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The Miller Minute
The Parent Newsletter of Bob Miller Middle School
July 26, 2024
From the Principal's Desk...
Miller Families:
Welcome back to a new and exciting school year at Bob Miller Middle School! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable summer break. As we begin this new academic year, I am thrilled to reconnect with our returning families and extend a warm welcome to those who are new to our school community.
This newsletter will serve as a series of important dates, reminders, and information as families prepare for the first day of school on Monday, August 12, 2024. Moving into the school year, please bookmark this website as it will be updated frequently with new information. When a new newsletter comes out, it will be sent to parents via email and text that day. Additionally, our website, bobmillerms.com, has a wealth of information and giving our social media sites a follow can also help to keep our families and community informed. I know there is A LOT of information in this edition of the newsletter. It will not always be this long, but with the beginning of a new year, there is a lot to share and a lot of compliance pieces that we must communicate.
That said, our dedicated staff has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming year, and we are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment for all of our students. We have many exciting plans and initiatives in place that we believe will enhance the educational experience and foster a sense of community and belonging.
We look forward to partnering with you to ensure the success and well-being of our students. Your involvement and support are vital to our shared mission, and we encourage you to stay engaged with our school through various events, meetings, and volunteer opportunities.
Thank you for entrusting us with your children’s education. Together, we can make this school year a memorable and successful one.
Yours in Learning,
Joshua Wikler
Proud Principal
Miller Middle School
Important Dates
Welcome Back Day
Monday, August 12, 2024
First Day of School
Monday, August 12, 2024
Picture Day
Thursday, August 22, 2024
24-25 School Year Information
Parent Summer To-Do List
With just two weeks before school starts, time is ticking on checking off the items on our Summer To-Do List!
Summer Institute
If your student is an incoming 6th grader, it's not to late to sign up for Miller's annual Summer Institute! CLICK HERE to learn more about this exciting summer bridge program and CLICK HERE to register for one of two sessions. After registering, the $100.00 fee for this program must be paid in person with cash at the school bank.
Welcome Back Day
Miller Middle School will host our annual welcome back day on Friday, August 9, 2024. This event will give students and families the opportunity to walk their schedules, test their lockers, pay fees, check out their school-issued Chromebook and MORE! Detailed information will be sent out closer to the event.
Student Schedules
After Welcome Back Day, schedules will also be available August 9, 2024, in the Counselors’ Office from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Students who do not pick up their schedules on August 9, 2024, will be able to pick them up from their counselor on the first day of school, Monday, August 12, 2024, beginning at 7:30 AM.
Suggested School Supply List
This linked School Supply List consists of suggested supplies for our students. Please note that these are supplies recommended by teachers for all core subjects – individual classes may require additional items. All students will check out a school-issued Chromebook on either Welcome Back Day or during the first week of school.
Chromebook Distribution
All students will use a school-issued Chromebook to access Clever, Canvas, and their Google Calendar. Students may pick up their Chromebooks at our Welcome Back Day event on Friday, August 9. Those who do not get a Chromebook before school starts will check one out during the first week in assigned classes. Parents must complete the Chromebook Guidelines Agreement prior to checkout. Students must bring their Chromebook to school, charged, each day. Chargers are to be kept at home.
Immunizations
Please take a moment to check in with your care provider or review your student's shot records to ensure that their immunizations are current. Typically, students entering the 7th grade are in need of two immunizations: TDAP and Meningococcal. Students who are out of compliance will not be issued schedules or allowed to attend classes until records have been submitted and verified. Please access the district's Quick Reference Guide on immunizations for details. Additionally, families can access vaccination resources by clicking HERE.
Online Registration
If you have not yet completed online registration for the 2024-25, please go to the Parent Portal on Infinite Campus by clicking this link: campusportal.ccsd.net
Online Registration must be completed for all CCSD returning students. If you have a student new to CCSD, please visit the link: register.ccsd.net
The online registration process must be completed each school year.
Open House
Save the Date! Bob Miller Middle School's annual Open House will take place on Thursday, September 12 starting at 5:30 PM. More information will be sent out via email as we get closer to this date.
