Cedar Crest Middle School
December 2023 Newsletter
A Holiday Message from the Principal
Hello CCMS Falcon Families,
December is such a great time of the year! It is exciting to see the joy in the faces of our middle school students during the holiday season. Due to the busy nature of the season, sometimes schedules and added responsibilities can cause stress. Concerts, parties, family visits and so many other events seem to be packed into a limited amount of time. Scheduling becomes an issue, and we always seem to be looking for ways to complete our to-do list. Our upcoming band and choir concerts offer the opportunity to slow down and enjoy a little holiday cheer.
- The 6th Grade Band & Choir Holiday Concert will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 7th.
- Our 7th and 8th Grade Choirs and Falcon Fusion will be presenting their annual holiday concert at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12th.
During this season of the year, we would like to say thanks to:
- All the volunteers who give countless hours to make CCMS a better place for students and staff.
- P-SP parents who organize fund raisers, bring food for special occasions and provide refreshments in our faculty snack shack.
- All the people in our district who are committed to giving their best to your children every day. We couldn't do what we do without our custodians, food service staff, technology staff, bus drivers, messengers, school nurses, student aides, secretaries, teachers, and members of the school board.
- All of you who are doing your very best to send your child ready to learn every day.
We always welcome and appreciate your support in all the endeavors we take on throughout the year. Hopefully years from now, during the holiday season, you and your child will remember many wonderful times spent together. On behalf of the staff and have a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year!
Sincerely,
Mr. Joseph Burton
Principal
Cedar Crest Middle School
Cornwall-Lebanon School District Mission
“Empowering our students to reach their individual potential.”
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A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER
- December 1- Dress Down & Hat Day (Falcon Ensemble)
- December 7: 6th Grade Choir & Band Holiday Concert, 7 pm
- December 8: Dress Down Day (PS-P Bingo Prize)
- December 12: 7th/8th Grade Choruses & Falcon Fusion Holiday Concert, 7 pm
- December 13- Spelling Bee
- December 15: Dress Down & Santa Hat Day (CLEA Senior Grant)
- December 21: NO ACTIVITY BUS
School Clubs & Organizations
- Mini-THON Planning with Mrs. Rodkey, 3:10-4:10 pm (December 4, 11, 18)
- GAGA & 4-Square with Mrs. Patterson, 3:10-4:10 pm (December 4)
- Running Club 6-7-8 with Mr. MacNeill & Mr. Cruise, 3:10-4:10 pm (December 4, 7, 11, 14, 18)
- Sketch with Mrs. Ryland and Mrs. Bott, 3:10-4:10 pm (December 4 , 11)
- Broadway Critics Club with Mrs. Young, 3:10-4:10 pm (December 5, 12, 19)
- JUMPSTART After-school tutoring, 3:10-4:10 pm (December 5 , 12, 19)
- 8th Grade Weightlifting Club with Mr. Johnson, 3:00-4:15 pm (December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20)
- Quiz Bowl with Mr. MacNeil and Mrs. Raytick, 3:10-4:10 pm (December 5, 12, 19)
- Pokemon Club with Mrs. Nolan, 3:10-4:10 pm (December 6)
- Making Strides Walking Club with Mrs. Rode, 3:10-4:10 pm (December 6, 20)
- Grade 6 Card Playing Club with Mr. Gardner, 3:10-4:10 pm (December 7, 14)
- Gaming Club with Mr. Wojdyla, 3:10-4:10 pm (December 7, 14)
- Envirothon with Mrs. Daugherty & Mrs. Nolan, 3:10-4:10 pm (December 7)
- Youth Action Club (YAC) with Mrs. Raytick, 3:10-4:10 pm (December 6, 7, 12, 14, 19, 20)
December 22-January 1 - No School Holiday Break
Looking ahead...
January 2 - Puzzles & Games with Mrs. Becker, 3:10-4:10 pm
January 2 - JUMPSTART After-school tutoring, 3:10-4:10 pm
January 3 - Making Strides Walking Club with Mrs. Rode, 3:10-4:10 pm
January 3 – 8th Grade Weightlifting Club with Mr. Johnson, 3:00-4:15 pm
January 4 - Envirothon with Mrs. Daugherty & Mrs. Nolan, 3:10-4:10 pm
January 4- Running Club with Mr. MacNeill & Mr. Cruise, 3:10-4:10 pm
January 4 - Gaming Club with Mr. Wojdyla, 3:10-4:10 pm
Blue Aggies & Friends Craft Time
We’ll enjoy listening to holiday music while we create a couple simple crafts. You don’t need any supplies. If you’d like, you may bring a snack to share with others. Drinks and paper products will be provided.
