Metter Middle School

Happy HoCo Week! Each day, a Social Media Craze post will be posted on Facebook asking all Metter Tigers to do something fun and crazy, take a picture or video of it, and then post it as a comment on the Facebook post with the hashtag #MetterHOCO24 Classes will get extra points toward the coveted spirit stick and community members/businesses that participate will receive special prizes for those who do the best job and post their participation online as well! 🧡🖤 Today's Social Media Craze is "Take a Selfie with your Boss or Principal Day!" Upload your selfie and the hashtag on the Facebook post or email them to vfordham@metter.org!

MMS recently held its Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Scholarship interviews for 13 eighth-graders. MMS awarded four winners and these student will sign their Scholarship acceptance contracts at the Board of Education meeting on November 21. Scholars who successfully complete the program and graduate from high school are awarded a $10,000 scholarship. The 2024-2025 winners are: Emanuel Bautista (white shirt), A'Bria Fields (Good Vibes shirt), Jo'el McCullough (Tiger Football shirt), and Ayamyrah Santiago (pink shirt). Congratulations, REACH Scholars!

It's Homecoming Week! You can find all info about HOCO here: https://www.metter.org/o/mhs/page/homecoming2024 Thursday, Nov 7 is the Homecoming Parade at 4:30 pm Sign up: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfv8u7xqPYJ4I.../viewform **Schools will release EARLY on Thursday to allow everyone to get in place for the Parade** Friday, Nov 8 is the game against ECI at 7:30 pm Be there and cheer loud!!

Pumpkin math is a seasonal treat-- Today is a great day to do some pumpkin math with your child! Get a pumpkin, and have your child: Estimate how much the pumpkin weighs. Weigh the pumpkin, and then add or subtract to see how much heavier or lighter it is than the estimate. Estimate, and then measure, how many inches the pumpkin is around at its widest point (its circumference). Then, cut the pumpkin open and have your child count its seeds by fives, 10s and 20s. https://tpitip.com/?14je19702

Earlier this week, CCSD was privileged to host many of the National Rural Education Association conference attendees for a day to show how "Education is Better in Metter." The NREA conference was being held in Savannah, but one of their networking outreach opportunities was to come to Candler County Schools! We hosted them for the entire day, complete with an agenda including: •Tours of the facilities, including the construction of MCCA • High School Student Panel, a chance for them to tell their story of career paths • Dual Enrollment opportunities • Discussion on Business, Industry and Community Partnerships • Korea trip attendees discuss their abroad opportunity • Top Tiger & Hard Hat Awards at MES • Amazing Shake & Winning 50 at MMS • Transition Program from Middle to High School • FLEX entrepreneur program at the High Schools • Regular Education Initiative collaborations with other GaDOE Divisions There were over 30 educators from all over the country on our campus for this special trip. We are thankful they chose to visit Candler County Schools and see what great things we are doing!

Encourage reading, one chapter at a time-- Foster excitement about the idea of reading by introducing your child to the pleasures of chapter books. Find a book you think your student will enjoy. It could be a classic or a new book recommended by a teacher or the librarian. Have your child read (or you read aloud) just one chapter a night. Then, talk about the story. Ask your child to predict what will happen next. If your child enjoys the book, see if it has a sequel and read that one, too! https://tpitip.com/?14jd19702

Create a routine to take the hassle out of study time-- Schoolwork isn't on most kids' lists of favorite things to do at home. But it doesn't have to be a hassle. To make study time go more easily at your house, set a regular weekday time for it. If your child is irritable or tired, offer a healthy snack beforehand. Hunger can be a big distraction. It may also help to give your child 30 minutes to run around outside and blow off steam before settling down. https://tpitip.com/?14jb19702

FBLA and Shepeard Blood Center will be hosting a blood drive on Friday, November 1  on the Bloodmobile buses from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m..   Donors should be sure to eat a nutritious breakfast and drink lots of water on the day of the blood drive.  Additionally, donors should begin now eating iron rich foods in their meals to help avoid low iron which eliminates a person from donating. Students must be at least 16 years of age, meet height and weight requirements, AND have parent permission to donate blood.  Morning donors will receive a free breakfast item.  And all blood donors will receive snacks and a free piece of Shepeard Blood Center swag while supplies last. All students who donate blood will also receive a free 100 ticket to be used in a high school classroom at the teacher's discretion.  Students under the age of 16 are encouraged to recruit a donor on their behalf to also earn the free 100 ticket.   Additionally, students who donate OR recruit donors on their behalf three times during one school year will earn a Red Cord to wear at graduation.  This is our SECOND  blood drive of the year, so this is your SECOND chance to work toward earning that Red Cord for this school year!!!   Faculty and staff are also encouraged to join a great cause and donate!  Our goal is to have 75 people present to be blood donors on Friday, November 1. Blood donor forms are available from Mrs. Donaldson in Room 206 or Mrs. Deal in Room 207.   Remember each blood donation saves up to three lives!

