Paw Prints
Volume I, Issue 2 - August 31, 2020
IN THIS EDITION
- From the Principal's Desk - Remembering Chadwick Boseman
- Counselor's Corner - Tips for a Positive Start to the School Year
- Meet Our Staff (Some of our 6th Grade Teachers)
- Instructional Tidbits - Fostering Literacy at Home
- Virtual Principal's Chat Information
- Looking Ahead - Dates to Remember
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK - Remembering Chadwick Boseman
This past Saturday morning, I was heartbroken to wake up to the news that Chadwick Boseman had passed away. Chadwick was nothing short of dynamic as an actor. He had such range as an actor that in one film he could have us living through the struggles of civil rights heroes such as Jackie Robinson or Thurgood Marshall and in another film, we would lose ourselves in amazement as he played King T'Challa in Black Panther.
There are many things that make Chadwick's death hard to process. Our images of him are as the vibrant characters he played in movies. At 43, he had so much life ahead of him it seemed. For me though, Chadwick being from Anderson made it even more difficult to process. A local product made good was taken from the world way too soon!
As I read the memorials to Chadwick over the weekend, I was struck by two things. Chadwick was incredibly well-rounded. As a high school student, he was active in his church choir. He wrote a play that was performed his junior year of high school. He was active in sports. One of his high school coaches remarked that on the way back from road games, he always had a book that he was reading.
I was also taken aback by the perspective on life that Chadwick had. While Chadwick played heroes to us on the big screen, as I saw someone mention, he understood that we all played heroes in our own stories.
For the kids in our school and in our community, nothing could be more true. What better feeling is there for a kid than to be able to play the hero in their own story?
Our LEAP Days are now underway and we are less than a week away from officially kicking off a new school year. Just as Chadwick Boseman had teachers and coaches that helped him to expand his love of academics, the arts, and athletics, I know that our teachers and staff have that same gift.
As we remember Chadwick Boseman this weekend, let's help honor his memory by giving every kid the tools necessary to write their own story as a hero!
COUNSELOR'S CORNER - Tips for a Positive Start to the School Year
Sonya Atkinson - Email her
Our students will be experiencing many unprecedented changes throughout this year. As parents, we want to put our children in the best position possible to succeed regardless of the circumstances. Below are some tips to help your student adjust to the higher expectations as each grade demands more independence and better time management.
Be in school every day - there is no replacement for teacher instruction. If you aren’t in school (online or face to face), you will be at a disadvantage.
Look over class notes every day- don’t wait until the last minute. Most of us don’t learn best when we are under stress or rushed to remember information. The information won’t seem so overwhelming if you tackle it in smaller parts.
Learn how you learn- are you a visual learner, kinesthetic learner, or auditory learner? Do you learn best when you write notes down or do you learn best when you listen to information?
Take advantage of tutoring time. Check with your teacher for ways to improve. Some teachers stay after school on certain days for students who need extra help.
While middle school years can be challenging, we hope these suggestions help you and your child have a positive middle school experience.
Meet Our Staff
Katie Jacks - 6th Grade ELA/Social Studies
If you had any superpower, what would it be?
To fly
What is your favorite candy?
Twix
What is your bucket list item?
To go on an African safari
What are your thoughts about pineapple on pizza?
I love pineapple, but I am not sure it goes with pizza.
Why do you love teaching?
I feel like I am making a difference in the world.
Bea Ray - 6th Grade ELA/Social Studies
If you had any superpower, what would it be?
Invisibility
What is your favorite candy?
M&Ms
What is your bucket list item?
Traveling - Alaska, Italy, Greece, & Germany
What are your thoughts about pineapple on pizza?
Mixed - If I am eating pizza in Hawaii, pineapple all the way. If I am eating pizza in New York, no way!
Why do you love teaching?
I love helping students discover new things! I love watching them figure out new things and connecting to what they already know.
Terry Underwood - 6th Grade Math/Science
If you had any superpower, what would it be?
My superpower would be to heal people. After that, to fly on my own accord anywhere, anytime.
What is your favorite candy?
Skittles
What is your bucket list item?
White sands, blue waters, and a hammock under palm trees
What are your thoughts about pineapple on pizza?
It works for me if you have some ham on it.
Why do you love teaching?
I love teaching because each year is a new beginning and the chance to make a difference in a child's life. The difference you make goes beyond academics and reaches far into the future.
INSTRUCTIONAL TIDBITS - Fostering Literacy at Home
Kyleigh Harrell - Email her
Encouraging reading is one of the most important things you can do to help your student succeed in school. Here are some tips to foster literacy at home:
Set aside time each day to read as a family. In addition to your student reading independently, read aloud to each other.
Engage in conversations with your student about what they’re reading.
Offer a literacy rich environment by making sure your home has reading materials available that are appropriate for their reading level and are of high interest. Books can be checked out at the public library for free. Students can also borrow books from their ELA teachers.
Model reading and writing. When your student sees you reading, he or she will see that you value literacy.
Supporting your student’s literacy development at home will help create a lifelong learner.
To check out eBooks from the CMS library, follow these steps:
Go to cms.lcsd56.org
Click on School Resources> Student > Destiny Discover
Scroll down to eBooks
Click on the one you want to check out, click “login” to access the book and login with your CMS username and password
Virtual Principal's Chat Information
On Thursday September 10th, Mr. Parks will host a virtual Principal's Chat for parents and community members. During this chat, Mr. Parks will share information about how the first few days of school have been, discuss the short-term and long-term visions for Clinton Middle School, and answer questions.
To attend, simply click on this link at around 6:30 pm on Thursday September 10th.
Thursday, Sep 10, 2020, 06:30 PM
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LOOKING AHEAD - Dates to Remember
- LEAP Days
- 8:00 am - 3:11 pm on a student's assigned day
Tuesday September 8th
- First day of school for students
Tuesday September 8th
- Volleyball vs. Brewer
- 5:00 pm @ Clinton Middle School
Thursday September 10th
- Principal's Chat
- 6:30 pm - To attend virtually, click here
Monday September 14th
- Volleyball @ Edgewood
- 5:00pm @ Edgewood Middle School
About Us
Email: info@lcsd56g.com
Website: https://cms.lcsd56.org/
Location: 800 North Adair Street, Clinton, SC, USA
Phone: (864) 833-0807
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Middle-School/Clinton-Middle-School-1738237073147580/
Twitter: @CMS_inSC