CMS Thursday Notice
September 7, 2023
Concord Magnet School K-8
A wonderful place where we all learn and grow . . .

Important Dates!
Wednesday, September 13: Picture Day
Thursday, September 14: Back to School Night, 6:00-7:30 pm
Thursday, September 14: FUN RUN REGISTRATION OPENS!
Tuesday, September 19: PTA Meeting, 7:00 pm
Wednesday, September 20: CMS Night at Mr. Frosty's, 6:00-9:00 pm
Monday, September 25: Yom Kippur, School Holiday
Friday, September 29: FUN RUN!
Friday, September 29: All School Meeting, Taikoza Hot Performance, 2:00 pm
Saturday, September 30: Homecoming Picnic, 1:00-3:00 pm
Monday, October 9: Indigenous Peoples Day, School Holiday
Tuesday, October 10: Professional Day for Staff, No School for Students
Monday, October 23: 2-Hour Early Dismissal, 1:30 pm

Save the Date!
Back to School Night is Thursday, September 14, 2023! This is an evening for parents to meet Concord Magnet staff and PTA, visit your children's classrooms, and hear all about plans for the school year! Our tentative schedule is 6:00-8:00 pm. We are still fine tuning our schedule and classroom visitations. You will be receiving more information VERY SOON!
Covid Guidelines
Due to inquiries regarding NPS Covid guidelines, Nurse Libby would like to share the following information:
If a student is symptomatic and tests positive for COVID the student should remain home for five days. With symptomatic students the first day of symptoms is day zero. After day five the student may return to school as long as they have had improving symptoms and have been fever free without an antipyretic for 24 hours/no vomiting/diarrhea. When the student returns to school the student should wear a mask for five days.
If a student is asymptomatic and tests positive for COVID the student should remain home for five days. The day of testing is zero. After day five the student may return to school as long as they don't have any symptoms that would keep them home per typical sick guidelines. When the student returns to school the student should wear a mask for five days.
No one is required to test, provide proof of testing, and mask adherence is primarily based on the honor system.
Please refer to the latest NPS Covid guidelines below.

ParentSquare
NPS is excited to announce that they have adopted a new form of school-to-home communication called ParentSquare. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with their child’s school and/or the district.
ParentSquare provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to:
Send and receive school and class information
Share pictures and files
See calendar items
Sign up to volunteer
Schedule parent-teacher conferences
and much more . . . all in one centralized place!
All district and school, grade level and classroom information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text. For even more convenience and to access all available features, download the ParentSquare app (available for free for iOS and Android devices).
School Picture Day is Coming!
To place an order online: go to mylifetouch.com and log in using the Picture Day ID: EVTH382T7 or your child's school ID number. If you order online, you do not need to return the paper form.
To place an order using the order form: Fill out the form completely and return it to school with payment on or before Picture Day (September 13). Enclose exact cash, money order or check payable to "Lifetouch."
From Mr. Nunes, CMS Band & Orchestra Teacher
Hello CMS Families!
5th grade and Upper School Band and Orchestra lessons will begin on Monday, September 11th. I will do my best to get the schedules out to everyone ASAP. Next week I will be measuring 3rd graders for their instruments and will be sending information for 4th grade band. 3rd and 4th grade lessons will begin on Tuesday, September 19th. If you have not signed your child up for band or orchestra, please do so by tomorrow, Friday September 8th.
3rd grade sign up link:
https://forms.gle/tjHRdCLSiwrQv3Xu9
4th grade sign up link:
https://forms.gle/NZebELV6gTZkZ81w8
5th through 8th grade sign up link:
CMS PTA Events!


CMS Fun Run 2023!

CMS Night at Mr. Frosty's!!
Join us at Mr. Frosty's on Wednesday, September 20 from 6:00-9:00 pm. The CMS PTA will receive a percentage of all proceeds! Bring your family and friends!!
Join Us At the CMS Homecoming Picnic!


What Does the CMS PTA Do? (What doesn't it do!)
- Field Trips & Wish Lists: Classroom activities & teacher supplies, field trips, off-site transportation, Middle School overnight trips.
- Fundraising: Fun Run, Spring Auction, CMS Spirit Wear, Give Back Dinner Nights, Cookie Kits, Holiday Cards, Coin Challenge, and more!
- Fun-Raising: Homecoming Picnic, Halloween Happening, Valentine's Day, Parents Night Out, Family Game Night, and more!
PTA MEETING, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 7:00 PM
If you would like to learn more about the CMS PTA, please come to the first PTA Meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 19 at 7:00 pm! Everyone is welcome! Learn about the benefits of joining and how you can make a positive difference. Weather permitting, the meeting will be held on the playground so if you don't have childcare, bring the kids!

PTA Membership
Calling All Daisies!

