Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to Jack Cockrill Middle School! The first week of
school could not have gone any better. Thank you for allowing
us to take care of your child every day.
In this packet, you will find extremely important information
and the Student Residency Questionnaire that needs to be
returned to your child's 7th period teacher by Wednesday,
September 1.
Student Handbooks and Code of Conduct
Please go online to our website to view the MISD Student Handbook, Code of Conduct, and the
specific CMS Student Handbook. If you would like a hard copy, please stop by the front office
or call Kathy Dean at 469-742-7918.
Cowboy Courier
If you would like to receive weekly email updates from me, please log on to
http://www.mckinneyisd.net/Campuses/schoolwebsites/cockrill/index.html and enter your email
address.
Schedule Changes
The last day for schedule changes is Wednesday, September 1.
No School
There will be no school Monday, September 6.
Magazine Renewal Drive
Instead of doing the magazine fundraiser this year, we are asking parents to give a one-time
donation of $20.00. This money will be used to help pay for things such as murals for the
school, character development, food for student representative luncheons, ice cream for students,
faculty luncheons, awards and prizes, etc. If you would like to help the school, please send the
$20 made payable to CMS at 1351 North Hardin Road, McKinney, 75071, with your child's
name on the check. You can also drop off the check or cash in the front office if you prefer.
Thanks so much!
Cell Phones and IPods
Please know that there are no lockers in the dressing rooms for students during P.E. Therefore, it
is very important that phones, money, purses, IPods, etc. are left in the regular school lockers and
not taken to the gym. It is sad, but these items come up missing every day and we don't want
your child to get something stolen. Also, this year, we are trying to transition to kids being
able to use their phones during school for school purposes only. The teachers have been
learning how to incorporate more technology in the classroom and have discovered a
website called pollseverywhere.com, where students can text their answers to questions and
the results appear immediately on the classroom SmartBoard. We realize that some
parents may not want to pay for texts (if you don't have unlimited texting), so please talk to
your child about whether or not they are allowed to participate. Students must keep their
phones off when they are not being used for educational purposes in the classroom. The
only exceptions to the rule are before school, after school, and during lunch.
Textbooks
We are not issuing textbooks to every student for every subject, as the textbooks are used more
as reference material for students. However, please know that if you desire for your child to
have a textbook for every class or for just particular classes, contact Lisa Tharby at 469-742-
7878 or email her at ltharby@mckinneyisd.net and she will get your child what he/she needs.
Forgotten Items
Please make sure your child is prepared each day for school. We apologize in advance, but we
do not deliver forgotten items to the classroom.
School Times
Our school hours are 8:45 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. Students should not arrive to school before 8:15
a.m., as our teachers are not on duty until that time. Also, please make sure your child has
transportation at 3:45 p.m. when school is out, as there is no supervision after 4:00 p.m. We
want all children to be safe, so please help us take care of your child.
Lunches
Students are not allowed to charge their lunch, so please make sure you send money with them
daily and/or keep up with how much money they have in their accounts. The lines are long, so if
your child can bring lunch, that is awesome! If your child needs free or reduced lunch, you must
get a form from the front office and return to the office ASAP. Students who have been
approved in the past will have a grace period until September 24. You must re-apply by
September 24 or be dropped from the program.
Celebrations
We are not allowed to bring cupcakes, pizza, etc. to the cafeteria for birthday parties. I'm sorry.
Pre-AP Contracts
If your child is taking a Pre-AP course, he/she has received an information sheet. Please review
the information, sign, and return the sheet to your child's Pre AP teachers.
Tardies
When the bell rings, teachers will close their door. If a student is tardy to class, the student will
go to the AP office to receive a tardy pass. The tardy will be documented, and the student will be
given a pass back to class. All students are given one free tardy per nine weeks.
Students who are tardy will receive the following consequences per nine weeks:
Ø 1st - Warning
Ø 2nd - Administrative Detention
Ø 3rd - Administrative Detention
Ø 4th - Office Referral and appropriate consequence
Administrative Detentions are served on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 until 5:45. Students
with four or more tardies are in violation of the student code of conduct and discipline will be
determined by the student code of conduct (this could include, but is not limited to, Friday
School, truancy filing, ISS/OSS, etc.).
First period tardies will be tracked differently than the rest of the periods.
