MMS Parent Newsletter

"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."

James Cruz, Principal

(Email) James.Cruz@hayscisd.net

(Cell) 512-698-7007

Email: James.Cruz@hayscisd.net
Website: https://www.hayscisd.net/Domain/24
Location: 5700 Dacy Lane, Hays, TX, USA
Phone: 512-268-8508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mccormickMS

February 19th - Student/Staff Holiday (No School)

February 21st - PTSA Members Meeting 6pm

March 11th - March 15th Spring Break

This Wednesday, February 21st, we will be taking our ELAR Benchmark.

• Students will be eating in the classrooms. We will have no parent lunch drop offs on this day.
• Studnets need a fully charged chromebook and charger. Students MUST use a school issued device. Personal devices will not be allowed.
• Students can locate their testing rooms in the Schoology Advisory course.
• Most students take a minimum of 4 hours to complete the test, so try to avoid early pick-ups.

MMS Family

We are 14 days away from Spring Break....we are almost there :).

Join us on February 21st for our PTSA meeting at 6pm.

We will be on a regular bell schedule Tuesday-Friday. On Wednesday, we are benchmark testing. All students will be eating in the classroom. We can not have any lunches dropped off by parents on this day.

Thank you for donating Kleenex. We can still use more. If you are able to, please donate boxes to our front office. We will distribute kleenex to classrooms.

If your child is staying after school and needs to ride the late bus, please remind them to look up their bus number in Schoology. All MMS Students have a Schoology course called MMS Tiger Hub where they can find important information.

Thank you for all that you do and I appreciate your help.

Mr. Cruz

Principal McCormick Middle School

We have a lot of things going on after school causing parents to pick up their child. Please be patient and courteous while waiting for your child. Parents, please stay in line and not drive around cars who have been waiting. The parent pickup line should be similar to the way it looks at 3:45. I appreciate you following pick up expectations.

We need Kleenex for our classrooms. We are going through boxes faster than we can replenish. If you are able to, please donate to our campus. We will take any size box or boxes. You (or your child) can drop off Kleenex at the front office. Thank you!

March

15-Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) application willclose. SSES program is a $1500 online grant for parents of eligible students served by special education. Apply today : https://form.jotform.com/TXEd/ssesapplication

The SSES+ Medically Fragile program will be ending on December 6, 2024. However, since the application closes on March 15, 2024, this will be the last time families can apply and take advantage of the SSES+ Medically Fragile program. Families that currently have SSES+ Medically Fragile accounts or apply before March 15, 2024, will have until December 6, 2024, to spend these funds.

Parents are welcomed to eat lunch with their child. Below are the expectations that parents/guest will need to follow:

After being RAPTORed in by the front office…

• Parents/Guest must arrive during the scheduled lunch time
• Your ID sticker must be visible at all times.
• You need to eat with ONLY your child at the designated parent tables.(Back tables by TV)
• Please refrain from walking around the cafeteria and interacting with other students.
• If other relatives(including children) are with you, they must sit at your designated table with you at all times.
• After lunch, when students are released from the cafeteria, please report directly back to the front office to check out.

I have noticed parents bringing food for their child and friends. I wanted to remind everyone about the Hays CISD Lunch Policy. Parents can only bring food for their child only. Students are not allowed to share food with other students. The message below is our Hays CISD lunch policy:

Deliveries

Except in emergencies, delivery of messages or packages to students will not be allowed during instructional time. A parent may leave a message or a package, such as a forgotten lunch, for the student to pick up from the front office during a passing period or lunch.

Delivery Services for Student Meals

As part of enhanced safety at campuses, beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, all Hays CISD campuses will no longer accept deliveries from meal delivery services or restaurants for student lunches. And, campuses will no longer have drop-off tables for meals. Parents may still bring outside food for their children if they plan to deliver the meals directly to their child’s designated lunch period. Meals can only be dropped off during student's lunch periods. All guests are required to follow existing safety protocols and check in with ID at the front office.

I appreciate your help with this.

