McCormick Middle School
(Email) James.Cruz@hayscisd.net
(Cell) 512-698-7007
Email: James.Cruz@hayscisd.net
Website: https://www.hayscisd.net/Domain/24
Location: 5700 Dacy Lane, Hays, TX, USA
Phone: 512-268-8508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mccormickMS
Twitter: @McCormickTigers
6th Grade
Resource Math
Topic:
We are reviewing and practicing decimal fraction percent conversions and ordering rational numbers.
Homework: assigned at beginning of week, due Friday; we work together on it in class.
Reminders: Please charge Chromebooks overnight.
Math Enrichment
This week, students will be working on multiplication and division. We will start with whole numbers and work our way onto fractions and decimals. Please encourage your students to be working on their multiplication and division facts at home! We want everyone to have their facts memorized by the end of the school year!
Reading Enrichment
This week, we will continue to study plot structure via our class novel, Esperanza Rising. We will also continue to examine text structure across multiple types of text.
ELAR
This week we will be looking at an excerpt from "The Ninth Ward." We will be connecting this text to our unit 3 essential question, "What does it take to be a survivor?" as we look at Hurricane Katrina. We will analyze character change and conflict throughout the text we are reading. At the end of the week, students will have the opportunity to write a thank you letter to a staff member to thank them before we leave for Thanksgiving break.
WORLD CULTURES
We will Trace the historical events and factors that caused the events of the past to shape the present culture of Europe (1A).
Math
We will generate equivilant expressions using exponents, prime factorization, and order of operations.
*please continue to have student practice multiplication facts, benchamark fractions, decimals and percent*
Science
This week students will wrap up Unit 3- Force & Motion. We will complete review activites Monday-Wednesday and then take our test on Thursday. Please bring home notebooks and complete the study guide in Schoology to prepare for your test.
7th Grade
Science
We have started out human body unit. Kids will learn about the structure and function of each of the major 10 body systems. The unit will culminate in a frog dissection the last week before Winter Break. Review games are available on Schoology.
ELAR
In 7th Grade English/Language Arts students will continue to study the short story "Heartbeat". We will analyze character and conflict within the context of this story. We will then close out Unit 2 with final reflections on the essential question: "What can blur the lines between what's real and what's not?". Please encourage your student to complete their 4 Reading Plus lessons this week.
TX History
This week in TX History - November 15 - 19 - We are finishing Unit 05: Unrest and Revolt in Texas – 1821-1836. On Tuesday we will begin our review on the CBA Test that we will give on the 18th of November. This is a major test grade!
Math
In 7th grade Math, students will complete their CBA over proportions and linear relationships. Students will NOT have homework this week.
Advanced Math
In 7th grade Advanced Math, we will begin Unit #2 which involves solving equations. Students will be working on modeling equations, solving 2 step equations, and by the end of the week they will be able to solve multi-step equations.
Math Enrichment
This week in 7th grade Math Enrichment, students will continue to focus on division of rational numbers. We will also be practicing order of operations.
Resource ELAR
We will continue Unit 2 of the year which introduces our essential questions of "What can blur the lines between what's real and what's not?". We will be starting a mentor text called "The camera does lie". **Please be on the look out for schoology assignments for students who are absent.
Resource Math
Topic: We are continuing the current unit, which is proportions, rates, and ratios. We will be looking at applications of this concept like discounts, which is the better buy, and sales.
Homework: assigned at the beginning of the week, due Friday. We work on this in class as well. Students should be using calculators to practice this skill.
Reminders: Charge Chromebooks overnight. Bring it (and your charging cord) to school every day.
Resource ELAR
This week we will continue to focus on the Greek myth of Icarus. We will discuss taking risks and how this idea and myth of Icarus relates to this unit on overcoming obstacles. Our main ojecetive is to determine the theme.
8th Grade
Math
Students will start Unit 3, Slope and Y-Intercept. If a student did not take CBA #1 they will need to make arrangments with their teacher.
Algebra
In Algebra, students will learn how to find the domain and range of functions in graphs, sets of numbers, and word problems. They will have a short quiz on Wednesday over evaluating functions and domain and range of graphs.
