CMS Parent Newsletter
April 3, 2017
Dear Parents,
Upcoming Seahawk Events
April 3 - GMAS ELA part 1
April 4 - GMAS ELA part 2
April 4 - 6:00 PTSA and Art Show
April 5 - GMAS Math part 1
April 6 - GMAS Math part 2
April 6 - Rio Bravo Spirit Night
April 7 - GMAS Science for 8th grade
April 10 - GMAS SS for 8th grade
April 11 - 6:00 Musical
April 12 - Papa Murphy's Spirit Night
April 14 - Spring Holiday
April 17 - SRI and MAP retests begin
April 18 - 8th Grade Community Projects Due
April 19 - Progress Reports Issued
April 21 - Spirit Wear - Proceeds support Relay for Life
April 26 - Class 2021 Freshman Orientation at Island's High School Night
April 26 - Family Homework Pass Night - Write a note expressing gratitude to one or more teachers from this year or in the past who have touched your life. Deliver next week.
April 26 - GMAS Comp. Lit. part 1
April 27 - GMAS Comp. Lit. part 2
April 27 - Play
May 1 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 1 - GMAS - Alg. 1
May 2 - GMAS - Physical Science
May 2 - Choral Concert
Spring Fling Fun
Testing Reminder
This week students will take the GMAS. Testing will continue through the following Monday for our 8th grade students. Plan ahead so that your child is prepared to do his or her very best.
- Insist your child goes to bed early.
- Plan a healthy breakfast.
- Keep things highly positive and encouraging each morning. This is not the time to fuss about the dirty clothes found underneath his or her bed.
- Talk to coaches this week to let them know your child needs to be off the field by 7 p.m. next week.
- Write your child a short, encouraging note to wake up to each morning next week. It will help get the day off to a great start.
Tuesday Dismissal - 5 minutes early
Our staff will dismiss the Marshpoint students Tuesday so that their staff may attend Dawn Wooten's funeral. Dawn served as the gifted lead facilitator at MPES for many years and has been a great friend to CMS. She will be deeply missed.
CMS will dismiss students approximately 5-10 minutes early so that we may head to Marshpoint for their dismissal.
Thank you for understanding.
PTSA Meeting and Art Show
Need a break from GMAS stress?
Coastal Middle School PTSA invites you to enjoy a relaxing evening of art and refreshments! CMS PTSA meeting and officer elections will take place along with an amazing gallery of CMS Student Art. Please join us in the CMS cafeteria on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 @ 6:00 p.m.
Immediately following the PTSA meeting, please enjoy the exhibit presented by the talented students in the Visual Arts Composition I class and other art classes. Refreshments will be provided.
Seahawk Tips to Reduce Test Anxiety
If your child gets nervous before taking tests, encourage them to try one of these strategies:
Think positive. Focus on strengths, not weaknesses. Tell yourself that you are calm and in control.
Try Deep Breathing. This exercise can help calm you down. Close your eyes and take a long deep breath, hold it then exhale slowly.
Relax Your Muscles- Tighten your muscles in your tense areas such as your shoulders. Hold it for 10 seconds and then relax your muscles, concentrating on releasing the tension.
Learn About the Test and Be Prepared- Get enough sleep the night before the test, eat a healthy breakfast and do some type of physical exercise each day to reduce stress. Go to all of your classes, be an active learner and complete all classwork and homework!
IB Insights: Approaches to Learning
Self-Management: As a parent, do you often find yourself asking your student questions such as, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner that your project was due tomorrow? Where did you put the permission slip that I need to sign? Why is your notebook a mess?” For many middle schoolers, organization is one of the most crucial, yet difficult, skills to master. Within the IB Approach to Learning of Organization, students are encouraged to keep a planner to help them keep track of short- and long-term assignments and make plans to submit them on time. In addition, they establish systems to help them keep notes and information organized, whether in a notebook or a digital format. Although this is an ongoing process, the aim is to help students realize the value of organization now, and throughout life.
Seahawk Study Tips-Getting Our Priorities Straight
Parents, encourage your student to try at least one of these techniques and strategies as a tool or tools to help keep things flowing smoothly.
- Create a daily to-do list. Your agenda is a great place to start.
- Give each task a rating. You can use numbers, different color pens, or symbols to remind you of the importance of each task and the order in which they can most effectively be done.
