Penn Cambria Middle School
Back to School News - August 2021
Back 2 School Nights at PCMS
Grades 6, 7, 8
Back to School Night for Grades 6, 7, and 8 will be on Monday August 23rd from 4:00PM-7:00PM. At this time, student class schedules will be handed out and students and parents will have the opportunity to walk throughout the building and speak with their teachers.
Grade 5 ONLY
To help with the transition from elementary to middle school, all students entering 5th grade will have a separate orientation night from the other three grade levels. The 5th grade ONLY Back to School Night will be from 4:00PM-7:00PM on Tuesday August 24th. All 5th grade students and their parents should plan to be at the middle school promptly by 4:00PM to begin the activities that are planned.
PCMS First Day of School 2021-2022
The First day of school for PCMS students will be Thursday August 26, 2021.
We are extremely excited to welcome all students Grades 5-8 back to Penn Cambria Middle School for the 2021-2022 school year on Thursday August 26, 2021! We hope everyone had a safe & enjoyable summer vacation! With the pandemic causing many changes the last year or so, the school day has been very difficult for everyone. We are hopeful this school year brings a little more normalcy!
Need to Know:
· All Students (Bus, Walkers, Riders) will enter the MAIN ENTRANCE of the school in the AM.
· Those getting a ride to school in the AM, the student drop-off area will be between the first and second row of faculty parking in the front parking lot. Please DO NOT drop students off directly in front of the school building, this lane is for busses only.
· Students who walk or get dropped off to school will NOT be permitted to enter the PCMS building until 7:25AM. We do not have personnel to supervise students prior to 7:25AM.
· All students must be in homeroom by 7:50AM or they will be marked tardy.
· All students will report to their Homerooms upon arrival to school.
· The Dismissal Bell rings at 2:23PM. If you are picking your child up in the PM, we ask that you park along the left side of the building (facing the building).
· Students being picked up after school will exit the side doors (Exit B) at dismissal. Students who walk home will continue to be dismissed from the front main entrance after all buses have left school property.
· Masks are NOT mandatory, but students can certainly wear them if they desire.
· Students WILL be responsible for reading for Accelerated Reader (AR) this year. Students will have several opportunities in the AM to test for AR.
· Due to the health & safety of everyone, we will NOT permit outside foods, snacks, etc. to celebrate student birthdays.
· Please visit the Penn Cambria School District Web Page & the Penn Cambria Middle School Web Page for important information and events (www.pcam.org). You can also follow us on Twitter (Penn Cambria SD @PennCambria) for information, updates, cancellations, etc.
New Teachers/Teacher Changes at PCMS
Bell Schedule - Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays
7:25-7:53 Homeroom/AM Announcements @7:50
7:56-8:41 Period 1
8:44-9:29 Period 2
9:32-10:17 Period 3
10:20-11:05 Period 4
11:08-11:53 Period 5
Grade 6: Lunch 11:08-11:38 Grade 6: Chorus/Tutor 11:38-11:53
Grade 8: Lunch 11:23-11:53 Grade 8: Chorus/Tutor 11:08-11:23
11:56-12:41 Period 6
Grade 5: Lunch 11:56-12:26 Grade 5: Chorus/Tutor 12:26-12:41
Grade 7: Lunch 12:11-12:41 Grade 7: Chorus/Tutor 11:56-12:11
12:44-1:29 Period 7
1:32-2:17 Period 8 PM Announcements @1:32
2:20-2:23 Homeroom
2:23 Dismissal
Bell Schedule - Tuesdays Only
7:25-7:53 Homeroom/AM Announcements @7:50
7:53-8:18 Second Step Program
8:21-9:01 Period 1
9:04-9:44 Period 2
9:47-10:27 Period 3
10:30-11:10 Period 4
11:13-11:58 Period 5
Grade 6: Lunch 11:13-11:43 Grade 6: Chorus/Tutor 11:43-11:58
Grade 8: Lunch 11:28-11:58 Grade 6: Chorus/Tutor 11:13-11:28
12:01-12:46 Period 6
Grade 5: Lunch 12:01-12:31 Grade 5: Chorus/Tutor 12:31-12:46
Grade 7: Lunch 12:16-12:46 Grade 7: Chorus/Tutor 12:01-12:16
12:49-1:29 Period 7
1:32-2:17 Period 8 PM Announcements @1:32
2:20-2:23 Homeroom
2:23 Dismissal
Second Step Social-Emotional Learning
Student Picture Days for PCMS Students 2021-2022
Grades 7 & 8 & Make-Ups - Wednesday September 22nd
Student Attendance
Grading / MMS Gradebook
A = 93-100%
B = 85-92%
C = 78-84%
D = 70-77%
F = Below 70%
You can access your child's grades at any time in MMS Gradebook. If you need access to the District Grading System (MMS), please contact our middle school guidance counselor, Renee Myers, at 814-886-4181 Extension 3005.
Accelerated Reader (AR)
* It is important that students read books at their ability level to ensure they are comprehending
what they are reading.
* AR will count for 10% of a students ELA grader per marking period.
* AR Grades are based on both total points & comprehension accuracy.
* Students must take all AR tests at school. There will be time during each school day for
students to AR test.
* Below are the point goals each student must attain during each marking period. These point goals are based on grade equivalency for approximately 15-20 minutes of independent reading per day:
5th Grade: 10 AR Points Per Marking Period
6th Grade: 12 AR Points Per Marking Period
7th Grade: 14 AR Points Per Marking Period
8th Grade: 17 AR points Per Marking Period
Cafeteria / Nutrition / Free & Reduced Lunches
Penn Cambria Cafeteria is able to provide all students with both breakfast and lunch at no charge to families during the 2021-2022 school year under a waiver from the USDA.
We strongly encourage families to still complete the free and reduced-price meal application online as your family may be eligible for other benefits under the program. If you need a paper copy of the application, please call the Middle School.
Parents/guardians may choose to deposit money into a student account with the cafeteria for ala carte items. Parents may also check student food service accounts online by going to the district website. The Food Service Manager’s phone number is 886-8121 @ Ext. 2152.
Precision Measurement Modules from Snap-on Industrial and Starrett
Contact Us
Mr. Dane Harrold - PCMS Principal
Mr. Ben Watt - PCMS Dean of Students
Mrs. Robin Stasik - PCMS Secretary
Mrs. Renee Myers - PCMS Guidance Counselor
Website: https://www.pcam.org/schools/middle-school/
Phone: 814-886-4181
Twitter: @PennCambria