ECMS PTSA

ECMS PTSA GENERAL MEETING FEBRUARY 23 AT 6PM

Join us at the ECMS PTSA General Meeting on Thursday February 23 at 6pm in the ECMS Theater.  A school presentation will begin immediately after the meeting then International Night follows!

ECMS PTSA Members will vote on the following:

Nominating Committee Elections

By Laws change to increase dues from $5 to $6 due to the $1 increase from State and National PTA (50 cents each)

Budget Amendment to include TEACHER GRANTS!! Please see budget below: 

Download 2012 Amended Budget Feb 22

Download REVISED Feb- proposed budget 2011-12

See you there!

Barbara Dyck and Alison Agnew

ECMS PTSA LEGISLATIVE ACTION NOW AND COMMUNITY ITEMS

East Cobb Middle School, Wheeler High Schooland their PTSA’s, in collaboration with CCSD ESOL Department, are pleased to invite you to attend a very informative presentation byJ. Tom Morgan, author of“Ignorance is no Defense, A Teenager’s Guide to Georgia Law”.J. Tom Morgan is a nationally recognized expert on theprosecution of crimes against children. Realizing thatmany teenagers often do not fully understand the law andits consequences, J. Tom explains Georgia laws in areadable, informative way using real-life examples.Ignorance is No Defense aspires to help teenagers avoidsituations in which they violate the law or are hurt byothers who violate the law.THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 @ 6:30 PM~ECMS THEATER~Note: Students must be accompanied by their parent and/or legal guardian.Copies of the book Ignorance is No Defense, A Teenager’s Guide to Georgia Law will be on sale the night of the event for $10.00. All proceeds will benefit ECMS & Wheeler HS Parent Resource Centers. If you have any questions please contact Michelle Ramirez atmichelle.ramirez@cobbk12.org and/or Alba Gutierrez at Alba.Gutierrez@cobbk12.org.You may also call us at (770)578-2740 ext. 226 or 770-578-3266 ext. 301

Upload flyer here:   Download JT MORGAN FLYER

 

   PTSA Community Outreach                                  

    “Let Us Lead by Serving Others”

 ECMS BETA Club Community Service Group

The ECMS BETA club is still collecting new and used books for children, teens & adults to donate to SafePath, an organization dedicated to helping families who are dealing with abusive situations.  Canned and boxed food items are also being collected. Please place donated items in the collection box in Mrs. McMullan’s room through May.

 

The BETA and Drama Clubs are also collecting supplies for PAWS Atlanta (a no-kill animal shelter). The wish list is posted at http://www.pawsatlanta.org/Donate/WishList.aspx  Please place donated items in the large bin outside of Ms. Brown's room through May.    

All donations are greatly appreciated!

Questions? Contact Mrs. McMullan at  twila.mcmullan@cobbk12.org. 

LEGISLATIVE AND ADVOCACY ACTION ALERT

Georgia PTA

 

Filed by Sally FitzGerald

GA PTA Education Policy Specialist

 

The House took up HR 1162 today, just before noon. By 2:30 the vote was in: 110 for, 62 against. There is always another hope for the losing side, and in this case it is the one with 110 votes. HR 1162 is a constitutional amendment with a requirement for a 2/3 majority, or 120 YES votes in the House. One of the proponents asked for a reconsideration vote, which will be taken on tomorrow, and if that passes, HR 1162 can be voted on again. The rumor is that it will come back to the floor tomorrow (Thursday). 

 

CALL NOW to tell your legislator that HR 1162 needs to be defeated.

 

Those who voted against it will be lobbied hard this evening with threats of all sorts. One is that the lobbyer may be the Speaker who will threaten to bring the voucher bill up for a vote. It only needs 91 votes to pass. Some who voted NO have indicated that on the second vote, they will vote yes. They don’t want the party to run someone against them in the upcoming elections; they don’t want to lose their leadership position; they have met the requirement to their home folks to vote NO at least once.

 

Some told us they haven’t heard from very many who were urging a NO vote. That means PTA members didn’t pick up the phone and call their legislators. Those wanting a YES vote were out in droves, hundreds, thousands.

 

CALL NOW and tell your legislator to vote NO on the reconsideration and if the bill comes up again, vote NO on it. They need to know that there is support in their communities for their resistance.

 

Reasons to Oppose HR 1162:

 

HR 1162 IS NOT ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS: The proposed amendment would enable political appointees to override the decisions of local school boards and local voters and re-direct tax funds to any “special school” the state creates or designates. Charter schools are only one type of special school – and there is a better way to solve the charter school issue without giving up local control or expanding the reach of government in education.