Please go to A-11 when the 3:00 bell rings. We’ll craft until 4:10 pm. You may ride the activity bus home at 4:10 pm or arrange for your own transportation at 4:10 pm. Permission slips will be sent home with students on the Blue Aggies Team.
Monday, Dec 11, 2023, 03:00 PM
Mrs. Becker's Classroom, A-11
Youth Action Club (YAC)
Youth Action Club is open to all middle school students and may join any of the club's activities. During the afterschool meetings in December, YAC members will be making ornaments for the faculty. On Saturday, December 16th, members will continue their service by participating in Wreaths Across America at Indiantown Gap National Cemetary. For more information, please contact Mrs. Raytick at praytick@clsd.k12.pa.us or Mr. Muritz at cmuritz@clsd.k12.pa.us.
Technology Student Association
Good Luck to our students who will be competing in the 2024 TSA Regional Conference at Conestoga Valley High School on Saturday, January 27th, 2024.
Book Fair
MS Jump Start - After School Tutoring Opportunity
Jump Start is an after-school tutoring program that allows students to complete homework and work on school projects. Jump Start is open to all students in grades six through eight and will be held in the Learning Center Classroom from 3:10 to 4:10 PM every Tuesday. Dates subject to change.
CCMS 7th & 8th Grade Chorus Concert
December Spirit Week
Twas the week before Christmas break, the teachers were trying to remain sane.
The students, however, tried to run their patience down the drain.
No Bah Humbug was heard as their Christmas spirit started to sneak in.
So, the teachers set forth to proclaim that holiday dress up days begin!
Monday, December 18 – FLANNEL DAY - Winter is coming so wear your favorite flannel shirt/pants!
Tuesday, December 19 – HOLIDAY CHEER OUTFIT OR COLORS
Wednesday, December 20- UGLY HOLIDAY SWEATER (School Appropriate)
Thursday, December 21 – FESTIVE HATS & HEADBANDS AND TEACHER DRESS DOWN DAY
CCMS Performing Arts
Be careful what you wish for, as Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s cockeyed fairytale comes to life in this adaptation of their groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical. Into the Woods JR. features all of your favorite characters — Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk) and the Witch — in this lyrically rich retelling of classic Brothers Grimm fables.
The musical centers on a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse, and wind up changed forever.
Cedar Crest Middle School Performing Arts will be hosting auditions for our Spring Musical: Into the Woods Jr. December 18th, 19th, and 20th. Auditions will be held 6-8pm in the auditorium.
Audition Packets and Tech Crew (behind the scenes) applications can be picked up in the Main Office. Both auditioning and tech crew kiddos must turn in signed and complete packets to the Main Office no later than Friday 12/15.
Students need only to report ONE audition day. Rehearsals WILL NOT begin until after the New Year.
Please see Mrs. Glassford in the Counseling Office with any questions or email kglassford@clsd.k2.pa.us.
Students of the Month for November
Team Blast (6-1)- Natalie Fox
Team Blue Aggies (6-2)-Molly Maclean
Team Ironmasters (6-3)-Tristan Vuong
Team Titans (7-1)-Sydney Berry
Team Gryphons (7-2)-Sophia Carr
Team Knights (7-3)-Millicent Freer
Team Academy (7-4)-Emma Achenbach
Team Mariners (8-1)-Damyen Derr
Team Enterprise (8-2)-Lucy Saltern
Team Endeavor (8-3)-Angel Franco
WINGS OF PRAISE WINNERS
WEEK 10 (10/30-11/3)
- Julia Reager, 6th
- Falyn McElroy, 7th
- Neveah Risser, 6th
- Gavin Dombach, 7th
- Sebastain Fairfield, 6th
WEEK 11 (11/6-11/10)
- Bella Ketner, 8th
- Naomi Speaks, 7th
- Zachary Martin, 7th
- Ethan Smith, 7th
- Collin Walsh, 8th
WEEK 12 (11/13-11/17)
- Jonathan Sherk, 8th
- Isabella Barnhart, 8th
- Jaxx Guerrisi 7th,
- Janessa Reese 7th, Benjamin Wohlberg Enterprise
Information from our Counseling Office
The course selection process starts early this year. All 8th grade students will be taking tours of 4-5 academic departments at Cedar Crest High School on Monday, December 18 and Tuesday, December 19 during their physical education classes. Please talk with your student during that week and discuss any new information or interests that were generated from our tours. We will commence with the formal course selection process after we return from the holiday break with a presentation by the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center on Friday, January 5, 2024. Watch for further details in the January newsletter.
