Eagles' Notes
January 13-24, 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 January 13th
Eagle News Network (ENN) is a brand new broadcasting club here at Madras.This club plans to produce a monthly news feature for students, staff, and the school community. The ENN crew has worked to set up the computer and software programs along with writing scripts, taking pictures and videos, and filming segments for the show. We are very excited about this club and can't wait for our Eagles to see the first episode! We are planning to give students and teachers an up-close and personal look at what's happening at "The Nest."
A big thank you to Ms. Cooper, our technology specialist, for all of her help getting us set up and to Mr. Xydias for helping the club get started. Stay tuned, Eagles! Our first video is scheduled to be released soon!
Our Library Club Ambassadors met to decorate book marks and celebrate reading! These students have been busy working in the Library to help in numerous ways. They are a great group of students who give so willingly of their time to our Library Media Center.I really appreciate each one of them and look forward to the remainder of the school year with these great students!
Our annual Battle of the Books competition is quickly approaching. Round one will be held on the morning of Friday, January 31st in our Madras cafeteria. We currently have over 70 teams signed up to participate. The students are so excited about this competition! They have been reading the books on the list and meeting to discuss these books within their ELA classes.We are still in need of volunteers to read questions to small groups of students. Please consider helping us out for a couple of hours on that morning. You will enjoy it and we couldn't make this happen without your support. If you are available to volunteer for that morning, please send Mrs. K. Pitts an email at karen.pitts@cowetaschools.net or sign up on our Sign Up Genius link below.
If you have not attended a volunteer training for this school year, please arrive before 8:00 am so that you can be trained before our event. If you have already been trained this year, please arrive by 8:15 am. You will sign in at the main office and report to the cafeteria.
Thank you so much for your support of literacy at Madras!
Sign Up Genius Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F4DA5AD2CA2FB6-battle
Report Cards Went Home Friday, January 10th
Report cards were issued to students Friday, January 10th, and should be signed and returned to your child's homeroom teacher. If you have questions regarding your child's progress, you can email or call the team or teacher, or you can call 770-254-2744 to schedule a conference. Email contact information can be found on our Madras web site at: https://mms.cowetaschools.net/
Eagle Advisement
Eagle advisement is a regularly scheduled period of 30 minutes (8:20-8:50) within the school schedule set aside for staff to work closely with students on things not always covered in academic classes. Character education, social emotional learning, developing and strengthening relationships, academic enrichment, and academic tutoring or acceleration are all part of the advisement program.
Two to three days a week are used for enriching the curriculum and developing academic vocabulary and discourse, and two days a week are used for developing healthy, age-appropriate identities through peer discussion and personal reflection. There is also time each month for Club Advisement which allows students to be active member of a club if they are unable to stay after school.
Recently we have focused on our core values such as Respect (Avoiding Stereotypes and Kindness Matters), Integrity, and Empathy (Samples of lessons are linked.) This week we are talking about setting goals for the new nine weeks.
We're also setting students on a path to college and career readiness by providing multiple perspectives on complex problems. Students are using academic language, developing an argument, reasoning analytically, reading to find evidence, reviewing data, discussing various perspectives, engaging in debate, and expressing well-reasoned positions in writing using respectful, civil discourse. Developing these skills each week emphasizes 21st century learning goals and will help our students in high school, college, the workplace, and beyond.
Eagle Advisement helps foster a more personal connection between students and their education and helps advisers (homeroom teachers) and team teachers to know their students, to monitor their academic progress, and to build a relationship that may allow them to intervene more effectively. We also discuss tools that can help students avoid peer pressure and make good decisions. Look for future advisement topics in upcoming editions of Eagles Notes.
Career Expo for Eighth Graders is January 22nd
Dear Eighth Grade Parents,
Madras Middle School’s eighth graders are invited to attend the Coweta Works Career Expo January 22nd from 11:45-2:00.
Coweta Works is a high energy, hands-on, interactive expo with activities across nine career worlds. Designed to help students make smart choices for their future, the expo will encourage them to stay in school and plan for postsecondary education.
Industry leaders, construction companies and local manufacturers along with healthcare and utilities providers will join public safety and transportation companies to share their world of work. They will leave the expo knowing Coweta’s workforce needs and the opportunities for college education and training during high school with the Move on When Ready (Dual Enrollment) program. Students as early as 9th grade can participate in these Dual Enrollment courses/programs.
Participants will be guided by a full-color booklet with information and articles to peak interest in each of the career worlds. It will include information on The Central Educational Center (Georgia Career Academy), West Georgia Technical College, and the University of West Georgia, Newnan.
School buses will transport Madras 8th grade students to the Newnan Central Education Center on the 22nd at 11:15. Students will eat lunch at school prior to leaving and will return to Madras by 2:30 pm.
