"Just" for CMS
Week of 5/9/16
STAAR TESTING
We have once again gained approval from the Texas Education Agency to have non-testing students arrive late. I realize that there are some that have concerns with this arrangement, but I truly believe it's best for our students that are testing to have a testing group that is as small as possible. When kids arrive late, it gives us the flexibility to use almost every teacher in the building to test, and this allows for smaller groups.
Please remember that there is NO busing for students that arrive late. Students can ride the bus to school and spend the morning in the gym if they don't have a way to arrive late. We will have staff to monitor them, so they will be taken care of. Students that arrive after 8 should report directly to the gym. if they are dropped at the front door, they will be asked to walk around to the gym. We will do all we can to ensure that our testers are given a quiet testing environment.
Also, please know this. These late arrival days are and not "I don't have to go to school because of testing" days. Truancy laws apply, and depending on the number of absences your student has already accumulated, missing these afternoon sessions could be a problem. It could also cause us to lose our ability to offer these late arrival days in the future. So please, make sure your student is in attendance.
5/9 - 6th and 7th grade Math and 8th grade Math retest. (All CMS Algebra takers and 8th grade students that were successful on the first Math test may report at noon). Arrivals after 8am need to report directly to the gym.
5/10 - 6th and 7th grade Reading and 8th grade Reading retest. (All CMS 8th grade students that were successful on the first Reading test may report at noon). Arrivals after 8am need to report directly to the gym.
5/11 - 8th Grade Science STAAR (All 6th and 7th graders may report at noon). Arrivals after 8am need to report directly to the gym.
5/12 - 8th Grade Social Studies STAAR (All 6th and 7th graders may report at noon). Arrivals after 8am need to report directly to the gym.
Please remember that there is NO busing for students that arrive late. Students can ride the bus to school and spend the morning in the gym if they don't have a way to arrive late. We will have staff to monitor them, so they will be taken care of. Students that arrive after 8 should report directly to the gym. if they are dropped at the front door, they will be asked to walk around to the gym. We will do all we can to ensure that our testers are given a quiet testing environment.
Also, please know this. These late arrival days are and not "I don't have to go to school because of testing" days. Truancy laws apply, and depending on the number of absences your student has already accumulated, missing these afternoon sessions could be a problem. It could also cause us to lose our ability to offer these late arrival days in the future. So please, make sure your student is in attendance.
5/9 - 6th and 7th grade Math and 8th grade Math retest. (All CMS Algebra takers and 8th grade students that were successful on the first Math test may report at noon). Arrivals after 8am need to report directly to the gym.
5/10 - 6th and 7th grade Reading and 8th grade Reading retest. (All CMS 8th grade students that were successful on the first Reading test may report at noon). Arrivals after 8am need to report directly to the gym.
5/11 - 8th Grade Science STAAR (All 6th and 7th graders may report at noon). Arrivals after 8am need to report directly to the gym.
5/12 - 8th Grade Social Studies STAAR (All 6th and 7th graders may report at noon). Arrivals after 8am need to report directly to the gym.
STAAR VIDEO
Here's a great STAAR video that Ms. Bialecki and some of our students put together. I thought you all might want to see it. Our kids and teachers put a lot of time into giving kids last minute STAAR reminders. Before testing materials are passed out tomorrow, teachers will show this video to all the kids in their respective rooms.
Math Strategies
GIRLS' ATHLETIC MEETING - 5/12
If your 6th grade daughter is planning to be a part of athletics next school year, there is a brief and important meeting scheduled for Thursday night at 5:30 at CMS.
At the meeting, coaches will discuss the schedule for next year, expectations for the program and answer any questions you might have. The meeting itself should last no more than 30 minutes, so if you are planning to attend the CHS Band Concert or any other activity, there should be no conflicts. This meeting is only for girls who will be in 7th grade next year. Another meeting will be held for all parents close to the start of school next year.
If you have any questions, contact Coach Julie Brown at julie.brown@commerceisd.org or Coach Jeff Davidson at jeff.davidson@commerceisd.org
At the meeting, coaches will discuss the schedule for next year, expectations for the program and answer any questions you might have. The meeting itself should last no more than 30 minutes, so if you are planning to attend the CHS Band Concert or any other activity, there should be no conflicts. This meeting is only for girls who will be in 7th grade next year. Another meeting will be held for all parents close to the start of school next year.
If you have any questions, contact Coach Julie Brown at julie.brown@commerceisd.org or Coach Jeff Davidson at jeff.davidson@commerceisd.org
SPRING DANCE, 5/13
The CMS Spring Dance is scheduled for 6pm on Friday night. As is with the case with all CMS dances, only CMS students are allowed to attend.
The luau theme was set because we wanted a dance that promoted relaxation and fun. We hope this eliminates the need to go out and buy super nice dresses and suits. However, I'm concerned that this theme might promote too much fun and relaxation, especially with the type of attire that will be worn. Rather than trying to set a very specific dress code, I'm going to say this. DRESS APPROPRIATELY. No tank tops and shorts MUST be close to an inch above the knee. Wind shorts are okay, but they must be about an inch above the knee. A simple rule of thumb would be to ask this question. Will Mr. Just and his staff be okay with what I'm wearing? If you can answer that question with a resounding yes, then you're probably good. If there is hesitation, then you might want to think twice. Remember, I'm pretty conservative in my thinking about how kids should dress these days.
The luau theme was set because we wanted a dance that promoted relaxation and fun. We hope this eliminates the need to go out and buy super nice dresses and suits. However, I'm concerned that this theme might promote too much fun and relaxation, especially with the type of attire that will be worn. Rather than trying to set a very specific dress code, I'm going to say this. DRESS APPROPRIATELY. No tank tops and shorts MUST be close to an inch above the knee. Wind shorts are okay, but they must be about an inch above the knee. A simple rule of thumb would be to ask this question. Will Mr. Just and his staff be okay with what I'm wearing? If you can answer that question with a resounding yes, then you're probably good. If there is hesitation, then you might want to think twice. Remember, I'm pretty conservative in my thinking about how kids should dress these days.
END OF YEAR TRIPS
Please be sure to RSVP for our end of year grade level trips. For 6th grade, you can respond through the NeverEverQuit newsletter I sent, or you can call the office at 903.886.3795. For 7th and 8th grade, simply call the office or have your student let us know they are going. Payment for each trip is due soon.
SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK
Monday, 5/9
- My College Monday
- STAAR Testing - 6th and 7th grade Math and 8th grade Math retest
- Noon - 8th graders not taking retest report.
- Adjusted schedule after testing and lunch
Tuesday, 5/10
- STAAR Testing - 6th and 7th Grade ELAR and 8th grade ELAR retest
- Noon - 8th graders not taking retest report
- Adjusted schedule after testing and lunch
Wednesday, 5/11
- STAAR Testing - 8th grade Science
- Noon - 6th and 7th graders report to gym
- 12:30 - Kona Ice here
- Adjusted schedule after testing and lunch
Thursday, 5/12
- Spirit Day
- STAAR Testing - 8th grade Social Studies
- Noon - 6th and 7th graders report to gym
- Adjusted schedule after testing and lunch
- 5:30pm - Girls' parent athletic meeting for girls entering 7th grade
- 8:30am - Special Olympics to Hopkins County Track Meet
- 8am - 6th grade band to Soundpost Music Festival, Canton. REPORT TO BAND HALL UPON ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL
- 6pm - CMS Spring Dance