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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)
Page 3 Henry County Middle School Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2
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...
Page 4 Henry County Middle School Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2
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
Page 5 Henry County Middle School Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2
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
Page 6 Henry County Middle School Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2
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
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.
Page 7 Henry County Middle School Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2
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
Page 8 Henry County Middle School Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2
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;
Page 10 Henry County Middle School Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2
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
Communities in Schools
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
Page 11 Henry County Middle School Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2
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.
Page 12 Henry County Middle School Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2
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.
Page 13 Henry County Middle School Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2
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
2014-2015 COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
Communities in Schools
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