Other CCMS News
Toys for Tots
CCMS will be collecting toys/monetary donations for the Marines Toys for Tots Organization thru December 15. Collection boxes are located in the Commons Area. Please consider contributing a new, unwrapped toy to Toys for Tots. Some ideas are crayons and coloring books for the little folks as well as curling irons, makeup, or sporting equipment for the older kids!
A Yearbook Makes a Great Gift
TREASURE THE NAMES, FACES AND EVENTS THAT MAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL SO SPECIAL...
Yearbook order forms were sent home last month. Yearbooks can be ordered at school or online at https://yearbookforever.com/. Order your copy early to get the best pricing! The discount price is $25.00.
If you are interested in submitting school related photos visit https://yearbookforever.com/ , Click on Yearbook Snap and use the code: ccms23.
If you have any questions regarding yearbook, please contact Ms. Tracey Oblinsky at toblinsky@clsd.k12.pa.us
Message from the Nurse
Please encourage your child to carry a refillable water bottle at school. The nurse’s office is in need of new or gently used pants with elastic waistbands. We are also in need of new underwear for boys and girls, all sizes.
Parents of 6th Grade Students: The state of Pennsylvania mandates that every 6th grade student has a physical exam. If you have not already done so, please submit completed 6th grade physical forms to the nurse as soon as possible. Current 6th grade students must also show proof of Tdap and MCV vaccination prior to entering school in the 2024-25 school year. Vaccination records may be viewed in Skyward.
Parents of 7th Grade Students: The state of Pennsylvania mandates that every 7th grade student has a dental exam. If you have not already done so, please submit completed 7th grade dental forms to the nurse as soon as possible.
Forms may be found on the CLSD website, under Services-Health Services. Please call the nurse’s office with any questions or concerns at 717-389-1845. Completed forms and updated immunization records can be faxed to 717-389-1858.
From the District Office …
1. CCHS Holiday Concert: Sunday, Dec. 10, 2 PM, Cedar Crest High School Auditorium. Tickets are $2 for general seating. Present your CLSD Gold Cards for free admission for card holder.
2. Holiday Breakfast Concert for District Residents age 65+: Thursday, Dec. 14, 8 AM, Cedar Crest Middle School cafetorium. Doors to the CCMS cafetorium at the rear of the building will open at 7:30 AM. Tickets are required. Stop by the District office, 105 E. Evergreen Rd., (717) 272-2031 before Dec. 6 to pick up free tickets, first come, first served.
3. Please visit and bookmark the District’s online Community Bulletin Board for information and opportunities for students and families: www.clsd.k12.pa.us. Click on the Community tab at the top of the page. This website is provided as a community service and items appearing there in no way constitute an endorsement by Cornwall-Lebanon School District. All questions should be directed to the contacts listed. To have your information considered for inclusion here, please submit the Community Announcement submission form located under the drop-down menu under the COMMUNITY tab. Items submitted will be reviewed for approval according to CLSD policies and procedures.
4. The next meeting of the CLSD Board of School Directors is Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., in the large group instruction room (LGI) at the high school. This is the annual reorganization meeting of the Board. There is no work session scheduled in December. Please register to attend under the School Board tab on the District website.
5. Cornwall-Lebanon School District will be closed for Winter Break: Friday, Dec. 22 through and including Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. School will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.
Links To Important Parent/Guardian Help Information
CCMS is a great place to work!
Principal Contact Information
Mr. Joseph Burton
Principal
Cedar Crest Middle School
Website: www.clsd.k12.pa.us
Location: 101 East Evergreen Road, Lebanon, PA, USA
Phone: (717) 272-2032
Assistant Principal Contact Information
Assistant Principal
Cedar Crest Middle School
Website: www.clsd.k12.pa.us
Location: 101 East Evergreen Road, Lebanon, PA, USA
Phone: (717) 272-2032
Assistant Principal Contact Information
Assistant Principal
Cedar Crest Middle School
Website: www.clsd.k12.pa.us
Location: 101 East Evergreen Road, Lebanon, PA, USA
Phone: (717)272-2032