Concord Magnet Thursday Notice
January 12, 2023
Concord Magnet School K-8
A wonderful place where we all learn and grow . . .
Email: lakint@norwalkps.org
Website: cms.norwalkps.org
Location: 21 Hunters Lane, Norwalk, CT 06850
Phone: (203)899-2840
Important Dates
Monday, January 16: MLK Birthday, School Holiday
Wednesday, January 18: SGC Meeting at Center for Global Studies, 5:30-7:30 pm
Thursday, January 19: PTA Auction Meeting, 6:00 pm
Friday, January 20: ASM, 2:30 pm
Tuesday, January 24: SGC Meeting at Center for Global Studies, 5:30-7:30 pm
Tuesday, January 24: PTA General Meeting, 7:00 pm
Monday, January 30: 2-HOUR EARLY DISMISSAL, 1:25 pm
School is closed on Monday, January 16 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday.
Upcoming All School Meetings
RESCHEDULED!
Friday, January 20, 2:30 pm: Our program includes a 2nd Grade Connections Share and a presentation by Mrs. B's 4th Grade.
"Connections" is a time when our Arts Team and teachers focus on a piece of the grade level curriculum (in this case, the literacy study of fables) and enhance the students' understanding of the content through art, movement, and music.
The Band/Orchestra/Chorus Concert originally planned for Wednesday, January 18 has been postponed to February. We will let you know when a new date has been set.
When to Contact Mrs. O'Reilly
Thank you!
Please click on the link below to access Sick Day Guidelines for Parents (English & Spanish)
Heartfelt Thanks!
Project From The Heart
An organization called Project From The Heart, sends the troops packages throughout the year. Our upper school students wrote cards for the packages. They wrote little stories and messages to cheer up the troops!
Library News!
- Students are checking out books again! It's very exciting. As a reminder, books need to come back to school in 8 days or less (not including vacations). Books need to come back in good condition. Please encourage your children to read their library books to you! Here is our student resource list.
- There is still a lot of organization and signage left to do, so we are still seeking volunteers to help. Please contact Mr. Duff at duffc@norwalkps.org or Terry Lakin at lakint@norwalkps.org if you are available.
Did you know that CMS students have access to eBooks, Audiobooks, and Research Resources at school AND home? Click HERE for information on the various programs available and how to access them. Mr. Duff recommends the SORA eBook/Audiobook app.
CMS SGC Meetings
NPS will be hosting two district-wide SGC Meetings in January.
- January 18 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm- Secondary schools (including CMS) - All SGC Members
- January 24 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm– Elementary schools - ALL SGC Members
Both meetings will take place in the Center for Global Studies Community Room. A light dinner will be provided starting at 5:00pm for both sessions. Please contact Terry at lakint@norwalkps.org if you are planning to attend.
After the Bell Scholars Program Expanding!
We are pleased to announce that the After the Bell 5th Grade Scholars Program is being expanded to grades 5-8! All CMS 5-8th graders are invited.
This afterschool program is held 4 days a week, Monday through Thursday, from dismissal to 6:00 pm. The program will run through the end of the school year. The Program offers homework/academic support, snacks and elective enrichment activities. The enrichment activities are based on the talents and interests of our instructors. There is no fee for the Scholars Program, funding is provided through Lowery 21st Century Community Learning Centers Initiative.
If you are interested in signing your child up for this program, please refer to the flyers below.
NPS Elementary School Choice Fair
Norwalk Public Schools will host its second annual Elementary School Choice Fair on Thursday, February 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Concord Magnet School. Norwalk families are invited to come and learn more about Norwalk's13 elementary schools and to speak directly with students, teachers and administrators.
The Elementary School Choice Lottery will open on the day of the fair or shortly after. The lottery will be open to all families with a child entering kindergarten through fifth grade in Fall 2023, as well as pre-kindergarten for the Montessori program at Brookside Elementary School.
Do You Have a Child Entering CMS Next Year?
Last year, the NPS district started conducting all of Norwalk's School Choice Lotteries (including ours). Before the lottery drawing for next year's enrollment, we must let the district know how many seats need to be saved for incoming CMS siblings. To help prepare, we are asking parents of incoming CMS siblings to email Terry Lakin at lakint@norwalkps.org, specifying the name of your incoming child and the name and grade of your current CMS student in your email.
