School Improvement » ATSI Parent Letter (10/28/25)

ATSI Parent Letter (10/28/25)

Dear Parent/Guardian:

I hope the school year is off to a successful start for you and your child. I am writing this letter to let you know that North Wilkes Middle School has been designated as an Additional Targeted Support & Improvement (ATSI) school by the North Carolina State Board of Education. Per ESSA Section 1111(d)(2)(C), schools are identified as ATSI schools in North Carolina because one or more of the following subgroups received a subgroup performance grade score at or below the highest identified CSI-LP school's All Students group during the identification year; and is on the TSI-CU list for the subgroup(s) for the previous year. Subgroup performance scores are provided for the following subgroups: (1) Students with Disabilities, (2) Economically Disadvantaged, (3) Black, (4) White, (5) Hispanic, (6) Asian-Pacific Islander, (7) Multi-racial, and (8) English Learners. This letter is to notify our parents and guardians of North Wilkes Middle School's intentions to improve educational outcomes for underperforming student subgroups and close achievement gaps for all students.

As an ATSI school, North Wilkes Middle School is required to develop an Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) plan that specifically addresses how the school will improve outcomes for underperforming subgroups. The plan will also include strategies that our district will employ to support North Wilkes Middle School's improvement efforts. The ATSI plan will address the following areas:

  • Support for Beginning Teachers - All beginning teachers are required to attend professional development 4 times a year.
  • Standards-aligned Instruction - Lesson plans are checked and reviewed during PLCs to make certain instruction is being delivered and NC Standards are being taught within a normal pacing time.
  • Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) - All teachers have a designated time to meet with the instructional specialist.
  • Instructional Leadership - All teachers meet regularly with administrators during a grade-level meeting to review data, making specific research-based instructional plans for how to address students with disabilities.
  • Classroom Management - Focus on classroom management strategies that improve student learning and engagement, connected to our Positive Behavior Intervention system and Leader in Me
  • Recruitment & Retention of Effective Teachers - A team of teachers supports hiring, and newly hired teachers are supported to learn processes and procedures of North Wilkes Middle School
  • Support for Grade-to-Grade Transitions - Support days are put in place utilizing student leadership to inform incoming students.  Wilkes Early College High School and North Wilkes High School host eighth-grade students and allow students to have small group tours to get acclimated to their campus and become familiar with the programs offered at each campus.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making - All teachers and teams analyze data based on subgroup performance to make changes to curriculum delivery and support offered to students.
  • Student Support Services - Individual student and family support is available for students who are at-risk of retention.
  • Family and Community Engagement - Parent-teacher conferences and family nights are provided throughout the year. Communication is made with families regarding school events through multiple sources. Families have access to grades and attendance through the Infinite Campus Portal. Teachers contact parents when there are concerns or celebrations for students. The PTO and Athletic Boosters are active parts of the school community.

We have set the following goals for North Wilkes Middle School this year:

  • We will increase our EOG performance to 57.7% proficient by 2026.
  • We will improve the academic growth of our students through the use of our intervention block that meets all students' learning needs based on data from STAR assessments.
  • We will increase parental engagement to support students in the learning environment through student-parent conferences, the use of Remind, and the use of learning models that help promote student engagement and parental empowerment.
  • We will increase student engagement by monitoring and promoting high expectations for student attendance in the learning environment, implementing highly effective practices, ongoing professional learning for learning strategies, and ongoing professional learning around social/emotional learning.

Our students need to experience higher achievement levels, but it will require focused work on the part of staff, students, and families. Here are some strategies North Wilkes Middle School will be implementing:

  • North Wilkes Middle School will monitor, evaluate, and adjust instruction on a monthly basis, utilizing the STAR assessment data.
  • North Wilkes Middle School students will set goals for learning that address grade and assessment performance.
  • North Wilkes Middle School will support family engagement to support student learning and success.

Parent engagement is at the heart of our school improvement efforts. Here are some ways we can work together:

  • Make sure that both you and your student are aware of academic expectations set for your student this school year. A list of learning objectives in student-friendly language is available from your student's teacher(s).
  • Call North Wilkes Middle School, 336-903-6224, if you have questions or concerns about your student or to set up an appointment to meet with a school staff member who will be working with your student.
  • Make sure that your student is prepared and attends school each day.  
  • Monitor your student's homework.
  • Monitor the progress your child is making and attend meetings with your child's teacher.
  • Monitor Infinite Campus on a daily basis. Grades are updated weekly.
  • Keep track of our website (https://nwms.wilkescountyschools.org/).
  • Join the North Wilkes Middle School PTO and Athletic Booster Club.

Here are additional resources available to help:

We are committed to improving student performance. It is important to remember that just as no single score or grade tells the whole story of a student, neither does it tell you everything about a school's performance or the opportunities that our school provides. The intent of receiving these designations is to improve educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, increase equity, and improve the quality of instruction. We're excited about this school year and are working to make it a success for your child. Already, we have:

  • Implemented a focused academic intervention block designed to teach students the skills they are missing.
  • Our attendance rate is 95.27%.
  • Implemented student leadership roles at school to foster independence and success among our students.

If you have questions about the content of this letter, please contact Litta Belk at [email protected] or 336-903-6224.

Sincerely,

Litta Belk, Principal

North Wilkes Middle School