Meet the Teacher/Parent Night
Meet the Teacher Night is planned for Thursday, September 16, from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. This
will be a "Come-and-Go" affair. Teachers will be in their rooms so that you may stop by and
introduce yourself, get some basic information, as well as a summary of the academic
expectations for the semester. Teachers will not have time to have conferences with parents, but
they will be more than happy to schedule one for the next week if you would like. Please make
sure your child gives you a copy of his/her schedule so that you know the teachers and where
their rooms are located. The PTO Store will be open and will be selling lots of spirit attire.
Early Release Dates
We will have Early Release at 12:45 on September 15, October 13, November 10, December 10,
February 11, and March 11. We will have bus transportation and the buses will leave at 12:55.
If your child has other transportation, please be sure to make arrangements for him/her to be
picked up promptly at 12:45. There will be no supervision after 1:00, as teachers and
administrators have professional development sessions in the afternoon. We will only be
offering sack lunches on Early Release days, so please plan accordingly.
Back to School Social for 6th Graders and Dance for 7th, & 8th Graders
A Back to School Social has been planned for 6th grade students on Friday, September 10. Sixth
grade festivities will be from 3:45 until 5:30 p.m. We will have one gym open for playing
games, and we will have a D.J. in the other gym so that students can listen to music and dance.
Seventh and eighth graders are invited to attend the dance, which will be from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Please make sure that all students have a ride home at the end of their activity. Tickets will be
sold for $3 for the Open Gym and $5 for the 7th/8th dance during lunches September 8-10.
Tickets will not be sold at the door. These activities are ONLY for 6th-8th graders who are
CURRENTLY attending Cockrill.
PTO
You can find all PTO forms on our website. Membership is $12 and goes toward student
assemblies, gift cards for student drawings, field trips, AVID incentives, 8th grade celebration,
6th grade Cowboy Roundup, teacher luncheons, PTO directory, snacks for tutoring programs and
writing/math camps, teacher perfect attendance, staff birthday cakes, and so much more.
PTO Coffee
Our first PTO Coffee is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21, at 9:00 a.m. in the teacher's
lounge. We would love to see you there!
Pictures and Library IDs
Don Painter will be here to take school pictures on Friday, September 10. Please fill out the
form in this packet and send a check or cash with your child on September 10.
Parking Lot
If you drop off your child in the mornings, please do so in the front of the building. The back
parking lot is for buses only. Please be careful and watch for students walking in front of
your car. Also, please make sure your child uses the crosswalks when walking to and from
school. As it gets closer to 8:45 a.m. the traffic increases, so please try to arrive earlier so that
lines are not so long. Remember also to be courteous to one another.
We will have two lines out front for parents to drop off kids, so PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU
WATCH FOR KIDS CROSSING IN FRONT OF YOUR CAR. Also, please tell your children
to make eye contact with the driver before walking in front of a car. Students need to have their
lunch money, backpacks, etc. ready so they can get out of the car quickly and not block traffic.
Please do not try to cut through the lot with the cones and do not park in the very front parking
spots if you are going to be at school more than two hours. We would like to use the closest
parking spots for parents who need to run in and drop off something or to run in to get your child
for a dentist/doctor appointment.
Buses will drop off and pick up in the back of the school, so please do not drive your car back
there. If your child rides the bus, please make sure he/she knows which bus to ride (especially if
you take your child to school and then he's supposed to ride the bus home in the afternoon).
Skateboards and Bikes
Skateboards must be left in the student's locker and bikes must be locked to the bike rack. CMS
is not responsible for lost or stolen skateboards or bikes.
V-Soft
We use V-Soft to track visitors, students, faculty, contractors and volunteers at our school, thus
providing a safer, more monitored, environment for the students. Visitors will be asked to
present a valid state or government issued photo ID for entering into the system. The system has
the ability to provide alerts on people who may jeopardize the safety of the campus. Thank you
in advance for your cooperation in presenting your valid state or government issued photo ID
when checking in at CMS.
Volunteer Background Check
If you would like to volunteer at CMS, please go on line and fill out the Volunteer Background
Check. It takes about two weeks to run the check. If you have been approved in the past, you
have until September to resubmit your form. Please note that if you do not complete the proper
paperwork, you cannot help chaperone field trips or help with the school in any way. We need
and want your help, so please fill out the forms.
Cell Phone Use in School Zones
Use of a cell phone on city streets is prohibited when the school zone hours are in effect in the
morning and afternoon. Hands-free devices are allowed when using cell phones in a school
zone, and cell phone use is allowed in a vehicle when it is stopped.
Home Access Center
We will be mailing home HAC letters and passwords the third week of school. HAC allows
parents to check assignments and grades for each of your child's classes throughout the year.
