The CMS Scoop
The Best Middle School in the Universe!
Volume 14, Number 23 - May 18, 2020
Congratulations CMS - A Schools to Watch - Redesignation III
We received this notification right after SB. However with all that was happening, we did not share the news of this award. BUT before the year ends, I needed to send this out as this is a huge honor and it should be celebrated. This award is a reflection of the continuous hard work of all students, parents and staff at Chapa Middle School. It is an award that just isn't focused on academics but the whole child and the whole community. This award doesn't happen with one person working, but it happens with a team of people working together -our students, parents and staff. This award is a reflection that we ARE the BEST Middle School in the Universe!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23, 2020 - Austin, TX
Chapa Middle School in Hays CISD earns National distinction by being re- designated a School to Watch!
The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) as part of a national recognition program have re- designated Chapa Middle School in Kyle, TX and Hays CISD as a Texas School to Watch! Chapa MS joins approximately 45 other campuses across Texas with this distinction and honor.
Chapa MS will be recognized nationally with other Schools to Watch from across the country in Washington DC at the National Forum’s National Schools to Watch Conference on June 26, 2020.
State leaders selected Chapa MS for its Academic Excellence, Developmental Responsiveness, Social Equity and Organizational Structure and Processes. In addition, Chapa MS has strong leadership, teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement.
Billy Pringle, State Director for Schools to Watch in Texas and TASSP Associate Executive Director for Middle-Level Services, stated, “We congratulate principal Lisa Walls and her staff, students and parents for being a campus that does great things for all of their students. This school has repeatedly demonstrated that a high-performing middle school is a place that focuses on academic growth and achievement. Chapa MS is a place that recognizes the importance of meeting the needs of all students and ensures that every child has access to a challenging high-quality education.” Archie E. McAfee, Executive Director for TASSP also stated, “It is an honor for TASSP to recognize Chapa MS in Hays CISD, this school is a model for other middle schools all across Texas!”
The Schools to Watch selection process is based on a written application that requires schools to show how they meet criteria developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Schools that appeared to meet the criteria were then visited by state teams,
which observed classrooms, interviewed administrators, teachers, students and parents, and looked at achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons, and student work. Schools are recognized for a three-year period, and at the end of three years, they must demonstrate progress on specific goals in order to be re-designated. Unlike the Blue-Ribbon recognition program, the Schools to Watch program requires schools to not just identify strengths, but to also focus on areas of continuous improvement; thus, the three-year re-designation.
Launched in 1999, Schools to Watch began as a national program to identify middle-grade schools across the country that were meeting or exceeding 37 research-based criteria developed by the National Forum. The Forum developed a website https://www.middlegradesforum.org/ that features online tours of schools, as well as detailed information about selection criteria used in the recognition program. There are now 17 states which have trained Schools to Watch State Teams with more than 480 schools recognized across the country.
“We are pleased that our Schools to Watch program has shown that schools can meet high academic expectations while preserving a commitment of healthy development and equity for all students,” said Ericka Uskali, National Forum Executive Director. “These Schools to Watch are indeed special; they make education so exciting that students and teachers don’t want to miss a day. These schools have proven that it is possible to overcome barriers in achieving excellence, and any middle-level school in any state can truly learn from their examples,” Uskali said.
The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform began as an alliance of 65 educators, researchers, national associations, and officers of professional organizations and foundations dedicated to improving education in the middle grades.
Week of May 18th
CMS Families,
Here we are with 5 days of school left and I can't believe we have been home for 8 weeks. This has been such an unusual year with circumstances beyond our control. We have missed "school" and we have missed our kids. As teachers came back to pack their classrooms, all of them commented on how emotional they got when they walked up to campus. Our school is a building that usually has kids and teachers all over the campus and it is odd for the campus to sit for so long unoccupied. We have missed all of you! As we prepare for the end of the year, there are lots of things happening so make sure you read this entire newsletter!
