Message from Dr. Anderson - Henry County School … us on Facebook: -County - ... Ayana Ousley, Kayla Partee, Kenaben Patel, Kristaisha Pittman, Millisa Reid, Semaj Rice,

School Hours for

2014-2015

8:55am—4:05pm

Dr. Kimberly Anderson, Principal Ms. Julissa Forbes, Assistant Principal STEAM Blended Learning Academy and MTSS/504

Mr. Lawrence Gwyn, Assistant Principal Traditional Learning Academy and Assessment

December 2014 Henry County Middle School Title 1 Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2

Calendar

Message from Dr. Anderson

Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Henry-County-

Middle-School/196833653672791

Recurring Events:

Zaxby’s Spirit Night - 1st & 2nd Monday’s of each month

School Council - 2nd Thursday of each month @ 4:30 p.m. in the Media Center

PTO - 3rd Thursday of each month @ 6:00 p.m. in Cafeteria

iMOM - 2nd Friday of each month @ 8:15 a.m. in the Media Center

All Pro Dad - 4th Fr iday of each month @ 8:00 a.m. in the Media Center (3rd Friday if it’s a holiday)

December

1st & 8th - Zaxby’s Spirit Night

11th - School Council @ 4:30 p.m. in the Media Center

12th - iMOM @ 8:15 a.m. in the Media Center

18th - PTO @ 6:00 p.m. in Cafeteria

Continued...

New Testing Standards for Georgia Students

¨ What is the Georgia Milestones Assessment

System?

The Georgia Milestones Assessment System (Georgia

Milestones) is a comprehensive summative assessment

program spanning grades 3 through high school. Georgia Milestones measures how

well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted

content standards in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students in

grades 3 through 8 will take an end-of-grade assessment in each content area, while

high school students will take an end-of-course assessment for each of the eight courses

designated by the State Board of Education.

¨ How is the Georgia Milestones different from the CRCT?

On the new Georgia Milestones, students in grades 3-12 will be assessed using one test

rather than a series of individual tests. When students took the CRCT previously, a

separate test was given for reading, language arts and writing. Now, reading, language

arts and writing have been combined to align more directly with the Common Core

Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS). Features the Georgia Milestone Assessment

System include:

· open-ended (constructed-response) items in language arts and mathematics (all

grades and courses);

· a writing component (in response to passages read by students) at every grade

level and course within the language arts assessment;

Page 2 Henry County Middle School Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2

Message from Dr. Anderson, continued...

· norm-referenced items in all content areas and courses, to complement the criterion-

referenced information and to provide a national comparison; and

· transition to online administration over time, with online administration considered

the primary mode of administration and paper-pencil as back-up until the transition

is complete.

¨ Why is the change to the Georgia Milestones necessary?

The Georgia Milestones will determine how well students have mastered the state standards

and how prepared students are for college and careers. These new tests will also better

support Georgia students, as they compete with their peers in the United States and other

countries. The Georgia Milestones will also give educators more information about how

students might perform on other tests, such as the SAT or ACT.

¨ What content areas and grade levels are tested?

Students in grades 3 through 8 will take an end-of-grade assessment in the content areas of

language arts, mathematics, science, social studies. These tests are administered towards

the end of the school year, typically in April or early May.

Students at the high school level and any middle school students taking any of the following

eight courses will take an end-of-course assessment:

· Language Arts

* Ninth Grade Literature and Composition

* American Literature and Composition

· Mathematics

* Coordinate Algebra

* Analytic Geometry

· Science

* Physical Science

* Biology

· Social Studies

* United States History

* Economics/Business/Free Enterprise

¨ Will the Georgia Milestones be given to students online?

The Georgia Milestones will transition to an online assessment over a five-year period. In

the first year, it is expected that 30 percent of students will take the test online. By Year 3,

it is expected that 80 percent of students will take the assessment online. By Year 5, the

expectation is that 100 percent of students will be tested online. However, the Georgia

Department of Education will provide paper/pencil versions for the small number of

students who cannot use a computer as a result of a disability. Braille forms will also be

available for students who need them.

¨ How can I support my child, as he/she prepares to take this test?

