Colt Corner
Colleyville Middle School
August 28, 2020
Colts,
As we get close to wrapping up the month of August, we are becoming more accustomed to the routine of remote learning. The process will continue to improve for everyone as next week progresses. Our flexible staff continues to gear up for a second 1st day of school come September 8th.
Teachers continue their professional development, refining their skills with the lens of the new added element of having both in person and remote students at the same time in their classes. Next Friday, September 4th, will be an asynchronous learning day for our Colts giving them a Webex break and an opportunity to have a scaled back asynchronous learning day. For clarity’s sake, students will not meet with teachers via Webex on Friday; they will still login to Canvas for their daily check in. This will also provide our teachers additional time of blended learning professional development in preparation for September 8th.
As a dad of a Colt, I approach everything from both a principal and parent perspective. With that said, I know there are a lot of questions still out there about what Sept. 8 will look like, and I want to assure you that detailed information will be provided to you for our school and across the district next week. You will most likely receive additional emails from me next week that are out of the normal parent newsletter routine because of the needed insight that will be provided in preparation for September 8th. You will receive all of the information needed to prepare our Colts for the following week, which will include all new routines and procedures while on campus. There will be videos released that will take the place of our traditional Colt Camp and virtually available to you to watch at your convenience.
For our Colts that will stay remote on September 8th, there will be little change for them. However, I do ask for some grace and flexibility for our teachers and staff as they will be juggling the remote element on top of having students in person at the same time. We will continue to rise up to the challenge together as a Colt community to do our very best for all of our Colts. I hope you have a restful weekend ahead. Go Colts!
David Arencibia, Ed.D.
CMS Principal
Facebook: Colleyville Middle School
Twitter: @CmsColts
#TeamCMS - #cmscelebrates - #CMSstrengths
B.E.S.T. - Building Excellent Schools Together
UPCOMING DATES/EVENTS
September 1 - CMS PTA hosted Q&A with Dr. Arencibia (virtual coffee with Dr. A) - 8:45am (Webex)
September 1 - CMS PTA Executive board mtg. & General PTA Meeting following virtual coffee with Dr. A (Webex)
September 2 - Bring your pet to class (remote learning style)
September 3 - CMS STARS Dance Team Practice - 3:30-5:30 (Vista Gym)
September 4 - College Colors Day (wear college gear)
September 4 - CMS STARS Dance Team Practice - 3:30-5:30 (Vista Gym)
September 4 - Asynchronous Canvas learning day
September 7 - Labor Day Observed. No School.
September 8 - First day of in-person learning. Remote learning continues for those that choose remote instruction.
September 9 - WICOR Warrior - Wear your college shirt
Picture Days
Students will have school pictures for their student ID badges on September 10th and 11th. If your student is a virtual learner, they will be able to take their picture on September 11th in the afternoon. In working with our photo company, details will be released in next weeks parent newsletter for the exact time window to drive up, quickly drop off, safely take their picture, and drive off in a short period of time. A face mask will be required to enter the designated location described in next week's newsletter.
We need your photos for the yearbook!
We would love to include your remote and other Colt pictures to possibly include into the yearbook! Please feel free to share your photos using this link here!
Technology Tips
* Tips for parents and students to have the best at home learning experience. We are seeing some students having issues with webex however they are also streaming music or other things at home leading to their home internet having issues.
Tips for Improving your Webex and Online learning Experience
On your Device :
- Make sure to close out of any other applications that you do not need open for class on your device.
- Close down all other open webpages
Webex can use a lot of internet resources, so that means we need to look at what all is running on our home internet.
While attending a Webex class
- Do not stream music with any device that is attached to your home wifi ( Alexa, google home, streaming radios, other laptops, etc.)
- Turn of any video game systems that might be connected online (even if games paused)
- Turn of any video streaming services that are running on your tv or other devices connected to your home network.
- Also, try restarting your computer each day to help clear out any other process that might be running in the background.
Following these tips should help improve your overall online class experience.
