Colt Corner
#TeamCMS
September 7, 2018
Colts,
Student voice at CMS is alive and well. Throughout the school year we take many opportunities to hear our students thoughts on our campus' continuous improvement. Through various platforms of communication such as our student voice wall, individual and class feedback, we receive valuable information from our Colts. During that fluid process we recently received feedback from our Colts outlined below in our Student Voice section.
We wrapped up the week with our first pep rally which generated much excitement going into the weekend. It was a great day in Colt Country!
David Arencibia, Ed.D.
CMS Principal
Facebook: Colleyville Middle School
Twitter: @CmsColts
#TeamCMS - #cmscelebrates - #CMSstrengths
UPCOMING Events
September 10 - 7th Grade Football schedule here
September 11 - 8th Grade Football schedule here
September 12 - Band Fan Pledge - 4:00 - 5:00 - CMS Cafeteria
September 13 - 7th & 8th Grade Volleyball schedule here
September 17 - 7th Grade Football schedule here
September 18 - 8th Grade Football schedule here
September 20 - 7th & 8th Grade Volleyball schedule here
September 21 - PTA Back to School Social - 6:00 - 8:00
September 24 - 7th Grade Football schedule here
September 25 - 8th Grade Football schedule here
Student Voice
What do you most like about being going to this school?
Size of the school, not too big, but not too small - you’re allowed to connect with other students in the classroom (switching classes throughout the day/shorter class periods/different teachers throughout the day), not overwhelming.
Feels like a family/supportive/safe
So many great leaders/role models, feels like a big family
Get to try new things, great range of facilities
Equipment availability and get to actually use it
Staff rely a lot on student voice
Encouraged to take risks and make mistakes to learn
Friendly feel and safety is top priority
Very welcoming place
Teachers try to keep most of the work in class, work is manageable
Having advisory time, to work on homework, catch up on school work, more freedom at home after school because you don’t have to worry too much about finishing homework you have done already, gives you a brain break, lightened workload, independent time.
Pick where you sit in class, flexible seating
Like music in the hallways during passing periods
Fun Fact
LEAD 2.0: We Need Your Input!
In April, we convened a committee of more than 100 students, parents, staff and community members to review the work accomplished in the District’s Strategic Plan, LEAD 2021 and initiated the process to advance the strategic plan into the next phase known as LEAD 2.0.
We are excited to now continue to research the data, thoughts and various perspectives that were discovered and presented during the first phase of the LEAD 2.0 Discovery process.
During this next phase, we will host parent meetings on every campus and will also open up evening sessions for the community. We value your time and know that there is no good time to get everyone together for a feedback session; however, as part of our GCISD community, your voice is incredibly important in this process.
For these reasons, we have created a brief ThoughtExchange in which we are asking two questions for you to consider. Participation is completely voluntary, but I would encourage you to lend your voice to this process as the elements included in LEAD 2.0 will impact all of us in our work.
The exchange will be open from September 5 to September 16. Prior to completing the exchange, please watch the "Defining Moments" video. https://youtu.be/zAJ0RvH1LfU
Thank you for your continued support in making GCISD the BEST!
Dr. Robin Ryan
Estimados padres de familia, ¡necesitamos su opinión!
En abril, se convocó un comité de más de 100 estudiantes, padres de familia, personal e integrantes de la comunidad para revisar el trabajo realizado en el plan estratégico del distrito, LEAD 2021, e iniciar el proceso para avanzar el plan estratégico a la siguiente fase conocida como LEAD 2.0.
Nos da mucho gusto continuar ahora a investigar los datos, las opiniones y las diversas perspectivas que se descubrieron y que se presentaron durante la primera fase del proceso de descubrimiento de LEAD 2.0.
Durante esta próxima fase, organizaremos reuniones con los padres de familia en cada escuela y también habrá sesiones en la noche para la comunidad. Valoramos su tiempo y sabemos que no hay un buen momento para reunir a todos en una sesión de comentarios; sin embargo, como parte de la comunidad de GCISD, su voz es increíblemente importante en este proceso.
Debido a estas razones, hemos creado un breve intercambio de opiniones (ThoughtExchange) en donde esperamos que ustedes consideren contestar dos preguntas que estamos haciendo. Su participación es completamente voluntaria, pero les recomendamos que por favor nos compartan su voz en este proceso, puesto que los elementos incluidos en LEAD 2.0 nos impactarán a todos en nuestro trabajo.
