McCormick Middle School News
January 18th-January 22nd
Office Hours are Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:15pm
McCormick Middle School
Cynthia Zapata - Assistant Principal
Pete Medellin - Assistant Principal
Email: James.Cruz@hayscisd.net
Website: https://www.hayscisd.net/mms
Location: 5700 Dacy Lane, Buda, TX. 78640
Phone: 512-268-8508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mccormickMS/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @mccormicktigers1
Mission Statement
"McCormick Middle School is a team of dedicated educators that will create a safe environment where students are motivated to achieve academic success. We will empower our students to be respectful and engaged learners resulting in a culture that inspires excellence not only in their school, but also in their community."
Monday, January 18th - No School in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Upcoming Events
McCormick Middle School Events
January 18th - MLK Day (No School)
January 21st - Picture Retake Day
January 28th and January 29 - Johnson High School Counselors visit 8th graders
January 29th - End of 2nd 9 weeks
Feburary 12 - Asynchronous Day
Feburary 15th- (Bad Weather Makeup Day) Asynchronous Day
Technology Device Request Form
Technology Replacement Cost
The following link is for the technology replacement.
https://hayscisd.revtrak.net/hcisd-technology/#/v/Technology-Device-PaymentHow Can I Check My Child's Grades?
This is a friendly reminder to check your child’s grades regularly at our Hays CISD Parent Portal. You can even personalize your settings to set reminders or notifications that will notify you if/when your child has missing or incomplete assignments, and/or low grades!
Directions to access the Parent Portal are below. Thank you, again, for your support!
1. Go to hayscisd.net
2. Hover over the red "Parents & Students" tab and scroll down to "Parent self-serve portal"
3. Click on Parent Self-Serve Portal (PPS)
4. "Sign in" with the same log in you used for registration!!
(If you don't remember your log-in information, please contact Adri Turrubiartes at adrie.turrubiartes@hayscisd.net and she can give you your log-in and password.)
Dreambox Challenge
We have started a Dreambox challenge at MMS. This challenge will take place each month.
For the month of December. There is a short video below that explains this challenge.
*Every in person student that completes at least 10 Dreambox lessons will receive a dreamcycle treat at lunch in January.
* Students can work on dreambox on their chromebook/laptop/phone
* Students can work on dreambox when they arrive to school.
* We will provide time in class 7:45-8:05 for students to work on dreambox
Also, we will be taking the Top 10 students from each grade level who complete the most dreambox lessons from December 1st-December 31st and will enter their name for a chance to win a chromebook. We will be giving out one chromebook per grade level. Students need to challenge themselves to be in the top 10. This is for virtual/in person students.
Message from Mr. Cruz
Teacher Communication
Teachers are expected to contact parents via phone/email on student academic/behavior concerns. My expectation is for my teachers to respond in 48 business hours. I do not require my teachers to use their cell phone to communicate with parents. Also, I do not expect my teacher to communicate after their contract hours.
I understand this school year is like no other. I see and hear frustrations from students, parents, and teachers. I have said the three things we will need to have this year is:
Communication, Compassion, and Flexibility.
Many of you have reached out to me about communication of my teachers. I do expect my teachers to communicate with you via email/call. Email is the easiest and quickest way. I have told my teachers to CC me on all emails and I ask all parents to CC me on emails to my teachers.
Please take the following items in consideration when communicating with my teachers:
- Please allow 48 business school hours for response.
- Two days out of the week teachers do not have a conference period. On those days it will be difficult for teachers to respond to your emails
- Two days out of the week teachers have 180 minute conference period. Those are the days you can expect from them to respond to your emails.
- Contact the teacher first prior to administration.
- Teachers have first-hand knowledge about your child’s academic performance so it will be best to contact the teacher first before going straight to administration
- Please contact administration if you do not hear back from your child’s teacher
- Please be open to teacher’s suggestions/comments about your child.
- Teachers may offer tutoring (virtual/in-person) opportunities for your child
- If submitting assignments is an issue with Schoology, teachers may ask students to email the teacher the assignments.
