The Bird Nest
Back to School Information for the 21-22 School Year
Principal Message
On behalf of the staff of Clever Middle School, I am happy to welcome you and your child to the 2021-2022 school year! I would like to extend a special welcome to all of the new families joining Clever this year and welcome back all of our returning families as well!
At school, teachers have been busy preparing classrooms and hallways for the start of the 2021 – 2022 school year. We will make every effort to transition your children back to a safe, nurturing school environment. Please refer to the distinct Return to Learn plan for specific details.
When our students return to school on Tuesday, August 24th, the teachers will be ready to greet them and provide a positive school experience. As always, we look forward to getting to know each and every child, meeting their academic and social/emotional needs, and challenging them to be the best they can be.
We look forward to a productive school year. Thank you in advance for your support and partnership. Remember, when the school, home, and community unite as one, making education a top priority, all students can grow and achieve at high levels.
The first step is to meet our amazing staff! Please join us at our back to school open house on Thursday, August 19th.
Stay Connected!!
Part of our mission at CMS is to keep students and parents up to date with important information. This year we will be using various platforms to help achieve this mission.
Email - It is important that you have an updated email on file with the school office. Most often communication will be done using email.
Facebook - Like the Clever Schools 6-8 page
Remind - Join Mr. Sullivan's News & Notes Class @clevms6-8 - Each teacher will create class codes that parents can join as well.
Canvas - Students will use Canvas on a daily basis for completing assignments; parents have the opportunity to create an observer account that is linked to their child's account.
Lumen Touch Parent Portal - We encourage you to create an account to access and view student information at any time. Details on how to sign up will be shared at open house.
Handbook Highlights & Updates
Highlighted below are a few areas of the CMS handbook that were updated for the 21-22 school year. Please review them carefully with your child prior to the first day of school. Students and staff will be covering these items during the first day of school as well. Link to the complete CMS Student Handbook can be found below.
Personal Electronic Devices (PED'S)
Personal electronic devices (PEDs) (i.e., cell phones, radios, tape players, CD players, MP3 players, laptops, portable video games, etc.) should be stored in purses, bags, or pockets, and kept out of sight and be turned off or in silent mode (non- vibrating) during instructional time unless directed by their teacher. Teachers will provide an area in their classroom for proper storage of a PED during instructional times.
Instructional times are defined as the time spent in a classroom during periods 1st thru 8th. This includes the use of restrooms, water breaks, etc. during a class period.
Non Instructional times are defined as follows:
Any time before 7:55 am and after 3:40 pm
Passing periods between classes
Lunch & Recess
Students may not use their PED at any time during the school day to:
Take Pictures
Record Videos
Record Audio
PED usage is strictly forbidden in the following locations:
Locker Rooms
Restrooms
Consequences for policy violation:
1st offense: PED is confiscated and returned at the end of the hour = verbal warning
2nd offense: PED is confiscated and turned into front office = Parent contact by teacher; student may pick up device at the end of the day
3rd offense: PED is confiscated and turned into front office = Parent contact by administration; (1) after-school detention
4th offense and subsequent offenses: PED confiscated and turned into front office and (2) after-school detentions; loss of PED privileges occur if behavior is not corrected
Tardy Policy
There will be four minutes between each class before the tardy bell rings for class to begin. A student is tardy if he or she is not in the room and seated or lined up outside the teacher’s classroom when the tardy bell rings. Permission to be late may be granted by an administrator, teacher, or other school personnel. Tardies will be tracked cumulatively for each quarter.
Students arriving after 7:55 a.m. in the morning must report to the office for a pass to class and must be signed in by a parent/guardian.
Students may be tardy cumulatively three times per quarter without penalty. Once the 4th+ tardy has been reached a discipline consequence will be administered. A referral will be generated from the principal’s office.
Standards Based Grading & Redo/Retake Policy
Using a 5-point scale to denote Advanced, Proficient, Basic and Below Basic, or no attempt, student progress will be reported as a fair and accurate representation of a student’s mastery of concepts.
Students will be given multiple attempts to achieve mastery and the most recent evidence of mastery will be reported on progress reports.
Quarterly grades will be calculated using the following breakdown measures:
Formative Assessments - 10% (Daily Assignments, Classroom Quick Checks)
Summative Assessments - 90% (Tests, Projects)
Students will be assessed using a 5-point scale, which corresponds to the traditional letter grading scale.
4 = Advanced = A (Student is able to apply knowledge of the standard in a real world example.)
3 = Proficient = B (Student is able to demonstrate mastery of the assessed standard.)
2 = Basic = C (Student is able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the assessed standard but needs additional practice to achieve mastery.)
1 = Below Basic = D (Student requires additional instruction and practice to demonstrate a basic understanding of the assessed standard.)
0 = No Attempt = F (No attempt was made due to absence, failure to complete the assignment or failure to attempt the assignment.)
All school work should be educationally valuable and geared toward mastery of Missouri Learning Standards.
Grades will be determined based upon mode and most recent evidence of mastery rather than mean. This will be based upon teacher professional judgement.
Retake/Redo Policy
In the world of work, we are given the opportunity to retake assessments and redo work that we did not master the first time. This usually happens following additional coaching, instruction and practice. The same will be true for students with the following guidelines:
Grade Checks will take place approximately every three weeks.
