Colt Corner
Colleyville Middle School
September 16, 2022
Colts,
Happy Friday! There is a lot of research that shows when students are actively participating in school and extracurricular activities that the students’ overall school success increases. We have a unique system at CMS that helps our Colts to stay on track academically with their assignments and grades. This coming week, we will have our first Academic Boot Camps of the school year going on Monday through Wednesday. On the designated days (illustrated under the Repeated Information section) students will be given incentives to have all of their assignments turned in with the best possible grades. All current student assignments are due by the end of the school day this coming Wednesday at 4pm. Any new assignments taken by our teachers after that time will go on the 3rd grading report, which will begin the following week on Monday the 26th. This CMS system is just another way that our school is different to help our Colts succeed.
On this coming Friday the 23rd we will have the mandated Texas UIL eligibility check which impacts our Colts in our fine arts and athletics programs with their eligibility. A great way to keep track of your students’ grades is through Skyward. There is a Skyward app for your phone as well, which is very convenient to have and can even be set up where you can receive school notifications about your Colt.
Hot off the press: Congratulations to our Honors and Symphonic Bands and directors for winning National Awards from the Foundation for Music Education! Be sure to read the details below!
Thank you for partnering with us at CMS to help create the BEST learning environment possible for our Colts. Have a great weekend!
David Arencibia, Ed.D.
Colleyville Middle School, Principal
School Twitter: @CmsColts - #TeamCMS - #ColtPride
B.E.S.T. - Building Excellent Schools Together
UPCOMING DATES/EVENTS
September 19 - 7th Grade A & B Football - Schedule linked here
September 19 - 7th & 8th Grade A & B Volleyball - Schedule linked here
September 20 - 8th Grade A & B Football - Schedule linked here
September 21 - All Assignments Due to Teachers by 4pm
September 23 - UIL Eligibility - Grade Check
September 26 - 7th Grade A & B Football - Schedule linked here
September 26 - 7th & 8th Grade A & B Volleyball - Schedule linked here
September 27 - 8th Grade A & B Football - Schedule linked here
Future Date:
October 13 - 8th Grade Parent-High School Planning Meeting, CMS Cafeteria 6-7pm
In this Edition of the Colt Corner
* 8th Grade Football Highlight from MPS
* Band - Mark of Excellence National Winners!
* Social Studies Students of the Week
* Calling all Scientist - Science Team
* Substitute Nurses Needed
* School Health Advisory Committee
* Child Development Information flyers
* PTA News - Help us treat our teachers next Friday! Check out the signup form
Counselors Corner
* College, Career & Military Readiness (CCMR)
* 8th Grade Parent Meeting
* GCISD Mental Health Awareness
* SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program
* Curriculum Site
* 8th Grade Parent Information Night High School 4-year Plans (Flyer)
Repeated Information
* GCISD Update - September 14
* Upcoming CMS Grading Dates
* Attendance Awareness Month
* Parent Tech Academy
* Parking Lot Reminders
* Student Behavior Expectations - High School Varsity Games
* Healthcare at School
* Yearbook - Early Bird Price $45
* Student ID Badges
* Picture day orders
* GCISD College & Career Night
* Join PTA Today
* Dads' Club
* CMS Colts Booster Club
* Athletics Fall Season Sports Schedules
* Reporting COVID-19 Cases
* Colleyville Middle School Directory - Who To Contact
CMS Social Media Section
* CMS on Twitter - @cmscolts
* CMS on Facebook
* CMS on Instagram
Band - Mark of Excellence National Winners!
Social Studies Student of the Week
CMS Science Team!
Substitute Nurses Needed
GCISD is seeking RNs who would be willing to cover their child's campus clinic when the nurse is out. If you or a fellow RN are interested, please fill out the Sub Nurse Application, and send an email to Director of Health Services Amy Taldo. Current sub pay is $110/day, and you may choose days that work around your schedule.
School Health Advisory Committee
Time to Treat our Teachers!
If you're able to support our staff, click on the link below to sign up. Thank you!
Counselors’ Corner (Sept. 19-23)
College, Career, & Military Readiness (CCMR):
Mr. Stateler (6th Grade Science): This week’s CCMR spotlight is on Mr. Stateler. Mr. Stateler attended East Stroudsburg University in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. ESU’s mascot is a warrior and their school colors are black, red, and white. Mr. Stateler chose ESU because it is close to some of the best trout fishing in the state of Pennsylvania and because he was good with money! Tuition was around $3000 for a full year of college! He paid for college by taking out a few student loans and working part time building sets for a local theater during the school year, as a ski technician during the winter, and some other odd jobs as well . This allowed him to pay for room and board without taking on additional student loans.
When asked about his favorite memory from college, Mr. Stateler wrote, “In the advanced biology lab we bred giant Norwegian rats for the various classes for the purposes of dissection and research. One Spring, we had entirely too many rats. I, and the other lab technicians, were told by my supervisor to euthanize the rats that were no longer needed for study. Rather than kill the rats as instructed, we performed about 50 sterilization surgeries on the rats, and trained them to walk on a leash and use a litter box. When the rats had completely healed from surgery, we took the rats (on leashes) down to the Quad (a busy social place on campus), and gave them away as pets. Over the next 2 years, it was not uncommon to see people walking around campus with their cat-sized, cow-spotted rodent friends!”
