From The Principal
Dear Howard Families,
As we approach this final week of the school year, a special thanks to our parents for your cooperation throughout April and May’s events and activities. Your support is truly appreciated. Let’s continue to partner together to promote academic excellence for our learning community.
During this week of school, students will be concentrating on reviews/finals so they end the year strong. Please encourage your scholar to remain focused and in attendance. Be reminded that students may not bring backpacks to school and that the campus is closed to visitors during exam week.
Thank you for everything you do to support our students and for being a part of the Howard Family. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.
With Joy and Gratitude,
Natasha Epps
Principal
T.A. Howard Middle School
No Backpacks on Campus May 20-May 23
As we approach the final stretch of the school year, we want to ensure a smooth and focused conclusion for all our students. To this end, we have a few updates regarding campus regulations and expectations.
Throughout the remainder of the school year, students WILL NOT be allowed to bring backpacks or large bags onto campus. To facilitate this process, all backpacks and large bags will be collected at the door upon arrival. Students will not have access to retrieve their items until the end of the day. This measure aims to minimize potential distractions and enhance safety protocols. Instead, we ask that students continue to bring their charged Chromebooks and a writing utensil each day. Please note that small clutches, no larger than a sandwich Ziploc bag, or pencil bags will be permitted for personal hygiene items.
We are confident that our students are well acquainted with our campus expectations, which have been consistently communicated throughout the year. As we strive to finish the academic year on a high note, we rely on their adherence to the MISD student code of conduct. It is important to note that our discipline policy will continue to be enforced to maintain a conducive learning environment. We appreciate your ongoing partnership and support as we navigate our final week of school.
Important Final Exam and Review Week Procedures
As we prepare for the upcoming exam and review week, scheduled from May 20th to May 23rd, we want to outline some essential procedures to ensure a conducive learning environment for all our students:
- Classes will follow a double-blocked schedule, differing from our normal bell schedule. For specific exam timings, please refer to the attached Semester Exam Schedule. Howard MS Semester Exam Schedule 23-24 - Spring.pdf
- Lunch schedules will be adjusted accordingly. While students may bring a sack lunch, please note that outside food deliveries will not be permitted during this time.
- Throughout the exam and review week, the T.A. Howard campus will be closed to visitors, including lunch times.
- On the last day, Thursday, May 23rd, dismissal procedures will be adjusted to prioritize the safety of all students.
Also, please note the policy regarding semester exams from our MISD student handbook.
Family Trips (All Grade Levels) Students shall be excused for family trips, subject to the following guidelines:
- Parents must notify the school in advance in writing.
- Students must make prior arrangements (at least one week) with teachers for make-up work.
- Semester exams will not be given early.
- A maximum of five consecutive school days or one trip per year shall be allowed. These days are included in the 90% permitted by law. [Board Policy FEC (Local)]
Semester Exams
Exams are given at the end of each semester. Neither mid-term nor final exams are given early. If a student is absent on the day of an exam, he or she will take the exam at a school-designated time and date. A parent or guardian is expected to contact the school counseling department to schedule a make-up time for any second-semester exam missed because of student absence.
Additionally, we would like to remind everyone of some important guidelines to maintain a focused and respectful learning environment:
- Blankets or pajamas are not permitted on campus.
- Cellphones should be completely stowed away from 8:15 am to 4:15 pm.
- No backpacks will be allowed on campus from Monday, May 20th, to Thursday, May 23rd. (For details, please refer to "Backpack Communication" email.)
- Students may carry essential items such as a Chromebook, folder, pen/pencil, bagged lunch, and/or a small purse during these days.
Submit Your 2024-2025 Proof of Residency
Mansfield ISD welcomes you and your family to a new school year! Before school starts in August, returning students entering Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th are required to provide proof of residence (POR).
Families with returning students entering Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th have two options:
- You may take your proof of residence to your student’s 2024-2025 campus office
- For further information regarding specific dates and times during which personnel will be available to receive and process your records, check your designated campus website.
- You may email your proof of residence for your 2024-2025 Howard student to: Howard_POR@misdmail.org
- Email must include your student’s first & last name and student ID number.
PLEASE NOTE: Each campus has its email address, so if you have multiple students at different campuses, you will need to send a separate POR to each campus’ email.
Satisfactory proof of residence includes:
- Electric, Gas, or Water Bill – with May service dates or later
- Disconnection notices are not allowed
- Must show a service address
Newly Established Residency in the last 30 days includes:
- Lease Agreement
- The lease agreement may be acceptable if it is new (30 days or less).
- Is used when you do not have a utility bill and the lease states bills are paid by the lessor.
- Other documentation may be requested when a utility bill is not available.
- Lease agreements must show a beginning and ending date and the address of the property with signatures from both the lessor and lessee.
- The lease agreement must list the student occupants.
Families who have a contract on a home that will close within 45 days of the beginning of school, will need to confer with Student Services on applicable Board Policies and guidelines for enrollment.
Failure to provide the necessary documentation may result in enrollment delays or withdrawal from school.
Join ACE: Before & After School Program at Howard
ACE Afterschool Program (Afterschool Centers on Education)
Howard Parents! Would you like your son or daughter to receive help with homework, a daily snack, learn to code (gaming), learn about cosmetology, and do yoga? Also, talk about college and career and discuss other classes. Sign him or her up for the ACE after-school program at T.A. Howard. We offer programming daily from 7:00 AM-8:15 AM and 4:15 PM-6:30 PM. All classes and activities are completely free!
