Welcome to McClure Middle School

School Council Meeting
The next school council meeting will be Monday, January 26th at 8:00 A.M. The public is welcome to attend.

SCIENCEPALOOZA!
Wednesday, January 28 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. is McClure's biggest PTSA event -- a night of family-friendly, hands-on science experiments and exploration! From nitrogen explosions to animals from the Chattahoochee Nature Center (sponsored by Cobb EMC), robots, astronomy, archeology (from Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site) and a jousting from Fun Services and much, much more, we offer a night that brings science and technology to life!

But we NEED VOLUNTEERS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN! We need parents to supervise the jousting bouncy and the pitching velocity machine, popcorn helpers, robotics supervisors, front door supervisors, pizza sellers, and more! Can you help? Please look at the Sign Up Genius to see where you can make a difference! Thank you!

Also, if you have a special scientific skill that you would like to share, please email Melissa at matalexmel@msn.com. We are always looking for new and interesting presenters!

2015-16 School Choice

The Cobb County School District is again offering School Choice (HB 251 and SB10) transfers for the 2015-2016 school year.  Individual school capacity information and applications will be available beginning February 1, 2015 on the District website.  For more information, please see our 2015-16 School Choice webpage.

Georgia Milestones Night
Thank you to the parents who joined us for an informational meeting about the new Georgia Milestones testing program.  You can download the evening's PowerPoint here.

School Climate Star Rating- We need your help!
The Georgia Department of Education has developed three surveys to be used to calculate a School Climate Star Rating for each school. Students, teachers and parents are being asked to complete a survey this year. Students will take their survey at school on January 20-23.  Your child received a letter on January 6^th with information about the content of the survey.

The Georgia Parent Survey contains 24 questions and should only take 5-10 minutes to complete.  A Spanish version is available on the website. You may complete the survey using personal computers, smartphones or iPads. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis.  Data results from the Georgia Parent survey will not be available to the public and will not be posted online.

Once on the website, you will need to choose Cobb County and then McClure Middle School from a drop down menu. Thank you in advance for your participation!

Eighth Graders- High School Articulation
Parents of rising ninth grade students are invited to take part in the following activities to help get their students ready for the transition to high school:

• Wednesday, January 21st- Pebblebrook Magnet informational meeting.  Mr. Timmerman will meet with interested 8th grade students at 9:45 that morning.

• Wednesday, January 28th- Allatoona, Harrison and Kennesaw Mountain will all speak with our 8th graders at 9:30 that morning.

• Thursday, January 29th- 8th Grade parent meeting at Allatoona High School, 6:30 P.M. in the AHS theater.

• Monday, February 2nd- 8th Grade parent meeting at Harrison High School 7:00 P.M.

• February 16th - 25th- High school registration week.  Students will bring home more information early in February.

• Tuesday, February 17th- Rising 9th Grade Spring Parent/Student Orientation at 6:30 at Kennesaw Mountain H.S.

• Wednesday, February 18th- Parents can come to McClure at 8:30 for a Q&A session with high school counselors.  No appointment necessary.

• Wednesday, February 11th- Pebblebrook Auditions for students who have applied for admission to PHS Performing Arts School.

Changes in Calculator Use on the Milestones
We would like to relay some very important information to you that can positively affect your child.  A key tool for learning mathematics in the 21st century is a calculator. In order to ensure that all students are prepared to meet the desired outcomes of our math program, we recommend the purchase of a calculator to use for the remainder of this year and the years to come. With the change in the end of year assessments (from the CRCT to the Georgia Milestones and EOCs), the opportunity to use a calculator during the new tests is afforded to all students.  A letter with details and recommended calculators was sent home with students before the Winter break.  You can also download a copy here.

Error in CCRPI Scores
When the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) announced the College & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores on December 8, district administrators noticed that specific information for calculating a portion of the score was not included in the released score for each middle school.  Therefore, the middle school CCRPI scores showed an inaccurate drop across the district.  The issue was immediately addressed on December 9 by the district with the GaDOE Accountability and Assessment Department and is currently being resolved. 

Once the new data is incorporated into the recalculation, correct scores for CCSD middle schools will be released and published by the GaDOE at the end of January.  Based on internal preliminary calculations by district administrators, the results show that the CCRPI score at every middle school, as well as the overall district score, will increase.  The corrected scores will be issued by the State within the next 45 days.

