The Mustang Minute
September 15, 2017 - Issue 4
Building Resilient Students
One exciting item that we added this week is outside time for grade 6. At the end of their lunch period, grade 6 students are allowed to go to the front grassy area of the school where we have some balls and frisbees. This gives them some much needed time to run about and some wonderful fresh air. You will see us add grade 7 and 8 over the next few weeks as well. As a note we close off the front drive during this time period so you may want to use the farther entrance if you need to get to the office.
Finally, I would like to urge all my parents to reach out to me when you have questions or concerns about the Coakley Middle School and it's practices. Social media is a wonderful tool but can also lead to misinformation and false perceptions. The staff here does amazing work (which many, many parents have told me over these past couple weeks) and this is what we want to community to know about us. If you email me a question I typically get back to you within 24 hours. If you call, we can usually answer you right away. Communication is a vital part of a successful school community and one we are actively fostering here at CMS!
PTO Breakfast
Growth Mindset Question of the Week
AfterSchool Club Updates
Grade 8 don’t forget to sign up for Dr. Crowley’s robotics club! It will run for 5 Wednesday’s starting October 4th. Sign up is in the main office.
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.
National History Day Club: Mr. Martin has given out applications. They are inlcuded in the newsletter email.
OPEN HOUSE SEPTEMBER 28th
Before School Drop Off
Attendance Policy Details
Excused Absences An absence is noted as ‘excused’ when the parent/guardian has contacted the main office by 9:00 am on the day of the absence, at 781-762-7880, identifying the student, his/her grade, and the reason for the absence. For short-term absences, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain all missed assignments and to arrange to make-up assessments.
Unexcused Absences If the school is not contacted at least by the day after the absence, then the student’s absence will be considered ‘unexcused’. A student whose absence is considered ‘unexcused’ may count towards the five (5) unexcused absence limit described above under M.G. L. Chapter 76, Section 1B. All absences, regardless of the reason or classification, are recorded in the main office and are summarized on students’ report cards.
Medically Excused Absences If a child sees a doctor or is admitted to a hospital during their absence(s), written documentation of this visit stating the nature of the illness or health concern as well as any changes to the student’s day (e.g. use of crutches or concussion protocols under Massachusetts Regulations 105 CMR 201.006 as described below) should be submitted to the office prior to returning.
Apsen Parent Portal
Our Back Field
Teacher Tweet Out
Coffee with the Principal
Thursday, Sep 28, 2017, 05:00 PM
Coakley Middle School, Washington Street, Norwood, MA, United States
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. 22, 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
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