February Newsletter
Combs Middle School
A Message from the Principal
Cougar Community
February is going to be a busy month for Cougars. List below is important assessment information.
Help.
I am a firm believer that we are partners in your students' education. So partner, I need your help. I need your support.
Bathroom.
We are going to have to tighten up on bathrooms. Students are making inappropriate decisions and abusing their bathroom privileges. If your student has a medical condition that requires frequent use of the bathroom, please email the health assistant and or myself. Otherwise, we will expect students to use the bathroom between one or all of the 6 passing periods (5 minutes between classes) or during their 30 minute lunch. Of course, if there is an emergency we will accommodate students.
Donations
I rarely ask for support but if you are in a position to donate we would love the following items
~ Snacks for our PBIS store. This is the student store where students get to spend their points on snacks, water bottles, stationary, stickers, all things middle school for positive behavior. Teachers, counselors and admin have been donating to the store all year. (taki’s, anything hot, gatorade, kool aid pouches and candy, are popular items)
~ Gift cards. Teachers can also earn prizes for going above and beyond. $5.00 gift cards to Starbucks, Dutchbros, McDonalds, and Burger King would be great. I will not stop you if you want to ball out and do larger amounts or bigger restaurants.
Earbuds.
We will need extra for state testing. Dollar tree is just fine. If you send airpods I will assume it is a gift for me.
Last but not least. Reminder #22
Pajamas are not school clothes. Students will be dressed coded and you will be asked to bring a change of clothes.
Cell phones will be sent to the front office for parent pickup if your child makes a decision to use it other than before school, passing periods, lunch and after school. ( we allow for a lot of opportunities for students to be able to use their phones) .
It still counts even if they are texting and talking to you.
It still counts if they are checking the time. (although there are clocks in class)
It still counts if they are putting it away.
You do not get to blame me but you do get to blame your student for not following the rules that have been the same since … ALL YEAR.
Love,
Principal Ridge
Assessment Information
8th Grade Parents
8th grade students are required to take the Civics Test. If students are unsuccessful in 8th grade, they will be able to retake the exam in high school. It is our goal for our 8th graders to meet this proficiency requirement while they are students at Combs Middle School.
Arizona Department of Education Civics Test
In 2015, the Arizona legislature passed the American Civics Act (House Bill 2064). This bill will require students, beginning with the graduating class of 2017, to pass a civics test based on the United States Immigration and Naturalization civics questions. Students will be required to score 60% or higher in order to graduate from high school or obtain a high school equivalency certificate. As a courtesy, the Arizona Department of Education, with help from the Maricopa County Education Service Agency and Arizona educators, has developed a mostly multiple choice version of the required test.
The Civics Test provided by ADE includes the 100 civics questions from the naturalization test with most questions rewritten as multiple choice questions. The few questions that require students to name specific elected officials are worded as short answer questions and placed at the end of the test. The multiple choice questions are ordered by the grade based on test content alignment, beginning with Kindergarten and ending with high school.
The official list of 100 civics questions included on the naturalization test and free study materials are posted on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website:
http://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learners/study-test/study-materials-civics-test.
All Parents
NAEP Testing.
Combs Middle School was randomly selected to participate in NAEP.
What is NAEP Testing?
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the only assessment that measures what U.S. students know and can do in various subjects across the nation, states, and in some urban districts. ... NAEP is given to a representative sample of students across the country. 40 of our students were selected by NAEP and will be taking the test on February 1st. If your child was selected for testing, you will receive a letter prior to testing.
Combs Middle School will be participating in the AASA Writing Stand Alone Field Test (SAFT) on Thursday February 4th. We ask that students come to school with headphones, airpods or earbuds. WE have a limited supply to loan out.
Counseling Corner
Hello Combs Middle School families! What an exciting time it has been around campus getting our students prepared to move onto the 2022-2023 school year. In January, we welcomed all incoming 6th grade students to CMS for a Welcome Assembly/Tour and Open House. Members of the Counseling Department visited with our 7th grade students to assist in the process of registering for their 8th grade elective courses. Combs High School Counselors visited with our 8th grade students to discuss the various opportunities waiting for them at CHS and assisted in registration for 9th grade courses. Also in preparation for high school, 8th grade students participated in career readiness activities offered through the Major Clarity program. We are thankful to have had the opportunity to explore the future opportunities that await your student!
