The Hawk Report

Greetings Hawk Nation Parents and Students,

First, let me begin by thanking each of you for coming out to our Open House last Thursday. We had a record number of families show up, and received a lot of great feedback. We are super excited about the home/school partnerships that this event created, and look forward to continuing to build collaborative relationships that help support our students and the CMMS campus.

As we head into the next week, please assist us in reviewing or keeping the following items in mind:

• Progress Report 2 grades close this Friday (9/15)! Please review your student's Skyward account and make sure that all grades are passing (70 and above). We are encouraging students to strive for A's & B's as we know that our Hawks are more than capable of high academic success. Should you have a question or concern about your student's grade, please contact the classroom teacher.

• Attendance Matters! Each instructional day is filled with new material and additional opportunities for student growth. It is essential that we have our Hawk Scholars in attendance each and every day, for the entirety of the day. Please remember that Texas has a 90% rule that states that a student must be in attendance 90% of the time to receive credit for a course. Should an emergency or illness arise and your student must be out, please be sure to send a note to Ms. Katrina Taylor, CMMS Attendance Clerk, at Katrina.Taylor@fortbendisd.com, so that the absence can be excused.

• Parents We Need You! We are preparing to start up the CMMS PTO again, and need your help with making it a success. The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is a nonprofit group comprised of parents, teachers, and staff dedicated to improving the educational experience of all students at CMMS. They help organize special events such as the 8th Grade Prom/Week, Teacher Appreciation, spirit shirt designs and sales just to name a few. If you are interested in helping bring this important organization back to our campus, please email our Parent Liaison, Mr. Blackshire, at Terrence.Blackshire@fortbendisd.com
  

• The first week back we had our Code of Conduct talks where we discussed expectations with each grade level. We have included a copy of that presentation (click here), and encourage you to also speak with your student about following expectations while on campus.

Let's continue to work together, and please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or concerns. Remember, we are Hawk Nation... Hawk Proud!

Mr. Trevor Lemon

Principal, Christa McAuliffe MS

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) recognizes the week of September 11-15 as National Suicide Prevention Week to create awareness of this leading cause of death and ways people can help save lives.

One of the most powerful ways to prevent suicide is being aware of common symptoms and signs in friends, children and loved ones and taking the necessary steps to get them the help they need. The following are common warning signs from The Jason Foundation.

Warning sides may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Talking about suicide
• Making statements about feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless
• A deepening depression
• Preoccupation with death
• Taking unnecessary risks or exhibiting self-destructive behavior
• Out of character behavior
• A loss of interest in the things one cares about
• Visiting or calling people one cares about
• Making final arrangements and/or giving prized possessions away

There are also a number of stressors that can contribute to a youth’s anxiety and unhappiness, increasing the possibility of a suicide attempt.

• Depression, mental illness and substance abuse
• Aggressive behavior and fighting
• Unstable home or school environment
• Family history
• Self-injury
• Eating disorders

Students who witness these warning signs in others, or are experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings, are encouraged to reach out to a school counselor, parent or trusted adult. Help is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the FBISD TalkLine at (281)240-8255 (TALK) or by texting SPEAK to 741741.

With support from the School Health Advisory Council, FBISD launched the Whole Child Health Initiative in 2020 to promote the District’s mental and health resources as part of its commitment to supporting and developing the mental, behavioral, social, emotional and physical health of all its students. For a complete list of mental health supports visit www.fortbendisd.com/wholechildhealth.

As a part of the Whole Child Health Initiative, Fort Bend ISD is excited to present our first parent webinar of the 2023-24 school year: "Mental Health is for Everyone." The parent webinar will be held on Wednesday, September 13th at 6 p.m. During this session, FBISD's mental health counselors will educate families on the District’s campus-based services targeted to normalize and identify emotional challenges across cultures. Whole Child Health, focuses on Whole Child Health, is aligned with FBISD's Profile of a Graduate, and is committed to supporting and developing the mental, behavioral, social, emotional, and physical health of all students in FBISD.

Links: Mental Health is for Everyone Parent Webinar Link

The Gifted and Talented (GT) testing referral window is now open through Saturday, September 30th. If you would like your student to be considered for GT, please refer him/her using the following link: https://gt.fortbendisd.com/

Have Questions?