MAP Testing
During the weeks of September 20-October 22 your child will take tests called Measures of
Academic Progress™ (MAP). We give students MAP tests to determine your child's
instructional level and to measure academic growth throughout the school year, and from year to
year in the areas of Reading, Mathematics, and Science.Your child will take the tests on a
computer. These norm-referenced tests will provide detailed information about your child's
learning and academic progress. In May, we will give your child MAP again, and you will
receive a report showing your child's performance and growth on the MAP continuum.
MAP tests are unique in that they adapt to be appropriate for your child's level of learning. As a
result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed and maintain a positive attitude toward
testing. For more information on resources for parents, download the Parent Toolkit
atwww.nwea.org >> Member Support >> Downloads >> Manuals.
Student Success Initiative for 8th Grade Students Only
There are 8th grade advancement requirements of the Texas Student Success Initiative (SSI),
which was passed by the 76th Texas Legislature in 1999. The purpose of this initiative is to
ensure that every student makes the academic progress necessary to show a sufficient
understanding of the knowledge and skills taught and tested at each grade level.
The SSI requires that Grade 8 students must meet the passing standard on the Texas Assessment
of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) tests in reading and mathematics before they can be promoted
to Grade 9.
Please note that these testing requirements are part of an overall system of support for student
academic achievement. This system includes
evaluation of student needs at grades that precede SSI grades and academic support for
students who need additional instruction;
ongoing evaluation of student progress during the school year for SSI grades with
assistance provided to all students with identified academic weaknesses;
three testing opportunities;
additional instruction after each test administration for students who do not meet the
passing standard;
a grade placement committee, consisting of the principal, teacher, and parent or guardian,
that meets when a student has not met the passing standard after two testing opportunities
and that decides the most effective way to support the child's academic success; and
an instructional plan for every student who has not met the passing standard after three
opportunities, regardless of whether the student is retained or, upon parent appeal, is
promoted by the grade placement committee.
The SSI recognizes and supports the important role parents play in the education of their
children. Your child's teacher and I depend upon and look forward to working with you to help
your child succeed. In order to help communicate these promotion requirements, we will send
home the Grade 8 SSI parent information brochure as soon as they arrive on campus. This
brochure includes an explanation of the state law, suggestions for how families can help, and
available resources for further information.
Integrated Pest Management
As part of our commitment to provide your child with a safe, pest free learning environment,
McKinney Independent School District may periodically apply pesticides to help manage
insects, weeds or pathogens. Only Licensed Technicians or Certified Applicators licensed with
the Department of Agriculture will be permitted to perform pest control on District property.
The State of Texas requires that all districts practice IPM. The State defines IPM as the
following: A pest management strategy that relies on accurate identification and scientific
knowledge of target pests, reliable monitoring methods to assess pest presence, preventative
measures to limit pest problem, and thresholds to determine when corrective control measures
are needed. Under IPM, whenever economical and practical, multiple control tactics should be
used to achieve best control of pests. These tactics will possibly include, but are not limited to,
the judicious use of pesticides. (Texas Administrative Code Title 4, Part 1, Chapter 7, Subchapter
H, Division 1, Rule 7.114) A 48 hour notice is required prior to any application. Emergency
treatments are permitted in the localized area of an infestation only when there is a threat to
health or property, or an infestation is imminent. Information regarding our pest management
program may be obtained from: Cecil Fueston, IPM Coordinator 469-742-4276
cfueston@mckinneyisd.net
Box Tops
Please remember to save your Box Tops and turn them in to the front office. Put your child's
name on the back of the box tops so they can be entered into the drawing at the end of the nine
weeks.
Durham Transportation Services
Durham Transit provides bus service for students who are eligible to ride a bus. You may call
Durham Transportation Services at 972-542-8316 regarding all questions related to bus services.
Insurance Information (optional)
You have the opportunity to purchase student insurance through The Baker Agency, Inc.
If you are interested, please have your child get the form from the front office.
