November

November 28-December2: Scholastic Book Fair in the Media Center

November 29: Cougar Store Open

November 30: PTO Spirit Night at Melvin's BBQ

December 1: Progress Reports sent home

December 1: James Island Tree Lighting Ceremony (JI Jazz Band performing)

December 6: Chorus and Strings Winter Concert, 6pm - 7pm

December 6: JICHS Percussion and Jazz Concert, 7pm - 8pm

December 7: Winter Math MAP Testing

December 8: Winter ELA MAP Testing

December 9: Coffee and Conversations in the Media Center

December 9: 8th Grade Band Parade Practice

December 13: Winter Band Concert

December 16: Half Day - Hat Day

December 17-January 3: School Closed

We now have a working Annual Calendar for those of you that like to be able to look ahead. We will continue to update this calendar with all school events, including JICHS sporting events that some of our CRMS students may be participating in.

Chaperone opportunities may be available. We will know when we get closer to the event. If you are interested in being a part of this event please contact camproadpto@gmail.com.

The Federal Cards will be sent home on Wednesday, 11/30/22. Please sign and return to school by Friday, 12/02/22. The address labels will be on the back of the card and you will need to complete the information on the front of the card. Please make any changes that are needed. Thank you!

The library will host a Scholastic Book fair this week. Our goal is to sell at least $4,000 in books – the minimum amount to be able to get cash profit toward our author visit. Students will come to the library with their ELA classes, and they may also come after 8:05 am with a pass from their HR teacher. I encourage families to take advantage of the eWallet program so that your children are not bringing cash to school. We will also accept credit, debit, cash, and checks. Get more information here.

Register online sign-up or see the attached MS Sport Flyer for details. Please remember to sign up even if you are playing basketball or planning to try out for a C team or High School sport, etc. Minimal overlap in seasons. As long as you are registered for MS Sports by the deadline then you are eligible to play and be able to decide who to play for when the time comes. We need one co-ed soccer coach and possibly one more baseball coach for CRMS Teams. If interested, please reach out to our Cougar Athletic Booster Club at crmsathleticboosterclub@gmail.com

Middle school is a time when students’ cognitive capacities, including abstract thinking and moral reasoning increase. During this time middle schoolers become aware and are especially sensitive to their peers and experience an increased intensity of emotions. Kids are "carrying" a lot in their metaphorical book bag even before they walk through our school doors some mornings.

The Wellness Room at CRMS was created with that in mind–helping students independently re-set, re-focus and return to learning.

Wellness Room Objective:

Students will independently work to self-regulate their emotions, problem solve and/or reset to return to the classrooms recentered and focused, allowing them to re-engage and be “ready to learn.” Counselors will be in the room, facilitating this work.

At any time during the day students can request to visit the Wellness Room for a quick reset. Signed agendas are the entry and exit passes to the room. Targeted maximum time in the Wellness Room is 10 minutes.

What’s in the Wellness Room?

Upon entering the room, students can choose a “what do I need card.”

1. Problem Solving, Conflict Resolution worksheet

2. Coloring/Journaling

3. Fidgets

4. A quiet space (noise cancellation headphones) or a book

5. Distraction (from my feelings) puzzles, crosswords, brain games, etc

6. Mindfulness (yoga cards, breathing exercises, etc)

After choosing a “what I need card” and giving it to the school counselor, students are able to choose flexible seating and use the manipulatives. Ten-minute sand timers are given to students to let them know when their time has expired. After signing out, students can request to see a school counselor if needed.

Science Links social/emotional wellness to Student Gains:

* Improvement in students’ social and emotional skills, attitudes, relationships, academic performance, and perceptions of classroom and school climate

* Decline in students’ anxiety and behavior problems

* Long-term improvements in students’ skills, attitudes, prosocial behavior, and academic performance

Positive for COVID? Please use this COVID Reporting Form to report positive cases to the nurse.

For any 8th grade families who may be considering an International Baccalaureate education at James Island Charter High School: please click this sign up to schedule an observation of IB courses during a morning or afternoon session from November 28th through December 9th.

Students should NOT bring their Chromebook chargers to school. Please charge devices at home each evening. Chargers tend to disappear at school, and we have no way to track them. Students will be responsible for the cost of replacing lost chargers, so please don’t let your student bring the charger to school!

A reminder about the CCSD fee structure for damages and loss of chromebooks:

• Negligent/Accidental Breakage - No charge for first incident per school year $50 per incident for each subsequent event
• Intentional Vandalism - $300.
• Stolen Device - No cost if a police report is provided
• Lost Device - $300
• Lost Charger - $40