Cougar Chronicles
SEPTEMBER, 2013
Welcome to the 2013-2014 School Year
Greetings Parents & Guardians! Welcome to the 2013-2014 School Year. We are excited at the awesome opportunities this school brings to our Cougar Community. The students and teachers have gotten off to a terrific start. I am always amazed at how quickly our 6th grade students learn their schedules, locker combinations, and their away around our building. Kudos to our parents at car pick-up after school. It has gone very smoothly.
In an effort to keep our Cougar Nation "in the loop" I will be sending out a monthly newsletter with various pertinent topics. This newsletter will be sent via the new ParentLink automated messaging system that has taken the place of the Honeywell System. I hope this newsletter is informative and useful. We are going to have a wonderful school year! Cougar Pride!!!
Sincerely,
Miller Beaird, Ed.D.
Principal, KMS
Grading Guidelines
Beginning of the Year Helpful Information
Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up
With 1,200 + students drop-off and pick-up at Kerr Middle School can be tricky. Fortunately, we have developed a plan that focuses on safety and efficiency. Students utilizing Durham Bus Transportation services will be dropped-off and picked-up in front of the administration offices by the teacher parking lot. Between 7:45 - 8:15 am & 3:45-4:15 pm we ask that parents not drop-off or pick-up in this area. We have several buses that run on a very tight schedule. Cars waiting in the bus lane cause delays and impede the ability of the bus drivers to get our students to class and home in a timely manner.
Parents/guardians dropping-off or picking-up their children via car can do so on Dian St. by the porch area outside the Pit (gym). There are three lanes. The two outside lines are used to load students. The middle lane is a passing lane once students have been loaded. We have teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators on duty during this time. However, even with this supervision, we sometimes have students make poor choices and run across lanes of traffic without looking. Please talk with your child about being safe and making sure all drivers have seen them and know they are about to cross various lanes of traffic.
Cougar Tennis Meeting
Coach Jones will meet with 7th/8th grade students and parents interested in participating in tennis during the 2013-2014 school year. Parents are welcome. Additional information about 6th grade opportunities will be shared as well.
Monday, Sep 9, 2013, 04:00 PM
Nick Kerr Middle School Tennis Courts
Band Instrument Drive
Students/parents in band that still have not secured an instrument are encouraged to attend this event.
Monday, Sep 9, 2013, 06:00 PM
Nick Kerr Middle School Band Hall
Middle School Standardized Dress
We empathize and understand the desire of our students to be individuals and express themselves through clothing. However, we believe our focus as well as that of our students should be on academics, positive social relationships, athletics/fine arts, and community service. Unfortunately, clothing can be a distraction and hinder our goals of producing well-rounded citizens capable of doing anything they set their minds to in high school. All students must have their shirts tucked in daily (unless an untuck day is announced). Clothing must free of all logos/labels even small ones such a Polo player, Nike swoosh, etc . . . Jackets or hoodies must be free of labels and/or logos as well and must be in a solid color. Kerr hoodies are allowed. Hats or any head covering shall not be worn during the school day or in the building.
Students not in dress code and sent to the office with a discipline referral will receive a warning. Parents/guardians will be contacted and alternative clothing will be requested. If a student is not in dress code a second time and sent to the office with a second discipline referral, parents will be contacted and alternative clothing will be requested and students will be assigned to In-School-Suspension (ISS).
Periodically, we will have special dress days to reward our students. These days could include untuck days, jeans days, Centennial HS spiritwear, college spiritwear, and fun dress days for Red Ribbon Week. Specific guidelines will be communicated to all students during announcements, during advisory, and during lunch. Additionally, parents/guardians will be sent information on these special days before they happen via Facebook, Twitter, ParentLink, and our website.
We encourage you to review the dress code with your child and the possible consequences if they choose not to follow these guidelines. Our goal is for the BISD School Board approved Middle School dress code to not be an issue and followed without incident. Thank you in advance for helping us with this.
Email: mbeaird@burlesonisd.net
Website: http://www.burlesonisd.net/home/?q=middle-schools/kerr
Location: 517 SW Johnson Ave, Burleson, TX
Phone: (817) 245-0750
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KMSCougars
Twitter: @KMSCougars
8th grade Washington D.C. Trip Parent Information Meeting
Parents/guardians of 8th graders interested in participating in the summer Washington D.C. trip should attend this meeting.
Monday, Sep 9, 2013, 06:00 PM
Nick Kerr Middle School Library
Drama Select Parent Information Meeting
Please contact Mrs. DuBose for further information at cdubose@burlesonisd.net
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013, 06:00 PM
Nick Kerr Middle School Drama Room in Building 300
Lady Cougar Volleyball Game
Both 7th & 8th grade V-Ball teams will be playing at Stephenville. C team games start @ 5:00 pm.
Thursday, Sep 12, 2013, 05:00 PM
Henderson Junior High School, West Frey, Stephenville, TX
Yearbook Photos
Students may dress up for picture. However, they must be in standardized dress.
