MMS Parent Newsletter
September 27th - October 1st
McCormick Middle School
(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
Students must sign up 24 hours before the date needed for the bus.
Click the tab above to see what day your child's teacher has tutoring. Tutoring is after school 4:05-5:05. You must sign up for the late bus 24 hours prior to the day your child is staying.
Purchase tickets to Football/Volleyball/Basketball games on this link. If it is not working please email Heidi.Durham@hayscisd.net. or call (512) 268-8512. MMS does not handle athletic ticket information.
Next week, Sept 28, our 8th grade game vs Chapa will be held at Lehman High School Same start time B game at 5:30 A Game at 6:45
MMS Parents
What a busy week...can't believe we are almost in October already. Here is our information for this week:
Our MMS cheerleaders performed at the Johnson football game last night. They did a wonderful job. What a great experience for our girls! Great job to Ms. Neal and Ms. Martinez working and preparing our MMS Cheerleaders this past week.
Also, great job to our MMS Dance Company who performed at the MMS football game this past Tuesday. I appreciate the hard work and dedication our girls and teachers put in to dance. Our dance company also performed at Friday night’s game at Johnson. Keep up the great work!
Cafeteria Forms
Please make sure you have filled out the cafeteria forms. The deadline is approaching and I need all parents (whether you know you won't qualify or not) to please fill out the forms. There is more information below in this newsletter.
After School Games
All students who are wanting to attend any after school games must go home after school and can return back for the games at 5:00pm. We do not have the supervision to monitor the students until 5:00pm. Students can attend tutoring from 4:05 to 5:05 and attend the game after tutorials. Students must have prior arrangements with the teacher to show up for tutoring. Students/Parents must coordinate with teachers for tutoring.
Students Having To Quarantine
I have attached some updated information in regards to students having to quarantine. It is REQUIRED for parents to notify the school if your child is having to quarantine. You want to do this so your child is not marked absent. If your child participates with remote conferencing than your child will not be marked absent. Some parents are deciding on their own to quarantine their child but fail to inform the campus.
Dress Code
I wanted to provide a few reminders about our dress code. Please review the pictures below in regards to dress code.
Parents Help!
Thank you very much to the parents that helped out with the concession stand on Tuesday and Thursday. This week we will only have one football game starting at 5pm. We will not have a volleyball game this week at McCormick.
Early Pick up
Reminder, we will not have any early checkouts after 3:00pm. Please plan doctor appointments appropriately.
MMS PTSA
We had a great start to our school year with parents joining our PTSA. Our membership is a little over 160 members! Great start! I would love to keep this momentum going. Let's shoot for 200 members!
For those of you who have join...we can USE YOUR HELP. In a couple of weeks, our football and volleyball season will begin. We will need help with concession stand sales. Please click on the link and sign up to help. We greatly appreciate your help! LINK TO SIGN UP
Please join our MMS PTSA. We can use your membership to help fund this year's school activities. The cost is $9.50. Click on the link https://txpta.secure.force.com/JoinPTA/ select Hays CISD as the district and T.C. McCormick Jr Middle School as the school.
Thank you for your support. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Effort…Attitude… “The Tiger Way”!
Thank you…GO TIGERS!
Mr. Cruz
Principal McCormick Middle School
Happy Birthday Shout Out!
Wish your child Happy Birthday on our school marquee! Please click the link below to put a birthday message on the school marquee!
North Side - Facing child nutrition
South Side- Facing entrance
Save The Date (Reminders)
No School, October 11th
No School, Staff Development Day, October 12th
Open House, Wednesday, October 13th (Virtual). More information to come.
Halloween Dance, Friday, October 29th 5:30pm-8:00pm
Fall Picture Retakes December 8th
PTSA School Challenge
Please join our MMS PTSA...our membership is growing. We can use your membership to help fund this year's school activities. The cost is $9.50. Click on the link https://txpta.secure.force.com/JoinPTA/ select Hays CISD as the district and T.C. McCormick Jr Middle School as the school.
Click on the picture for more information about a contest we are doing.
Cafeteria forms for the 2021-2022 school year!
We need all parents to fill out the cafeteria forms for the upcoming school year. Even if you know you don't qualify, we still need everyone to fill it out. It is important that everyone fills this out. It is tied to funding for our campus. Please click on the link below and fill out the application. I have also attached a FAQ in regards to cafeteria forms. Thank you.
