Curtis Chronicles
March 16, 2020
A Message from Curtis Principal, Sonya Pitcock
Cougar parents,
It’s hard to believe we have completed three quarters of this school year. We are excited to see what the last part of the year holds for our students as some get ready to move up to high school and others get ready to be the “big kids” on campus as 8th graders and help us lead and support our incoming 7th graders!
STAAR Testing is upon us! Please avoid making any appointments on these dates so students can complete their testing. We will also ask that no visitors come on STAAR testing dates and no lunches get dropped off as our lunch schedules will be completely altered on these days. We also appreciate any volunteers who come help monitor bathrooms on these dates as well!
- April 7 – 7th grade Writing and 8th grade Math
- April 8 – 8th grade Reading
- May 5 – Algebra I End of Course
- May 7 – 8th grade Science
- May 8 – 8th grade Social Studies
- May 12 – 7th grade Math
- May 13 – 7th grade Reading
We wish all our students competing at Academic UIL on March 28th good luck! We appreciate all the work they have put in to prepare and know they will represent CMS well!
Sonya Pitcock, Principal
Upcoming Events
March 17: Spirit Night, Liberty Burger
March 23: AISD Community Education Night
March 27: Spring Dance
April 3: PTA Member Meeting
April 10: Student/Staff Holiday
April 24: Allen ISD Night at the RoughRiders
Social and Emotional Learning Update
Before the break, both 7th and 8th grade students reviewed about the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and decisions. They also reviewed strategies for calming down and staying in control when experiencing strong emotions.
Talk with your student about their strategies when they are experiencing strong emotions.
This week the students will complete a lesson and challenge activity.
7th grade: FAMILY LESSON SUMMARY
This week, your child will explore how jumping to conclusions can lead to conflicts. He or she will practice looking at situations from multiple perspectives as a way to avoid conflicts and do an engaging activity to practice exploring the possible issues that come from jumping to conclusions. Practicing the skills he or she has learned will help your child use them in real life.
FAMILY LESSON QUESTIONS
- Tell your child about a time you jumped to conclusions about what someone else was thinking, but it turned out you were wrong. Ask your child if this has ever happened to him or her and how he or she felt about learning someone else’s perspective.
- Ask your child about some of the problems that jumping to conclusions can cause and talk together about how to handle those problems.
8th grade: FAMILY LESSON SUMMARY
Making assumptions is something people do every day, but making negative assumptions can lead to conflicts. This week, your child will practice thinking of multiple assumptions about situations, including positive assumptions, as a way to avoid conflicts and do an engaging activity to practice exploring how making assumptions affects the decisions people make. Practicing the skills he or she has learned will help your child use them in real life.
FAMILY LESSON QUESTIONS
- Ask your child what an assumption is. Tell him or her about a time you made a wrong assumption that led to an argument or conflict. Work together to think of different assumptions you could have made in that situation.
- Ask your child about a time he or she made a decision based on an assumption. Talk together about how assumptions can affect decisions, both good and bad.
Spring Dance! 7-9 pm Friday, March 27
Make plans to attend Curtis' Spring Dance! Purchase tickets in advance the week of March 23. Tickets to the dance are $5 in advance or $7 at the door.
We will have raffle prizes, items such as gift cards to Whataburger, In & Out, Starbucks and Target just to name a few! One lucky student will win Apple AirPods!
If you buy your ticket in advance, your name will be entered into a drawing for a Movie Theater Prize Pack.
Take pictures with your bestie at the Memory Maker Photo Booth sponsored by North Texas Orthodontics Associates.
Eat delicious pizza by the slice from Mario’s Eastside Pizza. The DJ will bring his glow in the dark light and will have opportunities to win prizes with a dance off! Two gyms will be open for basketball and volleyball. Remember: For students who are PTA members, please check your coupon book for a free pizza slice!
Recommended attire is Black & White. Don’t forget you must wear your ID badge to enter the dance. You don’t want to miss this epic bash!