The Metter High School Performing Arts will represent A One Act Play entitled Alice at the Wilcox Auditorium for 3 performances: Monday, October 28 at 6 pm Monday, November 11 at 6 pm Thursday, November 14 at 6 pm $10.00 Adult Admission $5.00 Student Admission Tickets available at the door, or advanced tickets are available at GoFan (https://gofan.co/event/1581394?schoolId=GA23136) or at https://mhsarts.booktix.com Alice follows the white rabbit down the rabbit hole into Wonderland, where she meets a cornucopia of strange creatures. A caterpillar gives advice, the Mad Hatter and March Hare are always at tea time, and the Queen of Hearts continually cries, "Off with her head!" The Cheshire Cat says everyone in Wonderland is mad, and therefore Alice must be too. Has Alice lost her head? Only the Cheshire Cat knows for sure...

Help Your Child Learn to Concentrate While Studying Your child is actually sitting down ready to learn. But every sound is a new distraction. Try three tips that can help children learn to concentrate. Help your child: Prepare to learn. When adults start the working day, most have little rituals that say, “It’s time to get to work.” Help your child establish these rituals, too. Your student might turn on a study light, lay out pencils or put books on the table. One child even put on a hat—he called it his “thinking cap.” Wearing it reinforced that it was time to study. Set goals. Help your child set some study goals for each session. You might put a dry-erase board on the wall of the study area where your student can post them. Take short breaks. Brain researchers know that children learn more in two 20-minute study sessions than they do in one 40-minute session. For some children, even 20 minutes may be too long at first. Set a timer for 10 minutes and help your child set a goal for what to accomplish in that time. At the end of the ten minutes, check to see whether your student has met the goal. Together, set another goal and set the timer for another 10 minutes. Even this short break will help your child stay focused while learning.

Boys middle school basketball tryouts will be held on Monday Oct 28 and Tuesday October 29 at the MMS Gym from 3:15-5:00 pm. Players to be picked up from MMS Gym at 5:15 pm. Players must have a physical on file. Wear your basketball shoes and shorts and bring your water bottle.

Dr. Fred “Bubba” Longgrear has just been named the recipient of the Bill Barr Leadership Award by the Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA). The announcement was made at the GSSA’s annual Bootstrap Conference. The Bill Barr Leadership Award is named after Dr. Bill Barr, who served as GSSA’s executive director from 1991 to 1999. It is considered a coveted award in public education in Georgia and is given to a superintendent who represents the service-minded and mentorship characteristics that embody Dr. Barr. “This award is humbling and truly an honor,” says Dr. Longgrear. “I have had so many others mentor me throughout my career. This is a recognition for the great work going on throughout our school district.” “Dr. Longgrear’s leadership within Candler County Schools has been transformative,” says Mr. Richard Smith, Executive Director of First District RESA. “One of his standout achievements is founding the Metter College & Career Academy, which bridges the gap between education and the workforce. This academy offers students hands-on experience, helping them succeed after high school and setting the student up for future success.” Dr. Longgrear believes in giving every student a chance to thrive; a competitive advantage. His leadership is also clear in the district’s strategic plan, which focuses on providing high-quality, well-rounded education to all students. This plan is a living guide that drives decisions throughout the district, ensuring that every step taken is aimed at student success. Dr. Longgrear is a leader who truly cares about education and the people around him. His commitment to excellence, mentorship, and community involvement has transformed Candler County Schools and has impacted education across Georgia. His leadership is an outstanding example of what it means to guide with both heart and strategy. As the Bill Barr Leadership Award winner, Dr. Longgrear accepted a plaque at a luncheon during the Bootstrap Conference this past week in Athens. pictured: left to right: Dr. Rob Brown the 2023 Bill Barr Award recipient; Dr. Bubba Longgrear; and GSSA Executive Director Dr. John Zauner.

