Principal P's Friday Message
May 20, 2022
A Message from Principal P
I have received questions regarding behavior and discipline at Camillus Middle School at different times throughout the school year. Often it is in response to an incident that occurs and is then discussed on social media. As I discussed in a previous communication, the information is often inaccurate or not being portrayed within its full context.
There are close to 700 students at CMS and they are all doing their best when they walk through the doors. One person's best might look different from another person's best. It might even look different from day to day. But I know all of our students want to be the best they can be.
There are days when, despite a student's best efforts, they may make a choice that results in having a consequence. This comes as no surprise since all adolescents make mistakes at some point growing up. Our hope is in those moments we have an opportunity to teach our students how to do better. I wanted to share with you our philosophy and approach to discipline at CMS.
I look forward to the remainder of this school year and thank you for the support and the feedback I have received.
Better Together,
Mrs. P
Discipline Philosophy
We believe teaching our students how to be safe, responsible, respectful, and kind individuals takes a village. We all play a unique role in helping our students understand how their choices not only impact themselves, but the community they are a part of.
Discipline Process
Our responsibility as administrators is to abide by the West Genesee School District’s Code of Conduct. This means when a student violates the code of conduct discipline is assigned. The level of discipline is determined by the severity and the frequency of unacceptable behavior. Examples of consequences include warnings, lunch detention, ISS, OSS along with the parent/guardian/caregiver being notified.
In addition to consequences, our most important responsibility in the disciplinary process is to educate our students on how to make better choices and to provide opportunities for them to repair the damage caused by their actions.
This part of the process takes a village. It is our goal for teachers and support staff, to work alongside families and administration to foster meaningful relationships with our students so they can develop a skill set to empower themselves to make choices that are safe, responsible, respectful, and kind.
What's Happening at CMS
Cell Phones
Staff at CMS was recently surveyed in regard to cell phone use during the school day. Our CMS Staff Guiding Coalition will be working with administration to update our cell phone policy for the 2022-2023 school year.
To prepare our 7th graders for these changes, to build better habits with our 8th graders, and to minimize inappropriate use of cell phones, the following was announced to students this afternoon and discussed in their 9th-period classes. Please support our staff by going over these expectations at home with your student(s).
This serves as a reminder of our existing expectations for cell phone use. The only change is students are being asked to keep their phones out of sight in the hallways.
- During the school day cell phones should be off and out of sight in classrooms and hallways.
- The safest place for cell phones is your locker.
- Hallways include standing in the lunch line and when walking to classes
- Cell phones are still permitted for use during lunch and breakfast when you are sitting at your table.
- If you need to make a phone call home during the school day you can come to the main office to do so.
Misuse Consequences
First Offense: warning
Second Offense: Teacher confiscation of the phone for the class period and you will put your phone in your locker. Parent contacted by teacher
Third Offense: Cell phone will be confiscated and brought to the main office until the end of the day. Parent Contact by administration
Fourth offense: Cell phone will be dropped off in the main office every day for a week. Parent Contact by administration
End of the Year Celebrations
Thank you to the CMS PTO and 8th-grade celebration committee for working so hard to plan for the 8th-grade end of the year celebration. On June 22 and June 23, all 8th-grade students will participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities to celebrate their time at CMS. The fun activities planned for the students include an assembly, breakfast, raffle prizes, pictures and outdoor activities. At this time we have enough parent volunteers. Donations are still being accepted.
These links are available on the CMS parent page on Facebook as well as below.
https://my.cheddarup.com/c/donations-85732
Tomorrow is the last day for 2026 online T-Shirt orders. Here is the link for online ordering.
Please see attached for additional ordering information.
Our 7th-grade teams are planning community-building activities for our 7th graders to participate in on the half-days. 7th graders will also be given donuts donated by the CMS PTO.
Better Together Parent Coalition
The purpose of the CMS parent coalition is for parents and staff to work together to build, develop and maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all students. We will do this by focusing on relationships, celebrating positive actions and communicating proper ways of reporting negative incidents. By doing this we will become better together at CMS.
Our last meeting for the 2021-2022 school year will be Tuesday, May 24 in the CMS library classroom @ 6:00PM. You can also join us virtually.
Topic: Parent Group- Better Together Coalition Time: May 24, 2022 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://cnyric.zoom.us/j/99764400901?pwd=RFNjeFRsUGF2enFrZWQ3VVVvQzNDQT09 Meeting ID: 997 6440 0901 Passcode: 499614
Mark Your Calendars
May 26
Rain Date for Special Olympics
CMS Middle school students participating in Special Olympics at CNS
May 25- 26
8th Grade NYS Science Performance Exam
May 27-31
Memorial Day Break
Change to end of the year calendar
- June 22- Half-day for students- 8th-grade celebration assembly/7th-grade outdoor activities with team
- June 23- Half-day and last day of school for students-8th grade outdoor celebration