Virtual Learning
Madras Middle School
Dear Parents & Students,
On behalf of the staff at Madras Middle School, I would like to welcome our new and returning students and families to the 2020-2021 school year. While we know this year looks different from any we've experienced before, we remain committed to our mission, "Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day," and are looking forward to another productive year of learning and growing together - whether from home or at school. This page is designed to keep the most important information you'll need to help you and your child as we begin the year digitally on August 13th.
In middle school we believe a team approach is important to the success of every student. Our students have all been scheduled with the team of teachers and students that they are assigned to for the year, so students who are at home learning can transition as seamlessly as possible when they return to campus..
While we are all 100% digital, the Empower students and students who will be face-to-face learners will follow the same schedule daily for online meetings with teachers. Below you will find steps to take to help make sure your child is connected to the three most important apps/sites needed for learning (Google, Clever, and Student Portal). Being connected ahead of time will ensure students are ready for the first day of school on August 13th.
Once in Google Classroom, teachers will provide all the information students need, including the code to use to join live class sessions along with a weekly digital folder that includes an instructional video (recording of class), accompanying instructional activities, due dates, and a scheduled time to connect with the teacher for extra assistance.
To allow families flexibility, Google Meet sessions will be recorded for students to review later if they are unable to attend at the scheduled time. There are no penalties or points deducted for not attending a Google Meet; however, it’s the student’s responsibility to attend or view all sessions, to complete assignments in a timely manner, and to follow up with teachers for help as needed. Teachers will communicate progress to parents along the way through Parent Portal, phone conferences and email, and parents should reach out to teachers, counselors, administrators, or support staff at any time for assistance.
When our students return to school, whether all face-to-face, or a hybrid model, the same format will continue for all online learners; however, the times of the live meetings will need to be adjusted slightly. The adjusted times will be sent to all students who are learning from home beforehand.
We have linked all documents that are in our first-day packets on this site (with the exception of clinic and emergency cards and anything specific to your child). We will communicate with you soon regarding the procedures to follow for information that needs to be returned.
Please make sure to connect with our school community by signing up for our e-news (Eagle Notes), text reminders via Remind, and Parent and Student Portals. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Our school’s website features regular updates including bus updates, club, fine arts, and athletic information, and our school’s year long calendar and upcoming events. Please note that we do not use social media as a primary means for two-way communication. It's used to communicate campus news and highlights and cannot be continually monitored. Please reach out to a teacher, administrator, or counselor via phone or email with specific questions so we can get back to you in a timely manner.
Again, we are here for our families, and we ask for your grace and understanding as we learn together. We will make continuous adjustments as needed and will work to ensure every student feels valued, has a place to belong, and is challenged in a warm, welcoming, and safe environment both online and at school.
We are looking forward to seeing our Eagles online this Thursday, August 13th at 8:30 (students will login to homerooms via Google Meet). Please contact me if you have questions or if I can help in any way. Together Eagles RISE as ONE!
Lorraine Johnson
Principal
Parents Steps to get started by completing these steps between now and Thursday.
- Teachers have informational packets to distribute to parents in the scheduled drive-thru times listed in the informational letter.
- Chromebooks for students new to CCSS will be distributed at that time.
Step 2 (Establish Parent Portal Account by August 13th)
- If you have not created a Parent Portal account, please click here, and follow the instructions. There is also a phone app that can be downloaded and used for your convenience. This will give you access to your student's progress throughout the year along with communication from your child's teachers.
Step 3 (Make Sure Your Child Can Log In to His/Her Google Account before August 13th)
- Students will need to be able to login to their Google accounts which will give them access to all of the Google apps they will need such as Gmail, Google Classroom, Google Meet (app used for online meetings with teacher), Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.
- Students will need to login in to and bookmark Clever. Once logged in and bookmarked, this app allows students into the programs they use without requiring a username and password for each individual site.
- Once students login to Student Portal in Infinite Campus, they will be able to check their grades along with notes and feedback from their teachers. They should sign in weekly to see their progress.
- Click for all student login instructions or here if you need assistance with login or Chromebooks. Students directions are also listed on their grade level schedules further down on this site.
- Sign up for Madras text alerts. (If you haven't already)
- Sign up for Madras E-News. (If you haven't already)
Step 5
- If your child is interested in taking BAND, CHORUS, or GUITAR this year (and wasn't enrolled last year), please register right away (no later than Wednesday, 8/12, at noon. Links are provided at the bottom of this newsletter.
On Tuesday, August 11th, teachers will provide families with first-day packets that will include important information for parents along with any materials needed to begin the school year. The pick up location is behind the school on the track (in the car rider line). If there is an extenuating circumstance and you cannot come during this time, please email your child’s homeroom teacher to let him/her know.
