Curtis Chronicles
September 28, 2020
A Message from Curtis Principal, Sonya Pitcock
Cougar parents,
We are closing in on the end of the first quarter already. Can you believe it!? We want to remind you about long term impact of failing grades for first quarter so you can support your student the next few weeks if they are struggling. The first quarter ends on October 9. Our teachers are offering tutoring to both in person and at home learners to help them get caught up or understand material. We know the start of the year has been very unusual, but we are still expecting our students to grow in their skills this year.
Long-term effects of failing the first quarter include:
- Increased stress to make higher grades the remainder of the year to average a passing grade for the year
- Increased risk of not getting credit for the course (many elective courses are high school credit)
- Increased risk of attending summer school for credit recovery and increased risk of losing elective classes the following school year to take remediation classes.
We want to help reduce these long term effects, but students need to take advantage of the supports teachers are offering. Students should be attending class via zoom for virtual learners, completing work in Canvas and in class for all learners, seeking extra help when needed for all learners and partnering with your Tracks teachers for all learners. Canvas and Skyward should be monitored for missing work or failing grades. Please reach out to teachers if you have questions or need help.
Kids have been troopers through our first round of MAP testing and have done a great job helping us assess where they are in reading, language, science and math. Teachers will be looking at the data and determining how best to instruct each student moving forward.
The AISD commitment form for the second nine weeks has opened. If you are changing your learning setting choice, please complete the form by midnight on September 29. We are looking forward to seeing more students on campus and continuing to support everyone in their learning!
Thank you to everyone who has donated snacks and drinks to our staff for our after school meetings. We are so appreciative of our PTA support!
Sincerely,
Sonya Pitcock
Upcoming Events
September 29: 8th grade Football v. Ford
September 29: 7th grade Football @ Ford, note game will be played at Lowery
October 1: 8th grade Volleyball v. Ford
October 1: 7th grade Volleyball @ Ford
October 5: 8th grade Football @ Utley
October 6: 7th grade Football v. Utley
October 8: 8th grade Volleyball @ Cooper
October 8: 7th grade Volleyball v. Cooper
October 9: End of Grading Period
October 12: Holiday
October 12: Student Holiday/Staff Development
Corporate Sponsor: Brain Balance
Learn more about Brain Balance by visiting them here: https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/locations/allen/
PTA Business Sponsorship Program
CMS PTA is pleased to once again offer our business sponsorship program. Curtis PTA would like to invite community businesses to show support for our staff, students and community by making a financial contribution to our PTA for the 2020-21 school year. PTA strives to make every child’s potential a reality.
There are two contributions levels for you to consider.
Red Level, $100
- Your logo and link to your website on CurtisCougarPTA.org from now through June 30, 2021.
- Included in end-of-year thank you email.
Black Level, $250
- Your logo and link to your website on CurtisCougarPTA.org from now through June 30, 2021.
- Included in end-of-year thank you email.
- 1 Thank you in our campus-wide newsletter that goes out to all families.
- 1 thank you and shout out with link to your website on our Curtis PTA Facebook page.
CLICK HERE for more details or email Jennifer.
Volunteers Needed for Concessions Stands
- September 29, 2020 - three shift times available!
- October 6, 2020 - three shift times available!
CLICK HERE for more details and to sign up!
Second Nine Weeks Learning Option Information
The Second Nine Weeks Commitment Form is now available to complete online in Skyward Family Access. Parents and guardians requesting to change your student’s participation in either At-Home Learning or In-Person Learning for the 2nd Nine Weeks grading period must complete the Second Nine Weeks Commitment Form.
The deadline for completing this commitment form is 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
If you are not requesting to change the learning option for your student for the 2nd Nine Weeks, then you do not need to complete the commitment form. All students will be scheduled with the same learning option for 1st Nine Weeks and 2nd Nine Weeks if a Commitment Form is not submitted requesting a change.
Please note that adjustments in instructional delivery model selections across the district may impact teacher assignments and student schedules. Staff may need to shift to align with new instructional model choices. Therefore, even students who do not change instructional models could experience a change to their teacher(s), course availability or class schedule as teachers are assigned based on the numbers of students and course requests in each environment.
Primary Guardians/Parents will use their “parent” Skyward Family Access login to access the form. A primary guardian/parent must complete this form for each student that you are requesting to change the learning option.
Looking for more information on the 2020 bond election?
You are invited to a Zoom webinar on September 30 from 6-7 p.m. There will be presentations from AISD’s experts in the areas of transportation, technology, and safety and security. The community is invited, and there will be time for questions. You must register to attend. Register today at https://forms.gle/S4rKDbLNT3W4ayLu5
Reflections: PTA Art Competition
PTA Reflections is a nationally acclaimed student recognition program to encourage artistic creativity in the classroom and at home. Students of all grades and abilities may participate and explore the arts based on the 2020-2021 theme: I Matter Because...
