Eagles' Notes
Madras News: August 15, 2016, Lorraine Johnson, Principal
Madras Middle School
Email: MadrasNews@cowetaschools.org
Website: http://www.cowetaschools.net/mms
Location: 240 Edgeworth Road, Newnan, GA, United States
Phone: 770-254-2744
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MadrasEagles
Twitter: @MadrasEagles
Upcoming Events
Madras Calendar
Supply List
Open House, Tuesday, August 16th, 6:30 p.m.
We would like to extend an invitation to you and your child to attend Madras Middle School’s Open House on Tuesday, August 16th at 6:30 p.m. This will be an opportunity for you to meet your child’s teachers and to learn more about our school. In addition, PTSO membership information will be available, and MMS spirit wear will be available for purchase.
All parents will begin by reporting to their child’s homeroom/team area where they will receive a copy of their student’s schedule to follow for the remainder of the evening.
We ask that guests please park in the parking lot on the right hand side of the school. Front doors and side doors will open at 6:20, and staff members will be in the hallways to help direct you.
Our annual Open House is a time for teachers to explain their policies and curriculum. Should you have further questions or concerns, you may contact our counselors to set up an appointment. We are looking forward to a wonderful year and hope to see you Tuesday evening.
Behavior Coach's Corner
By Kia Harris
I am extremely excited to join the Madras family as the new Behavior Intervention Coach. I have worked as a Counselor and teacher in the middle school setting for the past 13 years. Middle School is an extremely important time in children’s lives. It is essential that they are supported emotionally, socially, and academically to be successful. As the new Behavior Intervention Coach I will support students by offering a variety of support groups and researched based interventions that will ultimately improve their overall well-being. Throughout the year I will host workshops for parents, students, and staff on insightful behavior topics that will enhance the educational experience. I look forward to working with all members of the Madras family!!
Quick Tips for Helping to Ensure Student Success the First Nine Weeks of School
Have a scheduled time for homework and studying.
Make sure students go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Take time to talk with your children about their day.
Check over homework.
Go over agenda nightly.
Email teachers and schedule conference if needed.
Monitor children’s social media accounts.
Encourage your child/children to become involved in activities.
Madras Parent Volunteer Training
- August 15, 9:00 a.m.
- August 15, 2:45 p.m.
- August 22, 9:00 a.m.
- August 22, 2:45 p.m.
- August 29, 9:00 a.m.
- August 29, 2:45 p.m.
- September 9, 9:00 a.m.
- September 9, 2:45 p.m.
- October 3, 9:00 a.m.
- October 3, 2:45 p.m.
- November 7, 9:00 a.m.
- November 7, 2:45 p.m.
- December 5, 9:00 a.m.
- December 5, 2:45 p.m.
Chromebooks
Chromebooks were assigned to students on Thursday, August 11th. Students will be using these daily, and they they should be taken home and charged every night and brought to school with them each day.
We are excited about this opportunity provided to all of our students, and we encourage parents to regularly review guidelines for protecting their devices with their students. We are ordering Chromebook Snap Shell protective cases for any families who would like to purchase one for $15.50 (which is at cost). This is not required, but we do encourage all students to have some type of protection as a safeguard. This could include a protective case, a neoprene cover or carrying case. Book bags (unless they have a built-in compartment for a device) are not always the best method to transport a Chromebook. If using a book bag, students should be careful not to sling their bags or stuff a Chromebook between heavier items that could damage it.
Please make sure you have completed the Online Chromebook Agreement with your child by Friday, August 26th.
- Chromebook Snapcase Order Form (due August 17th if ordering)
Football Season Kicks Off with the Annual CCMSAL Football Jamboree
Your Madras Eagles will play this Friday night (August 19) at the preseason Coweta County Middle School Athletic League Football Jamboree at Newnan High School beginning at 6:00 p.m. All six middle schools will participate in mini quarters and will have the opportunity to play two other middle schools during the course of the Jamboree. This is an excellent opportunity for coaches to get a first hand look at their teams before beginning the regular season. Cost of admission is $5.00. Hope to see you there!
Volleyball Home Opener is Thursday, August 18th
Chromebooks Are Here!
Making Digital Microscopes
Learning Together at the Eagles Nest!
Monday, August 15
- Parent Volunteer Training, 9:00 a.m. or 2:45 p.m.
- Football: Practice 3:30-5:30
- Volleyball Practice, 3:30-5:15
Tuesday, August 16
- Auburn Math Puzzle Challenge Team Practice, 3:30-4:30
- Football: Practice 3:30-5:30
- Madras Open House, 6:30 pm
Wednesday, August 17
- Pep Band Practice, 3:30-4:30
Thursday, August 18
- Football: Practice 3:30-5:30
- Volleyball: Evans at Madras, 4:30 pm
Friday, August 19
- Football Jamboree at NHS, 6 pm
Monday, August 22
- Football: Practice 3:30-5:30
- Parent Volunteer Training, 9:00 a.m. or 2:45 p.m.