Wind shorts
Rips in jeans
Rips in jeans are allowed. We asked that any skin showing above the knees to be covered up.
Crop Tops
Many of our students are starting to wear short shirts where their stomach is exposed. We tell our students before they come to school to raise their hand at home. If their stomach is exposed than their shirt is too short. Also, low cut shirts where cleavage is exposed is not allowed.
Sagging Pants
ID's worn everyday
Water Bottles
If your child has to quarantine....they need to click on the remote conferencing website below. Also, please notify the campus if your child is having to quarantine. Failure to notify the campus will result in your child being marked absent from school.
6th Grade
Resource Math
Fractions, decimals, and percents- and converting from one to another are the topics for the week. We will also work on using a calculator accurately. Homework is assigned at the beginning of the week and is due on Friday. We work on some of the problems in class.
Math Enrichment
This week, students will be representing parts of a whole with fractions, decimals, and percentages! We will be in stations and having fun this week! Please encourage your students to be working on their multiplication and division facts at home! We want everyone to have their facts memorized by the end of the school year!
Reading Enrichment
This week, we will continue to study plot structure through short stories and our class novel Esperanza Rising.
ELARWe will be reading the short story, The Ravine with a focus on point of view, figurative language, and theme. Students will be writing a short answer response about theme that will be a major grade.
WORLD CULTURES
We will complete our Democracy DBQ (Document Based Questions). Students will act as historians and interpret/analyze historical documents. This will count as a major grade. Students will also complete a digital escape room, to review for our Unit 1 and 2 CBA. Review will also count as a major gradeas well. CBA will be Thursday 9/30/21.
Math
We will continue our unit on converting between Fractions, Decimals, and Percents. Please have your students study their FDP and Benchmark FDP notes in their notebook. We will be starting our weekly BLUE homework. It will be given on Mondays, due on Fridays completed. Finally, please always be working on multiplication facts!
Science
We will continue working on Unit 2 this week. Students will learn to classify substances as metals, nonmetals, and metalloids based on their physical properties. There will be a quiz mid-week covering our Unit 2 vocabulary. Students can practice for their quiz by playing the review games in Schoology.
Resource ELAR
This week we will continue work with a fiction text with a focus on figurative language and theme. There will be a major grade this week (district CBA). **Please be on the look out for schoology assignments for students who are absent.
7th Grade
Science
tutoring for those who scored less than 70 is Monday for both science teachers. Please have students sign up through Schoology by Sunday at 10 pm. We will begin our study of Unit 2:Plant Systems this week.
ELAR
we will take the CBA 1. This test will count as a major grade for this 9 weeks. We have worked hard on reviewing in class to get students prepared for success! Please make sure students bring their Chromebooks fully charged each day as the test will be administered on their devices.
TX History
This week in TX History - September 27 - October 1 - We will continue Unit 03: Exploration and Early Colonization of Texas – 1519-1821. During this unit, students study about the early expeditions of Spanish and French explorers to Texas and about the mission-presidio system instituted by the Spanish government to colonize Texas.
Math
students will be continuing Unit 2, equations and inequalities. They will have a test on Friday over both units 1 and 2. Homework will be passed out on Monday and is due no later than Friday at the start of class. Students should also be completing a minimum of 5 Dreambox lessons per week.
Advanced Math
we will begin Unit #2 which involves solving equations. Students will be working on modeling equations, solving 2 step equations, and by the end of the week they will be able to solve multi-step equations.
Math Enrichment
This week in 7th grade Math Enrichment, students will begin working with inequalities as well as reviewing strategies for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals.
Resource ELAR
We will continue to work with our text Women in Aviation. We will also prepare and review for our CBA. The CBA will be given on Tuesday and will be for a major grade. **Please look in schoology for assignments when absent.
Resource Math
Fractions, decimals, and percents- and converting from one to another are the topics for the week. We will also work on using a calculator accurately. Homework is assigned at the beginning of the week and is due on Friday. We work on some of the problems in class.
8th Grade
Math
Students will start Unit 3, Slope and Y-Intercept. If a student did not take CBA #1 they will need to make arrangments with their teacher.
Algebra
In Algebra, students will learn how to find the domain and range of functions in graphs, sets of numbers, and word problems. They will have a short quiz on Wednesday over evaluating functions and domain and range of graphs.
