Weekly Wildcat

PARENT NEWSLETTER: WEEK OF 1/31/2022

Chisholm Trail Middle School

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 7am-4pm; Fri-7am-3:30pm

16700 W. 159th Street, Olathe, KS, 66062

913-780-7240

Technical Support: Help Desk--913-780-8058


Administration

Principal: Rick Sola

rfsola@olatheschools.org

Asst. Principal: Krista Dueringer (Silver-6,7,8)

kdueringercst@olatheschools.org

Asst. Principal: Erin Richerson (Green-6,7,8)

eericherson@olatheschools.org


Counselors

Rachel Iuli: Green-6,7,8

rjiuli@olatheschools.org

Ashley Rodden: Silver-6,7,8

amrodden@olatheschools.org

Nurse

Jenn Ross: jiross@olatheschools.org

School Resource Officer

Frank Galbrecht: fgalbrechtsro@olatheschools.org

Attendance Secretary

Connie Bray: cbraycst@olatheschools.org (913.780.7241)

Data Operator

Melynda Marquardt: mrmarquardt@olatheschools.org

Week of 1/31/2022

Dear CST Family,


It was a great five day week at CST. We had 2 home basketball game wins by both the 7th and 8th grade, an orchestra and band concert on Tuesday and Wednesday, and we welcomed our 5th grade parents on Thursday. Friday was a spirited "Red Friday" as our students and staff gear up for the AFC Championship Chiefs/Bengals game this weekend. It's a fun time to be in the middle school and I love the energy our students bring. Let's hope we have the need for some more red beyond Sunday!


As we just completed a five day week, be reminded the upcoming week is four days for studnets. Friday is a professional development and prep day for staff as they finalize mid-terms and prepare for conferences. Conference week is the following week and is a three day week for students with Wednesday as a half-day and 11:15am dismissal...3rd quarter!!! More in the "glance ahead" below.


Have a wonderful weekend!


Rick

Red Friday at CST!

***No School FRIDAY, February 4th***

Concert Week!

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Characteristics of Young Adolescents

Shared with 5th grade parents at Thursday night's enrollment meeting...some good reminders on adolescent development for us as parents who wonder what in the world their middle school child was thinking :)
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Enrollment Information

Upcoming Enrollment Dates

All 6th and 7th grade students should submit their enrollment choices online by Monday, 1/31 and turn in forms by Tuesday, 2/1.


  • Monday, January 31st Current 6th and 7th grade student online enrollment deadline


  • Tuesday, February 1st Current 6th and 7th student enrollment forms due to their Science (6th) or SS teacher (7th).

  • All 8th grade students report to auditorium at 11:15 to meet with OS counselors. **All 8th graders to the auditorium for high school credit talks with OS counselors. **All students will attend this presentation regardless of what high school they will be attending.

  • Enrollment talks: Sunnyside students – 1:00 pm
  • Madison Place students– 2:00 pm


  • Wednesday, February 2nd--Enrollment talk: Arbor Creek – 8th grade parent night at: ONW--see high school website for most current info

  • Monday, February 7th & 8th grade Parent nights at: OE, ON, OS, OW * times vary- see high school website for more information


  • Wednesday, February 9th--8th grade students bring their individual plan on of study during Science.


  • Monday, February 14th Incoming 6th grade Online Enrollment Due


  • Tuesday, February 15th--Incoming 6th grade students paper forms due to 5th grade teacher
  • OS enrollment video will be shown in Science and OS will be available to for google questions all day. **


Contact Mrs. Iuli or Mrs. Rodden with questions.

8th Grade Families: Incoming Freshmen Family Nights

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TRACK and FIELD INFORMATIONAL MEETING!!!

WHEN: Monday February 7th

TIME: 7:30AM

LOCATION: CST (Auditorium)

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Any 6TH, 7TH AND 8TH Grade Student that is interested in being on the 2022 Chisholm Trail Track and Field team.

QUESTIONS: Please reach out to Mr. Kinzer or Ms. Hankins with any questions

KAY Club- Food Drive Service Project (COMING SOON!)

  • Our Faith-Based Community Partner- Journey Bible Church- is hoping CST could help them with a food drive helping them to create family meal kits
  • Journey Bible Church supports CST in numerous ways and this is our chance to give back
  • Olympic Theme- GO for the GOLD!!
  • Feb. 14th-24th
  • Friday, Feb. 25, 2 winners will be announced: top WIN class and Top Grade Level Team, (there will be PRIZES!)
  • Every WIN time teacher will have a specific item they are collecting.
  • More info coming soon!

