Buzz Reminder: Gum & Candy

Good morning, Crocker,

1. Chewing gum is not allowed at school.  Its use is disruptive to instruction, a health hazard, and improper disposal creates serious custodial and health problems. Continued chewing gum on campus may result in a referral for beautification or detention.
2. A small amount of candy, a couple of pieces for yourself, can be enjoyed at recess or lunchtime, but not during class. Wrappers must be thrown away in the garbage.
3. Candy is not to be widely distributed or sold to classmates. If large amounts of candy are shared outside of class, it will be confiscated, and the student may receive a referral for beautification or detention
4. Finally, food, including gum and candy, is not allowed on the blacktop, field, or gym, especially lollipops and gum. They are a choking hazard. Eat your food at the tables before going to play on the blacktop.

Thank you,

Lisa Ayer Crocker Middle School Assistant Principal she/her

Notice: This e-mail together with any attachments may contain information from Hillsborough City School District that is confidential and/or proprietary for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, disclosure, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and then delete all copies, including any attachments.

Buzz Reminder: CASSPP Testing

Good morning, Crocker,

CAASPP Testing will take place during your English and math classes this week and early next week. We will follow the typical schedule each day. 

Wednesday: ELA Performance Task (PT) Day 1 during English class
Thursday: ELA Performance Task (PT) Day 2 during English class
Friday: Math PT during math class

Monday: Math Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) Day 1 during math class

Tuesday:  Math CAT Day 2 during math class

If you haven't completed these ELA tests in the time given, your teacher can reopen the tests after you have completed the math tests. If you need additional time after that, Ms. Ayer will work with you to provide the space and time to complete the tests.

CAASPP IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• Arrive at school on time each day.
• Eat breakfast each morning, so your brain has fuel.
• Bring your Chromebook and charger to school each day, and charge your Chromebook each night.
• Bring reading materials each day. After you finish testing, you cannot use your Chromebook until everyone in class is done with testing.
• Smartwatches and cell phones are not allowed during testing. Turn them off and leave them in your backpack or at home.
• Relax and try your best.

Best of luck, Vikings, you got this!

Lisa Ayer Crocker Middle School Assistant Principal she/her

Notice: This e-mail together with any attachments may contain information from Hillsborough City School District that is confidential and/or proprietary for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, disclosure, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and then delete all copies, including any attachments.

Buzz Reminder: Recess & Lunch Locations

Good morning, Crocker,

Students, remember that the areas you can be at lunch are:

• Tables in the MPR (for 6th-8th grade)
• Blue tables in the courtyard
• MakerSpace/MPR courtyard
• Upper grass in front of the Lecture Hall
• In front of Ms. Slater's office
• Lower grass by Band Room (for 8th-grade only)

If you need to use the restroom during lunch, use the ones inside the MPR. The restrooms are not for hanging out.

Students, these areas are OFF-LIMITS during lunch and recesses:

• In front of the MPR
• Behind the MPR (by the garbage/recycling)
• Grassy area by the band room/portables (8th grade only)
• Upstairs in the classroom hallways or bathrooms
• Hallway or stairway by the Office, by rooms 1, 2, 3, and Art
• In front of, behind, or around the Gym

If you are in these areas, you may earn a beautification consequence. Lastly, please pick up after yourself and throw your trash away. We have plenty of trash/recycle/compost bins around campus.

Thank you for cooperating,

Lisa Ayer Crocker Middle School Assistant Principal she/her

Notice: This e-mail together with any attachments may contain information from Hillsborough City School District that is confidential and/or proprietary for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, disclosure, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and then delete all copies, including any attachments.

Buzz Reimder: Cell Phones & Smartwatches

Good morning,

Please make sure your phone is turned off and stored in your backpack when you arrive at school. If your phone rings or vibrates during class, your teacher may ask you to take it to the office, where it will remain for the rest of the day. Additionally, your Smartwatch must be in airplane mode throughout the school day. If you use your watch for anything else, it may also be confiscated. Please remember the consequences when your device is turned in to the office (Handbook p. 14). You cannot wear your Smartwatch or have your cell phone in your pocket during testing; they must be turned off and put away.

Thank you,

Lisa Ayer Crocker Middle School Assistant Principal she/her

Notice: This e-mail together with any attachments may contain information from Hillsborough City School District that is confidential and/or proprietary for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, disclosure, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and then delete all copies, including any attachments.

