CMS Parent Newsletter
October 1, 2017
Dear Parents,
It's time! Our PTSA has only one fundraiser. This is it - Our Seahawk Strut. Students were sent home with flyers last week. You may access another using this link or viewing our PTSA page on the CMS website.
Upcoming Seahawk Events
October 2 - Softball vs. SWMS
October 2 - Volleyball Tryouts
October 3 - Softball vs. Myers
October 5 - Domino's Pizza Spirit Night
October 4 - Football vs. Oglethorpe at Islands Field
October 6 - PTSA Reflection Entries Due
October 6 - Extreme Spirit Wear benefits TSA
October 6 - Pep Rally
October 9 - School Day for Students
October 10 - Seahawk Strut Money Collection
October 11 - Spirit Night at Rio Bravo
October 11 - Football vs. Mercer at Islands FieldOctober 12 - Seahawk Strut Dress Down for $30+ donation
October 13 - Beginning of 2nd Marking Period - Adjusted Date
October 13 - Seahawk Strut Event
October 13 - Seahawk Strut - Dress Down for $15+ donation
October 16 - Seahawk Strut Dress Down - $50+ donation
October 18 - Football at DeRenne
October 19 - Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night
October 19 - Teens in the Driver's Seat Information meeting 3:00 - 4:00 Counselor Suite
October 20 - Spirit Wear - Coastal Cares
October 23 - Reports Cards Issued - Adjusted Date
October 24 - Spirit Night - Molly McGuire's
October 27 - Spirit Wear 2 Cans of Food - Second Harvest and Salvation Army
April 11 - GMAS ELA
April 12 - GMAS ELA
April 13 - GMAS ELA
April 16 - GMAS Math
April 17 - GMAS Math
April 18 - GMAS Science - 8th grade only
April 19 - GMAS SS - 8th grade only
April 25 - GMAS EOC - Comp Lit
April 26 - GMAS EOC - Comp Lit
April 30 - GMAS EOC - Alg 1
May 2 - GMAS EOC - Physical Science
** All softball games are scheduled for 4:30 at Paulson Stadium on Field 1
Student Council Meeting
Our first Student Council meeting will be next Wednesday, October 4th, in room 36. The meeting will be over by 3:20 p.m. Please be sure your child has a ride home.
Computer Lab Open Wednesday Afternoon Until 3:45
Follow CMS School on Facebook. This page is in addition to our PTSA page. Please click the link and like the page to be updated on school activities and news. https://www.facebook.com/Coastal-Middle-School-235645453628684/
Savannah Morning News Features CMS
http://savannahnow.com/news/2017-09-27/language-classes-open-world-students-coastal-middle
Seahawk Alumni
Anna Bloess, former Seahawk, current Seahawk sibling, and current SSA student is now the Eastern Surfing Association Champion for girls 16U. We are so very proud of her. We believe she is the first athlete from Georgia to earn this prestigious title. (It almost looks like she was sporting Seahawk colors when photographed above.)
Georgia Student Health Survey 2.0
We will soon administer the GA Student Health Survey to all of our students.
A growing body of research indicates that schools with positive school climate ratings have better test scores and higher graduation rates. School climate refers to the quality and character of school life. The first step to improving school climate is to measure and analyze it with a school climate survey instrument. The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) is a national leader in the collection and analysis of school climate data through the implementation of its annual Georgia Student Health Survey 2.0 (GSHS 2.0). The GSHS 2.0 is an anonymous, statewide survey instrument developed by many divisions within the GaDOE including the Assessment and Accountability Division and in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Public Health and Georgia State University. The GSHS 2.0 identifies safety and health issues that have a negative impact on student achievement and school climate.
The survey is offered at no cost and provides Georgia public school districts (and private schools that wish to participate) with a measurement system to satisfy all requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) which specifies that data must be collected for the following categories: incidence, prevalence, age of onset, perception of health risks, and perception of social disapproval of drug use and violence. The survey is also used to guide school prevention and intervention programs and for grant funding. The GSHS 2.0 for middle and high school students covers various topics such as school climate and safety, graduation, school dropouts, alcohol and drug use, bullying and harassment, suicide, nutrition, and sedentary behaviors. The GSHS 2.0 for elementary students includes school safety and school climate questions only.
Survey Questions May be viewed online using the following link. We suggest you read over them and discuss them in advanced with your student - especially with our younger students. These questions are written to be completed by 6th - 12th grade students and include mature content.
