The Hawk Report
Christa McAuliffe MS Parent Newsletter - Week of March 18th
A Message From Our Principal, Mr. Lemon
Greetings Hawk Nation Parents and Students,
Spring Break is coming to an end and we are entering STAAR preparation time. Over the next 4 weeks, teachers will be working diligently to ensure that your student(s) is well prepared and will do well on the STAAR test. During this time, we truly need your student at school, each and everyday. Not only will teachers be teaching the required curriculum, but they will also be doing targeted intervention to address any instructional gaps that your student may have; we cannot do this if your child is not here. Attendance is essential!
As we continue our journey into the Spring Semester, we ask that you keep the following important updates in mind:
- Practicing Appropriate Behavior. As we continue into the semester, we ask that you speak with your student(s) and remind them of your expectations for their behavior at school, as well as ours. It is important that students remember to keep their hands and feet to themselves. Failing to do so could result in someone getting hurt, and/or them receiving a consequence. Also, please remind them of the old saying "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Rumors and gossip do nothing but hurt people and cause students not to focus on learning, but on inappropriate interactions amongst their peers. Students should use kind words towards each other, or see a counselor or administrator immediately, if they need assistance.
- Term 3 Grades Post Tuesday. 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.
- 8th Grade Spirit Week - Coming Soon. 8th grade parents, please be sure to read the section below regarding 8th Grade Spirit Week. It outlines the days that the spirit week will be held, along with expectations required for students to participate. It is important to note that the expectation listed go into effect tomorrow, Monday, March 18th throughout the spirit week. Please read and review with your student.
- 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.
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
STAAR Testing Dates
6th Grade:
- Mon., March 25 & Tues., March 26: Math 6 STAAR Interim
- Wed., April 17: STAAR 6 Reading
- Wed., April 24: STAAR 6 Math
- Mon., April 29 & Tues., April 30: REN360 EOY - English/Language Arts
- Fri., May 3 & Mon., May 6: REN360 EOY - Math
7th Grade:
- Thurs., March 21 & Fri., March 22: Math 7 STAAR Interim
- Tues., April 16: STAAR 7 Reading
- Thurs., April 25: STAAR 7 Math
- Wed., May 1 & Thurs., May 2: REN360 EOY - English/Language Arts
- Tues., May 7 & Wed., May 8: REN360 EOY - Math
8th Grade:
- Tues., March 19 & Wed., March 20: Math STAAR Interim (Math 8 & Algebra I)
- Tues., March 26 & Wed., March 27: Science 8 STAAR Interim
- Mon., April 15: STAAR 8 Reading
- Thurs., April 18: STAAR 8 Social Studies
- Mon., April 22: STAAR 8 Science
- Fri., April 26: STAAR 8 Math & Algebra I EOC
- Tues., May 7 & Wed., May 8: REN360 EOY - Math
Life Skills:
- Mon., March 25 - Fri., April 26: STAAR Alt2 Testing Window (testing can occur during anytime during this time frame)
Test Day Procedures
Parents, please note that on the testing days listed above, the following are needed/in place:
- Make sure your student gets a good nights sleep and eats a healthy breakfast (breakfast will be provided at school, if desired)
- Students will need to report to campus with a fully charged laptop, as the STAAR test is administered electronically
- Students should keep all other electronic devices (cell phone, smart watch, iPad, etc) at home. (All devices brought to campus must be turned in as a requirement for STAAR testing; they will be given back once testing is complete. Any student who is found in possession of an electronic during testing will have their test voided and a disciplinary consequence issued).
- Students are encouraged to bring a lunch from home. If unavailable, a sack lunch will be provided through the cafeteria.
- Visitors are not allowed on campus on test days
- Students cannot be checked out early until all testing for the day is complete (even if your child is done early. This limits interruptions to testing rooms where other students may still be testing.)
Attention 8th Grade Parent: 8th Grade Spirit Week is Coming Soon
Attention 8th Grade Parents... Mark your calendars! May 13-17 is "8th Grade Spirit Week" at CMMS! We are so proud of the many accomplishments of our 8th graders and are excited to celebrate them. Students will receive their "Spirit Week" packets that outline the events for the week, packages, and payment deadlines at the beginning of April. You will receive notice on the day that those are passed out.
We have a lot of great and fun events planned for our eighth graders, but it is important to remember that such activities are considered privileges, that can be taken away should your student not meet the campus expectations effective Monday, March 18, 2024 through the end of the school year. The following will eliminate your student from being able to participate in 8th Grade Spirit Week:
- Placement at the DAEP during the window above
- (1) Out of School Suspension
- (2) In School Suspensions
- (5+) Unexcused Absences
- (6+) Tardies
- Any unpaid fees owed to FBISD/CMMS due to lost equipment, books, or ID fees
Please note that once money is paid for packages, no refunds will be issued should your child become ineligible to participate in the 8th grade activities due to one of the infractions above. Please be sure to speak with your student and review both your personal and school expectations with them.
Should you have any questions regarding 8th Grade Spirit Week, please contact Dr. Johnson at KimberlyD.Johnson@fortbendisd.com or Mrs. Ana Rios at Ana.RiosAlvarado@fortbendisd.com.
Tardy Sweeps & Detention Assignments
Parents, we need your support. (1) Please speak with your student about getting to class on time, and the consequences for not doing so; (2) If your student is assigned a detention, we need them present (you will receive a call and email telling you date assigned); (3) If for some reason your student cannot attend their scheduled detention, please call their grade-level administrator, and we will issue them a different date in the same week.
Thank you for supporting us as we ensure our Hawks are maximizing their instructional time.
Bring Your Fully Charged Laptop, Daily!
- 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).
Hey Hawks... Remember... No Cell Phones / Earbuds from 8:25am - 4:10pm
Come Support Our Hawk Athletes
Various Community Opportunities / Events
IMPORTANT: Texas Vaping Law
On September 1, 2023, House Bill 114 (HB 114), went 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.
The Lending Library - Parent Agreement Forms
Skyward Instructions for Digital Parent Form
Lending Library Parent Form (English)
Lending Library Parent Form (Spanish)
Dads We Need Your Help!
If you or a male within our community is interested in becoming a part of Dad on Duty, please follow the steps below:
- Complete the FBISD Volunteer Application (Click Here)
- 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.
Tasks to Tackle...
Helpful Items You May Need
FBISD 2023-24 Instructional Calendar (English)
FBISD 2023-24 Instructional Calendar (Spanish)
FBISD Immunization Requirements (English)
FBISD Immunization Requirements (Spanish)
CMMS 2023-24 Administrative Team
Mr. Trevor Lemon
Dr. Kimberly Johnson
Mr. Timothy East
Mr. Brandon Woodard
Mrs. Ishaka Mack
CMMS 2023-24 Counseling Team
Ms. Twana Jones
Ms. Nancy Lake
Ms. Monica Doxey
Christa McAuliffe Middle School
Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/cmms
Location: 16650 South Post Oak Road, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 634-3360
Twitter: @CMMS_Hawks