Eagles' Notes
Madras News: August 6, 2018, 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
Parent Letter Archives
Safety Letter (8-6-18)
Health Alert (8-6-18)
Open House Letter (8-7-18)
Welcome to Madras Middle School!
Lorraine Johnson, Principal
On behalf of the staff at Madras Middle School, I would like to welcome our new and returning students and families to the 2018-2019 school year. As a Georgia Distinguished School, we are proud of our school's successes and are looking forward to another productive year of learning and growing together.
We are committed to our mission, "Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day," and we believe a team approach is critical to the success of every student. Our teachers, support staff, parents, and students are all a valuable part of the team, and we are dedicated to working with all families to assure every student feels valued, has a place to belong, and is challenged in a warm, welcoming, and safe environment. Our theme this year is "Eagles RISE by lifting others" which promotes kindness, empathy, and encouragement. We look forward to highlighting Eagles and staff throughout the year who are making a positive difference!
As part of our school’s ongoing efforts to help cultivate cooperative, responsible and respectful young adults, we use a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports system. PBIS is a team based, systematic approach in teaching behavior expectations throughout our school. It is based on a proactive model which teaches the behaviors, reinforces and recognizes students who are able to model these behaviors and has systems in place to support students who have a difficult time or who may present more challenging behaviors.
Established in 2015 Madras Middle School’s Core Values, Eagles RISE (Respect, Integrity, Safety, Empathy) guide how we teach and learn, connect and collaborate, engage and achieve. More importantly, these values are a road map for every member of the Madras community, staff and student, to be our best selves.
We hope you’ll take advantage of all the ways to connect with our school community such as our e-announcements (Eagle Notes), text reminders via Remind, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Parent and Student Portals, and the Madras website. This first edition of Eagle Notes includes important information to assist you with the start of a new school year.
We had a wonderful Open House and first day of school and are off to a terrific start! We are looking forward to partnering with our families to make this the best year ever. Please contact me if you have questions, concerns, suggestions, input, or if you simply have good news to share. We love celebrating our students' successes both inside and outside of the classroom!
First Day Informational Packets
Parents received a packet of information on the first day of school. Several forms will need to be returned to your child’s homeroom teacher as soon as possible including 1-7 below.
- Clinic Card (white)
- Emergency Information Card (green)
- Truancy/Attendance Form
- Media Release Form
- Migrant Form
- Free/Reduced Lunch Form if needed (Please return any blank, unused forms.)
- Club/Activity Form (ONLY if you do not want your child to participate in a particular club; no need to return otherwise)
- Parent Communication Information (no need to return)
- Additional informational letters (no need to return)
Transportation
Bus Transportation
Students are assigned to ride school buses that will pick them up and drop them off in close proximity of their homes.
Bus transportation is a privilege provided to all students who can cooperate and abide by the rules. Problems on a school bus are a road hazard; reasonable behavior ensures a safe ride. Parents should closely supervise children at bus stops to ensure their safety as they wait and properly board the school bus.
If a student needs to ride a bus other than the assigned bus, the student must bring a note from the parent/guardian with a telephone number for verification. Transportation notes will be accepted in the form of a written letter, an e-mail, or by fax.
Students do not need a transportation note to change from a car rider to a bus rider or vice versa on a given day. Notes are only needed if a students are riding a bus that is not their regular assigned bus (for example, going home with a friend on a different bus).
Arrival and Dismissal
No student should arrive on campus before 7:30 a.m. Students arriving before 8:00 a.m. will report to the gym until they are told to report to homeroom at 8:00 a.m. (At 7:45 students who would like to eat breakfast will report the cafeteria.) Students who are not bus riders are encouraged to report to school after 8:00 a.m. and report directly to their homerooms. Students may not remain at school after scheduled dismissal time unless they have prior approval from a staff member who will supervise them or they are a member of a club, athletic team, etc. sponsored by the school. Supervision will only be provided from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.
