Colt Corner
Colleyville Middle School
February 19, 2021
Colts,
I hope this message finds each of you safe. Our Superintendent Dr. Ryan, and our GCISD communications team, released an email not too long ago today with an update for our community which I included below for your convenience.
At the moment our CMS campus has been fortunate to have only endured minor damages from this week's weather and don't appear to have any major impact on school. With that said, we will have school on Monday as normally scheduled.
Due to our current circumstances, this upcoming week will have changes to some schedules, including the first tennis match cancelation, and 7th grade basketball games rescheduled from Monday to Wednesday.
Our supportive teachers will be mindful of regular assignments that were due this past week and also extend our students grace/extended time as needed from this past week.
Our district is providing curbside meals today from 4-5pm. Please see the picture below with the details. If any of our students have any needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff members and or our counseling team. I am honored to serve our Colt community and help move us forward together. Please take care of yourselves and stay safe and warm.
David Arencibia, Ed.D.
CMS Principal
Facebook: Colleyville Middle School
Twitter: @CmsColts
#TeamCMS - #cmscelebrates - #CMSstrengths
B.E.S.T. - Building Excellent Schools Together
Winter Weather Update to the GCISD community
Dear GCISD,
The winter weather we experienced this past week turned our excitement of snow days into concerns of safety as critical statewide infrastructure became crippled, impacting millions across the state. The coats and hats we planned to wear outside in the snow suddenly became necessary indoors in an attempt to stay warm in record low temperatures. As the snow begins to melt and the ice begins to thaw, it is important for us to look around, survey the damage, and find the best way forward as a community and a state.
Over the past several days, staff members from facilities, operational services, technology, nutrition and more have been walking through our schools and other buildings to survey our systems and determine if any damage occurred. Like many of you, our buildings had power outages, network outages and the occasional pipe burst. With the exception of Heritage Middle School, which has been the most impacted campus, we will be able to continue with in-person and remote instruction as normal on Monday. At the bottom of this email you will find a list of assessed damages so that parents may see how your campus has been affected.
I also want to clarify how the week of bad weather impacts our school calendar. As we shared earlier in the week, due to the additional instructional minutes we have built into our calendars, we will not need to add any days to the 2020-2021 school year. We will need to modify our end of year early dismissal days for elementary and middle school students, and we will communicate more information regarding that schedule as we get closer to May. Additionally, students will still have off the regularly scheduled bad weather days on Friday, April 2, and Friday, April 30. Staff who were originally scheduled to be off on Friday, April 2, and Friday, April 30 will have those two days off.
While I am thankful that we are able to have school on Monday, I also know that many members of our community may still be assessing how the storms impacted their homes and businesses. One of the things I love the most about this community is how we come together to support one another in time of need. Our counselors will be available to any student, family or staff member that may need to talk with someone or need some assistance. Our mission is to be the BEST and we define that as Building Excellent Schools Together. Right now, the ‘together’ of that mission has never been more important.
I am honored to serve as your superintendent and we are committed to do what we can as a District to help this community move forward together.
Dr. Robin Ryan
GCISD Superintendent
Please be advised this list could change as more damages are uncovered.
These campuses have no damage assessed at this time: Bransford Elementary, Cannon Elementary, Colleyville Elementary and Timberline Elementary.
Bear Creek Elementary - A Spectrum outage is impacting internet, phones, badge access and HVAC control.
Dove Elementary - Water line burst in the kitchen restroom.
Glenhope Elementary - A Spectrum outage is impacting internet, phones, badge access and HVAC control.
Grapevine Elementary - Pipe burst that impacts the main office and a two classrooms (students will be relocated as needed).
Heritage Elementary - Frozen heat exchangers on boilers were bypassed by contractor to bring on heat.
O.C. Taylor Elementary - A Spectrum outage is impacting internet, phones, badge access and HVAC control.
Silver Lake Elementary - One sprinkler burst, but damage is minimal.
Colleyville Middle - Water line burst in the mechanical room for the cafeteria and there was water in the home economics classroom. Sprinkler line burst by lower gym and girls athletic locker room. The water has been removed and the line shut off for repairs.