Parent Teacher Conference Week--Feb. 7-10

Just like Fall conferences, teachers will have a conference week (2/7-2/10) to meet with parents. All CST teachers are available in person on Wednesday, February 9 from 4:30-8:30pm. Teachers will also communicate their other available times that week either in person or via Zoom. Keep an eye out for communication from your child's teacher about their availability or feel free to reach out with a few times of preference if the in-person time on 2/9 does not work for you.

District Info: Parent Information/Seminar Opportunities


Upcoming parent information/seminar opportunities

Bond 2022

Olathe Schools Bond 2022

To access all information related to the March 1st bond, go to the link HERE.
Bond 2022 - Growth & Reinvestment

Student Experience Overview

The Student Experience in Olathe Public Schools extends beyond the four walls of our classrooms. We are committed to re-imagining the student experience and providing students future-ready learning opportunities that meet the needs of all students in the classroom and beyond. The proposed bond would provide funding to update all elementary playgrounds with new surfacing and would update equipment so that it is ADA accessible for all students to enjoy the benefits of learning and play. In addition, funding would support turf replacement on district fields and additional lighting at district activity centers as part of the district’s commitment to enhancing all aspects of the student experience, including extra- and co-curricular activities. Other proposed projects include:

  • Renovations of high school media centers.
  • Renovations of middle school auditoriums.
  • Funds earmarked for career and technical education programs and facilities.
Bond 2022 - Student Experience

Register to Vote in the 2022 Bond Election

Registered voters who live within the Olathe School District boundaries will soon have the opportunity to vote in a no tax-rate increase $298.3 million mail-in bond election that would positively impact all Olathe students and their future for years to come.


Already a registered voter? You will automatically receive a ballot in the mail on or after Feb. 9, 2022. Not registered yet? Residents who are not registered to vote and would like to vote in the 2022 Bond Election must register by Feb. 8, 2022.


Ballots must be returned to the Johnson County Election office (either by mail using the enclosed postage-paid envelop or by dropping the ballot off at the election office, 2101 E. Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS) by noon on March 1, 2022. For additional information about voter registration, visit the Johnson County Election website.


IMPORTANT UPDATE: Families interested in learning more about the Bond are invited to attend a Bond Information Night. Olathe Public Schools has rescheduled the Bond Information Night at Chisholm Trail Middle. The information night will now be held on Monday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at Chisholm Trail Middle (16700 West 159th Street Olathe, KS).


Regístrese para votar en las elecciones de Bonos 2022

Los votantes registrados que viven dentro de los límites del Distrito Escolar de Olathe pronto tendrán la oportunidad de votar en una elección de bonos por correo de 298.3 millones de dólares sin aumento de impuestos que tendría un impacto positivo en todos los estudiantes de Olathe y su futuro en los próximos años.

¿Ya está registrado como votante? Recibirá automáticamente una boleta por correo a partir del 9 de febrero de 2022.


¿Aún no se ha registrado? Los residentes que no estén inscritos para votar y quieran hacerlo en las elecciones de bonos de 2022 deben inscribirse antes del 8 de febrero de 2022.

Las boletas deben ser devueltas a la oficina electoral del condado Johnson (ya sea por correo usando el sobre con franqueo pagado adjunto o dejando la boleta en la oficina electoral, 2101 E. Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS) antes del mediodía del 1ro de marzo de 2022. Para recibir información adicional acerca del registro para votar, por favor visite el sitio de web de la oficina electoral del condado de Johnson (Johnson County Election Office).


ACTUALIZACIÓN IMPORTANTE: Las familias interesadas en aprender más sobre las elecciones de Bonos están invitadas a asistir a una Noche Informativa. Las Escuelas Públicas de Olathe han reprogramado la Noche Informativa en Chisholm Trail Middle. La noche de información ahora se llevará a cabo el lunes 24 de enero a las 7 p.m. en Chisholm Trail Middle (16700 West 159th Street Olathe, KS).

The Scholastic Book Fair

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to CST Feb. 14th-18th! See the CST library website/app for details.


https://www.olatheschools.org/Page/6949

Local Flag Football Opportunity

Want to join Olathe Youth Lacrosse??

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Follow @CSTWildcatsMS

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6/7 Enrollment Info (1/21 email)

Dear 6th and 7th grade parents,

On Monday and Tuesday next week, our 6th and 7th graders will receive the information presented at yesterday’s parent enrollment night meeting. The resources presented last night are also available in this email for those unable to attend or any who want to review the information. We will also make these resources available on our website. Your child will learn more about this process next week and will be a great source of information, but please feel free to reach out to your child’s counselor with additional questions along the way.

