Eagle Updates
April 22
6th Grade Orientation
This Thursday night at 6:00 pm is our upcoming 6th grade student orientation. Many of you have friends in our feeder area so please let them know that this is a night for them to meet our 6th grade teachers, administration, and tour the school. We will start in the gym and then dismiss to meet with the PTSO and teachers.
During the past two weeks our coucelors, administration, and teachers have gone over to meet our upcoming 6th graders and give them an introduction to middle school. We would also like to thank our PTSO for donating t-shirts for all of our future Madras Eagles.
HS Course offerings for upcoming 8th Graders
Dear Parents of Rising 8th Grade Students,
This upcoming acadmic year, Madras will offer two courses at the middle school for credit at the high school level. These courses meet the 9-12 grade Georgia Standards of Excellence and the Georgia Performance Stadards for Modern Languages and will be taught by high school and middle school certified teachers who whold a valikd 6-12 Georgia Professional Standards Commision certification in the subject area. These courses will follow Georgia course requirements as well as the associated End of Course Test or Student Learning Objective (SLO) requirements. This is a great opportunity for your student to earn high school credit at the middle school level.
At Madras we will offer Spanish 1 and American Government/Civics. These courses are year-long (two-semester courses during connections) offered for high school credit to 8th grade students. Enrollment is on a space-available basis (by lottery) and requires parental permission/approval. Middle school teachers, counselors, and administrtors will work collaborativley in identification of 8th grade students requesting enrollment who have demonstrated readiness for high school coursework and student requirements. You should know that once the student is enrolled, we will only honor parent requests for schedule changes before the end of the 1st 9 weeks. A student dropping out of a year-long class for high school credit and completing just one 9-week will recieve the graee earned up to that point. That students grade will be reflected on the students middle school reportcard as a regular middle school course.
High shcool level courses taken and passed in middle school will count toward the total units required to graduate from high school. The grade earned will poist to the transcript and become a part of the students overall GPA. However, as per current HOPE scholarship guidelines, this grade will not be used to calculate HOPE scholarship eligibility. Please become familar with HOPE guidelines and future HOPE changes so that you know how this might affect your child.
Again this is an opportunity for your child to earn high school credit during the 8th grade year. If you would like your student to be considered for enrollment in eith of these classes, you must submit a request by May 17th at https://forms.gle/CVaLSDDaRhuxWXjC8
Parents of students enrolled will be contactred via email (at the email address submitted via parent's online request) by the end of June.
A letter is being sent home with your student on April 26th.. If you have any questions please contact a Madras administrator.
Battle of the Books! Championship!
We would like to congratulate our school-wide winning team for this year's Battle of the Books competition. Our final round was held on Friday, March 1 and all three teams did a tremendous job answering the questions. Our school-wide winner this year is Mrs. Davenport's 7th grade team: Sydney Armstrong, Ada Bedingfield, Riley Gray and Lauren Watson. We would also like to thank our PTSO for all of their support of this program.
Summer School Information
The Coweta County Summer School is a fee-based program that allows students to take credit recovery classes to make up a previously faild class. Classes are open to all middle school students. Summer school is held from 8 am to noon, Monday through Friday, from June 3rd to June 28th. Registration links and more information is linked below. Before sigining up for classes please talk with your students team leader. Students who fail 2 or more classes must go to summer school in order to be promoted/placed into the next grade level.
Upcoming 9th Graders - This year the school system is offereing Health and Personal Fitness through edginuity this summer. Students will take the class online, and it counts as a high school credit. Please click the link below for information or contact our counselors or administration with questions.
Previous News for you
Parents as Partners
After Event Information
Reminder to sign up for Remind Texts!
Attendance
Regular attendance is crucial for academic success, as it allows students to fully engage with the curriculum and benefit from the learning experience.
At Madras Middle School we believe in fostering a strong partnership with parents to ensure the academic success and well-being of our students. Students who miss excessive days, are tardy or are checked out early routinely tend to have lower academic performance. We need your help and support to ensure that your student is at school on time and here for the school day so that we can work with them to support their academic success.
