Eagle Updates
November 29, 2021; Principal, Lorraine Johnson
Bookmark These Go-To LInks
Reminder: Progress Reports Were Posted Friday, Nov. 19th
Mid-Term progress reports were posted in Parent Portal on Friday, November 19th before the Thanksgiving Break, and teachers sent out a confirmation link for parents to acknowledge seeing the report. Please make sure you have clicked this link and confirmed your child's progress report. If you have questions regarding your child's progress, you can email or call the team or teacher, or you can call the appropriate counselor at 770-254-2744 to schedule a conference. Email contact information can be found on our Madras web site at: http://mms.cowetaschools.net/
Annual Can-a-Thon: Two Days Left!
Snack 'n Chat is December 3rd
Media Notes
November 28, 2021
Thank you so much for your support of our Scholastic Book Fair! We had so much fun with our theme that Books are Better than Movies! We were able to sell over $5,600 in merchandise and keep books and money for our school. We want to thank our parent volunteers who helped us run the fair. We couldn't do this without their help! Congratulations to our costume contest winner: Caleb Sherrer! Congratulations to our teacher winner from the teacher preview: Mrs. Farmer! Congratulations to our grand prize winner for the movie scene contest: Kyndall Coleman! We are scheduled to have another Scholastic Book Fair in March. Thanks again for supporting literacy at Madras Middle School!
Parent Volunteer Training
Upcoming Training Dates
- November 29, 9:00 or 3:00, (Room 118)
- January 10, 9:00 or 3:00, (Room 118)
- February 7, 9:00 or 3:00, (Room 118)
- March 7, 9:00 or 3:00, (Room 118)
MIddle School Friendships
Friendships in middle school are vitally important. As children get older, however, peers often have increased influence on one another. Peer pressure from friends or from other students can create added stress during the adolescent years. The following advice from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry suggests that parents can serve as a buffer and healthy source of encouragement as peer pressures become more of a challenge:
The following are tips for parents to help your child deal with peer pressure:
Encourage open and honest communication. Let kids know they can come to you if they're feeling pressure to do things that seem wrong or risky.
Teach your child to be assertive and to resist getting involved in dangerous or inappropriate situations or activities.
Get to know your child's friends. If issues or problems arise, share your concerns with their parents.
Get to know how your child interacts with friends and others online. Communicate openly about safe internet and social media use.
Help your child develop self-confidence. Kids who feel good about themselves are less vulnerable to peer pressure.
Develop backup plans to help kids get out of uncomfortable or dangerous situations. For example, let them know you'll always come get them, no questions asked, if they feel worried or unsafe.
More information can be found here:
https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Peer-Pressure-104.aspx
Proposed Suicide Prevention Curriculum Pending Public Feedback and BOE Approval
Madras Raises $2,000 for the Ferst Foundation
Students put their speaking and listening skills to work today through the use of Socratic seminars in analyzing the poem, “If” by Rudyard Kipling.
Students in science are practicing collaboration and teamwork as they create motion graphs, following specific storylines.
Eagles Advance to the Championship at Newnan High School on December 1st
The Madras Eagles will play in the county championship on Wednesday, December 1st at 6:00 PM at Newnan High School. Admission to Wednesday's game is $5.00.
Middle school students who are attending the game must attend with their parents. Students may not be dropped off unsupervised by their guardian at the high school. Let's bring home the championship, Eagles!
Boys' and Girls' Basketball Tryouts
Tryout Information: Tryouts are open to 7th and 8th grade girls and boys who meet academic requirements and who have submitted the completed athletic packet (which includes a physical). Students should wear gym shoes, t-shirt and shorts, and should bring a water bottle. Pick up is behind the school at the car rider line.
Girls Tryouts
- Dates: Dec 2, 3
- Time: - 4:45-6:00 pm
- Location: Madras Gym
- Please Note: No tryouts on December 1st due to football championship.
- Coach: Deontay Teagle (email: arthur.teagle@cowetaschools.net)
Boys Tryouts
- Dates: Nov 29, 30, Dec 2, 3
- Time: - 3:30-5:00 pm
- Location: Madras Gym
- Please Note: No tryouts on December 1st due to football championship. Members of the football team who would like to tryout can do so on Dec 2-3.
