PANTHER PROWL
CIMARRON MIDDLE SCHOOL JANUARY 2019
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Cimarron Families,
Welcome back to the Spring Semester at Cimarron Middle School! I hope you had a wonderful winter break and look forward to the excitement of the spring semester.
This semester our 8th graders prepare for high school with Freshman orientation, enrollment, tours, and other fun events. Spring sports, musical rehearsals, second-semester electives, #THINKBEFOREYOUPOST initiative, and tours from incoming 5th graders are also on our calendar.
As you start this new semester, take a couple of minutes to reflect on the events that took place last semester. Help your student be successful this semester by encouraging them to really work hard these first nine weeks. This is a long stretch before Spring Break and a valuable time for our students to grow academically.
Remember, you have a family supporting you and your thoughts and actions matter to us all. Face each day with a positive outlook and make the most of each day. Know you are cared for and loved as a Panther.
Sincerely,
Gabe Schmidt
Principal of Cimarron MS
#ThinkBeforeYouPost
P.S. We are out of school January 21st for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day “The time is always right to do what is right.”
#THINKBEFOREYOUPOST
Edmond Public Schools is beginning the New Year with an initiative aimed at raising awareness among students and families of the ills that lurk within and beyond the screens of social media.
The goal of the district’s #ThinkBeforeYouPost initiative is to educate students and parents about the serious consequences that can arise as a result of posting and/or reposting hoax threats, obscene photos of themselves or others, or hate speech and bullying. In recent months, Edmond has seen a significant rise in the number of erroneous social media posts, especially ones regarding school safety. Each post had to be fully investigated to determine its credibility.
The district is partnering with the Edmond Police Department to present the message to students. School Resource Officer Sgt. Pearson will visit Cimarron January 15 to speak to students about their digital footprint, how to responsibly report any safety concerns they may see on social media and the repercussions of posting or reposting false information.
“It is very important to understand that sharing legitimate information about a potentially unsafe situation is welcome and we never want to prevent that,” said School Resource Officer Derick Pickard. “However, when someone changes, embellishes, or fabricates information it can have serious consequences that can include criminal charges.”
Edmond’s campaign mirrors the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s hashtag campaign which was launched last year after the FBI experienced a spike in hoax threats in the aftermath of tragic shootings such as the one at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. Resources from the F.B.I. hashtag campaign, as well as other educational materials about social media use, will be posted to the district’s website, www.edmondschools.net.
IMPORTANT DATES - CLASS OF 2023
Attention 8th Grade students and families. Mark your calendars for these important dates:
Friday, January 18
- 9:15 am - 10:25 am Tour at EMHS
Thursday, January 24
- 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm Parent Meeting for parents of students with IEPs (Special Education) Meeting held in the Choir Room
- 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm Freshman Enrollment Information for incoming 9th-grade students and their parents. Meeting held in the Auditorium.
- 7:15 pm - 8:00 pm SHOWCASE: Academic Fair/Dog Show held in the Commons.
PreAP and AP courses are explained at Orientation. At the SHOWCASE, each department will have a table with information about courses. Discover opportunities for clubs, organizations, activities, and sports.
Wednesday, January 30
- 1st and 2nd hour Pre-Enrollment Assembly for 8th Grade Students. ENROLLMENT PACKETS go home today and are due back to Cimarron on or before February 6!
Tuesday, February 12
- Counselors will be at Cimarron to help students enter course requests.
Tuesday, February 26
- 4:45 pm - 7:00 pm Enrollment Questions & Answer Night - LAST NAMES A - L at Edmond Memorial. Freshman advisors meet individually with each student and their parents to answer any questions they may have about enrollment, sports, and elective classes. Families served on a first-come, first served basis!
Wednesday, February 27
- 4:45 pm - 7:00 pm Enrollment Questions & Answer Night - LAST NAMES M - Z at Edmond Memorial. Freshman advisors meet individually with each student and their parents to answer any questions they may have about enrollment, sports, and elective classes. Families served on a first-come, first served basis!
CHROMEBOOK INSURANCE
Due to requests, EPS has established a Chromebook Student Technology Protection Plan (STPP) purchase window from January 9th to January 23rd. During this time period, families may purchase the STPP for $30. It will cover the remainder of the 2018-2019 school year.
The process to purchase the STPP is as follows:
Students will go to our Media Center with the $30, the device and the charger so it can be inspected to ensure all are functioning. The inspection will verify that the device
is in the case,
is working,
has a working screen
and the power cord will charge the device.
The administrator, Chromebook manager or technology coach will send an email or walk with the young man or young woman to the Financial Secretary so they can pay the $30.
Our Financial Secretary will accept the money and mark the Mid-year STPP fee inside of InTouch.
All charges or fines before the purchase date must be paid in full before the next school year.
**The mid year STPP is not retroactive.**
PROJECT ALERT
Each day, America’s teenagers are bombarded with misleading messages about drugs. Glamorized by media and endorsed by peers, the consequences of drug use and experimentation are dangerously disguised, and often hidden altogether. The reality is that drug use can alter a teen’s life forever. That is why every student should be given the tools to make a decision against using drugs.
This year, Edmond Public Schools is launching in each middle school a research-based and proven curriculum, Project ALERT. Project ALERT is a free classroom-based substance abuse prevention program proven to:
- Reduce the experimental and continued use of drugs.
- Motivate students against drug use.
- Provide skills and strategies to resist drugs.