Donations and Volunteers Needed for Spring Dance
DANCE DONATIONS
We are looking for prizes and gift cards to raffle off during the Black & White Bash Spring Dance. If you are interested in donating a gift card or prize please CLICK HERE to sign up.
If possible we are asking for prizes and gift cards to be dropped off by March 26th.
Each student who purchases a ticket to the dance is entered in to win one of the raffle prizes. They must be present to win.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
PTA needs volunteers to sell tickets for the dance as well as the night of the dance. CLICK HERE to sign up.
THANK YOU for making the spring dance a great time for our students!
PTA Membership Incentive! WIN AIRPODS!
For all who are members of the Curtis PTA by May 6, you will be entered into a drawing for Apple Airpods. Want more chances to win? Simply sign up more family members. Your spouse and students can all be members. CLICK HERE to join.
Being a member of the PTA does not obligate you to do anything.
Thank you for your consideration.
If you have already joined, THANK YOU!
Questions? Email Jill, VP Membership, CurtisMS.Membership@gmail.com
This incentive is made possible by the Allen Council of PTAs.
Donations Needed for March Staff Meeting
The Teacher and Staff Meeting for March is coming up on March 18th and we need a few different snack items and donations to make it a success. If you are able to donate any food and/or drink items it would be greatly appreciated.
Items can be dropped off at Curtis Middle School on March 18th between 8am and 1pm. They can also be dropped off at 1998 Verde Ct in Allen the weekend of March 14th.
If you have any questions please reach out to ptavolunteers.curtis@gmail.com
Thank you for donating, it is really appreciated.
STAAR Testing Hallway Monitor Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed during the following STAAR testing dates and times to monitor the bathrooms and hallways during testing. No experience needed. You are welcome to bring a book or magazine to read and a snack and/or drink.
Electronics are NOT allowed out while volunteering.
Volunteer sessions will be in 2 hours 20 minutes and 2 hours 40 minutes shifts.
CLICK HERE to sign up, be sure you press the SAVE button at the bottom.
Thank you for your help!
Congratulations PTA Lifetime Members
Anthony Arnold
Anthony has been at CMS for the past 7 years as an assistant principal and has been in education for over 25 years. Mr. Arnold not only serves Curtis students, but many students from other campuses in summer school as well. Mr. Arnold builds lasting relationships with students and they often come back to say hello and thanks. Mr. Arnold helps students grow as they face their mistakes and learn from those and he celebrates their successes with them. Mr. Arnold encourages students daily and challenges them to be their best and truly has the confidence in them that they can be successful. Mr. Arnold builds relationships with families as well and supports them through the learning curve of middle school! We are proud to have Mr. Arnold as part of the Curtis team.
Beth Bradley
Beth has served as the president of Curtis PTA this year. She leads with grace and has a calm, thoughtful demeanor. She is always organized, always knowledgeable about what is going on inside the PTA, and always ready to jump in and lend a helping hand. Her leadership has helped develop the Curtis PTA into a more cohesive board, and because of her support, we have achieved many milestones throughout this school year. Beth is also active in the community serving on both the Elementary and Council of PTAs. She is an advocate for all students and a great resource. We are grateful for all she has done for Curtis PTA.
Jennifer Mesquita
Jennifer Mesquita has been an essential part of the Curtis PTA during her first year on the board. As Ways & Means chair, she has gone above and beyond for the Curtis PTA this year. She started working on spirit wear last spring and spent many hours over the summer and during the start of the school year organizing and selling spirit wear. In addition, she has devoted countless hours to concessions and implemented the business sponsorship program. She reaches out to engage others to help volunteer and does all of this with a smile. She is creative and thoughtful and we are grateful for all she has done for Curtis PTA.
Stephanie Mooney
Stephanie, while new to Allen, has been in education for over 20 years. Ms. Mooney is our current 7th grade assistant principal. Her dedication to serving others is evident in all she does. Ms. Mooney takes pride in getting to know our students and families and searching for the best ways to support them through middle school. Ms. Mooney supports and works with our teaching staff to improve our instructional practices and to help our campus grow to best support all our students’ learning needs. Ms. Mooney is ready and willing to serve in any way she can to promote the campus and the district and we are so proud to have her at Curtis Middle School.
