Central Mt. Middle School
Keystone Central School District
Notes From the Principal
The first marking period is coming to a close. Please take some time to talk with your student(s) about their grades and current performance in their classes. The first marking period can be a tough time as students transition into a new grade level, with new curricular content and new teachers. There are multiple ways to help support and monitor your student's progress. Here are some suggestions:
- Get a PowerSchool account to help monitor your student's grades and attendance. If you need support, reach out to our CMMS Guidance department to set up an account.
- The Bloomz app is a new way to stay aware of what's going on in school. It also offers a feature to support with communication with CMMS staff members.
- All KCSD staff have an email account where they can be reached.
Thank you for all you do to support your students. By working together and through open communication, we can support students with reaching their goals.
Upcoming Activities
November 3: 3-hour early dismissal
November 3: School Board Work Session at Administration Boardroom, 6:30pm
November 4: Act 80 Day (no school for students)
November 10: School Board Voting Meeting at Administration Boardroom, 6:30pm
November 16: PTSO Meeting - 6:30PM - CMMS Library
November 23: 3-hour early dismissal
November 25 - November 29: Thanksgiving Break
Concert Information
From Ms. Crust:
Grades 7-12 Band Concert - Tuesday, December 13, 7pm at CM High School
Grades 7-12 Orchestra Concert - Wednesday, December 14, 7pm at CM High School
Band and Orchestra students in grades 5-6 will not have a concert performance in December, but watch for information about a spring concert!
From Mrs. Poole:
The Central Mountain Middle School Chorus Concert will be held on Monday, December 19, 2022, at the Central Mountain Middle School Auditorium. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m.
Please mark your calendars for this festive concert!
CMMS Team/Department Updates & Information
Federal Programs
November Federal Programs Updates
All schools held a Policy 917/Policy 918 Community Advisory Meeting in October. Elementary and secondary buildings with School Improvement plans shared those documents and received community input to continually strive to build stronger, more transparent communications. As a result of those meetings, these documents are being updated and approved:
Revised and updated School Improvement plan (add link for each school)
Policy 918 District Level updates (add link)
Policy 918 Elementary School Level updates (add link for each elementary)
Policy 918 Parent/Family Compact updates (add link for each elementary)
Parent/Family Compact
The School-Parent and Family Compact has been jointly developed with parents and family members from each elementary school, and outlines how parents and family members, school staff, and students will share in the responsibility for improved student academic achievement, and the means by which the school and parents and family members will build and develop partnerships to help their children achieve the state's academic standards. Each year, we ask for parent, family and community input for the document. Please review the document and offer feedback. We value input from our families.
Required documents for families:
Right to Request Qualifications of Teachers (see Annual Notices and Policy Review button above) - if you wish to request a paper copy, please contact rmurty@kcsd.k12.pa.us .
Note: If your child is taught for four or more weeks by a teacher who is instructing in a
content area for which they are not currently certified, the district must notify you. Four week
notification letters will be added here if that becomes necessary.
Non-Discrimination Statement (see Annual Notices and Policy Review button above) - if you wish to request a paper copy, please contact rmurty@kcsd.k12.,pa.us
Title I District Parent Policy - Policy 918
Family Connections
Helping Your Child with Homework
Homework gives students the opportunity to practice skills they learned in the classroom or to preview upcoming skills. If youāre unsure of the purpose behind the homework you can reach out to your child's teacher for clarification. The general guideline for homework is as follows: Take the grade level and multiply it by 10 (Ex. 4th graders: 4x10=40 minutes, 2nd graders: 2x10=20 minutes) to give you the amount of time students should spend on homework each night. For more tips on how to help your child with homework please see this slideshow created by our K-12 English Language Arts Department Program Leader, Terry Markle: Homework Tips.
Homework should always include time for you to read to your child or for your child to read to you. Elementary school children have the opportunity to visit the school library 1 day in a 6 day cycle. Here are more resources for you to access books for your child: Reading Resources,
Information for the image was gathered from this article
#KeystoneCares: November is Homelessness/Thankful and Blessed Month!
Homeless & Hunger Awareness Week is November 12-20th.
To date, 38 of our students, (that we know of) are classified as homeless. Additionally, 2,040 of our 3, 767 students are economically disadvantaged. In an effort to bring awareness to our children, we are holding a food drive to support local families in need.
If youāre able, please send in an item that matches the need for your studentās grade (Information will be coming home).
