July 26, 2017

Dear Charlotte Teacher Early College Parents and Students:

Make An Impact! As we begin our 1styear, I challenge all of us to begin the new school year with the thought of the amazing impact that a teaching career can have on society. Our new early college program will be a critical step in meeting the teaching needs of our community and state for years to come. Thank you for entrusting your son/daughter to us. We do not take this responsibility lightly. Our main goal is to prepare our students for college and a teaching career. We may experience some bumps in the road, but, we are committed to continuous improvement. I apologize for the length of this letter. We have a great deal of information to share with you to ensure a smooth and successful opening of the 2017-18 school year.

The key aspect of the CTEC logo is the lamp of knowledge or lamp of learning. The lamp’s origin can be traced bacj to ancient Greece. It has come to symbolize someone's search for wisdom and knowledge; a scholar. At CTEC, we aim to help our students develop their love of knowledge and learning and prepare them to share their wisdom with generations to come.​

Address/Contact Information:Charlotte Teacher Early College, Cato College of Education, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223. Phone: TBD-Until further notice, use 980-343-9898.

Will Leach,Principal ()

KristiannaLuce, Assistant Principal ()

Dan Miller, Academic Facilitator/English Teacher ()

Teresa Oats, Counselor ().

Front Office: Linda Mazzucca will be the secretary at the new teacher early college program. We welcome Linda to our new school. She will be your first contact in the main office.

New Staff: New Staff at CTEC for the 2017-18 school year. Teresa Oats (Counselor), Kristin Fye (Math), Sara Von Muller (Social Studies/Teacher Cadet), Josh Henderson (Science) and Dan Miller (English).

Calendar: The 2017-18 CTEC School Calendar is included in this mailing. Please take a close look at our school calendar. It is different from the CMS calendar. There will be days when we are in school and CMS is closed, and vice versa. Our first day of school is Monday, August 7. Fall break is October 9and 10.

School Hours: 7:15 AM-2:15 PM

Communication: One goal in 2017-18 is to communicate with you using a variety of methods. Our website will be up and running soon and will certainly be a work in progress. The site can be accessed at Go to Schools, then High Schools. We will also build a Facebook page and Twitter account during the fall semester. More information will be shared during the opening week of school. We send email updates and will use the Connect Ed system when necessary. Please make sure that we have your updated email address. Send any email changes to .

Academics: Our focus at CTEC is to provide all students with a well-rounded education that includes rigorous and relevant coursework, student-centered instruction, classroom learning experiences and the development of the “soft” skills needed to survive in the real world. Our goal is not to overwhelm our students, but the pace of the curriculum will be very fast! Our teachers will provide support throughout the school day. All students must take ownership of their own learning. They will have the opportunity to take college courses. We must make sure that they are ready! Beginning in the 9th grade, every grade and every credit counts towards the future.

Homework: Students can anticipate 1-2 hours of homework each night. Reading will be a critical component of the homework assignments. Homework will be used as an extension of the classroom and as practice of learning. Homework will count in the final grade. If students do not complete their homework assignments, they will be required to complete it during their lunch period.

School Supply List: School supply lists will be shared by CTEC Staff during the first week of school.

Grading: The CTEC grading plan provides opportunities for mastery. You can anticipate formal tests and projects counting 70% and informal assignments/homework counting 30%. Students will be required to demonstrate 80% mastery in all subject areas. CMS and CTEC will use a 10 point grading scale during the 2017-18 school year. More information will be shared during the first two weeks of school.

Access to UNC Charlotte Coursework: To access UNC Charlotte coursework, students must achieve a 2.5 weighted GPA by the end of the 9th grade.

Bus Information: CTEC will utilizeneighborhood stop transportation to all students in Mecklenburg County. Below, you will find your bus information for the 2017-18school year. Neighborhood stops will require an earlier pickup time in the morning and a later arrival time in the afternoon. Students are encouraged to arrive at their assigned stop/location at least 15 minutes prior to the departure time listed. You should ride your own bus, even if you feel another stop is closer to your home. You will only be allowed to ride the bus that you are assigned by CMS Transportation. You should be aware that we may have minor glitches at the beginning of the school year. With our earlier start time, please arrive at the stop on time. We are on the first schedule in the morning and afternoon. If you have questions about your assigned location, please contact Mr. Leach or Ms. Luce. Your neighborhood/shuttle stop location and times are included in the mailing. Please review and let us know if you have questions or need clarification. Ms. Luce and I as well as representative from CMS Transportation will be available during the August 3rd Back-to-School Night to answer questions. Any late address changes may cause an issue with bus service during the first week of school.

**In the morning, all CTEC students will depart their regular bus at the Charlotte Engineering Early College and take a shuttle to our location in the Cato College of Education.

**Based on traffic concerns expressed by UNC Charlotte, we will use a new format for afternoon dismissal. All early college students riding the bus in the afternoon will take a shuttle bus from CTEC to Martin Middle School. Once they arrive at Martin, students will board their assigned bus and be taken to their stop. More information will be shared with students during the opening week.

