiences, and narratives in works of art. Students will analyze, interpret, and evaluate artwork. Teachers will help students develop communication and collaboration skills for a community of artists.
• Band/Orchestra: Students will build their musical knowledge and skills through experiences in singing, playing instruments, performing rhythms, moving to music, and creating music. Students will use critical thinking to compare and contrast the functions of music and investigate the impact of musicians on the community. Teachers will expose students to music from a variety of cultural influences, styles, composers, and historical periods.
• Physical Education: Students will identify and explain essential health concepts to understand personal health and promote healthy habits.
• AVID: Teachers will prepare students for college readiness and success in a global society. The curriculum features writing, inquiry, collaboration, reading, note-taking and study skills, and college/career/motivational activities.
• Business/Technology: Students will identify the elements of digital safety and security best practices that pertain to various digital communication tools and methods. Teachers will help students use various technology and digital resources to collect information.

Special Programs

• English Learner: The English Learner (EL) program is designed to improve th e education of students who come from diverse cultural backgrounds. The program honors EL student’s primary language, background knowledge, and experiences. EL students receive differentiated instruction that helps them develop academic language proficiency throughout the year.
• International Academy: Our specialized academic program for students who have recently arrived in the country and are at the emerging stages of English acquisition. They work as a team to implement the Internationals Network model for educating immigrant language learners. Students work in heterogeneous groups to complete real-world projects that allow them to explore the content and engage them in explicit language instruction.
• Talented and gifted (TAG)
• Special Education Programs

APPENDIX A

(Committee Signature Page)
 

Administrators

Pierrette Peters, Principal

Paul George, Academic Principal – 6th Grade

Kanika Dorsey, Academic Principal – 7th Grade

Anika Buster-Singleton, Academic Principal – 8th Grade

Tim Brannon, Academic Principal, International Academy

Deneé Scott-Elliott, Director of Counseling

Tenicka Strown, Dean of Students

Michael Diggins, Dean of Students

Candace Troutman, Student Resource Center Coordinator

Shonta Robertson, Title I School Improvement Coordinator

Jacenta Collins, Special Education Accountability Specialist

Instructional Coaches

Quanda Fudd, Literacy Coach

Melissa Smith, Math Coach

Brittany Thomas, TAG Coordinator

Team Leaders

6th Grade

Derek Rivera, Team 6-1

Felicia Valentine, Team 6-2

Armille Mitchell, Team 6-3

Kara Franklin-Taylor, Team 6-4

7th Grade

Jonathan Brandli, Team 7-1

Janelle Kochis, Team 7-2

Ronald Chapman, Team 7-3

David Fox, Team 7-4

8th Grade

George Fedinatz, Team 8-1

Nicole Shaw, Team 8-2

Nichola Burton, Team 8-3

Jack Dever, Team 8-4

International Academy

Lee Allison, 8th Grade

Jessica Mains, 6th/7th Grade

Department Chairperson

Danielle Maxwell, Science

Dominique Jones, Language Arts

Jobelle Cruz, Math

Jeffrey Carroll, Social Studies

David Fye, Visual and Performing Arts

Radiah McLean, CTE Electives

Keisha Shirley, ELL

Jacenta Collins, Special Education

Matthew Schilling, World Languages

Jennifer Ranieri, PE

Parent Representation

Diana Carvajal, Parent Liaison

Tesfaye Amberber, Parent Liaison

Nassiba Benghanem, Parent Liaison

Nicole Neal, Parent

Parents right to request information In compliance with the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act, Francis C. Hammond informs parents that you have the right to request information about the qualifications of the classroom staff working with your child. If you request this information, the school division will provide you with answers to the following questions as soon as possible:

The following information may be requested:

• Whether the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.

• Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status because of special circumstances.

• Whether the teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification or degree he/she received.

• Whether paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if so, their qualifications.

​If you wish to request information concerning your child's teacher or paraprofessional's qualifications, please contact your child's grade level principal.

Right to Request Letter - English (PDF)
Right to Request Letter - Amharic (PDF)
Right to Request Letter - Arabic (PDF)
Right to Request Letter - Dari (PDF)
Right to Request Letter - Spanish (PDF)