Cross Timbers Middle - Pipes burst at the athletics concession building. The water is shut down and building not useable currently.
Grapevine Middle - Pipe burst with flooding which impacts four classrooms. These students will be relocated as needed.
Heritage Middle - Flooding which impacted at least 15 classrooms in the seventh and eighth-grade hallways. Sheetrock and insulation must be removed and replaced after moisture in the walls is removed. Seventh and eighth-graders will move to remote learning while the District works on a long-range plan for these students.
Colleyville Heritage High School - Slow leak sprinkler head in controlled vestibule. Ruptured water line in boiler room, which is currently under repair
Grapevine High School - Sprinkler pipe burst in the 200 hall between the learning commons and courtyard. Fume hood in 720 leaked to the classrooms below.
Bridges and Vista - A Spectrum outage is impacting internet, phones, badge access and HVAC control.
Other District Facilities:
Professional Development Education Center - A Spectrum outage is impacting internet, phones, badge access and HVAC control. Pipe burst in kitchen restroom.
UPCOMING DATES/EVENTS
February 23 - Incoming 6th Grade Information released at 5pm - See flyer under repeated information.
February 24 - Progress Reports
February 24 - 7th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here (*Change in schedule*)
February 25 - 8th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
February 27 - A-Team Basketball Final Games - TBD
In this Edition of the Colt Corner
* CMS/GCISD Update
* GCISD Curbside Meal Pickup
Counselors Corner
* SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program - Opt out form
* Bobby Bragan Scholarship Program
* 7th Grade Course Selection
* 6th Grade Course Selection
* GT Identification Process
* Identification Process - Referral Window Closes Friday, March 12th
* Character Strong
* Friends For Life Hotline
Repeated Information
* Incoming 6th Grade Information - Tuesday, February 23rd flyer. 5:00pm info. release time.
* STAAR Interim Assessments
* STAAR Interim Assessments For Remote Students
* REMINDER: For GCISD Bus Riders
* Tuition Based Pre-K Program
* Yearbook Pictures Needed
* CMS Middle School Spirit Guard Information
* 3rd Nine Weeks Closing Window - Late assignments and UIL eligibility dates
* UIL Calendar
Counselors’ Corner for the Week of Feb. 22
SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program
Full program details are outlined in the SOS Opt-Out Form.
*Return to your child’s School Counseling Office if you would rather your child not view the program.
CMS in-person learners will be presented this program on the following dates:
8th grade in-person learners: February 22nd
7th grade in-person learners: February 24th
6th grade in-person learners: March 3rd
Remote learners and their parents/guardians will have two options to view the program virtually through a WebEx event on March 9th at 10 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. (click on time for link)
8th Grade Parents:
Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation Scholarship Program
The Bobby Bragan Scholarship Program is a competition open to 8th grade students from a total of 151 middle and junior high schools. Two applicants are selected from each school to represent the school in the BBYF scholarship competition. The "finalists" will make up the pool from which 34 scholarship winners will be selected. Each scholarship will be distributed after the recipient graduates from high school, gets accepted and is enrolled into a college, university or technical school, and submits a verification of enrollment to the BBYF.
CMS has had several Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation Scholarship recipients in past years and we would love to have two more CMS students join their ranks this year!
Students wishing to apply for the $2,500 scholarship need to complete an application, write a 500-700 word handwritten (not typed) essay, and submit both to their counselor to be judged by a panel. The panel will judge each essay blindly (without knowing who wrote each essay). The top scoring male student and the top scoring female student from CMS will have their applications and essays sent to Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation for the final judging. Applications and essays are due to CMS Counselors – Mrs. Brizzi or Mrs. Bouchelle by Friday, March 5th at 3:25. Students may obtain applications in the counseling office or by clicking on the link below.
Bobby Bragan Scholarship Application
7th Grade Parents:
Course Selection: Counselors will meet with current 7th grade students to discuss 8th grade course selections during science classes. At that time, students will be given 2021-2022 course selection sheets to take home and review with their parents (these paper copies are for reference purposes only and will not be turned in this year). Counselors will instruct students on submitting their course selections via a Google Form. The Google Form link will also be shared with 7th grade students that day and then emailed to parents. Parents and students should work together to make course selections and only submit one form per student.
