August Newsletter
Cougar Community
We are all so excited to bring a close to the first week of school. We would like to share how proud we are of how most students have conducted themselves. We witnessed students holding the door for others, greeting staff members, sitting with new students at lunch and getting to class on time when they were not lost or confused. (insert smile here) By now, most students know where everything is and we are in full swing.
Technology.
Please remember that there are important tools to assist you with your child’s success at school:
~Parent Vue is an online program which allows you to monitor your child’s grades, homework, missing assignments, test scores, report cards, and attendance. Students also have the same access through StudentVue. The program is updated automatically, so you always have access to the most current information.
~All students were issued a Chromebook. We would like to ask for your support in making sure students engage with them responsibly to include handling with care and making sure it is charged every night. At times students may be required to have a set of earbuds. We do not issue text books.
Tech Agreement
The link below contains important information about fees, damage and insurance.
https://www.jocombs.org/domain/384
Schedule Changes
Counselors continue to balance classes. We are also making plans to add additional sections in classes. This means your child's schedule could be subject to change. Schedule changes are made at random. We do have openings in Music and in honors classes, so if you believe your student could benefit from being challenged in honors courses, please reach out to our counseling team.
Strategies Class
As you may have noticed, this year class schedule times have changed. This change was made to meet the needs of our students. In the next two weeks, we will identify students who need additional time and support with Math and ELA. This means, if your child is identified as needing additional support, they will exchange an elective for the strategies class.
Cells Phones.
In middle school we believe in giving students opportunities to have more responsibility than they typically have had in elementary. This includes cell phone usage. Cell phones are allowed before school, during passing periods and lunch. Cell phone use is not allowed in the buildings or in classrooms. If your student makes the choice to use their cell phone, it will be parent pickup. If you will not be able to pick up your child's cell phone if they make a choice to not follow school rules, I would suggest having your student keep it at home or turning in the phone into the office before school and picking it up after school.
Dress Code
Currently Page 8 in student handbook located on the website.
Dress Code Combs Middle School establishes a dress code to maintain a proper academic environment within the school community, to support the dignity of the individual, and to instill good grooming habits in appearance. Each student's dress and personal appearance should be of such character so as not to disrupt or distract the educational environment of the school. School pride, morale, and image are influenced by the general appearance of our students. Additionally, Combs Middle School expects student dress and grooming to reflect high standards of personal conduct so that each student’s attire promotes a positive, safe, and healthy atmosphere within our school.
- Combs administration reserves the right to insist that the dress and grooming of students are within the limits of generally accepted good taste in school as well as at all school-sponsored events. Any hairstyle, mode of dress, or ornamentation that is outlandish, inappropriate, or gang-related is prohibited. If there is doubt as to the appropriateness of some attire, it should not be worn until it has been approved by an administrator. - Students and their parents/guardians have the responsibility to be aware of the school’s specific dress code and to conform to these requirements. If a student or parent/guardian has any questions about whether specific attire or accessories are in compliance with the dress code, he/she should contact an administrator prior to the student wearing such attire/accessory.
- Administration retains the discretion to determine whether or not the garment or accessory meets the dress code. - Each student’s clothing must fit appropriately as determined by school administration. Clothing may not be too tight, too baggy, too revealing, too short, too long, or hang too low. Pants, Skirts, Shorts, etc.: * Sagging is not allowed. The waistband of the pants, shorts or skirt must meet the bottom of the shirt or top at all times (i.e. standing, sitting, raising his/her hand, etc.). Pants should not drag excessively on the ground. * Shorts and skirts must maintain a length of 2 inches from the top of the knee. * Pants, shorts or skirts must cover underwear at all times. * Wallet chains may be a maximum length of 10 inches
Clubs and Sports.
Try-outs are currently taking place for girls’ volleyball, baseball and cross country. We are also in the process of getting our clubs up and running in the next few weeks. We are excited to offer these extra curricular activities to our students and celebrating all things CMS.
Combs Middle School PTO
The Combs Middle School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) provides parents with a means to build community within the school setting. The primary goals of PTO are to create opportunities to interact about important school issues, host various fundraisers and create opportunities for students. If you are interested in joining please email Mrs. Ridge directly. (lridge@jocombs.org)
Final Words
Our staff is committed to the success of our students. This means we will be unapologetic in holding students accountable for high expectations in behavior and academics. I want to personally thank you choosing Combs Middle School and we look forward to partnering with you in your child's education and experience. Now, let's go make some awesome Middle School memories and then buy the yearbook.
Principal Ridge
Combs Middle School
Email: aflores@jocombs.org
Website: combsms.jocombs.org
Location: 37611 North Pecan Creek Drive, San Tan Valley, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-882-3510
J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age or sexual orientation in admission and access to its programs, services, activities, or in any aspect of their operations and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. The following employees have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Compliance Officer for Title IX, Assistant Superintendent, 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300 and Compliance Officer for Section 504/ADA, Director of Student Services, 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300.
El Districto Escolar Unificado de J.O. Combs #44 no discrimina en base a su raza, color, religión, origen nacional, sexo, discapacidad, edad, o la orientación sexual para la admisión y su acceso a sus programas, servicios, actividades, o en cualquier aspecto de sus operaciones y proporciona un acceso igualitario a los Boys Scouts y otro grupos de jóvenes designados. El Districto Escolar Unificado de J.O. Combs tampoco discrimina en sus prácticas de empleo y contratación. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para manejar las preguntas en cuanto a las pólizas de no discriminación: Funcionario de Cumplimiento de Título IX, Superintendente Asistente 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300 and Funcionario de Cumplimiento para la Sección 504/ADA, Director de Servicios Estudiantiles, 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300.