Colt Corner
Colleyville Middle School
February 5, 2021
Colts,
Even though the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this week, the days are still getting a bit longer and class routines more solidified. Spring break will be here before we know it and during this time of year, new athletic seasons will begin soon. Tryouts for tennis, dance, cheer, and wrestling participation are all right around the corner and that information can be found in this newsletter below.
Also during this time of year, our 8th graders have completed their course selections for high school and returning Colts will soon be making selections for next year, as well. Thank you for your continued partnership as we continue to move forward this school year. Enjoy the weekend!
David Arencibia, Ed.D.
CMS Principal
Facebook: Colleyville Middle School
Twitter: @CmsColts
#TeamCMS - #cmscelebrates - #CMSstrengths
B.E.S.T. - Building Excellent Schools Together
UPCOMING DATES/EVENTS
February 8 - 7th Girls Basketball schedule linked here
February 8 - Tennis Tryouts - 3:30 - 4:30
February 9 - Tennis Tryouts - 3:30 - 5:00
February 11 - 8th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
February 12 - Day of Hope - Wear Yellow
February 15 - Student Holiday
February 15 - Parent CMS STARS Dance Meeting for 21-22 School Year at 7pm on Webex.
February 17 - 7th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
February 18 - 8th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
February 22 - 7th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
February 23 - Incoming 6th Grade Information - See flyer under repeated information.
February 24 - Progress Reports
February 25 - 8th Boys & Girls Basketball schedule linked here
In this Edition of the Colt Corner
* Social Studies Student of the Week
* Tennis Tryouts
* PTA Reflections Program
* REMINDER: For GCISD Bus Riders
* CMS Cheer Tryout Information
* CMS Wrestling Information
* Yearbook Pictures Needed
* Cross Country Photos Needed
* Chromebooks Kiosk Instructions
* Texas Tuition Promise Fund® and Texas Match the Promise Foundation Webinars
* Rabies Awareness & Prevention Poster Contest for K-12
* Student Artwork
Counselors Corner
* Bobby Bragan Scholarship Program
* STEM Lottery
* STEM Information Session
* 7th Grade Course Selection
* 6th Course Selection
* GT Identification Process
* Identification Process - Referral Window Closes Friday, March 12th
* SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program - Opt out form
* Play It Safe Student Lessons
* Character Strong
* Family Character Dare: The Mindful Family
* Friends For Life Hotline
Repeated Information
* GCISD Update
* Incoming 6th Grade Information - Tuesday, February 23rd flyer. 5:00pm info. release time.
* Hope Squad Day of Hope - Feb. 12
* High School STEM Informational Sessions
* GCISD CMS Stars Dance Team Newsletter
* CMS Stars Dance Auditions
* CHHS Pantera Spring Fling Dance Showcase
* Spring 2021 School Guide - Spring 2021 Guide sent out via past district communication
* 3rd Nine Weeks Closing Window - Late assignments and UIL eligibility dates
* UIL Calendar
* GCISD Language Assessment Center Online Courses for Adult
* STEM and Dual Language Lottery
* Scholarship Opportunity for 7th Grade Students
Tennis Tryouts
Tryout form linked here
PTA Reflections Program
We are excited to celebrate with our students the awards that they have received at the district level for their participation in the Reflections 2020-2021 school year. Congratulations to Safa Fatima for receiving the highest award, Award of Excellence for Visual Arts, and for Victoria Dieber for receiving the Award of Merit for Literature.
You both made us all at CMS very proud of you for an excellent job that you have done.
REMINDER: For GCISD Bus Riders
In GCISD, the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. This is a reminder that we have made a slight modification to our routine for all secondary students riding a daily bus route or shuttle.
In the event a bus rider or driver receives a test-confirmed positive COVID-19 test, we are now collecting real-time information that will speed up the process for the GCISD Health Services Department. This process allows us to quickly and accurately identify and communicate with close contacts associated with the test-confirmed student or staff member.
All secondary students are now asked to use their device to scan a QR code upon entering a GCISD bus. This QR code links to a form that requires students to enter their bus number, campus, name, student ID number and seat number. Once they submit the form, they sit in their assigned seat. This process needs to be completed every time a secondary student rides a GCISD bus.
We appreciate your understanding, as well as your help in keeping our students, staff and community safe.
*If you do not have a QR reader on your phone, you may need to download a QR Reader app.
(Spanish Below)
En GCISD, la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal es siempre nuestra prioridad. A medida que mejoramos nuestros procedimientos de COVID-19, vamos a realizar
una pequeña modificación a nuestra rutina para todos los estudiantes de secundaria que viajen en una ruta diaria de autobús cuando regresemos de las vacaciones de Acción de Gracias.