Mr. Stateler would not advise going to ESU now because he says tuition has skyrocketed since he was there and Texas students would have to pay out-of-state tuition. He would advise students to pick a nice small school in Texas with low tuition. He says, “It doesn't matter what school's name is on your diploma. It only matters that you graduate and get one!”
You can learn more about East Stroudsburg University here
8th Grade Parent Meeting (Oct. 13th):
8th grade parents, please mark your calendars! CMS counselors will be hosting a meeting for 8th grade parents on Thursday, Oct. 13th from 6-7 p.m. in the CMS cafeteria. They will discuss high school 4 year planning, high school course selection, and other important information related to transitioning to high school.
GCISD Mental Health Awareness:
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and in honor of this awareness we would like to remind students and our community that counselors are available to support students and parents. All secondary campuses will be conducting suicide prevention curriculum this semester.
SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program
The adolescent years are marked by a roller-coaster ride of emotions—difficulty for youths, their parents, and educators. It is easy to misread depression as normal adolescent turmoil; however, depression (among the most common of mental illnesses) appears to be occurring at a much earlier age. Depression—which is treatable—is the leading risk factor for suicide.
To proactively address these issues, GCISD offers depression awareness and suicide prevention training as part of the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program.
The SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program is designed for all secondary students grades 6-12.
The GCISD School Health Advisory Committee has previewed and recommended these programs for all GCISD secondary schools.
The OPT-OUT form needs to be returned BEFORE the date of your child’s presentation only if you do NOT want your child to participate.
For more information, including information about how to OPT your student out of the program, please click here: English Spanish If you have any additional questions you can contact Sarah Dumas (Student advocate counselor) at sarah.dumas@gcisd.net
SOS dates are as follows:
8th grade: September 13th (during social studies)
7th grade: September 20th (during social studies)
6th grade: September 21st (during pre-athletics/PE)
Bullying/David’s Law Lesson for 6th graders:
October 12th (Boys Pre athletics/PE class)
October 19th (Girls Pre-athletics)
Additional Resources:
National Institute of Mental Health
In This Edition
National Merit Semifinalists
Elementary School Junior Captain Opportunities
Substitute Nurses Needed
Gold Card Meeting Reminder
Campus & Department Spotlight
School Health Advisory Committee Sign Ups, and Upcoming Events!
Upcoming Grading Dates
Attendance Awareness Month
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and in GCISD we understand that attendance is essential to student success and that everyone plays a role in keeping students connected and coming to school every day possible. Showing up to school is the first important step for engagement and learning so our students have opportunities to connect, engage and thrive. Join us this month, and throughout the entire school year, as we focus on why #GCISDShowsUp!
Parent Tech Academy
Well, NOW you can!
GCISD will walk parents through the ClassLink Parent Portal, your one-stop shop for parent resources in the district. Come learn about Skyward, Canvas/Seesaw and the LightSpeed Internet reporting.
Parking Lot Reminders
If you are picking up in the parking lot, you MUST park until your child is safely in the car. If you do not want to park in a designated parking spot, please join the regular drive line.
PLEASE remember, when you are in the school parking lot, you are in an ACTIVE SCHOOL ZONE (during the hours listed below). The speed limit is 20mph or less and the use of a phone is prohibited unless you are parked or using a hands-free device. Serious note: if you are on speaker phone and holding the phone in your hand, that is not considered hands-free and you can receive a citation.
Morning hours: 7:10a-8:25a
Afternoon hours: 2:40p-3:55p
Thank you for your cooperation!
Officer Beregszaszy
Student Behavior Expectations - High School Varsity Football Games
1. Clear bags only
2. No game balls are allowed
3. Students need to sit in the bleachers and cheer for your team. No horseplay will be tolerated, students not following instructions or the rules will be removed.
4. All middle school students must be accompanied by an adult.
5. Any students at the event not following the stadium rules, parents will be called to pick up students who are disruptive and not exhibiting expected behavior.
Healthcare Options
Early Bird Yearbook Ends TODAY!
School Picture Information
Student ID's
This past week, all CMS students were reinforced on having their 22-23 student ID badge. Students who do not have on a student ID badge will need to report to the main office where they may receive a replacement badge for $5. If the student does not have $5, the individual student account will be charged.
Thank you for your patience as we have worked diligently to provide ID badges for all CMS Colts. Please help reinforce with your Colt to keep their badge in the same location like their backpack each day as part of their daily routine.
Thank you for helping us with this security measure.
Dads' Club
New Email – CMSDadsClub@gmail.com
Use QR Code to get to Sign-Up Page – More Information about this year’s Dads' Club on the Sign-Up Page
Will Start Opening Car Doors at Morning Drop-Off on Day 1
Must complete GCISD Volunteer Background Check ASAP (link on Sign-Up page)
8th Grade Football Schedule
7th Grade Football Schedule
8th Grade Volleyball Schedule
7th Grade Volleyball Schedule
Reporting COVID-19 Cases
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.