MMS Parent Newsletter

James Cruz, Principal

(Email) James.Cruz@hayscisd.net

(Cell) 512-698-7007

Email: James.Cruz@hayscisd.net
Website: https://www.hayscisd.net/Domain/24
Location: 5700 Dacy Lane, Hays, TX, USA
Phone: 512-268-8508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mccormickMS
Twitter: @McCormickTigers

Pleae click on the link below and report any bullying, harrassment, or any issues students are having on campus.

Hays Hope Line

March 30th - March Madness Knockout Challenge

March 30th - Math Benchmark (Students need a district chromebook fully charged on this day)

April 7th - No School

April 10th - Staff Development (No school for students)

April 17th - Deadline to purchase a Yearbook

April 25th- ELAR STAAR test (Students need a district chromebook on this day)

"McCormick Middle School is a team of dedicated educators that will create a safe environment where students are motivated to achieve academic success. We will empower our students to be respectful and engaged learners resulting in a culture that inspires excellence not only in their school, but also in their community."

MMS Parents

Welcome Back! It was great seeing the students back. We are in the last stretch of this school year. We have 9 weeks left. It is important all students come to school every day.

This Thursday, we are having our March Madness Knockout Challenge. This is sponsored by our MMS PTSA. The cost is $2 for students and parents are welcome to participate in the event as well.

Please remind your child to bring their chromebook everyday fully charged and ready to go each day.

We have our district track meet this Tuesday and Wednesday. Soccer and Tennis tryouts are this Thursday and Friday. Please read the information in the Athletics section of the newsletter.

For the remainder of the school year, any student that is assigned to ISS on a day of an athletic event or any extracurricular activity will not be allowed to participate.

Please make sure you order your child's yearbook. The deadline is approaching.

Please be mindful of your speed when dropping off and picking up your child. I have noticed many parents speeding. The speed limit is 10mph while you are on campus. I try to assist the students crossing Dacy Ln. but there are some days I am not on campus or cannot make it out there. I appreciate everyone's help with this.

Thank you for all that you do. Have a great weekend!

Mr. Cruz

Principal McCormick Middle School

Does your student want something to do over the Summer Vacation? Come Audition for the HAYS CISD District Summer Musical 'The Little Mermaid'. Applications to audition are due 4/28/23 and Auditions will be held May 15th and 16, 2023.

Directed by several of our Hays CISD directors. Come swim Under the Sea with us this Summer.

Hello MMS Families!

Rising 8th Grade Parents! We will begin creating graduation plans when we return from Spring Break. Students will meet with a counselor to make a plan of action for high school. Keep in mind that nothing is set in stone. Changes can always be made along the way.

Appointments for parents to go over the plan, ask questions, or make changes will be available. An email will be sent with a Calendly link where you can select your appointment in the near future. Please remember to become familiar with the information provided below so we can create the best plan possible for your child.

Course verifications will be in late March or early April. Students will be able to make changes to their original course selections at that time. Thank you all for your help with this important process!

Choice Sheet Explanation

Graduation Requirements

High School Credit Courses Offered at MMS & How They Contribute to a Graduation Endorsement

Navigate Your Future Guide

GPA & Class Rank

High School Programs of Study

Please review the JHS Rising 9th Grade Course Selection Information flyer.

JHS Timeline for 9th Grade Course Selection 2027

If your student would like to visit with a counselor, please click on the link below and fill out the Google form. A counselor will call in the student as soon as possible.

Link

Purchase Online at:

https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/15136

(Online Sales End April 17th)

$30 Until Jan 30th / $35 Feb – April / $40 May 1st – Sold Out

TO PAY IN PERSON: Students May Bring Cash/Check to Coach Clewell in Room 214

Please Make Checks Payable to MMS Yearbook

Boys Athletics (Rich)Track

District Championship is Tuesday and Wednesday. Soccer Tryouts are Thursday and Friday. Tennis Tryouts are 3/23 and Monday 3/27

Boys PE (Watson)

Students will be starting a new section of the Fitnessgram testing. The test will consist of arm flexibility, push-ups, sit-ups, trunk lift, and the pacer test.

Boys Pre-Athletics (Rich)

Speed and strength development. We will soon begin working 7 on 7 football

Girls Athletics (Wylie)Track district is this week. Tuesday is girls running
Wednesday is girls field events and 3200. All track gear needs to be returned Thursday and Friday.
Soccer try outs will be on April 3rd and 4th. during the class period and after school from 4-5:30pm
Please see Girls Athletics SportsYou for more information. Code: F8K3K8HE

Girls PE (Wylie)

Students will be starting a new unit. We will learn pickle ball and floor hockey. Please continue dressing out each day. Grades are based on participation and dressing out.

