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District

Sept 28

Posted Date: 9/28/25 (1:27 PM)

cougar logo

E.A. Cox Middle School

Every Minute Matters

September 28, 2025

Hello Cougar Families


There’s a lot happening on campus as we move into the fall season! Our Cookie Dough Fundraiser was a huge success, thank you for your incredible support. The proceeds will go right back into supporting our students and school programs.

Girls Basketball Tryouts are coming this week. Boys Basketball Tryouts will be announced as soon as we have details.

It’s also a great time to join a club and get involved! Whether it's the arts, leadership, or special interests, we encourage every student to connect beyond the classroom.

As National Arts in Education and Suicide Prevention Month wrap up, we want to thank our staff and students for participating in meaningful conversations and activities that build awareness and community.

Benchmark Testing will take place this Wednesday and Thursday. These assessments help us monitor student growth and academic readiness. It’s important that students arrive on time, well-rested, and do their best. Benchmark performance may be used to help guide future class placement and scheduling, and it serves as valuable practice for the TCAP assessments in the spring.

A few important reminders:
  • Fall Break is October 6–10. Enjoy the time to recharge!
  • If your student has been absent, please send attendance notes to the front office or email mshamburg@mauryk12.org. We follow school board policy, and have begun meeting with students and guardians who have more than five unexcused absences.

Thank you for staying connected and supporting our school community. We’re proud of all the hard work our students are putting in, and we look forward to a strong finish to the quarter!
 
A black and gold poster celebrates a successful cookie dough fundraiser.

Sweet Success

Thank you to all the students, families, and staff who supported our recent Cookie Dough Fundraiser. With over 1,000 boxes sold, it was a tremendous success, and we’re excited to invest the proceeds back into our school and students.

A big congratulations goes to Ms. London's homeroom, which took first place in the homeroom competition by selling an impressive 131 boxes. They’ve earned a well-deserved pizza party for their efforts. We also want to recognize D. Davis, our overall top seller, who sold 50 boxes and will receive a $50 gift card.

Additional students who earned prizes will be notified soon with details about their rewards, including free popcorn on Fun Friday, entry to the special school dance, and a movie field trip.

We appreciate everyone's participation and support. We will notify parents of the cookie dough delivery date as soon as the vendor confirms with the transportation company.
 
A colorful graphic featuring musical instruments and a group of students.

National Arts in Education

We’re proud to celebrate National Arts in Education by shining a spotlight on the unsung heroes of our schools, our band teacher!

Through every rehearsal, performance, and early morning practice, our band director goes above and beyond to inspire creativity, discipline, teamwork, and a lifelong love of music in our students. He doesn’t just teach notes on a page — he builds confidence, connection, and community.

Thank you for your passion, patience, and helping our students find their voice — one note at a time.
 
An announcement for EA Cox Middle School basketball tryouts, featuring a basketball graphic.

Girls Basketball Tryouts

Girls Basketball Tryouts for the Lady Cougars will be held after school from September 29 to October 1, ending at 4:30 PM each day.
To participate, students must have:
  • A ride home each day
  • A physical dated after April 15, 2025
  • Workout clothes and tennis shoes
For questions, please contact Coach Zimdars at mzimdars@mauryk12.org

Let’s go, Lady Cougars!

 
Various sports equipment, including balls, rackets, and shoes, are arranged on green grass.

Sports Pictures Rescheduled Oct. 1

Fall Sports Picture Day for:
  • Football
  • Cross Country
  • Girls Soccer
  • Cheerleading
  • Volleyball
Pictures will be taken after school. Athletes will need to bring clean uniforms to school. See your coach with questions.
 
A colorful graphic promoting school clubs, including art, cheer, drama, and science.
 
Autumn-themed graphic with text 'Fall Break Oct 6th - 10th' on a wood background.
 
A pink sticky note with the words 'Reminders for a Great Day at CMS' on a red background.
  • No student drop offs before 7AM.
  • All cell phones, backpacks and pullover hoodies will be placed in lockers. Students may not have these items during the day.
  • No outside food, drinks, or gum.
  • Valid ID is required to enter our building.
  • No early sign outs after 2:15pm
  • Attendance notes should turned into the office or emailed to mshamburg@mauryk12.org
  • Transportation changes must occur in writing before 9AM. The note must include student's name. the exact address where the child is going along with dates and reason for the change. Notes must be signed by the parent. Verification and approval from transportation will be required before change is confirmed.
 
A cheerful sun wearing sunglasses promotes 'Fun Friday' with free time and concessions.

Fun Fridays

Students can earn Fun Friday privileges each week by avoiding ISS/OSS, arriving on time, and completing all classwork. Fun Friday means extra free time and access to the concession stand—popcorn, candy, and drinks! Send a few dollars if your student wants treats.
 
Colorful graphic promoting the Cougar Reward Store with text on a blue background.

The Cougar Store – Celebrate The "EA Way”! 🐾

Students earn tickets for meeting and exceeding school expectations. Those who are:
Engaged
Accountable
Willing to learn
Achieving
Your best are demonstrating “The EA WAY”!
Tickets can be redeemed for a wide variety of awesome and exciting items! Students can choose from fun stickers, quirky erasers, vibrant pens, scented markers, and tasty snacks. For those who love to create, there are artistic tools, coloring books, and craft supplies. Students who enjoy hands-on fun can pick from fidgets, sports balls, headphones, backpacks, and lunch bags, plus many more surprises. We’re so proud of our students and love celebrating their daily achievements and efforts!
 
Maury County Public Schools advertisement about free meals for students.

Free Meals

CMS is once again part of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which means free breakfast and lunch for ALL students every school day!
Meal applications were sent home with students. Even though meals are free, it’s very important to complete and return these forms. They help secure funding that keeps this program going for the future.


School Menus
 
Diagram showing car rider line instructions for morning and afternoon school drop-off and pick-up.

Car Riders

DO NOT GO AROUND CARS WHILE IN LINE
  • Single drop off line in the morning at the front of the school
  • Double pick up line in the afternoon at the front of the school
  • No car rider tags/numbers
  • Students are dismissed to their cars - please make sure to communicate any changes to pick up vehicles.
  • Do not speed through the parking lot
  • Watch for children at all times
  • Going to RHES after CMS? Go past the fire house and turn right at second stop sign, then right on Bear Creek Pike and right again at the light. It is illegal to turn left into RHES parking lot from CMS.
 

Cougar Sports

A list of names is displayed, likely a football team roster, with the words 'COUGAR FOOTBALL 25/26' at the top.
A football schedule for EA Cox Middle School Cougars, 2025 season.
A volleyball graphic with a list of names, likely a team roster.
A volleyball schedule for EA Cox Middle School, with game dates and times.
A graphic for E.A. Cox Cross Country featuring runners and team member names.
A schedule for Cross Country events is displayed on a red and black background.
A basketball schedule for EA Cox Middle School, featuring game dates, locations, and times.
 

Bell Schedules

A school bell schedule for 5th and 6th grade students, with period times listed.
A school bell schedule for 7th and 8th grade, with period times listed.
 
cms logo with cougar

Contact info

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