Discuss the new tests with your child. Explain that the purpose of the tests is to determine

how well the child understands the material that he/she has been taught. Explain that the

new tests will also give teachers and schools information about areas in which your child

needs additional support. Visit the Georgia Department of Education’s website,

www.gadoe.org to view sample test items. Review these test items with your child to help

increase his/her confidence about taking the new tests.

19th - All Pro Dad @ 8:00 a.m. in Media Center

18th - 19th - Final Exams (Students may not bring book bags to school on these days)

19th - End of Fir st Semester

22nd - Jan. 5th - Semester Break (NO SCHOOL)

Looking Ahead:

Jan. 6th - Second Semester begins

Jan. 13th - Grade repor ts issued

Jan. 13th - Parent Workshop: Organization, Time Management, and Study Skills

Jan. 19th - MLK Holiday (NO SCHOOL)


What’s Happening at HCMS?

Red Ribbon Week – Oct. 27-31, 2014

HCMS observed Red Ribbon Week Oct. 27th- Oct. 31st. Each day, students showed their

commitment to being drug free by participating in the following activities:

Monday – Red Ribbon Kick-off

Tuesday – Wear RED

Wednesday – Wear gloves for “Hands off Drugs” day

Thursday – Wear HOUSE colors for “Drugs don’t belong in my HOUSE”

Friday – Wear costume from a character in a book for “You don’t need drugs to be a character”

Also, students were asked trivia questions each morning during announcements and winners were

announced during afternoon announcements.

“A Day in the Life of Blended Learning” – Nov. 6, 2014

The 6th & 7th Grade STEAM Blended Learning Team hosted a Parent Night, which allowed parents to

provide input on our school redesign plan, follow their student’s schedule, see what is expected of their

learner, and ask questions. Many said that they will tell other parents about what we are doing at school.

Kindness Week 2014

This year, November 10-14 was designated as Kindness Week. World Kindness Day was celebrated on

November 13, 2014. This year, our theme was centered on achieving happiness as we express kindness!

Can people who think only about themselves be truly happy? The short answer is, "No." When we

choose to be loving, caring, responsible and "response-able" people towards others, we will then

experience true happiness.

Continued...


What’s Happening at HCMS, continued...

With that in mind, all week long, students and teachers donated canned food items to the Media Center

to help support needy families during the Holidays. Also, each day of Kindness Week had a theme

which served to spread kindness and bring us all more happiness at HCMS.

¨ Monday, November 10th: “HCMS Visual Reminder”

¨ Tuesday, November 11th: “HCMS – Honoring Our Military!”

Students wore the following colors:

8th grade – Red shirts

7th grade – White shirts

6th grade – Blue shirts

¨ Wednesday, November 12th: “Kindness Zone Day”

¨ Thursday, November 13th: “Shout-Out to a Cool Student Day”

¨ Friday, November 14th: “Kindness to Our Faculty & Staff Day”

HCMS Celebrates Positive Behavior!

270 HCMS students participated in the first Positive Behavior Celebration of this school

year. The celebration was for students who had no ISS/OSS and no citations for Term 1 (they

could “redeem” a citation by getting 5 teachers to initial their agenda (5 teacher initials per

citation). These students must also not be failing any classes for Term 1. Students got to enjoy

some outside playtime, a jumpy-slide, popcorn & cotton candy during their connections.

An AAA pizza celebration was also held during the last hour of school for students who:

· Were absent less than 3 days during the grading period

· Had no ISS/OSS and less than 3 citations

· Had all A’s and/or B’s on their grade report


HCMS Celebrates Positive Behavior, continued...