- Volleyball: Lee at Madras, 4:30 pm
Tuesday, August 23
- Auburn Math Puzzle Challenge Team Practice, 3:30-4:30
- History Club, 3:30-4:30
- National Honor Society, 3:30-4:30
- Football: EC at Madras, 5 pm
- Volleyball Practice, 3:30-5:15
Wednesday, August 24
- Junior Beta Club Meeting, 3:30-4:30
- Volleyball Practice, 3:30-5:15
Thursday, August 25
- Football: Practice 3:30-5:30
- Volleyball: Madras at Evans, 4:30 pm
Friday, August 26
- TMX Rehearsal, 3:30-5:30
- Student Council: HR representative election
- Football: Practice 3:30-5:30
- Snack 'n Chat (sponsored by PTSO)
- Volleyball Practice, 3:30-5:15
First Day Informational Packets
Parents received a packet of information on the first day of school. Several forms needed to be returned to your child’s homeroom teacher by August 12th. If you have not yet sent in this information, please send it back to school with your child as soon as possible. If you need additional copies of a card or form, your child's homeroom teacher can help. We especially need the emergency and clinic cards returned immediately so we have accurate information in the event of an emergency.
- Clinic Card (white)
- Emergency Information Card (green)
- Truancy/Attendance Form
- AUP Form (Internet Acceptable Use and Chromebook Agreement)
- Media Release Form
- Migrant Form
- Free/Reduced Lunch Form if needed (Please return any blank, unused forms.)
- Club/Activity Form (ONLY if you do not want your child to participate in a particular club; no need to return otherwise)
- Parent Communication Information (no need to return)
Transportation
Bus Transportation
Students are assigned to ride school buses that will pick them up and drop them off in close proximity of their homes. Bus routes for the 2016-2017 school year can be found HERE and are subject to change.
Bus transportation is a privilege provided to all students who can cooperate and abide by the rules. Problems on a school bus are a road hazard; reasonable behavior ensures a safe ride. Parents should closely supervise children at bus stops to ensure their safety as they wait and properly board the school bus.
If a student needs to ride a bus other than the assigned bus, the student must bring a note from the parent/guardian with a telephone number for verification. Transportation notes will be accepted in the form of a written letter, an e-mail, or by fax.
Students do not need a transportation note to change from a car rider to a bus rider or vice versa on a given day. Notes are only needed if a students are riding a bus that is not their regular assigned bus (for example, going home with a friend on a different bus).
Arrival and Dismissal
No student should arrive on campus before 7:30 a.m. Students arriving before 8:00 a.m. will report to the cafeteria or gym until they are told to report to homeroom at 8:00 a.m. Students who are not bus riders are encouraged to report to school after 8:00 a.m. and report directly to their homerooms. Students may not remain at school after scheduled dismissal time unless they have prior approval from a staff member who will supervise them or they are a member of a club, athletic team, etc. sponsored by the school. Supervision will only be provided from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.
Dropping Off Items for Your Child During the School Day
Dropping off Lunches or Medication: If a student forgets a lunch at home, parents may drop it off at the front office, and students will be called to pick up their lunch at the beginning of their scheduled lunch time. If a student needs medication, it can be dropped off at any time for the school nurse.
Dropping off Other Items:
Any other item dropped off for students during the school day may be picked up after school. Instruction will not be interrupted for students to pick up items during class. This includes forgotten homework, shoes for PE, projects, etc. Students are responsible for bringing needed materials to class daily. If these items are brought to school during the day, we are happy to make an announcement at the end of the day for your child to pick them up in the front office.
Phone Use: Students are permitted to use a phone in the front office during school hours for emergencies or for illness. Calling home for homework, a school project, or to make arrangements to attend an after school event that wasn't previously arranged ties up phone lines and is not permitted. Students may call home if:
- There is a transportation issue,
- Lunch or lunch money is needed,
- Equipment is needed for after school athletics or activity.
- There is a dress code issue.
- The student is sick (must call from the clinic under the nurse's supervision).
We appreciate your help in keeping interruptions to a minimum.
School Clinic and Medication
Medication
The MMS clinic is open daily from 8:00-3:30. Our school nurse Kate Caswell assists students who become sick or injured while at school and dispenses medications prescribed by physicians. Whenever it is necessary for your child to receive medication at school, the following policy must be followed:
- A school nurse or school designee may administer medication provided all of the requirements are met.
