Chippewa Falls Middle School
September 2018
A MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL KUNSMAN
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome back to another school year! I am so excited for a year of learning that will be taking place at CFMS and am honored to be the principal at this great school and in this amazing community. At the Chippewa Falls Middle School we are committed not only to providing a top-notch educational experience for your children, but also providing support and service to you as well as you navigate through these "middle years" as a parent/guardian. Please use this monthly newsletter, along with our website, as a resource throughout the year.
Our school district's mega result is: Students will graduate prepared to succeed in post-secondary education and careers, having the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to achieve their personal goals and contribute to the common good. Our staff at CFMS are dedicated to ensure that this is happening for all of our students, and seeing this happen is what inspires me to come to work each day and work hard for all of our students, staff, and families.
In Partnership With You,
Derrick Kunsman
Principal
Weekend Kid's Meals Program
Dear Chippewa Falls Middle School Parent/Guardian,
Chippewa Falls Middle School is happy to offer the Weekend Kid’s Meals Program once again this school year. This program is offered through Feed My People Food Bank.
The purpose of the program is to provide food for your child during the weekend when school breakfasts and lunches are not available.
There are no income guidelines or requirements. Anyone is welcome to participate in this program. The food is at NO COST to you or your child.
If you choose to enroll your child, he/she will receive a plastic bag each Friday with enough food for breakfast and lunch for him/her for Saturday and Sunday, plus snacks and fresh fruit.
The meals have not been screened for different allergies; therefore, parents are responsible for determining if this program meets your child’s dietary and health needs.
You can sign up to receive the meals by clicking here. Or you can stop by the main office to fill out a paper form.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Katie Bergeron, Assistant Principal (bergerkm@chipfalls.org or 715.726.2400 ext. 2215). Families are able to sign up or discontinue this program anytime throughout the school year. Chippewa Falls Middle School’s program will begin in mid-September.
Cardinal Community Learning Center
Cardinal Community Learning Center has programming opportunities to meet the needs of our students, families, and community!
Check out all the great "happenings" at https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/cardinal/
Voyagers After School Program still has room in many of the enrichment classes including: "Alice In Wonderland" play, Book Club, Magic, The Gathering, Homework Central, Knitting Club, Babysitting Basics, and more!
Student Connection groups will begin meeting in early October during the school day. Some groups offered are: Free Being Me, Strength, True Colors, and Relax. Students will be surveyed in September to determine group interests.
Cardinal Community Education has some AWESOME classes and events that meet the life-long learning needs of everyone in our community!
Join us for the "Community Scarecrow Making Event" on Sept 20 and Sept 21 (early release day!) at the Northern WI State Fairgrounds! For just $6 per group, you can enjoy the camaraderie of your friends and family by creating an authentic scarecrow! Click on the cardinal for more information!
Advance registration is required. https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/cardinal/
Other learning opportunities include Yoga, Girls Who Code, Investment and Pension Planning, AARP Safe Driver, Babysitting Basics, Build Your Own Gingerbread House, and much, much more! Watch the school website, Facebook page, and your mailbox for more info on these upcoming classes!
ANNUAL NOTICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION REFERRAL AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES
Upon request, the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District is required to evaluate a child for eligibility for special education services. A request for evaluation is known as a referral. When the district receives a referral, the district will appoint an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to determine if the child has a disability, and if the child needs special education services. The district locates, identifies, and evaluates all children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private (including religious) schools, elementary schools and secondary schools located in the school district.
A physician, nurse, psychologist, social worker, or administrator of a social agency who reasonably believes a child brought to him or her for services is a child with a disability has a legal duty to refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides. Before referring the child, the person making the referral must inform the child's parent that the referral will be made.
Others, including parents, who reasonably believe a child is a child with a disability may also refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides.
Referrals must be in writing and include the reason why the person believes the child is a child with a disability.
Please contact the following when you have a referral:
Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District
Linda Hanson, Special Education Office (715)726-2414 ext. 3002
SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
The Chippewa Falls Middle School primarily communicates with parents and/or guardians electronically. All parents and guardians who receive school information electronically must have their parent portal in Infinite Campus set up in order to access report cards, schedules, homework assignments, grades, attendance, fee statements, etc. We are pleased to offer parents this opportunity to be more active in their child’s education.
If you do not have your parent portal account setup, please follow the guidelines below to setup your account. We discourage the use of your child’s account as you won’t have access to the necessary information you may need or want.
Please make sure that your e-mail address is kept current at all times on the parent portal. You may update your email address at any time by selecting Contact Preferences on the parent portal menu. If at any time during the school year you lose the ability to access the internet, please notify the appropriate grade level office immediately so that we can make the necessary adjustments to our database.
You can also make lunch account, registration and athletic fee payments in the Infinite Campus Portal. There will be no convenience fees added. If you need help, call our help desk at 715-726-2413 for assistance.