Hello MMS Families,

Hello MMS Families,
The Spring semester is upon us and it always proves to be an action packed time of the year. Daybreak, one of our community partners, is introducing their FREE Virtual Spring Mental Health Series. There are two sessions coming up. The first focuses on Understanding Youth Anxiety and the second focuses on Effective Communication with Your Child. Please click this link to register and see more information.

Attention 8th grade families! Students had their 1st visit from the JHS counselors on Jan 25th. Here is a link to the presentation they covered in classes. They returned on Feb 8th to continue to help students input course selections. If you or your child still have questions or concerns, you can reach out the JHS counselors directly. Here is a link to the Rising 9th Grade Course Selection Timeline. Included in this timeline are Google Forms (linked just ahead) that students and parents can fill out to ask specific questions about JHS and the courses/programs that are offered. As a side note, please do not call or email the JHS counselors at this time. They are asking that you use the Google forms.

For 7th graders, Students are currenting working on graduation plans. Each student is working with a counselor to select their courses for high school including some 8th grade options for high school credit. Ms. Herrera visited with seventh-grade classes to review these options. We expect to finish working with students on their graduation plans by the first week of March and are looking forward to parent meetings to help answer any questions you may have. The calendar scheduling webpage will be shared in the March 2nd parent newsletter.

We began the course selection process for our 6th graders. Mrs. Rodriguez, the 6th grade counselor visited social studies classes this week to go over the choice sheet. Please visit with your child about their course selections. Choice sheets are due February 23rd.

Course selection information for the 2024-2025 school year can viewed at this link for Current Rising 7th and 8th graders.

Remember that while exciting, this can be a stressful time and we are here to help. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or concerns.

6th Grade - Rosario Rodriguez (rosario.rodriguez@hayscisd.net)
7th Grade - Maria Herrera (maria.herrera@hayscisd.net)
8th Grade - Gracie Kelley (gracie.kelley@hayscisd.net)

YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE NOW!
Preorder Yours Today!
$35 Feb Until March 31st / $40 April 1st Until May 23rd -OR- Until Sold Out

TO PAY IN PERSON: Students May Bring Cash/Check to Coach Clewell in Room 214
(In Person Sales Do NOT Have a Processing Fee)

Please Make Checks Payable to MMS Yearbook

Purchase Online at:
https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/15136

School Code: 15136
(Online Sales Have a Processing Fee of an Additional $3.99)

Boys Athletics (Rich)Great first track meet. Next Thursday, meet 2 @ JHS. Soccer evaluations have begun. Plus speed & strength for off season

Boys PE (Peloquin)Bring a water bottle every day to class!

Boys Pre-Athletics (Rich)We are looking for volunteers for our track meet this Thursday. Please email Coach Rich for details. brian.rich@hayscisd.net

Turn in Physicals ASAP to Coach Rich. Make sure the medical history is signed. Here is a link to the form (or or pick one up from coaches): https://hayscisd.rankonesport.com/New/PrintableDocuments.aspx

* RankOne forms must be completed online. You can act as a "guest" or create an account, up to you. If you have multiple kids in the district or plan to do athletics for years, an account may be helpful Here is that link: https://hayscisd.rankonesport.com/New/NewInstructionsPage.aspx

** All athletes must wear an athletic uniform everyday. Here is the link to order those clothes: https://sites.google.com/hayscisd.net/mmsathletics/store *

Boys Athletics SportsYou Code: 9YV6-8MXB

Join SportsYou with the code: X25VSVQA

Girls Athletics (Wylie)Track meet at Johnson High School on THURSDAY 2.22.24. Those trying out with soccer will have the field to pracice on Wednesday and Friday.

Girls PE (Crayton)Bring a water bottle everyday! We will start our floor hockey unit this week.

Girls Pre-Athletics (Wylie)We are working on our track unit, and will continue learning different events.

