Dear McMichael Middle School Parents/Guardians,

The beginning of this school year has been nothing short of fantastic. In just the first three weeks, our students have embarked on an incredible journey of building meaningful relationship with their peers and teachers while diving into new and exciting content. Their enthusiasm and dedication to learning has been truly inspiring, and they have set a positive tone for the rest of the academic year.

As we continue this journey, we want to emphasize the importance of your continued support. Your involvement in your child's education is invaluable. We encourage you to engage with your child's learning experiences, whether in the classroom or at home. Please communicate with us about your child's progress, and let us know if there is anything more we can do to enhance their educational journey.

Together, we can ensure that our students receive the highest quality education and support they deserve. With your partnership, we will continue to grow, learn, and thrive as a community.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. We look forward to a year filled with achievement, discovery, and getting better every day.

Respectfully,

Gerald Fonzie

Principal

gfonzie@nacisd.org

At McMichael Middle School, personal communication devices are not allowed in classrooms or common areas. We believe that students should have the opportunity to learn free from distraction and we expect students to put cell phones, air pods and headphones away when they enter the building. Please note that this means that cell phones should not be in hands or pockets, but rather put away out of sight in backpacks.

Technology is an amazing tool and we will give students the opportunity to earn special tech-free privileges, but these items distract from the learning environment of the classroom during academic times.

If your student gets their phone confiscated, the teacher will take the phone from the student and remit it to the front office. The parent will be required to come and pick up the phone with a fee. Please speak with your student about the importance of learning with out distractions.

Students are expected to be respectful, responsible and ready to learn. These guidelines are enforced using the student code of conduct which provides for the rules that govern our campus. Please know that we have several non-negotiable rules on our campus. Failure to follow these rules could result in your student being removed from the class, campus and/or placed at an alternative learning environment. We will not allow the failures of a few students to negatively effect the learning of all students. The following major offenses will not be tolerated:

• Cussing at or threatening any member of the McMichael Staff
• Blatant Defiance
• Serious or persistent misbehavior
• Fighting
• Weapons
• Drugs-including vape pens of any kind.

Please note that McMichael Middle School reserves the right to make disciplinarian decisions based on the safety and learning outcomes of ALL students.

Students are expected to wear ID Badges at all times. Badges can be replaced in the front office for a fee of $5. Badges are to be worn for safety reasons, but will also allow your dragon the opportunity to participate in special events. Students who do not have their badges visible will be denied entry to VIP lunch, pep rally events and other school functions. Please note that bus drivers will not take home students who do not have their ID to scan onto the bus.

All visitors must enter through door number one. If you need to check out your student, please bring a form of identification. We do not release students after 3:30 through the front office. The car rider line is moving smoothly. Please do not park and have your child walk to your car. Dismissal runs smoother when everyone works together and follows the correct procedures.

3rd- Dragon Football @ Texas High- Games start at 4:30

• Players will be leaving campus at 12:00

4th- Progress Reports Go Home

4th- Meet the Dragons @ NHS Stadium (7:00)

• This event will be dependent on weather.

5th- GEMPLS Meeting @ McMichael- 6:00

• McMichael Cafeteria, GEMPLS students and parents will be presented with detailed course info & expectations as well as safety procedures and expectations.

Homecoming Week (See Dress Up Days Flyer)

9th- Dragon Volleyball @NHS- Games start at 5:00

9th- Yarn Club @ Room 816- 4:25-5:15

• Parents please pick students up behind the school in the 6th grade car rider line.

9th- Gifted and Talented Interest Meeting and Title One Meeting @ McMichael at 5:30

9th- East Texas Adventures Packets made available

10th- Dragon Softball @ Central Heights - Games start at 5:30

11th- Girls and Boys Cross Country Meet @ Broaddus- 3:30

12th- Dungeons and Dragons Room 508 @

12th- Dragon Football @ NHS Stadium- Games start at 4:30

13th- Fun Food Friday

• Students must bring cash
• ID must be worn to participate
• Participation can be restricted by administration.

14th- Dragon Volleyball @ Hudson- A Team Only Tournament (Times Pending)

16th- Dragon Volleyball @ Mount Pleasant- Games start at 5:00

17th- Dragon Football @ NHS Stadium- Games start at 4:30

17th- Dragon Softball @ Central- Games start at 5:00

17th- Pep Rally @ McMichael

• 8th grade band students need to wear their polo shirts.

17th- 6th Grade Advanced Math Tutoring @ Room 816- 4:15-5:15

• Tutoring will occur weekly on Tuesdays with Mrs. Drewery

22nd- East Texas Cheer and Pom/Dance Competition @ Henderson Expo Center at 12 PM

23rd- Student Holiday (Staff Development)

23rd- Dragon Volleyball @ NHS- Games start at 5:00

24th- Dragon Football @ Mount Pleasant- Games start at 4:30

24th- Dragon Softball @ Lufkin- Games start at 5:30

25th- See You at the Pole @ McMichael- 7:30 AM

Sixth Graders are doing well with the transition from elementary school to middle school! They are quickly figuring out how to navigate the halls and remembering their daily class schedules. In classes, students are engaged and actively participating in class discussions.

At home, you can help us by making sure your student is wearing his/her ID every day. Encourage your student to ask questions, be responsible for their actions, and show kindness to others.

McMichael is excited to welcome this group of 6th graders to our campus and we are looking forward to a great year!

Contact Information: Emckenzie@nacisd.org

We have had a great start in seventh grade this year! Seventh grade students are handling themselves in a respectful and responsible manner in the hallways and in their classrooms, and I could not be more proud of what I am seeing from this group of young people so far this year. When I walk in a typical 7th grade classroom, all students are on task, in their assigned seats, and working hard. Thank you parents for all the support and effort you have given to help us in educating this great group of students!

As we move into September, just a couple reminders and updates:

• Students are required to wear IDs around their necks at all times.
• East Texas Adventures will be starting up and applications will be available starting Sept 9. ETA is an outdoor education program through SFA and more info will be going home soon.

Contact Information: Jmcgee@nacisd.org

Thank you for a great start to the school year! Your students have done a wonderful job as the leaders of the campus so far. Please remind them that being tardy means that they are losing academic time that impacts their education. Consequences for tardies will be enforced now that all students have had the opportunity to acclimate to their schedules.

Contact Information: Lfoy@nacisd.org

What a fantastic start to the 2024-2025 school year we have had with your dragons! Progress reports will come home with students on Wednesday, September 4th. Please make sure you ask your student about and them and reach out to teachers with questions or concerns.

The best way to stay informed on your students academic progress will be to make sure you have an accurate email address on file for teacher newsletters and have signed up for the Home Access Center (HAC). The HAC will help you track your student's grades and also keep track of absences. If you do not have access to the HAC, please print and return this form or email me your child's name and I will send one home with them.

Contact Information: hstidham@nacisd.org