Colt Corner
Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence
April 13, 2017
Dear Colt Parents,
Happy Thursday! As you know, normally I send this newsletter out on Friday's during the week, but this being the last school day of the school week you are getting it a day earlier. This week we had many individuals from our school district visit our campus to take a close look at various instructional practices in the classroom. We were extremely happy to receive the positive feedback on the great instruction that they saw at CMS. Our teachers and students have been working very hard to maintain a high standard of academics as we continue to strive to achieve our goal of being the BEST. We are proud of the great work daily in our classrooms, and also know that our students are receiving a quality education at CMS. I wish each of you a great weekend and thank you for all that you do for our great school!
BEST,
David Arencibia, Ed.D.
CMS Principal
Facebook: Colleyville Middle School
Twitter: @CmsColts
#cmscolts - #cmscelebrates
Registration for returning students
House Bill 5 Survey
Dear Colleyville Middle School Parents,
In 2013, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 5 (HB 5), which made significant changes to curriculum and graduation requirements, as well as, the assessment program and accountability system. In addition to the new graduation requirements, HB 5 also includes a requirement for school districts to conduct a community or parent engagement survey and report results to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The information collected in this survey will help us highlight areas of excellence, as well as recognize areas of growth as we strive to Build Excellent Schools Together.
The survey link included in this message may be used multiple times in the instance that you have students on different campuses and will be active from April 7-28, 2017. Once you click on the link, you may select if you would like to complete the survey in English or Spanish.
Click here to take the HB 5 survey: http://www.k12insight.com/GCISD/parents
I want to thank you for your participation in this survey and your continued support of CMS and GCISD.
David Arencibia,
Principal
Lottery Applications
GCISD announces change to transfer process
On Monday, January 23, Trustees approved changes to local board policies that impact the GCISD student transfer process for residents and nonresidents. In previous years, families interested in applying for a transfer were admitted based on the order in which the application was received and if they met specific board criteria for the transfer.
Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, families that reside within GCISD boundaries or live in the cities of Colleyville and Grapevine but are zoned for another school district, may apply for the transfer lottery.
"By moving to a lottery system, we are making the process more equitable for families that wish to have their student transfer to another campus," said Deputy Superintendent Dr. Rick Westfall. "Our goal with this adjustment to the transfer process is to create a system that simplifies the process for our families and removes the ambiguity from the transfer process."
From March 20 - April 21, families may submit their transfer application for the lottery. While the district will accept all transfer applications, students will only be granted transfers to campuses and grade-levels that can accept more students without going over capacity. Decisions about capacity will be made later in the semester and throughout summer depending on student registration and enrollment projections. In order to apply for the lottery, the student requesting the transfer must meet the following criteria:
- 90% rule regarding attendance
- Behavior deemed to be in good standing
- Grades in good standing
- Transfer request not for athletic purposes
During the week of April 24, GCISD will livestream the lottery on the district website. There will be a delay in an official notification, but families can check their lottery number to see if it was pulled for a more efficient notification. Once a specific date and time for the lottery has been determined, that information will be shared on the district website and in the district's e-newsletter, The LEADer. It is important to note this lottery is separate from the special programs lottery for one of the district's special programs located at a designated campus.
Another benefit to the newly revised policies is that nonresident transfers no longer have to reapply every school year. Instead, both residents and nonresidents will only need to reapply when they are changing a level (i.e. from elementary to middle school or middle school to high school).
For more information about the GCISD transfer lottery, please visit the district website.
Telescoping
Counselors Corner
8th graders
On Tuesday, April 18 CMS counselors will be working with 8th graders to make a plan for their Arena Scheduling. Look for a plan home that day.
Online Arena Scheduling:
8th Grade: Window opens at 7:00 a.m. on 5/4; closes at midnight 5/7 *dates recently updated
Online Arena Scheduling:
Arena Scheduling is a registration system through Skyward that allows students to create their own schedules similar to the scheduling systems used in college. Arena allows students greater control to build their schedules, and students will know their unofficial schedules by the end of the current school year so they can start their classes on the first day of school in the fall. Below is the timeline for the process.
