“Starting the Conversation about Teens and Mental Health” -Chat N Chew

Join Cooper MS PTSA 

Date: Sept. 13, 2016 at 9:30 am- 10:30 am  

Location: Parent Resource Room. 

Topic: “Starting the Conversation about Teens and Mental

Health”

Special guest speaker will be Annette Hughes, LMSW of Social Concepts and Development Services.

We know what it takes to keep a child physically healthy- but the basics for good mental health aren’t always as clear. 

Don’t worry, you’re not alone Children’s mental health matters! Talking about mental health concerns can be scary. 

Half of all mental health disorders begin by the age of 14. Early

identification and early intervention in children and teens is essential to their current and future

well-being.

With the start of a new school year, let’s start the conversation, get informed, be prepared and learn the facts about Teens and Mental Health with other parents, and your local community.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Cooper MS PTSA

Join Us Tues Aug. 30, 2016

1^st General Body PTSA Meeting

6:30 pm

Parent Resource Room

Special Guest Speaker

GA PTA President

Ms. Lisa-Marie Haygood

Reflections Theme 2016 - What Is Your Story

Cooper PTSA Spirit Shirts On Sale

 PTSA Spirit Shirts Have Arrived !

.

Sizes Youth Small to Adult XL
$12.00

PTSA Spirit Shirts Announcement

Announcement Regarding PTSA Spirit Shirts

The PTSA spirit shirts have not arrived as previously announced. We (PTSA) have had some problems getting the order corrected that is why there has been such a long delay. We bear full responsibility for the long wait for the shirts. We should have a definite date very soon and we will announce it through all available Cooper Middle School Channels.

Again this delay is not the fault of Cooper Middle School or the Administrators. it is on us.

We apologize for the delay 

Thank you

Cooper Middle School PTSA

Message from Dr. Watkins Week of December 14

Final Exams This Week

• Students will be taking final examinations this Monday through Thursday. 

Dental Forms Needed

• Parents are asked to send in the dental forms this week for the mobile dental clinic. They were sent home with students last week. 

Chat N Chew This Tuesday

• Please join us this Tuesday at 9:30 AM for our monthly Chat and Chew with the principal. 

Student of The Month

• We will also be having our Student of the Month celebration on Thursday at 8 AM in the Parent Resource Room.

Cooper in the Top 10 Percent of State

Cooper has been named a Highest-Progress School and is among the 10 percent of the state’s Title I schools making the most progress in improving the performance of the “all students” group over three years on the statewide assessment. The data is from the 2013-14 school year.


We wish all of our families Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year. Students will return on Tuesday, January 5, 2016.

Message from Dr. Watkins, Principal Cooper Middle School Week of November 9

PTSA Spirit T-Shirts Are Still on Sale

Basic T Shirts  up to size Adult XL are $10.00. Large sizes, long sleeves and sweat shirts are available. Contact  Cooper PTSA for more details on pricing.  

Progress Reports are Out

Parents, please contact your student's teachers via email if you have questions or concerns about their progress reports that were sent home on Friday.  We hope that you also read all of the information that was attached, especially about our Reading Challenge to get all students to read 3 books by Superbowl time!

Chorus Concert on This Tuesday

Please join us for our all chorus concert this Tuesday evening at 7 PM.

Veteran's Breakfast

We are also hosting our annual Veteran's Day breakfast this Wednesday at 8 AM in the Media Center. If you plan to attend, please contact the secretary, Teri Neal- Teri.neal@cobbk12.org.

School Council Meeting

The School Council will meet on Thursday morning at 8 AM

Chat N Chew

You don't want to miss the Chat and Chew this Thursday at 6:30 PM in the Parent Resource Room. There will be a guest presenter discussing the topic of social media and teenagers.

Thanksgiving Lunch

 Please look for the sign up genius on our website for our annual Thanksgiving lunch next Thursday for you to come and have lunch on us with your student.

Message from Dr.Watkins: Update on Conference Week

Conference Week

Conference Week will be held during the week of October 19-22. There is a Sign-up Genius Link on the Cooper website www.cobbk12.org/cooper on the left hand side under Conference Sign-ups. There you may sign up for 15 minute time slots to meet with individual teachers about your students' academic progress.  Students will be released each day that week at 2:15.