First, we are hosting a virtual awards ceremony! See the flyer below and stay tuned for the youtube channel to be sent out with the ceremony. A HUGE shoutout to our CMS staff for the extra work to get this done virtually and our Award's Team who put it all together!
Second, we have pick up and drop off of all things CMS happening this coming Thursday, May 21st and May 22nd. All library books should be returned and any chromebooks for students in 8th grade OR who aren't coming back to CMS next year should be returned. We have our Chapa 5K swag bag for those who registered along with other items. Teachers will be emailing you details if it pertains to your child - band, choir, dance, etc. Please read the document below for details and please follow the protocol for everyone's safety.
Third, we have yearbooks, 8th grade shirts, 8th grade class pictures still for sale! Please don't miss this opportunity to purchase these items! Deadline is May 29th.
Fourth, we have celebrations galore! We want to congratulate Lacey Davis Fastle for being selected at the DISTRICT Secondary Teacher of the Year! We are so proud of her! We also want to congratulate Julio Vela for being selected as the Hays CISD Assistant Principal of the year. We are super proud of him! We also want to congratulate Team Chapa for earning a Re-designation III for the Schools to Watch Program. This is a huge national recognition and honor. We are so proud of CMS Community!
Fifth, there is summer reading! It IS optional this year but please, please, please encourage your kids to read! NEW this summer is a way to interact with some staff members as you all read the books. See the information below AND get involved! We want to encourage ALL students to READ and participate in dreambox over the summer. It is important this year, that all students continue to do some work this summer and reading and Dreambox are two ways we want our students to stay active.
Last, thank you for a great year. We loved our time with your kids and thank you for trusting us with them. Thank you for all YOU have done these last couple of months as we know it's been tough for you all at home as you struggle with working and kids working at home. It's had its challenges and we appreciate your dedication to helping your child. We will be around all summer. We are a phone call or email away so please reach out for any questions or concerns. We don't know what the future holds but we know our district leaders will make decisions that ensure our kids and staff are safe. I will continue to send out information via FB and my newsletter so stay tuned for updates. Meanwhile, we hope you have a safe summer.
Take care and know that we love our CMS Families!!!
We are Chapa Middle School! We are Cougar Pride!
CMS Drop Off and Pick Up - May 21st and May 22nd
Summer Reading!
Summer reading! Summer Reading is optional this year.
Mrs. Goynes and Dr. Sweet created a Google Sites and Blog for summer reading. Mrs. Goynes and Dr. Sweet each chose a book per grade level to read and blog about. Students can answer questions and discuss their summer reading on the blog. Chose a book not on the list? You can join our "Reader's Choice" blog. The blogs will run from June 1st to August 14th. For more information and to view the summer reading list, visit https://sites.google.com/g.hayscisd.net/cms-2020-summer-reading/home
Stay home, stay safe, keep reading!
8th Grade Class Shirt
8th Grade Class Picture
CMS Yearbook
Attention 8th grade! Are you interested in....
https://sites.google.com/g.hayscisd.net/lehman-colorguard-recruitment/home
Congratulations Julio Vela - Assistant Principal of the Year!
Congratulations Lacey Davis-Fastle Hays CISD District Secondary TOY
Chapa Essentials
TEA @Home Learning Resources
Please take a look at the website below from TEA. I know our kids are probably done with school and don't want to do any more school work but because we missed so much "school", any little thing to keep our kids learning through the summer would be beneficial. I went through the website for my daughter and we "read" a couple of books. Our kids normally have a "summer slide" so your efforts to ensure our kids continue to read over the summer is appreciated.
- TEA has posted resources that can be printed or can be done on-line. This is a great resource for any additional work you may want for your child now and/or during the summer.t\ Please take a look at there are some good things on the website. https://texashomelearning.org/
- This is all free so please feel free to share!
Chapa Middle School
Email: lisa.walls@hayscisd.net
Website: www.hayscisd.net/
Location: 3311 Dacy Lane, Kyle, TX, United States
Phone: (512) 268-8500
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChapaMS/
Twitter: @Chapa_Cougars