JJ Daniell Middle School PTSA

Help Spread the Word About our Fall Fundraiser on October 3rd!

Parents, students and teachers - please tell your friends, family and neighbors about JJ Daniell's Fall Fundraiser on October 3rd. It's our first annual Chili Cookoff and mini Fall Festival, along with a benefit motorcycle ride - the first one of its kind in Cobb County as far as we know! Spread the word so we have a great turnout!

Download a PDF with all the details to email or pass along to your friends, family and neighbors. If you can post it on the bulletin board at work or at church, great!

Thanks for helping us get the word out!

More Info About Oct. 3rd Motorcycle "Raffle" Ride

We hope you'll be joining us for our first (and hopefully annual) J.J. Daniell Memorial “raffle” ride!  We thought doing a raffle ride would be a different fun way to reach out to our community, as well as raise some money for the school!

So what is a raffle ride?  Well, basically it is J.J. Daniell’s spin on the classic “poker run.”  This is how it will work: the ride will start at Earl Small’s Harley Davidson on South Cobb Road at 9:00 am. Once you sign in, you will receive your first raffle ticket and head on your way to the first stop. 

Stop one will be in the Lost Mountain Crossing shopping center at the corner of Dallas Hwy and Mars Hill Rd. Once there, you will compete in a fun activity and how well you do will determine how many raffle tickets you will have in your pocket when you ride away. From there you will head on your way to the second stop.  Be on the lookout for stop two. 

Stop two is on the right at Acworth Junction.  Acworth Junction is on Cherokee Road just before you get to Cowan Road, and just like stop one, you will have the opportunity to ride off with up to 5 more raffle tickets! Feel free to hang out for a few minutes before heading out to your third stop.

While heading down highway 92 on your way to our third stop feel free stop by Cherokee Choppers and take a look at some of their amazing work.  Stop three is ahead at the intersection of 92 and Trickum, in the Kroger parking lot. 

From there it is the final push to J.J. Daniell Middle School, where you can join in the festivities. Don't' leave before we do the raffle drawings though, 'cause you must be present to win!!

Stay tuned for more details on the raffle prizes... they're gonna be great!

If you want to take a look at the route check it out: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=109413856422175369421.000473f63c6ae5587ccf6&ll=33.981517,-84.611206&spn=0.316004,0.727158&z=11

JJ Daniell's First Annual Chili Cookoff and Benefit Ride for Education

Do you have an award-winning chili recipe? Or do you count the hours until you can get on your motorcycle and ride? If so, Daniell PTSA has the perfect event for you!

Daniell Middle School's
First Annual Chili Cookoff
and "Raffle" Ride for Education

When:    Saturday, October 3, 2009
Time:    11:00am - 3:00pm
Where:    JJ Daniell Middle School • 2900 Scott Road • Marietta

Chili Cookoff • Bake Sale • "Raffle" Motorcycle Benefit Ride
Games for Kids of All Ages • Raffles • T-Shirts • Music

Ready to compete in the Chili Cookoff? Register before September 19th and the entry fee is only $15 for PTSA members and $20 for non-members (entry fee increases $5 after September 19th.) Download the registration form and get your chili recipe ready!

Ready to Ride for Education? Registration is $25 (no extra fee for 2nd rider!) Sign-up by September 21st and you'll receive a FREE commemorative t-shirt! Download the registration form and get ready to ride!

Help promote our event! Download the flyer and post it at your gym, church, favorite coffee shop, or anywhere else you can think of (with the store owner's permission, of course!)

7th & 8th Grade Open House - Thursday, Aug. 20

You are invited to J.J. Daniell's Open House for 7th andn 8th Graders on Thursday, August 20th. The schedule is as follows:

5:30pm
PTSA Membership Dinner in the cafeteria. We will be serving pizza, soft drinks and a cookie. Dinner is FREE with your JJ Daniell PTSA Membership, or pay just $5 and you'll get dinner and a PTSA membership!