Results may be viewed online using the following link: http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Curriculum-and-Instruction/GSHS-II/Pages/GSHS-Results.aspx
PTSA Survey
Parents, please help PTSA improve our welcome packets by answering this brief, three question survey. Thank you for your help!
Required Choice Reading
Sex Offender Registry
Have you checked the sex-offender registry lately? http://chathamsheriff.org/Enforcement/Street-Operations/SORT
Make-Up Days
The Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education has now taken official action on weather makeup days for the school closures the district experienced due to Hurricane Irma. For each make-up day, all schools will operate on their regular schedules, and students should report at their designated bell time.
The approved weather make-up dates include:
Monday, October 9, 2017 (originally a Staff Work Day)
Monday, November 20, 2017 (Pre-designated make-up day)
Tuesday, November 21, 2017 (Pre-designated make-up day)
PTSA Reflections
Islands Library
IB - October is CELEBRATING THE BILINGUAL CHILD MONTH
October is Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month. A person who is bilingual knows two or more languages and understand multiple cultures.. This month recognizes bilingual children. These children act as a bridge between multiple cultures. As an International Baccalaureate World School, our students are fortunate to have the opportunity to explore and learn three additional languages, along with our traditionally spoken English. At Coastal, we offer Spanish, Chinese and Arabic.
This month is a wonderful time to thank the Foreign Language teachers and show your appreciation for a global education that will prepare our students to be productive citizens in an international marketplace.
Community Events
Savannah Fall Festival-Oktoberfest
Enjoy the free Oktoberfest and Wiener Dog Races on River Street on October 6th-8th; enjoy a bit of Germany...complete with German cuisine, wiener dog races, arts and crafts and live entertainment. Don't forget that you can park on Hutchinson Island and take the free ferry over to the festivities. Kids love the boat ride!
Tybee Island Pirate Fest
Tybee Island Pirate Fest on October 5th-8th. Get ready for some swashbuckling fun to include the free Victory Parade, Scallywags Costume Contest, Little Matey's Cove, Thieves Market, live music, a fireworks show and a Ferris wheel. For more information, call 912-713-2321 or visit www.tybeepiratefest.com.
Low-country Down Syndrome Buddy Walk and Family Fun Festival
The Low-country Down Syndrome Society Family Fun Festival is a free event immediately following the 12th annual Buddy Walk. A wide range of activities including face painting, bouncy houses, as well as music and refreshments will last until 2 p.m. For more information visit www.ldssga.org.
Savannah Food Day Festival
The Savannah Food Day Festival is the largest in the nation and celebrates sustainable, accessible and healthy foods. This free event on Saturday October 7th from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in Daffin Park includes a farmers market, educational workshops, top local bands, art activities, food vendors and more. For more information, call 912-662-5162 or email fooddayinfo@wellfedsavannah.com.
Savannah's Picnic in the Park 2017
Come out to Forsyth park on Sunday October 8th and enjoy fantastic music from the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra, local bands, choral students and orchestral students from all over the county. This event is in Savannah's Picnic in the Park and is free and open to the public. There is a fun opportunity for you and your group to enter the legendary "Picnic Contest," where picnickers are encouraged to design an imaginative picnic spread that is inspired by the suggested theme. For more information call 912-232-6002 or visit savannahphilharmonic.org.
Repeats and Reminders
PTSA Reflections
Students of all grades and abilities may participate and explore the arts based on the 2017-2018 theme: Within Reach. The deadline for Seahawk entries is October 6, 2017. For more information, please contact our art teacher Lauren Greene or the Reflections Committee co-chairs Brenda Sierzant at bdsierzant@yahoo.com or Steve Tisinger at tisingerstephen@gmail.com.
Fall Ball
The 6th Grade Fall Ball has been rescheduled for November 3rd. Volunteers are needed to help collect permission slips, decorate, sell concessions, and chaperone. If you can help with this event, please click on the link below to sign up.
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/20f094ca5af2ca5fd0-coastal
Thank you for helping to make this event a fun, first middle school dance for our 6th graders! If you have questions, please contact Brandy Davenport at brandalyndavenport@gmail.com.
Band Discount Cards are back by popular demand. Please see the parent of a band member or our band director, William (Billy) Hoffman, to purchase your card.
Yearbook
Purchase your yearbook now for only $25. Prices increase to $35 after December.
https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/?event=general.displayLanding&jobnumber=20020
Late Work
All work should be submitted on the date it is due. Teachers will accept no more than 1 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.