Upcoming Celebrations: January 16, 2015 and March 27, 2015

Students who qualified for Term 1 are:

Grade 6

Ilham Abdelkadir, Shelsea Alcantara, Alimata Bah, Jaden Causey, Brandon Drummer, Hadarah Emile, Hadassa

Emile, Keyonna Harewood, Alexis Hood, Misael Luciano, Thomas McDaniel, Khania Reese, Kendall Ricks,

Alexandra Robinson, Lily Ann Welsh, Dontavius Williams, Logan Williams, Breaunna Winters, Austin Zajicek

Grade 7

Ismihan Abdelkadir, Shaniece Alexander, Keshawn Allen, Rylan Bagsby, Taimya Childs, Jaedyn Doiley, Alannah

Drummond, Francesca Exum, Samya Foresta, Makaela Fulton, Jamari Giles, Nichell Glover, Amaya Griffin , Sade

Hagos, Milani Harrigan Lee, Michael Idaewor, Destinie James, Sherman John, Leah Johnson, Alexandria Kav,

Jahlil King, Tianna Le, Emilee Marshall, Kentavious Norris, Emmanuela Omokhudu, Onyinyechukwu Onyemaobi,

Zachary Perriott, Ivanka Pina, Miguel Rivas, Eunice Roseme, Rashell Smith, Sha'Miya Smith, Kristen Trice, Liany

Valdespino, Elani White, Kobe Williams, Adonai Young

8th Grade

Shantiel Anderson, Lauren Brown, Nicollita Carter, Denarian Jacobs, Harold Jarquin-Ramirez, Harmonee Joseph,

Caleb Kelsey, Deanna Kennedy, Jennifer Keomanyvanh, Tybi King, Daquain Latimer, Simone Lopez, Somto-

chukwu Onyemaobi, Ayana Ousley, Kayla Partee, Kenaben Patel, Kristaisha Pittman, Millisa Reid, Semaj Rice,

Jewel Sekle, Noah Settles, Janiah Williams, Ahjonti Witchard, Xavier Wright


Thursday’s Career Talk During Lunch

In an effort to prepare the students of HCMS to become College and Career Ready, one

Thursday of each month during lunch, a Career Pathway will be showcased.

The purpose of each Pathway visit will be to promote: Self-awareness, Career exploration, and

Educational planning. In addition to making students aware of how school subjects relate to

different occupations.

December 11th: Henry Co. High School JROTC

Parents, if you are interested in being a presenter for Thursday Career Talks, please

contact Ms. King in the counseling office at (770)957-3945 or

[email protected]

Media Center Memos

“The Media Center and Advanced Literature will be having movie nights once a month to

raise money for books and supplies. They will be one Friday each month, and the funds will

go to a good cause!”

Canned Food Drive will be here in November through December. The homeroom that collects

the most canned goods will win a prize!

Media Specialist – Traci Williams, email: [email protected]

You can follow the Media Center on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HCMSMediaCenter

From the Teachers’ Desk

Parent/ Student Conferences

We encourage parents and students to conference with teachers about student progress, needs

or concerns. Parent/student conference days to have such meetings are held on Mondays or

Fridays accordingly: 6th Grade from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., 7th Grade from 12:35 a.m. – 1:35

p.m. and 8th Grade from 1:50 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. To request a conference, please contact one of

your child’s academic teachers or counselor. Our counselors are Ms. King and Ms. Leix. To

schedule a conference on an alternate day before or after school, please contact teachers

directly.


Science Fair & History Day Project

The Tri-M Music Honor Society is the international music honor society for middle/junior

high and high school students. It is designed to recognize students for their academic and

musical achievements, reward them for their accomplishments and service activities, and to

inspire other students to excel at music and leadership.

Through more than 5,500 chartered chapters, Tri-M has helped thousands of young people

provide years of service through music in schools throughout the world. Tri-M is a program of

the National Association for Music Education. The Henry County Middle School chapter

participates in various service projects as well as attend local music concerts.

All students this year are to complete both a Science Fair and a National History Day

Project! The Science Fair Project will be due in December, and the NHD Project will be due in

February. Your child should have received information about both projects and have should

have started some work on each of them. Teachers will work with students in class to guide

them on these projects, and work will need to be done outside of class as well. Please ask your

child his/her progress on these projects, and contact your child’s science and/or social studies

teacher(s) if you have any questions about these projects.

Tri-M Music Honor Society


Thinking Maps

HCMS is using Thinking Maps in all content areas, including math.

Ask your 8th grade student what the Relating

Factor is in this Bridge Thinking Map.

