Eagles' Notes
Madras News: March 25, 2019, 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
Media Notes
Karen Pitts, Media Specialist
Our Scholastic Book Fair Luau is off to a great start! We kicked off the fair on Thursday, March 21 with a teacher preview. Congratulations to Mrs. Hayes for winning the teacher drawing. Then, we had a large crowd for our 5th Grade Orientation night. Friday, March 22 was our official kick off for the fair, and we had a Hawaiian dress up day for the students and staff. Thank you so much for your support of our Book Fair! We will continue to remain open until Friday, March 29 at 12:00 (noon). You may also shop online at http://www.scholastic.com/bf/madrasmiddleschool3.
Thank you for your support of literacy at Madras Middle School!
Georgia Milestones Information and Resources for Parents
March 25, 2019
Dear Parent/Guardian,
The Coweta County School System will administer the Georgia Milestones Assessment when we return from Spring Break during the weeks of April 10-12 and April 16-18, 2019. Georgia Milestones (GMAS) measures how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The main purpose of Georgia Milestones is
- to inform efforts to improve student achievement by assessing student performance on the standards specific to each grade tested.
- to provide teachers, students, and their parents with critical information about student achievement, including their preparedness for the next grade level. In 8th grade Reading (determination of On/Above Grade Level) In 8th grade math (achievement level of Developing Learner, Proficient Learner, or Distinguished Learner)
- to inform state and federal accountability at the school, district, and state levels.
Eighth graders are assessed in all academic content areas including: English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, and 6th and 7th grades are assessed in English/Language Arts and Math. Make-up tests are scheduled for afternoons and for April 12th and 15th. (Eighth grade retest dates are May 20-21.) Below is the test schedule for each grade level.
All grades will test online, and online test practice sessions have been scheduled during the school day to provide students the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the online platform prior to the actual test administration. Because students will be using their Chromebooks to take the test, it is critical that they bring their fully charged Chromebooks each day.
Your support and encouragement play an important role in student success. The following are recommendations and reminders to help your child during the weeks of testing:
- Make sure your child is present and arrives to school on time each day. Students who are tardy will not be permitted to disrupt test administration.
- Please do not check your child out from school during the testing period. Classes that are testing cannot be interrupted.
- Avoid scheduling orthodontist, dental, or other appointments during testing dates and times.
- See that your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a nutritious breakfast each morning.
- Assure that your child brings a fully charged Chromebook to school each day. If you are subscribed to Madras texts, you will receive a text reminder at 6:30 p.m. every day during the testing window. You can subscribe by texting the number 81010 and entering @MadrasMS in the text line.
- Encourage students to leave cell phones, smart watches, and any personal or smart device at home during their testing days as these items are not permitted in testing environments. Calculators will be provided on portions of the mathematics assessment as permitted.
- Know that academic, connections, and lunch schedules will be different during the testing window, and there may be changes throughout the day based upon test timing.
While this assessment represents one measure of student learning, we are excited to see our students’ hard work reflected in their results. Score reports will be sent home with explanatory information regarding how to read and interpret your child’s scores after they become available. If you have any questions, please contact a Madras administrator or Madras testing coordinators, Kia Harris or Maranda Holmes. Thank you for your support and interest in helping your child to do his/her very best on the Georgia Milestones.
More About the Milestones
The Georgia Milestones Assessment System (Georgia Milestones) is a comprehensive summative assessment program spanning grades 3 through high school.Georgia Milestones measures how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards in English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Students in grades 3 through 8 take an end-of-grade assessment in English Language Arts and mathematics while students in grades 5 and 8 are also assessed in science and social studies. High school students take an end-of-course assessment for each of the ten courses designated by the State Board of Education.
Features the Georgia Milestone Assessment System include:
- open-ended (constructed-response) items in English Language Arts and mathematics (all grades and courses);
- a writing component (in response to passages read by students) at every grade level and course within the English Language Arts assessment;
- norm-referenced items in all content areas and courses, to complement the criterion-referenced information and to provide a national comparison; and
- transition to online administration over time, with online administration considered the primary mode of administration and paper-pencil as back-up until the transition is complete.
What is the purpose of Georgia Milestones?
The Georgia Milestones Assessment System is designed to provide information about how well students are mastering the state-adopted content standards in the core content areas of English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. More importantly, Georgia Milestones is designed to provide students with critical information about their own achievement and their readiness for their next level of learning – be it the next grade, the next course, or endeavor (college or career).
Informing parents, educators, and the public about how well students are learning important content is an essential aspect of any educational assessment and accountability system. Parents, the public, and policy makers, including local school districts and boards of education, can use the results as a barometer of the quality of educational opportunity provided throughout the state of Georgia.
As such, Georgia Milestones serves as a key component of the state’s accountability system – the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI).
What content areas and grade levels are tested?
Students in grades 3 through 8 take an end-of-grade assessment in English Language Arts and mathematics while students in grades 5 and 8 are also assessed in science and social studies. Each school district selects a local testing window, based on their local school calendar, from within the state-designated testing window.