- Please maintain a professional/academic tone when talking to teachers.
- All communication needs to be focus on the student’s needs.
- The use of profanity in emails to teachers, threats to teachers, and questioning teachers teaching credentials is not appreciated or needed.
- Parents have every right to advocate for their child but it can be done in a respectful positive and encouraging way.
- Please let me know IMMEDIATELY if any of my teachers use profanity to you, make threats to you, or questions your parenting skills.
I know everyone is doing the best they can to make the best of the situation we are in. I know it can be frustrating at times. Teachers have the best interest for your child to be successful. We all need to remember we are all on the same team. We will get through these tough times together.
Mr. Cruz
McCormick Middle School Principal
512-698-7007 (please leave a message if I don't answer)
“Every day may not be a good day, but there is some good in every day”.
Email all attendance questions to: mms.attendance@hayscisd.net
Do you want your child to go on a trip to Washington DC and New York?
Want to go to Washington DC and New York City?
We are excited to tell you more about the trip our Art teacher, Ms. Martinez, is planning with Education First in the summer of 2022! They will be exploring Washington DC and New York City!
Seeing the world allows for incredible growth and the excitement of exploring someplace new will give your child something to anticipate for months to come!
CLICK HERE to learn more about the trip!
- Where and when we’re going
- What we’ll see and do
- Safety on tour
- Travel logistics
- How your child can earn academic credit
- Flexible payment options that keep this tour affordable
For anyone not yet enrolled, we are offering $500 off the cost of the tour. Additionally, all travelers automatically qualify for Risk Free Enrollment which allows individuals to cancel their spot on tour for any reason before April 30, 2021 and receive a 100% refund, but MUST enroll before December 15th to optimize on these incentives. If you decide after December 15th, you are still able to sign up, but won’t receive these great incentives!
For more information about Education First and this trip, visit:
https://www.efexploreamerica.com/tour-website/2407678XW
Questions? Contact Ms. Martinez at sarah.martinez@hayscisd.net
Additionally, if you’re interested in going to THIS summer’s tour in 2021, you still can! Just email Ms. Martinez for more details!
6th Grade News
Math Enrichment
Next week we will build knowledge of exponents to support our learning in math class.
ELAR
We will be reading the story "Tuesday of Another June" and reviewing plot elements. There will be a quiz on Thursday and Friday.
Science
Continuing our exploration into the ways Heat Transfers. Will be doing online lab stations.
Dyslexia Reading
We will be continuing our lesson on open syllables. This week the concentration will be on nonsense words so I can determine if the are able to identify the syllable divisions.
Math
We will be grading and reviewing our CBA 2 from last week. A retest will be in a folder in schoology called retest. We will begin our new unit on expressions and equations by recalling order of operations from fifth grade before diving in to order of operations, exponents, and expressions for the week.
World Cultures
Tuesday we will complete Unit 1-5 Final Review. Thursday/Friday we will take our Final exam.
7th Grade News
Math
We will be reviewing on Tuesday/Wednesday and then taking our Unit 5 Test on Thursday/Friday over similarity.
Math Enrichment
We will continue to practice representing linear relationships using tables, graphs, and equations.
Texas History
We will continue Unit 6 next week. We will be covering Texas annexation to the United States. On Thursday and Friday students will beging reviewing for the Unit 6 test which will be on 1/25 and 1/26.
Science
has a Tropism/turgor pressure quiz on Friday. There are study materials on Schoology. They should also have notes.
8th Grade News
Math: We will continue learning about transformations on a coordinate grid.
Algebra: We are solving systems of equations by elimination, solving systems of inequalities by graphing, and beginning to review for the algebra semester 1 final.
Science: We are starting our Weather Unit! Please keep an eye out for a packet that was mailed out to virtual learners with our worksheets for our upcoming units. If your child did not take their CBA from last week, please have them log on and take their test!
ELAR: We are finishing up writing short stories. This will be our first major grade of the following nine weeks. Make sure you have completed your choice board.