Turn in Physicals ASAP to Coach Rich. Make sure the medical history is signed. Here is alink to the form (or or pick one up from coaches): https://hayscisd.rankonesport.com/New/PrintableDocuments.aspx

** RankOne forms must be completed online. You can act as a "guest" or create an account, up to you. If you have multiple kids in the district or plan to do athletics for years, an account may be helpful Here is that link: https://hayscisd.rankonesport.com/New/NewInstructionsPage.aspx

** All athletes must wear an athletic uniform everyday TOP AND BOTTOM. Here is the link to order those clothes: https://sites.google.com/hayscisd.net/mmsathletics/store

Girls Athletics SportsYou Code: F8K3K8HE

Please join our amazing and wonderful PTSA. We have some great things planned for this school year and we need your help. Click on the link below to join! You can also follow our MMS PTSA on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/McCormickMiddleSchoolPTSA

Dates of meetings...all meetings will take place at MMS cafeteria starting at 6pm.

November 5th

February 21st

April 17th

* Students who join the MMS PTSA will get in free to school dances.

All students have been given their ID badge. For safety reasons, all students are required to wear an ID badge every day. Students may use a lanyard of their choosing. Students who do not have their ID badge will need to get a temporary badge.

Consequences for not wearing your ID badge are the following:

1st and 2nd time: Warning

3rd time: Lunch Detention

4th and 5th time: Warning

6th time: Lunch Detention

7th and 8th time: Warning

9th time: After School Detention

10th or more: ISS/Parent Phone Call

I can use parent support with this policy. ID badges is one of our safety protocols to ensure everyone on our campus is safe and supposed to be on our campus. This is something we take seriously and will be consistent with. Students will not be allowed into the classroom without and ID badge. I greatly appreciate your help making sure your child is wearing their ID badge. Thank you.

Students are welcomed and encouraged to attend athletic events. Students are expected to watch the game and to show school spirit. All students must have a school issued ID badge with them in order to attend athletic events. Temporary ID's will not be accepted.

Students that are exhibiting inappropriate behavior, using inappropriate language, and not remaining in the gym or football field, will be ask to leave and will not be allowed to attend any sporting events at McCormick.

Football/Basketball (In the small gym)

Parents attending the A team game will need to wait outside the gate until the B team game is over. For basketball (in the small gym), parents for the A team game will need to wait in the hallway. This will allow time for parents to exit the game in a safe and efficient way.

Also, due to the lack of space in the small gym, parents/visitors will be seated first. Students may be asked to stay in the big gym only to watch the sporting event.

Dear Hays CISD Family,

We have published part 2 of episode 1 (Fighting Fentanyl: Help is Here) of our Fighting Fentanyl video series.

The link to it online in English and Spanish is: https://www.hayscisd.net/fentanylvideos

As we continue our conversation about the dangers of fentanyl, we will continue to produce additional videos and resource materials.

The main fentanyl webpage is www.hayscisd.net/fentanyl.

Safe Gun Storage Texas

Safety & Security District Web Page

This procedure is intended to support student learning while minimizing student distractions and disruptions. The procedure will also support and enhance current safety procedures and protocols. Teachers are expected to incorporate technology as a part of their lesson plans as long as it supports the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Students may use their own technology (laptops or iPad) to support the learning objectives in the classroom.

Student use guidelines during the school day (8:10 AM-3:45 PM)

• Students may use their personal electronics on campus before 8:10 AM and after 3:45 PM.

• Cell phones must be out of sight and on airplane mode in the classroom.

• Students will not have their cell phones out during class or passing periods.

• Cell Phone use is prohibited in bathroom, locker rooms, changing areas or any area considered private.

• Principals may allow students to use their cell phones during lunch time.

Violation of electronics procedure

Students who violate the procedure will have the following consequences.

• 1st Offense – Warning

• 2nd Offense – Confiscation of the device.

• 3rd Offense – Confiscation of the device and parent notified.

• 4th Offense – Confiscation of the device, mandatory parent meeting. Assign one hour of afterschool detention. Device returned at the end of the day.

• Multiple Offenses – Confiscation of the device, may charge a $10 fee, and assigned In School Suspension.

Students who fail to surrender devices will elevate consequences immediately. Confiscated phone will be returned to the student at the end of day. Violations will reset every nine week grading period.