Students will receive a comprehensive progress report for the current grading period. This can be either paper or digital.
Parents will continue to have access to student grades via the Parent Portal on Lumen Touch. Please contact the 6-8 EleMiddle Office for additional information regarding account information.
If a student has a 0, 1 or 2 on a comprehensive grade check other than the end of a grading period, the student will have the opportunity to retake the assessment or redo the project.
The retake/redo must be completed before the next scheduled grade check.
The student must receive additional instruction and/or complete additional practice to demonstrate progress toward mastery before completing the retake/redo.
If a student chooses not to make a first attempt or refuses to complete the additional work required prior to the retake/redo, the teacher does not have to allow the student the opportunity to retake/redo.
A student can choose not to complete a retake/redo. In that case, the original grade will be recorded.
Other General Information
Student Schedules - Student schedules will be available for pick up in your Jaytime (homeroom) teacher's classroom at open house. Jaytime rosters will be posted around the building during open house. Students may also log into Canvas to view schedules.
Breakfast - Students may pick up a grab and go style breakfast upon arrival to the school each morning. Designated pickup stations will be established at multiple entry points. Students will then report to their Jaytime class to eat.
Lunch/Recess - Students will eat by grade level in the cafeteria this year! All 6-8 students will also receive a 20 min. recess outside.
Hall Locker Access - Students WILL be issued a locker at the beginning of the school year. However, bookbags will still be allowed to be carried from class to class. Locks may be used to help keep items safe. An extra key or combination code needs to be provided to the school office.
Hallway Movement - Students will have four minute passing periods. This time should be used for stopping at their locker, refilling a water bottle, and going to the restroom.
Hall Pass System - CMS will use a digital pass system. Students request a pass using their chromebook and the teacher approves or denies the request. Pass time limits are set based on the destination of the request.
PE & Locker Rooms - Students will have access to the locker rooms and will be required to dress out for daily PE. PE lockers will be provided to students to store PE clothes and shoes. Locks may be used to help keep items safe.
Technology News
As part of our district's technology mission, we continue to strive to provide your child with the most effective web-based tools and applications for learning in the digital world. Clever Middle School utilizes several computer software applications and web-based services, operated not by this school, but by third parties. These include Google Apps for Education (GAFE), Canvas LMS, and an assortment of others listed on the COPPA Compliance letter. We are asking that you review the letter and submit an electronic signature for each of your children in order for them to gain access to these resources. See the button below.
Chromebook Distribution - All new students and 6th graders will receive their device the first week of school. According to the district's device policy, families will need to pay the $45 user fee in order for their child to bring their device home daily. These payments can be made by check or cash and will also go towards the purchase of the device. Payments plans are offered at request.
Chromebook Damage - In the event that a student damages their device, it should be turned into the main office along with a damage report. The technology dept. will assess the damages and provide an invoice for repair cost. A list of most common replacement costs can be found on the Clever Device Policy below.
Chromebook Insurance - The district will provide the option to purchase device insurance. This will cover you in the event that your child's device is damaged.
Students must store their device in a protective case at any time it is not being used. The Chromebooks are 11.6 inch in size. Here is a link to amazon with multiple case options. The school does have basic cases that can be purchased for $12.
Leader In Me 21-22
Our students and staff in grades 6th thru 8th are ready to tackle this year as we continue our journey to becoming a Leader in Me school! The Leader in Me process involves students and staff infusing the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People into our lives and lessons. The common “language” is becoming part of our school culture and will continue to produce positive results year after year. Some of the ways we have seen students display the 7 Habits are shared below:
• Habit 1 Be Proactive: takes pride in achieving good grades and demonstrating exemplary behavior; makes good choices; takes initiative to do things without being asked; takes responsibility for his/her actions; chooses an appropriate response instead of reacting negatively
• Habit 2 Begin With The End in Mind: sets goals and works hard to reach them; organizes things and information; demonstrates the 7 Habits at school; encourages others to live the 7 Habits
• Habit 3 Put First Things First: completes and submits homework regularly; stays on task in class; works first, then plays; prioritizes tasks
• Habit 4 Think Win-Win: resolves problems with peers; cooperates with the teachers; waits his/her turn; creates new solutions for issues; reduces discipline referrals
• Habit 5 Seek First to Understand, Then Be Understood: listens to teacher/peers; shows kindness to others; waits to speak; doesn’t interrupt others
• Habit 6 Synergize: works well in groups; team player; values and celebrates differences; practices creative cooperation to look for a third alternative that is better than the original solution
• Habit 7 Sharpen the Saw: renews oneself physically, socially/emotionally, and mentally; is strong in the hard moments; improves oneself; seeks ways to be a leader
Students and staff will spend time each morning engaged in activities and discussions around these habits. The End in Mind goal is to create a school culture led by students. Be on the lookout for more information this school year!
PTA Membership
Click here to join: https://cleverjayspta.ptboard.com/formvw?store=2028&form=6
Connect With Us!
Email: sullivan@cleverbluejays.org
Website: www.cleverbluejays.org
Location: 103 S Public Ave, Clever, MO, USA
Phone: 417-743-4820
Facebook: facebook.com/Clever6-8