The Mustang Minute
January 22, 2022 - Issue 20
Positive Trends
This week we saw a great increase in our attendance up to 91% which is much more in line with our average yearly attendance of 97%. Our staff attendance is also much better and (fingers crossed) we have come through the worst. It's great to have our students back in school and feeling better! The miss of covid19, flu, and run of the mill illnesses took it's toll on staff and students alike.
One silver lining is when we do have a lot of staff out, I get to cover classes - which may not sound like fun to others but I really get a chance to get to know some students better when I spend time with them in class. It also reminds me of what a great job my teachers do and how much work it is to maintain the high level of energy needed during the school day. I covered a 6th grade gym class (man those kids can move), a sixth grade STEM class, an 8th grade science class (had I forgotten how to find Atomic Mass? Yes, yes, I had) and a smattering of math classes. I used to teach math so those are where the real fun happens (I'm a math nerd, I know). So ask your student if they had a special sub this week and let me know how I did!
Report Card Posting Date Change
Due to the extensive number of absences right before and after the winter break we are moving the report card posting date to Friday, February 11th. This will give students one extra week to turn in missing assignments and provide teachers the chance to grade them. If you child missed an extensive amount of time and may need additional support, please reach out to your grade level guidance counselor. The term will still end on Friday, January 28th (so new semester classes will still begin Monday, January 31st).
Welcome!
We are very excited to announce that our new grade 6 guidance counselor Nicole Coetzee will begin at CMS this Tuesday. Nicole is finishing her degree in guidance counseling and will be with us until Ms. Mba's return this spring. Mr. Swiderski was offered a full time position after the break - we were very sorry to see him go and wish him the best in his new position!
We are also excited to welcome Ekta Bhalla who will be covering for Ms. Raina Keenan who is on maternity leave. She will be taking over Ms. Keenan's caseload this week.
Once both new staff members have been issues Norwood emails, we will share those as well.
We are also
We are asking that students please bring in water bottles to school each. Wearing a mask definitely makes you thirsty and the water fountains are not able to be used. Students that don't have water bottles often ask the nurse for cups to get water. To date, we have gone through 3-4 cases of cups for a total cost of over $500. We would gladly accept donations of small plastic cups - I've linked an example below. But it would be even better if each student had their own refillable water bottle each day. A reminder that students should only have water in their water bottles as well. We have noticed some students bringing in Gatorade or other sticky drinks that, when spilled, create a bit of a disaster.
Free MIT CodeIT Spring Program
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is currently accepting applications for their FREE CodeIt Spring program. This program is targeted to anyone who identifies as a girl or nonnbinary in grades 6-8 with limited to no coding experience. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the program will be completely virtual using Zoom.
Dates: Wednesdays & Sundays from 3/9 to 4/27
Times: 3:00-4:30pm on Sundays & 7:00-8:00pm on Wednesdays
The program is FREE and run by undergraduate students at MIT.
If you are interested, click on this link to apply. Applications are due by Friday, February 18th. Students will be notified by the first week of March if they are in the program.
For questions, email codeit-exec@mit.edu or refer to their website: codeit.mit.edu.
Here's the link to apply - http://tiny.cc/s22codeitapp
Bowling Club is Back!
Attention CMS, bowling club is on for this Friday! It occurs every Friday for the next 5 weeks at the Norwood Sports Club.Be sure you have returned your permission slip to Mrs. Bayiates before then.
Please:
-Arrive on time at 3:30
-Get picked up on time at 4:30
-Wear your mask over your nose and mouth at all times and no snacks allowed
-Bring $6.00
-Transportation is NOT provided
See Miss Siegel or Mrs. Bayiates with any questions!
PTO Wheel Winner
National Junior Honor Society
After term 2 the Coakley chapter of the NJHS looks for new members from all grade levels. MS. Harding is the faculty advisor and will be putting in announcements for students over the next few weeks!
February 2 - 11: New applications would be submitted by new members
March 2: New NJHS students would be notified of acceptance
Grade 8 Yearbook Messages
Grade 8: Baby Photos Needed
Grade 8: If you would like to have your adorable baby photo in the yearbook please send your photo to cmsyearbook@norwood.k12.ma.us by February 11th. Please email with any questions.
The PTO Updates!
Questions about the PTO or upcoming events? Email coakleynorwoodPTO@gmail.com
Welcome to our newest board member Martine Burnsed!
PTO Meeting Dates (4th Tuesday of the month)
January 25th
February - TBD
March 22nd
April 26nd
May 24th
June - TBD
A New CMS
"The Town of Norwood's Middle School Building Committee is working with lead architect Ai3 and project manager Compass on the design of a proposed new Coakley Middle School. To learn more about the work of the Middle School Building Committee please take a look at these videos."
(insert video links)
"For additional information visit the project's website at https://newcmsproject.org/"
Or check out the following videos:
https://clientportal.vertexeng.com/dl/v35Ecqpiax
Clubs and Teams at CMS
This week, I have a list of clubs that will be starting soon. Next week, we will have start dates and meeting times listed as well.
Friendship Club - Monthly - Sign up in room 100
Student Council - First Meeting Thursday, October 14
Artist Circle - Wednesday 2:10-3:00pm
Yearbook Club - Grade 8 Only: every other Wednesday
Bowling Club - Friday's in January and February
Intramural Sports - Start Early October
Homework Club - Starting September 27th at 2:10 pm in the Library
Drama Club - 1st and 3rd Mondays starting October 4th in room 101
Rocket Club - Spring 2022
Cartooning Club - Meets Mondays, Starting October 25th
Math Team - First meeting Thursday, September 28th
More to come!
Absence, Tardy, Dismissal Process
Absence Process
As we head into the winter season, I wanted to clarify how to call your child in for an Absence, tardy, or for dismissal. I will also leave this info at the bottom of all future newsletters for easy referral.
If you need to call your child in absent or tardy, please call the student absent line: 781-762-7880 and press #1. Please state your child's first and last name, the date, and the reason for the absence/tardy (sick, appointment, etc)
If your child needs to be dismissed, have your child bring a note from you to school, come to the main office in the morning and fill out a dismissal slip.
Dr. Margo Fraczek
Email: mfraczek@norwood.k12.ma.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/norwood.k12.ma.us/cms-principal/home
Phone: 781-762-7880
Facebook: facebook.com/CoakleyMIddleSchoolPTO
Twitter: @mfraczek