Science
We will continue to calculate for speed and graph changes in motion.
Resource Math
Topic: we are working on slope with graphs, tables, and equations. Slope = rise over run!
Homework: assigned at the beginning of the week, due on Friday. We do some of it in class.
Reminders: Charge your Chromebook overnight. Bring it and your cord to school every day!
Social Studies
Lets have a great week before Thanksgiving break!! We will be going over Adam, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe's Presidencies this week. We will focusing on their domestic issues and foreign issues. Please bring Chromebooks charged and ready to go!!!
Resouce ELAR
This weel we will focus on analyzing a prompt in order to effectively write an essay. We will go through the entire writing process including writing the introduction, thesis statement, body paragraphs, and conclusion. This will be for a major grade.
Reading Enrichment
This week, we will continue to study plot structure via our class novel, Esperanza Rising. We will also continue to examine text structure across multiple types of text.
Band
Beginner Band: Beginner students will be learning new notes and prepare for their Winter Concert in December.
Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band: 10 Wind Ensemble students will be competing for a spot in the TMEA Region 18 Middle School Band- we wish them a great performance and hope we have a great turn out! A BIG SHOUTOUT to our Wind Ensemble students for performing very well at the Veteran's Day ceremony! Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band students will be working on Winter Concert music.
Choir
Great job to all the Students during their Fall Concert. Thank you for all the parents who attended. Students will be working on Reading Melodies with all the Solfege Syllables. Also we will start practicing reading Rhythms with Dotted Quarter/Eighth Note patterns. All Choirs will start Winter Concert Music soon.
Orchestra
Beginning Orchestra: Beginning orchestra students have learned the "escalator" and are busy preparing holiday favorites. By now, all beginners should have put fingers and note names in all new music. This orchestra has also begun work in Essential Elements Book 1. All beginning orchestra students should be practicing at home at least 30 min a day, at least 5 days a week.
Concert Orchestra: Concert orchestra students have learned the "elevator" and are continuing to practice sight reading skills through a review of Essential Elements book 1. Concert Orchestra students are also working on holiday music and should be practicing for mastery of "Christmas Symphony" for chair test purposes. Students should prepare "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" for rehearsal Tuesday 11/9. Concert Orchestra members should also be practicing at least 30 min a day at home at least 5 days of the week and have been asked to include a page or two of "Essential Elements" sight reading practice into their daily routine.
Dance
Art
MARTINEZ: We will demonstarte our knowledge on how to create the illusion of space by creating a watercolor landscape (MS 1 & 2). For HS Art, we will be working with tints, tones, and shades with acrylic paint.
Theatre
Theatre Arts 2 -Mrs. TidblomTheatre 2 Will learn about the set designer, the different parts of the stage, Set pieces and how to create a ground plan for Set Design. They will create an original ground plan and set design model for one of the scenes from the “Homework Excuse” play that we read. They will then create a stop motion animation using clay figures and their set design model.
Theatre Arts High School Credit-Mrs. TidblomTheatre 2 Will learn about the set designer, the different parts of the stage, Set pieces and how to create a ground plan for Set Design. They will create an original ground plan and set design model for the "Freaky Food" play they wrote in class.
Theatre 1 students will be reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the stage version). They will then get to watch Charlie and the Choclate Factory, take notes on the different rooms in the factory, and make a ground plan of their favorite room.
STEAM
Students will continue developing code using a series of sequential algorithms and software options to create a variety of program tasks.
Health
Spanish
Boys Athletics/Pre-Athletics/PE
Boys AthleticsBasketball games - week 1 @ San Marcos Miller
Boys Pre-AthleticsBring clothes. Weightroom maxes begin
Boys PE-Bring workout clothes and a lock
Girls Athletics/Pre-Athletics/PE
Girls PE
We will start our Basketball unit on Monday! Keep on dressing out and giving your BEST effort daily!
Girls Athletics
Basketball season is underway! Check sportsYou for details! We will continue with strength and conditioning with off-season. Stay hydrated all day and night, and eat healthy meals!!