Car Pool Information:It is very important for all of us to remember that we are guests on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Traffic on Craver Road in the middle of the day will be an issue. If you plan to drop-off/pick-up your student from campus each day, please follow the procedures listed below. All CTEC car riding students will take the UNC Charlotte Shuttle to the Charlotte Engineering Early College on Robert Snyder Road at 2:05 each day. All CTEC car pool students will wait to be picked up at CEEC (9000 Robert Snyder Road). A STUDENT MAY NOT BE PICKED UP AT CTEC IN THE AFTERNOON. CTEC students can be dropped off at CTEC in the morning. Please use Craver Road and drop off in front of the Student Union. Students are not allowed to report to campus until 6:45 AM each school day. ALL students must be picked-up from campus by 2:30 PM each day, NO EXCEPTIONS. CTEC students are not allowed to be on the UNC Charlotte Campus unsupervised at any time during the school day (unless they are enrolled in a college class). Students are not allowed to stay after school unless invited by a school staff member and transportation has been arranged. Please use extreme caution and patience when using the car pool lane. Please follow the direction of the officer/staff member on duty. No parking is allowed in the bus lane at any time during the school day. Construction on the light rail line on N. Tryon will continue during the 2017-18 school year and traffic patterns may change without notice.

  • Student Drop Off at CEEC begins between 6:45 AM and 7:15 AM: ParentswillentercampusutilizingHighway29@InstituteCircle. ParentsturnrightonRobertD.SnyderRoadandenterthedropoffline. ThedropofflinewillutilizetherightsideoftheroadwayandbicyclelaneonRobertD.SnyderRoad. TrafficwillbestagedonRobertD.SnyderRoaduntiltheofficerlocatedatRobertD.SnyderRoadJ.W.ClayBoulevarddirectsthevehicle(s)toturnleftintothebuslanearea. Duetopotentialsafetyconcerns,studentswillnotbepermittedtoexitvehiclesandwalkacrossRobertD.SnyderRoad. Parents will be directed by the officer/staff member to enter the bus lane and drop the student in front of the CEEC building. ParentswillexitthebuslanebymakingarightturnontoRobertD.SnyderRoadandcontinuingtotheround‐aboutandmakingaleftontoInstituteCircletoreturntoHighway29.
  • Student Pick‐up at CEEC begins at 2:15 PM: Please DO NOT WAIT/PARK ON ROBERT SNYDER ROAD BEFORE 2:15 PM. ParentswillentercampusutilizingHighway29@InstituteCircle. ParentswillturnrightonRobertD.SnyderRoadandenterthepickupline. Thepick‐uplinewillutilizetherightsideoftheroadwayandbicyclelaneonRobertD.SnyderRoad. TrafficwillbestagedonRobertD.SnyderRoaduntiltheofficerlocatedatRobertD.SnyderRoadJ.W.ClayBoulevarddirectsthevehicle(s)toturnleftintothebuslanearea. Duetothepotentialsafetyconcerns,studentswillnotbepermittedtowalkacrossRobertD.SnyderRoadtoentervehicles. Parents will be directed by the officer/staff member to enter the bus lane and pick-up the student in front of the CEEC building. ParentswillexitthebuslanebymakingarightturnontoRobertD.SnyderRoadandcontinuingtotheround‐aboutandmakingaleftontoInstituteCircletoreturntoHighway29.
  • Parking/Early Dismissals-If at all possible, please limit appointments until after 2:15 PM. If you need to pick up your child during the school day or for a CTEC event, you will need to park in the Cone Deck on University Road next to the Cone Center and walk to CTEC in the Cato College of Education. We will provide a parking pass to you. If you park in the Student Union Parking Deck, we will not be able to provide a parking pass. You will have to pay. DO NOT PARK ANYWHERE ON CAMPUS WITHOUT A PARKING PERMIT. YOU WILL RECEIVE A TICKET OR BE TOWED. DO NOT STOP ON THE STREET WITH YOUR FLASHERS ON AND COME IN THE BUILDING FOR “JUST A MINUTE.” If you have questions about early dismissals, please contact Ms. Mazzucca in the main office.

Student Parking: Once CTEC students receive their driver’s license, they may purchase a UNC Charlotte Parking Permit from the university. Passes typically cost $450.00 per academic year (August to August). Students should NOT park in areas off of campus and walk to campus.

Schedules: All students have been assigned a schedule for the 2017-18 school year. A copy of your child’s schedule is included. If you do not have a schedule, please let us know at the open house. Due to the fact that we have very limited course offerings, schedule changes are discouraged. 11thand 12thgrade students are not allowed to drop/add classes at UNC Charlotte. Please see Ms. Oats for more information.