Reminder: CAASPP Testing Starts

Good morning,

CAASPP Testing will take place during your English and math classes this week, Tuesday through Friday. We will follow the typical schedule each day. Monday started with the English-language arts (ELA) Training Day to ensure you could log on.

Tuesday: English Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) during English class
Wednesday: ELA Performance Task (PT) Day 1 during English class
Thursday: ELA Performance Task (PT) Day 2 during English class
Friday: Math Performance Task during math class

CAASPP IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• Arrive at school on time each day.
• Eat breakfast each morning, so your brain has fuel.
• Bring your Chromebook and charger to school each day, and charge your Chromebook each night.
• Bring reading materials each day. After you finish testing, you cannot use your Chromebook until everyone in class is done with testing.
• Smartwatches and cell phones are not allowed during testing. Turn them off and leave them in your backpack or at home.
• Relax and try your best.

Thank you for your cooperation and good luck!

Lisa Ayer Crocker Middle School Assistant Principal she/her

Notice: This e-mail together with any attachments may contain information from Hillsborough City School District that is confidential and/or proprietary for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, disclosure, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and then delete all copies, including any attachments.

Leadership Elective emails will be sent out today after school

Good Morning!

Thank you to all of you who have applied to Leadership Elective.  You will be receiving an email today after school letting you know if you will be enrolled in the class for next year.  Thank you for your patience during this process. 

Ms. Mendy

Notice: This e-mail together with any attachments may contain information from Hillsborough City School District that is confidential and/or proprietary for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, disclosure, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and then delete all copies, including any attachments.

Student Council Election Applications Due Tomorrow

Good Morning!

Just a reminder that StuCo Applications are due tomorrow.  Along with the online application you must pick up a parent/guardian permission slip in the office.  This will be turned in tomorrow upon entrance of our mandatory meeting during lunch in the lecture hall.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, 

Ms. Mendy

Notice: This e-mail together with any attachments may contain information from Hillsborough City School District that is confidential and/or proprietary for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, disclosure, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and then delete all copies, including any attachments.

Wellness Week in Front of Ms. Slater’s Office at Lunch

 Wellness Week in Front of Ms. Slater’s Office at Lunch

Monday: Anxiety and how sour candy can help refocus your thought

Tuesday: Showing gratitude can help boost your mood.

Wednesday: Mandala Coloring offers a unique pathway to stress reduction

Thursday: Box breathing and eating mints can help with anxiety and stress

Friday: Rock painting can enhance overall wellness

Anxiety is a natural human emotion characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. It's a normal response to stress. Interestingly, some individuals find a peculiar comfort in sour candy during moments of anxiety. The intense, sharp flavor can act as a sensory distraction, jolting the mind away from anxious thoughts and focusing attention on the present experience of the sour taste. This sudden shift in focus can be a grounding technique, helping to interrupt the cycle of worry and bring a sense of being back to the moment. The intense sensation of sour candy can offer a temporary and accessible way for some to find a brief anchor amidst feelings of anxiety.

Showing gratitude can be a surprisingly powerful tool for boosting your mood. When you consciously focus on the good things in your life, no matter how small, it shifts your attention away from negative thoughts and worries. This simple act can increase feelings of happiness, joy, and contentment. Regularly acknowledging the positive aspects of your day, your relationships, or even just the simple comforts around you can cultivate a more optimistic outlook. This practice helps to release feel-good hormones in your brain, contributing to an overall improvement in your emotional state and fostering a greater sense of well-being.

Reminder: Posted in the HCSD Newsletter

Dangerous TikTok Trend - #ChromebookChallenge

A recent TikTok challenge is encouraging students to stick lead pencils or paper clips into the ports of thier Chromebook in an attempt to create an electrical short-circuit that will create smoke and potentially a fire. While this is an emerging trend, we have seen evidence of it within our schools.

We encourage parents to speak to your children about the risks of electrical shock, fires and damage to the device that could be caused by inserting objects into a Chromebook/laptop port or electrical outlet. It is also encouraged for parents to be aware of what your children are watching or sharing on TikTok and other apps, as well as to talk to them about online trends and peer pressure.

As a reminder, student issued Chromebook are the property of HCSD and students are responsible for any intentional damage or vandalism to the device.