Girls Pre-Athletics (Wylie)

Please make sure you are enrolled in our SportsYou app. We will be sharing important information regarding next year on there this week. Code: 29MY7TWS

JHS PTA:

https://txpta.secure.force.com/JoinPTA?fbclid=IwAR0oJ1eiN7RmlLAeRwQsOsYSbYKf9IwNGqKd30FQP7ytVjJYkDpChKlMawo

JOHNSON ATHLETICS BOOSTER CLUB

https://jagsabc.membershiptoolkit.com/?fbclid=IwAR3AFOOUBLVT5OwwWJx-0EJbJXelWTdHElKzFCCd-qwx1IEYylx8XXImeFU

BAND BOOSTER

https://www.johnsonbands.com/membership

In March we will begin a month long project for GT students titled Monumental Moments on the March. Students are to select a project to work on for the month over any topic, event, or person to research. Their project can be 3D model, poster board, Google slideshow, photography, documentary, or wherever their creativity can take them. Students are to post their work on our campus Padlet. These submissions will be used for our campus GT showcase in late March. Details forthcoming. Students are encouraged to work on their project if they finish work early in class or at home. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Venzor at april.venzor@hayscisd.net.

Click here to access our MMS GT Fall Newsletter! I look forward to a great year!

This year students will participate in taking the state Interim and Benchmark test. These tests will give us crucial information on where your child is at as we lead up to the STAAR test. We ask all students to make sure their school issued device is charged and they have headphones. Also, only school issue devices are allowed for these tests. If your child is using their own device, they will need to check one out in the library.

Also, during testing we ask for the following:

*No early pick-ups

*Lunch times may vary so we ask that no lunches are dropped off

*Parents not come to campus to eat with their child

02.07 ELAR Interim Shutdown (All Grades)

02.16 Math Interim Shutdown (All Grades)

02.28 ELAR Benchmark Shutdown (All Grades)

03.21 Science Interim Shutdown (8th Only)

03.22 Social Studies Interim Shutdown (8th Only)

03.30 Math Benchmark Shutdown (All Grades)

STAAR

04.25 ELAR

05.02 Science

05.03 Social Studies

05.09 Math

Bus Safety

It has been brought to my attention that there have been some inappropriate behaviors taken place on the bus. Profanity, racial slurs, verbal threats, and other unsafe behaviors. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I shared with students that I need their help. If they see any of these above mention behaviors please say something. I don’t need to know students’ names, I just need the following information:

· Bus number

· Date

· AM or PM Route

Students can fill out a Hays Hope Line report, parents can email me, they can come to the front office to make a report, or they can tell any administrator.

We will review the video from the bus and proper consequences will be applied. Students who exhibited unwanted behaviors may lose bus riding privileges. Our bus drivers have a huge responsibility driving our kids home and they need to be respected and appreciated for the job they do. I greatly appreciate your help with this.

All students have been given their ID badge. For safety reasons, all students are required to wear an ID badge every day. Students may use a lanyard of their choosing. Students who do not have their ID badge will need to get a temporary badge.

Consequences for not wearing your ID badge are the following:

1st and 2nd time: Warning

3rd time: Lunch Detention

4th and 5th time: Warning

6th time: Lunch Detention

7th and 8th time: Warning

9th time: After School Detention

10th or more: ISS/Parent Phone Call

I can use parent support with this policy. ID badges is one of our safety protocols to ensure everyone on our campus is safe and supposed to be on our campus. This is something we take seriously and will be consistent with. Students will not be allowed into the classroom without and ID badge. I greatly appreciate your help making sure your child is wearing their ID badge. Thank you.

Any student that needs to stay after school will be provided a late bus. This bus will pick students up at MMS and will take them to a "hub" location. Your child will be dropped off at a certain area. The times will differ depending on traffic. Please have your child check their advisory course in schoology for the exact location where your child will be dropped off. Parents might need to pick up their child at the "hub" location. Please email transportation at Transportation@hayscisd.net

We are going to allow students to attend the sporting events at MMS without a parent. Students are expected to watch the game and to show school spirit. All students must have a school issued ID badge with them in order to attend athletic events. Temporary ID's will not be accepted.

Students that are exhibiting inappropriate behavior, using inappropriate language, and not remaining in a gym will be ask to leave and will not be allowed to attend any sporting events at McCormick.

Also, due to the lack of space in the small gym, parents/visitors will be seated first. Students may be asked to stay in the big gym only to watch the sporting event.

Dear Hays CISD Family,

We have published part 2 of episode 1 (Fighting Fentanyl: Help is Here) of our Fighting Fentanyl video series.

The link to it online in English and Spanish is: https://www.hayscisd.net/fentanylvideos

As we continue our conversation about the dangers of fentanyl, we will continue to produce additional videos and resource materials.

