Colt Corner
#TeamCMS
October 13, 2017
Dear Colts,
Yesterday our staff and students were able to hear from PTA sponsored, Dr. Meghan Zuraw, J.D., over the importance of being good citizens on social media. As we all know in today's day and age, social media has taken a life of its own. It is important for us all to work together as a community to help keep our students safe and bring awareness to responsible use with their digital footprint now and in the future. It takes us all working together to help our students obtain these important life skills. I often thank you for the partnership that we have together, and echo that working in unison we all help build an excellent school together for our students! Have a great weekend, Colts!
BEST,
David Arencibia, Ed.D.
CMS Principal
Facebook: Colleyville Middle School
Twitter: @CmsColts
#TeamCMS - #cmscelebrates - #CMSstrengths
An Update for GCISD Bus Riders
In June 2017, Governor Abbott signed Senate Bill 693, which requires all buses model year 2018 or newer, to be equipped with three-point seat belts for each passenger. The buses will have 76 seat belts in instances where students can ride three to a row, but can be adapted to seat two per row. While the Bill was signed into law, and the district must comply, there was no additional state funding allocated for this requirement.
In the 2016 Bond, voters approved the purchase of seven new buses. Although seat belts were not included in the original proposal, the buses purchased with bond funds will be equipped with three-point seat belts. These purchases will be spread over a four-year period. The first two buses with seat belts were recently received into the GCISD fleet and will begin service immediately.
Since GCISD is a Robin Hood district and estimates the payment to the State this year will be $44 million, there is no funding to purchase additional buses beyond the seven approved in the 2016 Bond.
Student safety is the number one priority in GCISD and the transportation department practices bus safety on a daily basis with riders. These practices will continue on all buses, regardless of the inclusion of seat belts.
Student Voice
Aubrey Alexander, 7th Grade Colt
CMS, did you know?
CMS has many lessons for our students on how to be good citizens on social media via classes such as Media Technology Literature, built in lessons during their advisory time, and so much more throughout the school year!
Quote from the feedback on Thought Exchange:
Social Etiquette: "Social understanding is emerging as important as academics. With all the access to electronic devices, we need to stress more the importance of proper use and how to be good citizens/users of social media".
Social Studies Student of the Week
Red Ribbon Week
The week of October 23rd - October 27th, CMS will be participating in Red Ribbon Week. We are recognizing that the students of CMS live a drug free life. During this week we will celebrate by dressing up. The themes and slogans for each day are listed below:
Monday: Wear Red - Use Your Head, Wear Red.
Tuesday: Wear your favorite TEAM Jersey - Team Up Against Drugs
Wednesday: Tacky Tourist Day - Life is a Journey, Travel Drug Free.
*Wear some ORANGE to recognize a day of Unity
Against Bullying.
Thursday: Dress in your Favorite Decade outfit -Staying Drug Free Through the Decades.
Friday: Wear Black - Make Drugs Black Out.
*Wear some PINK to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Student's Veteran's Day Assembly at CMS
The Veteran's Day Assembly will be during our advisory time on Friday, November 10. The audience will consist of CMS students and staff. As part of our on campus program we are in need of photos for our slideshow.
*Do you have a relative who has served or is currently serving our country? If so, we would like to honor them in our Veteran's day slide show. Please email jeanie.pavliska@gcisd.net any pictures of the military honoree in uniform by Fri. Nov 3. Please include the photo, name, branch of military, when/where they served, and the name of the CMS student that the veteran is related to. Thank you.
Counselor Corner
Week of October 16 - October 20, 2017
8th Grade Guidance
On Thursday, October 12 we met with 8th graders through their Social Studies class to work on the 4-year plan for high school graduation. We talked with students about high school credits needed to graduate, the 5 EOC state required tests for high school graduation, the 5 endorsements, AP courses, Dual Enrollment courses, and various other high school topics. You should see your child with a 4-year plan. We are asking that the student select and endorsement and that the 9th and 10th grade year be complete. Please sign the plan. Your child needs to return it to their Social Studies teacher by October 27. See the attached 4 year plan. Students can also find materials in the 8th grade Guidance Google classroom or find information on the counseling website such as the Program of Studies for 2017-2018 and the slide show from October 12. Students can also come down and meet with us about the plan as well.
PLAY IT SAFE VIDEOS for 6th and 7th
November 10 – 7th Grade – Play It Safe – Can’t Take It Back
November 17 – 6th Grade – Play It Safe – It’s Harassment
February 16 – 7th Grade – Play It Safe – Abuse of Power
March 2 – 6th Grade – Play It Safe – Survivors of Abuse
GUIDANCE LESSONS
This is the schedule of CMS counselor guidance lessons for September:
October 18 – 6th Grade Boys PE Continuing Self Image and Self-Improvement
October 25 – 6th Grade Girls PE Decision Making
November 1 – 6th Grade Boys PE Decision Making
OTHER DATES
October 24 – Mix It Up Lunch
October 25 – Wear Orange for Unity Day
SEVENTH GRADE – DUKE TIP
We no longer send home notification letters since parents can nominate their child using the STAAR test results.
The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke Tip) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented youth. Duke Tip’s talent searches serve as the entry point to academic benefits and programs for gifted and talented students in grades 4-12. For more information, click here:
Parents may directly enroll their child online using this link here or via paper applications at any time during the enrollment period, September 15 – January 31. Fees are paid only once, and need-based financial aid is available. Students must have attained a qualifying test score at or above the 95th percentile on at least one accepted subtest area of a grade-level standardized achievement test (Stanford or Iowa Test of Basic Skills), or achieved a score of a 125 or above on an aptitude test (OLSAT, CoGAT, NNAT) or mental ability test (IQ test such as WISC), or met the Duke approved score on a state criterion-referenced test (STAAR). A school code will be provided on the Duke Tip website during the enrollment process.
Krystal McCure – Counselor A-K – 817-305-4916
Leslie Walden – Counselor L-Z – 817-305-4917
Shari Vanderwork – Registrar – 817-305-4955
Tips from Nurse Martin
UPCOMING Events
October 16 - 7th Grade Football - Schedule here
October 16 - Choir Concert 7/8th grades - White's Chapel United Methodist Church, 6:30 pm
October 17 - 8th Grade Football - Schedule here
October 19 - 7th & 8th Grade Volleyball - Schedule here
October 19 & 20- CMS Theater - Fall Play - CMS Cafeteria 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
October 20 - Future Mustang Night - Mustang Panther Stadium -
CMS Band - 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm, CMS Choir 6:15 pm - 7:45 pm
October 23 - 27th - Red Ribbon Week