Eagles' Notes
Madras News: January 14, 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
Coming Soon....Genrefication!
In our Madras Library Media Center, we have begun the process of genrefication of our fiction section. Genrefication is defined as "the process of classifying literature or other such mediums into specific genres or categories." We feel that the majority of our student patrons locate books by browsing our shelves. Traditionally, our students have only been able to browse by author. This is often confusing and difficult for many of our students. Additionally, many of our bookstores are shelving by this system. So, by shelving fiction collections using genres, our students may have an easier time locating materials that interest them since similar materials will be shelved together. This may also help to reduce information overload and ease the frustration levels of our students since they can browse smaller sections at one time. We feel that this will help to empower our users, increase our circulation, and therefore improve overall reading. We recently surveyed the majority of our students and overwhelmingly, they were in favor of changing the fiction collection into categories. Therefore, we have decided on ten different genres and have begun labeling books into those categories. The categories are as follows: Adventure, Classics, Fantasy, Graphic, Historical, Humor, Mystery, Realistic, Romance, Science, and Sports. Once all books have been researched and labeled, we will move them into the appropriate sections. A big thank you to our parent volunteers and Library Club helpers who have been instrumental in helping us to begin the work on this massive project.
8th Grade College and Career Academy Registration for 7th Graders
We are excited to announce an innovative opportunity for your seventh grader! The Coweta County 8th Grade Charter College & Career Academy (Eighth Grade Academy) will open enrollment for the 2019 - 2020 school year for 120 middle school students from Coweta County middle schools. This program is located at the Central Educational Center (CEC) and operated by the Coweta County School System. Eighth Grade Academy offers all the academic rigor of a regular 8th grade middle school curriculum as well as a daily 75-minute career elective (connection) class. This extended career elective time gives your student an opportunity to explore robotics, graphics, web design, broadcasting and other exciting programs. There are four opportunities to earn high school credit in the following classes: Civics, Health and PF, Healthcare and Aviation. Eighth Grade Academy students spend the entire school day at CEC. However, they are encouraged to connect with their base (home) middle schools through participation in sports, clubs and other activities.
Madras seventh graders will have an opportunity to visit on the College and Career Academy at the CEC in Newnan on Tuesday, January 15th to learn more about the program. Letters and brochures with additional information regarding registraton and the lottery process are being sent home with students on Monday and can be viewed below.
Field Trip Letter and Academy Brochure
Frequently Asked Questions about 8th Grade Academy
- What is the daily schedule at 8th Grade Academy? Arrival is 7:30-8:00 am. From 8:05- 8:35: Reading Across the Curriculum; 8:35-9:40: First Academic; 9:40-11:05: Career Elective (Connection); 11:05-12:45: Second Academic and Lunch; 12:45 -1:50: Third Academic; 1:55-3:00: Fourth Academic; 3:00 p.m. Pick up/return to base (home) middle school for clubs and/or sports if desired.
- Will transportation be provided to and from school? No, parents must provide transportation to and from 8th Grade Academy.
- How many career electives (connections) classes can my student explore? Students may explore up to four career electives during the year. They will have one career elective each nine-week grading period. Introduction to Healthcare, Fundamentals of Aerospace, and Health/Personal Fitness are eighteen-week courses offered to 8th graders for high school credit. Therefore, if students are assigned one of these courses, they will have three electives during the entire school year.
- Mark Whitlock, CEO mark.whitlock@cowetaschools.net 678-423-2009
- Dr. Dawn Revere, Counselor dawn.revere@cowetaschools.net 678-423-2000, ext. 292
- Mark Ballou, Principal mark.ballou@cowetaschools.net 678-423-2000, ext. 334
Career Expo for Eighth Graders is January 23rd
Dear Eighth Grade Parents,
All CCSS middle school eighth graders are invited to attend the Coweta Works Career Expo January 23 and 24 (Madras Middle School eighth graders were invited to attend the 23rd from 10:30-12:00).
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 for the 1 ½ hour session on the 23rd, and students will return to Madras by 12:30 and will eat lunch before reporting to their afternoon classes.
Permission forms will go home with students on Monday (1/7). Please sign the attached 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.
Please contact the school if you have any questions.
Reminders for Severe Weather Procedures
During the winter season we want to remind parents and the community of the procedures that schools and the school system follow in the event of severe weather.
During severe weather watches or warnings, the district works with local authorities to monitor developing conditions and proceeds with arrival and dismissal based upon known conditions. Adjustments are made as needed.
In the event that schools are delayed, closed or released early, there are a variety of ways the school system notifies parents, including:
Automated phone call (OneCallNow)
Media outlets (television, radio and media websites)
District & school websites (www.cowetaschools.net) (www.cowetaschools.net/mms)
School Texts (Sign up clicking here.)
School Email (Sign up by clicking here.)
Twitter (@Madras Eagles; @RainyJohnson @CowetaSchools)
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/MadrasEagles)
Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/MadrasEagles)
Parents are urged to make sure that their child’s school has their latest contact information, including new phone numbers, so that they can be contacted during such events.
