The Mustang Minute
December 1, 2023 - Issue 15
Chromebook Care
Chromebook Care: Home and School
Our technology department has noticed an increase number of Chromebooks coming in for repairs caused by neglect and mishandling. we are going to start doing routine checks of Chromebook each week during Mustang Block. The most common issues are screen that have been broken and keys removed. Most of the time, screen are broken when students place pencils, headphones, papers and other items inside their Chromebook before closing it. Keys are only removed by a very physical force - meaning it is likely a person removing the keys. While insurance covers accidental breakage, it does not cover intentional breakage or repeated damage caused by neglect. Next week we will be covering Chromebook care and damage cost with students during Mustang Block as well. We appreciate your support at home by having a stationary location for students to place their Chromebook to charge and reviewing good Chromebook care with your child.
Common Repairs and Costs
Broken Screens - $45
Replace Keyboards - $60
Replace Chargers - $35
New Chromebook - $265
Norwood Christmas Collection
Attention CMS Families, we are starting our annual Holiday Drive this Monday, December 4th. We will be collecting Gift Cards, Norwood Gear, Local Sports Gear, Winter Attire, and Headphones. All donations are for middle school age students and should be brought to Miss Siegel in M4 or Mrs. Bayiates in M1. We will be collecting until Monday, December 18. If you are a family in need please reach out to our guidance department, Ms. King, Ms. Tucker, or Ms. McCaffrey.
Requested Items
Gift Cards: Grocery Stores, Clothing Stores, Amazon, Target, etc.
Norwood Gear: All forms and all sizes welcome
Sports Gear (Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins)
Winter Attire
Electronics: Earbuds, games, etc
Nurses Corner
NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
During the week of January 29th (note the date change), the Coakley Middle School nurses and guidance counselors will be conducting SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment) screening for all 7th graders. This screening is required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 71, Section 97.
The purpose of SBIRT screening is to offer conversation and information to help prevent students from starting to use alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, marijuana or other drugs, or to intervene early in substance use. Student screening sessions will be brief, approximately 5 minutes, and conducted confidentially and privately in a one-to-one meeting with a school nurse or guidance counselor. Students who are not using substances will have their healthy choices reinforced. The nurse or guidance counselor will provide feedback or referral for further evaluation to students who report using substances, or are at risk for future substance use. All students will be asked to complete an anonymous evaluation of the screening, and will receive some educational material and a resource list at the time of the screening.
Results of the SBIRT screening will not be included in your student’s school record. Nor will screening information be shared with any staff without student and parent written permission. As with any school screening you have the right to opt your child out of this screening. The request to opt out must be in writing. Please contact Tova Sperber, RN via e-mail tsperber@norwood.k12.ma.us if you wish to exclude your child from this screening. Additionally, screening is voluntary and students may choose not to answer any or all of the screening questions.
One way to prevent youth substance use is to talk with your child about your family’s thoughts and expectations regarding substance use. Research shows that parent influence is the #1 reason young people decide not to drink alcohol. Some resources that can help parents start these discussions can be found at:
Together, schools and parents CAN make a difference for the youth in Norwood.
Sincerely,
Jill Driscoll, MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN
Nurse Leader, Norwood Public Schools
Grade 8 Baby Pictures!
Hello parents and guardians,
The yearbook club would greatly appreciate it if you could help us out by sending us a cute, fun, or embarrassing baby picture of your 8th grader. Please be sure to include your child's first and last name, as well as their team in the email. You can send your pictures to cmsyearbook@norwood.k12.ma.us. The deadline for submitting a baby photo is Friday December 1st.
Thank you for helping us!
Your 8th grade Yearbook Club
No School and Early Release Days
December 14: Early release for Professional Development
December 22nd: Early Release Winter Break
Dec 23-January 2, 2024: Winter Break, No School
The PTO Needs You!
Coakley PTO
The PTO is a parent/teacher organization that helps fund a variety of activities at CMS from assemblies, to field trips, to classroom projects and more. We would love for everyone to be a part of the PTO!
PTO meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm both virtually and in person. The dates are listed below a link to the meeting online is sent out the day of the meeting.