Fees
The Miller School Organizational Team reviews proposed family fees annually. Student fees for instructional materials and athletic packets support programming at Miller Middle School. Our school operates with a limited supply budget and invests the majority of our strategic budget toward faculty and staff. It is through your donations and fee payments that we maintain the robust programming that Miller families enjoy and appreciate.
Students receive novels to keep as a part of their English Language Arts fee. Additionally, we invite families to donate $30 for technology sustainability. No student will be denied a free and appropriate education at Miller Middle School. If you require a scholarship, we are happy to assist. Please contact the counseling office to make that request.
As you may know, the Clark County School District is transitioning away from their current banking software to a more modern solution. The Web Store that previously accepted online payments has now been disabled. There is no timetable for the implementation of the new banking service.
Bob Miller Middle School will be happy to help you with your banking needs while CCSD changes over to this new program. We will be taking payments in the banking office with cash or check during this transition. Thank you for your patience.
Student Absence Notifications
Bob Miller Middle School uses an automated system to call home when students are reported absent or tardy from a single period during the school day. The purpose of this recorded message is to remind parents to send in an absence note to the school’s attendance office.
The preferred way to notify the school when your child is absent is to fill out the online absence note found on the school's website at bobmillerms.com or the above link. Please allow 24-48 hours for processing. Parents/guardians will most likely still receive a phone call, text, and/or email from the school notifying them of their child's absence even after you fill out this form. If the absence is still not updated in Infinite Campus after 48 hours, please contact our attendance clerk, Jeannie Galvin, via email at galvijd@nv.ccsd.net or by phone at (702) 799-2260, extension 4300. If you are unable to access the online absence note, please send a written note with your child's full name to be turned into the basket located in the Counseling Office. Please do not send absence notes in via email as this may results in a delayed response.
School Safety & Student Conduct
School safety is incredibly important at Miller Middle School. Below is some information about some guidelines and procedures paramount to that safety. We continue to keep all exterior doors locked with the exception of two at the front that will allow you access to only the front office. Further, we do not permit parents to seek out teachers before or after school. Please, make an appointment with a teacher if you wish to meet with him/her or make an appointment through the counseling office if you would like to meet with your child’s team of teachers.
What's New in 2024-25
There are several changes to school procedures that we want to make our community aware of going into the summer in preparation for the 2024-25 school year.
- Next school year, all students will be required to wear student ID badges on lanyards each day. Students will be issued a badge and Miller lanyard on Picture Day (August 22, 2024). Students may also wear a lanyard of choice (Golden Knights, Spiderman, Barbie, etc.). Replacement ID badges and lanyards will be on sale throughout the school year.
- Beginning in 2024-25, students will not have access to their cellular devices during class periods. Students will place their phones in non-locking, signal blocking cell phone bags. They will maintain possession of their devices but should not operate or access phones during class time.
- Due to student and staff safety concerns, the Miller parking lot will be closed to parents for the dropping off and picking up of students from 7:30-8:00 AM and 2:00-2:30 PM. Please arrange for alternate drop off locations if you drive your student to school. Many parents drop off on Cozy Hill Circle at other community locations.
- Beginning this school year, the City of Henderson has funded crossing guards for all middle schools. We are grateful to the mayor's office and the Henderson City Council for recognizing the need for increased safety on and around our streets. Please be advised that it is Nevada State Law that drivers and pedestrians follow directions provided by school crossing guards.
More information on the policies and procedures related to these changes can be found below.
Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up
During the school year, students may arrive on campus no earlier than 7:30 AM with the exception of students enrolled in Early Bird courses. Please do not drop your child off at school prior to this time as there is no supervision provided. The parking lot is closed from 7:30-8:00 AM and 2:00-2:30 PM each day. Please arrange alternate drop-off locations if you drive your student to school. Many parents drop off on Cozy Hill Circle or at other community locations.
Opportunity Period begins at 7:30 AM before school and 2:11 PM after school. During this time, students may go to teachers’ classrooms for extra help, to make up missed work, or to complete a redo or retake.
Students who are not attending a club or activity after school must be picked up at dismissal.