Permission forms went home with students on Tuesday (1/7). Please sign the permission form (front and back) if you would like your student to attend. If you do not wish for your student to attend, please state so on the form, and return it for our records. Students not attending will be provided accompanying lesson plans during the session.
A copy of the permission form can be found here: Field Trip Form
Please contact a school administrator or counselor if you have any questions.
New Nine Weeks - New Goals - New Opportunities!
We want to remind parents that report cards were issued Friday. We encourage you to check Infinite Campus regularly to monitor your child's progress. Teachers and mentors are working with students to set new nine week's goals, and one of last week's advisement lessons discussed setting goals that are SMART. SMART stands for Smart, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely, Students used Friday's grade reports to write new goals based on their current progress. We encourage you to discuss goal setting as a family, and check in with your child regularly to support his/her efforts.
(Please check school calendar for a full list of all club meetings.)
- Jazz Band Practice: Monday, January 13, 3:30-5:00
- Academic Bowl Meet: Monday, January 13, Arnall Middle School
- Art Club Meeting: Monday, January 6, 3:30-4:30
- Pet Lovers Club Meeting: Monday, January 6, 3:30-4:15
- Pep Squad Practice: Monday, January 13, from 3:30 to 4:45
- Auburn Math Puzzle Challenge Team Practice: Monday, January 6, 3:30-4:30
- Science Olympiad Meeting: Tuesday, January 14, 3:30-5:00
- Eagle Extraordinaire Dance Squad Practice: Tuesday, January 14, 3:30-4:30
- Junior Beta Club Meeting, Tuesday, January 14, 3:30-4:15
- Academic Bowl Practice: Wednesday, January 15, from 3:30 to 4:15
- Running Club Meeting: Thursday, January 16, 3:30-4:30 (Weather Permitting)
- Drama Club: will meet Thursday, January 16, 3:30-4:30
- Girls of Faith Meeting: Thursday, January 16, 3:30-4:30
- CCSS Spelling Bee, Thursday, Jaunuary 16, 6:30, Newnan High School Auditorium
- Science Olympiad Meeting: Tuesday, January 21, 3:30-5:00
- Eagle Extraordinaire Dance Squad Practice: Tuesday, January 21, 3:30-4:30
- Junior Beta Club Meeting, Tuesday, January 14, 3:30-4:15
- Academic Bowl Practice: Wednesday, January 22, from 3:30 to 4:15
- Math Counts: Wednesday, January 22, from 3:30 to 4:30
- Eagle News Network: Wednesday, January 22, 8:00 am (before school)
- Book Club: Thursday, January 23, 7:45 am (before school)
- Eagle News Network: Thursday, January 23, 3:30-4:30
- Running Club Meeting: Thursday, January 23, 3:30-4:30 (Weather Permitting)
- Drama Club: will meet Thursday, January 23, 3:30-4:30
- Girls of Faith Meeting: Thursday, January 23, 3:30-4:30
- Oratorical Competition Practice: Friday, January 24, (during advisement at 8:20)
Kicking Off Random Acts of Kindness in 2020
Game Day: Lady Eagles Basketball Team is Ready to RISE!
Eagles Boys' Basketball Team Dressing for Success!
Basketball Teams Serve the Community at Bridging the Gap #EaglesServe
Eagles Host the Arnall Knights Wednesday, January 22nd and the Smokey Road Wildcats on January 24th
Students can stay after school until the game starts and will be supervised. Concessions will be sold including drinks and snacks. Cost of admission is $5.00. Parents should pick up their students no later than 6:30 behind the school at the football field. (No pick-ups in front of the school.) Go, Eagles!
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 and can be purchased at the link below. Prices are as indicated, and eighth grade recognition ads can also be purchased through January 20, 2020 once you are logged in by creating an account. If you have any questions, please contact bookkeeper Henry Dawkins at john.dawkins@cowetaschools.net. Yearbooks are given out the last week of school.
- $45.00 – September 27 – January 31
- $50.00 – February 1 – April 20
- Eighth Grade Recognition Ads on sale through Janurary 20, 2020
Madras Parent Volunteer Training
Upcoming Training
- January 13, 8:30 or 3:00
- February 10, 8:30 or 3:00
- 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.
- August Minutes
- September Minutes
- October Minutes
- November Minutes
- January Minutes
- February 12
- March 11
- April 1
- May 13
Parent Letter Archives
- (8-5-19) Principal's Letter
- (8-5-19) Allergy Letter
- (8-7-19) Safety Lesson Letter
- (8-7-19) CCSS Safety Information for Parents
- (9-3-19) CCSS Letter to Parents Regarding E-Cigarettes
- (9-4-19) Letter to Parents Regarding Chromebooks
- (9-30-19) Career Day Letter
- (10-15-19) Affidavit of Residency Letter
- (10-15-19) Affidavit of Residency Letter (Español)
- (11-22-19) Letter to Parents
- (12-4-19) CCSS Safety Letter
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