Lifetouch Pictures will be set up on campus during Open House. Bring the whole family, and don't miss the opportunity to have your family portrait made for only $10!

6:30-6:45pm
After a brief informational meeting in the auditorium, parents and students will be dismissed to their homerooms for the remainder of Open House activities.

We look forward to seeing you Thursday night!

6th Grade Open House - Tuesday, August 18

You are invited to J.J. Daniell's Open House for 6th Graders on Tuesday, August 18th. The schedule is as follows:

5:30pm
PTSA Membership Dinner in the cafeteria. We will be serving pizza, soft drinks and a cookie. Dinner is FREE with your JJ Daniell PTSA Membership, or pay just $5 and you'll get dinner and a PTSA membership!

Lifetouch Pictures will be set up on campus during Open House. Bring the whole family, and don't miss the opportunity to have your family portrait made for only $10!

6:30-6:45pm
A brief PTSA membership meeting will be included in the agenda to introduce this year's officers and review and vote on the 2009-2010 budget. Afterwards, parents and students will be dismissed to their classrooms for the remainder of Open House activities.

We look forward to seeing you Tuesday night!

J.J. Daniell Partners in Education

A big thank you to our Partners in Education! These companies help make it possible for us to provide the programs and resources that our students, families and teachers need. Please support them by giving them your business!

                          

(Town Center Prado)           

                         

And many special thanks also to our Community Supporters:

        

   Piedmont Church

 

Character Education Program

The Cobb County Character Education program was formed to support parents' efforts in developing good character in their children. The schools, parents and communities identified a list of character words and definitions deemed important regardless of a person's political leanings, race, gender or religious convictions.

The purpose of the Character Education program is to integrate good character traits into the total school environment, as well as into the community. These words and definitions focus on the attitudes and personal qualities that build a foundation for success in life and work. These character traits are embedded throughout the curriculum and are a daily focus of both students and school staff members.

Each month, beginning in September, one major character trait will be highlighted. Each week will feature a character word that contributes to the major character trait. These words are included on your PTSA calendar pages, and you can also download the schedule of words provided by Cobb County Board of Education.

In addition to the Character Education program that exists in every school in Cobb County, a positive leadership development class exists in each high school. These classes, called Principled Thinking, focus on development of positive student leadership skills. The purpose of the Principled Thinking class is to establish and promote character driven student leaders for the community and school. Ultimately, this will evolve into community service projects, as well as into deeper integration within the total school community.

PTSA Officers & Committees

Following are your PTSA Officers and their contact information for the 2009-2010 school year:

Co-Presidents
Michelle Clayton
phone: 678.462.6710 (cell)
email: amclayt@bellsouth.net

Melissa Hewitt
phone: 770.971.1702 (home) / 770.363.2802 (cell)
email: 924hewitt@comcast.net

Co-Vice Presidents
Maria Senior Cobb
phone: 770.973.2595 (home)
email: cocodracha@hotmail.com

Debra Harris
phone: 770.317.0864 (home) / 770.971.3557 (cell)
email: Debra-S-Harris@comcast.net

Treasurer
Dana Groves Reeves
phone: 770.977.6589 (home) / 404.644.3310 (cell)
email: danabreeves@gmail.com

Secretary
Renee Swann
phone: 770.380.7345 (cell)
email: rileybelloch@aol.com

Updated Start Time for Next Week's Open House Events

Please join us next week for student's Open House. This is a great time to meet the teachers, school administrators and other parents.

6th Grade Open House
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
5:30pm - $5 Pizza Dinner (FREE for PTSA Members!)
6:30pm-8:30pm - Open House and Family Pictures

7th & 8th Grade Open House
Thursday, August 20, 2009
5:30pm - $5 Pizza Dinner (FREE for PTSA Members!)
6:30pm-8:30pm - Open House and Family Pictures

Beat the Back-to-School Jitters

During the past several weeks I've talked with many parents whose kids are excited about starting the new school year. Other parents have expressed concern about the anxiety their child is feeling about going back to school. If your student is stressed about going back to class, you may be able to help him deal with his feelings simply by talking about them.