Students are NOT allowed to loiter on or around campus after school. This includes the parking lot of the church across the street from the school.
Safety on our Streets
Student safety is of utmost importance to us. Clearly, at drop-off and dismissal, Cozy Hill and Carnegie are congested. It is important that all drivers are alert and patient. Remind your child to use the crosswalks and pay attention when crossing. Drivers must obey traffic laws and yield to pedestrians. Please do your part to keep all our Bobcats safe.
The following are points to keep in mind:
•Do not make U-turns on Cozy Hill or Carnegie. U-Turns on Cozy Hill Circle and Carnegie Street are illegal and unsafe. See posted signs.
•Cars are not permitted to stop in the middle of the street to allow students to get out of or into the car. Cars must safely pull over to the curb and stop before students enter or exit.
•Cars must not park at any curbs painted red.
•Choose a parent-student meeting place in advance. If you plan to pick up your child from school, plan ahead so both of you know where you will meet.
•If you are able to participate in a carpool, that would be of great assistance. Additionally, if you live very close to Miller, please consider walking to the school to meet your child at dismissal.
Thank you for assisting us with keeping our students safe. It is critically important that we all work together to look after our students. Thank you for your patience and kindness.
Dress Code
The administration of Miller Middle School strictly enforces the dress and appearance code approved by the CCSD Board of School Trustees. Information regarding the school’s dress code is also provided in the online student handbook. Please review the following Miller MS dress code requirements with your child to ensure compliance. The following are not permitted:
Pants that sag and show the top of the undergarments worn beneath them.
Crop tops (shirts that allow skin to show between pants or skirts and the shirt), strapless, low-cut clothing, or clothing that provides minimum coverage.
Clothing with spaghetti straps. All straps must be at least three inches wide and cover the shoulder.
Jeans, pants, or trousers with rips or tears that expose undergarments and/or are located mid-thigh or higher.
Headgear (hats, caps, bandanas, etc.) except for authorized athletic practices or activities.
Clothing with slogans or advertising which by its controversial or obscene nature will disrupt the educational setting.
Spiked or studded clothing.
Coats, mittens, and/or scarves can be worn to school, but not in classrooms.
Pajamas or slippers.
Backpacks, Bikes, Lockers, and Lunches
Students are not permitted to carry backpacks to and from their individual classes during the school day. This is defined as any bag large enough to hold books and binders. Students, however, may bring a backpack to school, but it must be stored in the student’s locker during the academic day. Students may carry a small purse throughout the day, but it must not be of the size that would constitute a bookbag. A tote bag is a book bag and must be stored in the locker.
During the school year, students may only visit their lockers before school, during lunch, and after school. Planning and organization will prevent students from being tardy to class. Students are permitted to decorate the inside of their lockers. They may not put anything on the outside of the locker. Stickers, tape, paint, or any other items that may damage the lockers are prohibited. Furthermore, students, nor families, are permitted to decorate the outside of lockers. Students are not allowed to share their lockers or locker combinations with any other student.
The District received updated waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
and will continue to provide free school meals to all children 2-18 years of age through the 2024-2025 school year.
The Cafeteria serves breakfast and lunch daily. During this first week of school, the staff in the cafeteria will be working with our students in training. All students are strongly encouraged to bring a sack lunch for the first couple of weeks of the year to avoid having to stand in line. However, if a student elects to receive a lunch, he/she will be given time to eat before returning to class. You may also visit CCSD Food Services for more information. Menus can be found by CLICKING HERE.
Students are permitted to ride their bicycle, scooter, or skateboard to school. None of these may be used on the school campus. Upon arrival on campus, students must walk, not ride. Bikes and non-folding scooters must be locked in the bike rack. Folding scooters and skateboards may be stored in the student’s assigned locker. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen bicycles/scooters/skateboards.
Henderson Teen Scene
Families must develop an after-school care plan for their children. While students are permitted to use a phone in the front office to call a parent or caregiver, they do require individualized assistance to make long distance calls.
