Colt Corner
Colleyville Middle School
November 20, 2020
Colts,
As we look ahead to Thanksgiving next week, I am thankful for all of our Colt families. Thank you for your encouragement, understanding, and flexibility this year. Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.
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
November 23 - 27 - Thanksgiving Break
December 7 - 7th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
December 10 - 8th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
December 14 - 7th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
December 11 - 18 - Exam Week Schedule here
December 17 - 8th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
December 17 - Early Release - 12:10
December 18 - Early Release- 12:10
December 21 - January 5 - Winter Break
In This Colt Corner Edition:
Thanksgiving Break Next Week / COVID Case Tracker & Notification
Assignment Deadline - 2nd nine-weeks all assignments deadline for students.
December 16-18, Exam Week Schedule
Middle of the Year Math and Reading Universal Screeners - Assessment information.
Congratulations to our Band Students - 36 Colts make this year’s All-Region Band!
Dropped off items - Review of drop off guidelines
Attendance/Vestibule Guideline Reminders - Review of guidelines
Counselors Corner:
8th Grade four year high school planning
Four Year Planning for Remote Students
Collegiate Academy Applications
Play It Safe Student Lessons
Mental Health
Character Strong
Friends For Life Hotline
Repeated Information:
GCISD November , Update: Repeated information from GCISD's Update email overview.
Changing Your Instructional Model: New window to change opens November 16th.
Aim For Success - Student presentations at CMS will be on December 2nd for 8th graders.
Collegiate Academy - Applications now being accepted for 8th grade Colts.
Thanksgiving Break Next Week / COVID Case Tracker & Notification
Thanksgiving Break Next Week
All GCISD campuses and district offices will be closed next week (November 23-27) for Thanksgiving Break. All students and staff will return to school on Monday, November 30. Additionally, curbside meal bundles will not be served next Wednesday (November 25). Meals will be available today (November 18), then again on Wednesday, December 2.
During the Thanksgiving Break, campuses will not be regularly sending notifications to families about test-confirmed positive COVID-19 cases. Positive cases should still be reported to campus nurse (sophia.martin@gcisd.net - CMS Nurse) during the break, contact tracing will be conducted and close contacts will be directly notified as normal.
On Sunday, November 29, campuses will notify families of any test-confirmed positive COVID-19 cases that have been reported during the break. Also, during Thanksgiving Break, GCISD's online COVID-19 Case Tracker will only be updated on Sunday, November 29.
Thank you for your understanding as GCISD staff, students and families enjoy a much-deserved break.
Assignment deadline for the 2nd Nine weeks & Exam Dates
Dec. 16-18, Exam Week Schedule
Middle of the Year Math and Reading Universal Screeners
Students will be taking their Middle of the Year Math and Reading Universal Screeners through AimsWeb sometime between November 30th and December 18th. These assessments help teachers and campus leadership make important decisions to personalize learning for our Colts here at CMS. More information about specific testing dates will be communicated with students by teachers soon.
For our remote students, here are some helpful videos for helping your student get logged in to AimsWeb.
2020 All-Region Results - Congratulations!
Last week, we had 61 CMS Band students submit recordings for the 2020 All-Region Band Auditions. Over the weekend, band directors throughout the region listened to these recordings and we now officially have the results! We are so proud of all the hard work that EVERY student has put into this process! Especially this year, with our 7th graders not getting a traditional beginning band experience last year and the pandemic prohibiting us from doing band as normal. Colt Country could not be any happier with our students and how well they handled this entire process.
Our students competed with others from 27 different schools - Southlake Carroll ISD, Birdville ISD, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, and Irving ISD. There are three All-Region Bands- the Wind Symphony (1st Band), Symphonic Band (2nd Band), and Concert Band (3rd Band).
We are excited to announce that we have had 36 students make this year’s All-Region Band which was the most from any of the 27 schools! We also had 4 students rank 1st out of all students on their instruments (oboe, french horn, euphonium, & tuba) What an amazing testament to the work by our Colts and directors, Ms. Jones, and Mr. Prescott, and our students and their hard work even during this pandemic!
