CHMS Parent Newsletter
November 30, 2020
Chromebooks
Principal's Corner
Welcome Back CHMS Parents and Students!
I hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and you were able to spend time with your family and friends. I also hope you were able to get some much-needed rest and relaxation during this break. It is important to make the next three weeks our best three weeks of this semester.
As we wrap up 2020, I reflect on all the faculty, staff, and parent efforts to continue to improve the learning and growth of all our students. Chapel Hill Middle School continues to evolve and involve more parents and community partners in our efforts to ensure our students have the right tools for their success.
Helping students finish strong
One of our biggest goals is to get ALL students to submit ALL assignments. In addition, in keeping with promoting a Growth Mindset, we have encouraged students to make corrections on assignments or take advantage of re-take opportunities from teachers.
Here are a few practices to finish the nine weeks strong, but also prepare for the second semester.
Get organized, either digitally, traditionally, or both
Utilize the tools you have including a planner, the tools discussed many times in the newsletter, OneNote, and or Microsoft Outlook to set up dates and reminders for you of when projects, tests, quizzes, and assignments are due
Complete ALL assignments with your best effort
When the nine weeks ends, many students want to rush to submit work from the first week of the term. They see their grade may need help, but the reality is you should have considered that in early October when you didn't originally submit the work. Take pride in having ZERO un-submitted assignments.
Prepare the first time
You may have a teacher who allows test corrections or allows a re-take, but it is critical to prepare the first time. Don't be surprised if you tell your parents every night, "I don't have any homework or anything to do" and then you fail a test or quiz that you never studied and prepared to take. Even on nights where you don't have an assignment, it is always wise to spend a little time reviewing, reading, and organizing. If you prepare the first time, you may not have to spend more time and extra time on a retake.
Take advantage of the resources you have
If you don't understand something, blurting out in the middle of class, "I don't get this!" or "This is stupid, and no one understands this" is not the best strategy to help you. Take advantage of time before class, after class or during lunch etc. to speak with your teacher. Use soft skills to help them understand your dilemma and problem. For example:
"Ms. Johnson, I had a hard time understanding today's lesson, is there a time I can get a little more help or a resource you think could help me?"
Don't forget to say please and thank you. Also keep in mind, if you had a hard time with today's lesson because you were distracted or distracting others you may get that as feedback from the teacher. It is not out of the question if you were off task or distracting for a teacher to comment, "I noticed you had a hard time with what we learned today, but I also noticed you were playing games as we were learning or talking with your buddy etc."
Take ownership over your learning and prepare a plan to help you be successful. Can you be Gritty? Do you want to succeed and if so, are you willing to work at the steps as listed above continuously to improve your grades?
To start the week, it may be a great opportunity to watch the video below. For many of our students, we really want them to be gritty and persevere through challenges. This final week of the nine weeks and semester will have projects due, quizzes, tests etc. Students need to make one more final push and finish strong!
Thank you for your participation, support, and collaboration.
Go Panthers,
Mr. Michael Alexander
Assistant Principal's Corner
Parents, thank you for all your hard work. We are on the road to making this a very successful year. We appreciate your support every day at Chapel Hill Middle School.
Mr. Barker
Dr. Hamilton-Collins
Mrs. Smith
Please see Zoom link below for CHMS Morning Announcements.
Morning Announcements Zoom Link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87024253933?pwd=bnJ0bitBSUdEM3RSV1dIVHo4b2FNZz09
Meeting ID: 870 2425 3933
Passcode: Hr2bJi
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,87024253933#,,,,,,0#,,192929# US (New York)
+13017158592,,87024253933#,,,,,,0#,,192929# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 870 2425 3933
Passcode: 192929
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc942I7t8F
Students should use the Virtual Learning Support site for support at:
https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/virtual-learning-support-ticket/
Invitation For Parents: Success Beyond School
Thursday 10th December 2020, 'Live Online'
InvestIN provides students aged 12-18 with immersive work experience in some of the world's most competitive and desirable careers - medicine, law, engineering, investment banking and more. More than 40,000 students from 81 different countries have attended an InvestIN programmes.
You are cordially invited to our free-of-charge, 'Live Online' event for parents aged 12-18. You will hear our expert panel share their knowledge on:
- Why your child's career starts at school
- The most in-demand skills top employers are looking for, and how to get them
- The role you can play in helping them achieve their aims
- Guidance on work experience, interview techniques, LinkedIn profiles and more
Time: 19.30 - 21.00 (GMT)
Immersive Career Experiences
Live experiences with top professionals in 20 different careers.
Please see below for Schedule Change and Request to See form.
Additional Information
If your child is having difficulty with their Chrome Book {signing on, password, or connection} PLEASE contact the follow these steps immediately:
- Call IT Help Desk {678} 676-1188 - option - 2
- E-mail or call student teacher's
- Call the school {678} 676-8502
- Contact the School Social Worker {678} 637-9784 or e-mail, Lorese_Garfield@dekalbschoolsga.org
Also, please see, CHMS Virtual Schedule, CHMS Learning Bell Schedule, CHMS FAQS, Reading Bowl Information/ Virtual Media Center, Anime Club, School Picture, PTA Information, and FBLA information.
School Pictures
We know that many of our families are wondering about picture day and how that will work this school year. We will keep you all informed of plans and dates when we have them finalized. For the time being, please know that we are aware of the importance of school pictures and are working to make sure that they happen in the safest and most effective way possible.
PTA DUES
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Human Trafficking: Protecting Our Children Online
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Register Today Free Virtual Training