El intercambio de opiniones (ThoughtExchange) estará abierto de 5 de septiembre el a 16 de septiembre. Antes de completar el intercambio de opiniones, favor de ver el video “Momentos Determinantes”. https://youtu.be/qlvXCwFaORc
¡Les agradecemos su apoyo continuo para convertir a GCISD en el MEJOR distrito!
Week of Sept. 10-14
ALL STUDENTS
Signs of Suicide (SOS):
During the month of September the CMS Counselors will be leading guidance lessons from the SOS (Signs of Suicide) curriculum. This program will be shared with all GCISD middle and high school students and staff. Students will learn how to respond to a friend who may need extra support. One tool they will gain is the acronym ACT.
A: Acknowledge the problem;
C: Care. Let the person know you care; and
T: Tell a responsible adult.
Counselors will also discuss the difference between sadness and depression.
7th Graders will have their lesson Wednesday, September 12.
8th Graders will have their lesson Wednesday, September 19.
Below is the link for district information on Signs of Suicide. You can print off the opt out form here or use the attachment to print off form. Please just write in the date and grade of your child if opting out of the presentation.
PLAY IT SAFE VIDEOS for 6th and 7th – Please keep checking for the dates of the Parent Preview for the Play It Safe program presented by the Women’s Center.
CMS Dates for Students
October 4 – 7th Grade – Play It Safe – Healthy Relationships
November 9 – 7th Grade – Play It Safe – Can’t Take It Back
November 16 – 6th Grade – Play It Safe – It’s Harassment
February 15 – 7th Grade – Play It Safe – Abuse of Power
March 1 – 6th Grade – Play It Safe – Survivors of Abuse
Below is the link for the opt out form for Play It Safe. If you do not want your child to participate, please print the form, fill it out, and return it to the counselors before the date of their grade-level presentation.
Duke TIP
The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented youth. Duke TIP's talent searches serve as the entry point to academic benefits and programs for gifted and talented students in grades 4-12. For more information, click here:
Credit by Exam
Students, in grades 6 through 12, currently enrolled in the District can receive credit for an academic course or subject area, in which the student has had no prior instruction, with a passing score of 80% or higher on an exam approved by the district’s Board of Trustees. If you’d like more information or want to sign up, please see one of your school counselors. Registration for the Fall CBE will be open through October 4th. You can also find more information at
https://www.gcisd.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=96313&pageId=195701.
REMINDER – The first progress report date will be September 7 and the second progress report date is September 28. The end of the 1st 9 weeks is October 19. Please make sure that you are checking Skyward. You can download the Skyward app for your phone or for your child’s phone so you can monitor grades.
Krystal McCure – Counselor A-K – 817-305-4916
Amy Bouchelle – Counselor L-Z – 817-305-4917
Shari Vanderwork – Registrar – 817-305-4955
Play It Safe
Tips from Nurse Martin
Colleyville Police Department is in need of crossing guards!
There are currently two positions available, both are 7:10-7:55 in the morning and 2:40-3:25 in the afternoon. Pay is $11/hour.
If you are interested, you may apply online at colleyville.com or call Officer Amy Beregszaszy at 817-305-4907
Community Champions
Want to learn more about Grapevine-Colleyville ISD? Here’s a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the inner workings of GCISD, while building relationships with principals, teachers, administrators and fellow participants. GCISD Community Champions is recruiting its class for the 2018-2019 school year. We are looking for parents, business leaders, organizational leaders and other members of the community for this interactive program. This is a free service to the community, but there is a limit of 40 participants accepted, so apply now.
Community Champions is made up of six 90 minute meetings at various district locations, beginning in September and concluding in April. All Community Champions meetings begin at 8:30 a.m. Meeting dates are:
- September 27
- November 1
- December 6
- January 24
- March 28
- April 25
It is an expectation that participants in Community Champions are able to attend all six sessions. Community Champions is not only for participants to learn more about GCISD, it’s also a chance for members of the community to share their thoughts and ideas about GCISD with district leaders, face-to-face. All applications must be received by September 14, 2018.
LEAD 2.0 Community Input Sessions
We will another district-wide open input sessions held on September 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. This session will be held at the Professional Development Education Center (PDEC) located at 5800 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, Texas 76034. If you are interested in sharing your experience with GCISD, please sign up using this RSVP Form.