Colt Corner
Colleyville Middle School
March 24, 2023
Colts,
The last week of March is here. Along with the warmer temperatures will come some rain showers. Knowing that we will see an increase in rain during arrival time, please help your Colt plan ahead to be able to be at school by 8:05am. It is always our goal to have our parking lot clear by 8:05 and we need everyone’s help with that so that our students are in class and ready to learn when the tardy bell rings.
We started off the last leg of the school year journey fast. Our 8th grade Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes were able to go to Texas Christian University (TCU) to learn about different aspects of college life. As usual, our Colts did an amazing job representing our school community.
Our track and field teams, tennis teams, and also our 6th grade choir students, all competed and performed at a high level this week.
During lunch today, our PTA delivered some fun treats to our Colts who maintained or made positive progress academically.
As all of this is happening, behind-the-scenes planning continues for our upcoming Color Run and celebration day on Thursday, April 6th, the last day of the school week before a four day weekend. Many exciting activities and learning will be happening on that Thursday so please be sure that your Colt will be in attendance for all of the excitement that day!
Next week is Hope Week! We look forward to all of our staff and students participating in the dress up days and events scheduled all week long including a day with therapy dogs.
Enjoy the beautiful weekend ahead!
David Arencibia, Ed.D.
Colleyville Middle School, Principal
School Twitter: @CmsColts - #TeamCMS - #ColtPride
B.E.S.T. - Building Excellent Schools Together
UPCOMING DATES/EVENTS
March 24 - Theatre - Playbill Auditions - CMS Room 122, 4:00 - 6:15pm
March 27 - 31 - Hope Week
March 28- Track GCISD Zone Meet (7th/8th) - CTMS - 4:00pm
April 1 - Region Choir Clinic/Contest - Carroll Senior High School
April 3 -5 - Color Run Student Registration during lunches
April 3 - Wear Blue in support of World Autism Day
April 4 - PTA Meeting and Coffee Talk with Dr. Arencibia 8:45am CMS Learning Commons
April 4 - Track GCISD Zone Meet Top Finishers (7th/8th) - Central Junior High - 4:00pm
April 5 - AVID/College/Military Gear
April 7 - 10 - No School
April 11 - Choir - GCISD Solo Contest (Optional/Open to All Students) 3:45 - 5:45
April 14 - Choir 7th/8th Grade Epic Waters Festival - 8:15am - 3:30pm
April 14 - PTA Spring Fling
April 18 - PTA Shoutouts during lunches
April 19 - Early Release - 12:10
In this Edition of the Colt Corner
* Hope Week - Calendar of Events
* Annual CMS Color Run
* New STAAR resources from TEA
* What's Cooking in GCISD
* Social Studies Student of the Week
* GCISD District Art Show
* PTA Spring Fling Dance
* GHS - Middle School Speech & Debate Tournament
Counselors Corner
*Summer Bridge Information
*Hope Week (March 27th-March 31st)
*Character Strong Trait
* DNA Kits
* Additional Resources
Repeated Information
* GCISD Update
* GCISD Student General and Designated Program Transfers
* Skyward Access to Texas Family Portal
* GCISD Job Fair
* Future Panthers - PTSA
* 8th Grade Panoramic Picture
* School pictures orders
* Order your Yearbook!
* GHS Fillies & Belles Auditions
* Understanding Attendance
* Math Telescoping Exams
PTA News
* Colleyville Middle PTA Voice for Every Child Platinum Membership Award
* PTA - Purchase your Student Shoutouts today!
* PTA Fundraising - Shoes, Clothing, and more Bin
* PTA Interest Form
* PTA Hospitality
* PTA Birthday Shoutouts
* Colleyville Middle School Directory - Who To Contact
CMS Social Media Section
* CMS Portrait of a Graduate Video
* CMS on Twitter - @cmscolts
* CMS on Facebook
* CMS on Instagram
Annual CMS Color Run
The Annual CMS Color Run is coming up soon on the afternoon of Thursday, April 6th! This year, we are raising awareness and money in support of CMS Special Olympics.
This is a unique and fun way for us to get some exercise and enjoy the April sunshine.
After the run, students will be allowed to purchase concessions for $1 an item and to hang out on the field while listening to music. Kona Ice will also be here and a portion of these proceeds will be donated to CMS Special Olympics.
Students who are interested in attending need to pre-register using the form found in Canvas, which will be posted for students the week of March 27th. We will be on the stage during lunch on Monday, April 3rd through Wednesday, April 5th for registration. Once students complete the registration process by paying the fee of $10, they can receive a FREE t-shirt to wear the day of the Color Run! We accept cash/check. Because we have a limited supply of t-shirts, we encourage students to pay early!
While registration is $10, we also welcome any donations that will go to support CMS Special Olympics. If you wish to donate, please indicate the amount you wish to donate on an envelope and send with your student.
If you are interested in volunteering to help with this event, please reach out to Jessica Talbott (jessica.talbott@gcisd.net).
This event is sponsored by our campus leadership groups: CMS Student Council, AVID, NJHS, PALS, and Hope Squad.
Thank you!
