(for visually impaired)
RCPS Parent Handbook 2019-20
Cover 

(Cover says “RCPS Committed to World-Class” and “2019-20 Parent Handbook” with Rockdale County Public Schools logo and “rockdaleschools.org” and photos of students of various ages – Salem High school band playing, pre-K students using tablets to take photos of nature, Pine Street Elementary student jumping, Pine Street Elementary students in front of building, Heritage High School students on Commitment Day with Georgia Tech clothing, Rockdale County High School students on Commitment Day with Morehouse College clothing, Rockdale County High School students and teachers on Commitment Day with University of Georgia clothing, Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology 2019 Valedictorian Anthony Mays II and Salutatorian Huong Ho.)

Inside Cover Page

A Message from the Superintendent

(Photo of Dr. Terry Oatts)

Dear Parents, Students, and Community Stakeholders,

As we embark upon the 2019-20 school year, we remain committed to our pursuit of world-class status as a district. At its core, this pursuit is about facilitating optimal student learning, achievement, and growth.

As I began my tenure last spring, I articulated 5 Strategic Priorities that are aligned to our district’s Strategic Plan. These include: 
1) ensure a common understanding of the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) and formative instructional practices; 
2) ensure the consistent delivery of effective standards-based and standards-aligned instruction / instructional strategies; 
3) maintain a balanced system of assessment; 
4) ensure the integration of appropriate digital resources that extend / enhance students’ learning experiences and 
5) ensure the implementation of a viable, multi-tiered system of student support that is responsive to students’ learning needs. We have made significant strides toward achieving these priorities which will remain in place for the upcoming school year.

Ensuring our students’ and staff’s safety remains our highest priority. Thanks to our citizens for their vote on E-SPLOST V which passed with a record high of nearly 70% support. We prioritized safety within E-SPLOST V and have begun to make improvements by reasonably balancing access and security. We have great partnerships with our local law enforcement agencies that now have immediate access to our surveillance systems in the event of an emergency. Upon returning this school year, all schools will have safety vestibules to restrict full access to our buildings upon entering. While we made tremendous progress, we will not relent in our ongoing efforts to maximize student and staff safety. 

Fostering greater community engagement and involvement is paramount.  As such, I personally committed to an unprecedented level of engagement by raising both my accessibility and visibility throughout our school communities. This included participation in various co-curricular and extracurricular performance and competitive events; joining community forums that enabled citizens to directly engage with me; visiting churches for community outreach; and expanding our advisory structure to inform our decision-making. All these efforts are made to enlist constructive partnerships to support our continuous improvement. 

I am pleased to share that RCPS received top scores after completing its five-year accreditation renewal process.  The RCPS Index for Education Quality (IEQ) score is 308.06 which falls in the highest scoring tier.  The average IEQ score range over the last five years for all institutions accredited by AdvancED is 278.34 – 283.33.  This gives context to how our district compares with other institutions internationally.  The accreditation process highlights our strengths and helps to identify areas for continuous improvement.  

Last spring, I committed to working tirelessly in pursuit of world-class status for our district. I believe that my team and I have made good on this commitment, but it’s only the beginning. We are proud that the class of 2019, with over 1,200 graduates (our largest graduating class to date) received over $20 million in scholarship offers. This affirms our work and pursuit of world-class status.  

I remain excited and proud to serve as Superintendent for the staff, students, and families of Rockdale County Public Schools!

Sincerely,
(signature Terry O. Oats)
Dr. Terry O. Oatts

Rockdale County Board of Education

(Photos of Board of Education members - Katrina Young, Chair; Mandy North, Vice Chair; Wales Barksdale, Pamela Brown, Tony Dowdy, Heather Duncan, Sandra Jackson-Lett)

The Rockdale County Board of Education continues to hold the highest designation of Exemplary Board by the Georgia School Boards Association for going beyond the minimum required training, setting annual goals, and its dedication to continuous improvement in our district. It is comprised of seven members elected at-large for four-year terms and is the official governing body of the school system. All Board meetings are open to the public. For the current meeting schedule and more information about the Board and its policies, please visit: rockdaleschools.org.	

Inside, Pages 1-40
(Pages 1 through 40 are in the Rich Text Format document link posted on the same webpage as and adjacent to the link that downloaded this document.)