PTA Business Sponsorship Program
CMS PTA is pleased to announce our business sponsorship program. We offer businesses an opportunity to support CMS students and staff with donation levels.
Red Level, $100
- 1 PTA Community membership
- Logo/website listed on PTA website for one year
Black Level, $250
- 1 PTA Community membership
- Logo/website listed on PTA website for one year
- 1 shout out in both our campus newsletter (1,400+ student families) and 1 shout out on the PTA FB page
CLICK HERE for a flyer with more details or email Jennifer.
CMS PTA Scholarships for Graduating Seniors
AISD Diversity Showcase: Soaring Together
Allen ISD will celebrate its diverse population with the event "Soaring Together," on Thursday, April 9 from 6-8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Commons. Allen ISD students may sign up to give a performance (examples include an Indian dance or Jamaican drummers), and/or set up a cultural table (example include cultural artifacts, origami, henna tattoos, etc.). Deadline to apply is midnight on March 17. CLICK HERE to apply.
Allen Council of PTA Citizenship Recipients
Congratulations to our latest Citizenship Awards recipients. These awards are given out to our teachers, staff, and parent volunteers that give their time and effort to support our schools.
Tijuana Knox: Tijuana volunteered to work numerous concession shifts during the basketball season and did so with a smile. We are so thankful for the time she gave to the Curtis PTA.
Carol Teplick: Carol has been a wonderful volunteer at Curtis this year. She has staffed so many of our concession nights and is a tremendous help. She is so sweet to all the students and is so giving of her time.
Katie Brown: Mrs. Brown is a Texas history teacher who works diligently to serve our campus daily! She works closely with her team, her department and our leadership team to learn and be sure to support our students the best way we can. Mrs. Brown is always positive and solution oriented. She is a true asset to our campus.
Liz Sanchez: Mrs. Sanchez is our campus technician serving every device on our campus! Mrs. Sanchez works with PTA and our campus to make sure news is published for parents and information is sent out in a timely manner. Mrs. Sanchez supports all our needs on campus and can fix anything! We are blessed to have her at Curtis to support our students and families!
Use Amazon Smile to Support Curtis PTA
Do you shop on Amazon? Use Amazon's Smile and support Curtis PTA!
AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your purchase to Curtis PTA when shopping Amazon.
Select your charity: PTA Texas Congress 201 Curtis Middle School
Bookmark smile.amazon.com
Start using smile.amazon.com whenever you want to shop at Amazon!
Be sure to shop through AmazonSmile the next time you shop online. You’re still shopping with Amazon — you’re just doing good while buying what you need!
Please encourage grandparents, neighbors, and friends to support Curtis PTA by shopping through AmazonSmile too.
Helping AISD Students Thrive
With feedback from campus counselors and nurses, AISD Council PTA has compiled a list of items that are needed at many of our AISD campuses.
Please consider donating and supporting students throughout AISD. These donations will be distributed to the campuses in the district that are in need.
Save a trip to the store and donate by ordering the district approved items via the Amazon wish lists below:
Thank you for helping students in Allen!
Daily Announcements on Curtis Website
Curtis Spirit Wear
You can still order Curtis spirit wear! The t-shirt styles have limited quantities. Sizes and quantities available are updated online.
Orders will be delivered to your student's homeroom teacher approximately 4 weeks after purchase. Please be sure you enter your student's homeroom teacher for easy delivery.
To order, visit CurtisCougarPTA.org, login or set up an account to place your order.
Questions? Please email Jennifer
Curtis Middle School PTA
Email: ptacommunications.curtis@gmail.com
Website: https://www.allenisd.org/curtisms
Location: 1530 Rivercrest Boulevard, Allen, TX, USA
Phone: 972-727-0340
Twitter: @CurtisCougars