Growth Mindset in Math
Our attitudes (and maybe frustrations) color our perceptions and can influence the perceptions of those we interact with. For example, many people have the idea that math ability is a fixed trait. They believe that math abilities are set in stone; either you have them or you don’t. They may even go as far as to say that they were never good in math, and therefore are not surprised if their children struggle in math. This is called a “fixed mindset” and it can do harm, whether math comes easily or not.
Take for example the person who seems to be good at everything. If they were always told how smart they are and were led to believe that they had an innate ability to do things, then what would happen when presented with something they couldn’t do? How would they approach a challenge? Conversely, we probably have all experienced how a negative attitude can really get in the way of reaching goals. Thinking we were not born with the talent or ability to do something knocks us down before we even have the chance to try. These are examples of fixed mindset and it is something we are working hard to avoid at CFMS.
Research tells us that mindsets and persistence are linked to academic success. For that reason, we want all students to have a “growth mindset” in math. We teach our students that talents can be developed and abilities can be built, no matter what their starting point is. We want our students to persevere and understand that mistakes are great opportunities to stretch and develop the brain. The focus must always be on effort and growth. Effort creates success and growth is how we measure that success.
Help us to help your children by avoiding negative math talk. Look for opportunities to praise them for any math growth they demonstrate, even when (especially when) there is more room for improvement. Encourage your children to look for challenges that strengthen their brain whenever appropriate. Praise them for persevering when problem-solving, planning how to solve a problem (rather than jumping to a solution), and being able to justify their answers and explain their thinking to others. Reinforce positive talk such as, “This is challenging for me, but I am better now than I was before,” or, “I am not proficient now, but I know with time and effort I will be.” Finally, be sure to ask your child regularly about how they are growing in math class and how growth mindset is fostered in his/her math classroom.
Did you know that people once believed it rained worms? In September, 8th grade students will be determining what it means to be a living thing, extending that knowledge to determining how living things are organized to meet and sustain life, and debunking the theory that worms rained from the sky. Our first unit of study is one of the foundations to support future topics explored this year. During Unit 1, students will have the opportunity to use microscopes to discover living things in pond water and as a result of their newfound skill, attempt to identify all organisms they encounter. Don’t forget to ask your student what they found! The diversity of organisms in a single drop of pond water is astounding. As a result of our investigation regarding living things, students are setting the stage for our second unit of study: the cell.
The Rising Stars Team
Middle School Concession
CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Cell phone and electronic device use are strictly prohibited at school. Students who have a cell phone or electronic device at school must turn it off and keep it in their locker. Students found using their electronic device or cell phone or having it go off either intentionally or unintentionally at school will have it confiscated and held until a parent comes to pick it up. Electronic devices include but are not limited to cell phones, iPods, MP3 Players, gaming devices, cameras, recording devices, tablets, laptops, electronic readers.
If you need to contact your student during school hours, you can call the Grade Level Office. If your student needs to call you, they can ask permission to go to the main office to use the phone.
Amy Solberg
Hi! My name is Amy Solberg and I am the new Administrative Assistant in the grade level office for eighth grade. I have spent the last six years at the high school as a Special Ed Paraprofessional.
I have lived in Chippewa Falls all my life so I guess Cardinal blood runs through my veins. I've been married to my husband, Pete, for almost 24 years and we have 2 boys and 2 girls. Gabe (23) is going to UW-River Falls for Social Studies/History education, Isaac (21) is going to UWEC for Elementary Education/Special Education (Isaac's sweet girlfriend, Claire, is in the picture I'm using), Payton (17) is a senior at Chi-Hi, and last, but won't let us think she is least, Allana (8) who is a third grader at Hillcrest.
For my time outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family at my mom's cabin on Potato Lake where we love to play games like Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride. I love going to the movies and can't pass up a good sale!
I'm super excited about my new change and being part of the AWESOME staff at CFMS!!!!
Sarah Ahmad
Hey everyone! My name is Sarah Ahmad and I’m so excited to be at the Middle School as an Administrative Assistant/Account Clerk and joining the #MightyCardinals!
I was born in Kuwait but grew up in Rice Lake, WI and moved to Chippewa Falls eight years ago with my husband Sheridan who is a police officer for the city of Chippewa. We have two kids, Soren (6) and Willow (4) and a black lab/beagle named Odin.
As you can imagine, the kids keep us pretty busy but when I have some free time, I enjoy reading - fiction or non-fiction - it's all good! I also enjoy getting outdoors to camp, hike or just go for a walk/bike ride with the family!
If I'm not outside, one can normally find me in the kitchen, cooking or baking, which I have the kids help with as much as possible.
I am so happy to be part of the middle school family and look forward to getting to know all of you!
Peace!
