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Letters from the Principal Mr. Tom Highfield
Annual Candy Fundraiser
Tuesday, October 14th will be the kick off for
our annual candy fundraiser. Beginning
tomorrow, your child will have the opportunity to bring home a box of candy
that contains 30 bars of a popular variety to sell for $2.00 each. Although participation is optional, this is
our only non-PTO school-wide
fundraiser and we hope you and your child will support this important and
necessary activity. If you wish that
your child not participate, just tell him/her not to take a box of candy on
Tuesday. Please keep in mind, fifty
percent of the profit from this fundraiser goes into the teachers’ school
account to spend for classroom supplies and equipment which directly enhances
the instructional program. The other
fifty percent goes to purchase supplies and equipment collectively and to
provide professional development for teachers and staff. The money is especially necessary this year
due to decreased state and local funding.
Thanks for your support in all that you do for our school.
Tom Highfield
2009
Yearbooks are now on
We are excited to announce a
new way to purchase the school’s yearbook. Instead of selling the
yearbooks here at school for a short time period, we are using the yearbook
publisher’s Smart-Pay
program. This program is used by many schools in our area and makes ordering
your yearbook easier than ever. Additionally, the program is secure. None of
your information will be given to anyone other than Smart-Pay.
Program Highlights:
- Longer time frame for ordering yearbooks
- Pay by check, money order, credit card, or debit
card (no more cash orders)
- Split the cost of the yearbook into two payments
- Yearbook personalization such as having your name
printed on the cover
- Ordering options: online at the web-site, by
mail, or by phone
In the next few weeks, you
should receive a letter from Smart-Pay with information on ordering the
Remember, we will not sell
any yearbooks at school. If you do
not order your yearbook through the Smart-Pay program, you will not receive a
yearbook.
Thank you,
Mrs.
Teresa Ferguson Mrs.
Stephanie Carr Mr.
Tom Highfield
Yearbook Advisor Yearbook
Assistant MMS
Principal
8/27/08
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Athletics are vital aspects of school life. They are important to our student-athletes, our student body, the parents, the community, and our collective school pride.
Keep in mind that coaches have to make many tough decisions in deciding who does and does not make a team. The coaches must determine the player’s skill levels, the athlete’s dedication to the program, and the athlete’s willingness to play a specific role on a team. The coaches discuss these decisions among themselves and with the individual athletes.
Most sports offer both 7th and 8th grade teams that provide introductory training experiences for the athletes. These programs provide instruction and playing time for a significant number of students. These programs provide opportunities for the coaches to work with and observe the athletes as they refine their skills. Although it would be nice for all athletes to play in the games as much as they or parents want, it just isn’t possible. Please keep in mind, coaches take the decision of playing time seriously and they at times might struggle with it. But, just as we support the athletes and the teams, we need to support the work the coaches accomplish with the students and trust that they are making the correct decisions.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association has taken a position to encourage and instill sportsmanship in all of its member schools. Student-athletes are encouraged and we are requiring them to take a sportsmanship test to gain eligibility. Coaches and parents are encouraged to participate in the coaches and parents component at Starsportsmanship.com.
The AHSAA has instituted a conduct rule that affects coaches and students that are ejected from a game. The cost of the fine is the responsibility of the coach or the student athlete, not the school. The athlete will be suspended from games until the fine is paid. The first ejection carries a $300 fine, but this fine can be reduced to $100 if the athlete completes the online STAR behavioral mode within ten school days of the date of the ejection. The second ejection is a one game suspension and a $500 fine. The third ejection is a minimum penalty of a suspension for the remainder of the season plus a $750 fine.
We have a fine reputation because of our collective efforts to be positive, supportive purveyors of good sportsmanship. Good parent or guardian behavior at sporting events is paramount to our programs and the way we will set great examples for our children. Good sportsmanship is expected from all involved. Thanks for your efforts on behalf of the students. If you have a question or concern, please contact one of us.
Sincerely,
Tom Highfield
Principal
E. Quinn Headen
Assistant Principal/Director of Athletics
August 6, 2008
Dear Parent(s),
Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year at
This year we are continuing implementation of the elements of a Professional Learning Community. We have established collaborative groups, defined our essential curriculum and formed common nine-week assessments. This year our goal is to form a vision of what we want our school to be and look like in the future and make collective commitments to do specific things that will make this vision come true. We plan on having parent input in this also. Look for your opportunity to participate in the future.