Dropping Off Items for Your Child During the School Day
Dropping off Lunches or Medication: If a student forgets a lunch at home, parents may drop it off at the front office, and students will be called to pick up their lunch at the beginning of their scheduled lunch time. If a student needs medication, it can be dropped off at any time for the school nurse.
Dropping off Other Items:
Any other item dropped off for students during the school day may be picked up after school. Instruction will not be interrupted for students to pick up items during class. This includes forgotten homework, Chromebooks, shoes for PE, projects, etc. Students are responsible for bringing needed materials to class daily. If these items are brought to school during the day, we are happy to make an announcement at the end of the day for your child to pick them up in the front office.
Phone Use: Students are permitted to use a phone in the front office during school hours for emergencies or for illness. Calling home for homework, a school project, or to make arrangements to attend an after school event that wasn't previously arranged ties up phone lines and is not permitted. Students may call home if:
- There is a transportation issue,
- Lunch or lunch money is needed,
- Equipment is needed for after school athletics or activity.
- There is a dress code issue.
- The student is sick or needs medication (must call from the clinic under the nurse's supervision).
We appreciate your help in keeping interruptions to a minimum.
School Clinic and Medication
Medication
The MMS clinic is open daily from 8:00-3:30. Our school nurse Kate Caswell assists students who become sick or injured while at school and dispenses medications prescribed by physicians. Whenever it is necessary for your child to receive medication at school, the following policy must be followed:
- A school nurse or school designee may administer medication provided all of the requirements are met.
- All medicine shall be in its original LABELED container or prescription bottle.
- Written instructions for prescription medication must be from a doctor or a physician's assistant authorized to prescribe medicine. How to administer, amount to be administered, time to be administered, etc., must be shown.
- A written request by the parent or guardian must be made to the school nurse or school designee to administer any medication. The school nurse or school designee shall keep a written
Monitoring Grades, Assignments, Attendance
Student Portal
Students will be assigned a login for Student Portal which will allow them to regularly monitor their grades and assignments. Once logged on the first time, they will be prompted to change their password. Students should keep this in a secure location and should never share the password with others.
Parent Portal
Parent Portal provides access for parents to view students' attendance, grades, schedules, lunch balances, and other useful information. It also allows teachers to communicate with parents via the portal. You can enroll HERE, If you have questions about your portal account or are having trouble logging in, please contact Student Information Services by emailing infinitecampusportal@cowetaschools.net.
MealPay Plus
Parents can use their credit cards and debit cards to pay for lunch charges. MealPay Plus is a pre-payment system that allows parents to make deposits into their child's meal accounts via the Web. The payment service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is a one-time, free registration for each parent and multiple children at various schools can be accommodated. Payments may be made by phone or over the Internet, with checking or savings accounts through an e-check, or by using debit or credit cards. (There is a 4.75 percent transaction fee for the service.)
Of course, parents may continue to pay for their child's meal directly at school in the lunch line by check or cash. The cost of breakfast is $1.00 and the cost of lunch is $3.00. Students may charge up to two lunches. Afterwards, they will be served an alternate meal until their balance is paid. Please contact cafeteria manager, Frances Singleton at 770-254-2744 if you have questions.
Free and Reduced Online Application
August is REACH Referral Month (Gifted Program)
The first semester window for Gifted Program (REACH) referrals is August 3 - September 20th. Paperwork should be requested from and returned to the local school. Please see additional information below and contact Dr. Donna Eskut, assistant principal, at 770-254-2744 if you have questions about the process or the program.
Types of Referrals
- Reported Referral: ​A student may be referred for consideration for gifted education services by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents or guardians, peers, self, and other individuals with knowledge of the student’s abilities.
- Automatic Referral: ​Students who score at the following specified levels on a norm referenced test, as defined by the GaDOE Resource Manual for gifted Education Services, shall be considered automatically for further assessment to determine eligibility for gifted program services.
Chromebooks
Every new Coweta County student will receive a Chromebook and charger that will be scanned into our system, and returning students will use the Chromebook they were assigned last year. Students who kept Chromebooks last summer should bring their charged Chromebooks to school beginning Monday, and students who returned theirs to their respective schools at the end of the school year will receive theirs this week. Our students use their Chromebooks daily, and they they should be taken home and charged every night and brought to school with them each day.