Jack Cooke Kent Foundation Young Scholars Program: The Advanced Academics Department would like to share with you an exciting opportunity for our 7th grade students! The Jack Cooke Kent Foundation Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for high-performing 7th grade students with financial need. It provides comprehensive academic and college advising, as well as financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programs, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities. The link to apply is now open.
To be considered for the Young Scholars Program, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements: entering 8th grade in the fall of 2021, earned all As and Bs in core academic subjects since the beginning of 6th grade, and demonstrates unmet financial need with a maximum adjusted gross income of $95,000.
Young Scholars Program Flyer This flyer is also available in several languages other than English on the website.
6th Grade Parents:
Course Selection: Counselors will meet with current 6th grade students to discuss 7th grade course selections during science classes. At that time, students will be given 2021-2022 course selection sheets to take home and review with their parents (these paper copies are for reference purposes only and will not be turned in this year). Counselors will instruct students on submitting their course selections via a Google Form. The Google Form link will also be shared with 6th grade students that day and then emailed to parents. Parents and students should work together to make course selections and only submit one form per student.
GT & ASPIRE Identification Process- Referral Window Closes Friday, March 12th
Referrals for ASPIRE and Gifted & Talented identification will be accepted by middle school counselors Feb. 22 - March 12. Testing for in-person learners will take place on campus between March 22 - April 9. Testing for remote learners will take place between April 19 - April 23 at the PDEC (more information to come). Qualification letters will be mailed home and postmarked no later than April 30. Qualified students will be eligible to enroll in GT courses or the high school ASPIRE program beginning in 2021-2022. Please email your student’s counselor if you would like to make a referral.
Play It Safe Student Lessons
Parents of 6th & 7th grade students, a parent preview for the Play It Safe program was hosted via a live Zoom on October 1st at 10 a .m. Students will view the lessons on the dates listed below. The lessons, taught in partnership with The Women’s Center of Tarrant County, encourage and teach students how to recognize, report and reduce the risk of being in an abusive and/or dangerous situation.
(7th Grade) Healthy Relationships - Oct. 13
(7th Grade) Can’t Take It Back - Nov. 13
(6th Grade) It’s Harassment - Dec. 1
(7th Grade) Abuse of Power - Feb. 10
(6th Grade) Survivors of Abuse - March 3
Character Strong
Our district has adopted Character Strong as a way to support the social/emotional wellbeing and character development of our students. All GCISD secondary campuses will be focusing on the character trait/skill of RESPECT for the month of February.
Also, as we build a strong connection with our community to support social emotional wellness, we will continue to share out the Family Character Dares for an extension into your home. Here is the latest!
Family Character Dare: Their Thing
Friends For Life Hotline
Have a friend in need? Is someone you know the target of violence or bullying? Did you see or hear something? Say something! Make an anonymous call and get them help! It's okay to help a friend.
817-469-8477
TEXT: "TIP117 PLUS YOUR MESSAGE" to 274637
VISIT: www.469tips.comThe Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
CTY specializes in recognizing and developing the academic talents of students in grades 2-12. This is an alternative to the summer camp opportunities Duke TIP provided in the past.
SAGE is hosting a free online information session with CTY for GCISD students in grades 2-12 and their families.
Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Time: 12:15 p.m.
SAGE will have information about this event on their website and on their social media. Parents may also contact Christy Baldwin at christy.baldwin@jhu.edu.
New Incoming 6th Grade Info. Flyer
STAAR INTERM TESTING
STAAR Interim Assessments
The STAAR Interim Assessment window is approaching. These assessments are used to gain insight into students’ current understanding of grade-level standards and readiness for the STAAR tests in May.
Assessments by Grade Level
Teachers will communicate when they will be giving these assessments in their classes.
6th, 7th, and 8th graders will take a STAAR Interim Assessment in Reading and Math.
8th graders will also take Science/Biology and Social Studies.
7th graders in accelerated Science and Math will take the 8th grade Interim for those subjects.
