Cobb Middle School
July 29, 2003

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to Cobb (or welcome back home).  We are excited about
once again being an “A” school that emphasizes reading and literacy.
I hope you are having a wonderful summer and are ready for the
2003-2004 school year.  We are certainly looking forward to working
with you in your journey to obtain the best education possible.  Please
welcome Mr. Zachary Ansley as our new Assistant Principal for
Curriculum, and welcome Mr. Bob McDaris back as our other new
Assistant Principal.

School begins on Monday, August 18, and the school hours for
students are 7:35 a.m. -1:55 p.m. Supervision will be provided from
7:00 a.m. until 2:20 p.m.   Cobb will continue on a nine-week grading
system with progress reports going home halfway through each
grading period.  Lunch prices for this year are $.75 for breakfast and
$1.75  for lunch.  During the summer we have been working on our
literacy plan, accreditation for middle schools, and teacher preparation
to increase student performance.

Our main goals for the 2003-2004 school year include:
 *  increase students’ reading, writing, science, and math skills
 *  increase students’ learning in a safe environment
 * continue training faculty in technology, reading, math, science, and
critical thinking across the curriculum
 * continue to increase the involvement of parents, guardians, and
community resources as active partners in achieving successful
student performance
 *  continue to implement Applied Science and Technology Magnet
Program
 * continue BIG Accommodation Model and FLARE (Florida Literacy
and Reading Excellence)
Please note the following information:
 *  Orientation for new students is Friday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. in
the gym.

The 2002-2003 School Public Accountability Report (SPAR) for Cobb
is available for viewing at the school or can be viewed on-line at
www.leon.k12.fl.us/SPAR/.  The information in this report includes
important information about your child’s school, including:  test
scores; enrollment; and student discipline incidents.  It also includes
information on teachers having advanced degrees, teachers
out-of-field and evaluation statistics; school-community learning
environment survey results; school improvement plan results;
advisory committee make-up; and adult literacy program information.
Feel free to view a full copy of this report by coming to the school office
or via the web, at www.leon.k12.fl.us/SPAR/. We encourage your
participation and input with regard to our continuing school
improvement efforts.

If you did not receive a grade level supply list, please visit our web site
at www.cobb.leon.k12.fl.us or stop by the school and pick up a copy.
Also, if you shop at Office Depot, be sure to tell them Cobb is your
school for the “5% Back to Schools” program.

All students will need to buy an Agenda Book the first week of school
(cost is $4.00).  Please read the front pages very carefully with your
child.  We have found that the Agenda Book (the same one they use at
the high schools) is an extremely effective tool to help keep students
organized.

Parents, please note, use the student pick-up/drop-off on Lucy Street
off of Hillcrest. For student safety, please do not drop off across the
street from Cobb, but use the designated student pick-up area only.
(Thank You)

Enjoy your last few days of summer vacation and come back ready for
an exciting year at Cobb Middle School.  I look forward to working with
each of you! !  See you on August 18th!!!

Mark your calendar for some important dates:
 August 15 – Open House 10:00 A.M. Gym
 August 28 – School Pictures
 September 11 - Evening Open House
                           7:00 P.M.

Please try to attend.

Sincerely,


Lynda Roser
Principal

P.S.  7th graders must receive all of their immunizations before they
can start school.  Documentation MUST be provided or your child
cannot start school.   Students who come to school, but have not had
their immunizations, must be sent home.  Call your doctor or the Leon
County Health Department to obtain the necessary paperwork.   The
schedule for the remaining free clinics at the Health Department are:
August 4, 6, 11 and 13, 4:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.






DRESS CODE FOR COBB MIDDLE SCHOOL

All students are expected to dress in a manner which respects the
rights of all and demonstrates appropriate Cobb campus attire.
Parents will be called to bring appropriate attire or remove students
from school should offenses occur.
1. Dresses, shorts, or skirts shall be mid-thigh length.  (Shorts must
have a minimum of a 3" inseam)
2. All shirts or dresses must have a shoulder seam (strap) of at least
three inches. (3")
3. Pants which have belt loops, should be fastened at the natural
waistline with a belt. All other pants shall be worn at the natural
waistline.
4. Shirts and blouses must be of sufficient length to be tucked in; no
bare midriffs.
5. No undergarments should be visible at any time.
6. Clothing, jewelry, buttons, or any other items with profanity or with
symbols, pictures, patches, signs which are indecent, offensive, drug
and alcohol related or associated with local gangs are not
appropriate.
7. No hats, caps or head coverings will be allowed in classrooms or
hallways.
8. Curlers, finger-nail polish and other grooming aides (i.e. hairspray,
perfume, cologne, etc.) should be used at home and should not be
brought to school. Combs and hairbrushes should not be used in
classrooms.
9. No cell phones or pagers.
*Any prohibited items will be confiscated until the end of the school
year.


Cobb's Mission Statement
"The community of Cobb Middle School strives to encourage and
establish academic excellence and social and personal growth in a
creative learning environment."
Belief Statements
1. Student learning is the chief priority for the school.
2. All students can learn.
3. Students learn in different ways and should be provided with a
variety of instructional approaches t o support their learning.
4. Students learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning
process.
5. Curriculum and instructional practices should incorporate a variety
of learning activities t o accommodate differences in learning styles.
6. Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social,
emotional and intellectual needs.
7. Assessments of student learning should provide students with a
variety of opportunities to demonstrate their achievements.
8. A student's self esteem is enhanced by positive relationships and
mutual respect among and between students and staff.
9. A safe and physically comfortable environment promotes student
learning.
10. Cultural diversity increases students' understanding of different
people and cu Itu res.
11. Teachers, administrators, parents, and the community share the
responsibility f o r advancing the school's mission.
12. Cobb's commitment to continuous improvement enables students
to become confident, self-directed, lifelong learners.