Coleman Longhorn News
3/21/16
Dates and Calendars
-3/25/16- No School ( Bad Weather Day)
-3/28/16-STAAR Informational Night @ 6:30 AM
-3/31/16-Perot Museum Forensic Science Night!
-5/27/16-No School ( Staff Professional Development)
-5/31/16- BCMS Fun Day ( Game Truck, Mechanical Bull, Obstacle Course, etc.)
-6/1/16- BCMS Staff vs Students and Grade Level vs Grade Level Basketball games
-6/2/16- Staff vs Students Dodge ball Game
Save the Date
BCMS Athletic Banquet
May 12, 2016
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
$10.00 per ticket
Teacher of the Month January and February
STAAR Assessment Dates (Please Plan Accordingly)
March 29th STAAR Grade 7 Writing; 8 Math; English I EOC
March 30th STAAR Grade 5/8 Reading
- Scores for Grade 8 only will be reported to districts on April 19th
May 3rd STAAR Algebra I EOC
- Scores for all EOC Assessment will be reported to districts on June 3rd
May 9th STAAR Grade 3-8 Math
May 10th STAAR Grade 3-8 Reading
May 11th STAAR Grade 8 Science
May 12th STAAR Grade 8 Social Studies
- Scores for Grade 8 -2nd Administration will be reported to districts on/about May 31st
- Scores for Grade 3-8 STAAR will be reported to Districts on or about June 15th
Steve Harvey National Mentoring Camp
The Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation invites you to the Steve Harvey National Mentoring Camp for Young Men in Atlanta, June 7-12, 2016. Men from all walks of life volunteering their time to be mentors will conduct a series of seminars on the principles of manhood, leadership and community empowerment.
Not only will the Harvey Foundation pour into the lives of the young men, there will also be a Mother’s Empowerment Seminar that the mother/guardian of the mentees will participate in during the camp.
The 2016 National Camp will impact over 200 families from the Atlanta Metro area and around the country! Apply Today for an opportunity to be a part of this life changing experience.
BCMS Student Shout Outs!!!
Choir:
BCMS had 5 students place in the Region 20 Honor Choir this past weekend at the auditions.
In 6th Grade: Krystal K. earned 7th chair and Miriam G. earned 6th chair.
In 8th Grade: Destinee K. placed 16th, Makalya E. placed 7th, and Vuyiswa S. earned 1st chair.
These five students will be singing in the Region 20 Choir on Saturday, January 30th at Duncanville High School around 4:00pm. It is a free concert and you are welcome to be there in support of these students.
UIL:
Our very own Varsity Women's Choir performed in the Texas UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Competition and earned a straight Sweepstakes. All 6 judges gave us the highest rating of Superior. These 11 girls worked so hard and sang beautifully and I am extremely proud of them. Member that participated were:
Yamayah A. , Stephannie G., Rommie O., Lora R., Vu S., Tamara R., Jasmine J., Destinee K., Makayla E., Jasmine O., and Leilani N.
Robotics:
The Coleman STEAM Works robotics team, consisting of Carah A. and Ayzlin S. , took home 2nd place in the Intermediate Inventions category, They will be advancing to the state competition in April.
Athletics:
Congratulations to the 7th Grade A team Boys and the 8th Grade A team Girls on winning the District Basketball Tournament.
BCMS Athletic News
Coleman MS will be hosting it's First Annual All Sports Banquet on May 12, 2016 at 7pm. We are excited to celebrate your student-athlete and their accomplishments. During the banquet each athlete will be recognized, dinner will be served, and we will speakers on hand to share their wisdom. Our speakers will range from coaches to professional athletes.
In order to make this possible, each student-athlete is being asked to sell 3 raffle tickets which are priced at 5.00 each. Family and friends are encouraged to attend, and tickets will be 10.00 each. A student-athletes will attend at no cost.
Your child will be sent home on Tuesday, March 1st with 3 tickets and an explanation letter. All funds for the raffle tickets, additional raffle tickets, and banquet tickets can be turned in/purchased each Friday morning in April from you 7a-7:40 in the cafeteria.
A prize will be given to the student-athlete boy and girl who sell the most raffle tickets as well, with 10 as a minimum for consideration.
