The Hawk Report

Greetings Hawk Nation Parents and Students,

Our last full week in January has been full of learning and increasing academic success here at McAuliffe. Each of our scholars are working hard to meet expectations in and out of the classroom, and we want to thank you and our amazing teachers for making this happen. We can only continue to go up from here!

As we continue our journey through the Spring Semester, we ask that you keep the following important updates in mind:

• PR5 Grades. Progress Report 5 grades closed this past Wednesday, and will post in Skyward on Tuesday (1/30/2024). 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.
  

• Cell Phones & Earbuds. It seems that earbuds and cell phones were popular gifts over the Christmas break. Please remind your student(s) that neither are allowed to be seen or heard from the time they enter the doors in the morning until 4:10pm. Should you need to reach your student during the school day, we ask that you contact the front office instead of calling or texting your student while in class. Please see the flyer below regarding consequences should we see/hear them.

• Don't Forget the Dress Code! As it gets colder outside, please be sure that your Hawk scholar is following the dress code. Remember leggings must have a shirt or dress that fully covers the buttocks / reaches mid-thigh, and jeans that have holes, rips, or tears above mid-thigh must have shorts or leggings underneath them. Jackets and pullover that have hoods can be work to school, but the hood cannot be worn in the building. Please reference the dress code below for more guidance on Hawk scholarly attire.

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

Student Course Selection for the 2024-2025 school year is here. Counselors will begin going through Social Studies classes to help students understand the course selection process and how to complete their course selection card.

Please ensure that you speak with your student about the courses they desire, and sign off on their course selection sheet once done.

All forms need to be turned into their Social Studies teacher or grade-level counselor by Friday, February 2nd for 6th and 7th grades; Tuesday, February 6th for 8th grade.

Social Studies Class Visit Schedule

• Monday, January 29: 7th grade
• Tuesday, January 30: 6th grade
• Thursday, February 1: 8th grade

Fort Bend ISD is currently accepting AVID applications for the 2024-2025 school year!

Interested students must complete the online application for his/her designated AVID campus using the links found at http://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/79299.

• Students will click on the Christa McAuliffe Middle school link if staying at CMMS during the 2024-25 school year
• If going to high school next year, students will click on the link of the high school in which they will attend during the 2024-25 school year

The online application must be completed at one time; however, students can view or print the application prior to completing. Once submitted, the student will receive an email confirmation, which will also allow him/her to edit responses up until the due date. Please allow at least an hour to complete. Final acceptance into the AVID program will be determined upon completion of an interview. AVID is offered to 6th, 7th and 8th Graders as well as high school students.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• January: Campus presentations
• February 2: AVID student application due
• February 12-22: Campus interviews conducted
• February 29: AVID invitation letters sent out to students
• March 7: Deadline for students to accept AVID invitation

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).

In the fall of 2023, students took the PSAT 8/9. Students should have received an email from College Board with their scores. If they did not, students may access their Student Score Reports (collegeboard.org) online and receive personalized feedback, practice, college planning and career exploration resources.

• See all your scores and find out if you are on track for college readiness
• View detailed explanations of skills required to be college ready
• Send your scores to Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy for personalized practice recommendations.
• Search for colleges that fit your needs
• Explore Roadmap to Careers to learn about jobs and college majors that are right for you
• Get feedback on your readiness for AP courses

For questions regarding PSAT 8/9, please contact Ms. Doxey - 8th Grade Counselor

As a part of the Whole Child Health Initiative, Fort Bend ISD is excited to present parent webinars related to various needs and concerns that arise within our community. The next parent webinar will be held on Wednesday, February 21st at 6 p.m. on the topic "Study Habits and Test Anxiety."

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: Study Habits and Test Anxiety

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.

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