What's happening this week - March 16

Posted Date: 03/16/25 (02:14 PM)

E.A. Cox Middle School

March 2025

Hello Cougar Families

We hope that everyone made it through yesterday's severe weather safe & sound.

We're in the final quarter of the school year! Report cards went home with students on Friday. If your student's report card does not reflect their potential, please make sure you are taking advantage of our no appointment necessary, after school tutoring - Monday through Thursday until 4pm.

This past Thursday we celebrated our Spring Sports teams with a pep rally. Baseball, Softball, Track & Boys Soccer are all doing well this season. We're proud of their hard work and dedication to represent the Cougar name.

Our drama and art clubs worked together to present The Fairy Tale Network. It was such an unique presentation and an awesome collaboration. We can't wait to see what they have in store for us next year!

Finally on Friday - we had our Spring Dance! It was fun to see our students have a good time. Our staff seemed to enjoy it just as much, if not more than the kids. A special thank you to Coach Sharp and the cheerleaders for the ShamROCK-Out dance!

Spring Break starts on March 31st and goes through April 4th. When we return, its a down hill sprint to the last day of school. We encourage you to follow MCPS on social media and make sure to check parent square messages. There will be lots of information given about end of the year activities and ceremonies, out of zone applications, registration requirements for next school, required immunizations for upcoming 7th graders, transition information for rising 5th/9th graders, summer school/camp, TN State testing schedules, sports interest meetings for next school year and lots more.

A bee pollinates a pink flower in a field of green grass with butterflies flying overhead. The text reads 'Spring Behaviors'.

Inappropriate Behaviors Are Being Disciplined

"Spring behaviors" in middle school typically refer to increased restlessness, distractions, and potential disengagement from academics. Students often begin exhibiting inappropriate behaviors like public displays of affection, horseplaying, excessive talking, losing focus and other heightened energy levels due to the warmer weather and longer days.

We ask you to speak with your student to reiterate the importance of keeping their hands to themselves. Students should not be touching another student for any reason. Guardians should not be surprised as administration continues to issue consequences that may include detentions, suspensions or alternative school.

A cartoon leprechaun with a green hat and beard smiles and waves with both hands.

Paddy's Pajama Party

Paddy O'Malley invites all staff and students to wear their pajamas on Monday, March 17th for just $2. Student council will be around Monday morning to collect and issue bracelets.

This fun and festive fundraiser will help our student council with end of year activities.

Remember pajamas must still be dress code appropriate.

A black and white yearbook cover with the title '2025 Yearbook' and the school name 'E A Cox Middle School'. The cover also includes the price of $35 and the last day to order, 3/24/25.

Yearbook Order - Last Day 3/24

This is the absolute final week to order a yearbook. Extra yearbooks will NOT be available - you must order if you want to own a piece of 24/25 Cougar memorabilia.

Click the link below to finalize your order!

Order Yearbook Here

A flyer for a Veterans Food Drive at E. A. Cox Middle School, with a list of items needed.

Food Drive Starts Monday

Studies show that one in five military and veteran families experience food insecurity - rising to one in four among active duty military families.

We will be partnering up with community resources and participating in a food drive for our Veterans.

Please start donating items from the list to your homeroom teacher.

We will have some friendly but fierce competitions between classes and grade levels. The grade level homeroom with the most items donated wins a pizza party from Dr. Potts.

Cheerleading Try Outs

Students must turn in packet, have physical on file and be present each day. Students must be picked up at 5pm.

Email Coach Sharp with questions asharp@mauryk12.org

Colorful wooden blocks spell out 'FUN' with the word 'Friday' written in yellow below.

Fun Fridays Are Back for 2025

Students earn the opportunity to have a bit of fun every Friday and visit the concession stand by meeting the following expectations:

Must have ID badge
No missing assignments
No tardies to class
No ISS, OSS or detention

A red circle with a diagonal line through it, depicting a spray bottle with a mist coming out.

No Perfumes, Body Sprays or Aerosolized Scents

Students are not to bring bottles of aerosolized scents to school. The ban includes all perfumes, body sprays, spray deodorant, air fresheners, etc. These items can cause allergic reactions for both staff/students and are not allowed at school.

A blue megaphone with yellow lightning bolts, announcing important messages from Dr. Potts.

Quick Reminders

Hoods & blankets cannot be worn in the building
Students must keep their hands to themselves
No running in the halls
Gum is not allowed
Dress code shirts must be worn under all jackets & hoodies
Yoga pants are not dress code appropriate
Midriffs cannot be exposed
Cell phones must be stored in lockers
No perfumes, body spray, aerosolized bottles at school
Students cannot be dropped off before 7AM
No early sign outs after 2:15pm
Government issued ID required to enter the building

School Website

After School Tutoring

Tutoring is available for all students immediately after school Monday - Thursday. Parents must pick students up by 4pm. If this becomes an issue your child will be eliminated from afternoon tutoring.

Tutoring has resumed for 2025

Rising 8th Graders Going To High School

We encourage our rising 8th graders and guardians to start following the social media of their intended High School. High Schools are beginning to gather interest for the 25/26 school year. While we try to pass along information, we don't always know what appeals to every student. We encourage you to start communicating with the high schools regarding your areas of interest.

CHHS Facebook Page

BCHS Facebook Page

SHHS Facebook Page

Battle Creek High School

March 24, 2025

6pm

Central High School

March 27, 2025

5-7pm

A blue shield with a white cross, a vial of vaccine, and a syringe, with the text '7th Grade Requires Immunizations' and red stylized viruses in the background.

7th grade Immunizations

A reminder to our current 6th grade guardians...by state law, all incoming 7th graders are required to have updated immunizations prior to starting 7th grade. Please take this time to schedule an appointment with your health care provider. Please do not wait until the week before school starts to complete this task. Inevitably, people wait until the last minute and providers are generally already booked.

A detailed letter will be coming home with your 6th grader in the next few weeks.

Attendance Reminders

We take your students attendance seriously. Your student cannot learn & grow academically if they are not at school. We realize occasional absences are inevitable, so as we start the second semester, a few attendance reminders:

All excuse notes must be submitted within 5 days of original absence
Notes can be hand delivered to the office or emailed to mshamburg@mauryk12.org
5 parent notes allowed per semester, not applicable if a truancy referral is in place
Every 4 tardies to school, 4 early sign outs or combination is considered 1 unexcused absence
Early sign outs before 11:15am is a full day absence
5 unexcused absences results in a letter & school truancy meeting
10 unexcused absences results in a letter
12 unexcused absences a truancy referral is made and court proceedings can occur

More attendance information can be found on our website or MCPS board policy 6.200

Student Meals

All students eat breakfast and lunch for free. You may add money to your student's account at www.schoolcafe.com OR have your student bring money to the cafeteria to fund their account for extra treats. Please click the link below to view the menus.

Breakfast Menu

Lunch Menu

Before & After School Clubs

Cougar Sports Schedules

A schedule for Lady Cougars Softball and E.A. Cox Middle School Soccer and Baseball games.

A green background with the words 'Spring Break' in white text, surrounded by flowers and bees. The dates 'March 31 - April 4' are written in yellow text below.

A colorful announcement for TCAP testing, with dates April 14-25, 2025, and a countdown of 16 school days left.

Contact info

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links:

931-840-3902
cpotts@mauryk12.org
www.cms.mauryk12.org