The Mustang Minute
February 4, 2022 - Issue 22
Celebrating Black History Month
February is Black History Month and we use this time to highlight and celebrate Black Achievements. Over the past several years, the Norwood Public Schools has made increased efforts to ensure that Black history is a part of all the history that we teach and to create a curriculum across all subjects that include the many diverse cultures, religions, and ethnicities there are in the world and in Norwood. While our work is far from done, we are enjoying working on the expansion of our curriculum.
For Black History Month we include examples of inventors, artists, authors, scientist, mathematicians and more within our curriculum and do explicit instruction around significant events in Black History in the United States. This Friday, we had planned a lesson and discussion on why February was chosen as Black History Month. Due to the snow, we will move that lesson to next week.
Additionally, last Friday the Rhode Island Black Storytellers returned and Rochelle Coleman regaled our sixth graders with fantastic tales, some fiction and some true, from around the world. He was truly a hypnotic speaker and was enjoyed by our grade 6 students. His performance was an excellent way to launch into Black History Month.
Friendship Club
The next Friendship Club is Monday the 14th with a Valentines theme. Students should sign up with Ms. Forrest in room 100.
Report Card Posting Date Change
Due to the extensive number of absences right before and after the winter break we are moving the report card posting date to Friday, February 11th. This will give students one extra week to turn in missing assignments and provide teachers the chance to grade them. If you child missed an extensive amount of time and may need additional support, please reach out to your grade level guidance counselor. The term will still end on Friday, January 28th (so new semester classes will still begin Monday, January 31st).
A rapt audience
The Rhode Island Black Storytellers
One final question...
Box Tops for the Coakley PTO!
Box Tops - an easy way to earn money for the PTO.
Click on this video to see how.
Free MIT CodeIT Spring Program
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is currently accepting applications for their FREE CodeIt Spring program. This program is targeted to anyone who identifies as a girl or nonnbinary in grades 6-8 with limited to no coding experience. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the program will be completely virtual using Zoom.
Dates: Wednesdays & Sundays from 3/9 to 4/27
Times: 3:00-4:30pm on Sundays & 7:00-8:00pm on Wednesdays
The program is FREE and run by undergraduate students at MIT.
If you are interested, click on this link to apply. Applications are due by Friday, February 18th. Students will be notified by the first week of March if they are in the program.
For questions, email codeit-exec@mit.edu or refer to their website: codeit.mit.edu.
Here's the link to apply - http://tiny.cc/s22codeitapp
National Junior Honor Society
After term 2 the Coakley chapter of the NJHS looks for new members from all grade levels. MS. Harding is the faculty advisor and will be putting in announcements for students over the next few weeks!
February 2 - 11: New applications would be submitted by new members
March 2: New NJHS students would be notified of acceptance
Grade 8 Yearbook Messages
Grade 8: Baby Photos Needed
Grade 8: If you would like to have your adorable baby photo in the yearbook please send your photo to cmsyearbook@norwood.k12.ma.us by February 11th. Please email with any questions.
The PTO Updates!
Questions about the PTO or upcoming events? Email coakleynorwoodPTO@gmail.com
PTO Meeting Dates (4th Tuesday of the month)
February -15th - Learn about the New CMS Proposal
March 22nd
April 26nd
May 24th
June - TBD
Clubs and Teams at CMS
This week, I have a list of clubs that will be starting soon. Next week, we will have start dates and meeting times listed as well.
Friendship Club - Monthly - Sign up in room 100
Student Council - First Meeting Thursday, October 14
Artist Circle - Wednesday 2:10-3:00pm
Yearbook Club - Grade 8 Only: every other Wednesday
Bowling Club - Friday's in January and February
Intramural Sports - Start Early October
Homework Club - Starting September 27th at 2:10 pm in the Library
Drama Club - 1st and 3rd Mondays starting October 4th in room 101
Rocket Club - Spring 2022
Cartooning Club - Meets Mondays, Starting October 25th
Math Team - First meeting Thursday, September 28th
More to come!
Absence, Tardy, Dismissal Process
Absence Process
As we head into the winter season, I wanted to clarify how to call your child in for an Absence, tardy, or for dismissal. I will also leave this info at the bottom of all future newsletters for easy referral.
If you need to call your child in absent or tardy, please call the student absent line: 781-762-7880 and press #1. Please state your child's first and last name, the date, and the reason for the absence/tardy (sick, appointment, etc)
If your child needs to be dismissed, have your child bring a note from you to school, come to the main office in the morning and fill out a dismissal slip.
Dr. Margo Fraczek
Email: mfraczek@norwood.k12.ma.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/norwood.k12.ma.us/cms-principal/home
Phone: 781-762-7880
Facebook: facebook.com/CoakleyMIddleSchoolPTO
Twitter: @mfraczek