McClure Spelling Bee is Announced
The Annual McClure Spelling Bee is scheduled for Friday, January 9, 2015.  Students interested in participating can register using the link below.  You may also register in person by visiting Mrs. Burchette on the 7-A hallway.  All students must be registered no later than Friday, December 12, 2014.  A study list will be emailed to all participants at the end of the registration period, but you may pick up a hard copy from Mrs. Burchette if you would like to start studying sooner.  Please contact Mrs. Burchette at  melissa.burchette@cobbk12.org if you have any further questions.

Register here

STEAM Fair Coming to McClure
The first annual STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) fair will be at McClure on January 15th.  This is your chance to show off your research skills and your talents in the areas of science, technolgy, engineering, art and math.  Enter your project in one or more of the STEAM categories.  Check the link for entrance requirements.

School Council Welcomes New Members
The McClure School Council would like to welcome three new members for the 2014-2015 school year: 

• Kelly Duncan- parent
• Darcy McFarlane- teacher
• Tammy Slaten- parent/business member

Our newest members join existing council members: Ms. Metcalfe (principal), Missy Burchette (teacher), Melissa O'brien (parent), Shawanda Grady (parent/business member), and Jamie Brooker (parent).  School Council meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to join us in the conference room in the Front Office.  The next meeting will be December 8th at 8:00 a.m.

Riding home with a friend?  Check this list!
We have a number of buses that are at capacity and cannot accept requests for additional students who want to ride home with a friend.  We appreciate your help by not requesting passes for the following buses:  1850, 1675, 1726, 2075, 1794, 1544, 1807, 1851.

Looking for Extra Help?
We offer a variety of tutoring sessions at McClure.

CCSD Updates Enrollment Protocol
The health and safety of our students and school staffs is our highest priority. National and international health authorities are currently working to manage an ongoing outbreak of the Ebola virus disease in several countries in West Africa. The Cobb County School District has released an update to the Enrollment Protocol as well a letter to parents informing them of the changes. The letter was sent home with students on Friday, October 17th, you can also download a copy here.

Help McClure Get "Shoe-d!"
This year, the McClure Foundation is offering a special opportunity to the our families to become a part of Maverick history.  Families can purchase a commemorative horseshoe with their family’s name on it to be uniquely displayed on a focal wall in the main hallway in the school.  The donation prices are as followed: Bronze Horseshoe $100-$249, Silver Horseshoe $250- $499, and Gold Horseshoe $500.00 and up.  This donation will make a lasting impact on the McClure Community. Don't let this monumental occasion pass by without participating!!  If you would like to invest in the future of McClure and the McClure community, please visit our website to order your horseshoe today.  

Debra Carter- CCSD Middle School SPOTY!
It is with great Maverick pride that we announce that our own Debra Carter, McClure Secretary, has been named as the Cobb County School District's Middle School Support Professional of the Year! Twelve hundred students, faculty, staff, family members and the McClure Drum Line were on hand to welcome Ms. Carter back to school after the annoucement luncheon.  We are all so proud of you Ms. Carter!  You can send congratulatory messages to Ms. Carter here.

Powder Springs Offers P.R.I.D.E. Seminar
The Power Springs Police Department is offering a seminar to help parents get their 14, 15, and 16 year olds ready to be drivers.    Parents Reducing Injuries & Driver Error (P.R.I.D.E.), helps you with the skills necessary to make your child a safer driver.  Click for more information.

ParentVue & StudentVue
Both programs will went live on Monday, August 10th.  Existing users should see schedules and grades (once teachers begin posting grades)after that date. If you are unable to log in (and have an existing account) after the 10th, please email Mr. Gandolfo for assistance- after August 10th.

New Users, please watch Facebook and this website for announcements about when new accounts will be distributed.

New to our Community?
If you have recently moved into McClure's attendance zone please call the school to make a registration appointment. You can also click on "Enrolling Your Student" link on the left to learn what you will need to register.

Meet Officer Howard
Recently the Cobb County School District approved the funding and hiring of a number of additional campus security officers.  We are happy to announce that one of those officers is housed here at McClure.  Officer Scott Howard comes to us after an illustrious, twenty-nine year career with the Cobb County Police Department.