If you have any additional questions please email us at bessiecolemanpta@gmail.com
We are excited about this awesome event. Let's make a great new tradition for Coleman!
Coleman MS PTA
Athletic Banquet Committee
Coleman Athletic Department
Attendance
Regular school attendance is essential for a student to make the most of his or her education—to benefit from teacher-led and school activities, to build each day’s learning on the previous day’s, and to grow as an individual. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of the instructional materials; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences. Two state laws, one dealing with compulsory attendance, the other with attendance for course credit, are of special interest to students and parents. They are discussed below. Excuses for absences, including MD notices, must be turned into the office within 3 days of the absence, otherwise it will be counted as unexcused.
State law requires that a student between the ages of six and 18 attend school, as well as any applicable accelerated instruction program, extended year program, or tutorial session, unless the student is otherwise excused from attendance or legally exempt. A student who voluntarily attends or enrolls after his or her 18th birthday is required to attend each school day. If a student 18 or older has more than five unexcused absences in a semester, however, the district may revoke the student’s enrollment. The student’s presence on school property thereafter would be unauthorized and may be considered trespassing. State law requires attendance in an accelerated reading instruction program when kindergarten, first grade, or second grade students are assigned to such a program. Parents will be notified in writing if their child is assigned to an accelerated reading instruction program as a result of the reading diagnosis test. School employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. A student absent without permission from school; from any class; from required special programs, such as additional special instruction (termed “accelerated instruction” by the state) assigned by a grade placement committee and basic skills for ninth graders; or from required tutorials will be considered in violation of the compulsory attendance law and subject to disciplinary action. A court of law may also impose penalties against both the student and his or her parents if a school-aged student is deliberately not attending school. A complaint against the parent may be filed in court if the student [See FEA (LEGAL)]:
• Is absent from school on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year, or
• Is absent on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period.
For a student younger than 12 years of age, the student’s parent could be charged with a criminal offense based on the student’s failure to attend school. If a student between the ages of 12 and 18 violates the compulsory attendance law, both the parent and student could be charged with a criminal offense.
Yearbook and Sports Highlight Book
$20.00
Attention Parents and Students
Last chance to order your very own Bessie Coleman Middle School yearbook for $25.00. Order today and guarantee your child a yearbook. We will order a few extra yearbooks over the number of pre-sold orders. These extra books will be sold on a first come basis.
This yearbook is expected to be the best ever. The yearbook will be packed full of the best collection of photographs representing the school year. It will be a collection of the best candids, group photos, individual portraits of all students, faculty, and pictures of all your special friends having fun while they learn.
We want you to have a copy-reserve one now. ORDER NOW- DON’T BE DISAPPOINTED.
Please fill out the order form that was sent home recently and return back to school. Please ensure that your child delivers the payment to Mr. Collins (Art Teacher) or the school office. Yearbooks will be distributed at the end of the school year.
Online Order: www.community.pictavo.com Click on shop your school.
If you have any questions about the athletic highlight book or Campus Yearbook, please contact Mr. Collins at Alvin.Collins@chisd.net
Very Important information
-We still have a limited amount of School Spirit Shirts available for purchase. The shirts are only $10 each
-We are looking for volunteers, males or females, that would like to assist with various duties on campus. Please see Mr. Miller for details.
-Calling ALL Dads... We want 1 hour per month from Every Dad of a student at BCMS.
Dance Dates for the remainder of the year
*May 13-End of the year Blow-Out!
This list can increase or decrease as needed....
Must have ID
No refunds
Only BCMS Students can attend
DJ Legend in the Mix
PTA will have concessions for sale!
PTA News!!
Box Tops
Coleman MS needs your Box Tops, please send Box Tops to school with your students and have them turn them into their 2nd period teacher. A form is attached that you can use to collect the Box Tops on. Prizes will be awarded to the top 2nd period teacher, and top collecting student! Box Tops are due on March 28th. Follow this link to print your Box Tops Form (right click, hit open Hyperlink to view)
If you, or your student needs to turn in any PTA forms or money, please drop them in the locked black mailbox in front of the main office
Spirit Wear:
Coleman MS T-shirts are still available, and can be used for the upcoming school year as well. Please email PTA at bessiecolemanpta@gmail.com if you would like to purchase a shirt or hoodie.
