CMS Update
Friday, May 22, 2020
Dear CMS Families:
It has been a little while since the last communication as we have been relatively stable in the remote learning environment. THANK YOU for all that you are doing to maintain contact with your child’s learning opportunities. We have endured a transformative experience in our world as educators and while you may not have the credentials in this field, I (and many, many others) applaud you for working to provide an atmosphere of learning in your home “classrooms”. THANK YOU for your support, patience, communications and efforts ~ our educators at CMS are exceptionally heartbroken that they are not face-to-face with our students and we are eager to strengthen our connections whatever our future holds. All of this is not about perfection, it is about support and perseverance. We've got this because we've got one another!
To our students - we miss you immensely THANK YOU for the work that you are completing, the communications that you are keeping on top of, and the overall effort that you have brought to the remote learning environment! You've got this because we've got one another! Keep it going and keep working hard!
There has been a high degree of connectivity between students and teachers and a number of “wrinkles” in the process of remote learning have been ironed out; while not perfect by any means, the level of flexibility that still exists in the structures and assignments is still very high. As the end of the school year nears (the last day of school is June 18), I am providing some reminders to you and your child about information related to the expectations and rating of remote learning assignments:
Assignments are due each week in core classes that your child is enrolled in. Unified Arts classes work on a two week window. Some assignments require work to be “turned in” - examples of these assignments include Google Forms “quizzes”, writing assignments in Google Docs, presentations in Slides or others requiring use of G-Suite products. Reach out to the teacher directly with questions.
Assignments are being rated based on a 3-level rubric (No Credit - the assignment was not submitted; Return for Credit - the assignment was submitted but did not meet expectations and may be resubmitted after reviewing feedback and correcting; Credit - the assignment met the expectations)
In order to receive a favorable rating for the Term 4 grade in a class, 70% or more of assignments must be submitted for Credit. Students submitting less than 70% of assignments for Credit will receive a less favorable rating in that class.
Ratings on assignments may be checked in the Community Portal - Parent Portal
The final grade for the school year is based off of the average of Terms 1, 2, & 3. Term 4 will have a reported rating displayed and that rating will not be included in the Final Grade calculation. Report cards will be available after our last day of school - June 18.
Maintain engagement in the learning opportunities on a scheduled basis; each family schedule is different, and attempting to ensure some consistency in the engagement with the remote learning activities is important. Please reach out if you are in need of a sample schedule for how to layout the day. This might become more important as the warm weather creeps into our lives.If completing the work for the week happens early on in the week, that is fine (finishing up by Wednesday does have its perks)!
Students (and parents) can reach out anytime to teachers; expect guaranteed responses and interactions during the Office Hours block.
8th Grade Students:
Mr. Olson and Mr. Tucker have received many responses to your 8th Grade Closure Survey - thank you to all who participated! Whatever is chosen, there will be a memorable way to close out the 8th grade year. Also, Mr. Starczewski and I are working to outline an alternative to our traditional “Promotional” and we will be sharing information about that with you all soon. Keep working hard to improve yourself and set yourself up for success as you begin your high school career - the work that you do now will help to guarantee a stronger start in 9th grade and it has never been more important than now to keep that focus sharp.
Retrieval of Belongings from School:
We are working to provide an opportunity to retrieve personal belongings from the school. Our plan to do so has been submitted for approval and we are awaiting authorization to proceed. At the earliest, we will be looking at the end of the first week of June. If anything is needed more immediately (example: medication from the nurse’s office), please reach out to me (dpackard@dcrsd.org) and I will work to get you what you need as soon as possible.
Grab-n-Go Meal Distribution for Students:
As a reminder, there is a scheduled pickup each Friday and Monday to provide school breakfasts and lunches to students. For Memorial Day - the Monday pickup will be moved to TUESDAY, May 27, 2020.
Shepherd Hill from 11am to 1 pm (Dudley students)
Charlton Middle School from 11am to 1 pm (Charlton students)
Shepherd Hill from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm (Dudley & Charlton students)
Memorial Day:
This Monday is the observance of Memorial Day and as such there is no school. The workload for students and educators for the week will be scaled back to have a manageable 4-day week. We would usually have an opportunity to engage all students in the history and importance of this day and we will be missing that experience as we miss seeing them in our building every school day. The forecast for Memorial Day is mostly sunny, with a high near 69 so it is looking like a good day to get some outside family fun in!
Without parades, large gatherings at cookouts, and other traditions potentially not being possible, we wanted to share some thoughts on activities to complete if you are looking for ways to celebrate (certainly optional - do not feel obligated in any way). We would love to celebrate with you, but know we cannot so please consider sharing pictures of your activities over the weekend via social media and tag CMS in them: Instrgram @CharltonMiddleSchool; Twitter: @CMSGrizzlies
Dress it (and you) up Red, White & Blue - create some decorations for the outside of your residence to show your patriotism and acknowledgment of the memories of those who sacrifice everything in defense of our freedoms.
Grab some sidewalk chalk and create a giant mural of the American flag..
Pause as a family and observe a moment of silence; taking a solemn break from the typical weekend routines and activities and remember those who served.
Watch the National Memorial Day Concert on Sunday night at 8:00 (airing on WGBH-Boston).
Plan a backyard barbecue with your all-American favorites on the menu.
Create a Patriotic Playlist and play it loud and proud (https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/a32393979/memorial-day-songs/)
Bake some cupcakes and decorate them with red, white & blue frosting.
Craft your own Memorial Day Poppy (https://heyletsmakestuff.com/tissue-paper-poppy-pin/?)
Whatever the weekend brings, remind your children that Monday is more than a day off from work, school, and responsibilities. It is a day of remembrance for the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Be well, be safe, be strong, and be positive.
Regards,
Dean W. Packard, Principal
#CMSPride
#CMSStrong