The Weekly Buzz
A Weekly Newsletter from Corner Middle School
Volume I, Issue 7: October 13, 2019
My Why . . .
Check the gallery below to learn the "whys' of a few of our staff members. If you are a Twitter user, you can also check out some regular examples of #mywhy at our Twitter page @CornerMiddle. We have enjoyed sharing everyone's why over the past month and look forward to demonstrating those whys through the course of the year!
Attendance Matters
Parents and guardians, the state report cards come out at the end of the month giving our school an A to F grade. One of the factors that hampers our "grade" each year is our student attendance. We ask that you encourage your students to be at school daily. While we understand there is illness, deaths in families, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and family obligations, we ask that you please try to have your students at school regularly.
A student receives SEVEN absences each year that a parent may use for any reason and write a parent note excusing the absence that allows a student to make up missed work or tests. After those seven, a doctor's note is required.
Each week through the end of the year in The Weekly Buzz, we will post updated attendance data. In the table below, you will see the number of students who are already at-risk of being chronically absent. In addition, one of the attendance issues we hope to work on is the number of students who are late to school each day. School begins at 7:55. Please try to have your students in the building by 7:50 so they will have time to go to the locker and settle in for the day. The doors open each day at 7:20.
Thank you for helping us help your student by having them at school and at school on time each day!
Individual Data Folders
Corner Middle School Yearbook Information
Two CMS Instrumentalists Selected to All-County Band
These students will be going to Gardendale in November to put on a concert with the other band Jefcoed band members that were selected.
- 11/13 - rehearsal at Gardendale HS, 9:00-5:00
- 11/14 - rehearsal at Gardendale HS, 9:00-4:30
- 11/14 - Jefcoed Instrumental Music Showcase at Gardendale HS, 7:00
The CMS Band is led by Debra Saunders. Congratulations, Layton and James on this outstanding honor!
CMS Cross Country Team ends season in county meet
The girls' team finished second in the county, while the boys placed third in the event. Daven Lee had the best time for the boys placing 3rd individually.
The Cross Country Team, coached by Addie Williams and Clarissa McCarty is made up of . . .
Jack Aaron
Emily Blackwell
Olivia Bowman
Luke Cupps
Abbie Dodd
Mason Dougherty
Kaitlyn Hopkins
Daven Lee
Mai Martin
Ryan McNiese
Stanton Miller
Brandon Murphree
Chloe Murray
Emily Pearl
Owen Perkins
Sammy Reeser
Ray Sides
Ava Tolbert
Kali Ward
Thoughts from the Principal . . .
When Mrs. McAlister asked for a photograph to accompany "My Why" that will go into the hall, I knew it could not be a picture of me. After all, who wants to see a picture of the principal hanging in the hall. I want people to stop and read "My Why." (That's why I chose the guy that played Superman.) In the last several weeks of The Weekly Buzz, we have shared all of our "whys" since many readers will not get to stop by the school learn about why we do what we do. So here is what I wrote (and I hope it is what I have honestly lived).
From my first day of teaching, "My Why" has always been to love my students, do my very best to teach them how to be a success in school and in life, and to do whatever it takes to help each of them achieve his or her potential. Nothing has changed in thirty years. It is my honor and privilege to be able to do this now in the community in which I was raised, in the very school I attended, and in the place I will always call home. "My Why" will continue to be the students in the community of Corner!
Sometimes I (and I know most of my educational colleagues feel very much the same way), feel like I have failed to live up to that "why" with each student I have come in contact with over my career. Time moves so quickly and I get to be such a small part of those students' educational journeys. I, however, have the rare opportunity to see many of my "grandkids" now. Those are the children of students I have taught and served as an administrator. I get to see some fruits of the labor in the community, on social media, and day-to-day in the school.
People, there is no greater job on the planet than being a teacher. Don't let the media fool you. Don't let disgruntled individuals or folks who have lost their passion taint your thoughts. Teaching is the most wonderful career! It is not for the faint of heart. It is not for people looking for something to fall back on. It is for people who are PASSIONATE about growing young people and changing lives.
I leave you with this thought. I hear all of the time how hard it must be to work with young people today. Students across time have had struggles, learning disabilities, health issues, problems at home, and behavioral issues. Kids haven't changed, Corner community. Adults have. We have created, permitted, and nurtured the very environments, situations, standards, and practices that have led us to believe there are problems with our young folks. We continue to move the line . . . blur the line . . . even erase the line between adolescence and adulthood.
I encourage you to look out for our CMS Connects in the coming months where we touch on topics and methods to not only better help our students, but to help us reflect as adults on what we can better do to assure our students' opportunities for success.
Quote of the Week . . .
--H. Ross Perot--
Video of the Week . . .
Calendar for the Week
Homecoming Pep Rally
Monday, Oct 14, 2019, 01:45 PM
Corner Middle School, Corner School Road, Warrior, AL, USA
Drama Club Practice
Monday, Oct 14, 2019, 03:00 PM
Corner Middle School, Corner School Road, Warrior, AL, USA
Oakman at CMS Football
Monday, Oct 14, 2019, 05:30 PM
Corner Middle School, Corner School Road, Warrior, AL, USA
CMS Organization Practices
Debate in Mrs. Boyd's room.
CMS Cheer in gym
Tuesday, Oct 15, 2019, 03:00 PM
Corner Middle School, Corner School Road, Warrior, AL, USA
CMS Homecoming Dance
Tuesday, Oct 15, 2019, 05:30 PM
Corner Middle School, Corner School Road, Warrior, AL, USA
First Priority in the Library
Wednesday, Oct 16, 2019, 07:30 AM
Corner Middle School, Corner School Road, Warrior, AL, USA
CMS Cheer Practice
Wednesday, Oct 16, 2019, 03:00 PM
Corner Middle School, Corner School Road, Warrior, AL, USA
CMS Organization Practices
Debate in Mrs. Boyd's Room
Cheer in the gym
Thursday, Oct 17, 2019, 03:00 PM
Corner Middle School, Corner School Road, Warrior, AL, USA
CMS Cheer at Cowboys
Thursday, Oct 17, 2019, 05:00 PM
Gardendale Police Department, Decatur Highway, Gardendale, AL, USA
FBLA Meeting in Mrs. Wiley's Room
Friday, Oct 18, 2019, 07:30 AM
Corner Middle School, Corner School Road, Warrior, AL, USA
Kona Ice at CMS for Grades 7 & 8
Friday, Oct 18, 2019, 02:15 PM
Corner Middle School, Corner School Road, Warrior, AL, USA
CMS Cheer Practice
Sunday, Oct 20, 2019, 01:45 PM
Corner Middle School, Corner School Road, Warrior, AL, USA
Corner Middle School
The mission of Corner Middle School is to serve our community of learners by:
· Utilizing highly-effective instruction and a challenging curriculum.
· Meeting the needs of diverse learners in order to prepare them for college and entry into the work force.
· Partnering with the community.
· Cultivating student leaders.
· Integrating technology into all areas of learning.
Email: mmanning@jefcoed.com
Website: https://cornerms.jefcoed.com
Location: 10005 Corner School Road Warrior, AL 35180
Phone: (205) 379-3230
Facebook: facebook.com/CornerMS
Twitter: @CornerMiddle