He has served as a patrol officer, an investigative detective, a detective with the crimes against children unit, a bureau supervisior and a shift commander.  In addition to his work with the Cobb County Police Department, Officer Howard has served in the United States Airforce & Air Force Reserve.  His tours of duty included serving at Manas Air Base in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 

Scott is a Cobb native and a product of Cobb schools, his youngest daughter is a junior at Allatoona.  His two older daughters are students at Kennesaw State and Shorter University.

Officer Howard is responsible for three schools in our area, McClure, Bullard and Lewis.  If you see him or his Campus security car at one of his schools make sure you wave and say hello!

Welcome Officer Howard!

Supply Lists
Why don't we have them?  We have not posted supply lists for the past several years to help minimize unneccessary purchases.  Your students have a large number of potential placements each year including AC classes, a variety of math levels, three separate music programs and four different connections programs. With so many options and teachers, it was too difficult to develop a meaningful supply list.  Individual teachers will share expectations with students during the first week of school.  In the meantime, when the back to school sales start, you will never go wrong by stocking up on ruled notebook paper, blue or black ink pens, pencils (lots and lots of number 2 pencils!), erasers and a flash drive or two.  It might also be helpful for students to have access to a (monitored) email account.  There are times when it is extremely useful for students to send class projects to themselves via email for working at home.

New School Immunization Requirements
Effective July 1, 2014, all children born on or after January 1, 2002 who are entering 7th grade or are new entrants to Georgia schools in grades 8-12 will be required to have Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis) and meningococcal conjugate vacines before entering school for the 2014-2015 school year.  Visit Cobb & Douglas Public Health or your private physician to get these vaccines now!  Call Cobb/Douglas Public Health at 770/514-2349 for more information.

Congratulations Ms. Jezerinac, our TOTY!
Congratulations to Ms. Erin Jezerinac, our 2015 Teacher of the Year!  Ms. J is one our eighth grade math teachers and is a major influence on the success of our students!  We're proud of you!

When asked about being at McClure, Ms. J. had this to say, "At work, I am surrounded by amazingly talented coworkers whom I consider to be part of my family. Working with my team is the best part of my job. I work with students who have probably taught me more than I have taught them. Even on the most challenging days, my students reminded of how important my role is as an adult in their lives. I feel so honored and blessed to be nominated for teacher of the year."  We are honored to have you as our TOTY Ms. J!

Debra Carter, Our Newst SPOTY!
Congratulations to Ms. Debra Carter on her award of Support Professional of the Year!  Ms. Carter, our school secretary, is the longest serving member of the McClure faculty and staff.  She started even before the school officially opened!  Whether she is answering phones, buzzing in people at the front day, or making sure the entire staff is dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's, McClure wouldn't function without Debra's support.  Thanks for all that you do Ms. Carter! 

Recognize your Student's Birthday
The McClure Foundation is excited to offer birthday posts beginning January 20th.....The McClure Foundation will post the honoree's name (student, teacher, staff, etc.) on the McClure school sign to wish them a Happy Birthday - Monday thru Friday only, for a $20 donation to the Foundation - Click here to learn how you do it!

Don't Let Bullying Go Unnoticed
On Thursday, January 16th, Ms. Metcalfe introduced a new Bullying Incident Report form to the student body.  We will conduct three more lessons on bullying prevention during the rest of this school year.  Please contact Dr. Daniel with questions or for more information about bullying prevention. You can also click on the link to the left to learn about more school district resources.  Please help us make McClure a bully free zone.  If you are aware of a bullying situation, please download the form and return it to an adult at school.

New Safety Measures Added
The school district has installed new safety measures to the current surveillance system at McClure.  Effective immediately, we have a "buzz in" system on the front doors.  From 9:15 until the end of each day you will need to ring to buzzer next to the front doors.  Some one from the front office will ask your to identify yourself and indicate the nature of your visit before you will be allowed to enter.  A letter with full details was sent home with students on January 8, 2014.  You can also read it here.

McClure Middle School Foundation
The McClure Middle School Foundation's mission is to help support the instructional program of our school.  You can visit the Foundation's page to learn more about upcoming programs.