- Establish new non-use attitudes and beliefs.
Two student assistance counselors have been contracted in order to provide experienced expertise in the area of adolescent substance use. Billy Samuel and Derek Talkington are the co-owners and founders of CLASSEN9, a premier treatment, consulting and community development practice in Oklahoma City. Billy holds a BA and MA from the University of Central Oklahoma and has been a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor since 2011. Derek is a licensed addiction and mental health therapist in Oklahoma. He is a skilled program director and clinician with experience in various outpatient and residential addiction treatment centers.
IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE REMINDERS
Absences should be reported on the day a student is out, including how many days absence is anticipated, by contacting the Cimarron office at 405-340-2935. Students may then submit documentation upon return, or ask the provider to fax notes directly to the Cimarron office at 405-330-3398.
Original documentation is required for all medical, judicial, bereavement and religious absences. Per district policy, please make parent notifications to excuse absences within 5 days of the event. Attendance policy information may be found in the Student Handbook @ the following link:
PANTHER ATHLETICS
Spring sports Parent Meeting is February 11 at 6:00 pm.
Please check our Panther website or Rank One for dates and further details.
Spring Sports Coaches:
7/8 Boys Golf dan.ashpole@edmondschools.net
7/8 Girls Golf abby.wolf@edmondschools.net
7/8 Head Boys/Girls Tennis ryan.trenary@edmondschools.net
7/8 Asst. Boys/Girls Tennis kristin.linholm@edmondschools.net
7/8 Head Boys Track michael.mcgrew@edmondschools.net
7/8 Asst. Boys Track quinnton.wells@edmondschools.net
7/8 Head Girls Track kim.baratz@edmondschools.net
7/8 Asst. Girls Track miranda.talbert@edmondschools.net
8 Head Baseball matt.loch@edmondschools.net
8 Asst. Baseball dwight.justus@edmondschools.net
Eligibility is run every Wednesday evening and if a student is on probation, they have that week to make it up and will still be able to compete the following week (Monday-Saturday). If they are ineligible they will not be able to compete the following week and must get their grade up before the next eligibility is ran or the student will not be able to compete the following week (Monday-Saturday).
Go Panthers!!
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK!
Have you ordered your yearbook? The price goes up to $40 on February 22, so visit jostens.com and order soon!
8th Grade students - order your tribute for the yearbook NOW! Please print the form and return it and your money to Mrs. Maple in the library by January 25. Photos and text will need to be emailed to laura.maple@edmondschools.net. Pictures must be in JPEG format.
PERSONAL DEVICES
In remaining consistent with our middle school practice, personal devices will be allowed prior to the first school bell at 7:40 and after the last bell at 2:40.
We recognize that personal devices are part of the everyday world we live in as well as our future, and know the amazing capability that today’s technology brings to our life. We are seeking to increase classroom engagement and reduce outside distractions, and we appreciate your support in this transition. Should a need arise for an urgent message to your child, we will be happy to help with that communication through our office at 405.340.2935.
CPTO DATES TO REMEMBER!
January 17 CPTO Meeting at 8:30 am in the Media Center. All are invited to attend!
January 22 - Marco's Pizza!
January 30 - CPTO Pizza Day
February 21 - Papa Murphy's Take 'n Bake Pizza
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
January 18 FUN FOOD FRIDAY!
January 21 No School! Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!
January 30 CPTO Pizza Day!
February 1 FUN FOOD FRIDAY!
March 7, 8 & 9 - Oklahoma, Jr. Musical!
Check out the Cimarron calendar at https://cimarron.edmondschools.net/calendar/ for other important dates!
GOOD TO KNOW
- In the event of a school emergency/situation, Mr. Schmidt will communicate quickly to parents through the SchoolWay app. If you have a smartphone, please download this app: www.myschoolway.com, select Cimarron and set up your device for push notifications.
- If you are having problems with your Parent Portal account, e-mail: parentportalhelp@edmondschools.net
- Panther Pals are parent volunteers helping on a weekly basis in the workroom. Contact the CPTO to sign up!
- Pizza Day is a monthly event during lunch hosted by the CPTO. The money raised benefits Cimarron! The circle of…pizza! $1 per slice / $10 per box, $1 - Drinks
- Fun Food Friday is a twice a month sweet treat fundraiser for students. Everything is $1 and sold during the day by our awesome Panther Parents. Cash/check only!
- Panther Grill is a monthly luncheon for students who are nominated by their teachers for displaying a recognizable positive character trait.
- The Golden Paw/AOK Award Assembly is a monthly grade level assembly to recognize and commend students for exceptional qualities.
- Please continue to collect Box Tops. They all add up to benefit Cimarron Panthers!
- This Panther Prowl newsletter is produced monthly by Cimarron Middle School. If you have submissions, photos or suggestions, please contact Mr. Schmidt’s secretary, Robbi Kinnaird at robbi.kinnaird@edmondschools.net. We would love to hear from you.
CIMARRON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal Gabe Schmidt
Assistant Principal Carrie Higdon
Assistant Principal Link Lowe
School Hours - 7:50 AM - 2:40 PM
Office Hours - 7:15 AM - 3:15 PM.
Email: robbi.kinnaird@edmondschools.net
Website: cimarron.edmondschools.net
Location: 3701 South Bryant Avenue, Edmond, OK, United States
Phone: 405.340.2935
Facebook: facebook.com/cimarron.panthers