Reading Time for Students

Students' Reading Inventories were sent home with the last progress report. All Cooper students should be reading at least 30 minutes to one hour each day. This is very important to help students improve and excel in all subjects.

 PTSA Shirts Are On Sale

PTSA T-Shirts are on sale until November 7th. Please download your order form here 

Chat N Chew

Join us this Tuesday for our October Chat and Chew with the Principal on Tuesday at 9:30 AM in the Parent Resource Room.

School Council Meeting

The School Council will meet this Thursday at 8:00 AM in the main office.

Message From Dr. Watkins, The week of October 5

7th Grade Testing This Week

All 7th grade students will take the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) on M-TH of this week. We ask that students get a good night's rest and come to school on time each day.

Picture Day

All students have been given a packet for Picture Day which will be this Thursday. Please look for more information this week.

College Bound

All 8th grade parents are reminded about the Cooper College Bound Program. The trip to Kennesaw State will be the beginning of November and the cost is only $30.

Student Attendance

Parents, please look for important information about student attendance on our website- www.cobbk12.org/cooper

PTSA T-Shirts

PTSA T-Shirt Sale has been extended to November 7, 2015. Please turn in money and order forms to the School Office.

Download Order Form here

Cooper Middle School BoxTops Fund Raiser

Box Tops Fund Raiser

The PTSA would like your help with collecting Box Tops for Cooper. The goal is 10,000 box tops. Please clip box tops and send them in with your student. (Parents may also participate in online promotions. 

• Go to BTFE.com/signup to subscribe to the box tops newsletter. 
• Enter Cooper ID which is 959789.

Subscribe by September 30 and we earn 5 box tops. You will receive coupons, samples and other opportunities to earn eboxtops for our school. Participate in in-store offers.

If you currently shop at Sam's Club, you can earn up to 400 box tops per transaction for our school. Go to Samsclub.com/boxtops for more information. Promotion runs through July 2016.)

Our Goal is to Raise 10,000 Box Tops Which Will Brings$1,000.00 to our school

Message from Dr. Watkins Week of September 14

PTSA Open House

Parents please join us for Open House this Thursday, September 17, from 6:30-8:30 PM. Prior to Open House, there will be a Title I informational meeting from 5:30-6:30 PM. in the theater.

Synergy Parent Meeting and Assembly

Parents we ask that you check Synergy to get your student's schedule and that if possible only parents and guardians attend. Each grade level will have a 30 minute assembly in the theater in addition to visiting classes and getting information about Synergy in the Media Center.

Constitution Day

This Thursday, we are also celebrating Constitution Day. Students may wear appropriate jeans if they also wear a red, white and blue top.

Friday Dress Down Day

On Friday, students may dress down for $1 and pay $1 to watch the student basketball game during their Connections time.

Cooper PTSA 2015 Volunteer Opportunities

Cooper PTSA Volunteer Opportunities

Please go to Sign Up Genius to Sign Up

1. Watch Dogs: (Dad of Good Students): Meetings coming soon
2. School Store
3. Parent Support for Academic Teams: BETA Club, Science Olympiad, Math, Robotics, Reading Bowl and Future Cities
4. Parent Support for Chorus, Band and Orchestra
5. GEMS
6. Distinguished Men of Cooper

Message from Dr. Watkins: Week of August 31

Important Reminder

A reminder to parents to check teachers' blogs and Parentvue for grades. The first progress reports will be sent home in a few weeks.

School Closed Labor Day

 School will be closed this Monday in honor of Labor Day.

Microsoft Office 365

Please visit the Cooper website www.cobbk12.org/cooper for information on how you and your student can access Office 365.

Welcome Back from Cooper PTSA

Cooper Middle School PTSA

Welcomes All of Our Parents,Teachers and Students Back to School

Message from Dr.Watkins Week of May 4

Teacher Appreciation Week

Help us show how much we appreciate our teachers, it's Teacher Appreciation Week.

Orchestra Concert Monday

The 6th grade orchestra concert has be rescheduled for tomorrow night at 7:00 PM.

Parent Volunteer Dinner

We will be honoring our parent volunteers this Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM in the Media Center. If you plan to attend, please contact the front office to let us know- 770-819-2438.

Summer Camp Deadlines

Parents are reminded that the deadline for signing up for the Rising 6th grade and STEM summer camps is tomorrow.  The application is on the Cooper website- www.cobbk12.org/cooper along with other important dates for the remaining 14 days of school.

GA Tech Game Development Summer Camp at McEachern for Rising 9th Graders

For more information http://mceachernhighptsa.blogspot.com/

Message from Dr. Watkins: Week of April 27

Meeting Regarding DC Trip

Parents of 6th grade students are invited to attend an informational meeting this Tuesday from 6:00-6:45 PM about a Washington, DC trip we are planning for next year. That meeting will be followed by the 6th grade band concert at 7:00 PM.

Register for Summer Camps Now

Parents are reminded to sign up their students for the Rising 6th grade summer camp and the Rising 7th and 8th grade STEAM Camp. The links are both on our website- www.cobbk12.org/cooper.  The deadline for transportation is May 4.

Parent Night

Our website also contains information for the South Cobb Parent Night which will be held on Monday, May 4. Cooper will host its Rising 6th grade parent night this Thursday at 6:30 PM.

Message from Dr. Watkins Week of April 13

Welcome Back!

We hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable spring break and feel prepared for the last six week of this school year.

GA Milestones Testing This Week

A reminder to all parents and students that the GA Milestones will be given beginning this Wednesday, April 15-Tuesday, April 21.  It is very important that students get a good night's sleep, come to school on time each day, and eat a healthy breakfast.  We will not be able to call into classrooms once testing has begun each day at 9:15.  We ask parents to encourage your student to take their time and do their very best. Information about the Georgia Milestones may be found on the Cooper website- www.cobbk12.org/cooper.

Sign up for Culinary Kids for Food Network's Rachael Ray's Kids Cook-Off!

Greetings PTA leaders. This week, the phone lines in the Georgia PTA office have not buzzing as much as they customarily do each day. We know that many schools are on Spring break. We hope that you are having plenty of fun with your families. Upon the impending reopening of many of Georgia's school districts, we wanted to share some news with you. Our office received formal notification of a search for kids with a talent for the culinary arts being conducted throughout the nation for Rachael Ray's Kids Cook-off on the Food Network. Ryan McRae (show's Senior Casting Associate) has solicited our assistance in getting the word out in Georgia. Please note the following: Rachael Ray's Kids Cook-Off is an exciting culinary reality series on the Food Network. Rachael Ray is in search of the most talented kid chefs in the country with captivating personalities who believe that they are at the top of their culinary game and want to inspire a Food Network audience through their passion for food and cooking. The winner will receive a grand prize that will help to kick-start their culinary career! The attached flyer further details what they are looking for and the method by which to apply. For more information and how to apply, just visit their website at www.JSCasting.com. Let's show the Food Network that Georgia has the most talented kid chefs in the country!

Message from Dr. Watkins Week of March 30

Georgia Milestones Test Information

We have been preparing our students for the upcoming GA Milestones test which replaces the CRCT. A letter from the district about the test will be sent home with all students on Tuesday. We also have a link on our website with information/videos to help you assist your student to do their very best.

Junkyard Art Wars Coming Thursday

Come out and support our Art Program this Thursday from 6:00-8:00 PM as we host the Junkyard Art Wars Exhibit. 

Spring Break

Spring break begins April 6. Happy Easter and a safe spring break to everyone.

Georgia PTA Legislative Report

The General Assembly has adjourned for 27th legislative day. This week at our state capitol, lawmakers are diligently working to pass their education or child-related bills out of committee or the chamber. If their bills do not pass committee this week, there is little time to receive a full vote before Crossover Day next Friday, March 13th. The General Assembly is scheduled, SR 167, to convene next week on March 9, 11, and 13. If these bills do not receive a full vote in the current chamber before Crossover Day, they will not move to the opposite chamber, therefore, no opportunity to pass this legislative session. 

Also This Week  

Georgia PTA Day at the Capitol was held on Tuesday. The theme was "Educate, Advocate, and Empower". Georgia PTA received overwhelming support of more than 270 PTA members and advocates wearing red from across the state. I received many wonderful comments from our state legislators about our PTA members. I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to everyone who was able to come to the capitol and speak to our legislators on behalf of our children.  

Gov. Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal were joined Monday by Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) Commissioner Amy Jacobs to kick off Read Across Georgia Month, a campaign that supports increased childhood literacy in the state.   Read More

Gov. Nathan Deal today praised the Senate for passing legislation that would allow for an Opportunity School District (OSD) to aid chronically failing schools throughout the state. The constitutional amendment resolution and the implementing legislation will now move to the House for consideration. Read More  

House Committee Favorably Reported

These bills will move to rules for consideration for vote by House chambers:

HB 3,   prohibit persons from entering into or soliciting a transaction with a student-athlete that would result in sanctions to the student-athlete.

HB 16, add a new code under QBE Act for students enrolled in a magnet school in the school system who tryout for or participate on an athletic team at their resident public high school shall be subject to the same standards and comply with the same requirements as apply to students enrolled in such public high school to tryout for or participate on an athletic team.

HB 131, Expands the oversight of schools for cyber bullying to cover events off school property as long as the electronic bullying is directed at students or school personnel and is done with the intention and has a "high likelihood" of threatening their safety or disrupting school.  

HB 268, when mandatory reporters receive reliable information regarding child abuse involving another mandatory reporter, such mandatory reporter receiving information shall   the person in charge of such hospital, school, agency, or facility, or the designated delegate thereof, and the person so notified shall report or cause a report to be made.

HB 296, waives the one-year residency requirement for special needs students who are lawful refugees or as defined by Title IV of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act. 

HB 366, requires the issuance of employment certificate for m inors who are at least 12 years of age 17 but less than 16 years of age.

HB 353,   exempt the commission from the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.

Passed House This Week 

Now move to the Senate: HB 170, Transportation Funding Act of 2015; enact (Substitute) (Trans-Roberts-155th) (Rules Committee Substitute LC 34 4595S) AM# 34 0676; maintain use of school funds for educational purposes and defines education transportation purposes as defined for purposes to  constitute a proper expenditure of school funds derived from proceeds from the levy of a sales tax.  

There is much concern that this bill would replace the fuel sales tax with an exercise tax. The state would keep all the revenue from the excise tax. Some of the education local option sales tax funds come from fuel sales.  

Senate Committee Favorably Reported  

These bills will move to rules for consideration for vote by Senate chambers:

SB 132,   known as the 'Move on When Ready Act',  revise provisions relating to the program for high school students to attend postsecondary institutions and  provide a program for eligible students to take dual credit courses.

SB 156,  authorize the State Charter Schools Commission to establish a nonprofit foundation.

SB 164,  provide for positive behavioral interventions and supports and response to intervention initiatives.

Passed Senate This Week 

These bills will move to the House:   

SB 89, "Digital Classroom Act"; require instructional materials and content to be in digital or electronic format after a certain date (As Introduced) (Substitute) (S&T-56th)  

SR 287,   Opportunity School District; allow the General Assembly to authorize the establishment; provide for state intervention for failing schools (As Introduced) (Substitute) (ED&Y-49th)

SB 133, Opportunity School District; establishment; provide for definitions; supervision of public elementary and secondary schools that are failing (As Introduced) (Substitute) (ED&Y-49th) 

HB 305, pprovide for the membership and the appointment of members of the authority and their terms of office, qualifications, duties, and powers; to provide for vacancies, organization, meetings, and expenses; to provide for definitions; to provide for the transfer of property

HB 448, revise a provision relating to the time to appoint a member to a vacancy on the board 
 

Committee Meetings

The members of the education subcommittee will meet Friday, March 6, 2015 at 8:30 AM in room 310 CLOB. The agenda includes a review of the FY16 General budget for Department of Early Care and Learning, Department of Education, Governor's Office of Student Achievement, and Professional Standards Commission.  

General Calendar

• Senate will convene March 9, 2015 at 10:00 AM 
• House will convene March 9, 2015 at 10:00 AM
• Live broadcasts of both chambers.  Watch Live

Thank you for your support and advocacy on behalf of the children in Georgia. I welcome you to reach out to me and share your thoughts and opinions as we move throughout the legislative session this year.  I can be reached via email at tbarr@georgiapta.org. 

Tyler Barr

Legislative Policy Specialist/Lobbyist

Georgia PTA