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
Math Enrichment
These last two weeks before break, we will be working on graphing in order to prepare students for next semester! We will do so by plotting points on a graph in order to create fun holiday pictures!
ELAR
We have a lot going on this week in ELAR! Students will be presenting their text comparison projects! Students will present to their table groups, and they will end with the student-created review game. Our classes have been working really hard to strengthen their skills with informational texts in order to prepare for the upcoming CBA. Wednesday will be our classroom spelling bees (optional for students to participate, but highly encouraged as an extra credit opportunity!). We will review for CBA #2 on Thursday and Friday.
WORLD CULTURES
We will continue our Renaissance DBQ and complete our essay by Tuesday. Wednesday-introduction to Modern history.
Math
We will begin Unit 5 on Proportional Reasoning with Ratios, Proportions, and Rates.
Science
This week, students will continue working on Unit 4- Thermal Energy. Students should look forward to several hands-on activities this week as we investigate heat transfers.
Math Department
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 succes with Dreambox. The family resource link mentioned in the video is found here.
FOCUS
Students are introduced to the idea of "grit" and what it means to show courage and strength in thier everyday lives.
Resource ELAR
We will be presenting our Unit 3 projects that will be for a Major grade. We will also begin reviwing for CBA #2.
7th Grade
Science
Science will be continuing our study of human body. We will take our Unit Test during the week of December 6th and the frog dissection will take place the following week of December 13th. Please encourage students to continue to do review games in Schoology and complete any missing assignments.
ELAR
In 7th Grade ELAR, we will continue Unit 3: Inspired by Nature. For this unit we will consider the essential question: "What does it mean to be in harmony with nature?". This week we will read two poems that celebrate nature, "Ode to Enchanted Light" and "Sleeping in the Forest". Please continue to encourage your student(s) to complete their four required Reading Plus lessons every week.
TX History
December 6 - 10 In 7th Grade TX History we will finish teaching the DBQ on Sam Houston. The essay will be due on the 10th of December. We will start working on Unit 06: Republic of Texas and Early Statehood – 1836-1861. During this unit, students study about the issues faced by the leaders of the Republic of Texas, the events that led to annexation of Texas by the United States, the causes and consequences of the war between Mexico and the United States, and about the migration of European immigrants to Texas in the mid-1800
MathStudents
will be taking their Unit 5 test on Friday (12/10). They will given homework on Monday that is due by Friday and will need to complete 5 Dreambox lessons.
Math Enrichment
In Math Enrichment students will be working with graphing. This will include reading and writing ordered pairs, plotting points on graphs, and graphing proportional and non-proportional relationships.
Resource ELAR
We will continue to work in Unit 3: Inspired by Nature. For this unit we will consider the essential question: "What does it mean to be in harmony with nature?" . We will look at a few poems and then begin to review for our CBA #2 later in the week.
8th Grade
Science
In Science we will be covering Newton's Laws of Motion.
Social Studies
Just two more weeks until break!!!!! We will be going over President Andrew Jackson and beginning our journey into the Andrew Jackson DBQ. Please bring your chormebooks charged and ready to go.
Resouce ELAR
We will continue to focus on Unit 3, and answer the esstential question of "What are the places that shape who we are?" based on the text. Later in the week we will begin to review for our CBA #2.
Band
Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band: Winter Concert will be on Friday, December 10 at 6 p.m. in the MMS Cafeteria. Attire is band polo, jeans or Christmas sweater and jeans.
Health
Girls Athletics/Pre-Athletics/PE
We will continue with our Basketball unit. Keep dressing out and giving your best effort!
Basketball teams will continue with practices. Off-season will continue with strength and conditioning. Stay hydraded, eat a healthy breakfast, and check the weather every day.
We will continue with our Basketball unit and strength and conditioning. Stay hydraded, eat a healthy breakfast, and check the weather every day.
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