Students are working in a 6th grade class learning

math using technology. They then apply the skills

they’ve learned by completing a task as a group.

The Tree Map below is another example of

Thinking Maps in the math class.

Ms. Phillips works with a student on technology in

the 7th grade as she moves between various groups

in order to give each student some individual or

small group instruction time.

This fraction

display was

created by Ms.

McCurry’s Math

Enrichment class

to help students

to develop

fractional

knowledge.

Thank you, Math

Enrichment class

for this wonderful

visual reminder of

how fractions,

decimals, and

percents are

related.

Ms. Brown’s room is also set up for small group

instruction with students using technology to learn

some of the math content, allowing Ms. Brown

more time with small groups and individuals.

Volume 5, Issue 2 Henry County Middle School Newsletter Page 9

December 2014 HCMS Activity Calendar

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1

Zaxby’s HCMS Spirit Night

2 3 4 5 6

7 8

Zaxby’s Band Spirit Night

9

10 11

School Council @ 4:30pm in Media Center

12

iMom @ 8:15am in Media Center

13

14 15 16 17 18

Final Exams – (No Book Bags)

PTO @ 6:00pm in Cafeteria

19

Final Exams -

(No Book Bags)

End of Semester

All Pro Dad @

8:00am in Media

Center

2

21 22

23 24

25

26

27

28 29 30 31

Roofing Residential Commercial

770-872-4696 www.excel-build.com

155 Westridge Pkwy Suite 223;


Winter Sports Schedule/News

WRESTLING

Fri, Dec 5th At Hampton

(with Henderson)

Wed, Dec 10th At Luella

Fri, Dec 12th Dutchtown and

Stockbridge

Wed, Dec 17th Locust Grove

Fri, Dec 19th At Eagle’s Landing

Wed, Jan 7th At Woodland

Fri, Jan 9th At Union Grove (with

Austin Road)

Wed, Jan 14th At Ola

Sat, Jan 17th At Union Grove (Dual

Championships)

Fri/Sat Jan 23rd and 24th At Locust

Grove (Traditional Tournament)

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Tues, Dec 9th At Luella

Thurs, Dec 11th Locust Grove

Tues, Dec 16th Henderson

Thurs, Dec 18th At Hampton

Thurs, Jan 8th Eagle’s Landing

Tues, Jan 13th At Dutchtown

Thurs, Jan 15th Austin Road

Wed, Jan 21st Woodland

Thus, Jan 22nd At Union Grove

Tues, Jan 27th At Stockbridge

Thurs, Jan 29th Ola

BOYS BASKETBALL

Tues, Dec 9th Luella

Thurs, Dec 11th At Locust Grove

Tues, Dec 16th At Henderson

Thurs, Dec 18th Hampton

Thurs, Jan 8th At Eagle’s Landing

Tues, Jan 13th Dutchtown

Thurs, Jan 15th At Austin Road

Wed, Jan 21st At Woodland

Thus, Jan 22nd Union Grove

Tues, Jan 27th Stockbridge

Thurs, Jan 29th At Ola

All games scheduled to begin at 5:30 for 7th graders. 8th grade plays afterwards.

*HOME GAMES IN BOLD*

Counselors & Communities in Schools

Counselors: Ms. Debbie King x117

Ms. Lisa Leix x110

Communities in Schools

The Mission of the Henry County Middle School & Communities in Schools Partnership:

The Middle School Graduation Coach works in

conjunction with HCMS and the Communities in

Schools Program to ensure the successful

transition of all students from elementary to

middle school and from middle school to high

school. The MSGC Program will provide a

comprehensive prevention and intervention

program for at-risk middle school students and

will help prepare all students for their high school

and post-secondary career. CIS assists these

endeavors by routing into our schools all

available community resources for basic needs

such as food, clothing, shelter, medical, and

mental health issues.

Iris S. Davis


Graduation Coach

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 770.957.3945, ext. 140

Office Hours:

Monday & Wednesday:

10:30am to 6:30pm

Tuesday, Thursday, &

Friday: 8:15am to 4:15pm


From the HCMS Attendance Committee:

We have 97 students who have missed 5 or more days, excused and unexcused.