FEBRUARY PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES:
Parent/Teacher conferences will be held February 17th from 2:30pm-6:30pm and February 18th from 1:30pm-4:00pm.
If you are interested in setting up a conference with a Counselor, please contact them directly through email.
Laurene Shindledecker - lshindledecker@jocombs.org (students with the last name A-F)
Madison Raksinh - mraksinh@jocombs.org (students with the last name G-M)
Leslie Wiberg - lwiberg@jocombs.org (students with the last name N-Z)
PARENT UNIVERSITY VIRTUAL EVENT:
CMS Parents, you won’t want to miss out on our next Parent University event! Please consider joining us on Thursday February 10th for a FREE special screening of “ScreenAgers: Growing Up in the Digital Age.” This movie addresses the impact of screen time on the overall wellbeing of the developing adolescent; the effects of screen time on family and social relationships; and the struggles related to social media, video games and more. Please see attached flyer for registration link and information. ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
TUTORING OPPORTUNITIES:
CMS continues to offer free and wonderful tutoring opportunities to support student’s academic needs. Students can attend before/after school tutoring (please see the CMS website for the tutoring schedule CMS Tutoring Schedule) and can access high-quality academic support any time through the online tutoring platform “Paper.” It is our hope that students will utilize any and/or all of these tutoring opportunities to assist them in achieving their academic goals!
National Counseling Week
Athletic Updates
Cougar Family,
Volleyball and football are underway and the athletes are doing a great job. I wanted to remind you all that our schedule can be found on our website located underneath the athletic tab. Please be aware the schedules do change throughout the season. If there is a change to the schedule I will send out an email letting you know. All athletic fees should be paid by now. If we do not have payment your child will not be able to participate until we receive payment.
Please remember that grades come first. If your child is wanting to participate in sports it is the expectation that they are passing their classes. We have an online tutoring program called paper, and throughout the week our teachers offer tutoring. Please take full advantage of this if you feel it is necessary.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Mr. Clark
Dean of Students
Athletic Director
Combs Performing Arts Center News
Garth Live-Tribute to Garth Brooks
February 12, 2022 at 7 pm.
Tickets at www.cofare.io San Tan Valley
"Screenagers" Film presented by Combs Parent University February 10 at 6 pm
Free Tickets at www.eventcombo.com
Junie B. Jones Is Not A Crook! Presented by Combs Curtain Call Drama February 17 & 18 at 7 pm.
Tickets at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/17436
Early Release
Parent Teacher Conferences
Presidents Day
Combs Middle School
Email: aflores@jocombs.org
Website: combsms.jocombs.org/
Location: 37611 North Pecan Creek Drive, San Tan Valley, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-882-3510
Twitter: @combscougars
J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age or sexual orientation in admission and access to its programs, services, activities, or in any aspect of their operations and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. The following employees have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Compliance Officer for Title IX, Assistant Superintendent, 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300 and Compliance Officer for Section 504/ADA, Director of Student Services, 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300.
El Districto Escolar Unificado de J.O. Combs #44 no discrimina en base a su raza, color, religión, origen nacional, sexo, discapacidad, edad, o la orientación sexual para la admisión y su acceso a sus programas, servicios, actividades, o en cualquier aspecto de sus operaciones y proporciona un acceso igualitario a los Boys Scouts y otro grupos de jóvenes designados. El Districto Escolar Unificado de J.O. Combs tampoco discrimina en sus prácticas de empleo y contratación. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para manejar las preguntas en cuanto a las pólizas de no discriminación: Funcionario de Cumplimiento de Título IX, Superintendente Asistente 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300 and Funcionario de Cumplimiento para la Sección 504/ADA, Director de Servicios Estudiantiles, 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300.