Colt Corner
#TeamCMS
December 20, 2018
Colts,
This week I had the privilege of attending the 72nd Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic with our Honors band in Chicago. The entire experience was a memorable one. As I sat in awe listening to our band play for a conference room full of attendees from around the world, I reflected on how the experience summed up the first semester at CMS. Our performers represent all of our Colts this year and their diligence in and outside of the classroom. Our band directors represent our very hard working staff that put in long hours so our Colts have every opportunity to be successful. There was support staff present like our nurse taking care of our students’ daily needs. We had central administrative personnel along with high school and middle school staff supporting our endeavors. Throughout the trip, we also had supportive parents working in unison with our staff and students to ensure that our Colts had the best experience possible.
Altogether, there were memories made this first semester, and I am proud to be the principal of a campus where we all collectively work together as a team to be the BEST. Thank you for your positive role in being a critical member on #TeamCMS. I hope you and your family enjoy the holiday season and have a very happy new year. We will see you in 2019!
David Arencibia, Ed.D.
CMS Principal
Facebook: Colleyville Middle School
Twitter: @CmsColts
#TeamCMS - #cmscelebrates - #CMSstrengths
12/21/18 - Early release 12:10pm
UPCOMING Events
December 24 - January 7 - Winter Break
January 25 - 8th Grade Student Laptop distribution
February 21 - Incoming 6th Grade ('19-'20) Showcase - 5:15 - 6:15pm (CMS Cafeteria)
February 21 - CMS Showcase Night (Open House for all Grades) - 6:45 - 7:45pm (North gym then in academic building)
EARLY RELEASE - CROSSING 26
#GCISDSafetyFirst
8th Grade Student Laptops
On January 25th, eighth graders will receive a Dell 3379 laptop. This is the same model the high schools are using, which will carry them through senior year. Students will need to back up any files currently on their local drive before January 25th. We encourage students to save files to Google Drive. Winter break would be a great time to work on that.
Also, students will need to make sure to bring their charger to turn in on January 25; a $45 fee will be assessed for missing chargers. Thank you!
Rachel's Challenge Shirt Contest
TEXRail
TexRail will begin running a longer train schedule beginning Thursday, December 13. They plan to run hourly trains between the North Side Station in Fort Worth and DFW Airport. The trains will run from approximately 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
The trains will pull in and stop at stations and will travel between the stations just as they plan to operate once service begins on January 5. In addition, with the exception to the pre-existing quiet zones in Colleyville, TEXRail is still required by the Federal Railroad Administration to sound its horn at each intersection until testing is complete. Once testing is over, the horn will not sound in marked quiet zones.
The service will run for free the month of January.
WEEK OF January 8-11
PARENTS, WE WANT YOUR INPUT. Please click on the link below and take a brief survey to provide the counselors with valuable feedback about their guidance lessons:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeD8sbL6bkCEXV_GAuX5jhGzlQwQWzyq5XZScnn5cNpIjKeUg/viewform
IMPORTANT DATES AND INFORMATION FOR 8TH GRADERS:
In an effort to minimize stress for 8th grade students, it is very important that students be properly placed in the correct courses. When we return from the break in January, 8th grade core teachers will be working on student recommendations for what class level students should take as a freshman for 2019-2020. The teachers will be speaking with all students about their recommendations as well.
January 15th - “Welcome to High School” presentation by the high school counselors during the school day. Students will want to ensure that their freshman courses on their four year plan (listed in Skyward under Career Plan) is accurate. If a change needs to be made, forms will be given to all students on this date. Forms will need to be given to the high school counselors when they visit on January 29th.
MEETINGS WITH HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS: Counselors from GHS and CHHS will be at CMS on January 29th to meet with our 8th grade students individually throughout the day. High school counselors will be going over the freshman courses on the four year plan, teacher recommendations, requested changes, and alternate courses to ensure accuracy. These meetings will occur through students’ history classes.
HIGH SCHOOL PARENT NIGHTS: Parents, please mark your calendars for upcoming parent nights at both high schools. Grapevine High School’s Parent Night will be January 23rd and Colleyville-Heritage High School’s Parent Night will be February 4th. More information about times and other details will be available in the coming weeks.
Collegiate Academy Registration for 2019-2020
Attention all 8th graders interested in Collegiate Academy! Collegiate Academy is an Early College High School that is designed for students to earn a diploma and an Associate's Degree simultaneously, and it's all free. The online application for the GCISD Collegiate Academy at TCC Northeast is now available. 8th graders must complete an application in order to be considered for acceptance as an incoming freshmen during the 2019-2020 school year. This year, students may access the application directly from the Collegiate Academy website! Due to the success and popularity of this program, it is encouraged that every student who is interested in possibly joining the Phoenix Family to submit an application as soon as possible as space will be limited. The Collegiate Academy application will be available online from November 1, 2018 through January 18, 2019. All applications are due by Friday, January 18th.The link to their school website is: ca.gcisd.net. Applications can also be found in the counseling office.
7th GRADE TECC VISIT: CMS 7th graders will visit the Technical Education Career Center (TECC) at Grapevine High School on January 30th. Permission slips will go home through second period classes on January 9th and will need to be returned by January 23 in order for students to participate.
PLAY IT SAFE VIDEOS for 6th and 7th – The Play It Safe program is presented by the Women’s Center.
CMS Dates for Students:
February 15 – 7th Grade – Play It Safe – Abuse of Power
March 1 - 6th Grade - Play It Safe - Survivors of Abuse
Below is the district information about the Play It Safe program. If you do not wish for your child to participate in the program, please print out the opt out form, complete it, and return it before the presentation date.
Click here for the Opt Out form
Duke TIP
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 and deadlines, click here:
Credit by Exam
Students, in grades 6 through 12, currently enrolled in the District can receive credit for an academic course or subject area, in which the student has had no prior instruction, with a passing score of 80% or higher on an exam approved by the district’s Board of Trustees. If you’d like more information or want to sign up, please see one of your school counselors. Registration for the February CBE will be open through January 11th. You can also find more information at
https://www.gcisd.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=96313&pageId=195701.
REMINDER – Please make sure that you are checking grades in Skyward. You can download the Skyward app for your phone or for your child’s phone so you can monitor grades.
Krystal McCure – Counselor A-K – 817-305-4916
Amy Bouchelle – Counselor L-Z – 817-305-4917
Tips from Nurse Martin
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Repeated Information
8th Grade Parents
This year there will be an 8th grade baby picture page in the yearbook! Please send a .jpg picture of your 8th grader to morgan.dulaney@gcisd.net by February 8th for them to be included on that yearbook page.