The Mustang Minute
August 19, 2021 - Issue 1
Welcome to Coakley!
Welcome to the new school year! We are very excited to get back to school with things a lot more normal than last year! Students will get to have lockers, change classes, work in groups, and have a more authentic middle school experience. Our goal is to balance the health and wellness needs of our students with the social and academic benefits of an authentic middle school experience. While we will have some Covid19 restrictions, overall, we will work towards the best middle school experience possible!
Communication
For our new parents, I send out this email newsletter every week (typically on Fridays) providing highlights of student activities from the past week and providing information on upcoming events. While I will occasionally send out direct messages or send home paper fliers - this is really your one-stop shop for CMS School News. Next week I will include information about drop off and pick up, attendance and tardies, and other first day of school items.
I also have a Twitter and Instagram Account where I post pictures from school activities and events and repeat information from the newsletter. My Twitter and Instagram Account handles are at the bottom of this email.
Schedule Release in Aspen
Students and families will have access to their new school schedules starting on Friday, August 27th. Middle School students follow a six-day rotating schedule. They have six 50 minute blocks that rotate each day and one stationary Mustang Block at the end of the day. During Mustang Block, students receive intervention help, start homework, get organization assistance, do team building, and so much more.
Our goal with building the schedule is to create balanced teams of students, balanced in terms of numbers, academic needs, social needs, and elementary school make-up. We do not change a students team without a significant reason to do so. We encourage families to talk to their students about how middle school is a time to expand friendships, get to know new people, and explore their own learning.
If your child's schedule has an error (wrong language, blank spot, etc.) please reach out to your grade level guidance counselor for assistance. The guidance staff returns later next week.
Grade 6 - Meghan Mba mmba@norwood.k12.ma.us
Grade 7 - Allyson King acking@norwood.k12.ma.us
Grade 8 - Ashley McCaffrey amccaffrey@norwood.k12.ma.us
You will need access to Aspen in order to see your child's schedule. If you have any questions or problems accessing the portal, please send an email to: npsaspensupport@norwood.k12.ma.us
Building Tours for New and Returning Students
Is your child nervous about coming to CMS or returning to in person learning? We would be happy to give a tour of the building. Any student that is new to CMS or returning from being fully remote last year is welcome to join us at the Ice Cream Socials (dates and times below). If those times don't work, feel free to email me at mfraczek@norwood.k12.ma.us to set one up!
Supply Lists
The school supply lists are linked below. We also recommend that students bring their own combination lock into school for their locker. This allows students to practice opening and closing their lock at home. We do have locks available at CMS as well. Please note that we are happy to provide for any family that needs supplies for their student. You may email me or your grade level guidance counselor and we can get you everything you need.
Chromebook Deployment
Grades 6+9 Deployment - Curbside Pickup at Norwood High School
We will be holding curbside Chromebook deployments for all incoming 6th grade and 9th grade students at Norwood High School, as well as new students entering the district this year in grades 6-12. The deployments will take place on the following dates and times outside of the gymnasium:
August 24 - 11:00 - 1:00 PM
August 25 - 3:00 - 5:00 PM
August 26 - 8:00 - 10:00 AM
Parents must sign up for a time slot. If a family is unable to collect a Chromebook during these sessions, the student will receive their Chromebook during the first week of school.
Parents will need to fill out a Google Form to sign up, and will sign the Chromebook agreement by checkbox on the Google Form. You will have the option to pay for insurance online or by check/money order. We cannot accept cash for insurance.
For more information please see: https://sites.google.com/norwood.k12.ma.us/mustang-technology/2021-grade-6-and-9-new-chromebook-deployment
The PTO Needs You!
PTO Board Openings
With the new year comes new opportunities to be involved with CMS. We are looking for PTO Board members that collectively make decisions about activities for the school. We are also in need of a PTO treasurer. The treasurer maintains the records and bank account for the PTO. Pleas email coakleynorwoodPTO@gmail.com or mfraczek@norwood.k12.ma.us if you are interested.
Open House
The Coakley Middle School Open House will be on September 28th from 6:30-8:30PM
More details to come!
News From the Nurse
Please see the attached letter about Massachusetts 7th grade physical and immunization requirements. If your student has had a physical since 9/1/2020, and you have not yet sent in a copy, please bring/send in a hard copy, email to jkozol@norwood.k12.ma.us, or have the doctor fax to 833-704-1903 before the end of the school year.
If your child still needs the physical and/or immunizations, please schedule an appointment over the summer so that the requirements will be met by the first day of school in September.
Please see the attached letter and call 781-440-5926 with any questions.
Tova Sperber, MS, BSN, RN
School Nurse
Coakley Middle School
Office: 781-440-5926
FAX: 833-704-1903
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