The main fentanyl webpage is www.hayscisd.net/fentanyl.

I am very proud to announce that McCormick Middle School received a "B" rating in the latest school accountability. This is a HUGE accomplishment. MMS went from a "D" rating to a "B" rating. This is a result of dedication and hard work from students, teachers, and parents. I greatly appreciate everyone’s hard work!

I am also pleased to announce that MMS has received 2 state distinctions in the area of:

Student Growth and Closing the Gaps

Click On This Link for more information

Way to go Tigers!

Be a Mentor - Change a Life!

A Call to Mentor

The Hays CISD mentoring program pairs adults with student mentees in a proven, effective practice of making a difference in the lives of students. In our ongoing commitment to build student self-efficacy Hays CISD is proud to announce a renewed call for mentors to strengthen student connectedness and develop strong relationships.

Length and Time of Commitment

We ask for a 1 year commitment to meet with a student once a week for 30 minutes, during the school day (during the student’s lunch period will be the preferred time).

What do mentors do? Mentors provide constant encouragement and emotional support for their students. Mentors help students to:

• Accept responsibility
• Use good study habits
• Make positive choices
• Learn problem solving skills
• Have better peer relationships

Good mentoring relationships require a secure mentor training process. Prior to being assigned to a campus and matched with a mentee, all mentors must register with our VIP’s volunteer system, receive a Hays CISD volunteer ID badge and complete all levels of the onboarding process.

Requirements - How to become a mentor: There are only four (4) requirements to become a mentor:

1. Consent to a Hays CISD Criminal Background Check by registering through our VIP’s volunteer portal. (Level 1)

· If you have previously volunteered within Hays CISD, click Established Volunteers. If you are registered as an established volunteer, please go into your account and designate an interest in “Mentoring” to update your account.

· If you are NEW to Hays CISD or have not completed the VIPS process, click this link: New Volunteers

2. Once you are approved, the VIP’s system will notify you to complete an online self-paced training module.(Level 2)

1. Once your level 2 responses are recorded, the VIP’s system will auto-generate a link to register for one of our 1.5 hr. in-person Onboarding/Training sessions at the PAC happening Sept.13th – 20th. (Level 3)
2. Upon completion of in-person training, a Mentor Training Certificate will be issued and approved mentors will connect with the campus School Counselor/Campus Mentor Liaison for matching with a mentee and review check-in procedures. (Level 4)

Why mentoring?

Research repeatedly shows that having a mentor helps a child to be more successful in school. Children are not the only ones whose lives can be changed by mentoring. For many mentors, the rewards of reaching out to another and building a close, trusting relationship are great, including an increase in personal enrichment, happiness and self-knowledge. In fact, mentoring benefits all of society: healthy, educated and nurtured children tend to grow up to be productive adults and responsible parents. They may even grow up to be mentors themselves.

Thank you for saying “yes” to mentoring!

Questions?

Please contact ESSER SEL Specialist Tracy Mayhue, Tracy.Mayhue@hayscisd.net

Student use guidelines during the school day (8:10 AM-3:35 PM)

· Students may use their personal electronics on campus before 8:10 AM and after 3:35 PM.

· Cell phones must be out of sight and on airplane mode in the classroom.

· Students will not have their cell phones out during class or passing periods.

· Cell Phone use is prohibited in bathrooms, hallways, locker rooms, changing areas or any area considered private.

· Principals may allow students to use their cell phones during lunch time.

Violation of electronics procedure

Students who violate the procedure will have the following consequences.

• 1st Offense – Confiscation of the device and returned to student at the end of the day. Student warning
• 2nd Offense – Confiscation of the device and returned to student at the end of the day. Student will be assigned after school detention.
• 3rd Offense – Confiscation of the device, and returned to student at the end of the day. Student will be assigned after school detention.
• 4th or more offense - Confiscation of the device and returned to student at the end of the day. Student may be assigned In-School Suspension.

• Students who fail to surrender devices will elevate consequences immediately.
• Devices will be returned to students at the end of the school day.
• Violations will reset every nine week grading period.

Hays CISD Meal Delivery Services

As part of enhanced safety at campuses, beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, all Hays CISD campuses will no longer accept deliveries from meal delivery services or restaurants for student lunches. And, campuses will no longer have drop-off tables for meals. Parents may still bring outside food for their children if they plan to deliver the meals directly to their child’s designated lunch period. All guests are required to follow existing safety protocols and check in with ID at the front office.

We are needing all parents to fill out a lunch application for the upcoming school year. This is needed for all students (even if you know you won't qualify). Here is some information about lunch applications.