COMMON CONCERNS
It can often be challenging to get our kids to talk to us about anything at all, let alone what's bothering them. When starting a conversation, it may be helpful for you to know that the most common back-to-school fears include:

• Being away from their families
• Not being able to make friends
• Being called on in class
• Changing for gym class
• Finding someone to eat lunch with
• Failing a difficult test or class
• Having a "mean" teacher
• Taking the school bus
• Being bullied or teased by other kids

TALK ABOUT IT
Ask your child what she's concerned about. Just saying the words out loud can help ease her fears.
Acknowledge his fears, and don't laugh at them or dismiss them as being silly or childish. They feel very real to him, and any ridicule could make it difficult for him to confide in you in the future.
Encourage her to recall her favorite things about school and remind her about the friends she sees everyday.
Explain that many kids get nervous about going back to school and assure him that he'll get back into the routine before he knows it.
Make time every day to talk about her school day. Show interest in her classes, who her friends are, what subjects she enjoys (and the ones she doesn't), who she eats lunch with, etc.

RESOURCES
If your child's concerns are overwhelming and don't improve after the first couple weeks of school, it may be time to consider getting some help. Some resources include the guidance counselor at school; your child's pediatrician, who can refer you to a counselor or psychologist; or the minister at your place of worship.

KEEP TALKING
Once your child has gotten back into the routine and the school year is humming along, keep the lines of communication open. He will face new challenges throughout the year and will benefit from you being there to listen and offer advice and encouragement. With your help, your child will start and end this school year with confidence and enthusiasm.

Parents do make a difference!

by Dana Groves Reeves

10 Tips to Ease Homework Headaches

As the parent of an energetic 7th grade boy, I've experienced my fair share of "homework meltdowns." If you've been through one, you know they're no fun at all. In just minutes, it can ruin an otherwise good day, and it drives an emotional wedge between you and your child. Let's face it, we don't enjoy battling with our kids, but sometimes it's just part of our job. And homework is part of our kids' jobs.

Research clearly shows doing homework enhances not only a student's learning, but also the essential skills they will need to succeed in school and in life. Better organization, problem solving, longer attention span, stronger memory, setting goals, and a "stick with it" attitude are just some of the benefits of homework.

Research also shows that when parents are involved in their student's schoolwork, the child does better in school. One way you can get involved is by helping your student with homework. While it's not uncommon for homework time to become stressful for both parent and child, there are things you can do to make the time more successful:

