Administration

CRUSH the CRCT at PINE MOUNTAIN

   

This year the Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) will be given April 21-27.  At Pine Mountain we are excited about the opportunity for our students to show what they know on the test.  We have adopted the theme "CRUSH the CRCT with 800+".  Students will begin seeing this theme on t-shirts, posters, and video clips. In order to help students be their best for the testing days please be sure your child: gets enough sleep, has a good breakfast, arrives at school on time, has a #2 pencil, and tries their best. Mustang Excellence begins with ME in performance on the CRCT. 

Strengthening Effective Parent Involvement

The Georgia Department of Education has launched a new campaign to share with parents effective ways that they can support their child's education.  Their belief is that when parents have a good understanding of the educational system, parents will be better able to support their child.  At GaAppleseed.org  parents can watch an informational video that gives a great deal of information about the educational system of Georgia.  The video gives an overview of No child Left Behind, A+ reform Act, and SACS.  It also discusses the varies state and national assessments that students are required to take.  There is also information about how parents can access data at a state level, system level, and the local school level.  The video helps parents and educators understand what Adequate yearly Progress(AYP) is and how it effects the local school and system.  At the conclusion of the video it gives parents on-line resources to utilize.  I have encouraged our teachers to watch this video and I encourage you as a member of our school community to watch the informational video.

Up coming important dates...

February 16th is President's Day.  That day is also a student holiday.  Teachers will be attending staff development classes that day.  On February 17th teachers will be sending home 4 1/2 week progress reports.  If you have not signed up for I-Parent, we encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful tool.  I-Parent allows you to monitor your child's grades through the Internet.  You must come to the school to register for I-Parent.  To get more information about I-parent, please contact your child's counselor. 

Also, a reminder that each day our computer lab is open at 8:15 for students to work on Skill Tutor or USA Test Prep.  Skills Tutor is a wonderful program that is focused on the fundamentals of learning.  The quizzes and test identify skill deficiencies and prescribe appropriate lessons for the student.  USA Test Prep is an on-line resource to help students review for the CRCT.  This program is specific for our 8th grade students, who can take practice test in Math and Reading.  For more information on either of these programs please contact Keith Micklow, Keith.Micklow@cobbk12.org , our Graduation Coach.

Conference Week

Conference week will begin Monday, January 26, 2009.  Conference letters to schedule your day and time were sent home on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 and should be returned to your child’s homeroom teacher by Friday, January 16, 2009.

 

Parental participation is an essential piece in ensuring the academic success of our students.  We look forward to seeing you!

CRCT Study Guides

Here is a link for CRCT student study guides:
CRCT study guides

Happy Holidays! Happy Reading!

We would like to wish everyone a very happy holiday season.

Parents, please encourage your students to continue reading to "Reach for 1,000,000."

 
Click this link to Download Reading challenge2
*YOU MUST HAVE MS PUBLISHER ON YOUR COMPUTER
Click this link to Download Reach for 100000 online presentation *YOU MUST HAVE MS POWERPOINT ON YOUR COMPUTER

Curriculum Night

The administrative team and teachers would like to thank the parents who came to Curriculum Night.  If you were unable to attend we have posted the PowerPoint presentations that teachers developed for the evening on our school's website under the curriculum link.  Teachers from each grade level created a PowerPoint presentation divided by subject area showing parents resources and tips that can they can use to support their child's learning.  We also created a pamphlet listing study tips and website links that have proved useful to parents.  If you would like a pamphlet from Curriculum Night please stop by the guidance office to pick one up.  While on the school's website please be sure to look at the events link.  We would love to see you and your family at one of our upcoming events.

American Red Cross

On October 1, 2008, Aria Galt, our Red Cross Local faculty contact, and I accepted an award for Pine Mountain Middle School.  Our school was recognized as having the largest number of pints of blood collected in the Atlanta area at a middle school. Last year we collected an amazing 130 pints of blood.  Due to the generous contributions made each year by our community we have received this honor for several years running.

Special thanks to Aria Galt and Staci Barnett, our PTSA Blood Drive Coordinator, they spent many hours of their time preparing and planning our blood drives.  Through her efforts our school has been able to change lives.  Each time you give blood you affect the lives of three other people.  You may have saved the life of a new mother, her little baby, a cancer patient, or an accident victim.  As a special note we, once again, exceeded our goal during the September 25, 2008 blood drive by collecting 68 pints.  We may be on our way to receiving another award. 

Please continue to support this very important program.  We will have another blood drive on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 from 3:30 – 8:00 p.m.  Thank you again for helping with the success of our blood drives.  Roll up your sleeve, it will make you feel so good!

Thinking About High School?

It is never to early to start thinking about high school.  Tomorrow evening Dr. Mimi Dyer will be speaking to our parents and students about AP/Honors classes at the high school level.  I truly encourage our students and parents to attend this presentation.  Students in 7th and 8th grade need to start planning out and considering what classes they would like to take in high school now.  This presentation will give them valuable information to help them think through this process.  8th grade high school registration will take place at the beginning of February and the first KMHS presentation for parents and students will be Oct. 2, 2008.  To help your child make the best transition to high school please make sure to attend all the meetings that you can.

Ten Ways to Help Your Child Succeed at School

1. Meet your child's teacher at the beginning of the school year.  Make sure he/she knows the best way to contact you.

2. Watch for classroom syllabus and read about the homework policies, or ask the teacher what to expect.  Follow up by making sure your child does the work.

3. Look at a school calendar (www.cobbk12.org) now and arrange for time off work, if necessary, for scheduled parent-teacher conferences during the school year.  If those times do not work, call the school and arrange another time.

4. Put the school phone number (678-594-8252), school fax number (678-594-8254) and, if one is available, homework hotline (770-795-5720), by your phone so it is easy and quick to call.

5. Go to Open House at school.  If you cannot make it, call and arrange another time you can visit the school and meet the people with whom your child spends his day.

6. If you have no phone or cannot get to one during school hours, send your child's teacher a note or write a letter outlining your interest and/or concern.  Tell the teacher the best way to get back to you.

7. Make sure your child has healthy eating and sleeping habits so he is prepared to learn.

8. Read with you child at home.

9. Give your child praise on their accomplishments, no matter how small.

10. Do not back off these habits as your child progresses through middle school  or high school.  Your child needs and truly wants your involvement.