- Check off items as you do them. This will show you what you have accomplished and what needs to get done.
- Plan for some extra time just in case. Build some wiggle room into your schedule so that you won’t get stuck cramming at the last minute.
Summer Camp opportunity at Islands High School
The Islands High School FFA Chapter of Veterinary Science Students is offering middle school students a chance to explore the career field of veterinary science. The Basic Camp for rising 7th-8th graders who have not attended camp before will be held June5-7 from 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m. for $100, and the Advanced Camp for rising 8th graders who attended Basic Camp last year in addition to rising 9th graders will be held June 8-9 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. for $75. Students in the camp will have up-close and personal experiences with a wide array of small animals. They will learn skills and techniques used in veterinary science, while also having the opportunity to meet licensed veterinarians.
Space is limited so sign up soon! The deadline is May 12, 2017.
If you have any questions, please email Myria Shipman at Myria.Shipman@sccpss.com
Parent Testimonial
Coastal Middle School has meant so much to myself and my family. Our oldest son is in 9th grade now and our youngest son is in 7th grade. I believe what our boys learned was how to accept an academic challenge. Both boys have done well in school at Coastal. They have learned to study and take responsibility for their own grades. As much as we wanted them to do well, it is up to them to take part in their own learning and academic success. I believe that Coastal Middle has been very helpful with giving them those tools. Coastal Middle has provided a safe environment for learning who they are and what they want to do in the future. The many experiences provided at Coastal have been a big part of that. They have participated in sports, learned a foreign language, explored careers in connections classes, and took part in community service and the many opportunities to connect with their friends. We have been very pleased with our time at Coastal Middle and appreciate all of the dedication of the teachers and faculty.---AMS
New Seahawk Staff
Community Opportunities
Sandbox Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Island
You are invited to FREE Family Fun Night Friday April 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Sandbox Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Island. Held the first Friday of each month (unless otherwise noted), this event is designed to bring families together, for a cost free evening of fun activities! Depending on the weather let the kids take a bounce in our Bounce House, build big with the Big Blue Blocks or get creative and crafty. An engaging easy evening. Come see what The Sandbox Children’s Museum is all about. Light Refreshments available. For more information, contact The Sandbox Children’s Museum
@ 843.842.7645.
Ottawa Farms U-Pick strawberry fields are open for the Spring 2017 season.
Hours: 9AM-4:30PM Tues-Sat.; 1-5PM Sun.
702 Bloomingdale Road, Bloomingdale, Ga 31302.
Call ahead to confirm fields are open for picking: 912-748-3035
Skidaway Island State Park Creek Life Program
Saturday, May 6, 2017 1:30 PM to 3 PM
Come out and hike along with one of our Park Rangers as we trek along the Sandpiper and Avian loop trails. Bring your eyes and ears as you will be learning about the vast creek system that runs through the island and the various living organisms that inhabit them. $5 parking. 912-598-2300.
Repeats and Reminders
Yearbook
Order Online at website www.yearbookordercenter.com and use Order # 20020. Or, order in the front office on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday before homeroom. Order forms are available on line. ($35 CASH OR MONEY ORDER ONLY if ordered in the school's office.)
SRI and MAP
The target scores below represent that while a child is not proficient with reading or mathematics, he or she possesses the necessary skills to be successful, with extra support, at the subsequent grade level. The scores needed to be considered proficient are actually much higher. SRI and MAP scores are one of many factors which are considered when deciding if a child is ready to be promoted to the next higher grade.
SRI
6th - 835
7th - 890
8th - 955
MAP
6th - 219
7th - 223
8th - 227
8th Grade State Promotion Requirement
Please remember that in addition to demonstrating proficiency in reading and math, as well as passing all classes, students in Georgia should also pass the GMAS assessment. Pull the study guides off our website and start working. This assessment serves as one of many factors that are examined when considering if promotion is appropriate.
Late Work
All work should be submitted on the date it is due. Teachers will accept no more than 2 late assignments, with parent signature, within 3 days of the date the assignment is posted, for no more than 70% credit.
Free Digital Resources
Please be aware that you and your child can access free, interactive digital textbooks through the Georgia Department of Education's website. The textbooks can be accessed by visiting www.gavirtuallearning.org/Resources. Texts are currently available for middle and high school courses.