Falcon Monthly
November 1st, 2014
From the desk of: Deirdre Murray, Assistant Principal
Hello Falcon Families! We wish to thank all of our CSMS parents and families for your partnership. Our students benefit from your participation in conferences, the increased monitoring of student Skyward grade-books and from your communication with teachers and staff. The research plainly shows that high parental expectations have the greatest impact on student achievement. When parents consistently communicate their belief in their children’s potential and communicate that they expect them to be able to succeed academically, students do better.
Parents play a critical role in students’ chances for success by helping to shape their attitudes, their sense of personal competence and their work habits, including persistence, seeking help and planning. As students enter the middle school years, many of the factors that directly impact academic achievement are out of parents’ control, but rest assured, while parents can’t teach their children all the curriculum they need to know, parents can focus on helping children learn to handle distractions, navigate crises of confidence, plan ahead, ask for help from the teacher, and build a positive attitude about school as a whole.
The evidence is overwhelming. Parents DO help their children succeed in school by chatting about what they learned today. Parents make a major difference by reading and talking about books and news articles with their children. The skills that children learn at school are essential, but the motivation, comprehension and robust oral language skills children develop through conversation and reading together with adults at home build a critical foundation for successful literacy.
Many of you have inquired about the transition to Florida Standards and the new state assessments for the 2014-15 school year. Families are encouraged to take advantage of the information and resources available on the Florida Standards Assessments portal
(www.FSAssessments.org) and the Florida Department of Education website (www.fldoe.org). More resources will be made available throughout the 2014–2015 school year, so parents and students should check these websites regularly for updates.
Thank you again for your continued support. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns or suggestions. We hope you and your families enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving.
Email: MurrayD@citrus.k12.fl.us
Website: http://www.citrus.k12.fl.us/csm/
Location: 150 W Citrus Springs Blvd, Citrus Springs, FL, United States
Phone: (352) 344-2244
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CitrusCountySchoolDistrict
Twitter: @citrusschools
PBS News
Our PBS program seeks to reward those students who are successful in maneuvering through their Middle School years. We have programs in place that recognize their efforts, including positive referrals, Popsicle rewards, the monthly Soaring Falcon Award, as well as individual teacher rewards.
Our efforts are meant to reinforce the positive behaviors that they need to have to be able to transition to becoming successful in high school and beyond. Respect for others and themselves, peer socialization, self-discipline, and following rules and restrictions in any given situation are some of the areas of focus on campus. Students are given the opportunity to choose wisely, with the understanding that with their choices come consequences.
Parents and Staff are encouraged to work together to bolster the self-esteem and confidence necessary for their Middle School students. To that end, Citrus Springs Middle School uses the Parent-Teacher-Student contract required as Title 1 school. On the student’s end, they sign that they will attend school regularly and be on time for their classes and work to be successful. They also pledge to follow the CSMS pledge for respect, preparedness and make positive choices. Parents sign and agree to support and encourage their positive behavior and communicate regularly with school staff. The staff promises to provide an environment conducive to learning and to enforce behavioral rules fairly and consistently. We also promise to keep students and parent informed of their progress.
Every hallway in the school, and every classroom, the cafeteria and the offices have constant reminders to students as to what is expected and to what behavior they are held accountable to. Students are coached daily by teachers and staff to grow their attitude and focus toward a positive and rewarding educational experience. Offense referrals by staff are treated as the very last resort for correcting behavior that is dangerous, detrimental or repetitive.
CSMS Media Center - The Falcon "Nest!"
Media Center News
The CSMS Media Center will host McFamily Night on November 17th from 4-7 P.M. at the new Lecanto McDonald’s. Please come out and support the Falcon Nest by visiting the lobby or drive-thru between 4-7 P.M. McDonald’s will donate 15% of the proceeds to the media center for reading promotional items. The ELA Class with the highest percentage of students visiting will win an ice cream party.
The book fair is coming! We are looking for volunteers to help with the book fair anytime December 3rd – 12th. If you are interested, please call Kathy Androski at 352.344.2244 ext 4445.
The Falcon Nest (media center) is looking for sponsorship for their reading incentive program. If you have a business or would like to make a donation, please contact Kathy Androski at androskik@citrus.k12.fl.us or call 344-2244 ext. 4445.
Do you have Box Tops or Campbell Soup Labels around the house? Send them into the media center! The proceeds support our reading incentives!
CSMS Parent Family Night will be December 4th from 5:30 – 6:30.
Visit the book fair, tour the science fair, listen to our band perform, and learn about the AVID Program!
CSMS Talent Show
This year’s student and staff talent show will be hosting a CSMS 20th Anniversary celebration. The focus is on current student and staff entertainment as well as special performances featuring staff members from the past 20 years.
Tickets are $3 purchased in advance and $5 at the door. Concessions will be available, come hungry. Proceeds benefit Positive Behavior Support (PBS) and the Friends of Citrus Springs Fund to promote positive behavior and support to our staff and students.
We hope to see you there!
Friday, Nov 14, 2014, 06:00 PM
150 W Citrus Springs Blvd, Citrus Springs, FL, United States
Congratulations!
Frank Abel - Reading
Truman Roland - Civics EOC ASSESSMENT
Makiya Seminera - Civics EOC ASSESSMENT & READING
Jason Sevilla - Math & Reading
Christina Williams - Reading
Science Fair
Important Dates
November 19th, 2014 - Early Dismissal
November 24th-28th, 2014 - Thanksgiving Break
Transportation Update
Parents, please note that we are no longer able to accommodate any requests for students to ride home with a friend on a different bus. Transportation is provided to students’ address of record, but as our buses this year are at or approaching capacity, we can no longer allow students to switch to a different bus.
Thank you for your understanding.
Unity Day
Pink for a Cause
Drug Awareness Essay Contest
The theme for the 2014-2015 contest is: “Refuse to Use ... You’re Never Alone”
Rules
The contest is open to all 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students.
Participants must write their essay themselves, but they may get help from teachers, parents, or friends in the form of ideas.
- Length: No longer than 500 words
- Paper size: 8½ × 11
- Text: Hand written or typed.
- Due Date: November 21st, 2014
Judging will be based on the following:
- Closeness to the theme
- Neatness
- Originality
- Correct grammatical structure
Each entry must have the following information on the back of the essay:
- Student’s full name
- Students address
- Students phone number (Elks winning entries will be notified)
- School, location, grade
- Elks lodge name
The grand prize will be $50 and the essay will be sent to district, state, and national contests!
Send entries to:
West Citrus Elks Lodge #2693
7890 W. Grover Cleveland Blvd.
Homossassa, FL 34446