Girls Pre-Athletics
We have started our Basketball unit, and will continue with strength and conditioning. Stay hydrated all day and night, and eat healthy meals!!
Happy Birthday Shout Out!
Wish your child Happy Birthday on our school marquee! Please click the link below to put a birthday message on the school marquee!
North Side - Facing child nutrition
South Side- Facing entrance
Wind shorts
Rips in jeans
Rips in jeans are allowed. We asked that any skin showing above the knees to be covered up.
Sagging Pants
ID's worn everyday
Library News
Take a look at the Weekly Library Update to stay informed on what is happening in the library. Visit the library website to view this week's Weekly Library Update. The 40 Book Challenge is on, learn more here.
Dreambox Information!!!
McCormick is utilizing an on-line math program called Dreambox. Please watch the following introductory video to know what it is and how to support your student's use and success with Dreambox. The family resource link mentioned in the video is found here.
Home Learning Guide - https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2086007/PDFs/National/Home-Learning-Guide-For-Families_20200417.pdf
Family Support Website - https://www.readingplus.com/resources/for-families/
Reading Plus Information!!!
Please encourage your student to try their hardest on the Insight Assessment as this will serve as valuable feedback in order to best serve our student/s. For more information, please view the Reading Plus Video and/or visit the Family Support Link.
Grading Policy
Grading Policy
I wanted to make you aware about our grading policy at MMS this year. The follow key is how grades are counted:
M= Missing (student has not turned it in and is given a zero for a grade, student average will drop)
P= Pending (student has turned it in but teacher has not graded it, student average will not drop)
E = Excused (student has not turned it due to being absent, student average will not drop)
In the past my teachers would give a "P" or an "E" for a grade waiting for students to turn in assignments. If students did not turn in assignments, than teachers would have to go back and change the "P" or "E" to a Zero. This would cause a student’s average to drop to a failing grade.
The issue with that is parents were not given an accurate grade average of their child. For example, a parent would see an 88 average for their child and think their child is doing great. At the end of the nine weeks, a teacher would go back and change all of the assignments that were given an "E" to a zero and the student average would drop to a 65.
My goal is for parents to have an accurate picture of their child’s grades.
If your child is absent, they will be given time to turn in assignments. Teachers will put a "M" in the gradebook but will change it to a numerical grade once your child turns it.
Student drop off/pick up
In the morning, please drive all the way up the hill as far as you can. Please do not drop off in the "Red Zone" where it says no parking. Also, we are locking the back doors at 8:05. If your child arrives to school after 8:05, please drop off in the front of the building.
In the afternoon we want to fit as many cars in as possible. I will stop traffic to let the buses go ahead of everyone. We are trying to get the buses loaded as soon as possible so they can get on their routes. I appreciate your understanding with this.
As you know the line at parent pick up is extremely long. We are doing the best we can and I appreciate everyone’s patience. The line will get faster. The following items are some things your child can do to make the line go faster:
- Make sure your child is looking for you
- Try not to get out of your car for your child to put things in trunk
- Drive all the way up the loop until you cannot drive up anymore
CNN Student News
Stadium Capacity Update
Lunch Deliveries From Parents/Online
Parents are allowed to drop off lunches for students. You will not have to come into the front office to drop off food. There will be a table in the foyer area. Please make sure you put your child's first and last name and grade level on the food you bring. We will have a post it note/pens on the table for you to use. Online food deliveries (Door Dash/Grub Hub/Etc..) are also allowed. Make sure your child's name is on the food when food is delivered.
School Supply List
McCormick Dress Code
Register your child for the upcoming school year
Our MMS PTSA registration is now open at www.joinpta.org for the 2021-2022 school year.
· Click on the link https://txpta.secure.force.com/JoinPTA/ select Hays CISD as the district and T.C. McCormick Jr Middle School as the school.
· We look forward to having you join our PTSA this school year! Your help and involvement is very much appreciated and needed
· If you have any questions please email mccormickmsptsa@gmail.com and we can try to assist you.
Thank you