7th Grade Immunizations
To assure that all students in GCISD are in compliance with Texas Department of State Health Services regulations and by Texas Administrative Code 97.66., we will be unenrolling your student on September 8th if they have not turned in their immunization records for 7th grade. The required immunizations are the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines. Please email the nurse, Sophia Martin, sophia.martin@gcisd.net, to turn in any records.
Supplement to the Student-Parent Handbook Regarding COVID-19
2020 Census
Counselor Corner For The Week Of August 31 - September 1
As many of you know, every fall the counseling teams at each secondary school present an evidence-based suicide prevention curriculum called S.O.S. to all students, grades 6-12.
Due to our unusual circumstances this year, we have decided to postpone the S.O.S. presentations, preferring to wait until we can share this critical information in-person.
We do want to share with you how our counselors are continuing to support our students during this time. Counselors are available for students and parents via Webex and phone. Each campus has a form available on their website to request to meet with a counselor. Additionally, counselors are reaching out to students to check in on them and will continue to do so throughout the year. Counselors are prepared to support students both remotely and in person. For students who are returning to school in person, counselors are accessible by going directly to the counseling office, or by requesting an appointment. For students who will continue with remote learning, counselors are accessible by phone or Webex.
In addition to the support provided by our counselors, the counseling page on the GCISD webpage has resources that are available for parents on a variety of topics.
CMS Counselors are ready to see our returning Colts and to meet our new Colts! Counselors are available for student check-in through virtual meetings now and and will also offer in-person sessions after Sept. 8th. Students can contact their counselor on our Request to See Counselor Form.
Mrs. Lynn Brizzi (last names A-K) lynn.brizzi@gcisd.net
Mrs. Amy Bouchelle (last names L-Z) amy.bouchelle@gcisd.net
Mrs. Mandy Ozuna (Student Advocate) mandy.ozuna@gcisd.net
Character Strong
Our district has adopted Character Strong as a way to support the social/emotional wellbeing and character development of our students. You can learn more about this program on their website: https://www.characterstrong.com/. Teachers have already been supporting students’ social emotional wellness through their class lessons with Character Strong. As we build a strong connection with our community to support social emotional wellness, we will continue to share out the Family Character Dares for a great way to extend it into your home. Here is the latest!
Updated 8/31/20 Info - PTA General Meeting on Sept. 1 & Virtual Coffee with Dr. A
Are you wanting to get more involved at CMS? There are plenty of opportunities! First, you can join PTA. Join online and then be sure to come to our first meeting, September 1,
CMS PTA - Coffee with Dr. A @ 8:45 and General PTA Meeting @ 9:00 a.m. (Virtual only) If you plan to attend the PTA General Meeting on Sept. 1 virtually, please fill out this registration by August 31st and we will send you the meeting ID and passcode prior to the meeting:
Sharing the GCISD Update
If you know someone that isn't receiving the GCISD Update, but would like to, please direct them to this sign up link.
In This Weeks Past Edition
2020 Tax Rate Approved: The 2020 total tax rate will be $1.3031 per $100 valuation which is 2.36 cents less than the 2019 total tax rate.
Advice from iUniversity Prep: Students from GCISD's full-time virtual school share their tips for being a successful online learner.
The 3 W's: GCISD is embracing the 3 W's which are: Wear a mask, Wash your hands, Watch your distance.
Daily Attendance: Students can earn daily attendance credit in two ways during remote learning periods.
COVID-19 Cases in GCISD: The District will be providing its community with information about the number of staff and students that have tested positive for COVID-19 at each campus.
Fall Guide and FAQs: The Fall 2020 Draft Guide and Frequently Asked Questions webpage are two of the top places for information regarding protocols for the 2020-2021 school year.
Fall Nutrition Services: Students attending school in a remote setting will have the
opportunity to receive weekly meal bundles from the District's curbside/mobile meals service.
STUDENT COUNCIL AT CMS
We Invite You to Join CMS 20-21 StuCo
Student Council at CMS is all about building leaders who positively impact our school, community, state, and nation. We would love for you to join us! If that sounds like something you are interested in becoming a part of, learn more and submit an application here. Thanks!
Attn: 8th Grade Parents
Please click this link for more information.