Rick Sola

Principal

Attachments:

  1. Agenda from 1/20 meeting (QR code to program planning guide)
  2. Online Course request instructions
  3. PDF of yesterday’s PPT
  4. Video tutorial of online enrollment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1dRaJ09q8

CHISHOLM TRAIL ENROLLMENT DATES 2022-2023

  • Thursday Jan 20th Current 6th and 7th grade parent night. 6:30 pm- CST Auditorium- no students. Parents will hear information about 22-23 enrollment as well as opportunities available to students in their 7th and 8th grade year.


  • Monday, January 24th CST counselors in current 7th grade Social Studies classrooms to go over course options for 8th grade


  • Tuesday, January 25th CST counselors in current 6th grade Science classrooms to go over course options for 7th grade


  • Thursday Jan 27th CST Counselors in 8th grade Science to discuss high school credits

Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night -7:00 PM – CST Auditorium


  • Monday, January 31st Current 6th and 7th grade student online enrollment deadline


  • Tuesday, February 1st Current 6th and 7th student enrollment forms due to their Science (6th) or SS teacher (7th).


  • All 8th grade students report to auditorium at 11:15 to meet with OS counselors. **All 8th graders to the auditorium for high school credit talks with OS counselors. **All students will attend this presentation regardless of what high school they will be attending.


  • Enrollment talks: Sunnyside students – 1:00 pm
  • Madison Place students– 2:00 pm


  • Wednesday, February 2nd--Enrollment talk: Arbor Creek – 8th grade parent night at: ONW--see high school website for most current info

  • Monday, February 7th & 8th grade Parent nights at: OE, ON, OS, OW * times vary- see high school website for more information


  • Wednesday, February 9th--8th grade students bring their individual plan on of study during Science.


  • Monday, February 14th Incoming 6th grade Online Enrollment Due


  • Tuesday, February 15th--Incoming 6th grade students paper forms due to 5th grade teacher
  • OS enrollment video will be shown in Science and OS will be available to for google questions all day. **


Contact Mrs. Iuli or Mrs. Rodden with questions.

Counseling Corner

The Counseling Department would like to take a moment to share a resource from Children’s Mercy Hospital with you. Please use this link https://www.childrensmercy.org/departments-and-clinics/developmental-and-behavioral-health/prepped-and-ready/ to access information about Prepped and Ready: Parenting into the Teen Years. This is set up as a short video series that you can watch as your schedule permits. There is no cost, and if you complete a short survey at the end, Children’s Mercy will send you a great safety kit.


Topics include eating disorder prevention, home safety (including storage of firearms, medications, etc.), screen time, self-care, substance use (including vaping), and suicide prevention.


This resource will only be available for a short time, so please don’t wait!


Contact your child's counselor with questions.

Potential Covid-19 Temporary Closure Information

Artcile below found HERE


Jan. 14, 2022 ~ As we enter a new semester, we know that COVID-19 continues to be a reality in our community. While our primary goal is to keep our schools open and students learning, the stark reality is that Olathe Public Schools continues to face staffing shortages due to high levels of community spread. We want to make sure our community is aware that a temporary district closure due to the impact of COVID on school staffing is a possibility. Parents are asked to have a childcare plan in place now in the event that data indicators and staffing levels would require the district to temporarily close.

If school were to be canceled due to staffing shortages, information will be available in these ways:



Any parent who is in the district's system, and who has included a cell phone number, will receive a text message in case of the cancellation of school. If there has been a change in a parent's phone number or email address since enrollment, or if a parent would like to add a phone number or email address to our system, please notify the child's school. Please continue to take care of yourselves, and watch the Olathe Public Schools website for updates.

1/13 Board Meeting Review

Click HERE for board meeting review

After School Conditioning

Students interested in doing conditioning in preparation for spring sports are invited to attend an after-school-conditioning program led by CST's Coach Kinzer (head boys' track coach) beginning on January 6th from 3:15-4:15. This program occurs 4 days a week when school is in session.


All students are invited regardless of their plans for CST track/spring sports. This is a good way to learn fitness basics and get in shape!


Questions can be directed to Coach Kinzer at akinzercst@olatheschools.org.

Reminder: Lunch Time Changes

Beginning January 6th the lunch schedule will flip 6th and 8th grade in effort to create a more efficient transition to and from lunch. This schedule better reflects the natural movement of our students within our master schedule.


