Colt Corner
#TeamCMS
February 21, 2020
Colts,
We had some annual events take place this week like the Incoming 6th Grade Information Night, 8th grade panoramic picture, and school book fair, which are all indicators that we are coming close to beginning the last quarter of the school year. With spring break just two weeks away our Colts continue to work hard inside and outside of the classroom. We finished the week with a fun-filled pep rally for our Colts! Here's to a great weekend and week ahead!
David Arencibia, Ed.D.
CMS Principal
Facebook: Colleyville Middle School
Twitter: @CmsColts
#TeamCMS - #cmscelebrates - #CMSstrengths
B.E.S.T. - Building Excellent Schools Together
UPCOMING Events
February 21 - CMS Choir Spring Formal - GHS - 7:00 pm
February 24 - Tennis Match scheduled here - CHHS 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
February 26 - Progress Reports
February 26 - Honors Band After School Clinic -CMS 4:00 - 6:00pm
February 29 - Leap into Wellness - 8:30 - 12:30 - GCISD Professional Education and Development Center
February 27 - Track Meet - CTMS - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
March 2 - Tennis Match scheduled here - GHS 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
March 2 - 7 - Stars Dance Auditions -
March 2 - 5 - Cheer Tryout Clinic
March 2 - 5 - Cheer tryout clinic - North Gym - 3:45 pm - 5:30 pm
March 5 - Track Meet - Coppell High School - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
March 6 - Cheer tryouts 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm - CMS Cafeteria
March 9 - 13 - Spring Break - All Campuses/district offices closed
Parent Tech Academy - Not How, but WHY? Thinking Critically in the Digital Age
March 4 | Colleyville Heritage High School | Learning Commons at 6:15 p.m.
The pervasiveness of the internet and the massive amounts of information available — reliable or not — requires information seekers to also become discerners. Acquiring the skill set needed to select, evaluate, and use information and technology appropriately, responsibly, and effectively is more vital now than ever before.
As educators and parents, it is essential that we educate ourselves and young people regarding the necessary responsibilities and safeguards, as well as the profound benefits that come with living in this digital age.
Join us as we review the 5 Competencies of Digital Citizenship designed by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE®) and discuss tools and strategies to ensure we and our students are using critical thinking to be Inclusive, Informed, Engaged, Balanced, and Alert digital citizens.
Important Information Regarding GCISD 5-12 Student Issued Devices
Parents, please take a moment to review your child's GCISD issued device. From time to time the device may have damage or other issues in which they have not turned in to be addressed. Look for cracked screens or missing keys. If you notice any damage, have your student enter a Helpdesk ticket via classlink so the device can be repaired.
Also, take the time to have your students completely restart their device by shutting it down and then turning back on. Doing this helps the system receive needed updates.
Summer Bridge Math and Science Acceleration or Enrichment Program
The Summer Bridge Math and Science Acceleration or Enrichment Program is designed to support current students in On-Level, Pre-AP or Accelerated Math or Science for success in Accelerated 7th or Accelerated 8th grade Math and/or Science. The courses include:
Math for 7th Grade (current 6th to 7th grade transition)
Algebra 1 Readiness (current 7th to 8th grade transition)
Science for 7th Grade (Science for the 6th to 7th transition)
Science for 8th Grade (Science for the 7th to 8th transition)
If you are interested, please see the website and flyer for more details.
Social Studies Student of the Week
This week Mr. Goins recognized 8th grader Jack.
Jack is a student with character who is able to excel in History class. Jack works hard and is a joy to have in class! Way to go Jack!
Girls Athletics
Week of February 24 - February 28
LEAP INTO WELLNESS: All GCISD students and families are encouraged to attend the district’s first LEAP into Wellness, Safety, Health and Wellness Conference. Classes on a variety of topics geared towards students of all ages and families will be taught by professionals in our community. Please see the flyer in this week’s S’more and the links below to learn more or to sign your student up to volunteer (they can earn service hours). February 29, 2020 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. GCISD Professional Development and Education Center 5800 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034
INFORMATION FOR 8TH GRADE
8th grade parents, please make sure that your child joins their high school Google Classroom for important information and dates pertaining to their transition to high school. The codes for each high school are below:
GHS Code is: m5stzk4
CHHS Code is: zlp545q
UPCOMING DATES FOR 7TH GRADE
Counselors met with current 7th graders on February 19th and provided guidance over their 8th grade course selections for the 2020-2021 school year. Students were given a blue course selection sheet to take home. Please review this sheet and discuss the courses selected by your student with them. Then sign and return the blue form by Tuesday, March 3rd. On that day, counselors will meet with 7th graders to put their course selections in Skyward.