Lottery applications will be available on or about February 2, 2023. CMS sibling parents will be notified when it is time to complete and submit your online application.
Eligibility:
- Children entering kindergarten must turn 5 on or before December 31, 2023.
- To qualify as a sibling and receive priority status, both applicant and sibling must attend CMS K-8 in the 2023/2024 school year.
- Even though your child is a CMS sibling, you must submit a lottery application. (You will be able to note on the application that your child is a CMS sib.) If you do not submit a lottery application, your child will be placed on our waiting list.
- CMS siblings entering grades other than kindergarten may be placed on a waiting list due to space availability in the entering grade.
En Espanol
El año pasado, el distrito de NPS comenzó a realizar todas las loterías School Choice de Norwalk (incluyendo la nuestra). Antes del sorteo de lotería para la inscripción del próximo año, debemos informar al distrito cuántos asientos deben guardar para los hermanos(as) entrantes de CMS. Para ayudar a prepararse, estamos pidiendo a los padres de los hermanos(as) entrantes de CMS que envíen un correo electrónico a Terry Lakin a lakint@norwalkps.org, especificando el nombre de su hijo(a) entrante y el nombre y grado de el estudiante actual de CMS.
Los padres tendrán que llenar las solicitud de lotería, pero a nuestras familias se les dará prioridad de entre hermanos. Lo mantendremos informado sobre todas las fechas e información importante sobre la lotería y lo guiaremos a través del proceso si es necesario.
Elegibilidad:
- Los niños que ingresan al grado Kindergarten deben cumplir 5 años antes del 31 de Diciembre del 2023.
- Para calificar como hermano y recibir el estado de prioridad, tanto el solicitante como el hermano deben asistir a CMS K-8 en el año escolar 2023/2024.
- Aunque su hijo es un hermano(a) de CMS, debe presentar una solicitud de lotería. (Podrá anotar en la solicitud que su hijo es un hermano(a) de CMS). Si no envía una solicitud de lotería, su hijo será colocado en nuestra lista de espera.
Norwalk Public School January Events!
The NPS January calendar is full of exciting and interesting events. Brien McMahon and Norwalk high schools will sponsor the return of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration and The Norwalk Partnership will host its first Freshman Forums at both high schools. For information on these and other activities, please click on the link below.
PTA News and Activities!
Upcoming Meetings!
- PTA Auction Meeting: Thursday, January 19, 6:00 pm in the CMS cafeteria. New members welcome to join and help with our biggest fundraiser of the year!
- PTA General Membership Meeting: Tuesday, January 24, 7:00 pm in the CMS cafeteria.
Make-Your-Own Pizza Kits!!
Order a take home pizza kit for you and your family and have some good, old-fashioned fun while cooking over the weekend. When preparing/baking, please take some pictures of your child and post on our CMS Parents Facebook page. You never know he/she could end up in our school yearbook.
Price per kit: $13 cheese, $14 Pepperoni
Pizza Kit includes:
(1) 14" pizza dough
(2) Cheese cups
(2) sauce cups
(2) pepperoni cups (optional)
(1) Flour cup
Please fill out the google form here:
https://forms.gle/HLG1syfoz9LJEerLA
You can pay via PayPal to @columbusmagnetschool or send a check into the school in an envelope addressed to CMS PTA.
Pizza kits will be sent home with your child on Friday, January 20.
CMS Coin Challenge Starts Tuesday!
If a grade level collects $25 during the first week, they will earn at PJ Day!
Join the CMS PTA!
The Concord Magnet School PTA is asking for your support and is inviting you to join the PTA! A Family Membership is $10.00. As a PTA member, you have voting rights which will impact how PTA money is spent on your children and what programs the CMS PTA supports.
YOU MUST PAY THE MEMBERSHIP FEES TO BE AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE PTA. Pay $10 through Pay Pal to @columbusmagnetschool or send a check into school for $10 addressed to CMS PTA in an envelope labeled CMS PTA.
Here is the Google Form for joining the PTA.
CMS on Facebook
"Concord Magnet School K-8" is our public page.
"CMS Parents Group" is a closed group open only to CMS parents. You will be asked a few questions before being approved, but it's only to ensure our members are CMS parents.
"CMS - en Espanol Group" is for our Spanish-speaking parents.