Use the QR Code above to sign up or email Ms. Akem to sign up and for questions at ashleyakem@misdmail.org
Students can visit Ms. Akem in room 122 during the day. Students must have a pass to visit. Parents may contact Ms. Akem at 682-314-1129 or ashleyakem@misdmail.org for registration inquiries. *Parents must provide transportation
Student IDs
For safety requirements, MISD requires all students on campus to wear identification badges around the neckline with a lanyard. All Howard IDs were issued by Tuesday, August 22nd. Students were required to enter the building wearing a current Howard ID on Monday, August 28, and throughout the rest of the school year. Replacement IDs will be made for each student who does not have one for a cost of $5 each. Students must wear their IDs in the building throughout the day. Please partner with us by reminding your scholar to remember to wear their Howard ID when entering the building.
Advisory
Advisory is a regularly scheduled time each day at the beginning of 3rd period. This session provides teachers an opportunity to support and advise students on their academic goals and their social-emotional development. In addition, our Advisory time will include accelerated learning opportunities designed to close academic gaps in ELA and Math.
Chromebooks
· Bring your device fully charged and your charger to class daily
· Make sure that you take your own device by checking the name
· Use your device only when directed by the teacher
· Keep food and drinks away from your device
· When you finish using your device put it in your backpack/a safe place
· Power-off and charge your device every night
New Students or Students Without a Device:
1. Students that are new to the district AND in grades 5-12, must enter a work order for a district-issued device. Fill out the Help Desk Ticket Request.
2. Select "I am in need of a district-issued device" under the Student Need section.
o I am currently in possession of a district-issued device. This device will need to be returned before a new one will be issued.
o My device was lost and/or stolen. This device will need to be reported before a new one will be issued.
3. Devices will be set up by the assigned campus technician and delivered to the student's home campus.
4. Campus personnel will notify the student when the device is available for pickup. (Device turnaround time is typically 24-48 business hours.)
Assistance with Broken/Damaged Devices:
To request assistance for a damaged or non-functioning device, please follow these instructions:
1. Review the MISD Student Device Usage HandbookPDF.
Fill out the Help Desk Ticket Request.
2. Students who are required to pay for lost devices, cord replacements or repairs may pay within the Fee Management section of Skyward.
3. For information on optional device insurance, view the Optional Device Protection ProgramPDF.
PTA
Howard’s PTA Meeting is on May 14 at 7:00 pm. Come out and support Howard with your invaluable input. You may join PTA electronically via Join PTA.
Navigating Skyward
Parents, please see the attachment for step-by-step instructions explaining how to navigate Skyward.
Free and Reduced Lunches
Here are some great video resources for families:
How to deposit money on an account: https://vimeo.com/280726861/5bf3e5414e
How to fill out a Free & Reduced Meal Application: https://vimeo.com/280726060/a627865334
Families can apply for Free & Reduced Meals through the new online meal payments system for Mansfield ISD. The entire process is not only safe and secure but also completely private and available anytime, anywhere!
To ensure the safety of our students and to provide an efficient drop-off and pick-up process, we are informing you of the following procedures:
Car Drop-Off/Pick-Up Procedures
Morning Car Drop-Off
- Morning drop-off is located in the front of the building. Doors open and supervision begins at 8:15 a.m. Some students are dropped off earlier than that and wait on the front porch. We do not have supervision at that time and encourage parents to not drop off before then if that’s at all possible.
- All three lanes are moving lanes, so continue to pull up, allowing traffic to flow smoothly to avoid congestion.
- Vehicles should approach in single file lines and release students directly to the sidewalk in the designated drop-off zone.
- Staff will be present to help assist students exiting vehicles in a safe and orderly manner. Please do not park in any of the lanes.
- Parents wishing to park vehicles must park in the designated parking spaces or on the grass.
- Families may walk students to the front door, but not to class. We’ll take care of them and get them to the right place.
Afternoon Car Pick-Up
- Afternoon pick-up is located in the front of the building. Classes are dismissed at 4:15 pm.
- The two outside lanes are available for parking pick-up only. Vehicles should approach in single file lines using the two outside lanes to pick up students.
- Continue to pull up, allowing traffic to flow smoothly to avoid congestion on Calendar Road and a safe departure of buses at the south entrance.
- Exit the pick-up lanes by using the center lane - it is the moving lane so continue to pull up allowing traffic to flow smoothly to avoid congestion on Calendar Road and allow buses to arrive in an orderly manner at the north entrance
- Staff will be present to help assist with student pick-up. Please do not park in any of the lanes.
- Parents wishing to park vehicles must park in the designated parking spaces or on the grass. Please do not park in any of the lanes.
- Parking for pick-up is not permitted at the stop signs or in the parking spaces located north and south of the building.
Bus Drop-Off/Pick-Up Procedures
Morning Bus Drop-Off
- Students who arrive by bus in the mornings will be dropped off at the back of the campus. Students will be directed to the cafeteria or gym until class begins.
Afternoon Bus Pick-Up
- Students who ride the bus home will be picked up at the back of the campus when their bus arrives.