Items listed below may or may not be covered in the materials
you have, but I think they deserve special attention.
v
Dress Code Issues
o
Although
shirttails do not have to be tucked-in, long-tail shirts like sports jerseys
and some large t-shirts still pose a problem.
The policy states that they (shirts) “are not to extend below the
middle of pants pockets”. I
suggest these type shirts not be worn to school because students rarely want to
tuck them in.
o
Sagging pants are
not permitted. Pants must be worn on the
waist. This will be a point of emphasis
this year.
o
Modesty as
defined in the Code of Conduct will be strictly enforced. Please consider this when making school
clothing purchases. If students are in
violation they will be asked to change clothes.
If this becomes a continual problem, punishment will be assigned.
v
Bus Issues
o
All students will
be eligible to ride a
o
Please help insure
that your child is at the bus stop on time and that they follow the bus rules
as outlined in the Madison County Code of Conduct. Failure to comply with these rules may cause
a child to lose the privilege of riding a bus.
v
Car Rider Issues
(Very Important)
o
All car riders will be dropped off and picked up at
the main entrance. Please pull forward
as much as possible to allow a maximum number of children to exit the cars at
one time. This speeds up the process.
o
Students are not allowed to be dropped off or picked
up in the school parking lot (front or back) nor the church parking lot. This poses a safety issue beyond
tolerance.
o
Please be patient.
We have a large number of car riding students. You may have to wait 15-20 minutes in line on
a good day. If this poses a problem,
please allow your child to ride the bus.
v
If you want your
child to walk home, you will need to have a note on file in the office from you
giving him/her permission.
v
To facilitate
better school-home communication we have an e-mail contact list of
parents. This is used to disseminate
important school related information to parents. If you would like to be added to this list,
e-mail Ann McDonald at mvmsnewsletter@madison.k12.al.us
. We have different contact lists depending on the grade of the child so please
indicate your child’s grade. If
you signed up last year and your e-mail address has not changed, you do not
have to sign up again. We also have a LED message board in front of the
school. Check this for important
information.
v
Tardiness to
school has been a recurring problem for some students. I want to emphasize to you the importance of
being at school on time. Students that
are tardy miss instruction, cause unnecessary clerical work by teachers and
other staff, and learn the bad habit of being late. School begins at
v
This year we will
also continue our morning tutoring program.
Each morning two certified teachers are available in the Eagles Nest to
tutor students from
v
Cell phones,
ipods/mp3 players, large amounts of money, or other items of value that are not necessary for school should be left at
home. While we attempt to provide a
secure environment, theft does occur and we often aren’t able to recover
these items.
v
While cell phones
are allowed at school they are to be kept in a purse or locker and should be turned off. If this policy is not followed, the phone
will be confiscated and it will be returned only to a parent. For the
first offense, a student will receive a warning. The second and thereafter
he/she will receive detention or AAP as punishment.
v
Please be aware
of our visitor check in/out procedure.
You are asked to go in the office and sign in with your name, time, and
destination. You will receive a sticker
badge to wear. When you are leaving,
please sign out.
v
The
administrative staff has extensive supervision duties each morning. Due to this fact, we do not schedule
conferences before
v
In October the
school will have its only school-wide fundraiser this year. Please support this. All of the money raised goes to help your
child receive a better education through supplies, equipment, student rewards,
and professional development for teachers/staff.
v
An internet
permission form and blogging permission form is included in your child’s
paperwork sent home today. Please be
mindful that the use of both of these technology tools is an integral part of
your child’s education and they will not be allowed to participate until
these are returned.
v
Attendance Policy
Emphasis
o
State law and
local policy defines truancy as one unexcused absence. We are required to issue
a written warning of truancy to the parent after one unexcused absence.
Please be mindful that not sending a note or a child not giving a note
to the homeroom teacher within three days of an absence will result in any absence being classified as
unexcused.
v
Parent
Orientation took place last Sunday for 6th grade. One will be held on August 19th
for the 7th and 8th grades.
Thanks for your attention to
these matters. I look forward to working
with you this year.
Tom Highfield
Principal, MMS
Created: 8/01/03 P.A.M.
Updated: 10/13/08 P.A.M.