December 2023 News

Office Hours & Phone Numbers

MJH School Office   -7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.   -309-833-2074

Attendance Office    -7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.   -309-833-2074

Principal's E-Mail Addresses

Brock Bainter bainterb@mcusd185.org

Asst. Principal's E-Mail Address

Brett Burton burtonb@mcusd185.org

Christmas Vacation - No School 

December 21, 2023 -  January 2, 2024

Teacher's Institute - No School 

January 3, 2024

SIP Day

December 8, 2023-Half day attendance AM

MJH Athletic Family Pass

2023-2024 Jr High School Athletic Pass will allow immediate family members admission to regular season Jr High Athletic Events only.  (IESA State Series Athletic Events are not included)  $75.00 per Family Pass (Immediate Family Only)  These passes are available in the Athletic Office at the Sr High School.

JH School Hours

8:10 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.

Middle School classes begin at 8:10 a.m.  Outside doors are unlocked at 7:35 a.m. Students arriving before 8:00 a.m. should go to the Commons.  Students are dismissed from the Commons at 8:00 a.m. to go to the restroom, and/or get a drink.  Students need to be in their seats for their first hour class at 8:10 a.m.  Buses arrive between 7:35 and 7:50 a.m.  

Breakfast is served  at 7:35 a.m.  Middle School students should budget their eating time daily, so they are not late for their first hour class at 8:10 a.m.

Attendance/Passes/Bus Pass

If your child is absent from school any portion of the day, the parent/guardian must notify the school by 9:00 am.  A parent may call the office anytime before 7:30 a.m. and leave a message on the voice mail.  After 7:30 a.m., please call and speak with office personnel.

If a child is absent and no notification from the parent has been made, a reasonable effort by the school to notify the parent will be made.  A parental note is required on the next date of attendance.  This is in addition to the contact made between the parent and school on the day of the absence.   The note should be submitted to the Attendance Office before the student begins classes.  The Attendance Office will issue a pass to re-enter class.

If your child has an appointment during the school day, please send a note to school with the student or call the office by 11:00 a.m.  The student should bring the note to the Middle School office and a pass to leave class will be written.  It is very difficult to ensure a timely response if you show up unannounced requesting a student.  For example: PE classes may be hard to find so you may be late for an appointment if we are not notified in advance.  

Bus drivers try to ensure safety for all students on the bus.  Limiting numbers of riders is necessary to ensure safety.  Therefore, if a student needs a bus pass, the student must have a signed note from the parent.  We cannot accept phone calls.  A written request with the parent/guardian signature is required for a bus pass.

Drop Off/Pick Up Locations & Procedures

Safety is our main concern in creating procedures for drop off and pick up.  With safety in mind, please follow procedures noted below:

Drop Off Procedures

  1. Busses will use the north parking lot entrance (closest to the high school).  All bus students will be dropped off in the West Lot near the main entrance.  
  2. All car riders will use the south entrance on the back side of the middle school.  Cars should follow the drive along the backside of the middle school and proceed around the curve to the front of the building.  Please stay to the right and go around the small circle drive in the east parking lot and pull up along the sidewalk to drop the students off.  Cars should then proceed back around the backside of the building and exit out the south lot.  Please stay to the right so traffic can move in both directions.
  3. Any students walking to school or riding with a sibling to MHS and then walking to MMS, should use the sidewalk between the two parking lots to enter the building.
 
Dismissal Procedures
 
Macomb Middle School will dismiss at 3:10. The north entrance will be for busses only after school from 3:10 to 3:30.  
      
  1.  Busses will use the north parking lot entrance (closest to the high school).  All bus students will be picked up at the West Lot near the main entrance.
  2.  All car riders will use the south entrance on the back side of the middle school.  Cars should follow the drive along the backside of the middle school and proceed around the curve to the front of the building.  Please stay to the right and go around the small circle drive in the east parking lot and pull up along the sidewalk to pick students up.  Cars should then proceed back around the backside of the building and exit out the south lot.  Please stay to the right so traffic can move in both directions. (Same procedures as the morning)
  3. Walkers will exit out the main doors and use the sidewalk between the east and west parking lot.

PARENT EXCUSED DAYS & MENTAL HEALTH DAYS

Students are allowed 9 parent excused days.  These days are to be used for family related reasons. 

Mental Health Days are used for actual social/emotional stress related absences.  When mental health days are reported, families should call the school to report this to the school.  A counselor will be advised so that support is given. 

2023-2024 MCUSD 185 Visitor Notice 

When entering any Macomb CUSD #185 school building, all visitors will be required to leave a PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD during their visits. Staff will provide approved visitors with a badge before allowing them into the building.  When leaving the building, visitors will have their photo ID returned.   Sign-in sheets for visitors will no longer be used. 

Reminder

It is the student's responsibility to pick up items brought to school and dropped off at the office by parents/guardians.

Thank you for helping your student remember to bring all items to school.  For example:  homework, musical instruments, lunch money, etc. 

Asbestos

ASBESTOS CONTAINING BUILDING MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLAN – This is to notify you that Macomb Community Unit School District #185 has submitted its Management Plan prepared pursuant to the requirements of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA, 40 CFR 763) for XXXXX School. Copies of the Management Plan are available in the Administrative Office of the School District and in the Administrative Office of the school building. These plans are available for your inspection during normal business hours of the office (Monday thru Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) and during other times by special arrangements. We request that appointments be made with us to review the plans. To make arrangements, please contact Mr. Brock Bainter, Principal at (309) 833-2074.