We are excited about this opportunity provided to all of our students, and we encourage parents to regularly review guidelines for protecting their devices with their students. Protective cases are encouraged but not required, but we do encourage all students to have some type of protection as a safeguard. This could include a protective case, a neoprene cover or carrying case. Book bags (unless they have a built-in compartment for a device) are not always the best method to transport a Chromebook. If using a book bag, students should be careful not to sling their bags or stuff a Chromebook between heavier items that could damage it.
Replacement fee for lost or damaged Chromebooks is $148.00, and the replacement fee for the charging cord is $45.00.
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!
Madras Parent Volunteer Training
- August 20, 8:30 a.m.
- August 20, 2:45 p.m.
- August 27, 8:30 a.m.
- August 27, 2:45 p.m.
- September 10, 8:30 a.m.
- September 10, 2:45 p.m.
- October 15, 8:30 a.m.
- October 15, 2:45 p.m.
Grade Level Orientations
We would like to extend an invitation to you and your child to attend Madras Middle School’s grade level Open House and Orientation on the following dates:
- Sixth Grade Parents: Thursday, August 16th at 6:30 p.m.
- Seventh Grade Parents: Wednesday, August 15th at 6:30 p.m.
- Eighth Grade Parents: Monday, August 13th at 6:30 p.m.
We ask that guests please park in the parking lot on the right hand side of the school. Front doors and side doors will open at 6:20, and staff members will be in the hallways to help direct you.
Our annual Open House is a time for teachers to explain their policies and curriculum. Should you have further questions or concerns, you may contact our counselors to set up an appointment. We are looking forward to a wonderful year and hope to see you soon.
Lady Eagles Take on the Cougars in Our Home Opener August 20th
Football Home Opener is Tuesday, August 21st
Happy Faces Are Ready for a New Year!
Thank You, Parents, for the Welcome Back Luncheon!
Madras Eagles, We RISE By Lifting Others!
Upcoming Weeks at a Glance
Monday, August 6
- Football Tryouts, 3:30-5:30
- Pep Squad Practice, 3:30-5:00
- Volleyball Tryouts, 3:30-5:15
Tuesday, August 7
- Football Tryouts, 3:30-5:30
- Pep Squad Practice, 3:30-5:00
- Volleyball Tryouts, 3:30-5:15
Wednesday, August 8
- Football Practice, 3:30-5:30
- Volleyball Tryouts, 3:30-5:15
Thursday, August 9
- Football Practice, 3:30-5:30
- Pep Squad Practice, 3:30-4:30
Friday, August 10
- TMX Rehearsal, 3:30-5:30
- TMX Uniform Fitting and Picnic, 5:30-7:00
Monday, August 13
- 8th Grade Choral Meeting for New Students/Parents, chorus room, 6 p.m.
- Jr. Beta Meeting for Prospective New Members (3:30-4:15)
- Football Practice, 3:30-5:30
- Eighth Grade Orientation, 6:30
- Pep Squad Practice, 3:30-5:00
Tuesday, August 14
- Academic Bowl Tryouts
- CCSS Board Meeting
- Football: Madras at Arnall, 5 pm
Wednesday, August 15
- 7th Grade Choral Meeting for New Students/Parents, chorus room, 6 p.m.
- Football Practice, 3:30-5:30
- Seventh Grade Orientation, 6:30
Thursday, August 16
- 6th Grade Choral Meeting for New Students/Parents, chorus room, 6 p.m.
- Football Practice, 3:30-5:30
- Sixth Grade Orientation, 6:30 pm
- Pep Squad Practice, 3:30-4:30
Friday, August 17
- TMX Rehearsal, 3:30-5:30
- Academic Bowl Parent Meeting
Madras Eagles Sky Zone Spirit Night
Thursday, Aug 23, 2018, 04:00 PM
1098 Bullsboro Drive, Newnan, GA, USA
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