Colt Corner
Colleyville Middle School
January 15, 2021
Colts,
Click here or below for this weeks video message. Have a great three day weekend!
David Arencibia, Ed.D.
CMS Principal
Facebook: Colleyville Middle School
Twitter: @CmsColts
#TeamCMS - #cmscelebrates - #CMSstrengths
B.E.S.T. - Building Excellent Schools Together
UPCOMING DATES/EVENTS
January 18 - No School - Student/Teacher Holiday
January 20 - 7th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
January 21 - 8th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
January 25 - 7th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
January 28 - 8th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
February 1 - 7th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
February 3 - Progress Reports
In this Edition of the Colt Corner:
* Last Chance to Purchase a Yearbook
* Gallup Strengths & Strengths Explorer - New students to CMS will be able to take the Gallup Strengths assessment January 22nd!
* Social Studies Student of the Week
* Universal Screener administered through Aimsweb reports - Be on the lookout for your students past Math and ELA (English Language Arts) individual data report.
* STEM and Dual Language Lottery
* GCISD Language Assessment Center Online Courses for Adult
Counselors Corner:
* 8th Grade four year high school planning
* CHHS Panther Showcase Jan. 25
* 7th TECC Tour and Course Selection
* 6th Course Selection
* Play It Safe Student Lessons
* Character Strong
* Family Character Dare: Mix Tape
* Friends For Life Hotline
* Scholarship Opportunity for 7th Grade Students
Repeated Information:
* GCISD Update
* Spring 2021 School Guide - Spring 2021 Guide sent out via past district communication
* 8th Grade Yearbook Baby Pictures - Baby picture due today, January 15th!
* Tuition Based Pre-K Lottery - The Pre-K Tuition Based lottery application closes tonight at 10:00 p.m. on January 15, 2021
* 2nd Nine Weeks CMS Report Card - Overall A/B school percentages
* PreAP Label Change - Beginning in the 2021-22 school year, GCISD will be implementing the title change to “Advanced” for all courses formerly known as Pre-AP.
* GCISD Basketball Games New Procedures for Spectators: New procedures for basketball season. Basketball and cheer spectators please read.
* 3rd Nine Weeks Closing Window - Late assignments and UIL eligibility dates
* Collegiate Academy: Applications now being accepted for 8th grade Colts through today, January 15th.
* UIL Calendar
Last chance to order your yearbook!
Gallup Strengths @ CMS
One of our campus initiatives for this year is for students to take part in the StrengthsFinder, which is a research-based assessment developed by the Gallup Institute designed to help individuals identify their Top Strengths.
On Friday, January 22nd, all 6th graders and new-to-CMS 7th and 8th graders will take the assessment during 6th and Advisory periods. The make-up day will be Monday, January 25th. After taking their personal assessment, they will have access to an online dashboard full of resources that are personalized for them, including a Strengths report. The report is customized for each student, which can help them learn what their strengths are and how to capitalize on them. Understanding how their strengths manifest can help them at school and in life!
Our 6th grade students will be taking the student version of Gallup's Strengths, Strengths Explorer, with additional information regarding the assessment located here or below via the linked video. We look forward to diving in deeper as the year continues with this valuable resource. This is just another way that CMS is unique and set apart from others for our Colts!
Universal Screener
Reports were sent to you this past week regarding your students' performance on the universal screener administered through AimsWeb before Winter Break. In-person students were given a copy to take home. Reports were emailed to parents of remote students.
If you have not received these reports, please feel free to reach out to your student's math and/or ELA teacher(s) directly. Thank you!
STEM and Dual Language Lottery
The personalized programs application window for the 2021-2022 school year will open on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Online applications will be accepted through Friday, February 12, 2021. The lottery will be conducted on Monday, February 22, 2021.
Students who are already in STEM or Dual Language do NOT need to apply, even at transition years.
For more information and to complete an online application on or after Tuesday, January 19, click here.
GCISD Language Assessment Center Online Courses for Adults
In partnership with the Grapevine Community Outreach Center, the GCISD Language Assessment Center will begin offering online courses for adults. These free courses will be self-paced and will provide skills in English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Literacy, as well as GED support. The flyers can be viewed here in English and Spanish.
Counselor Corner for the Week of Jan. 18 - 22
8th Grade Parents
4 Year Planning: Today (Friday, January 15th) is the last day for signing for your student’s endorsement and the 4 year plan in Skyward. If you have not done so by midnight tonight, your student’s plan and endorsement will automatically be signed for you.
On Feb. 4th, 8th grade students will meet individually with their high school counselor via Webex and will be given one final opportunity to make changes to their freshman course selections.
CHHS will host their annual Panther Showcase Monday, January 25th. This event will be online this year. GHS hosted their annual showcase this past week.
7th Grade Parents:
TECC Tour: 7th grade students will experience a virtual tour of the GHS TECC (Technology Education & Career Center) on Thursday, Jan. 28th, during advisory. Students will learn about possible programs and career pathways they may pursue in high school and options from which they can select when creating 4 year plans in 8th grade.
