McCarthy Update
Winter 2020
MCAS Schedule Released
ELA MCAS Dates
- Wednesday, April 8: Grades 5 & 6 ELA #1
- Thursday, April 9: Grades 7 & 8 ELA #1
- Tuesday, April 14: Grades 5 & 6 ELA #2
- Wednesday, April 15: Grades 7 & 8 ELA #2
Math MCAS Dates
- Monday, May 4: Grades 7 & 8 Math #1
- Tuesday, May 5: Grades 7 & 8 Math #2
- Wednesday, May 6: Grades 5 & 6 Math #1
- Thursday, May 7: Grades 5 & 6 Math #2
Science And Technology MCAS Dates
- Tuesday, May 12: Grade 5 & 8 Sci #1
- Wednesday, May 13: Grade 5 & 8 Sci #2
The I in PRIDE- Integrity
Technology can be a very powerful tool especially when collaboration is necessary; however, technology has made it very easy for students to "share" their work with one another. Please talk with your child regarding their own integrity and how important it is to for them to respect themselves by adhering to our academic honor code.
Chelmsford Middle School Academic Honor Code
At Chelmsford Middle Schools, students are expected to maintain high moral and ethical standards. Students should respect themselves, other students, staff members and the school. The acts of cheating and plagiarism violate expectations that students will exhibit respectful, ethical behavior.
The Academic Honor Code exists to address the issues of cheating and plagiarism.
Cheating
The following will be considered cheating:
- Copying another student’s answers on a test or quiz, with or without their permission
- Sharing questions from an exam with another student who has not yet taken the exam
- Copying another student’s answers on a homework assignment
- Copying some other student’s work and claiming it as your own
- Allowing another student to copy your work or giving your work to them to turn in as their own
- Use of electronic devices for unauthorized sharing of information.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a form of cheating. The following will be considered plagiarism:
- Buying or downloading a paper from the internet and turning it in as your own
- Turning in another student’s work, with or without that student’s knowledge, as your own.
- Copying any portion of another’s work without proper citation.
- Paraphrasing ideas and language from a source without proper citation.
Why are cheating and plagiarism wrong?
- If you cheat others may no longer trust you and become suspicious of you.
- It is against the rules and there are serious penalties. People have been thrown out of college, lost jobs, and ruined their careers over cheating.
Consequences for Cheating or Plagiarism
7/8th Grade Consequences:
- The student will receive a zero for the homework or assessment. A student will not be allowed the opportunity for make-up of any kind.
- Teachers will notify parents/guardians of the offense.
- A conference may be held with the student, teacher and an administrator.
- Students will be required to attend an after school session on cheating and plagiarism.
5/6th Grade Consequences:
- Teachers will notify parents/guardians of the offense
- If a student has plagiarized, the teacher and or librarian will conference with the student. The student will be required to re-write the plagiarized portion. No academic penalty for 1st offense. 2nd offense will result in a zero on the homework or assessment.
- If a student has cheated, the student will be required to attend a lunch session on cheating. The student will receive a zero on the homework or assessment.
Yearbook Order Forms Going Home This Week
Fall Fun
Project 300- A Job Well Done!
I would like to thank the McCarthy & the entire Chelmsford Community for your support of Project 300. A special thanks to Mr. Sullivan and his Project 300 minions! This year's total was a shade under 24,00 food items! Incredible work. Congratulations to Mrs. Hill's homeroom who brought in the most items for the second year in a row! We were highlighted in a piece on NBC Boston 10 that aired Thanksgiving week.
Science Fair- Registration closes January 29
Science Fair Registration
January 9-29
It's time again to put on your lab coats and get out your test tubes! McCarthy Middle School Science & Engineering Fair takes place this year on February 5th! All students are invited to participate by exploring areas of interest and creating a project, doing an experiment, or presenting information about a topic of interest.
Registration is now open online and closes January 29! Don't miss out! Please note students can work individually or in groups of two or three, however EACH student must register separately.
Registration is online at: https://goo.gl/forms/iTih38RE6FhL0vxU2
If you have questions, please email Theresa at tbsevans@gmail.com. Science Fair Guidelines and Safety Rules are attached here.
STEM Fair
Positive Student Recognition
Positive Recognition Programs
We wanted to take this opportunity to share information regarding our positive recognition programs. This year we have continued to tweak these programs at McCarthy. Here is a description of our positive recognition programs:
Raffle Recognition- Each teacher has raffle tickets to be given to students (even students who they do not have in class) when they are caught being positive, doing the right thing, going above and beyond our behavioral expectations, etc. The student will drop the ticket off in their grade level jar in the office. Monthly, a drawing will be held so that students in each grade win something special. We will gladly accept any prize donations for this program (gift cards, movie passes, etc.) Examples of behaviors where students may be recognized include, but are not limited to:
- Helping someone at their locker
- Organizing something in class without being asked
- Asking a classmate to join the group was did not have a partner or group
- Basically, doing a random act of kindness when the opportunity presented itself
We feel focusing on the good decisions our students are making will have a positive influence on the behavior of the collective group. We have a group of teachers leading these initiatives. I want to recognize our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports) Committee for their work on this. It is so easy to get dragged down discussing and reprimanding students making poor decisions while the students doing the right thing receive much less attention. The research is showing focusing on the positive behaviors of students can have a positive effect on the behavior of all students. It is also much more uplifting for the adults as well.
Students of the Month
McCarthy's Got Spirit- Penny Wars & Spirit Week
Penny Wars
January 27- February 7
All money will be donated to:
Pete Frates 503 Foundation – to help families with a family member with ALS
Put pennies in your grade’s jug to earn points for your grade.
Put silver and bills in the other grade’s jugs
to deduct points from their grade.
Spirit Week
February 7- February 14
Friday, February 8: Kick it off the Friday before with twin day!!!! (Will not count for points)
Monday, February 10: PJ Day
Tuesday, February 11: Tropical Day *follow dress code no bathing suits (5th and 6th grade bring warm clothing to put on for recess)
Wednesday, February 12: Crazy Day
Thursday, February 13: Color Day
* 8th grade- black * 6th grade- white
* 7th grade- blue * 5th grade- red
* Staff color – maroon
Friday, February 14: Sports Day
Upcoming Events
January 28: Term 3 Starts
February 3: Report Cards available online
February 3: PTO Meeting
February 5: Science Fair
February 6: Grade 8 Parent Information Night at CHS
February 7-14: Spirit Week
February 12: Early Release Day
February 15-23: February Break
March 3: Early Release Day
March 4: PTO Meeting
March 6: Grade 7 Dance
March 20-21: McCarthy Musical
March 31: Band Concert at CHS PAC
McCarthy Middle School
Email: mcpheek@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Location: 250 North Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-251-5122