UPCOMING DATES FOR 6TH GRADE
Counselors met with current 6th graders on Feb. 14th and provided guidance over 7th grade course selections for the 2020-2021 school year. Students were given a green course selection sheet to take home. Please review this sheet and discuss the courses selected by your student with them. Then sign and return the green form by Monday, Feb. 24th. Counselors will meet with 6th graders again February 25-27 through Pre-athletics to put the course selections in Skyward.
February 26-27 - Appropriate Use of Social Media Guidance Lesson (Mrs. Higgins - tammy.orthhiggins@gcisd.net)
GT TESTING: GT Identification Process- Window Closes Friday, March 6th
Referral forms for Gifted & Talented identification will be accepted by middle school counselors Feb. 24-March 6. Testing will take place on campus between March 16 and April 3. Letters will be mailed home and postmarked no later than April 15. Qualified students will be eligible to enroll in GT courses beginning in 2020-2021. You may request a GT referral form from your child’s counselor.
PLAY IT SAFE
The Women’s Center of Tarrant County will be at CMS on the dates listed below. The lessons presented encourage and teach students how to recognize, report, and reduce the risk of being in an abusive and/or dangerous situation. Opt out forms are linked below.
(6th Grade) Survivors of Abuse - March 5 (Mrs. Higgins - tammy.orthhiggins@gcisd.net)
Duke TIP
The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented youth. Duke TIP's talent searches serve as the entry point to academic benefits and programs for gifted and talented students in grades 4-12. For more information, click here:
REMINDER – Please make sure that you are checking Skyward. You can download the Skyward app for your phone or for your child’s phone so you can monitor grades.
Lynn Brizzi– Counselor A-K – 817-305-4916
Amy Bouchelle – Counselor L-Z – 817-305-4917
Tammy Higgins - Student Advocate - 817-305-2234
Heather Ingram - Data Clerk/Registrar - 817-305-4955
Tips from Nurse Martin
Summer Exam Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 9:00 am | Colleyville Middle School
Online Registration Opens – Summer Exam Date: May 4, 2020
Online Registration Closes – Summer Exam Date: May 18, 2020
The online registration form will not be available on May 19, 2020
Exam Fee Payment Deadline – Summer Exam Date: May 19, 2020
Math Telescoping Exams
Testing opportunities for telescoping in math for the 2020-2021 school year are available in the spring and summer for GCISD students who are completing Grades K - 7.
The Math Telescoping Information Packet will be available on the district website under the For Parents and Students Directory by selecting the link for Acceleration Exams, Math Telescoping, Grades K - 7.
Parents will find information about the requirements to qualify for Math Telescoping and instructions about the TWO STEP Online Registration Process. There will be links to print the Information Packet, begin the TWO STEP Online Registration Process to register for the spring exams, view the TEKS on the TEA website, and download Study Guides for the exams purchased from UT-Austin.
The online registration form will go live on February 14th for the April 18th test administration.
The online registration form will go live on May 4th for the June 17th test administration.
The exam dates and registration deadlines for each exam date are listed below:
Spring Exam Date: Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 9:00 am | Colleyville Middle School
Online Registration Opens – Spring Exam Date: February 14, 2020
Online Registration Deadline – Spring Exam Date: March 2, 2020
The online registration form will not be available on March 3, 2020
Exam Fee Payment Deadline – Spring Exam Date: March 3, 2020
Summer Exam Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 9:00 am | Colleyville Middle School
Online Registration Opens – Summer Exam Date: May 4, 2020
Online Registration Closes – Summer Exam Date: May 18, 2020
The online registration form will not be available on May 19, 2020
Exam Fee Payment Deadline – Summer Exam Date: May 19, 2020
Course Selection Guide Website - Now LIVE
For the past several years, the Course Selection Guide (formerly known as the Program of Study) document has been the main source of updated, annual information about available secondary courses.
This year for the first time it has been created as a website in hopes that this will be easier for students and parents to navigate and access. Click here to visit the website.
The Spring Interim Assessment Window is nearing. The window is
February 18- March 6
English I
English II
Grades 3-8 Math and Reading
Algebra I
Bio, Grade 5/8 Science - OPTIONAL
LEAP into Wellness
Join us for a Safety, Health and Wellness Conference geared towards students of all ages and families on February 29. Please view the flyer for more information.