If a student cannot be picked up by 2:30 PM, he/she should be enrolled in the Henderson Parks & Recreation (HPRD) Teen Scene Program. Due to obvious safety concerns when students are left unsupervised, students who remain on campus but are not picked up by 2:30 PM will receive a Request for Parent Conference form from the Student Success Center. During this parent conference, the administrative team will work with the family to develop an after-school care plan.
Student Life
Athletic Registration
As we look forward to 2024-25, we are excited to pass on information on the athletics programs offered at Bob Miller Middle School. Whether your child is entering his or her final year as a Bobcat or preparing for his or her first official day on campus, this information will help prospective student-athletes and their parents understand the clearinghouse procedures of the Clark County School District and Bob Miller Middle School.
CLICK HERE for comprehensive information about the athletics programs offered at Miller and the tryout process, including Register My Athlete, the district's eligibility clearinghouse.
Register My Athlete Night
Bob Miller Middle School Athletics will host a Register My Athlete Event on Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM in the Miller Library. Access to the Library can be gained from the front of the school using the Library's dedicated door.
At this event, families can get assistance with the clearinghouse process to gain eligibility to play sports at Miller Middle School. So gather your paperwork and get some assistance from Miller's coaches, athletic administrator, and staff. We will scan things for you, help you upload items, and answer any questions you may have! Items you may want to bring include:
- Completed Athletic Physical
- Completed Electronic Records Release
- Two forms of proof of address (one MUST be a major utility or lease/mortgage)
- Transcripts from a previous school, if applicable
- User name and password for RMA if you have already created an account
- Cash or check to pay your athletic fee
Come get help from Miller's RMA experts to finalize or get started on your student's athletic registration!
Clubs and Activities
Miller Middle School prides itself upon its vibrant culture of clubs and organizations. With over 30 clubs, sports, and organizations, there is something for everyone! CLICK HERE to view the current lineup of clubs and activities. This list is constantly changing and evolving, so check back frequently!
Yearbook Information
The 24-25 Bob Miller Middle School yearbook is already on sale! Pre-order your student's copy while the price is just $40.00, the lowest it will be all year! The price goes up on September 13, 2024, so act fast! CLICK HERE to navigate to the Jostens website to place your order.
Bobcat Monster Bash
Each year, Bob Miller Middle School holds a school-wide fall fundraiser called Bobcat Monster Bash. Students solicit donations from sponsors in order to attend the school-wide carnival on Thursday, October 24, 2024 during 5th and 6th periods. Students can win amazing prizes and opportunities! Please consider participating in this community event as it funds all of our school-sponsored student incentives throughout the school year. Be on the lookout for information on the fundraiser and parent volunteer opportunities in the coming weeks.
District Notices and Information
Parent Information Meetings
The Miller Administrative Team hosts Parent Information Meetings each month on the third Tuesday of the month via Google Meet.
Our most recent meeting was on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. If you missed that meeting, the agenda from it is linked. The first parent information meeting of the 24-25 school year will be held on Tuesday, August 21, 2024 at 1:00 PM via Google Meet.
RAVE Reviews
The Recognize A Valued Employee (RAVE) Review Program is back! This program recognizes employees who go above and beyond and have demonstrated excellence in character, performance, and service. Fellow employees, parents/guardians, students, and community members are all eligible to nominate an employee.
More information about the program can be found on the CCSD Team Engagement website. To submit a RAVE Review for any CCSD employee, CLICK HERE.
Every Day Matters Campaign
During the previous academic year, the Clark County School District (CCSD) experienced a chronic absenteeism rate of 36 percent. That means one out of every three students was absent from school 10 percent or more of enrolled days for any reason.
Why it matters: It’s an issue we must address head-on and with urgency. When students miss classroom instruction, it hurts their student success, affecting their grades and social development.
But there is encouraging news we would like to share. CCSD has launched a campaign, Every Day Matters, that will use a strategic approach to improve student attendance.
This campaign will be a communitywide effort, involving nonprofit organizations, businesses, and local governments that partner with CCSD. For us to get students to regularly attend school, however, the fact is it will depend on you and your child.
In the weeks and months ahead, our school and CCSD will be offering tips and strategies that you can use to get your child excited about going to school. If you are concerned about your child’s attendance, request a meeting with school counselors or an administrator so we can work on making progress.