Sixth Grade Pick-Up Times: 8:30-10:30
Seventh Grade Pick-Up: 11:00-1:00
Eighth Grade Pick-Up: 1:30-3:30
Additional Student Resources
- How to login to Clever from Chromebook or Personal Computer
- Google Classroom Cheat Sheet
- Signing into Gmail from Home
- Meet Your Counselors
- Request to see a counselor.
- Connections/Cohort Rotation
- Supply List (Supplies include the basics you will need throughout the year.)
Parents will receive a packet of information in Tuesday's drive-thru. Several forms will need to be returned to your child’s homeroom teacher including 1-7 below. Procedures for returning signed information will be communicated soon.
Will Need to Be Returned
- Clinic Card (white)
- Emergency Information Card (green)
- Green Migrant Form (if applicable)
- Truancy/Attendance Form
- Media Consent Form
- Chromebook Agreement - Can complete online (sixth grade only)
- Any information specific to your child that requires a signature
Does Not Need to Be Returned
- Madras Chorus: Any student (not already enrolled) who would like to join chorus for the 2020-2021 year, can send Mrs. Erin Walton an email. Parents will need to register their child using the following form (deadline is August 12th). View Chorus Video ⁕ Chorus Registration
- Madras Band: Any student (not already enrolled) who would like to join band for the 2020-2021 year, can send Mr. John Williams an email. Parents should register using the following form (deadline is August 12th). View Band Video ⁕ Band Registration
- Madras Guitar: Students not currently enrolled who are wishing to register for guitar should email the director, Erin Randolph at erin.randolph@cowetaschools.net and parents will need to register student by August 12th. View Guitar Video ⁕ Guitar Registration
- Principal, Lorraine Johnson: lorraine.johnson@cowetaschools.net
- Assistant Principal (6th), Marius Truitt: marius.truitt@cowetaschools.net
- Assistant Principal (7th), Shirley Wold: shirley.wold@cowetaschools.net
- Assistant Principal (8th), Herbert Betts: herbert.betts@cowetaschools.net
- 504 Coordinator, Shirley Wold: shirley.wold@cowetaschools.net
- 6th and 7th Grade Counselor, Caroline Rothschild:
- 7th and 8th Grade Counselor, Kara Mawdesley: jocelyn.mawdesley@cowetaschools.net
- In-School SE Coordinator, Kip Durden: kip.durden@cowetaschools.net
- Gifted Lead Teacher, Peggy Davenport: margaret.davenport@cowetaschools.net
- Athletic Director, Herbert Betts: herbert.betts@cowetaschools.net
- Food Nutrition Services Manager, Frances Singleton: frances.singleton@cowetaschools.net
- Media Specialist, Karen Pitts (Chromebooks): karen.pitts@cowetaschools.net
Depending on evolving community conditions, Superintendent Horton has said that the transition back to in-school instruction may take a variety of approaches, including a full return or the interim use of a hybrid instructional approach as conditions require.
A hybrid approach, would divide students into half cohorts (by last name, for example) who could attend school on alternating days, in the building on half of the days and at home the other half. The approach would allow for greater social distancing, particularly in middle and high schools. While the approach could be used in elementary schools, Horton said the preference would be to return Kindergarten through 5th grade students back to school for daily face-to-face instruction as soon as conditions allow.
The school system is also continuing to follow guidance and refine the school system’s protocols for face-to face instruction, in an attempt to return to in-school instruction as quickly as possible. New protocols for the system include required face coverings for employees in instances where social distancing isn’t possible, and also for 2nd grade and older students on the school bus and where social distancing isn't possible in the in-school setting.
All CCSS students will be supported through virtual learning from August 13-September 4 with the hope of returning to face to face instruction in some form after Labor Day. Health data will be reassessed the last week of August to determine if safe for students to return.
Will my child receive a Chromebook?
Students new to Coweta County Schools can pick up additional information regarding student email access, Google Suite login and Infinite Campus access.
Will my students receive needed classroom materials?
Yes, on pick-up day (as applicable)
How will I get these materials?
Drop off times are for August 11th are listed above. If you are unable to pick up these items at the designated time, please email your child's homeroom teacher.
When will I know my child’s teacher and class schedule?
Homeroom teachers began calling parents Friday and will continue on Monday. If parents missed a call from the school, they can email the teacher directly for more information. Schedules can be viewed in Parent or Student Portal in Infinite Campus beginning Monday, August 10th at 5 pm.
What do I do if I don’t have Internet access?
Please reach out to your child’s school to share your needs by completing this form. (Our district has purchased WiFi hot spots.)
Will there still be athletics and/or extracurricular activities?
Currently, athletics and all middle school extracurricular activities have been postponed.
Food Services for Virtual Learners
Our school nutrition team is thrilled to continue providing assistance to our students in Coweta County as we transition to virtual learning on August 13, 2020.
Our mission is to create availability of meals to students during these unprecedented times.
The link below allows parents to sign-up for meal pick-up or meal delivery beginning Thursday, August 13 (This is the only week we will do a Thursday meal distribution as meal distribution will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays of each week).
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