Adjustment Windows- Students with schedule errors or concerns may submit one change request form online during each adjustment window.
Window #1: May 22 – 24 Window #2: July 24 - 26
You can find the Online Arena Scheduling timeline and additional resources on the district's Counseling Services page. http://www.gcisd-k12.org/arena
Rachel’s Challenge Rally
The Rachel’s Challenge Rally is on Saturday, April 29. If you are interested in ordering a T-Shirt please see attached order form. Orders are due back to CMS campus by Friday, April 7. You can pay cash or write a check to the GCISD Education Foundation and put Rachel’s Challenge in the memo section. Please contact Leslie Walden if you have any questions.
Philanthropy Drive for Connect
We are collecting Dry Erase Markers and Ear Buds for the Connect Back to School Fair in August. The grade level that brings the most items will receive an outside fun day in May. Please help us support a great cause for GCISD students who are in need.
Summer School Registration
Summer school registration is now open. Students going from 6th – 8th students can take Touch Systems Date Entry. For other courses for 8th going to 9th please look at the Program of Studies for Summer School. For students interested in the Bridging class, please look on page 16, the last page of the 2017 Secondary Summer School Handbook and Brochure.
Instructions for Summer School Link http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Page/32272
2017 Secondary Summer School Handbook and Brochure https://tinyurl.com/k6vm8pv
Please contact the counseling department if you have any questions.
Krystal McCure – Counselor A-K – 817-305-4916
Leslie Walden – Counselor L-Z – 817-305-4917
Shari Vanderwork – Registrar – 817-305-4955
Green Your Closets: Earth Day Clothing Drive
This Earth Day, the Colts are putting the focus on reuse!
It’s getting warmer and some of your neighbors could use new or gently used shoes, swimwear, and towels. Please bring items from April 17- April 28 to the marked box outside the library.
Your support will reduce environmental impact and costs by donating items locally and encouraging health and wellness of children at play.
Questions? Contact PTA Science and Environment Coordinator Kathleen Thompson: Kathleen@KTnote.com
Nurse Martin's Tip Newsletter
CMS TWEETS from the WEEK
Follow us at @CmsColts #cmscelebrates
2010-'11 Yearbook Cover
Celebrating 40 Years
Looking back at 2010-2011
CMS in 2010-'11
Celebrating 40 Years
Looking back at 2010-2011
CMS Life in 2010-'11
#cmscelebrates
Celebrating 40 Years
Looking back at 2010-2011
Upcoming Week Events
Monday, April 17
Tennis (click here for schedule details)
CMS vs GMS at Grapevine High School - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thursday, April 20
Soccer (Girls B-Team) CMS vs CTMS at CMS - 5:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Soccer (Boys B-Team) CMS vs CTMS at CTMS - 5:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Future Dates
Monday, April 24
Tennis (click here for schedule details)
CMS vs Coppell North at CHHS - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tuesday, April 25
Worldstrides Meeting - (7th & 8th) - CMS Cafeteria- 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Wednesday, April 26
Athletic Booster Club Meeting - CMS Library - 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday, April 27
Soccer (Girls B-Team) CMS vs HMS at HMS - 5:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Soccer (Boys B-Team) CMS vs HMS at CMS - 5:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Friday, April 28
PTA Spring Social - Athletics Field - 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
CHHS Athletic Physicals
CHHS Athletic Physicals Day
April 20, 2017
3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
$25 (Cash or Check made to CHHS AT BC)
Contact CHHS Athletic Trainers to reserve time slot
Contact CHHS Athletic Trainers with questions:
817-305-4754
Human Resources
Join the GCISD Team!
Many opportunities are available in our auxiliary departments:
- Nutrition Specialists -PT w/ benefits – work while your students are in school!
- Kidzu Site Aides – PT w/benefits – this schedule works well for local college students!
- Night Custodians
- Bus Drivers & Monitors
- Maintenance Engineers
Apply online at: www.gcisd-k12.org