965 Smokey Road • Newnan, GA 30263 • 770-254-2840 • www.cowetaschools.org/srms

WILDCAT WATCHWILDCAT WATCHIssue #5

February 2011

Dr. Laurie Barron, Principal

Smokey Road Middle School

Principally Speaking . . .

I am honored to be the principal of a school where we truly live out our mission of Striving to Reach and Motivate Students on a daily basis. One of the ways we seek to reach and motivate each student at Smokey Road Middle School is through our school-wide Title I Program, which provides additional funding for our school to use to help improve all students’ overall academic achievement.

Title I, the largest federal education program, is one of the cornerstones of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Title I is intended to help ensure that all children have the opportunity to obtain a high quality education and reach adeptness on challenging state academic standards and assessments. Many of the major requirements of No Child Left Behind are outlined in Title I guidelines: Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), teacher and paraprofessional requirements, accountability, guidelines for schools designated for improve-ment, standards and assessments, annual state report cards, parent involve-ment, and professional development.

Funding for Title I schools is based on a formula that counts the number of students living in poverty from United States Census data. �e state receives funding through this formula and then distributes it to school districts based on the numbers of economically disadvantaged students in that district. Next, the district distributes funds to its Title I schools (those schools with an economically disadvantaged population of 40% or more).

Smokey Road Middle School is categorized as school-wide Title I school, which gives us increased �exibility to meet the needs of all students. Using Title I funds, we have designed a variety of opportunities that bene�t all students: student support services, before and after school math tutoring, connections remediation math and reading classes, math and reading instruc-tional coaches, supplemental materials and supplies, interactive technology throughout the building, professional development for teachers, and school improvement planning.

�rough federal Title I funding, Smokey Road Middle School has been a�orded the wonderful opportunity to provide additional services in our identi�ed areas of greatest need and to continue to enhance the academic achievement of all students. Our faculty and sta� hopes to continue to promote increased parental involvement in our overall academic improvement and enhancement e�orts as we all increase our level of commitment in Striving to Reach and Motivate Students.

Sincerely,

Laurie Barron, Ed.D.Principal

&February

March

Athletics

Feb 21-25 Mid Winter BreakFeb 24-26 All-State Chorus in

SavannahMar 1 Band Pre-Festival @ SRMS 6:00-8:00

Mar 10 Chorus Pre-Festival @ The Centre

6:00-8:30

Mar 3 8th Grade Parent Night: High School registration

6:30

Mar 25 Relay For Life Charity Dance 4:00-6:00

Mar 10 Track and Field - vs. EMS@NHS 4:15Mar 16 Track and Field - vs. MMS@ECM 4:15Mar 18 Track and Field - vs. ECM

vs. MMS@ECM4:15

Mar 21 Track and Field - vs. LMSvs. EMS @ECM

4:15

Mar 24 Track and Field - Coweta Boys’ Relay @ ECM

4:15

Mar 30 Track and Field - vs. MMS @ ECM 4:15Apr 13 Track and Field - Henry Sheldon Girls’

Meet @ ECM4:15

Apr 14 Track and Field - Henry Sheldons Boys’Meet @ ECM

4:15

Apr 22 Track and Field - vs. AMS vs. ECM @ ECM

4:15

Apr 27 Track and Field - West Meet Hosted By SRMS @ ECM

4:15

Mar 23 Track and Field - Coweta Girls’ Relays @ ECM

4:15

May 2 Track and Field - Finals (Field Events) @ ECM

4:15

May 3 Track and Field - Finals (Running Events) @ ECHS

4:15

May 4 Track and Field - Rain Days 4:15May 5 Track and Field - Rain DaysMay 6 Track and Field - Rain Days 6:15

Feb 15 Academic Bowl: Championship @ Lee

Mar 24 Report Cards Issued

Mar 14 Band Festival

Mar 18 Chorus Festival

Mar 26 Indoor Percussion Ensemble Contest

Feb 19 Indoor Percussion Ensemble Contest@ Chattahoochee High School

Mar 15 Exams1st & 2nd periods - All Grades5th period - 7th Grade Only

Mar 16 Exams3rd & 4th periods - All Grades5th period - 6th Grade Only

Mar 17 Exams6th & 7th periods - All Grades5th period - 8th Grade Only

Mar 3-5 All-State Band Savannah

Mar 4 Winter Dance 4:00-6:00

Striving to Reach and Motivate Students Wildcat Watch - Page 2

Creating Strong Study HabitsDr. Aaron Corley, Assistant Principal

With the third nine weeks well underway and the CRCT right around the corner, it is an especially important time to work on creating strong study habits. Developing strong studying practices can help your child perform better academically, be more con�dent in his abilities, and create a more positive attitude toward school and learning.