Science
We will be starting our second unit over counting atoms and elements in chemical formulas.
Resource Math
Unit 2 Equations has started. We will be writing and solving equations from word problems. Homework is assigned at the beginning of the week and is due on Friday. We work on some of the problems in class.
Social Studies
We will be continuing our journey into the American Revolution this week. We will discuss the Son's of Liberty, Decleration of Independence, Battle of Lexington and Concord. Please bring Chromebooks charged and ready to go.
Resouce ELAR
We will continue to work with our text Heads up, Humans. We will also prepare and review for our CBA. The CBA will be given on Tuesday and will be for a major grade. **Please look in schoology for assignments when absent.
Reading Enrichment
This week, we will continue to study plot structure through short stories and our class novel Esperanza Rising.
Band
Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band: Students will be preparing Fall Concert music. Please check your emails for next week's practice schedule.
Choir
Choir will be having a Singing Check over Sight Reading Material we are covering in class.
Look out for a Choir Handbook coming home and over email.
Mr. Cotton will need the last page
signed and returned to him.
Orchestra
Beginning Orchestra: Beginning orchestra students are working on the fundementals of instrument handling, instrument safety, unpacking/packing rest position, playing position, the bow hold and bow games as well as learning the notes of our first song. Music Theory pages 11-20 are due Monday 9/13. Music theory pages 1-10 are past due.
Concert Orchestra: Concert orchestra students are working on routines and musicianly behaviors common to a great rehearsal and a great orchestra. Concert Orchestra students are also working on a massive music literacy review to bolster reading skills in preperation for concert literature distribution next week.
Dance
Starting on Monday ALL CLASSES MEET DOWNSTAIRS AT LOCKER ROOM! We will be exploring anatomy and how it applies to dance this upcoming week!
Art
Art 1 and Art 2 students should be finishing up their first project and starting on their second one. HS Art 1 will continue on their skull and flower still life. For ALL levels: Don't forget that the 9/13 Monday Catch-Up is due 10/4 and is a major grade. Ancient Art TEST on Friday.
MARTINEZ:
We will continue working on grid drawing and getting started with value and shading! Another reminder for your art supplies:
ART 1 & ART 2:
Folder with prongs & 24 pack colored pencils (preferably Crayola)
HS ART:
Folder with prongs, 24 pack colored pencils (preferably Crayola), & 50 page sketchbook
Theatre
Theatre Arts 2
Mrs. TidblomTheatre 2 will be building original props for the play “Completely Unbelievable but Incredibly Entertaining Excuses for Not Doing Your Homework”. They will create these props from recycled materials like cardboard, fabric, etc. All materials will be provided but if your child has additional “recycled” materials at home they want to use then they are welcome to bring them.
Theatre Arts High School Credit
Mrs. TidblomHigh School Credit Class wrote original scripts using personification and making food characters come to life! This coming week they will research their characters and create a character costume collage of what they think their food character would look like in human form.
GTT
STEAM
They will also be introduced to what Perspective Drawing is and how to use it in their artistic creation.
Web Design
Journalism
Writing Challenge 2
My Life in 30 Words Project (Continued)
Friday Five #6
Health
Professional Communications
Spanish
Spanish 1:
Thornburg:
Español 1: Students have completed unit 1. They all did so go on their speaking test. Keep up the good work as we continue with unit 2.
Español 2 y 3:Teminamos la primera unidad y las presentaciones fueron un excito. Vamos a empezar unidad 2 y continuamos aprendiendo sobre las personas que han dado su contribucion a los EEUU de America.
Boys Athletics/Pre-Athletics/PE
Boys AthleticsTurn in Physicals, do RankOne forms, get athletic uniform. Eat good foods and hydrate. Bring a lock
Boys Pre-AthleticsBring clothes to workout in daily. PE shirts soon!!, Bring a lock
Boys PE- Bring workout clothes and a lock
Girls Athletics/Pre-Athletics/PE
Girls PE
GIRLS FUNDRAISER COMING SOON!! We started our Nutrition Unit last week. The study guide is now in our PE Schoology course. Study it every day to prepare for the test at the end of the unit! Keep on dressing out and giving your BEST effort daily!