Inside Back Cover Page

District Map with School Locations (image of map of Rockdale with numbered squares for the following locations):

1. Barksdale Elementary School
596 Oglesby Bridge Road,
Conyers, GA 30094-4144 .
770-483-9514 .

2. C. J. Hicks Elementary School
1300 Pine Log Road
Conyers, GA 30012-4726 .
770-483-4410 .

3. Flat Shoals Elementary School
1455 Flat Shoals Road
Conyers, GA 30013-1801 .
770-483-5136 .

4. Hightower Trail Elementary School
2510 Highway 138 NE
Conyers, GA 30013-1102
770-388-0751

5. Honey Creek Elementary School
700 Honey Creek Road
Conyers, GA 30094-3516 .
770-483-5706 .

6. J. H. House Elementary School
2930 Highway 20 North
Conyers, GA 30012-2223
770-483-9504

7. Lorraine Elementary School
3343 East Fairview Road, S.W.,
Stockbridge, GA 30281-5651
770-483-0657

8. Peek’s Chapel Elementary School
2800 Avalon Parkway,
Conyers, GA 30094-6396 .
770-761-1842 .

9. Pine Street Elementary School
960 Pine Street,
Conyers, GA 30012-4504 .
770-483-8713 .

10. Shoal Creek Elementary School
1300 McWilliams Road,
Conyers, GA 3094-5736 .
770-929-1430 .

11. Sims Elementary School
1821 Walker Road,
Conyers, GA 30094-3128 .
770-922-0666 .

12. Conyers Middle School
400 Sigman Road,
Conyers, GA 30012-3626 .
770-483-3371 .

13. General Ray Davis Middle School
3375 East Fairview Road, S. W.,
Stockbridge, GA 30281-5651
770-388-5675

14. Edwards Middle School
2633 Stanton Road,
Conyers, GA 30094-2535 .
770-483-3255 .

15. Memorial Middle School
3205 Underwood Road,
Conyers, GA 30013-2309 ..
770-922-0139 ..

16. Heritage High School
2400 Granade Road,
Conyers, GA 30094-6226 .
770-483-5428 .

17. Rockdale County High School / Magnet School (RMSST)
1174 Bulldog Circle / 930 Rowland Road,
Conyers, GA 30012-4708 .
770-483-8754 / 770-483-8737 .

18. Salem High School
3551 Underwood Road,
Conyers, GA 30013-2901 .
770-929-0176 .

19. Open Campus
1115 West Avenue,
Conyers, GA 30012-4463 .
770-860-4272 .

20. Rockdale Career Academy
1064 Culpepper Drive,
Conyers, GA 30094 .
770-388-5677 .

21. Central Office
954 North Main Street, 
Conyers, GA 30012 .
770-483-4713 .
and
Alpha Academy
1045 North Street,
Conyers, GA 30012 .
770-922-8636 .

Back Cover

Image of pillars and sunrise says “RCPS Committed to World-Class. Vision: The Vision of RCPS is to be a world-class learning community where all students graduate college or career ready in a progressive and interconnected society. Mission: The Mission of RCPS is to ensure student success for all through a world-class education with advanced opportunities and personalized support. Standards for Quality: World-Class People, World-Class Teaching and Learning, World-Class Operational Resources, World-Class Culture and Climate, World-Class Community Support and Engagement. Performance Objectives: Recruit world-class employees, retain world-class employees, develop world-class employees, prepare students for college and career options, strengthen cohesive academic support systems, increase personalized learning opportunities, expand diverse and sustainable funding sources, build state of the art facilities, deliver premier operational services, foster a positive and welcoming organizational environment, conduct safe and orderly school environments, administer customized social/emotional student support, expand family engagement and involvement, expand community engagement and involvement, improve internal and external branding and communication. Initiatives/Action Plans: National and international employment recruiting, staff development, RCPS Strategic Compensation Model, expanded early learning, enhanced reading support, rigorous mathematics, workforce readiness, decrease operational expenses, upgrade facilities to new construction standards, keep pace with advancing technology, school safety training & equipment, student voice, family outreach, positive behavior interventions & supports (PBIS), Alumni Engagement, Build Brand Recognition, Cultural Competency Training, Strengthen Community Partnerships”. With RCPS logo. Also says “Rockdale County Public Schools Model for Continuous Growth”.