HB 3678 - Religious Viewpoint Antidiscrimination Act
During the 80th Legislative session, HB 3678, also called the Religious Viewpoint
Antidiscrimination Act ("Act"), was passed by the Legislature. The Act is effective beginning
with the 2008-2009 school year. The Act addresses four general areas: freedom of religious
expression, student speakers, religious expression in class assignments, and freedom to organize
religious groups and activities. As required by the Act, the District treats a student's voluntary
expression of a religious viewpoint in the same manner it treats a student's voluntary expression
of any other viewpoint
In compliance with the Act, the District Board of Trustees approved a policy that establishes a
"limited public forum" for student speakers at all school events at which a student is to publicly
speak. The Act requires that the policy: 1) provide the forum in a manner that does not
discriminate against a student's voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an
otherwise permissible subject; 2) provide a method, based on neutral criteria, for the selection of
student speakers at school events and graduation ceremonies; 3) ensure that a student speaker
does not engage in obscene, vulgar, offensively lewd, or indecent speech; and 4) state, in writing,
orally, or both, that the student's speech does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position,
or expression of the district. You may obtain a copy of the policy on the District website,
www.mckinneyisd.net.
In accordance with the policy, student speakers will be given a limited public forum to introduce
daily announcements at campuses where there is a public address system. Students are eligible
to participate as introductory speakers if they are: 1) in the highest two grade levels of the
school; 2) volunteer; 3) are not in a disciplinary placement (ISS, OSS, DAEP, or JJAEP) at the
time of the speaking event. If your child meets these neutral criteria, he/she must submit his/her
name to the campus administrator no later than the end of the school day on Friday, September 3.
You will be notified if your child is selected to speak and the dates/events for which he/she will
be speaking. If there are no student volunteers, the campus will seek volunteers again at the
beginning of next semester. If no students volunteer or if the selected speaker declines or
becomes ineligible, no student introduction will be made at the event.
The names of the students who volunteer to speak will be randomly drawn until all names have
been selected. The students, in the order drawn, will be matched chronologically to the single
event for which the student shall give the introduction. The assignment process will be repeated
as needed until a student speaker is assigned for all of the events identified above. The campus
will repeat the selection and assignment process at the beginning of each semester.
Students who have attained special positions of honor in the school and those who have
traditionally addressed school audiences as an ordinary component of their achieved positions
will continue their duties in this regard. The District will treat their voluntary expression of a
religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner the District
treats a student's voluntary expression of a secular or other viewpoint on an otherwise
permissible subject. The subject of the student introductions must relate to the purpose of
introducing the designated event. The selected student must stay on the subject. The selected
student may not engage in speech that:
Is obscene, vulgar, offensively lewd, or indecent;
Creates reasonable cause to believe that the speech would result in material and
substantial interference with school activities or the rights of others;
Promotes illegal drug use;
Violates the intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or other rights of another
person;
Contains defamatory statements about public figures or others; or
Advocates imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.
Students violating these restrictions will be prohibited from eligibility to speak under the policy
for a defined period. As part of the speaking events, the District will provide a disclaimer in
written or oral form that states the student volunteered to speak, was selected to speak based on
neutral criteria, and that the student's speech does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship,
position, or expression of the District.
Guidelines for Medication Administration
1. All medication must be stored in the clinic except in special circumstances for a student
with asthma, diabetes or a life threatening allergy. Special education classrooms will work
one on one with campus nurse for medication procedures.
2. All prescription medication MUST be in the original container with pharmacy
prescription label. No more than one month's supply of medication, in a prescription
labeled bottle, shall be brought to the clinic at one time. ALL prescription medication will be
counted and documented upon arrival to the clinic.
3. Over the counter medication MUST be in the original container with the student's name
on the container. Due to limited storage, no more than a 30 count container shall be stored
in the clinic. Over the counter medications may be left in the clinic during the entire school
year with a parent's signature. We are unable to store any mediation at the school during the
summer and will dispose of all medication left in the clinic after the last day of school.
4. Over the counter medications will be given according to the label on the package unless
otherwise directed by a physician.
5. Over the counter medications will not be given for more than 5 consecutive school days
without a physician's signature.
6. MISD Medication Administration Form must be complete with parent's signature.
7. All prescription medication given over 10 days will REQUIRE a physician's signature.
8. No medication container may contain more than one (1) type of medication.
9. Medications prescribed or requested to be given three (3) times per day or less are not to
be given at school unless the nurse determines that a special need exists.
10. A student MAY NOT share medication with another student-including siblings.
11. MISD registered nurses do not administer dietary or herbal supplements.
12. In accordance with the Nurse Practice Act, Texas Code, Section 217.11, the school nurse
has the responsibility and authority to refuse to administer medications that in the nurse's
professional judgment are not in the best interest of the student.
PLEASE KEEP ALL CONTACT NUMBERS UP TO DATE! We need to be able to reach
you in an emergency. In the clinic, only basic first aid is provided for students. There are no
medications kept in the clinic except for what you provide for your child. These rules are for
your child's safety and well-being.