Girls Athletics
GIRLS FUNDRAISER COMING SOON!! We will continue with strength and conditioning with off-season. Volleyball will continue with their practices. Stay hydrated all day and night, and eat healthy meals!!
Girls Pre-Athletics
GIRLS FUNDRAISER COMING SOON!! We will continue with our volleyball unit, and strength and conditioning. Stay hydrated all day and night, and eat healthy meals!!
Athletics Information
Purchase tickets to Football/Volleyball/Basketball games on this link. If it is not working please email Heidi.Durham@hayscisd.net. or call (512) 268-8512. MMS does not handle athletic ticket information.
All athletic schedules can be found at our MMS campus website under the Athletics page.
Rank One Link (you need to click on this for forms)
A current pre-athletics physical from a doctor –https://hayscisd.rankonesport.com/.../PrintableDocuments...
Completion, each year, of the REQUIRED Rank One Online Forms - https://hayscisd.rankonesport.com/.../NewInstructionsPage...
A uniform that you must purchase AND must be worn daily!! – https://sites.google.com/hayscisd.net/mmsathletics/store...
General Information and Contacting the Coaches:
Schedules, ordering supplies, physicals/forms can be accessed on our athletics page:
McCormick Athletics Page https://sites.google.com/hayscisd.net/mmsathletics/home
For quick questions (and a quick response), email me: brian.rich@hayscisd.net
We will be using SportsYou next year, an app, to share info as well…details to come
Physicals can be faxed, delivered, or scanned and emailed.
(Boys physicals) email Brian.Rich@hayscisd.net
(Girls physicals) email Francisca.Luna@hayscisd.net
Library News
Take a look at the Weekly Library Update to stay informed on what is happening in the library. Visit the library website to view this week's Weekly Library Update. The 40 Book Challenge is on, learn more here.
Please ask your child to show you if they can log in to Dreambox and Reading Plus!
Dreambox Information!!!
McCormick is utilizing an on-line math program called Dreambox. Please watch the following introductory video to know what it is and how to support your student's use and success with Dreambox. The family resource link mentioned in the video is found here.
Reading Plus Information!!!
Please encourage your student to try their hardest on the Insight Assessment as this will serve as valuable feedback in order to best serve our student/s. For more information, please view the Reading Plus Video and/or visit the Family Support Link.
Grading Policy
Grading Policy
I wanted to make you aware about our grading policy at MMS this year. The follow key is how grades are counted:
M= Missing (student has not turned it in and is given a zero for a grade, student average will drop)
P= Pending (student has turned it in but teacher has not graded it, student average will not drop)
E = Excused (student has not turned it due to being absent, student average will not drop)
In the past my teachers would give a "P" or an "E" for a grade waiting for students to turn in assignments. If students did not turn in assignments, than teachers would have to go back and change the "P" or "E" to a Zero. This would cause a student’s average to drop to a failing grade.
The issue with that is parents were not given an accurate grade average of their child. For example, a parent would see an 88 average for their child and think their child is doing great. At the end of the nine weeks, a teacher would go back and change all of the assignments that were given an "E" to a zero and the student average would drop to a 65.
My goal is for parents to have an accurate picture of their child’s grades.
If your child is absent, they will be given time to turn in assignments. Teachers will put a "M" in the gradebook but will change it to a numerical grade once your child turns it.
Student drop off/pick up
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, we are locking the back doors at 8:05. If your child arrives to school after 8:05, 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. 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
CNN Student News
Stadium Capacity Update
Lunch Deliveries From Parents/Online
Parents are allowed to drop off lunches for students. You will not have to come into the front office to drop off food. There will be a table in the foyer area. Please make sure you put your child's first and last name and grade level on the food you bring. We will have a post it note/pens on the table for you to use. Online food deliveries (Door Dash/Grub Hub/Etc..) are also allowed. Make sure your child's name is on the food when food is delivered.
School Supply List
McCormick Dress Code
Register your child for the upcoming school year
Our MMS PTSA registration is now open at www.joinpta.org for the 2021-2022 school year.
· Click on the link https://txpta.secure.force.com/JoinPTA/ select Hays CISD as the district and T.C. McCormick Jr Middle School as the school.
· We look forward to having you join our PTSA this school year! Your help and involvement is very much appreciated and needed
· If you have any questions please email mccormickmsptsa@gmail.com and we can try to assist you.
Thank you