Parent and Family Engagement News

As we approach the holiday season, Cowan Road Middle School want to extend our warmest wishes to our students, families, and staff for a joyous and restful break. May your time be filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones. We are grateful for your continued support and dedication throughout the year, and look forward to welcoming you back in the new year refreshed and ready to learn!

Have you scheduled a conference with your child's teacher?

Do you know what your child needs to work on at home to improve academic skills?

Have you attended a parent engagement event at your child's school?

Is your child a senior this year? If so, have you talked with your child's school about ways they can help with planning college and career readiness?

Have you started to set goals for the new year? Have you reviewed progress toward this year's goals?

Is your child a 5th or 8th grader? Are you aware of transition events to help your child move to middle and high school?

Do you have an upcoming kindergartener? Look for more information to get your child ready for next year coming this spring!

Below you will find Cowan Road Middle School Faculty Directory please do not hesitate to email your child's teacher.

6th Grade

Sheniqua Durham – sheniqua.durham@gscs.org

Travis Brown – travis.brown@gscs.org

Holly Middleton – holly.middleton@gscs.org

Katherine Andrews – katherine.andrews@gscs.org

Janelle Wilks – janelle.wilks@gscs.org

Reginald Burney – reginald.burney@gscs.org

Ekklesia Sesham – ekklesia.sesham@gscs.org

Karen Martin – karen.martin@gscs.org

Sade Chism – sade.chism@gscs.org

Donald Williams – donald.williams@gscs.org

7th Grade

Patricia Cooper-Manga – patricia.cooper-manga@gscs.org

E’Manjin Richards – emanjin.richards@gscs.org

Corey Ware – corey.ware@gscs.org

Melissa Tilson – melissa.tilson@gscs.org

Claudtavius Bowles – claudtavius.bowles@gscs.org

Elveera De’Almeida – elveera.dealmeida@gscs.org

Tomiya Harps – tomiya.harps@gscs.org

Donna Reid – donna.reid@gscs.org

8th Grade

Douglas Reid – douglas.reid@gscs.org

Shwanda Dukes – shwanda.dukes@gscs.org

Austin Palmer – austin.palmer@gscs.org

Candece Simmonds-Ward – candece.simmonds-ward@gscs.org

Dihanna Holland – dihanna.holland@gscs.org

Anitha Pusala – anitha.pusala@gscs.org

Robyn Hansley – robyn.hansley@gscs.org

Artavious E. Morgan – artavious.morgan@gscs.org

Ashley Hobbs – ashley.hobbs@gscs.org

Dear Premier Panther Nation,

On behalf of Mr. Morgan and Ms. Cooper, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to each of you for taking the time to complete the Fall Parent Survey. Your voice, perspective, and partnership mean the world to us.

Your feedback helps shape the work we do, strengthens our commitment to excellence, and ensures we continue creating a learning environment where every scholar is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Because of your participation, we are better equipped to serve our families with intention, clarity, and purpose.

Thank you for showing up, speaking up, and standing with us. Premier Panther Nation is powerful because of parents like you. We are honored to partner with you in this important work and excited to continue building strong, meaningful connections throughout the year.

With heartfelt appreciation,
Mr. Morgan & Ms. Cooper

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YGP98mI046aLK2_r9fQcQj_GH1uWYE1n/view?usp=sharing

First Semester Family Engagement Recap

Dear CRMS Parents and Families,

As we bring our first semester to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued partnership and support. This has been a meaningful and productive start to the school year, and none of it would be possible without your involvement.

Throughout the semester, we worked together to strengthen our home–school connections through a variety of events and initiatives. From engaging family workshops and Title I meetings to parent–teacher conferences, celebrations, and community outreach activities, your presence and participation helped make each moment impactful. Whether you joined us for academic nights, supported our schoolwide programs, or collaborated with teachers to support your child’s progress, you played an essential role in creating a welcoming and supportive learning environment.

As Parent Liaisons, we remain committed to advocating for families, improving communication, and ensuring every parent has the tools and resources needed for their child’s success. We look forward to expanding our efforts in the spring semester with even more opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together.

Thank you once again for being an integral part of the CRMS community. We are proud to serve you, and we are excited for all that’s ahead in the new year.

With appreciation,
Mr. Morgan & Ms. Cooper
CRMS Parent Liaisons

The goal of the parent-teacher conferences is to help form a partnership between school and home to promote academic success for all students!

Getting Ready for the Conference

• Review work samples, report cards, progress reports or other items sent home by the teacher
• Review school policies and the handbook
• Talk with your child about why you are having the conference and what you hope to learn at the conference. Get your child's input as to strengths, weaknesses, and areas of concern.
• Determine a list of questions to ask your child's teacher:

After the conference:

• Talk with your child about what you and the teacher discussed
• Talk about any plans or goals for improvement you might have
• Talk to your child about building on strengths and improving weaknesses
• Keep in touch with the teacher on a regular basis to find out about progress your child is making

Ways to set up a parent teacher conference:

• Email the teacher you would like to have a conference with.
• Call the school at: 770-229-3722

Researchers have found that student success in the classroom is most heavily influenced by a parents’ ability to:

1. Encourage learning and education
2. Set high – but not unrealistic – educational standards and goals
3. Become involved in school and community activities

Researchers have also found that students who do benefit from strong parental involvement have:

• Higher overall achievement, regardless of socioeconomic, ethnic or racial background.
• A higher completion level on homework.
• A higher level of self-esteem in all aspects of life.
• Better social behavior and lower probability that they will get into trouble outside of school.
• Greater comfort navigating different cultural environments between home and school.
• Less likelihood of being placed in special education courses.
• Less probability of dropping out of high school.

We encourage you to get involved and to take advantage of resources available to you as a parent. Each month, you will receive a newsletter with helpful information to help you to help your child become more academically successful! Together as partners in your child's education, we can do great things!

If you would like to be more involved at Cowan Road Middle School, we have several things you can do!

• Contact Mr. Morgan or Ms. Cooper, to become involved in our Parent Engagement Events.
• Get on our volunteer list, to do so you can

Did you know that the Griffin-Spalding County School System also has a Parent Resource Center? Find hands on activities, books and brochures for your student in our District Parent Resource Center. The center is designed to provide educational resources for parents to help your student succeed academically. Parents can also find computers with internet access at the center. The best part is resources are FREE! You can find the Parent Resource Center located in the Parent Services Building, Room 121 on 234 E. Taylor Street, Griffin, GA 30224. If you would like more information or want to make an appointment, please contact LaJuana Love at 770-229-3700, ext 10321 or at Lajuana.love@gscs.org.