 

MAKES TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION CONSTITUTIONAL: HR 1162 enables the General Assembly to re-direct tax funds to any type of special school over the objections of local boards and local taxpayers. The funds would be spent by political appointees, who have no obligation to respect the wishes of voters. There is no appeals process, no referendum and no proof that a school was denied authorization or is even necessary.

 

GIVES THE STATE UNPRECEDENTED, UNCHECKED POWER: HR 1162 would give the General Assembly unlimited power to decide and define what constitutes a "special school" under the Georgia Constitution. The amendment does not define or limit “special schools.” It also prohibits the Supreme Court from reviewing state use of these new powers by using such a broad term.

 

BALLOT QUESTION MISLEADS VOTERS: The ballot measure language mischaracterizes the current state of Georgia law: “Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?”

 

Locally approved charter schools are currently constitutional – and this amendment is not necessary to confirm their status. Many, if not most, voters may believe that they are deciding whether any local charter schools may continue to operate, rather than only whether the state will be permitted to create its own competing system of local charter schools. Despite the ballot language “upon the request of local communities," the local community will have no input in the state creation of “special schools” including charter schools.

 

SUCH A BROAD AMENDMENT IS NOT NECESSARY: The Supreme Court expressly limited their decision to the constitutionality of the Charter Commission Act.Nothing in the Court's opinion questions the State's power to set standards and regulations for K-12 education or conditions for local receipt of state financial assistance.

 

Call your legislator today and urge them to VOTE NO! Your call can make a difference and your legislator needs to hear from you now.

Your Legislators:

State Senate - Judson Hill (R-32)
State House - Sharon Cooper (R-041)

 

ECMS PTSA HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012

The ECMS PTSA wishes all our families a Happy New Year!

As school begins, we have much in store for our students and upcoming students.   The PTSA also encourages you to be a part of the ECMS volunteers and take some time to volunteer for at one event this winter and spring.    

ECMS PTSA GENERAL MEETING – IMPORTANT VOTING OPPORTUNITY

The next ECMS PTSA General Meeting is on Thursday February 23, 2012, at 6pm, immediately before ECMS International Night.  We will have two important votes:  Nominating Committee Chairs and an increase to the ECMS PTSA dues from $5 per year to $6 per year starting next school year.   And it is never too late to join ECMS PTSA – just send in a check for $5 made out the ECMS PTSA with your student’s name and homeroom class.  It is tax deductible.

Barbara Dyck and Alison Agnew

ECMS PTSA Co-Presidents

ECMS PTSA HAPPY DECEMBER!

PTSA Angel Tree - A HUGE SUCCESS!  ALL OUR ANGELS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED AND OUR FAMILIES WILL HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY!  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Dear ECMS Families,

This fall the PTSA had challenges – a drop in PTSA membership and a severe drop in revenue due to low returns on the gift wrap sale and the book fair during conference week.  But we had more than money and membership could buy – VOLUNTEERS!  Yes, we were able to do more with less by the support of our mighty volunteers!  You showed us that you support PTSA and ECMS by showering us with your most valuable asset – TIME.  Every function was met with enthusiasm from the Meet and Greet to the Holiday Staff Luncheon – we had donations, volunteers and great attitudes.  Locker Stocker, Ambassador Desk and Copy Cats are great ways to volunteer throughout the year.  The fall Reflections program was a huge success with more entries than ever.  Students even entered in multiple categories.  Our next big student event is Honoring Our Heroes.  Encourage your child to submit an entry and share their hero with us.  Our ECMS families are the PTSA’s heroes!

Just as so many of our families are getting by doing more with less, so is our ECMS PTSA.  But our spirits cannot be higher as you consistently show us that you value our support of our students and ECMS.  It is never too late to join PTSA. 

Thank you,

Barbara Dyck and Alison Agnew

ECMS PTSA Co-Presidents

 

  

2012 “Honoring Our Heroes” Writing Contest

 

Honoring Our Heroes is a writing contest what was developed in 1995 by the Eastern Cobb County Council of PTAs.  The program was designed to encourage students to discover the “real life” heroes in their lives and to honor them in written form.  Essays are judged by volunteers outside of East Cobb Middle School.  Two winners are chosen, and will represent our school at a county-wide reception in March.

 

The contest begins January 17th and ends February 2nd.  All entries must be attached to an official entry form that will be provided to the Language Arts teachers.  Please submit all entries to Mrs. Masters in the Guidance Office.

Download HOH_Entry_2012

Please take this opportunity to honor your special hero with your best work.  If you have any questions, please contact:

 

Mrs. Moran whmracer99@aol.com

Mrs. Singer lesliesingerpta@gmail.com

 

Community Outreach 2011  

 

Help ECMS families this Holiday season! 