We are excited to start a new Daisy Girl Scout Troop this fall at CMS! You do not have to be a CMS student to join the troop, but they will likely meet after school at CMS. If you are not familiar with Girl Scouts, the Daisy level is open to incoming kindergarteners and first graders. Interested? A Girl Scouts Daisy Troop information session will be held on Friday, September 8 at 4:00 pm at CMS.
Carver "After The Bell" Before & After School Care
Before and after-school child care at CMS is provided by Carver After the Bell. The program is held in our school building. Parents can be assured that their children are being cared for in an enriching environment where the top priorities are safety, supervision and fun!
Program hours: AM - 7:00-8:50am, PM - 3:25-6:00pm
For more information about Carver After the Bell (before & after-school), please go to: https://www.carvernorwalk.org/after-school.
Carver CMS Scholars After School Program for Grades 5-8
The CMS Scholars is an after-school program at Concord Magnet School (CMS) which is funded by the Center in Norwalk. Scholars meet Monday-Thursday from 3:45-6:00 pm (no Fridays or early dismissal days). Students complete their homework, eat snacks and participate in fun and enriching activities.
There is no after-school bus at this time, but if enough students require transportation one may get assigned.
The requirement is that students attend a minimum of 3 days per week. Those who frequently leave for early dismissal may be asked to vacate their space in the program to make room for another student. This program is FREE to our students; however, funding comes from a grant which means we need to have consistent attendance and performance in order to keep this program running.
If you are picking up your child BEFORE 5:45 p.m. please note that there is no one in the Main Office. Please do not go to the front door to ring the bell to be let in. Please come to the front door and use the walkie designated for AFB to identify yourself and your child will be escorted to the exit by an adult.
This year the Scholars program will begin on Monday, September 11, 2023 and run through June 12, 2024.
If your child attended last year, we invite them to attend but a new application must be submitted with updated contact information.
To register go to: https://app.schooldoc.com/!/dn/login?r=carverafterschool

Filling In The Blanks
Filling in the Blanks is a local non-profit agency located in Norwalk that provides nutritious meals and snacks to school-aged children on the weekends free of charge. The goal of the Filling in the Blanks Program is to help children thrive in school by offering additional nutrition on the weekends.
A sample bag of food may include: Breakfast items (cereal, oatmeal packets, pancake mix), Snacks (Goldfish, fruit cup, apple sauce, granola bar), Individual-sized cartons of shelf-stable milk, canned vegetables or rice and beans
Combination of two items: Tuna, Soup, Mac & Cheese or Spaghetti and Sauce.
If you believe your child would benefit from this program, we encourage you to sign them up by filling out the online registration at the link below. Your information is kept private, Filling in the Blanks is not affiliated with any government agency and will only share limited information to the school your child is attending to ensure they receive their weekend food. Students will receive their food at school on Fridays.
Instructions for Registration
- Click on the link below.
- Select "Norwalk School District" in the drop-down menu.
- Select "Concord Magnet School"
- Complete registration form.
Online Registration
Parent Bus Tracking App
Durham School Services, Norwalk Public Schools main home to school service contractor, provides an easy to use parent tracking app.The Durham Bus Tracker allows you to view any of your student’s current school bus location and information about the route in real time. On the map, you can see multiple stops along the route, including the expected arrival times for each stop. You also have the opportunity to view the information from a satellite view. Simply input the necessary information for each student.
Durham School Services, el principal contratista de servicios de transporte a hogar del las Escuelas Publicas de Norwalk, ofrece una aplicacion de rastreo para padres que es facil de usar.
Click here to access the link for the Durham Bus Tracker App
In case you were wondering how the background's marks were made . . .

Concord Magnet Contact Info
Concord Magnet School K-8
21 Hunters Lane
Norwalk, CT 06850
Main Office: (203) 899-2840
Fax: (203) 899-2844
Website: cms.norwalkps.org
Principal: Medard Thomas thomasm@norwalkps.org
Assistant Principal: Jennifer Scanlan scanlanj@norwalkps.org
Administrator Assistant: Susan Mathews mathewss@norwalkps.org
School Nurse: Elizabeth Connolly connollye@norwalkps.org
Social Worker: Elisa Campisi campisie@norwalkps.org
Parent Coordinator & Communications: Terry Lakin lakint@norwalkps.org
Bilingual Parent Liaison: Erick Rivera riverae@norwalkps.org
All CMS K-8 staff members may be reached by email. NPS emails consist of the person's last name and first initial @norwalkps.org
CMS on Facebook
"Concord Magnet School K-8" is our public page.
"CMS Parents Group" is a closed group open only to CMS parents. You will be asked a few questions before being approved, but it's only to ensure our members are CMS parents.
"CMS - en Espanol Group" is for our Spanish-speaking parents.