Food Service: CMS Child Nutrition will serve breakfast and lunch each day in our building. Breakfast will be a “Grab and Go” format. CTEC students will need to pick up a breakfast from the CEEC Building (Room 8) before shuttling to CTEC. Breakfast will be served from 6:45-7:15 AM each day. Breakfast is free to all early college students. A packaged lunch will available to all CTEC students. The CTEC lunch period is 11:55 AM-12:25 PM. Students will have the opportunity to choose which classroomto spend the 30 minute lunch period. Lunch is $2.50. If you choose to bring your lunch to school, we will have very limited refrigeration and microwaves available at the beginning of school. Students are able to bring a snack and bottled water to access during the morning.

Attendance: Students should make every effort to attend school each day. Please call the school if your child will be absent. A telephone message will be generatedif your child is absent. A call from the school will occur with repeated absences. Failure to report to school on a regular basis may result in your child losing his/her seat at CTEC. All absences above 10 (both excused and unexcused) must be recovered. Limited before/after school recovery opportunities will be provided. Students who do not recover absences above 10 will receive an F for the course and will be in severe danger of losing their seat at CTEC. Students should bring a note from the parent when they return to school. Please make every effort to schedule appointments and other events until after 2:15 each day. Students will not be allowed to leave school early for athletic/school practices or other events unless approved by the principal.

Electronics/Bring Your Own Technology: Cell phones, iPods, laptops, tablets and other electrical devices are allowed on campus each day. We will have devices for students to use during the school day. CMS has purchased Chrome books for all 9th grade students to use during the school day. Students may use their electronic devices before school, during lunch, during class changes and after-school. All devices must be silenced and put away during class, unless students are directed to use them by the staff member in charge. Charlotte Teacher Early College is NOT responsible for lost or stolen items. Devices used inappropriately during class time will be confiscated and a parent will have to retrieve the device from the main office. All students will have access to school technology during the school day. Students will need to have access to a computer and the Internet while at home. An electronic device policy/contract will be sent home during the first week of school. We will utilize theCanvas System for online assignments and information. CTEC will use the UNC Charlotte guest Wi-Fi access during the school day. More information will be shared during the first week of school.

Dress Code: A Dress Code Policy/Contract will be sent home during the first days of school. We do not want student dress to be a distraction. Please adhere to the following from August 7 until May 18:

  • No bare midriff, see-through clothes, halter tops, racer back tank tops, tube/tank tops, strapless dresses, spandex, mini-skirts, pants/shorts below the waist, clothes with words or pictures that are obscene, provocative or advertise drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or weapons, tops that reveal cleavage, or undergarments as outerwear.
  • Females: Straps should be 2” wide on the shoulders. Shorts should be finger-tip length when arms are held to the side. Shirts should be long enough to cover the mid-section while wearing a book bag.
  • Hats, caps, sweat bands, bandannas, “doo-rags and grills,” towels and sunglasses cannot be worn on campus.
  • Males: No sagging pants, no sleeveless shirts/tanktops or muscle shirts.
  • No pajama bottoms or bedroom slippers.
  • On field trips and other special occasions, students will be required to dress “business casual.” Details will be provided in the dress code policy/contract.

Violators will be required to call home to get appropriate clothes. More information will be shared during the first week of school.

Report Cards, Parent Assist, Progress Reports, and Exams: Report Cards will be sent home in mid-October, late December, mid-March, and late May. Progress reports will be sent home periodically throughout the school year. Information regarding Power School Parent Portal will be sent during the first weeks of school so that you can monitor academic progress from home. It is recommended that ALL parents check the Power School Parent Portal at least once per week. Teachers will be required to update grade information at least once per week. Final exams are scheduled from Dec. 11-15, 2017 and May 14-18, 2018. School will be dismissed at 12:30 PM during exam weeks.

Clubs: In the fall of 2017, students will complete a club interest form. Once we determine the clubs that our students are most interested in participating, sponsors will be assigned and clubs will begin to meet. Clubs will meet on a regular basis throughout the school year after school.

PTA: If you are interested in helping lead this group, please let us know. Our PTA will help support the overall mission of the school. A PTA organization meeting will be held on August 31before the CTEC Curriculum Night. The meeting will begin at 5:00 PM.

School Leadership Team/Advisory Board: The SLT will meet 4 to 5 times per year and will work on the School Improvement Plan. The Advisory Board will meet monthly to continue the design and implementation of our school and academic program. If you would like to be a part of either group, please let me know. An SLT organization meeting (5:00 PM) will be held on August 31 before the CTEC Curriculum Night.

Open House: Our Back-to-School Open House will be held on Thursday, August 3rdfor all 9th grade students. The event will begin at 6:00 PM and conclude at 7:30 PM. Everyone should park in the Cone Parking Deck on University Road and walk to the Cato College of Education. A campus parking map is included on the back of the early college calendar. A parking pass will be provided. There is no formal program for this event. You will have time to visit each classroom and meet CTEC Staff. We will also be available to answer any transportation questions on the open house.

Curriculum Night:CTEC Curriculum Night for all parentsis scheduled for Thursday, August 31stbeginning at 6:00 PM. 9thgrade parents will have the opportunity to spend 20 minutes with each teacher to hear about the curriculum and expectations. More information about our curriculum night will be shared later.