Eagles' Notes
February 24, 2020, Principal Lorraine Johnson
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
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Media Notes
Karen Pitts, Media Specialist
Week of February 24th
Some of our sixth grade social studies classes visited the Library Media Center this week for a lesson on Primary and Secondary sources. Students were given some practice in evaluating resources and determining which resources were most credible and scholarly. The lesson culminated with a hands on activity where they were able to actually physically touch sources that might be found while researching. They enjoyed learning in a different environment and gleaned some valuable information for their next research assignment.
Eighth Grade Semiformal is March 19th
The following letter went home with students Jan. 31st and can be downloaded here.
View highlights from previous years
Dear Parents,
Each year we commemorate our eighth graders’ middle school experience with an eighth grade semi-formal dance which will be held this year on Thursday, March 19th from 6:30-9:00 in the Madras cafeteria. This special event is for Madras students only and gives them an opportunity to socialize with their classmates while celebrating the end of their middle school tenure. The dance will be supervised by Madras administration and teachers, and local law enforcement will be present.
Dance tickets are $25.00 and include catered finger foods for dinner, drinks, snacks, and entertainment (DJ). This price also includes free pictures that can be downloaded by students after the dance. (Tickets will be sold February 10-March 16 during advisement and during lunch in the cafeteria.)
Below is the required dress code for the dance. Please note that the eighth grade dance is a semi-formal occasion and should be reflected in students’ attire.
Dress Code for Eighth Grade Dance
Gentlemen may wear khakis, dress pants, a dress shirt, a jacket, and a tie.
Ladies may wear a dress, skirt, blouse, or pants.
Jeans are not permitted.
Dresses and skirts must be mid-thigh. Any slits or other openings in the dress or skirt may not rise above mid-thigh.
The top of the dress must have 2 straps (one on each side). “Spaghetti” straps, halters, and clear straps are all permitted.
Backless dresses (dress must come to/cover the bra strap in the back), dresses with “cut-outs” openings in the midriff, and dresses with plunging necklines will not be permitted.
Holes in khakis, dress pants, or shirts will not be permitted.
Though we are happy to provide social time for our eighth graders, we continue to hold high academic and behavioral expectations throughout the remainder of the year. We expect our students to represent Madras well and to adhere to the dress code; this is especially important since the dance is held during the evening outside of school hours.
In order for your child to participate, he/she must sign and return the bottom portion of this letter, and payment must be received by Friday, March 8th. If you have any questions, please contact an administrator at 770-254-2744. It is our hope that every student will be able to attend
Sincerely,
Eighth Grade Teachers and Administration
Eagles Talent Show is March 6th
It's time to for Madras students to show off their talents at the annual MMS Talent Show, sponsored by the choral program. This year's Talent Show will be held at the Madras gym on Friday March 6th. Tickets are $5.
Northgate HIgh School Transition Information
Northgate High School has announced the following important dates for parents of eighth graders who will be attending the Home of the Vikings next year. This information has been included in the weekly parent newsletter, is announced and posted at school and can be found on our school’s online calendar for your convenience. Please make a note of these transition meetings for parents and students.
February 24th (Eighth Grade Parents Night, Upcoming Ninth Graders) 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Place: Main Cafeteria
Registration Forms Due to Madras by: Friday, February 28th
Purpose:
- to provide parents detailed information about the registration process
- to answer questions regarding high school registration
- to provide an opportunity for students to participate in student led tours
Black History Month Program is Monday, February 25th
Madras Middle School's Black History Month assembly will be held Tuesday, February 25th at 9:00 am in the Madras gym.
Our guest speaker is Teresa Smith, the Director of Operations for a union-member benefit program and city councilwoman (City of Palmetto).
About the Speaker: Teresa Smith is an authentic life and leadership coach, meditation coach, story-teller and speaker, dedicated to helping people move from a sense of being stuck in the quicksand of existence to the feeling of soaring with eagles in every area of life.
Having grown up in a household filled with drama, abuse and trauma, Teresa overcame her own past, understanding the power, will, determination, motivation, grace, and more importantly compassion it takes to be resilient and resolute in the face of such adversity.
As a speaker, she lends her knowledge on a variety of topics and her life experiences, to women’s issues, relationship matters and life in general. She is the founder of Peaceful Soul Life Transformation Services, and is the Founder & CEO of We Are the Sister-Hood (a.k.a. The Sister-Hood), a group she started to provide adult women “a safe space to talk about things that are important for adult women to talk about – without fear, guilt, shame or judgment”.
Teresa, the Director of Operations for a union-member benefit program, is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She serves on the City Council in Palmetto, a rural area just outside of the city, where she resides with her husband, their youngest son and two dogs.
Madras Oratorical Competition Winners
Jack Whittemore and Rhea Patel
Congratulations 2020 CCMSAL Basketball Runners-Up!