En caso de que un pasajero o conductor del autobús reciba confirmación de tener COVID-19 confirmada por prueba, recopilaremos información en tiempo real que acelerará el proceso para el Departamento de Servicios de Salud de GCISD. Este proceso nos permitirá identificar y comunicar de manera rápida y precisa con los contactos cercanos asociados con el estudiante o miembro del personal confirmado por prueba de tener COVID-19.
Se les pedirá a todos los estudiantes de secundaria que usen su dispositivo para escanear un código QR al ingresar al autobús de GCISD. Este código QR estará vinculado a un formulario que requiere que los estudiantes ingresen su número de autobús, nombre de la escuela, nombre del estudiante, número de identificación del estudiante y el número del asiento donde se sentarán. Una vez que envíen el formulario, se sentarán en su asiento asignado. Este proceso deberá completarse cada vez que un estudiante de secundaria viaje en un autobús de GCISD.
Apreciamos su comprensión, así como su ayuda para mantener seguros a nuestros estudiantes, nuestro personal y a nuestra comunidad.
Mandatory Cheer Tryout Parent Meeting
WRESTLING iNFORMATION
Yearbook Pictures Needed
Texas Tuition Promise Fund® and Texas Match the Promise Foundation Webinars
Learn more about the Texas Tuition Promise Fund®, the state's tax-advantaged prepaid college tuition plan, and the Texas Match the Promise FoundationSM, a 501(c)(3) public charity offering scholarship opportunities to eligible participants in the Texas Tuition Promise Fund.
Upcoming webinars will provide an overview of the Texas Tuition Promise Fund and information on the different types of tuition units, tuition redemption values and payment options. In addition, the webinars will present information about matching scholarship opportunities available through the Texas Match the Promise Foundation.
Sign up for one of our upcoming webinars.
If you have any questions regarding the webinars, please contact us at TuitionPromise@cpa.texas.gov.
Rabies Awareness & Prevention Poster Contest for K-12
Counselors’ Corner for the Week of Feb. 8 - 12
8th Grade Parents:
BOBBY BRAGAN
Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation Scholarship Program
The Bobby Bragan Scholarship Program is a competition open to 8th grade students from a total of 151 middle and junior high schools. Two applicants are selected from each school to represent the school in the BBYF scholarship competition. The "finalists" will make up the pool from which 34 scholarship winners will be selected. Each scholarship will be distributed after the recipient graduates from high school, gets accepted and is enrolled into a college, university or technical school, and submits a verification of enrollment to BBYF.
CMS has had several Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation Scholarship recipients in past years and we would love to have two more CMS students join their ranks this year!
Students wishing to apply for the $2,500 scholarship need to complete an application, write a 500-700 word handwritten (not typed) essay, and submit both to their counselor to be judged by a panel. The panel will judge each essay blindly (without knowing who wrote each essay). The top scoring male student and the top scoring female student from CMS will have their applications and essays sent to Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation for the final judging. Applications and essays are due to CMS Counselors – Mrs. Brizzi or Mrs. Bouchelle by Friday, March 5th at 3:25. Students may obtain applications in the counseling office or by clicking on the link below.
Bobby Bragan Scholarship Application
STEM Lottery: The GCISD Personalized Programs Lottery is now open. Current 8th graders interested in the high school STEM program may apply using the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5In58w8MYrKH-aLo_b7OslXwa-V0gehu6jFDiuZqSPHW9HQ/viewform
STEM Information Session: 8th grade students and parents who are interested in learning more about the STEM programs in high school are invited to attend an informational session.
STEM Informational Session Flyer
7th Grade Parents:
Course Selection: Counselors will meet with current 7th grade students on Feb. 16th to discuss 8th grade course selections. On Feb. 23rd, counselors will assist students with entering their course selections into Skyward. These meetings will be done through 7th grade science classes.
6th Grade Parents:
Course Selection: Counselors will meet with current 6th grade students on Feb. 19th to discuss 7th grade course selections. On Feb. 26th, counselors will assist students with entering their course selections into Skyward. 6th grade course selection will be done through social studies classes.
GT Identification Process- Referral Window Closes Friday, March 12th
Referrals for Gifted & Talented identification will be accepted by middle school counselors Feb. 22 - March 12. Testing for in-person learners will take place on campus between March 22 - April 9. Testing for remote learners will take place between April 19 - April 23 at the PDEC (more information to come). Qualification letters will be mailed home and postmarked no later than April 30. Qualified students will be eligible to enroll in GT courses beginning in 2021-2022. Please email your student’s counselor if you would like to make a referral.
SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program
Full program details in the newsletter above.