Email our GT Counselor, Ms. Doxey at Monica.Doxey@fortbendisd.com

On September 1, 2023, House Bill 114 (HB 114), will go into effect to address the serious issue of vaping/e-cigarette use among students. Under this law, any student found in possession of any kind of vaping/e-cigarette device on a campus or at a school-related activity including bus transportation, will face disciplinary consequences including a placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP)*.

FBISD assures you that the district is committed to providing a supportive climate and safe learning environment that promotes students in accepting responsibility for their learning and behavior.

To be proactive, here are the ways your student might be impacted by the new law:

• If your student possesses an e-cigarette (even if it contains nothing) or any component, part or accessory for any vaping device while on school grounds or at a school-related event, they will be recommended for a mandatory placement in DAEP.

• When receiving disciplinary consequences for this offense, your student is not able to participate in any school activities. Furthermore, they may face removal from specific student clubs or organizations as stipulated by each organization's rules and regulations.

• Students with offenses that qualify for DAEP placement are not eligible for final exam exemptions for that school year.

Please speak with your student about the dangers of vaping and the new law. If your student is struggling with substance abuse, including vaping addiction or peer pressure to engage in these activities, FBISD counseling services are available to provide supports and resources to address such challenges.

As partners, FBISD and parents can work together to ensure student success. Thank you for your cooperation and support. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your student's grade level administrator.

* Based on DAEP program capacity, students may be placed in a campus-based discipline program.

CMMS is blessed to be one of the few campuses in FBISD that is 1-to-1 in relation to student technology (every student has their own laptop). It is essential that we take full advantage of this opportunity, and provide learning that exposes our students to 21st Century concepts that involve technology usage. Teachers have begun assigning work for students to complete online via Schoology, and it is essential that they are able to complete it using their laptop, not their phone... but... we need your help!

• Please ensure that your student(s) brings their laptop to school everyday (even when they say they don't need to).

• Please ensure that they charge it each night, and bring the charger with them to campus, in case the computer dies in one of their classes.

• If there is anything wrong with your student's laptop, have them report it immediately to Mr. Woodard (6th Grade Assistant Principal) or Ms. Moten (Librarian).

Dyslexia Parent Night will be hosted at the Reece Center on October 19th from 5:30-7:00. This informative and supportive event provides parents with valuable insights, resources, and strategies to better understand and support their students with dyslexia and literacy needs. The evening will include presentations from dyslexia teachers, interactive activities, and opportunities for parents to connect with each other and share their experiences. This event aims to empower parents with knowledge and tools to help their students thrive academically and emotionally.

We are very excited to introduce your district’s college and career readiness platform, SchooLinks! All of the SchooLinks features are designed with students in mind to help them become career, college, and life ready. As a guardian, you will have the opportunity to join your student in their career and college exploration process and have conversations with them about their future. You will have access to SchooLinks through your own account.

SchooLinks allows you to:

• View the results of your student’s career interest, strength, and mindset assessments to learn more about their interests and what careers might be right for them
• See what colleges and careers your student has favorited and set as goals
• Check your personalized dashboard for upcoming events as well as important reminders and to-dos for your student
• Complete your own research on colleges, careers, and more to help you have informed conversations with your student
• Compare college costs and explore expected financial aid, scholarships, and out of pocket expenses
• Review your student’s course plans

SchooLinks is a tool that gives you access to the bigger picture of your students’ future. It also allows you to connect with their school counselor by allowing you to message them directly through the platform.

Watch this video and read this document to learn more about how to create your account.

We look forward to getting started and helping you help your student!

One thing that helps build a strong connection between school and community is having our students see their parents, family members, and neighbors being hands-on at/in the building. This year, we would like to begin this partnership by starting Dads on Duty. Dads on Duty involves men within the CMMS community volunteering their time in the mornings and afternoons to ensure our students arrive and depart safely.

If you or a male within our community is interested in becoming a part of Dad on Duty, please follow the steps below:

1. Complete the FBISD Volunteer Application (Click Here)
2. Once HR completes your background check, they will send you an email stating you are clear to volunteer; forward this email to Mr. Blackshire at Terrence.Blackshire@fortbendisd.com

Once we have your clearance form, Mr. Blackshire will reach out to you to begin assisting us through Dad on Duty.

Christa McAuliffe Middle School's mission is to inspire and develop authentic learners through a commitment to excellence and a high level of academic achievement.

Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/cmms
Location: 16650 South Post Oak Road, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 634-3360
Twitter: @CMMS_Hawks