The following lunch times will go into effect on January 6th…

8th grade--12:00-12:25

7th grade--12:27-12:52

6th grade--12:57-1:22

Masking at BBB Games

Basketball Teams
  • While seated on the bench during games players should be masked
  • Coaches and managers should be masked at all times
  • While playing, players are not required to mask

Cheer

  • While cheering on the sideline or performing a routine on the floor, cheerleaders do not need to mask
  • All other times (sitting on the bleachers, entering and leaving the gym, meeting with coach) cheerleaders should be masked.
  • Coaches should be masked at all times

Dance Team

  • While performing a routine on the floor, dancers do not need to mask
  • All other times (sitting on the bleachers, entering and leaving the gym, meeting with coach) dancers should be masked.
  • Coaches should be masked at all times

All spectators

  • Students, parents, visitors, workers, staff all need to be masked at all times while attending a game

Parent Awareness: Current Trends and Influences

Social Media Influences

A nationwide trend has recently made its way into local schools. Unfortunately, CST has not been exempt from this trend, nor have the other Olathe middle schools and high schools. The trend has been credited to TikTok and involves vandalizing schools and posting the video evidence on the social media platform. This has resulted in various acts of vandalism in Olathe including broken bathroom stall doors, mirrors pulled down from walls, soap dispensers ripped from walls, trash cans turned upside down, etc. Some have been caught as a result of their posted video making rounds. Of course, these actions can result in both school and legal consequences. The first story below features Olathe North principal, Jason Herman, who was interviewed by the KC Star.


The other articles are informational, but recent, and deal more with the mental health impact social media can have. Even working in schools as an administrator, I was not aware of some of the information below. As more focus and attention is given to the mental health of our children, the various social media platforms and their influence on the developing teenage brain is an important part of the conversation. My hope is that the links below will provide awareness of current trends and more about outside influences on our kids. Even better if these promote discussion at home.


Johnson County school has bathroom doors and toilet seats stolen, following TikTok trend (featuring Olathe principal) (9/15/2021)

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/education/article254240178.html


TikTokers Are Stealing From Their Schools in a New Trend (9/10/2021)

https://www.distractify.com/p/what-does-lick-mean-on-tiktok


5 Things Parents Need to Know about Tik-Tok (Updated 2021)

https://kidmatterscounseling.com/blog/5-things-parents-need-to-know-about-tik-tok/


Facebook officials knew Instagram can have negative mental health impacts for teens, report claims (9/14/2021)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2021/09/14/facebook-knew-instagram-could-bad-teens-mental-health/8340578002/


The links below require a Wall Street Journal subscription but may be found in summary on other social media awareness sites.


How TikTok Serves Up Sex and Drug Videos to Minors (9/8/2021)

https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-algorithm-sex-drugs-minors-11631052944


Inside TikTok’s Algorithm: A WSJ Video Investigation(7/21/2021)

https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-algorithm-video-investigation-11626877477

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Awesome library announcements!!

Our CST library app has been fixed! Students may use the CST Library app (from Classlink) to access tutorials to get ebooks and audiobooks from Destiny and/or Axis360, browse book trailers and booktalks, use databases for school research, etc...

Also, bookfairs are returning!! Our fall bookfair will be the week of October 18th and the Spring bookfair will be the week of February 14th. Both of these weeks are the week after conferences and the fairs will be in the library. This year we will be using Scholastic Book Fairs. More details to come as we get closer...

https://sites.google.com/students.olatheschools.com/cstlibrary

Odds and Ends

6th Grade Devices

  • Surface Go devices will be checked out to 6th grade and new students on Monday, August 16th. Returning 7th and 8th grade students should still have their device checked out to them last school year.


Extra Curricular Activities

  • Students are encouraged to join CST activities! There is a strong link between school involvement and academic success. Cross Country practice begins on Tuesday, August 17 and is available to all students, 6th, 7th, and 8th. Physicals required to participate.


Water Bottles

  • All students will be provided a water bottle from CST. Students are encouraged to drink plenty of water during the day. Drinking fountains will also be available for those without a water bottle.


Backpacks

  • Students will be allowed to carry their backpacks this year to limit necessary locker trips. Students are encouraged to travel light and utilize their locker to help lighten the load.


Lockers

  • All students have been assigned a hall locker and are expected to keep jackets/coats/extra clothing in their locker.

CST Student Handbook

Two topics often asked about are cell phones and attire. The screenshots below are from the student handbook found on our website. We aim to promote a distraction-free learning environment as much as possible and we remind students that "Chisholm Trail is a school, not the pool". We want to promote a positive academic learning environment in the way we dress, speak, and behave. Teachers and admin will review a variety of topics with students as part of our beginning of year talks.


https://www.olatheschools.org/Page/8153

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District Calendars

Access to school calendars, hour listings for buildings

District Calendar Page


Year-at-a-glance, single pager/downloadable

District Calendar PDF

CST Admin/Counseling Team

Office Staff

Receptionist: Chrissy Walters

Assistant Principal's Secretary: Angie Peterson

Attendance Secretary: Connie Bray

Bookkeeper/Principal's Secretary: Sara Harris

Data Operator: Melynda Marquardt


School Nurse: Jennifer Ross


Please keep info updated (email, phone number, medical, etc.). Contact the office at 913-780-7240 if you are concerned you may be missing communication or need to update your family's information.