- Coach: Matt Nash (email: matt.nash@cowetaschools.net)
Northgate High Girls Lacrosse Conditioning and Tryouts
Eighth grade girls interested in playing lacrosse at NGHS must have an athletic packet, including physical, on file at Northgate prior to participating in conditioning or tryouts.
Conditioning
- Begins November 30th from 4-6 PM
Tryouts
- Begin January 22nd
Please email nghs.girlslax.boosters@gmail.com or lauren.soulen@cowetaschools.net for more information. Go Vikings! We are Valhalla!
Yearbooks on Sale
Yearbooks for the 2021-2022 school year are on sale and can be purchased at the link below. Prices are as indicated, and eighth grade recognition ads can also be purchased through January 17, 2022 once you are logged in by creating an account. If you have any questions, please contact bookkeeper Danielle Mattera at danielle.mattera@cowetaschools.net. Yearbooks are given out the last week of school.
- $45.00 for Yearbook (Order HERE)
- Eighth Grade Recognition Ads on sale through January 17, 2022 (Order HERE)
- Download 8th Grade Recognition Ad Flyer HERE.
Backpack Buddies
If you have questions, please contact Madras Counselors Caroline Rothschild or Erin Nash.
Covid-19 FAQ's
Who should parents and staff contact to self-report a positive case of Covid-19?
Your Principal or School Nurse
Will I be notified of a Covid-19 case in my school?
Individuals, who may have been in contact (direct or indirect) with a COVID-19 positive person in their classroom, will be notified by their principal. Notification will be made by distribution of the Ga DPH Classroom Parent Letter.
Will students and staff have to quarantine or isolate?
Students and staff will need to quarantine or isolate after receiving quarantine guidance from their health care provider or the GaDPH, following a positive COVID-19 test or a close contact with an individual that has tested positive for COVID 19.
What should students or staff do following notification to quarantine?
- Students - Parents should notify their student's teacher of need to quarantine and expected date of return
- Staff - Notify administrator following routine call out procedures
I need quarantine or isolation guidance. Who do I call? Where can I find out what date my child may return to school?
Your health provider or GaDPH 1-866-782-4584 or 1-888-357-0169 https://dph.georgia.gov/
Is there a state mandate that students or staff must obtain the COVID-19 vaccine?
No. However, the CDC and GaDPH strongly encourage all individuals eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine to be vaccinated. Vaccination benefits not only the individual, but also schools and communities by reducing transmission. For example, fully vaccinated persons are not required to quarantine if exposed to a case as long as they remain asymptomatic.
Do I have to wear a mask in the school building?
Coweta County School System strongly encourages students and staff to follow CDC guidance to “wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial and high transmission” of COVID-19. Currently masks are required at several schools, including Madras, due to an increased number of positive cases. View letter sent home on 8/24/21.
Will schools still be contact tracing?
The Coweta County School System is required to investigate close contacts after notification of a COVID-19 positive test. Close contacts will be provided to the GaDPH. The determination that an individual needs/does not need to quarantine will be provided by the GaDPH.
How are close contacts determined in school?
Per the GaDPH and the CDC Student to student - 3 feet and 15 mins of exposure Student to adult and adult to adult - 6 feet and 15 mins of exposure. What do you do if your child is determined to be a close contact? Read more here.
I am vaccinated. Do I need to quarantine after a close contact in school?
The GaDPH will speak to you about your vaccination status when they call to notify you of your close contact. Determination will be made at that time on whether you need to quarantine or not, OR you can may voluntarily:
- EMAIL ccsscovid@cowetaschools.net
- Include student/staff name requesting to return to our building
- Attach current COVID-19 vaccination record or vaccination card
Remain at home until you receive an email from ccss@cowetaschools.net
School Health will return responses via email between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
Email is not for routine questions, comments or to receive additional guidance regarding COVID-19.
Individual names will remain on our contact tracing template as a close contact.
If I am vaccinated, why will GaDPH still call me?
You have still had close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, even though there may be no need for you to quarantine. They will be able to answer any questions you may have during their phone call.