We have met with several students who have had excessive tardies and absences with some improvement. However, starting in January students who have excessive tardies or unexcused absences will have their parents called and consequences will be based on their tardies and unexcused absences. During this time students will be given the opportunity to make up the work that they missed for that time.
Safety Procedures/Drills
At our school, safety drills are an integral part of our commitment to student and school safety. Each month we conduct safety drills that cover various scenarios such as fire, tornado, severe weather, and lockdown situations. Through these drills, we aim to cultivate a culture of awarenes and readiness, so that everyone is equipped with the knowledge to respond calmly, quickly, and effectivly in the event of an emergency.
Missing Work
Chat GPT and other AI writing tools
Upcoming Dates
Please check the calendar for the most up-to-date information!
4/23 Seldon Field Event Qualifier BBMS
4/24 Art Club after School
4/25 Seldon Track Qualifier NGHS
4/25 Upcoming 6th Grade Orientation
4/26 Hoops for Heart
4/30 CCMSAL Track Finals ECHS
5/3 Ice Cream Floats for Madras Media Center
5/3 Band Concert Madras Gym
5/6 ELA part 1 Milestones
5/7 ELA part 2 Milesontes
5/8 ELA part 3 Miletsones
5/9 Math parts 1/2 Milestones
5/10 Beta/NJHS Induction 5:00 PM Madras Cafe
Battle of the Books
Academic Bowl Regular Season Champions
Career Readiness
This school year, we would like to help students focus on career readiness by helping them learn the important skills needed in the career world!
Let’s take a look at the ABCs to see which skills you can work on this school year to set yourself up for success!
Attitude: take responsibility, choose to feel positive and thankful, exercise self-control, feel respect for other people and things, think about how you can be helpful, try to complain less, be ready to learn
Behavior: jump in to help whenever there is a need, get enough sleep, show up on time and dress the part, think critically for solutions, don’t make excuses - just try again!
Communication: make eye contact and speak clearly, don’t interrupt others, give your full attention when you listen, use respectful language, take turns talking, think before you speak
Which one of these skills is already professional-level for you? Which skill can you practice to get better?
Caroline Rothschild
School Counselor for 6th grade and 7th grade Team Perseverance
caroline.rothschild@cowetaschools.net
Erin Nash
School Counselor for 8th grade and 7th grade Team Opportunity
Thank you!
Reading Tips for Parents (from Scholastic):
Provide access to audiobooks. Books on tape are an easy way to connect your child with the rhythms and pace of a story — and they’re surprisingly successful among this age group. Whether you’re heading on vacation or just back-and-forth to school, try listening to a book that appeals to everyone. Equip your child’s mobile device with an audiobook platform as well, so they can listen on their own time. Model reading. From birth, your child is modeling their behaviors after you. Your pre-teen will follow your reading habits (though they’ll never let you know it!). Let them see you reading, strike up a dialogue about what you’re reading, and share interesting passages with them. Allow and encourage kids to re-read their favorite books. Parents may be discouraged to see their child reading the same book over and over. In reality, they are reading for pleasure and likely picking up on new words and contexts with each read.
Monitoring Progress, Grades, Assignments, and 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, (directions) If you have questions about your portal account or are having trouble logging in, please contact Student Information Services by clicking this link Coweta Portal Assistance.
Remind Signup
To get the latest updates for Madras Middle School text: @madras2021 to the number 81010
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.
Student Cellphones and Electronics
Cell phones and Smartwatches may not be used during the instructional day and must be turned off and put away at all times. Teachers have cell phone caddies in their rooms, where students can place their phones, or they can keep them in their backpacks. Students are not permitted to have their cell phones or smartwatch on them at any time during the school day. Students found using a device, or with a device on them, will have that item collected and turned in to the front office for a cellphone violation. Parents will be contacted and progressive disciplinary measures will be taken if violations continue.
Students are permitted to use a phone in the front office during school hours for emergencies or for illness. Students should not use a cell phone or smartwatch to call home or text when sick. Any student who is ill should go through the Madras clinic. The school nurse will call parents directly. 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,
- 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.
Transportation
Car Riders
Car rider drop-off (after 7:30 AM) and pick-up is behind the school where students are picked up from athletic events (at the football field).
Parents should turn onto Frank Cook Road (first left past the school if coming down Edgeworth from highway 29).
Take the first left off Frank Cook from Edgeworth, and pass the bus loading loop and parking lot, continuing straight ahead and staying to the far right where the track loops around at the football field.
Cars will stop at the sidewalk by the football field until students are dismissed to the car.
Once students have been dismissed to the car loading zone, staff will direct traffic (two car lanes) farther down the track which will help expedite the process.
The loop in front of the school will be reserved for students who check-in or check-out during the school day.
Bus Transportation
Students are assigned to ride school buses that will pick them up and drop them off in close proximity to 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. Once verified, these requests are honored if space allows. Transportation notes will be accepted in the form of a written letter, an email, 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 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 7:30 students who would like to eat breakfast will report to 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.
All students should be in homeroom by 8:15.
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.
Transportation Changes
Transportation changes will not be accepted after 3:00 p.m. If no prior written notification is received, your child will follow his/her regular means of transportation. NOTE: Bus drivers may not let a child off the bus at any stop other than his own without written and approved authorization to do so.
Transportation changes can only be made for child-care reasons.
Please do not meet the bus along the route and ask your child to get off. Please meet him/her at home instead.
School Clinic and Medication
School Clinic and Medication
Nurse, Kate Caswell
Email: kate.caswell@cowetaschools.net
Clinic Hours: 8:00-3:30
MMS Clinic Web Page: (includes all clinic forms to download)
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. Any parent who needs to drop off medication can drop off medication in the front lobby of the school between 7:30 and 3:00 during the school day.
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.
Chromebook Reminder
- Principal, Herbert Betts: herbert.betts@cowetaschools.net
- Assistant Principal (6th/7th), Marius Truitt: marius.truitt@cowetaschools.net
- Assistant Principal (7th/8th), Erin Randolph: erin.randolph@cowetaschools.net
- 504 Coordinator, Erin Randolph: erin.randolph@cowetaschools.net
- 6th/7th Grade Counselor, Caroline Rothschild: caroline.rothschild@cowetaschools.net
- 7th/8th Grade Counselor, Erin Nash: erin.nash@cowetaschools.net
- School Nurse: Kate Caswell: kate.caswell@cowetaschools.net
- In-School SE Coordinator, Kip Durden: kip.durden@cowetaschools.net
- Gifted Lead Teacher, Peggy Davenport: margaret.davenport@cowetaschools.net
- ESOL Teacher, Meredith Clark: meredith.clark@cowetaschools.net
- Athletic Director, Erin Randolph: erin.randolph@cowetaschools.net
- Food Nutrition Manager, Stefanie Slayton: stefanie.slayton@cowetaschools.net
- Media Specialist, Karen Pitts (Chromebooks): karen.pitts@cowetaschools.net
- Secretary, Jennifer Ryan: jennifer.ryan@cowetaschools.net
- Attendance Clerk, Lynn Zaboth: lynn.zaboth@cowetaschools.net
- Registrar, Alecia Bruce: alecia.bruce@cowetaschools.net
- School Resource Officer, Andy Gore: andy.gore@cowetaschools.net
- MMS Transportation Contact, Erin Randolph: erin.randolph@cowetaschools.net
Madras Middle School
Email: herbert.betts@cowetaschools.net
Website: mms.cowetaschools.net
Location: 240 Edgeworth Road, Newnan, GA, USA
Phone: 770-254-2744
Facebook: facebook.com/MadrasEagles
Twitter: @MadrasEagles