September Newsletter
A Message From the Principal
Cougar Families.
I believe in being a transparent principal and being held accountable for CMS. I love feedback and support. It is not cliche when I say “It takes a village”.
So, Village, I need your help.
Grades matter. Education has to come first. Students will be able to learn in class and teachers will be able to teach in class. If your child is preventing this process we will hold them accountable for their choices and behavior. You can help by staying on top of their grades in Parent Vue and by logging into PBIS. PBIS tracks both student student success and referrals.
Behavior Matters. I understand that kids are kids. However, I will still hold students accountable for their choice in behavior. You can help by staying on top of their social media accounts. Most of the not being kind comes from phones and social media, their instagram and snap chat. Speaking with your children about how words can hurt. Street rules and school rules are completely different. Keep your hands to yourself.
Time Matters. Students are expected to arrive to class and school on time. Students are expected to complete their assignments on time. I will not ask teachers to rush to grade late work. How can you help? Make sure your student is getting enough rest to get up on time. Review their StudentVue and Google Classroom.
Phones. If phones are going to be an issue for both students and parents we will go back to a no phone policy. Every student has been given a schoolwide warning that if they are on their phones it will be parent pickup. I mean this in the most respectful way as I can possibly put it. We will not tolerate rude calls or threats about phones from parents. Save all of that energy for your student who was on their phone breaking a school rule.
Devices. Please check to make sure your students screensaver is school appropriate.
If they lose a charger, the cost is $60.00 for a replacement or you can order one on Amazon. Students are responsible for charging their devices at night and bringing them to school everyday. I would highly recommend insuring your child's device.
This communication is not meant to be harsh but to be clear I mean business at CMS.
In September, I will begin Saturday School and after school detention for students with failing grades, missing assignments and tardies. I am willing to give up my Saturdays, to get students where they need to be.
We want your student to have the best middle school experience through positive student interactions, clubs, sports, games and dances. Our two current sport teams are experiencing success, student council is planning our first dance on September 23rd and the chess club is starting next week. There are plenty of opportunities for students to make new friends and contribute to our school community in a positive way.
Great things are happening at CMS. I promise.
Principal Ridge.
Counseling Corner
SEL/Counselor Intro
The CMS Counseling team will be rolling out a self referral process for students to set up appointments with each of our counselors on an as needed basis. For any additional questions, our contact information is listed within our website that is linked below:
Scheduling:
The counseling and administration teams would like to sincerely thank all of our CMS families and students for your patience with the multiple schedule changes that were necessary for us to make recently. We realize that this can be a frustrating process, as change in routine can be difficult. We thank you for your flexibility and patience. As a reminder, the counseling team does our best to provide students with the electives they chose and to keep student’s schedules as consistent as possible. Here are the only reasons why schedule changes occur:
Balancing classroom sizes
Student academic needs
Staff schedule changes
Administrative direction to change schedules when it is in a student’s best interest
JOCUSD Parent University:
Parents, did you know that our district offers valuable parent resources available to you for FREE? Parent University educates Combs parents on the social, emotional, and developmental needs of their student. It focuses on creating positive experiences and building emotional health so students are present, engaged, and learning when on campus. The focus on emotional health and the education of the whole child will lead to success as students reach for their full potential, contribute to the greater good of society, and lead meaningful lives. Here is a link to the Parent University home page:
Additionally, please check out the events calendar for information on helpful parent events:
Parent University Events Calendar
Counselor Meetings During Parent/Teacher Conferences:
Parent/Teacher conferences will be held September 1st from _ to _ and September 2nd from _ to _. If you are interested in setting up a conference with a Counselor, please contact them directly through email.
Laurene Shindledecker - lshindledecker@jocombs.org (students with the last name A-F)
Madison Raksinh - mraksinh@jocombs.org (students with the last name G-M)
Leslie Wiberg - lwiberg@jocombs.org (students with the last name N-Z)
Managing Grief:
In August, our school community suffered a tragedy of a student who attended classes on our campus. Many students are trying to navigate through the uncomfortable feelings that they are struggling with during this difficult time. Our campus team would like to provide you with resources and offer our support to you and your students. Please do not hesitate to reach out for additional support.