Child Nutrition

https://www.hayscisd.net/Page/311

Lunch Application

https://www.schoolcafe.com/hayscisd

Only needs to be done 1 per household

Or also adding money to child’s lunch account

https://www.hayscisd.net/Page/317

• School starts at 8:10am and ends at 3:35pm
• Students will have 7 class periods
• Students will have 5 minutes to get from class to class. We do count tardies. Tardies will begin the second week of school
• We have 3 lunch periods separated by grade levels. 6th grade will eat first, followed by 7th grade, and 8th grade will eat last
• If time permits, students will be allowed to purchase snacks after everyone has been given the opportunity to get a lunch. Snacks can be purchased with cash or charged to student's lunch account.
• We do not have academic lockers at MMS.
• Every student will be given a school device (unless students choose to use their own)
• Students will need a Hays CISD device during STAAR testing

Please click on the link for a visual of our dress code do's/dont's andour dress code descriptions.

Dress Code Descriptions

Dress Code Do's/Dont's

School Supply List

Our doors open at 7:30am each day. I will not have any supervision outside until 7:30am. You can drop off your child earlier but there will not be any supervision. We will release car riders at 3:32pm each day.

In the morning, please drive all the way up the hill as far as you can. Please do not drop off in the "Red Zone" where it says no parking. Also, do not drop off students in the front of the school. We need to keep this area clear for buses.

We are locking the back doors at 8:00. If your child arrives to school after 8:00, please drop off in the front of the building.

In the afternoon we want to fit as many cars in as possible. I will stop traffic to let the buses go ahead of everyone. We are trying to get the buses loaded as soon as possible so they can get on their routes.

Please DO NOT tell your child to walk to your vehicle while you are waiting in line.

PLEASE DO NOT do any Uturns when you are in line. This is a safety concern.

I appreciate your understanding with this.

As you know the line at parent pick up is extremely long. We are doing the best we can and I appreciate everyone’s patience. The line will get faster. The following items are some things your child can do to make the line go faster:

- Make sure your child is looking for you

- Try not to get out of your car for your child to put things in trunk

- Drive all the way up the loop until you cannot drive up anymore

ENGLISH

We are so excited to open our doors to visitors again! As always, safety will remain our number one priority. Please review the District Safety Procedures prior to visiting our campus by clicking here.

A few reminders:

• All visitors will continue to check in at the front office
• All visitors will need to show official state identification (Texas Driver’s license or state issued ID card)
• Visitation may be denied due to lack of appropriate identification required for criminal background screening
• All students must wear their ID tag while on campus. Please make sure your student wears their ID daily.

We are excited to offer volunteering opportunities again! Interested in volunteering? Learn more: Hays CISD Volunteers In Public Schools (VIP)

Please click here for additional information and safety reminders: Campus Safety Protocols

We look forward to seeing you soon!

SPANISH

¡Nos da mucho gusto volver abrir nuestras puertas a visitantes de nuevo! Como siempre, la seguridad siempre será nuestra primera prioridad. Por favor revise los Procedimientos de Seguridad del Distrito antes de visitar alguno de nuestros campus al hacer CLIC AQUÍ.

Unos cuantos recordatorios:

• Todos los visitantes deberán registrarse en la oficina de la entrada principal.
• Todos los visitantes necesitan mostrar su identificación oficial del estado (Licencia de Conductor o Identificación del Estado de Texas)
• Se podrá negar la visita en caso de falta identificación apropiada para la verificación de antecedentes.
• Todos los estudiantes deberán usar su Credencial de Identificación mientras estén en el campus. Favor de asegurarse que su hijo(a) porte su ID diariante.

¡Nos emociona poder volver a ofrecer oportunidades de participación voluntaria nuevamente! ¿Le interesa participar como voluntario? Infórmese más en: Voluntarios en Escuelas Públicas de Hays CISD (VIP)

Haga CLIC AQUÍ: Protocolos de Seguridad en el Campus para mayor información y leer los recordatorios de seguridad.

¡Esperamos verlos muy pronto!

Wish your child Happy Birthday on our school marquee! Please click the link below to put a birthday message on the school marquee!

LINK

North Side - Facing child nutrition

South Side- Facing entrance

We will show all students CNN 10 Student News every morning before 1st period. This is an excellent, non biased, news source that reviews current news events for students. It is targeted towards students.

I have provided the link for you for review. Please let me know if you have any questions.

CNN10 LINK

Hi all – HaysCo has an emergency rental assistance program for those impacted by COVID. The program aims to prevent people from being evicted by paying back rent, though it also helps with back due (and I think currently owed) utilities. I invite you to learn more about the ERA program on our website: https://hayscountytx.com/emergency-rental-assistance-program/

Please apply below to be a guest teacher for the district.

Apply Here