Volunteers:
PTA will need volunteers for upcoming activities, if you have not joined the volunteer list, please do so by emailing bessiecolemanpta@gmail.com. Upcoming events that volunteers will be needed are listed below and noted with an asterisk.
PTA is proud to announce that we have earned the Early Bird Membership Award thanks to you awesome Coleman families! We are also being considered for the Student Membership Award, Student Involvement Award, and the Golden Apple Award! Thank you for all that you do!
Coleman PTA Executive Board Members Needed for 2016-2017:
The Board will have open positions for the upcoming school year. All parents are encouraged to become a part of the awesome Board! Don’t hesitate by thinking that it takes a lot of time, or that you aren’t qualified, because you are. A list of positions that are available are listed below. Nominations can be made beginning February 5th-March 28th. Votes will be made at the April General Board Meeting, and new Board Members will be sworn in May. If you have any questions please email us at bessiecolemanpta@gmail.com
Upcoming Events:
**May 2-6-Teacher Appreciation Week
**May 12-1st Annual All Sports Banquet
**May 21-8th Grade Prom
**May 31-8th Grade Graduation
8Th Grade Parents Only
Attention Class of 2020 parents. Bessie Coleman's 8th Grade committee has planned the 8th grade celebration activites for this school year. The activity fees will be $75, which can be made in 3 payments. Your fees include access to: The 8th Grade Lock-in, Prom, Six Flags, Graduation & Class t-shirt.
Payments can still be made , but you must contact the email address: bcms8grade@gmail.com.
Please complete the attached form and send with your student. Bessie Coleman 8th Grade Class Contract-1.pdf
There will be a fundraising opportunity for every 8th grader. If you are interested email us at bessiecolemanpta@gmail.com
Bus Transportation
The district makes school bus transportation available to all students living two or
more miles from school. This service is provided at no cost to students. Bus
routes and any subsequent changes are posted at the school. Further
information may be obtained by calling Dallas County Schools Transportation at
(214) 944-4511.
Students are expected to assist district staff in ensuring that buses remain in
good condition and that transportation is provided safely. When riding in district
vehicles, students are held to behavioral standards established in this handbook
and the Student Code of Conduct. Students must:
-Follow the driver’s directions at all times.
-Enter and leave the bus or van in an orderly manner at the designated stop
nearest home.
-Keep feet, books, instrument cases, and other objects out of the aisle.
-Not deface the bus, van, or its equipment.
-Not put head, hands, arms, or legs out of the window, hold any object out of
the window, or throw objects within or out of the bus or van.
-Not possess or use any form of tobacco on school buses.
-Observe all usual classroom rules.
-Be seated while the vehicle is moving.
-Wait for the driver’s signal upon leaving the bus or van and before crossing
in front of the vehicle.
Misconduct will be punished in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct;
bus-riding privileges may be suspended.
Parental Involvement and Volunteers
We offer two exciting program for parent to be involved in the educational process at Bessie Coleman Middle School.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA): A parent-teacher association or parent-teacher-student association is a formal organization composed of parents, teachers and staff that is intended to facilitate parental participation in a school. For more information or to join please contact: bessiecolemanpta@gmail.com
BCMS All Pro Dads: All Pro Dads is an exciting new alliance of dads and dad-like positive influences of our great students throughout the Cedar Hill ISD. CHISD All Pro Dads is an opportunity for male role models to connect with other men who are committed to the success of their child or children. These men not only positively influence their sons or daughters but their presence directly impacts other students as well. We are looking for Campus Greeters, Grade Level Leaders, and Volunteers. We don't want your money, we want your time! For more information contact Mr. Ken Feaster BCMS Campus Leader- feastk@icloud.com
District Volunteers
Cedar Hill ISD is proud of our partnerships with individuals, parents, and community organizations which provide assistance for District programs. Opportunities to volunteer include, but are not limited to, parent volunteering, general campus assistance, morning greeters, volunteer tutors, special event helpers, campus chaperones, district vendors, mentors, PTA and All Pro Dads.
Click Here to apply to be a District Volunteer.