Telephone Calls

We encourage parents and children to communicate before he/she arrives at school. This provides a sense of security for students throughout the day.  They know what's going on with family.  Please limit phone messages to emergencies, if possible.  If a student needs to make a call during the school day, they should report to the MS Office.  A phone log is maintained.  The office phone is not for making plans with friends.  The main office closes at 4:00 pm. 

Change of Address

Please notify the office of any changes regarding: home address, employer information, home/work/cell phone numbers, emergency contacts.  Family access is available for you to view various students data such as attendance, grades, emergency contacts, food service summaries and other similar types of information. Please keep your account u

E-Learning Days

Here is the District link for E-Learning Days.  Our chart with shortened schedule is posted.

When there is no school due to inclement weather or other emergencies, the day will be an E-Learning Day. Students will meet via Microsoft Teams and complete Daily Tasks. The day will count as an instructional day and attendance will be taken for state reporting purposes.
macomb185.org

Winter Weather Information

If the weather becomes questionable, a parent/guardian will receive a phone call and an email from Skylert, the District’s notification system, will announce delays, dismissals or school closings. More information can be found on the School Closings page on the school website.

INCLEMENT WEATHER/NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

On occasion, poor weather conditions or other emergencies may arise which make it necessary to delay the start of school, dismiss early or close school. Families will need to have a plan in place that addresses the change in routine when these situations arise.
Skylert is the district's notification system that enables school personnel to notify all parents/ guardians of an emergency or unplanned event that causes early dismissal, school cancellation or late start.  Please make sure you login to Family Access and click on the Skylert tab to confirm all information is up to date. If you would like additional people to receive notifications, you can enter the information in the additional contact fields.  (If you have forgotten your Family Access login information, please contact your child’s school office for assistance.)
In addition to the call and email, families can opt into receive text messages.  To receive text messages, you must complete two steps.
 Log into your Skyward Family Access account and click on Skylert in the toolbar on the left hand side, confirm your cell phone number is in the "Text Messages Numbers" field in the Skylert tab in Skyward.
Text Y to the number 67587.

To learn more about, Skylert, please visit the district website. 

6th Grade News

· Math: We are working on dividing decimals.

· Reading: Student presentations are coming to an end. We have started exploring the world of mythology as get ready for our next novel unit!

· Language Arts/Writing: We are currently working on research essays…”Have you ever wondered why?”

· Social Studies: We are getting ready to study about Ancient Egypt!

· Science: We are learning about the human body system. We are doing A LOT of hands-on

7th Grade News

On Fridays, students that work hard in class, participate and exhibit positive citizenship are awarded some fun time during exploratory. We will continue to celebrate positive citizenship throughout the year. Second quarter midterms will be sent to families and guardians soon so please look out for the information via email. We highly encourage students to take advantage of lunch study hall and the enrichment center on Monday-Thursday from 3:15-4:30pm. As we begin the holiday season it can be a stressful time, please see the below tips to help motivate our students through the year. Enjoy your break. 
  •  Mental health is important as physical health. Take a brisk walk outside.
  • Take a few deep breaths throughout the day. 
  • Encourage healthy media habits. 
  • Get plenty of rest and exercise. 
  • Make a healthy meal or favorite recipe to spend some quality time with others. 
  • Create rituals of open communication and safe places to talk. 

8th Grade News

The 8th graders are already looking ahead to their high school courses. Information regarding 9th grade schedules will be available soon; MHS guidance staff will be assisting students with planning classes. In the meantime, 8th graders are preparing for an academic/behavior incentive at WIU on December 20th. 
Second semester begins January 8th. The 8th grade team is excited to see what the spring semester has in store for our students! 

Choir News

♫ Macomb Middle School Choral Department ♫

♫♪♫ DECEMBER NEWSLETTER ♫♪♫

♫ Winter Choir Concert

The JH Winter Choir Concert will be on Monday, December 4th at 7:00pm in the Fellheimer Auditorium. Students should report at 6:40pm and sit with their families. Please remember that this is a required 2nd quarter grade and is worth 200 points.

♫ Macomb Choir Boosters

Please become a member of the Macomb Choir Boosters. (Membership forms can be found: http://macombchoirs.org/boosters) Membership dues can be mailed to Macomb Choir Boosters, P.O. Box 117, Macomb, IL, 61455. Levels of membership include “Soloist”-$25, “Barbershop Quartet”-$26-$49, “Vocal Ensemble”-$50-$99, “Chamber Choir”-$100-$249 and “Choral Society”-$250-up.

♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

♫ Upcoming Events: ♫

Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade Winter Choral Concert Fellheimer Auditorium 7:00pm. Required of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.

Monday, Feb. 12,

2024 Macomb Choirs Pops Concert Fellheimer Auditorium 5:30-8:00pm Required of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.

Saturday, Feb. 24,

2024 Middle School Solo/Ensemble Contest Macomb Middle School All day. Any participating 6th-8th grade student.

Friday, March 22,

2024 WIU Honor Choir WIU Campus 9:00am-4:00pm. Select 7th-8th grade students.

Friday, April 26,

2024 IESA Organization Contest Rushville, TBA Required of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.

Wednesday, May 8,

2024 Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade Spring Choral Concert Fellheimer Auditorium 7:00pm. Required of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.

For event information and a calendar of events, please visit: www.macombchoirs.org