Social Studies: In 8th Grade US History we will begin our review of CBA #2 that will cover the information over the Constitutional Convention and the First 5 Administration of the United States. We will review on Tuesday and Wednesday and test on Thursday and Friday of next week.
Classlink password change...6th grade ONLY
A message from Mrs. Murphy-Cunningham
The video below will explain the notebook assignment. I answer how to access the notebook, what to write about, and when we expect them to write for the assignment. Keep in mind that in person students will be writing in a paper notebook for this assignment. Thank you.
Band
We will continue to work on and review different rhythms and play lines out of the band book.
Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band
No after school practices this week.
If you have any questions, please let us know.
Symphonic Band members should email Mr. Zotz Kurt.Zotz@hayscisd.net
Wind Ensemble members should email Mr. Lira at Cris.Lira@hayscisd.net
Orchestra
Choir
2 New Breezing Thru Theory Assignments and Learning/Practicing Intervals from Do to La.
Art
Theatre
Dance
GTT
STEAM
Spanish
Speech
Health
Journalism
• Video News Report Critique #6
• Find 5 WS
• Friday Five #16
Web Design
Counselor's Corner
Hello Everyone,
Counselor Website (Click Here)
Counselor Contact Information
Dr. Veronica Cervantes
6th Grade with last name N-Z
7th Grade
email: veronica.cervantes@hayscisd.net
Mrs. Rosario Rodriguez
6th Grade with last name A-M
8th Grade
email: rosario.rodriguez@hayscisd.net
During distance learning, the best way to reach us is via email! We look forward to hearing from you!
The best way to contact us is through our HAYS email.
Sign up your child for the after school late bus!
- Write their whole ID number correctly
- Write the date of WHEN they need the bus not the actual date they are filling out the form. (This is the most common mistake students make).
- Write their Hays CISD gmail correctly.
Library Information
Here is some information on how to check out books from the library
Curbside “How To” presentation https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1idvhu7ZJZ_3aJ_HA005ReyrUyWwFBwPz0vgh-fYYQFQ/edit?usp=sharing
Link to our catalog/website https://library1.hayscisd.net/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home&l2m=Home
Follow us on Twitter @MMS Library https://twitter.com/McCormickMSLib
Mrs. Naiser
Librarian
Sports News
Sports Physicals
Students required to get physicals for the 2020-2021 school year:
* Any incoming 7th grade student that will participating in boys/girls sports
* Any incoming 8th grade student that did not participate in sports last year
Students Not Required to get a physical for the 2020-2021 school year:
* Any incoming 8th grade student that participated in sports last year
Required Forms To Fill Out (Click Here)
Physical Form To Print Out (Click Here)
If you have any questions please contact:
For girls: Francisca.Luna@hayscisd.net
For boys: Brian.Rich@hayscisd.net
Message From Boys Coaches
Athletics/Pre Athletics
Basketball has regular practices 8th grade in the morning and 7th grade in the afternoon. Games are on Thursdays. Off season and pre-Athletics will cotinue with speed and strength training. Make sure you bring your clothes every day and bring warm clothing for being outside.
Important Links
McCormick Athletics Page (pre-game meals, uniform purchase, and schedules:
https://sites.google.com/hayscisd.net/mmsathletics/home
Rank One Athletics/Online forms:
https://hayscisd.rankonesport.com/New/NewInstructionsPage.aspx
Late Bus Sign up Form:
Hays CISD Alternative Travel Form:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xbokln1nPj9aXzeR1doA6dH6J5RS6HEP/view?usp=sharing
Message From Girls Coaches
Athletics/Pre Athletics
We will continue with basketball, speed & strength training, and conditioning. Check the weather and come dressed and prepared.
New Block Bell Schedule
Tuesday/Thursday will be "B" days
Fridays will be a regular 7 period school day
Are you interested in trying out for the JHS Rosettes Dance Team?