Any 2015-2016 District Volunteer Applications submitted prior to August 1, 2015 are not valid for the 2015-2016 School Year. All applications submitted prior to the date listed must be re-submitted.
For assistance with completing the District Volunteer Application Process, please contact the Human Resources Clerk at (972) 291-1581 Ext. 4035.
School Times and Tardy- Detention
Students arriving after 7:30 AM are considered late.
We will not call for students between the hours of 2:45 PM and 3:00 PM.
Attention… Attention…
To assist in reminding students to get to class on time we will implement a weekly Friday detention for any student with 4 or more tardies at school…This includes arriving late and tardies throughout the day…Students you are expected to get to class on time.
Friday Detention will be from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM...No transportation will be provided and students are expected to vacate the campus or be picked up immediately at 5:00 PM.
Help us Help You! Keep our Kids Safe!
Morning
- In the morning two lanes will be used for drop off only. Please help us keep your student safe, by not dropping your child off in the middle or left lane. Do Not Drop off between cars or from a parking space.
Afternoon
- In the afternoon the far left lane and the far right lane will be used for pick-up. Pull to either the far left or far right curb for your student to load cars.
Ultimately our goal is to keep your kid safe!
LUNCH TIMES
We have made adjustments to our lunch schedule to give students more time to eat:
A lunch -10:16-10:51
B lunch -10:55 -11:30
C lunch -11:34-12:09
Students are not allowed to take items out of the cafeteria after lunch, other than water bottles. Please only provide your student with small personal snacks. Large bags of chips or cookies (Shareable items ) are not allowed and will be confiscated if seen
From the Desk of Mr. Miller
Testing Anxiety
Your child went to class, completed homework, and studied. He or she arrived at the exam confident about the material. But if he or she has test anxiety, a type of performance anxiety, taking the test is the most difficult part of the equation.
Causes
- Fear of failure. While the pressure to perform can act as a motivator, it can also be devastating to individuals who tie their self-worth to the outcome of a test.
- Lack of preparation. Waiting until the last minute or not studying at all can leave individuals feeling anxious and overwhelmed.
- Poor test history. Previous problems or bad experiences with test-taking can lead to a negative mindset and influence performance on future tests.
Symptoms
- Physical symptoms. Headache, nausea, diarrhea, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, light-headedness and feeling faint can all occur. Test anxiety can lead to a panic attack, which is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort in which individuals may feel like they are unable to breathe or having a heart attack.
- Emotional symptoms. Feelings of anger, fear, helplessness and disappointment are common emotional responses to test anxiety.
- Behavioral/Cognitive symptoms. Difficulty concentrating, thinking negatively and comparing yourself to others are common symptoms of test anxiety
Share these tips with your child if he or she is anxious about an upcoming exam:
- Be prepared. Develop good study habits. Study at least a week or two before the exam, in smaller increments of time and over a few days (instead of pulling an "all-nighter"). Try to simulate exam conditions by working through a practice test, following the same time constraints.
- Develop good test-taking skills. Read the directions carefully, answer questions you know first and then return to the more difficult ones. Outline essays before you begin to write.
- Maintain a positive attitude. Remember that your self-worth should not be dependent on or defined by a test grade. Creating a system of rewards and reasonable expectations for studying can help to produce effective studying habits. There is no benefit to negative thinking.
- Stay focused. Concentrate on the test, not other students during your exams. Try not to talk to other students about the subject material before taking an exam.
- Practice relaxation techniques. If you feel stressed during the exam, take deep, slow breaths and consciously relax your muscles, one at a time. This can invigorate your body and will allow you to better focus on the exam.
- Stay healthy. Get enough sleep, eat healthfully, exercise and allow for personal time. If you are exhausted—physically or emotionally—it will be more difficult for you to handle stress and anxiety.
All tips are from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America
About Us
Bessie Coleman Middle School opened in 2005 in Cedar Hill, Texas to relieve the large number of students that attended Permenter Middle School. It was named and dedicated to Bessie Coleman the first Female, African-American with an international pilots license.
Location: Bessie Coleman Middle School, East Pleasant Run Road, Cedar Hill, TX, United States
Phone: 972-293-4505
Twitter: @ColemanMS_CHISD