New STAAR Resources
- New STAAR Resources
The Texas Education Agency has put together two new web pages that host specific resources about the redesigned State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®). The STAAR Redesign Resources for Districts webpage has resources and assets to help districts keep their staff informed about the STAAR redesign.
The STAAR Redesign Resources for Parents webpage includes curated information about STAAR developed especially for parents. This new webpage hosts flyers, short videos, and FAQs to assist districts in communicating important information about STAAR to parents. Both web pages include an updated version of the What Families Should Know About STAAR one-page document.
What's Cookin' in GCISD?
Take a peek at the awesome items offered as part of school breakfast and lunch! Nutrition Services showcases the amazing meals prepared each day by our staff each week in a colorful collection of photos. Did you know? School Breakfast and Lunch offered in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD elementary and middle schools includes a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins such as chicken and turkey, whole grains and low-fat milk that are offered each day! Plant forward options like baked potatoes, veggie nuggets, black bean burgers and bistro boxes are also included as part of a student meal. Students are able to choose from the vast selection of items offered daily. Nutrition Services has served over 656,000 meals since August, 2022! Each day, we look forward to serving all the smiling faces of GCISD.
Social Studies Student of the Week!
Social Studies Student of the Week!
GCISD Art Show
CMS Spring Fling Dance
Friday, April 14th- 6pm-8pm
$10/student.
$10 includes pizza, drink, and candy.
An ice cream truck will be present with selections between $3-$5.
The ice cream truck accepts cash, card, and Apple Pay.
There will be GAMES, CORN HOLE, a DJ, and a INSTAGRAM WALL!
Please click on the link to sign up today!
GHS - Middle School Speech & Debate Tournament
Counselors’ Corner (March 27-31)
Summer Bridge Information
If your student is interested in taking Accelerated Math or Science next year but was not in accelerated courses for the 22-23 school year, they will need to take a summer bridge course in order to do so. Please click on the link below for more information about this program.
Math and Science Summer Bridge Information
Hope Week (March 27th-March 31st)
Hope week is celebrated district wide at the secondary campuses. Hope Week is a time when we raise awareness on mental health and suicide prevention.
Character Strong Trait: For the Month of March our Character Strong trait is Honesty and here is a character dare you can try as a family.
Honesty is being free from deception– not only saying true things, but living a consistent life.
Character Family Dare: Start With "I"
Try to resolve some resentment or disagreement today by using the opening, “The story I am telling myself is...”
Brenè Brown shares this as a tool for all of us to help focus on our own feelings and actions instead of finger-pointing and blaming. See how much it improves communication and helps you resolve conflict without the other person. Example: “You left in the middle of movie night on Saturday. The story I’m telling myself is that you went to bed early because you didn’t want to spend time with me.”
DNA Kits:
In compliance with Texas S.B. 2158, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD offers parents and legal guardians inkless fingerprint and DNA kits for their children upon request. This kit is designed to “help locate and return a missing or trafficked child,” according to S.B. 2158.
Parents and legal guardians may request these kits through the front office at your child's campus.
Additional Resources:
National Institute of Mental Health
In the GCISD Update - Past Edition
Meet Star of GCISD Kristin Donovan de Iturrino
GHES Fourth Grader Finishes Third in Regional Spelling Bee
GCISD Educator Job Fair Coming April 15
GCISD Special Olympics Captures Attention on CBS11
And More!
GCISD Student General and Designated Program Transfers
The general and designated programs (STEM) student transfer application window for the 2023-2024 school year will open on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 8 a.m. Online applications will be accepted through Friday, March 31, 2023, at 4 p.m.
All students (including employee students) must apply for a transfer if they desire to attend a campus other than their zoned campus and/or when they are moving from the following grades/campuses:
Pre-K to Kindergarten
Elementary school to middle school
Middle school to high school
Students who are already approved on a transfer and are not moving to the next transition level do NOT need to submit a transfer request. For more information and to complete an online application on or after Monday, March 20, click here.
IMPORTANT: Please know that incomplete applications (e.g. missing residency documents) will NOT be processed during this round of student transfers. It is very important that families have all the needed documents when submitting transfer applications.
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Para todos los boletines escolares:
Transferencias Generales y de Programas Designados para Estudiantes en GCISD
El período de solicitud para transferencias generales y de programas designados (STEM) para el ciclo escolar 2023-2024 se abrirá el lunes 20 de marzo de 2023 a las 8 a.m. Se aceptarán solicitudes en línea hasta el viernes 31 de marzo de 2023 a las 4 p.m.
Todos los estudiantes (incluyendo los estudiantes empleados) deben solicitar una transferencia si desean asistir a una escuela fuera de su zona designada y/o cuando se muden de los siguientes grados/escuelas:
Pre-Kinder a Kindergarten
Escuela primaria (grados 1-5) a escuela intermedia (grados 6-8)
Escuela intermedia (grados 6-8) a escuela secundaria (grados 9-12)
Los estudiantes que ya han sido aprobados para una transferencia y no están pasando al siguiente nivel de transición NO necesitan enviar una solicitud de transferencia. Para más información y para completar una solicitud en línea a partir del lunes 20 de marzo, haga clic aquí.
IMPORTANTE: Por favor tenga en cuenta que las solicitudes incompletas (p. ej. faltan documentos de residencia) NO serán procesadas durante esta ronda de transferencias estudiantiles. Es muy importante que las familias tengan todos los documentos necesarios al entregar las solicitudes de transferencia.
Skyward Access to Texas Family Portal
Once a student takes a state assessment, such as one of the STAAR assessments or TELPAS, the TEA will report past, current, and future results to parents through the Texas Family Portal (how to link).
GCISD has updated the Texas Family Portal Single Sign-On through SKYWARD. This means parents can now access the Family Portal by clicking District Links and then Cambium Assessments within your Skyward Family Access. A screenshot is below.
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Una vez que un estudiante toma una evaluación estatal, como una de las evaluaciones STAAR o TELPAS, la TEA informará los resultados pasados, actuales y futuros a los padres a través del Texas Family Portal.
GCISD ha actualizado el inicio de la sesión única del Texas Family Portal a través de SKYWARD. Esto significa que los padres ahora pueden acceder al Portal familiar haciendo clic en los 'Enlaces del distrito' y luego en 'Evaluaciones de Cambium' dentro de Skyward Family Access. A continuación se muestra una captura de pantalla.
GCISD Job Fair
Future Panthers - PTSA
No prior PTA or PTSA experience is necessary. Please complete the following form and check all interests.
8th Grade Panoramic Picture
school pictures
order your yearbook
GHS Fillies & Belles Auditions
Math Telescoping Testing
Testing opportunities for telescoping in Math for the 2023-2024 school year are available in the summer for GCISD students who are completing Grades K-7.
The Parent Information Packet will be available on the District website under the Parents tab by selecting the link for Acceleration Exams/Math Telescoping, Grades K-7.
The packet will contain the registration form. Payment is made online following the submission of the form.
Parents will also be able to view the TEKS on the TEA website, and download Study Guides for the exams purchased from University of Texas at Austin, UT High School.
Registration for the June exam administration is March 20-30, 2023.
Registration for the July exam administration is June 2-20, 2023.
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Las oportunidades de exámenes para “telescoping”(*El término 'Telescoping' se refiere a un proceso por el cual un estudiante puede avanzar en matemáticas más allá de su nivel del grado inscrito.) en matemáticas para el año escolar 2023-2024 están disponibles en el verano para los estudiantes de GCISD que están completando los grados K-7.
El paquete de información para padres estará disponible en el sitio web del distrito en la página de los Padres seleccionando el enlace para Exámenes de aceleración/Telescoping de matemáticas, grados K-7.
El paquete tendrá el formulario de registro. El pago se realiza en línea después del envío del formulario.
Los padres también podrán ver los TEKS en el sitio web de TEA y descargar guías de estudio para los exámenes comprados en la escuela secundaria de la Universidad de Texas en Austin, UT.
La inscripción para la administración del examen de junio es desde el 20 al 30 de marzo del 2023.
La inscripción para la administración del examen de julio es desde el 2 al 20 de junio del 2023.
Colleyville Middle PTA has earned the Voice for Every Child Platinum Membership Award
Texas PTA is proud to announce that Colleyville Middle PTA 1606 has earned the Voice for Every Child Platinum Membership Award by recruiting 736 members to be a voice for all 615 students enrolled at your school. This is THE most prestigious Membership Award offered to Local PTAs and you are one of only 50 PTAs across the state that has earned the honor! I am beyond proud of how hard your PTA has worked to achieve this award.
THANK YOU for working so hard to make every child’s potential a reality in the Colleyville Middle PTA community and across the state of Texas!
Save the Date - PTA Spring Fling Dance
PTA Fundraising - Shoes, Clothing, and more Donation Bin
PTA HOSPITALITY
We wanted to share more opportunities this year for parents to express their love for our teachers and staff through sharing their own special talents or donating items for teachers to enjoy.
We will be having a staff appreciation day every month and have listed dates with items we invite you to make or donate (you are welcome to purchase your favorites if cooking/baking is not your thing). All donated items will be labeled with your family name or child's name so that the teachers will know you sent your love. Below is our scheduled list of events we have lined up for the teachers this year.
Thank you in advance for your help. Please feel free to contact me at (617)957-9665 or vp_hospitality@cmscoltspta.org if you have any questions or any ideas you would like to share.
Annie Dries, VP of Hospitality
Julie Sullins, VP of Hospitality Assistant
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10c0f4fa5af2ca7f4c70-teacher
PTA Birthday Shoutouts
Birthday Marquee Messages are now available!! $15 per message, and we are requesting a 2-week lead time.
COLLEYVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTORY - WHO TO CONTACT
*Note, the point of contact is the first level to answer and questions or concerns. They are usually able to resolve your question/concern, but in the event that you did not reach a resolution, your concern will be elevated to the subsequent level until a resolution is reached.
To email a CMS team member type the first name dot last name @gcisd.net (i.e. David Arencibia = david.arencibia@gcisd.net) unless different and noted under the name.