Friday Special Schedule

Good morning, Crocker,

Please see the special schedule for today.

Have a great day!

Notice: This e-mail together with any attachments may contain information from Hillsborough City School District that is confidential and/or proprietary for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, disclosure, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and then delete all copies, including any attachments.

Dance Tonight

Hello Crocker! 

This evening, we will have the dance Murder in the Mansion from 6 - 8 PM. Here are some reminders. Presale tickets are sold in the MPR at morning recess and lunch for 10 dollars, and it's 15 dollars at the door. We will have our doors open until 6:30. Afterwards, you can not come in. There will be a photobooth and a complimentary Shirley Temple for all pre-sale purchases.

Leadership has been working hard on an interactive Who Dun It storyline. Here is some information on the characters in our story. Remember, if in your grade, the most people (including those not attending the dance) guess the correct suspect, you will win Class Competition points. This may be one of your last chances to edge out a victory, so come to the dance to help out!

Sincerely,

Crocker Leadership

Notice: This e-mail together with any attachments may contain information from Hillsborough City School District that is confidential and/or proprietary for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, disclosure, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and then delete all copies, including any attachments.

Library closed at lunch today

Today is Overdue Day. Please turn in your late library books before lunch to avoid an overdue notice. 

The library will be closed at lunch today, so everyone can cheer on your grade at class competition.

Notice: This e-mail together with any attachments may contain information from Hillsborough City School District that is confidential and/or proprietary for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, disclosure, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and then delete all copies, including any attachments.

Reminder: Hallways

Good morning, Crocker,

Please remember to walk in the halls, use appropriate language, and keep your backpacks in the white-lined areas or on the benches in the hallways. We need space for students and staff to pass each other safely.  Do not chase, push, or shoulder-check other people anywhere on campus before, during, or after school. We do not want people injured due to careless or aggressive behavior. Consequences will be given to students who do not comply.

Thank you for cooperating, Vikings,

Lisa Ayer Crocker Middle School Assistant Principal she/her

Notice: This e-mail together with any attachments may contain information from Hillsborough City School District that is confidential and/or proprietary for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, disclosure, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and then delete all copies, including any attachments.

Reminder: Dance Expectations

Good morning, Crocker,

1. The dance is on Friday, May 9, and is for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. These events are for Crocker students only.

2. Students in good standing and wishing to attend a school dance can purchase tickets before the dance at AM recess or at the entrance to the dance.
3. The dances are scheduled from 6:00-8:00 PM and held in the MPR.
4. Students must attend at least three periods of a school day to participate in a school dance. If a student does not attend school on the day of the dance due to illness or leaves school early on the day of the dance due to illness, the student cannot attend the dance that evening.
5. Once students enter, they are not allowed to leave until the dance officially ends at 8:00 PM. Please arrive on time; the doors close promptly 30 minutes after the dance begins.
6. The courtyard is available for students who want a break from the dark and/or loud music. The Student Store is open for purchasing a snack or drink for yourself. Do not bring too much money in case it gets lost.
7. Phones are allowed at the dance, but using the phone and taking pictures or videos is prohibited. Phones will be confiscated if they are used. Do not bring other electronic devices to the dance.
8. There is not a chaperoned area to leave purses, backpacks, or other items, so students should leave valuables at home.
9. All students must arrange to be picked up in front of the MPR upon the conclusion of the dance by a parent/guardian. Students are not allowed to walk or bike home on their own, be picked up from a different location, or call a driving service, like Uber or Lyft.

Thank you for your cooperation, Vikings,

Have fun!

Lisa Ayer Crocker Middle School Assistant Principal she/her

Notice: This e-mail together with any attachments may contain information from Hillsborough City School District that is confidential and/or proprietary for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, disclosure, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and then delete all copies, including any attachments.

Overdue Day this Week

Vikings,

Overdue Day is this Thursday. Please check your lockers and backpacks for overdue books and turn them in. You can check out something new to have ready if you finish  your CAASPP testing early.

The final due date for ALL library books is May 23rd. If you have lost a book, now is the time to take care of that. See Mrs. Gilchrist if you need to pay for a lost book.

Notice: This e-mail together with any attachments may contain information from Hillsborough City School District that is confidential and/or proprietary for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, disclosure, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and then delete all copies, including any attachments.