Way to go, Lady Eagles! 2020 Basketball Runners-Up!
Lessons in Experimental & Theoretical Probability
Collaborative Analyses and Thesis Statements #EagleWriters
Thank You, Parents, for the Valentine's Sweet Treats!
Third Nine Weeks Eagle Pride Recipients Honored
Every nine weeks, academic teams, grade level REACH programs, and connections teachers select two students for the Eagle Pride Award. One student who exemplifies PRIDE in EFFORT and one who exemplifies PRIDE in CHARACTER are selected. Teachers choose these students based on our core values of Respect, Integrity, Safety, and Empathy, and it is an honor to be one of two students selected for this award quarterly. Congratulations to our Eagle Pride honorees for the third nine weeks!
Track Tryout Information
Contact Coach Mangum (girls' coach) or Roy Hitchcock (boys' coach) if you have questions, and refer to the tryout, practice, and meet dates at the above link.
Northgate High School Softball Workouts for Rising 9th Graders
If you have any questions,you can email either lisa.skelton@cowetaschools.net or carleigh.baker@cowetaschools.net.
The Flu Season: What You Should Know
It is currently influenza (‘flu”) season and Georgia and the United States is currently experience low but increasing influenza activity. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. To ensure the safety and health of students, parents and faculty, the Georgia Department of Public Health encourages everyone to know the signs and symptoms of influenza and the necessary steps to reduce the spread of illness.
The symptoms of flu can include:
- Fever (although not everyone with flu has a fever)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Tiredness
- Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
To limit the spread of influenza or other respiratory diseases:
- Flu vaccines are encouraged. The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each fluseason. If influenza is circulating, it is a good time to get vaccinated!
- Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, orcough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Students should stay at home if they are ill.Those who get flu-like symptoms should stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
- Clean and disinfect regularly and correctly during influenza season. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often.
CCSS Inclement Weather Procedures (Reminders)
Important Tech News You Need
Georgette Cooper, Madras Tech Specialist
Blocksi at home:
Coweta County School System has adopted a new program for monitoring student chromebooks named Blocksi. One feature provided by Blocksi is that parents can manage student Chromebooks in the evening and other times when students are not in class.Parents will be able to set a bedtime after which the chromebook will be locked. A record of every site the student has accessed during and out of school will be available to parents and sites can be blocked at home. When the Chromebook is at school, the school settings will override parent settings. You can access directions to set up an account and manage and monitor your student's usage at the link below.
Yearbooks on Sale Now
Yearbooks for the 2019-2020 school year are on sale for $50.00 and can be purchased at the link below. If you have any questions, please contact bookkeeper Henry Dawkins at john.dawkins@cowetaschools.net. Yearbooks are given out the last week of school.
(Please note the deadline for purchasing eighth grade ads was January 20th)
Madras Parent Volunteer Training
Upcoming Training
- March 9, 8:30 or 3:00
- April 13, 8:30 or 3:00
Reminder: 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, Chromebooks, 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 or needs medication (must call from the clinic under the nurse's supervision).
We appreciate your help in keeping interruptions to a minimum.
PTO: Join the Team!
Amy Brandon, PTO President
PTSO: Come Join our Team!
Welcome to Madras! The Mission of the Madras PTSO is to enrich the education of students at MMS by sponsoring and organizing fundraising and school events and by fostering relationships among the school, parents and students.
We have many opportunities to volunteer and get involved at Madras. Here are some examples:
Hospitality Committee - Teachers' Luncheons and Special Events
Box Tops/Coke Rewards/Amazon Smile
School Store - helping in the store 8:00-8:30 AM on a rotational basis
Membership Committee
Snack n Chat (monthly)
Media Center (1-2 hrs per week)
Battle of the Books
Book Fair - Fall and Spring
Scoliosis Screening - one time event
School Pictures
Lamination/Copies for teachers
Special Event Assistance
This year our major focus is purchasing MimioFrame Touch Boards for the classrooms. We are planning for these to be installed during the first half of the school year!
We hope you will consider joining our team! You can join and pay directly online by clicking the ONLINE MEMBERSHIP (Or you can print the FORM and send it and your donation to your child’s homeroom teacher or to the front office. Checks should be made payable to Madras PTSO.)
At MMS, THE MADRAS FUND replaces fundraising. Please consider donating to the MADRAS FUND. MMS PTSO did not need extra fundraising for the last several years thanks to everyone’s support, but every family is needed to participate for continued success!
Suggested donation is $10 per student. Remember, PTSO is doing this so other major forms of fundraising will not be necessary throughout the school year. These donations can be made along with your membership!
If you have any questions, please contact the PTSO Board at madrasmsptso@gmail.com.
Thanks in advance for your support!
Upcoming 2019-2020 PTSO Meeting Dates
PTSO Meeting Dates (8:30 am)
Meetings are held at Madras in the front office conference room.
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