ECMS sponsors an Angel Tree to benefit students and families in need within our own school community.  Look for the tree in the main office.  

Stop by, choose an Angel from the tree and help fulfill a family's wish for a joyful holiday this year.  

 

Full instructions are available in the office.  Your donations will touch hearts and impact lives. The Outreach Committee, ECMS social worker and counselors thank you in advance for any help you can provide!

If you are interested in providing assistance and/or resources for Community Outreach, please contact Shay Antoniades (770) 971-0206 or ShayA@mindspring.com.

 

Toiletries Donation Drive

 

The Student Forum will begin their annual toiletries drive for a local battered women's shelter on November 28.  Donations of small, hotel-sized shampoos, soaps, lotions, etc. will be accepted during this drive, which will conclude on December 15.  Save up any extras you might obtain during Thanksgiving travel!  Containers for these donations will be available in both the main building and the annex.    

 

Help Feed the Hungry Staff   

We have a big event coming Tuesday Dec.6, the Staff Holiday Luncheon.    We will serve a beautiful lunch to our teachers, administrative staff, administrators, and custodial and lunch staff.

This is not a sit down event like the beginning of the year party but a drop in during their regularly scheduled lunch. 

 

Below is the link to the please bring it to sign up:

http://ecms.pleasebringit.com/public/DiC9iCEy$Gs

 

 

Student Holidays

No school Friday December 23 - January 9

School returns Tuesday January 10, 2012 

 

Chanukah - Tues Dec. 20th at sundown - Wed. Dec. 28 at Sundown. 

Christmas - Sunday Dec. 25

Kwanzaa - Monday Dec. 26 - Sun. Jan.1, 2012

 

ECMS Needs You!

Volunteers are needed on a daily basis to walk the halls and keep our

students headed to class.  As you know, middle school can be a very social

time.  Having a little extra boost to get the students to class on time and

keep the hallways moving is a big help for our staff.  If you can volunteer

ANY time during the hours of 9am to 2:30pm, please come by the front office.

 

Locker Stocker

 Help sell school supplies and spirit wear to students Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 8:45 until 9:15.  Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.   For additional information, please contact the Locker Stocker coordinator, Rhonda Kaye, at

rhondalk@bellsouth.net or Email Email Ginger McCoy 

for more information

 

  Listed below are the links for Locker Stocker and Ambassador Desk.   Please take a minute to sign up for a morning shift.  New incoming parents please sign up as well!!   Just a reminder that when you sign up for a shift but cannot make it, please find a replacement volunteer. 

 

6th Grade Locker Stocker: 

 http://www.signupgenius.com/go/locker7  

 

7th-8th Grade Locker Stocker: 

 http://www.signupgenius.com/go/locker8  

 

Ambassador Desk: 

 http://www.signupgenius.com/go/ambassador7  

 

 

For complete instructions, please visit the PTSA blog at  

http://eastcobbmiddleschool.typepad.com/ptsa/.   

ECMS Foundation Weekly Wishes     Subscriptions to Current Science Magazine   Our science teachers have requested subscriptions to Current Science magazine from Weekly Reader.   An annual subscription costs $10.15 per student and includes print and digital editions, teacher guides and online trivia. Our teachers have asked for at least one subscription per classroom - and class sets would be ideal.       First Aid Kits for Each Classroom   Our teachers want to make sure they are equipped for life's little accidents.  They are requesting a first aid kit for each classroom.  This kit would include... an assortment of band aids antiseptic spray such as Bactine or Neosporin first aid/antibacterial wipes See the entire wish list HERE To donate, email Nick Mitchell or Toi Wilson. If you'd like to purchase the item directly or donate something you already have, contact Nick or Toi to arrange this. The Foundation will deliver your donation to the appropriate classroom on your behalf and provide you with a receipt for your charitable contribution.

 

Recycle, Reuse and Earn Money!      Cartridge Donation Bin Bring in any used printer and toner cartridges and the Cumberland Area Cartridge World will return the proceeds to the ECMS Foundation.   The Cartridge World bins are located in the Guidance Office and the Mailroom on the main hallway. So bring in your cartridges from home, work, church or school and help pay for the much-needed projects at East Cobb!   See how the program works HERE http://www.cartridgeworld.com/learnmore/

 

 

 

 

ECMS October 17, 2011

Since it is football season, some football quotes:

 

I've been big ever since I was little.
William "The Refrigerator" Perry

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.
George Halas

 

The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.
Vince Lombardi

 

Dear ECMS Chairs,

 

Thank you to Janet Zonio for always keeping us informed by keeping our Marquee up to date with the latest events! 

