The Mustang Minute
September 29, 2017 - Issue 6
Happy and Healthy Kids!
One new trend that we have started at the Coakley is outside time after lunch. The students' lunch period is 30 minutes long. In general, it takes the students about 12 -15 minutes to get and eat their food (I kid you not - it's quick), which leaves about 15 minutes for them to get outside, stretch their legs and get some fresh air. We plan to continue this throughout the year. As it gets colder please remind your students to bring warm clothes or they will not be able to go outside.
Another new initiative at the Coakley is our Friday Forum and Team Time additions to Mustang Block. From Monday to Thursday students use the 50 minute Mustang Block for two purposes: silent reading and homework help. On Friday, we have chosen to use it for community building activities. Friday Forum occurs during the first 20 minutes. Teachers show a short video clip about a topic and then lead their classes in a discussion about the issue presented. For example, we viewed a video about the eclipse a couple of weeks ago and discussed the phenomena. During the second half of Mustang Block teams decide upon activities that help build a strong community. The first couple of weeks were used to due ice-breakers and "get-to-know-you" activities. Later on this term, some teams may focus on peer relationships and building friendships or look at post high school planning. This time allows the staff to work on developing the social emotional well-being of our students along with the academic. Please ask your students about a Friday Forum topic (this week's is about the Atom) to join in our community wide discussion.
A big thank you to everyone that came out for our Open House last night. It was wonderful to see so many families. Parent teacher conferences are coming in November, more information will be coming along soon.
Growth Mindset Question of the Week
CMS School Start Time
Grade 8 to Washington DC
I’m pleased to announce that we will be continuing the tradition of the Washington D.C. trip that was such a great success at Coakley Middle School last year! This is a great opportunity for your eighth grader to see their class lessons come to life in our nation’s capital. It is also a chance for them to discover more about the world—as well as themselves.
We will be traveling with EF Explore America, the world’s largest private educational organization. With nearly 50 years of experience, their unparalleled resources and expertise have helped millions of students step out of their comfort zones and into the world around them.
I will be hosting the enrollment meeting on Wednesday, October 11th at 6:30 pm, in the auditorium. We will be joined by a representative from EF Explore America to answer any questions you may have, so I hope you will be able to come and learn more.
AfterSchool Club Updates
We are in the process of collecting all after school club schedules. Once collected we will create a master calendar for parents to follow.
CMS Book Club: This year we are reading “Ghost” by Jason Reynolds. Read the book and join us on October 26th after school in the library. See Mrs. MacTavish or Mrs. Lockwood with questions.
Math Club: Will be meeting on Thursday's
CMS Honor Chorus: Monday and Wednesdays 2:15-3:00 pm
CMS Jazz Band: Wednesday's 5-7:30 pm
CMS Honor Band: First rehearsal Monday, October 2nd from 4:30-6 pm in the CMS auditorium.
CMS Honor Orchestra: Sign Ups for Honor Orchestra are on the bulletin board outside the chorus room. Auditions will be Monday and Tuesday, October 2nd and 3rd.
Intramural Sports: please check the website (linked below) for all schedules.
School Council
Definition of a school council and it's role from the Department of Educations website:
"A school council is a representative, school building-based committee composed of the principal, parents, teachers, community members and, at the secondary level, students, required to be established by each school pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 59C." Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school Reviewing the annual school building budget
"The law outlines four major areas of responsibility for councils. School councils are to assist principals in:
Our Back Field
Teacher Tweet Out
Nurse Notes
Attention Seventh Grade Parents--Please send in physicals!
All seventh graders must have an updated physical on file (within one year) that includes documentation for updated immunizations. If you haven't already, please bring/send in your child's physical ASAP. If your child has an upcoming appointment, please email the date to the nurse at tsperber@norwood.k12.ma.us (or call 781-440-5926).
If you are unsure if your child is up to date, please check with me or Joyce Kozol, RN. The doctor can fax us directly at 781-769-4458.
Thank you! Tova Sperber, RN
PTO Corner
The PTO meets the second Thursday of each month to hear an update from the principal and discuss planning related to enrichment, fundraising, activities and other topics of interest. You can also stay up to date with the CMS PTO by following us on Facebook. You can contact the PTO at coakleypto@gmail.com.
The PTO is selling Dutch Mill flower bulbs this fall. Order forms will be sent home with students or can be ordered online and shipped directly for a small fee: https://groups.dutchmillbulbs.com/shop/?affiliates=coakleymiddleschoolpto. The PTO earns 50% of each sale and the top student seller will be given movie passes as a prize. Order forms will be due back by Friday, Sept. 29, and bulbs distributed in early October. Forms may be given to homeroom teachers or dropped off in the PTO mailbox in the main office.
Get those Box Tops ready. We will be collecting Box Tops through mid-October and can earn hundreds of dollars with just a little effort. We will hold a drive during National Box Tops week Sept. 24-30th. If possible, collect box tops in baggies or envelopes in groups of 50. If you don't have 50, please indicate number of box tops included in your submission. They may be left in the PTO mailbox in the main office.
2017-2018 Meeting Schedule
Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month from 7-8 p.m. in the middle school library.
• October 12
• November 9
• December 14
• January 11
• February 8
• March 8
• April 12
• May 10
• June 14
Important Dates
October 6th: No School. Professional Development.
October 11th: Washington DC informational meeting
October 12th at 7pm: PTO
Dr. Philip O. Coakley Middle School
Email: mfraczek@norwood.k12.ma.us
Website: www.norwood.k12.ma.us/cms
Location: 1315 Washington Street, Norwood, MA, United States
Phone: 781-762-7880
Twitter: @mfraczek