Athletics
Parents & Guardians,
Athletics is underway and going great. Both our volleyball and baseball teams are competing and continue to grow as a team. Our cross country team has been practicing hard for the past 4 weeks in preparation for their first meet.
If your child plans to participate in 2nd quarter sports please make sure that they have all documents submitted to the front office. The athletic packet and sports physical will be due before we go on fall break.
Parents, please make sure your child is staying on top of their grades. If your child needs extra support please contact the teacher, and have them use our online tutoring platform. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Clark
Go Cougars
Nutrition Services
From the Cafeteria
Parents, please make sure to maintain funds in your child’s meal account. Lunch is $3.20 per meal and Breakfast is $1.75. You can go online to make payments to the student’s account (family.titank12.com), send money with your child to have it put in their account directly or drop it off yourself at the cafeteria. If the student’s meal account has a negative balance, you will receive an email reminding you to add money to their account. Your child will still receive a nutritious meal, but will have less choice of what they may have for breakfast or lunch. We love to feed your children and also would love to hear from you on food choice suggestions that we may incorporate into our menu.
Combs Performing Art Center News
The audience choice winner is The Green Day Tribute! The Green Day Tribute-Green ToDAy
presented by Rocksteady Productions -Audience Choice Winner November 19, 2023 at 7 pm.
Ticket information coming soon to www.jocombs.org/CPAC Tickets go on sale September 1!
Disney's Descendants presented by Arizona Repertory Theater,
Sept. 9 at 7 pm, Sept. 10 at 2 and 7 pm. Tickets and information at www.art4kids.net
Clue presented by Combs Curtain Call Drama.
Sept. 22, 23 & 24 at 7 pm.
Tickets available at www.etix.com
CMS & CHS Combined Choir Concert
Sept. 26 at 6 pm. Free Admission!
CMS Band and Orchestra Concert
Sept. 27 at 6 pm. Free Admission!
CHS Band and Jazz Band Concert
Sept. 28 at 7 pm. Free Admission!
CHS Orchestra and Guitar Concert
Sept. 29 at 7 pm. Free Admission
Save the dates! New shows just added!
The Lennon Experience-Tribute to John Lennon presented by Rocksteady Productions.
November 6, 2022 at 3 pm. Ticket information coming soon to www.jocombs.org/CPAC
Presto! A family friendly evening of magic and variety entertainment with world-renowned entertainers Valley Variety's Mr. B and The Astonishing Magic of Sebastian. November 11, 2022 at 6 pm. Tickets on sale at www.jocombs.org/CPAC
Combs Middle School
J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age or sexual orientation in admission and access to its programs, services, activities, or in any aspect of their operations and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. The following employees have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Compliance Officer for Title IX, Assistant Superintendent, 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300 and Compliance Officer for Section 504/ADA, Director of Student Services, 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300.
El Districto Escolar Unificado de J.O. Combs #44 no discrimina en base a su raza, color, religión, origen nacional, sexo, discapacidad, edad, o la orientación sexual para la admisión y su acceso a sus programas, servicios, actividades, o en cualquier aspecto de sus operaciones y proporciona un acceso igualitario a los Boys Scouts y otro grupos de jóvenes designados. El Districto Escolar Unificado de J.O. Combs tampoco discrimina en sus prácticas de empleo y contratación. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para manejar las preguntas en cuanto a las pólizas de no discriminación: Funcionario de Cumplimiento de Título IX, Superintendente Asistente 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300 and Funcionario de Cumplimiento para la Sección 504/ADA, Director de Servicios Estudiantiles, 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300.
Email: aflores@jocombs.org
Website: combsms.jocombs.org?/
Location: 37611 North Pecan Creek Drive, San Tan Valley, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-882-3510
Twitter: @combscougars