Sarah
Erin Gregory
Hello, I’m Erin Gregory and my family and I have called Chippewa Falls home for more than ten years. My husband, Aaron (yes, really!) and I have four children and one miniature dachshund. Our oldest is a senior at Chi-Hi and our three younger kids are in 4th grade, 2nd grade, and kindergarten at Parkview.
I have a background in social work and I have worked with families and children throughout my entire career. Most recently, I was fortunate enough to take some time to stay home and care for my children. Now that they are all in school, I am excited to get back into the workforce.
I enjoy spending time with my family exploring the Chippewa Valley. I also spend time reading and doing small craft projects with my kids. We just moved into a new home and very excited to feel settled again!
I look forward to working with all of the wonderful people in the mentor program and the school district!
Kristin Anderl
I was born and raised right here in Chippewa Falls! I have been married to Chris for 21 years and we have 3 kids together. Jon (20) went to school here in our district and is now living on his own figuring out adulthood! We also have another son, Sam (14), who is now a freshman at Chi-Hi and Emma (12) who is in 7th grade here at the Middle School.
I enjoy being very busy but in my spare time, I love spending time with my family, playing sand volleyball, kayaking, triathlons, watch many sports my kids play and listening or reading positive audio or self-improvement books or recordings. I am very welcoming so make sure to stop me and introduce yourself! I love meeting new people!
Jessica Olson
Kyra Warner
Sally Linzmeier
Grace Park
Maranda Degenhardt
Hello all! My name is Maranda Degenhardt and I am the new Technology Education teacher at the Middle School. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls last spring and completing my intern teaching experience with Chippewa Falls, I am more than excited to continue my career at the Middle School. Growing up with three brothers on my family’s hobby farm in central Wisconsin, I was introduced into the world of tech ed. I cannot wait to share my passions with the students of CFMS! When I am not on the farm or in Chippewa Falls, you can find me in River Falls on adventures with my significant other and our friends. Some of our favorite things to do include hiking, going to the zoo, and much more! Thank you for this opportunity and I look forward to a great school year!
Alison Wagener
Daniel Boettcher
Jennifer Berg
I am very excited to be joining the counseling staff here at the middle school! I spent the last few years working as a middle school counselor for the ECASD, and previously I worked as an elementary counselor for MACS in Chippewa.
When I'm not at work, you'll find me running the bike trails in Eau Claire with my husband or friends, enjoying the outdoors with my daughters, Ellie (13) and Hadley (6), reading, cruising around with my husband on one of our tandem bikes, tackling a DIY project, cake decorating, cheering on the Packers, or embarrassing my children by singing off-key in my car. (I also have an identical twin who lives in EC and works in Chippewa, so if you see me in public and I stare blankly at you, it probably isn't me!)
Sonya Kohls
My name is Sonya Kohls, and I will be joining the Chippewa Falls Middle School as a Support for Success (S4S) teacher. For the past seven years, I have taught middle and high school science. This year I have been given the opportunity to pursue my dream job in an S4S program. I am super excited to be joining the CFMS S4S program - it will be an awesome 'possum year!
In my spare time, I find myself helping my dad with our family business (demolition roll-off dumpster business) along with enjoying the outdoors (hiking, biking, kayaking, camping, landscaping, etc), gazing through the telescope, participating in a building or remodeling project, and 'chasing' ships between harbors on Lake Superior's North Shore all with my family.
Toodles for now,
Sonya
James Bockenfeld
Hello, my name is Jim Bockenfeld and I am excited to be the new Eagle Team 8th Grade Math Teacher at the Chippewa Falls Middle School.
Although I am new to the district I am not new to the area. My family lives in Chippewa Falls and two of our three kids attend school at Hillcrest Elementary.
I have earned two mathematical education degrees; a bachelor’s degree from UW-Milwaukee and a master’s degree from UW-River Falls. I also come to this school with over a decade of teaching experience. I am looking forward to using my skills and abilities to help your children reach their mathematical potential.
GO EAGLE TEAM!
Nathan Simonson
Quick background: I have worked for the Fall Creek School District for the past 5 years in the Elementary and Head Coached/Assistant Varsity Baseball. Before that, I was working in the Self Contained Behavior Program in Eau Claire as an intern while the teacher was on leave. I have also done Para Professional work in Eau Claire.
Though I have been in mostly Elementary positions my passion is in the area of behavior. I enjoy working with students that may be struggling with behaviors and getting them back on track. My professional goal for these students is for them to become positive, contributing, functional members of the community.
If you have any questions please feel free to shoot me an email.
Kelly Reit
Building Our Future - 2018 CFAUSD Referendum Construction Updates
Chippewa Falls Middle School
Email: cfmsinfo@chipfalls.org
Website: https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/middle/
Location: 750 Tropicana Boulevard, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA
Phone: 715-726-2400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chippewafallsschool/
Twitter: @CFMSCardinals