Next Meeting: December 19th (adjusted for winter break)
January 23rd
February 27th
March 26th
April 23rd
May 28th
June 18th
Notes from November PTO Meeting
Guests in attendance/contact info
Margo Fraczek, CMS Principal, mfraczek@norwood.k12.ma.us
Eileen Siegel, CMS Teacher, esiegel@norwood.k12.ma.us
Bob Blood, Impact Norwood, rblood@norwoodma.gov
Conor Brosnan, Impact Norwood, cbrosnan@norwoodma.gov
AGENDA
Special Guests
Bob Blood and Conor Brosnan
Impact Norwood Presentation
Group in Norwood created in 2014 during height of opioid crisis
Coakley students recently took Metrowest adolescent health survey- data will be available in the spring
Results of 2021 survey- increased mental health concerns and relation to substance abuse
Group is made up of student reps (middle and high school), community members, police officers
Provide info and support to parents
Current initiatives include: clean up events, “wellness” magazine, senior center discussion series between youth and seniors, etc…
How to get involved: email cbrosnan@norwoodma.gov to be added to mailing list, next meeting at the library on November 30th
Youth ambassadors have created literature that is student friendly
Kim will be in contact with Bob/Connor about more info regarding educating families
Katie- concerns re: activities available for kids after school to stay out of trouble (especially on ½ days)
Parents to offer classes after school? (instead of teachers only)
Possible activities being offered at library (unrelated to Impact Norwood) as another place for students to go after school
Principal Update
7th grade evening event on December 15th (move to January 19th)
Due to teacher availability
Will be a dance, 6:30-8:30
8th grade dance- around Valentine’s day
For spring- Teen fun nights (one per grade)
DC Trip Update on Scholarships - $4920 received, waiting on additional checks for the remaining balance of $7500 that is needed. (additional check $400 at CMS) (final total=$6387.50)
Margo seeking out a few more local businesses for donations
Possible Teacher Breakfast? Week leading up to December break- Wednesday the 20th, 114 staff members, Katie will create sign up genius for utensils/plates/etc…, Rob proposed spending PTO money for bagels and cream cheese, Katie seconded, passed unanimously, also include Venmo info if parents want to donate money towards teacher appreciation- info to be included in Mustang Minute and Parent Square
Teacher Update
Katie offered her blow up movie screen if the school wants to do a movie event
Cultural day for grade 6 on 12/21
7th grade to A Christmas Carol on 12/19
From Alisha re: welcome event for new to Norwood families-
I called the Savage Center and Rec Center for a welcome event for new to Norwood families. Savage is cheaper to rent at $43.50/hr for custodians. I have the form to complete if we decide to move forward
Ms. Siegel would like to move forward. Sam will have Alisha connect with her directly (Alisha was unable to attend the meeting)
Treasurer’s Update- Rob
Incoming money (fundraising) $2666.21 (DC not included)
6th Grade Dance = $556
PTO Dues - $1120
No Fuss - $60
Bank Interest - $3.97
Spirit Wear - $393.70
Dine Out - JnJ - $157.54
Spirit of Giving - $375
DC Donations = $4920.00* Passthrough
Outgoing money (budget requests/payments) - $5351.80
Student of Month Daddy’s Dairy Gift Cards - $431.80
DC Trip Scholarships - $4920* Passthrough
PTO Funds
Bank Balance = $13,573.35
Outgoing = -$5351.80
Funds Available = $8221.55
Board Member Updates
Dine outs- Chateau (11/30)- Kim
Coal Fired Pizza: Sam will check Coakley PTO email for contact info
Barbecue restaurant at Honeydew reached out to Katie: Sam will put Kim in contact with Katie to get contact info
McDonald’s on Route 1 (previously- teachers serve students): Sam will check Coakley PTO email for contact info
Juice Bar?
From Rec Center via Alisha:
Rec Center is doing an event on 1/12/2024 for 6-7 graders with games, henna tattoo. Impact Norwood will partner for volunteers but they are looking for ideas etc. Can the info be shared in the Mustang Minute? (Sam will write up blurb and send to Margo)
8th grade Committee- In January Margo will reach out via Mustang Minute too seek members
Winner Wheel- will extend deadline another week
Fire in South Norwood displaced 3 families including 4 students, Officer Baguma reached out to Katie to set up Go Fund Me- sent out by Dr. Thomson, once lodging is secured there will be requests for clothing, furniture, etc.. If you know of any 2-3 bedroom apartments in Norwood please reach out to Katie, if school sees need for anything for middle schooler please reach out to PTO, Coakley is also doing their own collection
Fundraiser idea from PTO member Katie Rizzo: event at Hometown Arcade at Winsmith Mills (could be kids only, families, or parents only), $30 pp including snacks, no money up front, split profits 50/50, can do cash bar and get one day liquor permit (for parents night), OR pay $600 up front and charge what we want and take all profit (minus initial costs), add bake sale- Katie willing to help plan, arcade dealing with zoning laws- event should take place by March, will revisit at December meeting
Please email coakleynorwoodPTO@gmail.com or mfraczek@norwood.k12.ma.us if you are interested in volunteering or being a part of the PTO!
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