�e Child Development Institute has the following suggestions to help your child develop e�ective study skills that will help him reap many bene�ts in the classroom: • Set aside a routine time each day for studying. • Turn off the TV during study time. • Restrict phone use during study time (if applicable, have your child turn over his cell phone during study time). • Allow your child to take breaks during homework or studying time. • Use a large calendar to note important dates (such as test and assignment due dates). • Encourage your child to take notes, summarize material, study charts and graphs, and create �ashcards as he or she is reading. • Have reference materials, such as a dictionary, thesaurus, and atlas, readily available.

When reading and reviewing material, whether in a textbook or notebook, students should read slower than their normal reading speed, stop frequently and mentally review material to check their understanding, re-read material, and sometimes read the text aloud to help the information “sink in.” As your child studies, it might also help him or her to draw pictures and diagrams of material or use a highlighter to help him “see” and remember information.

Many teachers provide study guides for major tests and exams, so be sure to look out for these in your child’s folder so you can help your child review test material.

Following these basic tips can really help your child live up to his potential as a student and increase both performance and con�-dence along the way.

Tablet, net book, notebook, laptop? Are you sure we are talking about computers? �ere are so many things on the market or coming out in the next few months that a consumer can really get stuck deciding what they need or if they even need it. Android versus Apple versus Windows is another decision. We will talk about this and more this month.

First let’s look at the physical side. A tablet is a computer built into a flat screen. Much like a larger version of many cell phones (think I-Phone), it’s touch screen, has a color display, and is normally very responsive. The screen size varies between 5, 7, and 10 inches with 7 and 10 being the most common. Some have added options like USB ports or HDMI out for connecting to a TV. Most have less battery life than a laptop and are not as rugged ( read-“do not drop”). The Apple I-pad is the most popular example of this with the competition is hot on Apple’s trail. Samsung and Motorola both have products out ready to compete. Before you rush out and spend as much as $800 on one of these, consider how they are used… A tablet is designed to bring things in for you to use, think read, view, or play. �ey are not as useful to create things. Typing a “Word” document, creating a “publisher” �le, or designing a web site would be a real chore on a tablet. In short, they are not good replacements for a traditional laptop computer. �ey do not have a lot of storage space either. Apple’s I-pad comes in three sizes with a traditional laptop being much more configurable and upgradable later than the choices Apple and other companies offer. So why are they so popular? They do what they are made for very well.

Tech TalkRichard Bennett, Educational Technology Support Specialist (ETSS)

More information about the 8th Grade Georgia Writing Testcan be found at the following site:

http://www.gadoe.org/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CITestingWA8

Mechanical PencilsPencilsPensErasers NotebooksFoldersReport CoversGripsPoster BoardPage Dividers

$0.75$0.25$0.35$0.10$1.50$0.40$0.40$0.15$0.50$0.10

SCHOOL STORE

Smokey Road in the NewsLocal Recognitions • Coweta County Football Champions (7th championship title in 12 years; 11th appearance in championship game in 12 years).

State Recognitions • Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Bus Trip Across Georgia (one of only seven schools in the state) • Band and Chorus Georgia Music Educators Association Exemplary Performance Award (only school in the state) • Georgia Association of Middle School Principals named business partner Steve Mader of SouthTowne Motors the 2010 Outstanding Educational Patron for the state of Georgia (only patron in the state) • Named a State of Georgia Title I Distinguished School for the third consecutive year

National Recognitions • Met-Life Foundation–National Association of Secondary School Principals Breakthrough School Award (one of only five middle schools in the nation)

Striving to Reach and Motivate Students Wildcat Watch - Page 3

Mrs. Jamie Smith, Media Specialist

6th and 8th Grades are wrapping up research this second half of the 3rd nine week period. If you have any questions about the research process or how to cite your sources, please stop by and ask.

Our Spring Book Fair is around the corner. Volunteers are needed to help run the fair. If you are interested, please email me or Anastasia Smith.

Please keep up with due dates. Any fine of $0.50 or more will keep you from participating in the fun extracurricular activities.

Fine notices will be given out periodically and when progress and report cards go home.

Group Pictures Sponsored by FEA

What better way to remember

your middle school friends but

getting together for a group picture

at the dance!