Per the State and County, excused absences are no different than unexcused absences because

they both result in lost school time. This number is monitored by the county and state and

impacts our school’s College & Career Readiness score.

Please help us improve our score by reviewing this information and thank you for helping us

ensure the success of your student.

Please refer to the county handbook, on our website, for a list of excusable absences. In the

event that your student must be absent, an excuse must be turned in on the day of return in order

for the absence to be excused. Only 5 handwritten excuses will be accepted for each school

year.


Parent Resource Page

Meet our new Parent Involvement Paraprofessional!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

My name is Adaesha Jenkins and I am the Parent Involvement

Paraprofessional here at Henry County Middle School. Throughout this

year, I will be communicating with parents and teachers in an effort to

build strong partnerships between school and home. Over the coming

weeks, I will begin contacting parents by phone and email; and I will

be available to greet parents during morning drop-off and afternoon

pick-up on select days. You are also welcome to call, email and/or

come by the Parent Resource Room Monday- Friday from 8:30 am- 3:30 pm. In addition, there

will be many other opportunities for you to get involved this year, including parent meetings,

parent workshops, volunteer opportunities and various family events.

Parental involvement is a strong predictor of student academic success and it can make a huge

difference in other aspects of children’s lives. However, I understand that as busy parents, you

often have many responsibilities and very little time to spare. With this in mind, I encourage

you to get involved in any way possible; whether it’s volunteering for a few hours or dropping

by the Parent Resource Room for 5 or 10 minutes. The time and effort you put in WILL MAKE

A DIFFERENCE. I am excited to begin working with each and every one of you to ensure the

academic success of all HCMS students!

PARENT INPUT NEEDED ON FALL SURVEY!

Parents! The 2014 Fall Parent survey is still available online for you to

complete. Please look for the clock in the middle column of the homepage. Please

fill out the paper survey or complete the online survey by December 12th. Thank

you in advance for your valuable input!

– Dec. 12 @ 8:15am in Media

Center

iMOM morning is a simple idea with a profound

impact that can really strengthen a mom’s relationship

with her children. iMOM exists for you to inspire you

to love you family well. We want to give you help and

hope so that you can enjoy the days to come… being a

mom! For more info on iMOM, visit imom.com or

visit our Parent Resource Room- rm.103.

Quote of the Month To parents, we can’t tell our kids to do well in school and then fail to support them when they get home. You can’t just contract out par-enting. For our kids to excel, we have to accept our re-sponsibility to help them learn. That means putting away the Xbox and putting our kids to bed at a reasona-ble hour. It means attending those parent-teacher confer-ences and reading to our children and helping them with their homework.

—Pres. Barack Obama, July 17, 2009

– Dec. 19 @ 8:00am in Media Center

All Pro Dad's Day is a simple idea with

a profound impact. It's a one-hour monthly breakfast

held before school where fathers and their children

meet with other dads and kids in the HCMS Media

Center. During this time, they discuss a wide range of

family topics, spend time together, create fun

memories, and are equipped with resources to

strengthen their relationship. For more about All Pro

Dad’s Day, please visit Allprodad.com or visit our

Parent Resource Room- rm.103.


Mark Your Calendars!!!

Jan. 13, 2015 @ 9:30am and 6:00pm

“Organization, Time management and Study Skills” Parent Workshop in the Media Center

Many Thanks to the Following Businesses and Organizations for Becoming an HCMS

Community Partner! If You Are Interested in Becoming a Henry County Middle School

Community Partner, Please Contact Adaesha Jenkins @ (770) 957-3945 or

[email protected]

2014-2015 COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN EDUCATION


First Baptist Church of McDonough

Girl Scouts of America

La Parilla

Marco’s Pizza

Newzflash (newsletter co.)

Toribio's Mexican Grill and Bar

Waffle House

Zaxby’s

Documents

Message from Dr. Anderson - Henry County School … us on Facebook: -County - ... Ayana Ousley, Kayla Partee, Kenaben Patel, Kristaisha Pittman, Millisa Reid, Semaj Rice,