If so, there is a mandatory tryout ZOOM meeting for PARENTSand CANDIDATES on February 1st or February 4th at 6:00 PM. Parents and candidates only attend one meeting date. You must attend one meeting to tryout for the 2021-2022 team. Mandatory tryout clinic will be held March 8th through March10th, and tryouts will be Thursday, March 11th. This GOOGLE FORM must be filled out in order to receive Zoom links. Zoom links will be sent out on Friday January 29th by 4:30pm. If you have any questions please ask your campus dance teacher or email Brooke.lowden@hayscisd.net
No Early Student Checkouts after 2:51pm
Instructional Commitment Form
McCormick Middle School Dress Code
* Slides are not allowed. All feet coverings must have a strap around the heel
* All pants that have rips must have a covering underneath.
* Natural hair color only for all students
* Wind shorts/Runner shorts are prohibited
* Lenghts of shorts must go pass half of the students thigh.
Please review the rest of our dress code rules and let me know if you have any questions.
Communties In School
Welcome Mrs. Pouncy to MMS! She is our new CIS Program Manager.
CIS Parent/Student Information (English)
Hays Hope Line
Hays HopeLine is a convenient and confidential way for students and parents to report bullying, harassment, school safety concerns, or any other personal crisis.
You can leave a tip 24-hours-a-day, any day of the year. However, the HopeLine is currently only monitored during regular school business hours. During the summer break, the HopeLine will not be regularly monitored by district staff. In the event of an emergency or immediate need, please call 9-1-1 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Hays Response Plan (NEW UPDATED 9.5)
Message From Nurse Jessie
Jessie.Herring@hayscisd.net (Email)
512-268-8508
PBIS Shirt For Sale! $12
Do you want to be a guest teacher at MMS?
Go To Place For Important Links
Purchase your student a 2020-2021 McCormick Tiger Hoodie!
Tiger Hoodie (Click Here) cost is $20
Birthday Shout-Out For Your Child
Wish your child Happy Birthday on our school marquee!
Please click the link below to put a birthday message on the school marquee!
Hays Technology Help Desk
Staff, students, and parents, we are here to help you!
If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Helpdesk via email at helpdesk@hayscisd.net or you can give us a call at 512.268.7676
Important Message From District
Dear Hays CISD Parents –
In an effort to make your SCHOOLOGY parent account login information more secure, your unique login information is shown below. Please allow 24 hours for the system to update your account information to the username & password below.
*IMPORTANT: For security reasons, after logging in, please change your password to one of your own choosing.
Here is your SCHOOLOGY login information:
- URL = https://hayscisd.schoology.com
- Your username =
- Your password =
If you have difficulty logging in after allowing 24 hours for the system to update, please contact Technology Help Desk: HelpDesk@hayscisd.net (512) 268-7676
Thank you for your patience as we work through this new system.
Use this link for additional instructions: SCHOOLOGY Instructions (English)
_________________
Estimados padres de Hays CISD -
En un esfuerzo por hacer que la información de inicio de sesión de su cuenta de padres de SCHOOLOGY sea más segura, su información de inicio de sesión única se muestra a continuación. Por favor espere 24 horas para que el sistema actualice la información de su cuenta con el nombre de usuario y la contraseña a continuación.
Hays Clothes Closet
The Hays CISD Clothes Closet has opened back up to serve families. Due to COVID-19, we are now requesting families fill out this Google form and we will do the shopping to fulfill the request. The form includes designated dates/times that families can select for contactless pick up. They will receive a call/email confirming with additional details. If they need clothes and food and are able to pickup, this is the form to fill out.
https://forms.gle/ybQzVauQoxeMacqu6
If a family is currently on our HaysHope2Go list, we can drop off the clothing with their food delivery.
Hays Hope2Go!
Our HaysHope2Go program has been fully operational and serving families weekly since March. We also have a limited amount of personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, formula and diapers. Since March, we have served 678 families, 3,563 people with 45,855 meals. If you know of a family who does not have transportation and can benefit from delivery, please fill out this form: