News from The Nest!!
Eagle Information You Want to Know!!! November/December 2019
News You Can Use

  • The Jr. Beta Club is attending the state conference in Savannah in December. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to visit an historic city and network with other students who are excelling academically.

  • 8th grader Nathan Buchanan is burning it up on the wrestling mat! He is undefeated this season and may break the school record! Come out to support all the MZM athletes. Wrestling is wrapping up and Basketball is in full swing!

  • Mt. Zion Middle will begin a structured review process the last week of school before Christmas Holidays. This allows the teachers to systematically review the material covered during 1st semester to increase student retention of the material after the holidays. We understand everyone is excited for the holiday but attendance at these reviews will be extremely beneficial when the students return in January.

  • We want to wish all our families a safe and joyful holiday season. We hope your travels are safe, your stockings are stuffed, and your bellies are full!
ACADEMIC AND LEARNING INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
News from the English Teachers
Mt. Zion Middle started a new program this year called Lexia, and we are beginning to see great results! Ms. Cook has been bragging on her students' increased skills and even arranged a pizza party for a class that improved greatly! This program can be accessed 24/7 online. Ask your student about his/her scores!
News from Math Teachers
Math students are benefiting this year from the use of the IReady program. This program allows students to progress at their own pace and is great for spiraling review. Ask your student about his/her progress on IReady!
News from Science Teachers
6th graders are using Legends of Learning to explore a new concept or review a concept. It allows the students to review material while being able to play games. We recently completed a story board where the students had to pretend they were a rock, and take me through a journey of the rock cycle. Then, the students presented their story to their classmates.

7th graders are working on Classifying organisms into the six kingdoms of living things. We have been using Brainpop, Legends of Learning, and Menti to help enrich our class discussions. We are developing a series of short stories that allow students to express their creativity through collaborating with a group. They will have a chance to communicate these short stories back to the class! 

8th grade just completed our roller coaster project right before Thanksgiving. Students were able to relate speed, distance, time, velocity, and acceleration to various points within the roller coaster. We are continuing to use flipgrid which incorporates the 4C's - Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Critical Thinking. Students are engaged and learning comes much easier if students get to "teach others."
News from Social Studies Teachers
6th grade is currently working on a "Create Your Own Government" assignment using Google Brochure or Slides. The assignment includes all of the 4 C's! Please see the URL below for additional details. 


7th grade is working on Personal Money Management and Financial Literacy. We are creating budgets based on monthly income while also setting short term and long term goals with our savings! Students now understand wants vs. needs and are beginning to realize they don’t NEED their video games and cell phones.

Our 8th Grade Georgia Studies classes are exploring the New South era of History in Georgia. We are analyzing how the Bourbon Triumvirate, Henry Grady, Thomas E. Watson and the Populist Party impacted social political, and economic development after the Civil War and reconstruction.
‌
Additional Practice Sites for Students
FYI: Title I
Mount Zion Middle is a Title I school. Copies of all plans are available in the front office and on the school's website (mzm.carrollcountyschools.com). A parent resource center is available for parent use from 8:00-3:30 in the media center. More information about Title I programs and plans can be obtained by contacting Kelley Bennett, Family Engagement Coordinator at 770-834-3389.
Tech Tips for Parents - Managing Online Time
Students are increasingly relying on technology to fill their free-time. While there are benefits in having access to technology, too much of it can be detrimental to the physical, mental, emotional, and psychological well-being. Here are some tips to help you manage your child's online access:
  1. Set Limits For Online Usage and Encourage Playtime/Real World Experiences - Being physically active is beneficial, relieves stress, and can stimulate your child's creativity.
  2. Join Your Child in Online Activities - Technology usage does not have to be experienced alone. Instead of having your child interacting alone with their technology, join them and spend time together. Play a game or watch a show together. This can lead to a greater connection and bonding through technology.
  3. You Are A Role Model - Limit your time on your technology. Children will oftentimes mimic what they see from others. If you are up and active instead of staring at your phone, your child is more-likely to follow your lead.
  4. Ban Technology Usage In Certain Areas or at Certain Times - Don't allow technology to be used in certain areas of the home or at certain times of the day. Maybe make the dinner table off-limits for technology so you can enjoy a good meal together and talk about the day. Using technology before bedtime has been shown to keep people awake longer. By creating a cut-off time before bed when it comes to technology, you may help your child get better, more restful sleep.
By implementing some of these tips, you may be able to manage your child's online usage easier, improve their health, and forge some family bonding time.
-Tips taken from the following site: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Tips-for-Parents-Digital-Age.aspx. For more tips, please visit the site.
Is your Student Struggling in Class? Join us for Breakfast Club!!
We offer struggling students extra help. See the schedule below:
Monday-Math
Tuesday-ELA
Thursday-Social Studies
Friday-Science
Tutoring begins at 7:30 am. Teachers may send a contract home.

What's Happening at MZMS?
"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary." - Vince Lombardi



#committed #changinglives #YouWantToBeAnEagle! #eaglestrong
Mount Zion Middle School's Mission
Mt. Zion Middle School Eagles will provide students and stakeholders with a Safe, innovative, and engaging learning environment with Opportunities for critical thinking that ensure Academically successful students who will be Ready for college and career (SOAR).
Vision
Mt. Zion Middle School Eagles will be soaring to greatness by:
  • Ensuring active engagement by all students and stakeholders for increased student success.
  • Ensuring a supportive environment that provides guidance in achieving personal and academic goals.
  • ·  Being responsible for providing a premier learning environment for all students.
  • · Providing innovative learning opportunities that motivate and challenge all students.
  • · Ensuring all students staff, and stakeholders are respectfully acknowledged as an integral part of the MZMS family.

Mt. Zion Middle School will be recognized as a premier school by sustaining the following commitments:
  • Focusing on Learning
  • Providing Premier Experiences
  • Maximizing our Talents
  • Serving our Communities
  • Ensuring good Stewardship