Parent expectations Parents can help their child support this policy, the learning environment, and our school’s mission by:

• Discussing the school expectation with your child

• Picking up confiscated devices in a timely manner between 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Our doors open at 7:30am each day. I will not have any supervision outside until 7:30am. You can drop off your child earlier but there will not be any supervision. We will release car riders at 3:39pm each day.

In the morning, please drive all the way up the hill as far as you can. Please do not drop off in the "Red Zone" where it says no parking. Also, do not drop off students in the front of the school. We need to keep this area clear for buses.

We are locking the back doors at 8:00. If your child arrives to school after 8:00, please drop off in the front of the building.

In the afternoon we want to fit as many cars in as possible. I will stop traffic to let the buses go ahead of everyone. We are trying to get the buses loaded as soon as possible so they can get on their routes.

Please DO NOT tell your child to walk to your vehicle while you are waiting in line.

PLEASE DO NOT do any Uturns when you are in line. This is a safety concern.

I appreciate your understanding with this.

As you know the line at parent pick up is extremely long. We are doing the best we can and I appreciate everyone’s patience. The line will get faster. The following items are some things your child can do to make the line go faster:

- Make sure your child is looking for you

- Try not to get out of your car for your child to put things in trunk

- Drive all the way up the loop until you cannot drive up anymore

We are needing all parents to fill out a lunch application for the upcoming school year. This is needed for all students (even if you know you won't qualify). Here is some information about lunch applications.

Child Nutrition

https://www.hayscisd.net/Page/311

Lunch Application

https://www.schoolcafe.com/hayscisd

Only needs to be done 1 per household

Or also adding money to child’s lunch account

https://www.hayscisd.net/Page/317

• School starts at 8:10am and ends at 3:45pm
• Students will have 7 class periods
• Students will have 4 minutes to get from class to class. We do count tardies. Tardies will begin the second week of school
• We have 3 lunch periods separated by grade levels. 6th grade will eat first, followed by 7th grade, and 8th grade will eat last
• If time permits, students will be allowed to purchase snacks after everyone has been given the opportunity to get a lunch. Snacks can be purchased with cash or charged to student's lunch account.
• We do not have academic lockers at MMS.
• Every student will be given a school device (unless students choose to use their own)
• Students will need a Hays CISD device during STAAR testing

ENGLISH

We are so excited to open our doors to visitors again! As always, safety will remain our number one priority. Please review the District Safety Procedures prior to visiting our campus by clicking here.

A few reminders:

• All visitors will continue to check in at the front office
• All visitors will need to show official state identification (Texas Driver’s license or state issued ID card)
• Visitation may be denied due to lack of appropriate identification required for criminal background screening
• All students must wear their ID tag while on campus. Please make sure your student wears their ID daily.

We are excited to offer volunteering opportunities again! Interested in volunteering? Learn more: Hays CISD Volunteers In Public Schools (VIP)

Please click here for additional information and safety reminders: Campus Safety Protocols

We look forward to seeing you soon!

SPANISH

¡Nos da mucho gusto volver abrir nuestras puertas a visitantes de nuevo! Como siempre, la seguridad siempre será nuestra primera prioridad. Por favor revise los Procedimientos de Seguridad del Distrito antes de visitar alguno de nuestros campus al hacer CLIC AQUÍ.

Unos cuantos recordatorios:

• Todos los visitantes deberán registrarse en la oficina de la entrada principal.
• Todos los visitantes necesitan mostrar su identificación oficial del estado (Licencia de Conductor o Identificación del Estado de Texas)
• Se podrá negar la visita en caso de falta identificación apropiada para la verificación de antecedentes.
• Todos los estudiantes deberán usar su Credencial de Identificación mientras estén en el campus. Favor de asegurarse que su hijo(a) porte su ID diariante.

¡Nos emociona poder volver a ofrecer oportunidades de participación voluntaria nuevamente! ¿Le interesa participar como voluntario? Infórmese más en: Voluntarios en Escuelas Públicas de Hays CISD (VIP)

Haga CLIC AQUÍ: Protocolos de Seguridad en el Campus para mayor información y leer los recordatorios de seguridad.

¡Esperamos verlos muy pronto!