Additional Georgia Milestones Parent Information and Resources
Study Guides
The Study/Resource Guides are intended to serve as a resource for parents and students. They contain practice questions and learning activities for each content area. The standards identified in the Study/Resource Guides address a sampling of the state-mandated content standards.
Meals on Wheels Campaign
Dear Madras Families and Students,
We believe when students get involved in community service, they not only help others, they also expand their view of the world, develop empathy and leadership skills, and realize how their actions can have a positive impact on those in need. Our students have been involved in multiple service projects this year, and this month, Madras will host “Madras March for Meals” during first connections on March the 29th to benefit the Coweta Meals on Wheels Program.
The Coweta Meals on Wheels Foundation provides meals to disabled or chronically ill adults who are unable to provide meals for themselves. Many of ours students’ grandparents have benefited from this program in past years. Students who would like to participate will have the opportunity to complete a fun walk during their first connections class on Friday, March 29th. Parents, family, and friends can pledge 25 cents or more per lap with a goal of each student raising a miniumum of 5 dollars. The three students who raise the most money for Meals on Wheels will receive a Madras t-shirt.
The entrance fee for this event is $5.00 (more can be raised if additional laps are pledged).
Money will be collected each morning during homeroom. Letters were sent home with students March 4th. You can access it here.
Yearbooks Are on Sale
Yearbooks for the 2018-2019 school year are on sale and can be purchased at the link below. The price is $50.00 and can also be purchased through our bookkeeping department at Madras or 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.
Spring Book Fair Kicks Off!
Sixth grade welcomed visitors from India along with a tasting of Indian food. Thank you, Rasoi! Indian Kitchen it was wonderful.
Thank you, Madras Community, for your support of our Madras families battling cancer!
Students completed an organization check and final revisions to their narrative writing pieces today! Revising is a vital piece for writing success!
Drama students are gearing up for their original pieces for Readers Theater!
Future Georgia Educators enjoyed a fantastic learning experience at the University of West Georgia Newnan Campus! Our club was so inspired by the wonderful speakers, sessions, and meeting other future teachers!
Box Tops are Back Second Semester!
by Jamie Bowne, PTSO Box Top Chair
April Contest
Deadline: Wednesday, April 10th
Reward: Skyzone Party for top 15 Contributors for the year
Turn in Box tops by Wednesday, April 10th to be eligible for an end of the year Skyzone Party. The top 15 contributors for the year will win a spot at the Skyzone party. All Box Tops need to be turned in by the end of homeroom on Wednesday, April 10th.This contest will be cumulative for the entire school year.
Box Tops can be submitted by students to homeroom teacher in a plastic bag, envelope or taped to a collection sheet.
Be sure to label collection sheet(s) or baggie with student’s name & homeroom teacher to obtain credit.
PTO: Join the Team!
Amy Brandon, PTO President
Welcome to Madras! The purpose of our PTO is to help improve our school by combining the efforts of parents, students, and teachers.
We invite you to join PTO 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.
This year, one of our major goals is to raise enough funds to purchase an electronic sign in front of the school to replace the old signage. We didn't quite reach this goal last year but are hoping to earn enough early this year to update it. We ask that each family join PTO with a $12.00 (or more if you choose) contribution. You can join and pay directly online by clicking the ONLINE MEMBERSHIP (You can also send a check with your child to the homeroom teacher or to the front office. Checks should be made payable to Madras PTO.)
We also need your volunteer time! If you are interested in assisting with any of the areas below, please select from the choices on the online form. You will be contacted as the events take place. There are many opportunities to serve:
- Hospitality Committee - Teachers' Luncheons and Special Events
- Box Tops
- School Store - helping in the store 8:00-8:30 AM on a rotational basis
- Membership
- 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
- 8th Grade Dance Setup
- Special Event Assistance
- PTSO Board
MMS PTO Annual Project: Electronic Sign in Front of the School
If you wish to make a donation to this project, please send it in with your child address to the MMS PTO. Contact Amy Brandon at amysbrandon97@gmail.com with any questions.
Thanks in advance for your support!
Parent Letter Archives
Safety Letter (8-6-18)
Health Alert (8-6-18)
Open House Letter (8-7-18)
Affidavit Letter (10-15-18)
Parent Symposium Letter (10-22-18)
Symposium Flyer (10-22-18)
Veterans Day Assembly Letter (11-2-18)
Inclement Weather Protocol Letter (11-2-18)
8th Grade Career Expo Field Trip Letter (1-7-19)
7th Grade College and Career Academy Field trip Letter (1-8-19)
Scoliosis Letter, 6th and 8th Grades (1-14-19)
High School Transition Information (1-15-19)
8th Grade Semiformal Letter (1-28-19)
Parent Letter (1-28-19)
Meals on Wheels Letter (3-4-19)
Testing Letter (3-25-19
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