I have symptoms of Covid-19, but I am sure I do not have the virus. Can I come to school or work?
Individuals should not attend in person activities when symptoms of COVID-19 are present.
Students and staff are expected to follow the GaDPH Return to School Guidance.
Why will everyone on a bus be required to wear a mask?
The CDC issued an Order, effective as of February 2, 2021, that requires all individuals to wear a mask on public transportation to prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. This applies to ALL drivers and travelers on school buses.
How long will it take GaDPH to notify staff or parents that quarantine is required after a close contact in the school building?
It may take GaDPH 24-48 hours (or longer) before the close contact investigation is complete and notification phone calls are placed.
Where can I obtain a COVID-19 vaccine?
Call the Georgia Health Department Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line at 1-888-457-0186.
Can you tell me how to monitor our school community transmission rate and positive cases?
The Georgia Department of Public Health, Daily Status Report, shares data on cases and transmissions in Coweta County. https://dph.georgia.gov/ covid-19-daily-status report
How many cases of COVID-19 were there yesterday in Coweta County Schools?
Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly totals for COVID-19 cases, reported by the school system, are available on the CCSS COVID-19 School Health Program Resource Page.
What is the phone number that will be used to call me regarding the need to quarantine?
Georgia Department of Public Health asks employees and parents of students to answer all calls that are received from a (470) area code.
Instruction for Students Who Are Quarantined
Academic Class Assignments: All daily assignments will be posted on Google Classroom. Students have the log in.
Class Check-In’s: Team Teachers have a check-in time that students can sit in on a class during the day to hear live instruction when applicable. This is not like Empower/Virtual teaching last year. The teachers are teaching and will not be interacting with students at home during this time; however, students can view the teachers’ instructions live if he/she is able (although not required of students). There will be another time (when they’re not teaching) that teachers will be available to check in with students at home to answer any questions they have.
Student Check-In Help: Teachers have set aside a time to check in with students at home when they are not teaching a class.
Email a question: Students can ask teachers specific questions via Google Classroom, Infinite Campus, or email at any time.
Team Instructional Plans for Quarantined Students
- Greeks (Sibley)
- Romans (Schober)
- Opportunity (Chaves)
- Perseverance (Foncannon)
- Apollo (Farmer)
- Resilience (Welch)
Please reach out directly to the team leader or team of teachers if you or your student has additional questions.
PTSO News
By Jamie Bowne, PTSO President
- Principal, Lorraine Johnson: lorraine.johnson@cowetaschools.net
- Assistant Principal (6th/7th), Marius Truitt: marius.truitt@cowetaschools.net
- Assistant Principal (7th/8th), Herbert Betts: herbert.betts@cowetaschools.net
- 504 Coordinator, Marius Truitt: marius.truitt@cowetaschools.net
- 6th and 7th Grade Counselor, Caroline Rothschild: caroline.rothschild@cowetaschools.net
- 7th and 8th Grade Counselor, Erin Nash: erin.nash@cowetaschools.net
- School Nurse: Kate Caswell: kate.caswell@cowetaschools.net
- In-School SE Coordinator, Kip Durden: kip.durden@cowetaschools.net
- Gifted Lead Teacher, Peggy Davenport: margaret.davenport@cowetaschools.net
- Athletic Director, Herbert Betts: herbert.betts@cowetaschools.net
- Food Nutrition Services Manager, Frances Singleton: frances.singleton@cowetaschools.net
- Media Specialist, Karen Pitts (Chromebooks): karen.pitts@cowetaschools.net
- Secretary, Ryan Hornsby: ryan.hornsby@cowetaschools.net
- Attendance Clerk, Lynn Zaboth: lynn.zaboth@cowetaschools.net
- Registrar, Alecia Bruce: alecia.bruce@cowetaschools.net
- School Resource Officer, Chad Davis: chad.davis@cowetaschools.net
- MMS Transportation Contact, Marius Truitt: marius.truitt@cowetaschools.net
Madras Middle School
Email: MadrasNews@cowetaschools.net
Website: http://www.mms.cowetaschools.net
Location: 240 Edgeworth Road, Newnan, GA, United States
Phone: 770-254-2744
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MadrasEagles
Twitter: @MadrasEagles