In the event of severe weather, a determination will be made each day on whether to close or delay school, or continue school closure, based on anticipated travel conditions and other factors. Once a determination is made, the school system will notify parents and the community about the next day’s status.
The school system tries to make such determinations in as timely a manner as possible. But storm severity, weather arrival and anticipated travel conditions constantly change and can be difficult to assess. If the school system cannot make a final determination on the evening before a school day, a final determination early the following morning is necessary.
Notices are typically placed on the system’s website (cowetaschools.net) if the school system is continuing to evaluate conditions, or if normal school operations are anticipated. The school system will notify parents immediately by phone call, text or email, media notice and other means if a determination to close or delay school is made.
In the event of a school delay, the system will notify parents of the length of the delay. For a delay of two hours, for example, parents and students should assume that all normal school procedures are delayed two hours – bus pick-up is two hours from usual times (at 9:00 or 9:30 a.m., for example), and classes will start two hours later (at 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 a.m.). In such cases, however, school dismissal times would remain the same (2:30 and 3:30 p.m.).
Other weather-related contingencies or tips include:
Parents of bus riders should also be aware that extremely cold morning temperatures can cause delays on morning routes. A severe storm watch may also cause delays. Our transportation department works to pick up students as quickly as possible during these conditions.
In the case of tornado warnings, we re-route buses to the nearest school sites and shelter in place. We also utilize fire stations, if needed. Once a tornado warning has been lifted, and conditions are safe, we will resume bus service.
Steps you can take include ensuring your children are dressed as warmly as possible during the winter months and remaining with your children until they are picked up when extreme weather conditions exist.
In the event of school closure, schools often employ a number of resources through which parents or students can stay abreast of school work and assignments, including Remind texts from teachers, Google Classroom, class websites, or online quizzes assigned by teachers.
It is important that your child’s school has your current emergency contact information, including home and work phone numbers for our calling system. Please take the time to update that information with your child’s school if needed.
The Flu Season is Here
It is currently influenza (‘flu”) season and Georgia and the United States are experiencing very high 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.
https://dph.georgia.gov/public-health-districts https://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/index.htm https://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/guidance.htm https://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/cleaning.htm
Yearbooks Are on Sale
Yearbooks for the 2018-2019 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 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 29 – February 22
- $50.00 – February 23 – last day of school
Last Day to Order 8th Grade Yearbook Ads: January 21st
6th and 8th Scoliosis Screening is February 5th
From Nurse Kate Caswell
Dear Parent/Guardian,
On Tuesday, February 5, 2019, Madras Middle School will conduct a scoliosis screening (grades 6 and 8) to identify students with signs of abnormal curvature of the spine. Two out of every 100 children may have scoliosis, but if this condition is detected early and is appropriately treated, progressive spine deformity can usually be prevented. The procedure for screening is a simple test. The screener (nurse or trained Health/PE teacher) looks at the child’s back in the standing position and while bending forward. Boys and girls are screened separately. Girls should wear a bra, sports bra, or bathing suit under their clothes on the day of screening.
If your child has a suspected curvature, you will be notified and asked to take your child to your family physician or orthopedic doctor for further evaluation. If you do not want your child to be screened, please complete the requested information below and return it to the school; otherwise, no action is needed.
Important Message to our Remind Text Subscribers
Dear Parents,
We received the following email from Remind, the service that allows us to safely text staff and students at no cost.
We’re sorry to write with disappointing news. Recently, we learned that Verizon will be charging Remind a new fee that makes it impossible for us to continue supporting free text messaging for anyone who has Verizon Wireless as their phone carrier. Please read on for all the important details—we promise to keep this as short as we can.
How will this affect you?
Beginning January 28, 2019, the people in your classes who normally get your Remind messages as texts will no longer receive these messages if they have Verizon Wireless as their phone carrier.
What can you do?
To make sure people in your classes continue receiving your messages, ask them to download the mobile app or enable email notifications—both of which are free of charge. Our team’s also working hard on a solution that allows your classes to continue to use Remind by text, and we’ll share more details with you before January 28.
We are hoping this will be resolved with Verizon before January 28th, but if not, the company gives two options above that permit our subscribers to continue to receive texts from the school and staff. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Senator Matt Brass Speaks to Civics Class
Madras Career Day 2019
Congratulations, Noah Watson, 2019 Madras Spelling Bee Champ! Samuel Quinn, Runner-Up
The Eagles Will Host Two Games This Week
The Eagles have two home basketball games this week. The first is Tuesday afternoon (January 15th) vs. the Lee Timberwolves and the next is Thursday (January 17th) vs. the East Coweta Indians. The Lady Eagles play at 4:30, and the boys' team plays following the conclusion of the girls' game. 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 6:45 behind the school at the football field. (No pick-ups in front of the school.) Go, Eagles!
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)
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