COUPEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH LEVELS OF LEARNING FOR ALL STUDENTS
A Word from the Principal
Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year. We have a very exciting year ahead of us. We have made some changes that we believe will help support all students effectively during their middle school years. Middle school is an amazing time. Students experience remarkable academic, intellectual, social and physical growth. The mission of Coupeville Middle is to provide students with supports in all aspects of their lives. This is truly a time for young people to determine who they want to be and we will be there every step of the way to support, model, and facilitate their growth.
I would like to take the opportunity to tell you a little about myself. I grew up in a small agricultural town in central Michigan. After graduation from high school I moved to New Orleans, Louisiana for 9 years and then ventured to the northwest. I have now been involved in middle school education for 15 years! I have taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grades in Idaho as well as right here in Coupeville and I spent the last four years in school administration in Nampa, Idaho. I have 4 kids, 3 dogs, a cat, and since moving to the island, I have added an amazing number bunnies, deer, and bats to my "zoo", including one beautiful white buck who loves our apple trees.
For the past few years, Coupeville had adopted a model that had one secondary principal and one assistant principal. These individuals were charged with running both the high school and middle school in tandem.
This year, the district determined that the best course for the future would be to separate the two, not physically, but administratively and philosophically. As a result of that decision, I will be serving as the Principal of solely the middle school and Mr. Baumann will remain in the position of high school principal.
To assist in the effectiveness of this change, the maintenance department has done a superb job of converting an old conference room, storage room, and concession stand into a main office area just for middle school students, staff and parents.
I encourage you to communicate with all of our CMS teachers and myself. Feel free to stop in for a visit. Parents and community members are always welcome to witness first hand the successes of CMS.
I am very happy to be in Coupeville and am eagerly awaiting a truly great year,
Geoff Kappes
First Day
We are all very excited for our first day of school! We know that the first day can possibly cause a little stress, so I want to take a moment to explain how the first day will go.
When you arrive at school, you will enter the building through the middle school entrance. If you are unsure where that is, there will be people outside directing you! Once inside, you will find a number of faculty and staff there to assist you getting where you need to go. Schedules will be available to every student at that time. 6th graders were mailed their schedules. 7th and 8th graders can get their schedules from Family Access starting Wednesday, if you want to see your schedule early.
We will have a slightly different schedule on the first day just to make sure your day goes smoothly. I have listed the bell times below. We extended your first period so you can be issued your locker, practice that locker, and have some of your questions answered by your first period teacher. After first period, you will head to second period!
6th graders will be released slightly early to lunch for the first week.
After lunch, you will have 4 more class periods! Before you know it, your first day will be done and you will be on to day 2!
Bell Schedule for September 5:
8:00-9:39 First Period
9:42-10:30 Second Period
10:30-11:00 Lunch
11:03-11:51 Third Period
11:54-12:42 Fourth Period
12:45-1:33 Fifth Period
1:36-2:30 Sixth Period
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call the Middle School Office at 360-678-2414, or email Principal Kappes at gkappes@coupeville.k12.wa.us. Let's make it a great year!
Again, Welcome to Coupeville Middle School!
New Middle School Staff
New Principal-Mr. Kappes!
New Secretary--Ms. Yoder!
I am coming to Coupeville with nine years of middle school experience and am excited to meet all of your children. With two grown son's myself, I have been through the middle school years and love working with this age group.
Please stop by the office or call if you
have any questions! Ms. Yoder7th Grade English--Ms. McLean!
First Day of School
Tuesday, Sep 5, 2017, 08:00 AM
Coupeville Middle School, South Main Street, Coupeville, WA, United States
NEW BELL SCHEDULE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Middle School will have a new bell schedule this year. We will have 6 periods that are 55 minutes each. Our lunch will be at 10:51 and we will have a short announcements/break at 1:21. You can see our other bell schedules below.
Middle School Open House
Wednesday, Sep 6, 2017, 06:30 PM
Coupeville Middle School
OFFICE INFO
1. Absences: Any time your student is absent, please notify Ms. Yoder at 360-678-2414…. Or lyoder@coupeville.k12.wa.us. This will help keep our records updated and prevent the automated call reporting your child absent.
2. Messages: Messages or items that need to be given to your child need to be delivered by 1:00. Any later and we cannot guarantee we can get them there that day,
3. Family Access: You can check your child’s homework, grades, attendance, notes from teachers, and pay for lunch and fees through Family s via E-Funds? Call Ms. Yoder if you need your username and password!
FROM THE NURSE
1. IMMUNIZATIONS: If you have not already provided the school with evidence of your child receiving a second dose of MMR vaccine or a single dose of varicella vaccine for chicken pox, please bring a copy of the information provided by your physician’s office or the health department. The school must have these records on file. Parent-reported history of chicken pox or having record of the shot on your student’s immunization card is acceptable. If your child needs to get his/her immunization, contact your health care provider or the Island County Public Health Department at 360-679-7350.
New students cannot start classes in the Coupeville School District until proof of immunization.
Please read the full-page chart regarding immunizations inserted
with this newsletter packet.