1. Set up a dedicated homework area with good lighting and few distractions. Don't allow homework to be done with the television on or in places where a lot of activity is taking place. If your child concentrates better with "white noise", consider setting a fan in the area. Also, make sure the necessary supplies are available - paper, pens, pencils, a dictionary, etc. If special materials are required for an assignment, ask him to get them ready in advance.
2. Establish a specific time each day for doing homework - and stick to it. Many kids need a break after school, while other prefer to jump right in and get their assignments done. Figure out what works best for your child and consistently reinforce it. Don't let her leave homework until just before bedtime because she'll be too tired to concentrate.
3. Have a positive attitude about school and homework. Make sure your child understands that you believe school and homework are important and why. The attitude you express will be the attitude your child displays.
4. Recognize that your role as a parent is helper, not doer. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in wanting to help our children succeed that we end up providing too much help. Make sure he's doing the work - not you! One of the best self-esteem boosts is completing an assignment or project. Offering too much help takes away those powerful "I did it!" moments from your child, and he'll know that Mom or Dad really did it for him.
5. Praise efforts along the way, not just the end result. Kids need to learn the importance of hard work and effort, and homework provides a great opportunity to reinforce the idea of not giving up. Some families introduce mottos like "Never quit" or "Finish what you start." Perseverance just might be the most important character trait homework teaches our children.
6. Make homework your student's responsibility, not yours. Ask her to divide the homework assignment into "What I can do myself" and "What I need help with." It might be difficult at first to resist the temptation of always sitting next to her, but it's important that you offer your help only when it's really needed. If she's struggling with something, show her one or two step-by-step examples of how to do it. That way you won't be doing all the work for her. Another way to ensure she's on the right track is to ask her to show you completed work at the end of each row or section.
7. Divide the homework assignment into smaller pieces. Doing this is often helpful for kids who have trouble staying on task, have shorter attention spans, or who are overly concerned with making sure everything's "right." Have your student do one piece of the assignment, then take a short break. Move on to the next segment, and take another short break when it's completed. This will help prevent him from feeling overwhelmed by subjects he may be struggling with, or by complex assignments.
8. Look over homework when it is completed. Don't correct it unless you have checked with the teacher. Seeing the pattern of errors is often helpful so the teacher knows where your student needs extra help.
9. Keep in touch with teachers. If your student is having difficulty in a particular subject, encourage her to go to the teacher directly and ask for advice, or even extra help. You should also contact the teacher and ask for any suggestions he or she may have that you can try at home. Also, your teacher may know of resources at the school that can help your child. Her teachers want her to succeed as much as you do!
10. Consider getting a tutor. If homework battles continue (or increase), or if you find you are doing most of the work, or if your child still can't master the subject despite your help, hiring a tutor could make a big difference. Ask teachers or other parents for recommendations - and remember that local high school students may provide tutoring after school.

The goal of homework is to enhance your student's learning and confidence. At the same time, you have to preserve the relationship you have with your son or daughter. Try some of these ideas to get the new school year off to a great start!

Have other helpful suggestions? Please share them by leaving a comment on this post.

Parents do make a difference!

by Dana Groves Reeves

2009-2010 PTSA Calendar

With all the activities throughout the year, we figured a school year calendar would be a good thing to have. This is the latest version of the calendar - we'll update it throughout the year as new events are added or as activities change. Please refer to the calendar throughout the year, and remember to check back here regularly for the most current information.

Click here to download a PDF of the 2009-2010 Daniell PTSA Calendar.

Welcome - We're Glad You're Here!

ABOUT J.J. DANIELL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Opened in 1965, J.J. Daniell Middle School is named for Judge James Jordan Daniell (1877-1973), a Cobb County Commissioner who taught in a one-room school house before the turn of the 20th century. He was instrumental in bringing development to Cobb County during the post-depression era and for instilling a cohesive sense of community pride. This strong community tradition is still evident today at the school.

Following Judge Daniell's lead, J.J. Daniell Middle School continues to promote an appreciation for the roots of the hometown life while preparing its students to branch out into the larger world. Many of our parents and teachers attended middle school at J.J. Daniell and have remained in this area to see their children attend the same school.

ABOUT DANIELL PTSA
J.J. Daniell's PTSA (Parent-Teacher-Student Association) is an integral part of the school's success, and serves as a forum for parents, teachers, administrators and students to work together and discuss ways to promote quality education, strive to expand the arts, encourage community involvement, and work for a healthy environment and safe neighborhoods.

Daniell PTSA also provides our student members with the opportunity to make a difference by developing leadership skills, learning about the legislative process, increasing their self-esteem, and contributing to the school. In turn, adult members gain a new perspective for program development, as well as acquire a better understanding of today's students.

Through the support and commitment of its members, Daniell PTSA is able to offer many educational and fun activities for our students. The Student Membership Dance, Fall Festival, Chick-fil-A Fridays, Reflections, Book Fairs, online resources, and Honor Roll Celebrations are just a handful of the events and programs we have planned for this school year.

Daniell PTSA is only as strong as its members and volunteers. Our role is to work for the betterment of our children - and we raise money only so we can provide the programs and resources our students, parents and teachers want and need. Your membership and involvement in Daniell PTSA is vital for our continued success. Join today and sign up to volunteer - even an hour a week makes a big difference!