Items weāll be collecting are:
canned/cups soups (preferably with the pull tab top), ramen noodles/soups
canned fruits or vegetables
pudding, jello or fruit cups
canned dinners (such as Chef Boyardee/ Hormel and mac n cheese)
peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, snacks
cereal (boxes, cups, and even oatmeal), pancake mix
toiletries, including deodorant, soap, shampoo, toilet tissue, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, shaving soap and feminine hygiene products
WEAR YOUR PAJAMAS TO SCHOOL & MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Counseling Connection
Conflict Resolution
Assisting children in resolving conflicts with siblings/friends is an important aspect of emotional developmentābut solving the problem for children, rather than assisting children in resolving problems on their own, can prevent the development of vital conflict-resolution and problem-solving skills. The following article was written for teachers, however, it contains creative ways to help your child identify big emotions, self-regulate, and resolve interpersonal conflicts on their own: Conflict Management
Our Classrooms also use the Second Step program to help students with their emotional development. Second Step teaches students skills that strengthen their ability to learn, have empathy, manage emotions, and solve problems. The photo outlines the steps this program encourages to solve a problem:
S: Say the Problem
T: Think of Solutions
E: Explore Consequences
P: Pick the Best Solution
Below are book lists that support children in conflict management as well as other social emotional areas.
CMMS School Counseling
During middle school, students experience changes, such as transitioning into adolescence, balancing multiple classes/assignments, dealing with peer pressure, developing new friendships, caring about what others think/fitting in and/or personal situations. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) may contact one of our counselors with any questions or concerns they may have regarding their student's academic, career, behavior and/or socio-emotional well-being.
A counselor is someone to talk to, who will listen without judgment. A school counselor can assist in short-term counseling and if needed arrange long-term counseling and the SAP (Student Assistance Program) and Tier II support. Counselors can teach students tools to improve and cope with different situations, especially because sometimes it's hard to figure out where to start. Students may be want to see a counselor for the following reasons:
- Want to share an experience/feelings
- Feel depressed and/or lonely
- Have thoughts of self-harm
- Feel stressed and/or anxious
- Feel angry and/or frustrated
- Want to improve grade(s)
- Talk about college/careers
- Relationship/peer issues/conflicts
- Personal issues (divorce/separation, loss of a loved one, etc.)
To learn more or to schedule a meeting, please contact your student's school counselor.
Dr. Billie Miller: Grade 5 School Counselor
Phone: 570-893-4900 x3086
Email: bmiller2@kcsd.us
Coming Soon: Grade 6 School Counselor
Phone: 570-893-4900 x2960
Email:
Denise Taylor: Grade 7 School Counselor
Phone: 570-893-4900 x2957
Email: dtaylor@kcsd.us
Phil Williams: Grade 8 School Counselor
Phone: 570-893-4900 x2953
Email: pwilliams@kcsd.us
KCSD School Social Worker
If you feel that your family or your student could benefit in any way from the various services he can provide, please reach out to Kyle (his contact information is on his flier below!)
Athletics & Activities
BEST OF LUCK to the boy's soccer, girl's volleyball, and cross country teams participating in the District VI post-season!
CM Girls Varsity Volleyball District VI Semifinals vs Altoona Area
An important reminder that the host sites will sell no paper tickets at the gate. All tickets need to be purchased through Hometown Tickets. The portal to purchase tickets can be viewed on the District VI website at www.piaa6.org. Please click the link at the top of the page. All tickets for first-round games are currently up and available for sale.
Tue, Nov 1, 2022, 07:00 PM
Central Mountain High School, Keystone Central Drive, Mill Hall, PA, USA
Safety & Security
Safety & Security
Officer Scott VanGorder - Central Mountain High School
Officer Cory Beaver - Bucktail High School & Renovo Elementary
Officer James Knarr - Central Mountain Middle School
Officer Mike Fetzer - Elementary district-wide and District Attendance Officer
Officer Todd Brian - District-wide
Curriculum
Students in grades K-4 will be utilizing a resource called Bridges in Mathematics. Linked are the welcome letters by grade level!
Students in Grades 5-Algebra II will be utilizing Envision Math as a core resource. Follow this link to the Parents' Corner to learn more information about the program and how you can support your learner at home!
Keeping Up With Keystone
Career & Technical Center
Data & Performance
All students in grades K-8 will be participating in our district assessments which include Aimsweb and NWEA MAP. Students in K-2 will be tested using the Aimsweb assessment and students in grades 3-8 will be tested using NWEA MAP assessment. These assessments are administer in the Fall, Winter and Spring and will provide you as well as their teacher valuable information on academic growth. To learn more about our assessment please click the links below.
Please contact your child's teacher for information and updates on your child's progress.
Need to register for the SAT, find out testing locations, dates and registration deadlines!