Friday, Sep 13, 2013, 08:30 AM
Nick Kerr Middle School, Southwest Johnson Avenue, Burleson, TX
Volleyball Tournament for 7th grade B Team
The 7th grade B team Lady Cougars will battle it out in Granbury.
Saturday, Sep 14, 2013, 08:00 AM
Granbury Middle School, Crossland Road, Granbury, TX
New Bell Schedule
This year KMS is instituting a new bell schedule. Instead of advisory class beginning first thing in the morning @ 8:30 am it is now attached to each grade levels' lunch time. Each grade level has two lunch times thus dividing each grade level in half (A/B Lunch). We believe reducing the number of students during each lunch time will enable us to better manage student behavior and help students get their lunches in a reasonable amount of time. Additionally, we have added a purpose to our advisory time. On Mondays students will be required to read silently during this time. On Tuesdays students will focus on specific math skills that will help them be successful in their current math classes. On Wednesdays, students will focus on character lessons with topics such as Responsibility, Goal Setting, Kindness, etc. . . On Thursdays & Fridays students will be able to attend tutorials or complete work in a study hall atmosphere. Some students that are in Band or Choir might utilize these two days to work on UIL competitions or concerts.
Volleyball Tournament for 8th grade B Team
The 8th grade B team Lady Cougars will battle it out in Granbury.
Saturday, Sep 14, 2013, 05:00 PM
Granbury Middle School, Crossland Road, Granbury, TX
Student Council Meeting
Mrs. Austin will facilitate the Student Council Meeting. Please contact maustin@burlesonisd.net for further information or if you have questions.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2013, 08:00 AM
Room 119
Student Council Meeting
Mrs. Austin will facilitate the Student Council Meeting. Please contact her at maustin@burlesonisd.net for further information or if you have questions.
Wednesday, Sep 18, 2013, 08:00 AM
Room 119
NJHS Meeting
Ms. Campbell will facilitate the National Junior Honor Society Meeting. Please contact her at kcampbell@burlesonisd.net for further information or if you have questions.
Friday, Sep 20, 2013, 08:00 AM
Nick Kerr Middle School Library
Cougar Football - 8th Grade
C team will begin their game @ 5:00 pm.
Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013, 05:00 PM
Henderson Junior High School, West Frey, Stephenville, TX
Cougar Football - 7th Grade
C team will begin their game @ 5:00 pm against Henderson Junior High, Stephenville, TX @ KMS field.
Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013, 05:00 PM
Nick Kerr Middle School, Southwest Johnson Avenue, Burleson, TX
Cougar Football
Please see Coach Cummings website for more infomation.
http://fc.burlesonisd.net/~bcummings/
Kerr is a member of Quad County. We are in Zone 1. You can also check this site for schedules and win/loss records. http://www.quickscores.com/Orgs/index.php?OrgDir=qc
Lady Cougar Volleyball both 7th/8th Grade
8th grade will be in the Pit & 7th grade will be in the 100 gym. Both C team games start @ 5:00 pm.
Thursday, Sep 19, 2013, 05:00 PM
Nick Kerr Middle School, Southwest Johnson Avenue, Burleson, TX
Lady Cougar Volleyball
Please refer to Coach Rogers's website for volleyball information. http://fc.burlesonisd.net/~erogers/
Kerr is a member of Quad County. We are in Zone 1. You can also check this site for schedules and win/loss records. http://www.quickscores.com/Orgs/index.php?OrgDir=qc
We are pleased to announce that at the Brewer vs Kerr scrimmage games the 8th grade teams won all 3 games. The 7th grade got off to a rocky start, with only the "B" team brining home a win. But we feel confident with their hard work and deidication they will win their next meets. Go Lady Cougars!
Lady Cougar Volleyball Tournament 7th/8th grade A Teams
Both teams will start @ 9:00 am.
Saturday, Sep 21, 2013, 09:00 AM
Loflin Middle School, Joshua, TX
Choir Pledge Fundraiser Begins
For further information please contact Choir Director, Cindy Glenn at cglenn@burlesonisd.net
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2013, 08:30 AM
Nick Kerr Middle School, Southwest Johnson Avenue, Burleson, TX
Cougar Football - 7th Grade
C team will begin their game @ 5:00 pm.
Tuesday, Sep 24, 2013, 05:00 PM
Charles Baxter Junior High School, Shelby Road, Fort Worth, TX
Cougar Football - 8th Grade
C team will begin their game @ 5:00 pm at Kerr field.
Tuesday, Sep 24, 2013, 05:00 PM
Nick Kerr Middle School, Southwest Johnson Avenue, Burleson, TX
Student Early Dismissal
BISD will dismiss its students early for teacher meetings.
Wednesday, Sep 25, 2013, 12:30 PM
Burleson Independent School District
Lady Cougar Volleyball 7th/8th Grades
Both C teams will begin their games @ 5:00 pm.