McAnally Minute
March 8, 2024
Message from McAnally Leadership
HAPPY FRIDAY MMS!
We are so proud of how hard our students worked the past two weeks of benchmarks! Spring is HERE and the last cycle will fly by. There are tons of fun things in store and STAAR testing is right around the corner.
We hope everyone has an incredible, relaxing, and safe Spring Break. We will see students back on Tuesday, March 19th.
Looking Ahead
March 11-15th Spring Break
March 18th-Staff Work Day
- School Board Meeting
Tuesday, March 19th
- Students Return
- One Act Play Rehearsal
- Stuco Meeting
Wednesday- March 20th
Thursday-March 21st
- One Act Play Rehearsal
Friday-March 21
- Drama Club Game and Movie Night
If you need attendance recovery go to https://forms.gle/GRnRQGmUvr5V4eY19 for March Dates
Congrats to Ian Wade --Regional Spelling Bee
Huge congratulations to Ian Wade for making it to Round 8 in the Regional Spelling Bee Competition. He placed 13th out of 25 students. Way to go!
Choir UIL Results
Our girls choir earned sweepstakes. They received superior ratings in concert and in sight reading from all judges. Mrs. Hoffman could not be more proud of them!! Congratulations.
One of the judges wrote that they “ate and left no crumbs!”
In-n-Out Fundraiser
We are excited to announce in-n-out is coming to MMS on May 7th from 5-7 pm. Ticket sales will begin on March 19th.
You must purchase a ticket for each meal. This is a family event, so all are welcome! Tickets sales will end on April 26th. If purchased on in-touch, tickets can be picked up in the front office with Ms. Sorrell. If you prefer, tickets will also be available for purchase in the office.
All proceeds will help fund our Bearcat Palooza for all MMS students to celebrate the end of the year!
MMS UIL Students! 🏆
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
MMS Sixth-Graders:
- 1st Place, Science: Noah Jeter
- 1st Place, Chess: Armando Villegas
- 1st Place, Spelling: Clara Bellamy
- 1st Place, Mathematics: Armando Villegas
- 1st Place, Oral Reading: Teagan Batten
- 1st Place, Social Studies: Syed Jaffery
- 1st Place, Modern Oratory: Marley Hampton
MMS Seventh-Graders:
- 1st Place, Spelling: Seth Green
- 1st Place, Art History: Camille Crowe
MMS Eight-Grader:
- 1st Place, Modern Oratory: Marion Robbins
- 1st Place, Art History: Sydney Purdon
- 1st Place, Chess Puzzle: Emma Hankins
- 1st Place, Social Studies: Emma Hankins
- 1st Place, Spelling: Ian Wade
- 1st Place, Number Sense: Ian Wade
McAnally's Got Talent
Students, do you something to do over Spring Break? How about fine tuning your special talent and sending an audition video in to participate in McAnally's Got Talent!? Deadline to submit is April 12th!
Colorguard Tryouts!
CLASS OF 2028 IMPORTANT INFO*
Pure Truth Lessons Coming Soon!
Dear 8th Grade Parents,
Aledo ISD is utilizing the “Pure Truth” curriculum in 8th Grade Health classes during the 2023-2024 school year. Pure Truth is a program of Grace House ministries that provides an 8 lesson values-based risk awareness and avoidance program. The purpose of this course is to equip students with truth and knowledge thereby increasing their ability to make healthy and informed decisions regarding the topics outlined in the form. The more awareness students have on these topics the more prepared they will be to avoid such situations. Please initial next to each lesson to approve your child’s participation.
As always, parental involvement is vital for teens having a successful future. If you have questions about the curriculum please contact us.
Below is an opt-in permission form. Your child must have permission in order to participate in the lessons. If you DO wish for your child to participate in this program you must complete this form by Friday, March 15th.
Permission Form Link: https://forms.gle/bQ7Q7qrayoTFBGcT6
The “Pure Truth” program is scheduled for the following dates: March 19th-22nd & 25th- 28th during your child’s regular health class period.
For information on our curriculum sources and instructors, see our website: www.ThePureTruth.net/parents
If you are interested in previewing any of the Pure Truth curriculum, please contact Rebecca Ponder (rponder@aledoisd.org) to schedule a time to preview the curriculum binder.
*Counselor Corner*
Course Request Changes
Course request changes for the 2024-2025 school year will need to be submitted in writing using the following google form. Course request change requests can be made until May 23rd!
Need to see the counselor? Here is the link to the counselor request form!
6th Grade Counselor- Trisha Huffman
7th Grade Counselor- Lacey McBride
8th Grade Counselor- Rebecca Ponder
Advocats Glow Run 1k/5k
Saturday March 23rd @ 7:15
Here is the link for the registration: https://thedriven.net/event-registration/site.event_reg/eid/42523134578?&
MMS Dance
Text @024025 to 81010 or put in their Remind app to join the tryout Remind!
MMS Cheer
Phones/Smart Watches 📱
For safety purposes, the district permits students to possess personal mobile telephones; however, these devices must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all testing, unless they are being used for approved instructional purposes.
The use of mobile telephones or any device capable of capturing images is strictly prohibited in locker rooms or restroom areas while at school or at a school-related or school-sponsored event.
If a student uses a telecommunications device without authorization during the school day, the device will be confiscated. This includes devices such as wireless headphones, smart watches, etc. Students will not be allowed to retrieve confiscated devices until the end of the school day. The first offense is a “warning”, but after the first offense, there will be a $15 fee to retrieve the device. Confiscated devices will be stored in the MMS front office.
8th Grade Field Trip --MAIN EVENT
8th grade will travel to Main Event on Monday, May 20, 2024. The cost of the trip is $30.00. Please have your student complete the student contract, permission, and payment. Beginning February 12th, you may make your payment via InTouch (online) or send in cash/check, made payable to McAnally Middle School to be turned in no later than MIDNIGHT on Friday, April 19, 2024.
Field trip forms will go home Monday, February 12th to students. There will be extras in the main office. Please return forms to Mrs. Cawthon (secretary) or Dr. Snyder (AP) by March 8th, 2024.
All information can be found HERE! --this includes directions on how to pay on InTouch.
Attendance Recovery Make Up
Parents, if your child has lost credit due to the "90% rule" or they require seat time for attendance, they will receive a letter next week from their administrator. In addition, you will receive a blackboard message.
In addition, 8th grade parents--it is imperative that your child makes up any hours that apply to a high school level course or they will not receive that credit.
Texas state law requires a student to be in attendance at least 90 percent of the days a class is offered to receive credit. According to our attendance records, your student has exceeded the 10 percent absence allowance in one or more classes. As a result, make-up instructional time is required to receive credit. Make-up time is one to one The following is a list of ways to make up time beginning in February.
Attend makeup before school in the ISS room Wed/Thursday from 7:10-8:10
Attend makeup after school in the ISS room Mon/Wed/Thursday from 4:15-5:15
Attend tutorials with an academic teacher for 30 minutes (8:00-8:30AM).
Saturday makeup time only available Saturday ( March 2, March 23 from 9am-12pm)
All make-up time must be documented in the chart below by the appropriate staff member.
Time spent during Extra-Curricular activities (Athletics, Band, Choir, Trainer, Yearbook, etc.) may not contribute to time made up for academic courses.
Documented time must be turned in to your grade level AP by the due date listed below.
If you have any questions, please contact 817-441-8347.
Students must sign up ONE week in advance!!
March Dates:
https://forms.gle/jzWdBmdACrvVP55d8
Spring Testing Dates
Friendly Reminder
No deliveries are permitted here at MMS from door dash, uber eats, grub hub, or other delivery services. Thank you for your understanding.
Chromebook Assistance? Imperative Laptop Information 💻
Need chromebook assistance?
Mr. Jeff Bobbitt will be available on campus on Mondays from 10:30-12:00 and on Wednesday's from 8:30-10:00 to help your student with any chromebook questions or technical assistance.
Attendance & Bearcat Clinics
We want to send a few reminders about attendance and absences as we start the second semester:
Attendance times for our campuses are 9:30 a.m. for all elementary schools and 9:45 a.m. for all secondary campuses (AMS, MMS, DNG, AHS, ALC).
Note that attendance is taken during each class for students in 6th-12th grades as students are required by law to attend 90% of each class to receive credit.
In the event of an absence, we very strongly encourage you to submit a doctor’s note as quickly as possible, preferably within five days of the absence. This prompt response assists with our reporting and the workload of our PEIMS clerks as well as ensures accurate attendance information for your student. However, we will accept a doctor’s note beyond the five days until the end of the school year.
If a student leaves for a doctor appointment and only misses a portion of the day, then they are not considered absent for that day when you submit a doctor's note.
Finally, don’t forget that the Aledo ISD + Parker County Hospital District Bearcat Care Clinics are open for business on each AISD campus! Bearcat Care Clinics are a convenient option for students and employees when getting into your primary care physician isn't an option, and students who are seen by a family doctor or nurse practitioner via a Bearcat Care Telemed visit will receive a doctor’s note for that appointment.
Through Bearcat Care Clinics, each school nurse's clinic is now essentially a minor care clinic able to facilitate telemedicine visits with family doctors or nurse practitioners as well as making flu, strep and COVID testing available (all with parent consent, of course) right at school.
If a Bearcat Care visit determines that kids or staff may need to go home or get some prescription medicine, the prescription can be called in to your chosen pharmacy to be picked up as soon as possible and eliminate additional stops or appointments when not feeling well!
Access to Bearcat Care is for any student or staff member. Registration is necessary before a visit can take place and we encourage all parents to register your students right away to avoid any delays in having to register in a pinch when your child may be sick and needing a quick telemedicine visit. Registration also must occur each year, so if you registered last year, you will need to update your registration this year. It only takes a few minutes!
Attendance Matters! 🤩
SEMESTER 2 --> GOAL OF 97%
This year we are working to improve our attendance rates - because if you're not here, you're not learning!
What that means - prioritize school attendance!
What that does not mean - we are NOT encouraging students to come to school sick!
We are monitoring attendance rates for each grading cycle. If your grade level improves your percentage for the cycle - your grade level wins a SURPRISE!!
This Week's Attendance:
- 6th grade --> 96.2%
- 7th grade --> 95.66%
- 8th grade --> 96.91%
- MMS --> 96.24%
Cycle 3 Results:
- 6th grade --> 94.90%
- 7th grade --> 94.93%
- 8th grade --> 94.34%
- MMS --> 94.74%
Celebrations & Surprises will be awarded for grade levels who reach 97%
GOAL for Cycle 4--> 97%+
Early Voting
Early Voting is Approaching!
Early voting begins Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, and continues through Friday, March 1, 2024. Election Day is Tuesday, March 5, 2024! Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
VOTING SCHEDULE WILL BE POSTED ONLINE AT:
Parents--Do you know your child's grades? 📚
If you haven't already, be sure to create an account in parent portal to keep track of your student's grades and progress. CLICK HERE to get started.
Volunteer Calendar 😊
Mrs. Sorrell has made an incredible Volunteer Calendar! We are so excited to see all of you here at MMS. Just a reminder--volunteers must have completed the background check, safety video, and acknowledgement form before volunteering on campus.
If you are ready to volunteer please CLICK here for the MMS Volunteer Sign Up Genius.
Does your student have an appointment? 🥼
- Per AISD policy, we cannot call the student down to the office until parent/guardian arrives
- Parents/Guardians must come inside and sign out student in the main office
- ID will be required to check student out
- Student should provide documentation/excuse upon returning to school OR it can be emailed to mlong@aledoisd.org
UIL Eligibility Calendar
The UIL Eligibility calendar can be found here
~Principal Peterson
McAnally Middle School
#GrowingGreatness
1% Better Everyday
#WEBelongHere
Email: dpeterson@aledoisd.org
Location: 14700 Old Weatherford Rd., Aledo, Texas 76008
Phone: 817-441-8347
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McAnallyMiddle
Twitter: @McanallyMiddle
Instagram: @Mcanallymiddle