- All medicine shall be in its original LABELED container or prescription bottle.
- Written instructions for prescription medication must be from a doctor or a physician's assistant authorized to prescribe medicine. How to administer, amount to be administered, time to be administered, etc., must be shown.
- A written request by the parent or guardian must be made to the school nurse or school designee to administer any medication. The school nurse or school designee shall keep a written
Monitoring Grades, Assignments, Attendance
Student Portal
Students will be assigned a login for Student Portal which will allow them to regularly monitor their grades and assignments. Once logged on the first time, they will be prompted to change their password. Students should keep this in a secure location and should never share the password with others.
Parent Portal
Parent Portal provides access for parents to view students' attendance, grades, schedules, lunch balances, and other useful information. It also allows teachers to communicate with parents via the portal.
If you used Parent Portal last year: You will continue to access Parent Portal using the user name and password you created last year. Please notify the school of all changes in phone numbers, addresses, and household information by emailing Madras registrar, Diane Vanden Heuvel at diane.vandenheuvel@cowetaschools.net. Your household will be updated to add new students who are beginning school this year. If you have forgotten your user name or password, contact Information Technology at 770-254-2800.
If you have never used Parent Portal: Go to one of the schools in which you have a child enrolled. Present a picture ID to confirm your identity. You will be given a lengthy access code. Click the link to Infinite Campus Parent Portal on the Madras site or any CCSS web site. Use the "Click Here" link to go to the page where you will enter your activation key. Once you have correctly typed in the key, you will create a user name and password. In the future, use the section of the page under "Already have a Campus Portal account?"
MealPay Plus
Parents can use their credit cards and debit cards to pay for lunch charges. MealPay Plus is a pre-payment system that allows parents to make deposits into their child's meal accounts via the Web. The payment service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is a one-time, free registration for each parent and multiple children at various schools can be accommodated. Payments may be made by phone or over the Internet, with checking or savings accounts through an e-check, or by using debit or credit cards. (There is a 4.75 percent transaction fee for the service.)
Of course, parents may continue to pay for their child's meal directly at school in the lunch line by check or cash. The cost of breakfast is $1.00 and the cost of lunch is $2.85. Students may charge up to two lunches. Afterwards, they will be served an alternate meal until their balance is paid. Please contact cafeteria manager, Frances Singleton at 770-254-2744 if you have questions.
August is REACH Referral Month (Gifted Program)
The first semester window for Gifted Program (REACH) referrals is August 5 - September 20th. Please see additional information below and contact Dr. Donna Eskut, assistant principal, at 770-254-2744 if you have questions about the process or the program.
Types of Referrals
- Reported Referral: A student may be referred for consideration for gifted education services by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents or guardians, peers, self, and other individuals with knowledge of the student’s abilities.
- Automatic Referral: Students who score at the following specified levels on a norm referenced test, as defined by the GaDOE Resource Manual for gifted Education Services*, shall be considered automatically for further assessment to determine eligibility for gifted program services.
PTSO: Join the Team!
Alison Kelleher, PTSO President
Welcome to Madras! The purpose of our PTSO is to help improve our school by combining the efforts of parents, students, and teachers. We invite you to join PTSO to help make our school a better place to work and learn! Our fundraising efforts have benefited a variety of projects in the past including school building improvements, teacher instructional requests, equipment for the fine arts department, instructional technology purchases, and athletic programs. We ask that each family join PTSO with a $10.00 contribution. (Checks should be made payable to Madras PTSO.) We also need your volunteer time! If you are interested in assisting, please print the form below linked below, and indicate in the appropriate section. Return the form to the MMS front office or to your child's homeroom teacher. You will be contacted as the events take place. We also need members who are interested in chairing a committee during the 2016-2017 school year. If you are interested, please contact PTSO officer Alison Kelleher by email at alisonkelleher@me.com.
Thanks in advance for your support!
Box Tops for Education
Welcome back to school, parents!
My name is Stacy Hankinson and I’m thrilled to be our school’s Box Tops for Education™ Coordinator.
Clipping Box Tops is an easy way to help earn cash for our school. Each one is worth 10¢ for our school! Just look for the pink Box Tops on hundreds of products. All you have to do is clip them and send them to school.
Last school year, we earned $1,229 for our school from Box Tops and used the money for our teachers. This school year, our goal is to earn $2500. For more information on Box Tops, including a list of participating products, go to BTFE.com. Be sure to sign up as a member (it’s free!) so you can check out our school’s earnings details and get access to coupons and bonus offers.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m here to help make our school’s Box Tops for Education™ program a huge success this year.
Thanks for your help!
Stacy Hankinson
Email: stacyhankinson@gmail.com
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