Thank you to Ginger McCoy for getting our volunteers in place for Locker Stocker, Copy Cats, and Ambassador Desk!

 

Volunteers are needed on a daily basis to walk the halls and keep our students headed to class.  As you know, middle school can be a very social time.  Having a little extra boost to get the students to class on time and keep the hallways moving is a big help for our staff.  If you can volunteer ANY time during the hours of 9am to 2:30pm, please come by the front office.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

Next week is BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK, and we need your help! Please take a moment to sign-up to bring or volunteer a small amount of time to show our appreciation to our bus drivers!

http://ecms.pleasebringit.com/public/xq$Yl8S7LTU

Thank you,

Frieda Brown

HEARING & VISION/SCOLIOSIS NEEDS YOU OCTOBER 31, NOVEMBER 1 & 2.  Please contact Alison Agnew if you have any time during those days to help: agnew_ali@bellsouth.net

 

Gift Wrap Fundraiser pickup is November 9 in the Media Center at 4:30pm

 

The Parent Workshop Series: Parents "Go Green" with Language Arts scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 13 has been rescheduled to Thursday, November 3.

 

ECMS Book Fair October 20 - 26

It's that time of year again for our Annual ECMS Book Fair!

Thursday, 10/20 thru Wednesday 10/26 from  8:30 - 4:00
We are in need of many volunteers to fill shifts.  We also need volunteers for set-up and break-down.
Please sign up at:
http://ecms.pleasebringit.com/public/qnMaQ1dtx1s
or contact any of the Co-Chairs listed below.
Ellen Adams      Co-Chair      epadams@comcast.com
Jill Lynch           Co-Chair      jillanddave@bellsouth.net
Holly Moore      Co-Chair      hollymoore1@bellsouth.net 

 

Sign up HERE:

http://ecms.pleasebringit.com/public/qnMaQ1dtx1s

 

GIFT WRAP FUNDRAISER

PICK UP

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 9

4:30PM TO 7PM

ECMS MEDIA CENTER

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE ECMS PTSA A SUCCESS!

Did you have over $50 worth of sales?  Get a prize on pick up day!

ECMS Upcoming Events

Family Science Night  October 20 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

We are inviting the feeder elementary schools for a night of great activities from the portable Star Lab Planetarium and visitors from the Chattahoochee Nature Center.    

 

 

ECMS Needs You!

Locker Stocker

 Help sell school supplies and spirit wear to students Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 8:45 until 9:15.  Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.   For additional information, please contact the Locker Stocker coordinator, Rhonda Kaye, at

rhondalk@bellsouth.net or Email Email Ginger McCoy 

for more information

 

  Listed below are the links for Locker Stocker and Ambassador Desk.   Please take a minute to sign up for a morning shift.  New incoming parents please sign up as well!!   Just a reminder that when you sign up for a shift but cannot make it, please find a replacement volunteer. 

 

6th Grade Locker Stocker: 

 http://www.signupgenius.com/go/locker7  

 

7th-8th Grade Locker Stocker: 

 http://www.signupgenius.com/go/locker8  

 

Ambassador Desk: 

 http://www.signupgenius.com/go/ambassador7  

 

 

For complete instructions, please visit the PTSA blog at http://eastcobbmiddleschool.typepad.com/ptsa/.   

 

Cobb County 

Magnet School Open Houses

 

  

Pebblebrook High School Center for Excellence 

in the Performing Arts

Friday, October 14, 2011, at 7:30 PM, 

Jennie T. Anderson Theater, Cobb Civic Center  

Contact: Frank Timmerman

Phone 770.819.2521

 

Wheeler High School Center for Advance Studies
in Science, Math, & Technology

October 17 - Application available online

November 8 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Open House in the Gymnasium 

 

 

North Cobb School for International Studies

Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at 7:00 PM, 
Media Center, North Cobb High School  

Contact: David Stephenson 

Phone: 770.975.6685 ext. 301

 

Campbell High School International Baccalaureate Program 

Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at 7:00 PM    

Contact: Dan Penick

Phone: 678.842.6856

 

Kennesaw Mountain High School Academy of 

Mathematics, Science, and Technology 

Thursday, November 17, 2011, at 6:30 PM, 
Kennesaw Mountain High School TheaterContact: Dr. Mimi Dyer

Phone: 678-331-3954

 

South Cobb High School Academy of Research and Medical Sciences

Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at 7:00 PM,
Theater, South Cobb High School

Dr. Erika Ijames-Wilson, Coordinator

Phone 770.819.2611, x. 283.