Parent Preview Webex links:
CMS in-person learners will be presented this program on the following dates:
8th grade in-person learners: February 22nd
7th grade in-person learners: February 24th
6th grade in-person learners: March 3rd
Remote learners and their parents/guardians will have two options to view the program virtually through a WebEx event on March 9th at 10 a.m. or 6:30 p.m.
SOS Opt-Out Form
*Return to your child’s School Counseling Office no later than February 22, 2021.
Play It Safe Student Lessons
Parents of 6th & 7th grade students, a parent preview for the Play It Safe program was hosted via a live Zoom on October 1st at 10 a .m. Students will view the lessons on the dates listed below. The lessons, taught in partnership with The Women’s Center of Tarrant County, encourage and teach students how to recognize, report and reduce the risk of being in an abusive and/or dangerous situation.
(7th Grade) Healthy Relationships - Oct. 13
(7th Grade) Can’t Take It Back - Nov. 13
(6th Grade) It’s Harassment - Dec. 1
(7th Grade) Abuse of Power - Feb. 10
(6th Grade) Survivors of Abuse - March 3
Character Strong
Our district has adopted Character Strong as a way to support the social/emotional wellbeing and character development of our students. All GCISD secondary campuses will be focusing on the character trait/skill of RESPECT for the month of February.
Also, as we build a strong connection with our community to support social emotional wellness, we will continue to share out the Family Character Dares for an extension into your home. Here is the latest!
Family Character Dare: The Mindful Family
Friends For Life Hotline
Have a friend in need? Is someone you know the target of violence or bullying? Did you see or hear something? Say something! Make an anonymous call and get them help! It's okay to help a friend.
817-469-8477
TEXT: "TIP117 PLUS YOUR MESSAGE" to 274637
VISIT: www.469tips.comGCISD Update | GCISD.net/Spring 2021
Update February 3, 2021
In this past edition:
Health and Safety Guidelines: Please be aware of GCISD's health and safety guidelines that are explained in the GCISD Spring 2021 Guide and the Return to Campus Overview.
Personalized Program Lottery: The application window for the personalized program lottery (STEM/Dual Language) is now open. It will close on February 12.
2021-2022 Calendar Approved: In case you missed it, the instructional calendar for the 2021-2022 school year has been approved.
Black History Month: During the month of February, GCISD joins the nation in celebrating Black History Month and honoring the contributions of African Americans in U.S. history.
Female Diversity Award: Grapevine High School has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award.
Free and Curbside Meals Continue: If you are participating in our curbside meal service, or have participated in the past, please read below for a survey with the opportunity to provide your feedback.
What's For Dinner? - NEW Menu Item: GCISD's Take and Bake Meals continue to be available, and scratch-made meatloaf has been added to the menu.
Health and Safety Guidelines
With the Spring semester well underway, please be aware of the GCISD Spring 2021 Guide, the District's official document containing health and safety protocols for the school year. Additional campus-specific protocols may be in place and will be communicated to families directly from their campus. A handy summary of some of the most frequently referenced guidelines can be found in our Return to Campus Overview.
New Incoming 6th Grade Info. Flyer
Hope Squad Day of Hope - February 12
Friday, February 12 is the Hope Squad Day of Hope. It’s a day to bring awareness to the importance of our mental health. Just like our physical health, mental health has an impact on how we feel and function. The Day of Hope is an opportunity to increase awareness about mental health and to help prevent suicide. On Friday, February 12, wear yellow, the color that represents suicide prevention and awareness.
Scholarship Opportunity for 7th Grade Students
Assessment Information
As we move into the spring semester, we begin preparing for additional state required assessments including TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System) and STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness). We have received guidance from the Texas Education Agency that to ensure equity for all students, a student must be present at a monitored testing session and must be supervised by a trained test administrator to participate in the Texas assessment program.
Therefore, all students who have selected remote instruction will need to be present on campus on these testing dates as applicable. Our assistant principals, Mr. Niemeyer and Mrs. Menard will send out information as we get closer to the administration of these assessments.
GCISD Language Assessment Center Online Courses for Adults
In partnership with the Grapevine Community Outreach Center, the GCISD Language Assessment Center will begin offering online courses for adults. These free courses will be self-paced and will provide skills in English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Literacy, as well as GED support. The flyers can be viewed here in English and Spanish.
STEM and Dual Language Lottery
The personalized programs application window for the 2021-2022 school year will open on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Online applications will be accepted through Friday, February 12, 2021. The lottery will be conducted on Monday, February 22, 2021.
Students who are already in STEM or Dual Language do NOT need to apply, even at transition years.
For more information and to complete an online application on or after Tuesday, January 19, click here.