Flute
Abby Nguyen, Symphonic Band, 4th Chair
Alessandra Wiginton, Symphonic Band, 5th Chair
Adrianna Takacs, Concert Band, 6th Chair
Anna Rowntree, Concert Band, 8th Chair
Oboe
Madeline Shepherd, Wind Symphony, 1st Chair
Eshaan Joshi, Concert Band, 2nd Chair
Clarinet
Jusun Chung, Wind Symphony, 4th Chair
Tanvi Bhatt, Wind Symphony, 5th Chair
Tobi Pinero, Symphonic Band, 1st Chair
David V., Symphonic Band, 3rd Chair
Leila Ahardan, Symphonic Band, 8th Chair
Nathan Park, Concert Band, 4th Chair
Bass Clarinet
Genesis Sepeda, Wind Symphony, 2nd Chair
Natalie Bender, Symphonic Band, 2nd Chair
Alto Saxophone
Ellen Davidsaver, Wind Symphony, 2nd Chair
Wills Hudak, Symphonic Band, 1st Chair
Tenor Sax
Holden Abrahams, Wind Symphony, 2nd Chair
Nicholas Curb, Concert Band, 1st Chair
Bari Sax
Landon Shaver, Concert Band, 2nd Chair
Trumpet
Madi Kress, Concert Band, 10th Chair
French Horn
Lydia Wood, Wind Symphony, 1st Chair
Jacob Simpson, Wind Symphony, 5th Chair
Rylan Brackin, Wind Symphony, 8th Chair
Nathanael Davis, Symphonic Band, 1st Chair
Parker Pettit, Concert Band, 3rd Chair
Trombone
Joel Zavala, Wind Symphony, 3rd Chair
Sammy Ditto, Wind Symphony, 5th Chair
Michael Utorka, Wind Symphony, 7th Chair
Evan Kobes, Symphonic Band, 3rd Chair
Elizabeth McElroy, Concert Band, 3rd Chair
Euphonium
Justin Chen, Wind Symphony, 1st Chair
Tuba
June Eickholt, Wind Symphony, 1st Chair
Carissa Smith, Symphonic Band, 1st Chair
Caleb Taylor, Symphonic Band, 3rd Chair
Percussion
Eli Kim, Symphonic Band, 8th Chair
Hudson Abrahams, Concert Band, 4th Chair
Dropped off Items
Counselors’ Corner For The Week Of November 30 - December 4
8th Grade Parents
4 Year Planning: Counselors are wrapping up their meetings with 8th graders and plan to be completely finished prior to Christmas break in December. If your student has not already turned in or emailed their completed template to their counselor please have them do so as soon as possible. If the template is not completed and emailed to counselors, students will select courses during their meeting with their counselor. After your student’s counselor puts their plan in Skyward, you will receive an email requesting that you review and electronically sign both the plan and the endorsement(s).
In January, high school counselors will come to CMS and meet with students individually and use the 9th grade courses that we enter into Skyward to create freshman schedules. Students will have the opportunity to change course selections at this time.
* On the template linked below, select core classes and electives for 9th grade, but only select core classes for 10-12 grade (not electives). While students will be filling out information for all four years of high school, only the 9th grade year will be used for scheduling. The 10-12 grade core course selection is only a “plan” and will not become a student’s future schedule. Students will make course selections every year throughout high school.
4 Year Planning for Remote Students: Counselors have been sending Webex invitations to remote learners to review 4 year plans and endorsements. Please make sure your student checks their school email account and accepts the invitation when they receive it.
If you have any questions, please email us and we will be happy to help you! We want you and your student to make the most informed decisions possible so that your student is fully prepared for high school and feels confident about their course selections and endorsement choices.
8th grade 4 year plan meeting video
4 Year Plan Template for Parents
GCISD Course Selection Guide 20-21
Freshman Course Selection Sheet
Sophomore Course Selection Sheet
Collegiate Academy Applications: The Collegiate Academy application window for the 2021-2022 school year is now open (please see the link below). If you have any questions, please contact Riley Cavanagh, counselor at CA.
Collegiate Academy application
CBE Online Registration is now open on the GCISD Website for the Online testing dates of Feb. 8-18, 2021.
Credit By Exam Registration and Information
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 (new date)
(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 SELFLESSNESS for the month of December. 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. December Commitment 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: Take a Hike
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/Fall2020
Update November 18, 2020
Thanksgiving Break: Campus and district offices are closed next week. Read below for information regarding curbside meals and COVID-19 notifications during this time.
Runoff Election: A runoff election has been ordered for GCISD's Board of Trustees Place 5. Information regarding early voting and election day is now available.
Changing Instructional Models: The window to change from remote to in-person learning for the third grading period is open until December 4. To make this change, families must complete a form in Skyward.
Where Are They Now?: GCISD caught up with GHS and Stanford alumna Lea Coligado. Read her story, then nominate someone for GCISD's "Where Are They Now?" series.
Free Meals Available: The USDA has extended a waiver allowing GCISD to offer free meals now through June 2021. Meals are free in elementary and middle school cafeterias, and curbside meal bundles are free to all children.
What's For Dinner?: GCISD has released its December "Take and Bake Meals" menu, and also will soon offer special holiday appetizers and desserts.
Changing Your Instructional Model
As a reminder, parents are able to switch from in-person to remote learning at any point during the school year. In order to make this change, please contact the campus counselor.
For families that are wishing to change from remote to in-person learning, that may only be done at the end of a grading period. The process for changing to in-person learning requires parents to log in to Skyward Family Access and complete the changing instructional models form prior to the end of the nine-week grading period. Instructions on where to find the form and how to complete it can be found here.
Below is a schedule of when the form will become available, when the form must be received by the campus, and when the change will go into effect:
To change after the second nine weeks, parents must complete the form between November 16 and December 4. Your student would begin receiving in-person instruction on January 6.
To change after the third nine weeks, parents must complete the form between February 14 and February 26. Your student would begin receiving in-person instruction on March 22.
If you have any questions regarding the timing of when parents may change the instructional model selected, or the associated process, please contact the campus counselor.
AIM FOR SUCCESS
GCISD has partnered with Aim for Success to provide sexuality instruction to your children. According to the Texas Education Code, all parents are required to be notified of the upcoming instruction and given the opportunity to preview all of the content the students will be receiving. The Parent Preview date has already passed (it was advertised in the Principal Smore.) If you still have questions, do not hesitate to visit the Aim for Success website at www.aimforsuccess.org or contact the school.
The student presentations at CMS will be on December 2nd for 8th graders and February 26th for 6th graders. Students in these grade levels will participate in the presentation unless an opt out letter is received.
Aim for Success English Opt-out letter