The Mustang Minute
January 14, 2022 - Issue 19
Dr. King's Dream
On Monday, we will celebrate Dr. King and the great good he accomplished. Many years ago I was fortunate to travel to Atlanta to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Park at his and his father's home church. It was a truly moving and powerful experience. One important aspect of Dr. King's message is that it should resonate throughout the year. Black History extends much farther that the month of February and is more than a few brief moments in time, it is a part of all of American History. During this school year, I have enjoyed watching students working on writing through the lens of Amanda Gorman's poems, viewed students exploring the many cultures that are part of the CMS community, and observed lessons on the resurgence of Indigenous languages around our country.
It is our diversity that makes us stronger as a community and Dr. Martin Luther King Day is a great opportunity to remember and celebrate that strength. I leave you with some powerful words from Dr. King:
"All life is interrelated. The agony of the poor impoverishes the rich; the betterment of the poor enriches the rich. We are inevitably our brother's keeper because we are our brother's brother. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly."
Bus Parking for Afternoon Pick-up
New Covid Contact Procedures
The district is taking steps to streamline our process. One method is to email families with students identified as close contacts versus calling. Please check your Aspen account to ensure we have the most accurate email for you on file. The email where you receive this newsletter will likely be the one the nurse uses as well.
If you would like your child to be pre-authorized to participate in Test and Stay (reducing the chance that they will be sent home from school or quarantined) please click the link below and fill out the consent form. You will still be notified if your child is a close contact, this just streamlines the use of test and stay to keep your child at school.
Additionally, I will no longer be sending out letters identifying close contacts in classrooms. It is the sad fact that a very large number of students have been in a classroom with a positive student at this point. As some parents can attest, we were sending out multiple letters about multiple students on the same team. Once we get past this surge, we should be able to put some of these communications back in place.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions.
Grade 8 Yearbook Messages
Grade 8: Blast from the Past
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 Needs You!
Questions about the PTO or upcoming events? Email coakleynorwoodPTO@gmail.com
Welcome to our newest board member Martine Burnsed!
PTO Meeting Dates (4th Tuesday of the month)
January 25th
February - TBD
March 22nd
April 26nd
May 24th
June - TBD
A New CMS
"The Town of Norwood's Middle School Building Committee is working with lead architect Ai3 and project manager Compass on the design of a proposed new Coakley Middle School. To learn more about the work of the Middle School Building Committee please take a look at these videos."
(insert video links)
"For additional information visit the project's website at https://newcmsproject.org/"
Or check out the following videos:
https://clientportal.vertexeng.com/dl/v35Ecqpiax
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 - First Meeting, Wednesday, October 27th during MB - sign up in room 100
Student Council - First Meeting Thursday, October 14
Artist Circle - Wednesday 2:10-3:00pm
Yearbook Club - Grade 8 Only Starts October 6th in 201 (every other Wednesday)
Bowling Club - Begins in January 2022
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