KIOSK Mode
Beginning February 16, all district-issued student CHROMEBOOKS (grades 4-8) will be placed in KIOSK mode for test security purposes for the remainder of the school year. Because KIOSK mode will limit students’ access, students will need to hold down the CTRL-ALT-S key combination to exit.
Test Tickets
To take the Interim Assessments, students will need a test ticket. Students will be able to view the Interim Assessment test tickets through their SKYWARD accounts; parents will be able to view them through the SKYWARD parent portal.
How to Access Test Tickets in Skyward
Example of a Test Ticket - information at the bottom will be populated with student information.
Students should have the STAAR testing app on their computers.
How to Access Test Tickets in Skyward
If for some reason they do not, please use this link and follow the instructions.
Yearbook Pictures Needed
REMINDER: For GCISD Bus Riders
In GCISD, the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. This is a reminder that we have made a slight modification to our routine for all secondary students riding a daily bus route or shuttle.
In the event a bus rider or driver receives a test-confirmed positive COVID-19 test, we are now collecting real-time information that will speed up the process for the GCISD Health Services Department. This process allows us to quickly and accurately identify and communicate with close contacts associated with the test-confirmed student or staff member.
All secondary students are now asked to use their device to scan a QR code upon entering a GCISD bus. This QR code links to a form that requires students to enter their bus number, campus, name, student ID number and seat number. Once they submit the form, they sit in their assigned seat. This process needs to be completed every time a secondary student rides a GCISD bus.
We appreciate your understanding, as well as your help in keeping our students, staff and community safe.
*If you do not have a QR reader on your phone, you may need to download a QR Reader app.
(Spanish Below)
En GCISD, la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal es siempre nuestra prioridad. A medida que mejoramos nuestros procedimientos de COVID-19, vamos a realizar
una pequeña modificación a nuestra rutina para todos los estudiantes de secundaria que viajen en una ruta diaria de autobús cuando regresemos de las vacaciones de Acción de Gracias.
En caso de que un pasajero o conductor del autobús reciba confirmación de tener COVID-19 confirmada por prueba, recopilaremos información en tiempo real que acelerará el proceso para el Departamento de Servicios de Salud de GCISD. Este proceso nos permitirá identificar y comunicar de manera rápida y precisa con los contactos cercanos asociados con el estudiante o miembro del personal confirmado por prueba de tener COVID-19.
Se les pedirá a todos los estudiantes de secundaria que usen su dispositivo para escanear un código QR al ingresar al autobús de GCISD. Este código QR estará vinculado a un formulario que requiere que los estudiantes ingresen su número de autobús, nombre de la escuela, nombre del estudiante, número de identificación del estudiante y el número del asiento donde se sentarán. Una vez que envíen el formulario, se sentarán en su asiento asignado. Este proceso deberá completarse cada vez que un estudiante de secundaria viaje en un autobús de GCISD.
Apreciamos su comprensión, así como su ayuda para mantener seguros a nuestros estudiantes, nuestro personal y a nuestra comunidad.
CMS Middle School Spirit Guard
The Grapevine High School Band and Mustang Guard are excited to offer additional performing arts enrichment opportunities to CTMS, CMS, and GMS students this semester with the introduction of the Middle School Spirit Guard program! As we look for more ways to engage the student body during these challenging times, a fresh new co-ed option is now available and easy to join. All materials, communications, and finances are expertly coordinated by Mr. Draper and the other GHS Band Directors. GCISD health and safety guidelines will be followed at all times.
Spirit Guard Program Highlights:
- $35 club fee (includes a t-shirt).
- All equipment provided, no purchase necessary.
- Camps are monthly after-school in an available gym / auditorium / cafeteria.
- Learn elements of music, dance, theater, and of course color guard.
- Performance opportunity on-campus PLUS a district-wide showcase pending.
- A great way to meet diverse friends and easily grow into the high school experience.
Tuition Based Pre-K Program
There are a few more spots available in GCISD’s Tuition Based Pre-K program for the 2021-2022 school year! You can find information regarding tuition, campus availability and more on the GCISD Pre-K Website.
Students that may qualify for state-based Pre-K will be able to begin registration for the upcoming school year in April 2021.