2. MEDICATION: The school must have prior authorization to administer any kind of medication to your child at school. Please pick up the form “Authorization to Administer Medication at School”, completely fill it out, have your healthcare provider sign it, you sign it and return it to school. This applies to both prescription and non-prescription medications. If your child requires medication at school, and we do not have this authorization, you are welcome to come to campus to administer the medication.
3. INSURANCE: Parents may choose to access student health, accident and/or injury insurance through the school district. Myers-Stevens & Toohey & Co., Inc. underwrites the insurance. Information and enrollment forms are available at your child’s school.
Attendance Matters!
One of the most important things your child can do to achieve academic success is also one of the most basic: going to school every day. In fact, research has shown that your child's attendance record may be the biggest factor influencing her academic success.
Benefits of daily attendance
By attending class regularly, your child is more likely to keep up with the daily lessons and assignments, and take quizzes and tests on time.
There are other benefits as well:
- Achievement: San Diego Unified School District found that students who attended school regularly were more likely to pass reading and math assessments than students who didn't attend school regularly.
- Opportunity: For older students, being in school every day gives them a chance to learn more about college and scholarship opportunities, and to take the important exams they need to build a successful academic record.
- Exposure to the English language: Regular school attendance can also help students who are learning English by giving them the chance to master the skills and information they need more quickly and accurately — even in other subjects!
- Being part of the school community: Just by being present at school, your child is learning how to be a good citizen by participating in the school community, learning valuable social skills, and developing a broader world view.
- The importance of education: Your commitment to school attendance will also send a message to your child that education is a priority for your family, going to school every day is a critical part of educational success, and that it's important to take your responsibilities seriously — including going to school.
When your child misses school
So what happens when your child needs to miss school due to a medical appointment or family trip? Sometimes these situations can't be avoided. In such cases:
- Contact the school immediately. The absence needs to be excused, and talk with your child's teachers to make sure your child doesn't fall behind on any of the lessons that she missed.
- Judge these situations carefully. Mandatory student attendance is a policy that schools take seriously. Unexcused absences will go on a student's permanent record; the consequences of your child missing class can include falling behind on lessons, lower participation grades, and poorer performance on quizzes and tests.
- Keep in mind that public schools lose money when their students are absent. Public schools receive money based on the number of students who attend each day. When a student misses just one day of school, the school loses money — imagine how much a school loses when many students miss many days throughout the year.
What you can do
As a parent or guardian, it is possible to plan ahead in order to limit your child's absences, make school attendance a priority, and help your child from falling behind if it is necessary to miss a day of school. You can do this in the following ways:
- Help your child get to school on time every day. Babysitting, problems with a car or late bus, and the weather are not permissible reasons to miss school. Frequently coming to school late may also be noted on your child's permanent record, and will make it difficult for your child to stay caught up with the first lessons of each morning. Teach your child how to set and use an alarm clock, and keep the television turned off in the morning.
- Follow the school's guidelines and attendance policy, and report excused absences immediately. At the beginning of the school year, review the school's rules and make sure you understand whom you need to call if your child is going to be absent.
- Check homework. Check each night to see that your child understands and completes the day's homework assignments.
- Take an active role. Stay involved with your child's daily experiences at school by asking how the school day went, and then listening carefully to what your child shares with you — both the successes and struggles. Make it a point to meet your child's teacher and friends.
- Locate potential sources of anxiety. If your child frequently appears upset or reluctant to go to school and cannot tell you why, schedule an appointment with his or her teacher or school counselor to talk about possible sources of the anxiety.
- Keep updated on school events and announcements. Read the school documents that your child brings home and take note of important announcements and dates, such as back-to-school night and parent-teacher conferences.
- Try to limit the amount of time that your child misses school due to medical appointments or illness. If possible, avoid scheduling doctor's appointments during the school day. Allow your child to stay home only in the case of contagious or severe illnesses.
- Schedule family events with your child's school schedule in mind. Plan holiday celebrations or family trips during weekends or school vacations. In the case of family emergencies or unexpected trips, talk to your child's teacher as far in advance as possible and set up a way that your child can work ahead or bring important homework on the trip.
- Plan ahead. Encourage your child to prepare for the next school day by laying out clothes the night before and helping to fix lunches.
- Promote good health. Make sure that your child eats a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and has opportunities to exercise every day through a sports team or playtime outside.
- Create a restful environment. Finally, make sure that your child can relax before bedtime by doing something quiet like reading rather than do something stimulating, like watching television. Ensure that your child gets enough quality sleep — ideal amounts range from 8 to 12 hours. Getting enough sleep will help her get up on time, be refreshed in the morning, and feel ready for a full day of learning ahead!
Students who miss days, weeks, or months of school at a time will have a difficult time passing their courses and catching up to their peers. For older students, prolonged absences may make it very difficult to graduate from high school.
By making your child's school attendance a priority, you will be taking an important step in supporting your child's school success, and setting a good example. Remember — every day counts!
Note: This information was adapted from information on San Diego Unified School's District "Every Day Counts!" attendance website.
Article Credit: Colorin Colorado