Moore Middle School Welcomes Public During an Open House

Over 500 people got a first look at the classrooms, gymnasium and cafeteria in the new  at Sunday's Open House. 

This school was constructed using a modular design and build. Instead of being constructed brick-by-brick, this school was built using pre-fabricated panels built in a factory. The panels were then brought on slabs to the construction site, where they were then constructed.

Moore is also a green conscious school. Lights throughout the building will not come on unless motion sensors are activated. If movement is not detected in a room, the lights will automatically shut off. The air conditioning in the building is also motion sensory. All in efforts to conserve energy and as said to be more responsible with taxpayers’ dollars.

Mays, the first time Principal and 15 year education veteran, said that on August 8th, 870 students are expected to walk through Moore’s doors, making history with each step.

 “We have high expectations for our students. Part of our vision is to make that our students will be lifelong learners, critical thinkers and that they will become leaders in the local and global community,” said Mays.

That vision is in line with the woman for whom the school was named, Robbie Susan Moore. She was known for her activism, for her sense of purpose and for helping whenever and however she could. According to her foundation’s website Moore was a teacher’s aide, an organizer, a political activist. She sat on numerous boards and was one of the co-founders of the United Ebony Society of Gwinnett County and a devout church member and servant.   

“She loves this school,” said Eron Moore, husband, “I say loves because this school embodies her spirit. We worked closely with the school system administration to get more minorities into the system. When we first started there were about 25 minority teachers in the system.”

Moore said he wants the students attending this school honoring his wife to work hard and to be their best at all times.

“I am excited about coming to this school,” said Travis Jacque, seventh grader. “This is going to be a big change. I am coming from where there were a lot of students. But here the classrooms aren’t going to be as full.”  

His mom Tammy Jacque said Travis' switch from private to public in the new school should be a good change. She said Richards was a good school, but is looking forward to her son participating in the new curriculum and activities at Moore.    

Rommel Tuckler and his family accompanied his son Fabio Trujillo, 13, said that he was impressed with the school. From the and the classrooms Tuckler said “they put a lot of money into good use”.

Trujillo, an eighth grader is coming from Couch Middle School, which opened two years ago, were he was an honor student. The reason for the change, Tuckler said is due to redistricting. Trujillo and his family moved from North Carolina, where they lived for six years, in 2009.

Tuckler said the school system in Gwinnett is much better than the one Trujillo came from in North Carolina. He said that is because the county really concentrates on the schools more. He said Trujillo has done a complete 180 which he attributes to the schools in the county offering many more programs than those found in North Carolina.

There will be 41 history making teachers at Moore all engaged in, as Mays said, providing a high quality education for each and every student. Among the teachers and like many of the students attending Moore, Lashawn Smith will go from teaching sixth grade social studies at Richards to now teaching eighth graders.

“I am looking forward to seeing my former students as well as all of the new ones,” said Smith. “We are looking to be anchored in excellence.”   

Moore’s eighth grade Assistant Principal Dr. Stacey Schepens said there is such great energy about everyone coming to Moore Middle School. The students, teachers and staff are going to be a part of something very special. She gave the students the following advice.

“Get ready, study hard, start reading now and start going to bed early, now.”

An official dedication ceremony for Moore Middle School is tentatively scheduled for October 16, 2011.