McKinney ISD has a no tolerance policy for students in possession of medication of any kind,
including herbal supplements, vitamins, and all over the counter medications including cough
drops/lozenges. All medications must be delivered and picked up by a parent or guardian.
Students are not allowed to drop off or take home their medication(s) from the school clinic. All
medications are to be stored in the nurse's office with the exception of prescribed medications for
the treatment of asthma, anaphylaxis and diabetes. Please see the campus nurse if your child has
one of these conditions.
Students with asthma or anaphylaxis may carry prescribed inhalers or medications provided
written authorization from the parent or guardian is given to the campus nurse as well as a
written statement from the student's physician or licensed health care provider stating that
the student has asthma or anaphylaxis and is capable of self-administering the prescribed
medication. The physician must also provide written information of the name and purpose of the
medication and the prescribed dosage. All medications must be examined and approved by the
campus nurse and must also have the prescription label on the medication.
In accordance with a student's individual health plan for management of diabetes, a student with
diabetes will be permitted to possess and use monitoring and treatment supplies and equipment
while at school or at a school-related activity. See the school nurse for information [See policy
FFAF.]
All other medications must be stored in the campus clinic in the original container clearly labeled
with the student's name. Failure to store medication in the campus clinic or follow the above
mentioned procedure may result in serious disciplinary action.
Health Screenings will be done at Cockrill Middle School during the first semester of school.
Texas State Law requires that the following screening tests be done:
Vision and Hearing All 7th grade students
All Special Education students
All students new to McKinney
Scoliosis All 8th grade students
Acanthosis Nigricans All 7th grade students
Scoliosis screenings will be done by the campus nurse or any MISD employee certified by TDH
for spinal screenings. These screenings require that the student remove his/her shirt only. These
screenings will take place in an area that insures privacy. Boys and girls will be screened
separately.
Progress Notices/Report Cards
We will be sending home progress notices this year with your child. However, we will continue
to mail the report cards home.
September 13th - Progress slip sent home with student
October 5th - Progress slip sent home with student
October 29th - Report card mailed home
November 15th - Progress slip sent home with student
December 13th - Progress slip sent home with student
January 21st - Report card mailed home
February 7th - Progress slip sent home with student
February 28th - Progress slip sent home with student
April 1st - Report card mailed home
April 18th - Progress slip sent home with student
May 9th - Progress slip sent home with student
June 10th - Report card mailed home
Upcoming Student Activities
August 30 6:30 Parent Meeting for Annie Auditions
September 6 No School
September 9 5:00 7th Volleyball vs JMS
September 10 School Pictures; 3:45-5:30 6th Grade Social; 7:00-9:00 7th/8th Grade Dance
September 11 Cross Country at Erwin
September 13 5:30 7th Football vs JMS @ MNHS
September 14 5:30 8th Football vs JMS @ MNHS
September 15 Early Release at 12:45
September 16 5:30-7:00 Meet the Teacher
September 18 Cross Country at Myers Park
September 20 5:30 8th Football vs HP @ MNHS
September 23 5:00 7th VB vs FMS
September 25 Cross Country at CMS
September 27 5:30 7th FB vs FMS @ MNHS
September 28 5:30 8th FB vs FMS @ Ron Poe
September 29 6:30 Drama Spotlight Performances
September 30 5:00 8th Volleyball vs Denison
October 2 Cross Country @ Meyers; All City Orchestra Auditions @ CMS
October 4 5:30 8th Football vs Denison @ MNHS
October 7 5:00 8th Volleyball vs EMS
October 9 Cross Country @ JMS
October 11 4:00 Symphonic I Band Clinic
5:30 8th Football vs EMS @ MNHS
October 12 5:30 7th Football vs EMS @ MHS
October 13 Early Release at 12:45; Readi Test for 8th graders-more info to come
October 14 5:00 7th Volleyball vs DMS
6:30 PTO Meeting
7:00 Midsummer's Night Dream
October 15 7:00 Midsummer's Night Dream
October 16 Cross Country @ Norbuck Park
2:00 Midsummer's Night Dream
October 18 5:30 7th Football vs DMS @ MNHS
October 19 5:30 8th Football vs DMS @ BHS
7:00 Orchestra Concert @ MNHS
October 20 6:30 Grade Choir Concert @ CMS
October 21 5:00 7th Volleyball vs Sherman
October 25 5:30 7th FB vs Sherman @ MNHS
October 28 5:00 8th Volleyball vs JMS
October 29-30 7th/8th Volleyball Tournament TBA
I have listed the home games.