e-tip from The Parent Institute: Learning is the Best Reward Children whose accomplishments are smothered in rewards such as candy, money and excessive praise often feel motivated only if they receive these external rewards. They usually concentrate more on the reward than the accomplishment. Research shows that successful learners are more “intrinsically” motivated—stimulated more by their own curiosity than by any reward or bonus. They are rewarded for their successes with their own satisfaction. To promote intrinsic motivation: Allow your child reasonable independence and creativity when playing. When children have freedom in play, it allows them to see the effects of their actions. When they create something, they have something tangible that represents their efforts. Provide learning challenges that strengthen feelings of success. For example, if your child has just successfully learned a part of the multiplication table, offer a challenge: "You have really learned the 5 times table. Can you learn the 6 times table as well?" Ask your child to evaluate personal effort and work. Ask, “How do you feel about this paper you just wrote? Are you proud of your effort?” Avoid excessive rewards and praise. Instead, comment on your child’s effort, progress and learning. For example, “You stuck with your math until you did it all. I am really impressed with your diligence. And now you really understand how to round numbers up or down!”

It's Drive 4 UR School day on Wednesday, October 23! From 8am - 3pm, you can test drive a Ford vehicle at Metter High School and Metter Ford will donate $20 to Candler County Schools! Come help us out!

The Tiger Book Bus will be out and about tomorrow, Wednesday, October 23 to meet with kids to read, create crafts and have some fun! Visit the bus at 2 locations: 12:30 - 1:15 pm at Barbershop of the South, 307 Central Avenue 1:45-2:30 pm at the Downtown Park We look forward to seeing you at one (or both!) of these locations! #WINatEVERYTHING #educationisbetterinmetter

🚍✨ It's National School Bus Safety Week! Let’s come together to remind our kids and our community about the importance of school bus safety as we head back to school on Thursday, October 24. Here are a few tips to keep everyone safe: ✨Always stay seated and keep aisles clear. ✨Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before boarding or exiting. ✨Remember to stop for school buses with their lights flashing and always watch for children at bus stops. Together, we can ensure our children arrive to school safely every day! #educationisbetterinmetter #SchoolBusSafetyWeek

Fall Break for Students: October 22 & 23. Students return to school on Thursday, October 24. Happy Fall Break!

Let your child know you care about effort Your child is likely to work hard and learn as much as possible in school if you make it clear that you place a high value on effort. For instance, when your child shows you a high test score, instead of just saying "Hooray!" say "I know how hard you studied. Your hard work has really paid off." When your elementary schooler finishes reading a book, you can say, "You made a real effort to finish that book. I'm proud of you." For more eTips, please visit The Parent Institute by clicking on the following link: https://tpitip.com/?14jQ19702 Deja que tu hijo sepa que te importa el esfuerzo Es probable que su hijo trabaje duro y aprenda tanto como sea posible en la escuela si deja claro que le das un alto valor al esfuerzo. Por ejemplo, cuando tu hijo te muestra una puntuación alta en la prueba, en lugar de decir simplemente "¡Hurra! "Sé lo mucho que estudiaste. Tu trabajo duro ha dado sus frutos. Cuando tu estudiante termina de leer un libro, puedes decir: "Hiciste un gran esfuerzo para terminar ese libro. Estoy orgulloso de ti. " Para más eTips, visite The Parent Institute haciendo clic en el siguiente enlace: https://tpitip.com/?14jQ19702

It's no joke that humor can make reading fun Learning to read can be hard work. So it's important to remind your child how much fun reading can be. Write a joke on silly stationery and tuck it in with your child's lunch. Suggest that your student read it to friends. Their laughter will make your child feel special and proud. And your elementary schooler will connect those positive feelings with reading. For more eTips, please visit The Parent Institute by clicking on the following link: https://tpitip.com/?14jN19702 No es broma que el humor puede hacer que la lectura sea divertida Aprender a leer puede ser un trabajo duro. Así que es importante recordar a tu hijo lo divertido que puede ser leer. Escribe un chiste en papelería tonta y mételo con el almuerzo de tu hijo. Sugiere que tu estudiante se lo lea a tus amigos. Su risa hará que tu hijo se sienta especial y orgulloso. Y tu estudiante de primaria conectará esos sentimientos positivos con la lectura. Para más eTips, visite The Parent Institute haciendo clic en el siguiente enlace: https://tpitip.com/?14jN19702

Be sure to check out our events calendar for all CCSD happenings! Here's a few for the next week: Oct 15--BOE Workshop 8 am Oct 15--Underclassman Yearbook Picture Day Oct 16--MHS Softball Round 1 Playoff games vs. Hawkinsville 4 pm & 6 pm Oct 17--MCCA Board Meeting 8:15 am Oct 17--BOE Meeting 5 pm Oct 21-23--Student holidays Oct 22-23--Professional Learning Days for Staff