Entries must be turned in to the CMS Library the week of October 26. All entries are due by Noon Friday, October 30, 2020. At-home learners may bring their submissions to the Curtis front office during this same time period.
Note: your student or parent/guardian must be a member of the Curtis PTA in order to participate. Please click here to join Curtis PTA.
Please see all details including categories, submission forms and deadlines by clicking here.
STEAM Ambassadors Tutoring Services
General Overview:
Provide flexible online peer tutoring services to students K-12 with homework help and science and math concept comprehension.
Goals:
Assist students with math and science concepts through virtual tutoring sessions.
Provide accessible student support that would typically be offered in a face to face setting but has become increasingly difficult as students learn away from campus.
Establish a virtual tutoring model that successfully addresses the diverse needs of learners across Allen ISD.
For complete details and sign up information, please click here.
Yearbook Photos Needed
CMS Spirit Wear Update
- In-Person Learners: Items will be delivered to your Tracks class by the end of the week.
- At-Home Leaners: Spirit wear can be picked up outside the Curtis MS cafeteria doors (north side of the building) from 9-10 am Tuesday, September 29. If you cannot make it at that time, please email Theresa.
Screenagers Community Education Program
You are invited to attend this FREE program hosted by Allen ISD Community Eduction on 6:30 pm Tuesday, Sept 29.
For details and how to register, please visit: https://www.allenisd.org/Page/55618
Thank you for your donations!
Congratulations Recipients of Allen ISD Council Citizenship Awards
Getting Started with Digital Learning Platforms - Resources for Parents and Students
The instructional technology team has created several resources to support the utilization of digital learning platforms by students and parents. The resources can be found on the Back To School > Academic Information for Families page on the Allen ISD website:
All levels:
Elementary:
Elementary: Getting Started with Google Meet
Getting started with Google Classroom
Secondary:
Secondary: Getting Started with Google Meet
For the complete list of resources created to support Allen ISD students and parents click here.
Education Rights and Responsibilities During COVID-19 (PDF)
Education Rights and Responsibilities During COVID-19 (Spanish) (PDF)
CMS Announcements Posted to CMS Website
If you are interested in CMS Announcements, you can access them directly on the CMS website.
Be sure to check back often! CLICK HERE
Virtual Science Fair
The Allen ISD Science Fair is going virtual this year! Both Elementary and Secondary campus fairs will need to be virtual due to COVID19. Instructions and deadlines for the fair will be shared by campus science fair coordinators soon.
Due to the nature of COVID19, we are proceeding as though the regional and state fairs will be virtual as well, however this may change.
Middle School Parent Chats - Hosted by AISD Support Counselors
Dear Parents and Guardians,
During these uncertain times, we understand that you may be struggling to balance your child's at-home or in-person learning along with your own work and home commitments. We are here to support you! Join us at one of the times listed by clicking on the date/time links below. We are here to provide a space for you to discuss your challenges and identify healthy ways to cope & problem solve. It will be a great way to connect with other parents facing similar struggles. We hope you will join us! Facilitated by the Allen ISD Support Counselors.
Please note: Registration will open 2 weeks prior to each event.
Middle School Parent Chats
Wednesday, September 30 2-3 pm
Platica Para Los Padres de Familia del Distrito de Allen
Hope you can join us!
AISD Support Counselors
Volunteer Application Now Open for 2020-2021
Annually, volunteers are required to fill out the Allen ISD Volunteer Application form. While currently volunteers are not able to be on campus, we encourage those interested to fill out the application now. The application resets each year on July 1 and takes about 2 weeks to process. Please click this link below to fill out yours.
Use Amazon Smile to Support Curtis PTA
Do you shop on Amazon? Use Amazon's Smile and support Curtis PTA!
AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your purchase to Curtis PTA when shopping Amazon.
Select your charity: PTA Texas Congress 201 Curtis Middle School
Bookmark smile.amazon.com
Start using smile.amazon.com whenever you want to shop at Amazon!
Be sure to shop through AmazonSmile the next time you shop online. You’re still shopping with Amazon — you’re just doing good while buying what you need!
Please encourage grandparents, neighbors, and friends to support Curtis PTA by shopping through AmazonSmile too.
Curtis Middle School PTA
Email: ptacommunications.curtis@gmail.com
Website: https://www.allenisd.org/curtisms
Location: 1530 Rivercrest Boulevard, Allen, TX, USA
Phone: 972-727-0340
Twitter: @CurtisCougars