Course Selection: Counselors will meet with current 7th grade students on Feb. 16th to discuss 8th grade course selections. On Feb. 23rd, counselors will assist students with entering their course selections into Skyward.
6th Grade Parents:
Course Selection: Counselors will meet with current 6th grade students on Feb. 19th to discuss 7th grade course selections. On Feb. 26th, counselors will assist students with entering their course selections into Skyward.
Play It Safe Student Lessons
Parents of 6th & 7th grade students, a parent preview for the Play It Safe program was hosted via a live Zoom on October 1st at 10 a .m. Students will view the lessons on the dates listed below. The lessons, taught in partnership with The Women’s Center of Tarrant County, encourage and teach students how to recognize, report and reduce the risk of being in an abusive and/or dangerous situation.
(7th Grade) Healthy Relationships - Oct. 13
(7th Grade) Can’t Take It Back - Nov. 13
(6th Grade) It’s Harassment - Dec. 1
(7th Grade) Abuse of Power - Feb. 10
(6th Grade) Survivors of Abuse - March 3
Character Strong
Our district has adopted Character Strong as a way to support the social/emotional wellbeing and character development of our students. All GCISD secondary campuses will be focusing on the character trait/skill of KINDNESS for the month of January. Students will view the newest character video in school at the beginning of each month. We want to encourage you to also view it together as a family and find ways to work on the monthly trait/skill together. January Kindness Video
Also, as we build a strong connection with our community to support social emotional wellness, we will continue to share out the Family Character Dares for an extension into your home. Here is the latest!
Family Character Dare: Mix Tape
Friends For Life Hotline
Have a friend in need? Is someone you know the target of violence or bullying? Did you see or hear something? Say something! Make an anonymous call and get them help! It's okay to help a friend.
817-469-8477
TEXT: "TIP117 PLUS YOUR MESSAGE" to 274637
VISIT: www.469tips.comGCISD Update | GCISD.net/Spring 2021
Update January 13, 2021
In this past edition:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: GCISD campuses and offices will be closed on Monday, January 18, in observance of the holiday.
Tuition-Based Pre-K Lottery: Families have until January 15 to apply for the tuition-based Pre-K lottery.
GCISD Grad Breaking Barriers: Colleyville Heritage alum Bianca Smith was recently hired by the Boston Red Sox, making her the first Black woman to coach in professional baseball.
Spring 2021 Guide: The GCISD Spring 2021 Guide is the District's official document containing health and safety protocols.
Texas Legislative Session: The 87th Texas Legislative Session is now underway and GCISD has compiled some helpful resources for its community.
Free Meals Continue: The USDA waiver allowing GCISD to offer free meals in elementary and middle school cafeterias continues through the school year. Also, curbside meals are available each Wednesday and free to all children.
What's For Dinner?: GCISD's Take and Bake Meals have returned and are available each Tuesday and Thursday throughout January.
Scholarship Opportunity for 7th Grade Students
Tuition Based Pre-K Lottery
The Pre-K Tuition Based lottery application will open at 8:30 a.m. on January 5, 2021 and close at 10:00 p.m. on January 15, 2021. Families interested in tuition based pre-k need to complete this application. Students meeting Texas state eligibility criteria will be able to apply and qualify in April 2021. For more information on tuition and pre-k qualifications visit WWW.GCISD.NET/PREK or contact gcisd.pk@gcisd.net
Lotería de Prekíndergarten Basado en Pago de Cuotas Escolares
La solicitud para la lotería del programa de Pre-K basado en pago de cuotas escolares se abrirá el 5 de enero a las 8:30 am y cerrará a las 10:00 pm el 15 de enero. Las familias interesadas en el programa de Pre-K a base de pago deben completar esta solicitud. Los estudiantes que cumplan con los criterios de elegibilidad del estado de Texas podrán solicitar y calificar en abril de 2021. Para obtener más información sobre la matrícula y los requisitos de prekínder, visite WWW.GCISD.NET/PREK o comuníquese con gcisd.pk@gcisd.net.
2nd Nine Weeks CMS Report Card
PRE-AP LABEL CHANGE
Next school year, the College Board will be requiring school districts to pay a fee if they use the Pre-AP label for any of their courses. This fee is an annual fee that is per course, per campus. GCISD along with many neighboring districts, have decided not to purchase the use of the Pre-AP label in an effort to remain fiscally responsible.
Beginning in the 2021-22 school year, GCISD will be implementing the title change to “Advanced” for all courses formerly known as Pre-AP. This change will be reflected in the 2021-22 Course Selection Guide set to release in January of 2021. As an example, Pre-AP World History will now be labeled as World History Advanced.
GCISD will use AP's guidelines to ensure the rigor of both middle school and high school courses. Classes now labeled “Advanced” will remain the same weight as the PreAP courses they are replacing. GCISD will continue to work with the College Board through our AP offerings.