A Public Saftey Reminder about Fire Lanes at McClure 
Per the Fire Marshall's Office, no one is allowed to park in a Fire Lane, whether there is a driver in the vehicle or not, at any time other than the following:

• 30 minutes prior to the end of the school day and 30 minutes after the end of the school day (this does not include the After School Program nor any other activity at the school)
• passengers actively loading or unloading during the day (this would cover students unloading in the morning at the beginning of the school day)

We need to reemphasize that the only time a vehicle would be  allowed in a Fire Lane would be to actively drop-off and/or pick-up a student when there is no waiting.  Other times, such as after school activities would not be included.  If you are in violation of the ordinance, you run the risk of being ticketed. Should you have questions or concerns, please contact the Department of Public Safety (678) 594-8620.

Magnet School Information for 8th Grade Parents
Eighth grade parents, if you are interested in information about the different magnet programs available through the CCSD, please visit the  magnet school website.  The link will also answer many of the questions you might have about the magnet programs we have available. 

WE DID IT!
In case you missed the broadcast this morning, Fox5 has us online too!  Click to enjoy our segments.  We all enjoyed being on air this morning and there is a lot of Maverick Pride around here today!

Maverick Pride has been strong this week!  Your efforts really paid off, with more than 68,000 votes, we won a visit from Good Day Atlanta on Thursday, March 14th.  Make sure you tune in on Thursday to see live shots and segments that show off the great things that are happening here at McClure!

Perhaps the best part of the week was watching McClure exhibit our four words:

• We were Encouraging to each other to get the vote out!
• We showed great Enthusiasm as the excitement built throughout the week.
• Our Excellence shined, especially as we made suggestions about what programs we should highlight on TV.
• The Ingenuity soared as administrators stepped out of their usual roles and showed up on the serving line at lunch or that teacher who dyed his hair blue because we reached the 65,000 votes level.  There are rumors that even the Harlem Shake might make an appearance one day next week!

Most of all we are proud that we pulled together and made this happen!  Good job McClure- we have a lot to be proud of!

CRCT Preparations are here!
Each April, McClure students take the Georgia Criterion Referenced Tests to show what they have mastered during the school year. Preparations are already underway to help ensure that our students do the best they can on the tests. You can help increase scores at home through practice, we recommend the following websites for additional practice and tutorials:

• USATest Prep
• Skills Tutor
• Khan Academy
• GA Department of Ed Preparation Materials
• McClure Vocabulary Packets

The Words You Should Know!
Research shows that students who have a rich vocabulary achieve at higher levels than those who do not. On questions that do not specifically test vocabulary, students are often expected to understand the meanings of the words they encounter within passages, questions and answers on sections that involve reading. But because vocabulary knowledge is useful for all reading comprehension, an increased vocabulary is not only beneficial on standardized tests, but in all content areas. (Read More)

BYOD Has Arrived at McClure!
If you weren't able to attend last week's BYOD/Common Core meeting you can download the PowerPoint presentation and learn more at the new BYOD Resource page.

Is Your Child a Car Rider?
Please view this video on car rider pick up procedure. This informative video provides assistance for you to pick up your student in the safest possible manner. We want all of our students to depart from McClure with as little delay and risk as possible. (The movie will take a while to load.)

Common Core Coming to McClure
You may have heard about curriculum changes coming to our schools next year. The shift to Common Core Standards will help our student be more competitive in our ever changing society and ushers in some exciting changes for all of us. Click here to learn more about Common Core.

Get Involved
McClure students, do you want to be more involved with the McClure community? Are there untapped skills and interests that you want to explore? There are lots of clubs and organizations here at McClure that want to meet you! Download a list of our clubs and organizations and check the McClure calendar at the left to see meeting times and locations.

Back to School Dress Code Information
Please take a few minutes to review the McClure dress code. Additional information can be found in the student handbook.

Performing Arts
The purpose of the Performing Arts program is to provide opportunities for our students to experience uniquely rewarding performing arts that might otherwise be unavailable to them. We try to spark curiosity, broaden awareness of the arts, stimulate minds and emotions. The program is entirely dependent on your donations. For more information, please visit the Performing Arts program's website.

Internet Safety
The Internet offers students a wealth of opportunities to communicate, socialize, and explore the world. These benefits come with certain risks. Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online is a new guide with practical tips to help parents help their kids navigate the online world. It's produced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and covers a variety of topics- from cyber bullying to using mobile phones safely. Copies will be available during conference week or you can download your own PDF copy.

Need to ride a different bus home?
If your student will be riding home with another student there are some important guidelines that must be followed. All bus changes must be approved through the attendance office before a student will be allowed on a different bus. More Details.