$1 for a 3x5 print

Pay for as many prints as you want.

Limit 6 people to a group.

Money must be paid when picture is taken.

Notarized affidavits withtwo proofs of residencyare due by March 31, 2011.

Our staff can assist withnotarizing.

Friday, March 44:00 pm

The Process of Listening, Part 2Amy Bird, MEd-SLPSpeech Language Pathologist

�ere are some myths that people mistakenly believe when it comes to listening. Students who �nd themselves struggling with understanding instruction may be believing these myths.

Myth #1: Listening is the same thing as hearing. Truth: Just because your ears work and you can hear things doesn’t mean you’re a good listener. Remember, hearing is only the �rst step in listening.

Myth #2: I can’t improve my listening skills. Truth: Yes, you can! If you learn how to be a better listener and practice good listening, you can improve your listening skills.

Myth #3: If I’m a good reader, I’ll be a good listener. Truth: Listening and reading are two di�erent skills. To be an e�ective listener, you have to work on listening skills, not reading skills.

Myth #4: It’s the speaker’s job to make me a good listener. Truth: �e speaker doesn’t know if you understand his message of not. It’s your responsibility to take an active part in listening. You have a choice about the kind of listener you want to be.

Myth #5: I’ll become a better listener as I get older. Truth: Listening skills improve with practice and e�ort, not with age!

Source: Eller, Nan Stutzman, 125 Ways to Be a Better Listener, 1992.

GO WILDCATSThe Science of SoundJennifer Maritz, 8th Grade Science

Students in 8th grade science are having fun making noise! We are creating instruments made out of homemade materials. �e students in Mrs. Maritz’s classes could also choose a mystery bag with random materials that had to be used in the project. Other students could work with their choice of materials from home or from the extra mystery bag materials. Class time was used for one week to complete the instrument and the display about how the instrument changes pitch, loudness, and makes sound. We will also have presentations in which the students communicate their understanding of the vocabulary in relation to their instrument. Presentations begin on Monday, February 14th.

Following sound, we will be concluding the nine weeks with the electromagnetic spectrum and light and its relationship to the real world. We will look at how light can be manipulated and how our eyes see colors. Students should also be using the study island website to review for the upcoming CRCT. �e science classes continue to strive to reach and motivate students through hands-on learning experiences.

Striving to Reach and Motivate Students Wildcat Watch - Page 4

555-555-5555

Wildcat Watch

info@smokeyroadpto.org

www.cowetaschools.org/srms

- Published regularly by Smokey Road 2010/11 Editor, Joel Satterfield Please send comments to:

Smokey Road Middle School965 Smokey Road | Newnan, GA 30263 | 770-254-2840 Fax 770-304-5933 |

Principal: Dr. Laurie BarronAsst. Principals: Dr. Aaron Corley & Maurice BrownCounselors: Edna Bridges & Tammy McCall

triving to each & otivate tudents S R M S

TIP Line 24/7770-253-2324 1-800-SAY-STOP

School Safety Mission: To provide a safe and secure school environment conducive to learning with the coop-eration of students, parents, teachers, school adminis-trators, and the community.

If you have a suspicion of drugs, weapons, or violence at Smokey Road Middle School, we urge you to speak with an administrator, school counselor, or school resource officer or to anonymously call the phone numbers above.

SouthTowne Citizenship Winners

SouthTowne Academic Winners

Hannah Shaw | David Smallwood | Annie ShirleyJermerion Grier | Tommy Rovira

Tatum Washington | Megan HeadleyGarrett Coggin | Austin Rhodes

Dezmand Pleasant | Destani ParksWesley Howard | Natalie RaineyJacob Mcintyre | Katie Brimlow

Eli Smith | Kierstyn Lee

WILDCATSSmokey Road

January

We made AYP5 years in a row!!!

Web-based instruction, practice, assessment and reporting built from YOUR state‘s standards

Rigorous academic content that is both fun and engaging

Research-based with proven results for all students

Easy to use (in the lab, classroom, library or home)

Incredibly affordable compared to other print or technology learning products

WHAT IS STUDY ISLAND?

Study Island is a leading provider of affordable, easy-to-use, Web-based standards mastery products.

ALL THE PROGRAMS ARE BUILT FROM STATE STANDARDS

http://www.studyisland.com/

Study Island is now available for ALL Smokey Road Middle School subjects! It is is accessible from home and is a great way for students to practice important skills.

Parents can use Study Island to help their child at home.

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