Clearspring Middle School

Our school division is committed to deeper learning. We have identified 8 core competencies (or capabilities) that we want to ensure each student in our division have in order to live a wholesome and productive life.

One of those competencies is literacy. The quickest and easiest way to define literacy is to say literacy is reading and writing. And while those skills are at the heart of literacy, it leaves out other, equally legitimate, ways of looking at literacy. What about social literacy, the ability to “read” situations? What about nature literacy? I spent some time looking for a a more robust definition of literacy, and came across this definition.

• The ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute using printed and written materials.

• The ability to express thoughts, feelings and ideas.

It is our hope that our school can get all of our students to reach a standard of literacy that enables them to live a truly productive and wholesome life.

I know that it does not feel much like it is true, but winter is coming. And because it is coming, I would like to mention our outdoor policy. We expect students will be outside for their 30 minute noon recess, unless the wind and cold have reached -30. Sometimes middle school students forget, or don’t like, to dress for the weather. Would you please remind your child(ren) that dressing warmly can make the difference between having an enjoyable recess or an uncomfortable recess? Thanks.

Our CMS Remembrance Day Assembly will be held on November 10 at 10:45 a.m. While our seating is limited, parents and members of the community are welcome to attend. Our Grade 8 Band as well as our Gr 5-8 Vocal Ensemble will be featured. This is a solemn occasion where we remember the conflicts in our past and at the present and we focus on how we can be peacemakers in our world. Students and visitors will be asked to enter and exit in silence out of respect.

School lock down drills will be taking place in the next month. These drills are a very important part of our school safety plan.

Our chocolate fundraiser was, once again, a great success. Thanks to all of the parents, students, and community members for participating. A special thanks to Mrs. Baldwin who organizes the fundraiser for us at school. Final numbers are not in yet, but we believe we will be profiting well past $10,000.00, which will be used to purchase lights and microphones to enhance public performances.

For the month of October we had 309 students with perfect attendance, that was a little down from the 405 students we had with perfect attendance in September. Regular attendance is an important part of a students learning. All students with perfect attendance at the end of the month will be entered into a draw for a FREE hot lunch.

Report Cards will be sent home on Friday, December 2. We encourage all parents to have a discussion with their children about their report card, paying particular attention to the last page of Learning Behaviours. It is helpful when parents set goals with their children in regards to their learning.

One of the programs we run at our school is the CMS Allies program. We know that students often go to other students first, before going to an adult with a problem. We also know that students are often aware of situations or spaces that are problematic and we want to hear their voices on how we can make CMS a place where all students feel like they belong. We know that all our CMS students are allies in their own rights. Our CMS Allies are class representatives, nominated by peers, who will attend several meetings throughout the school year with teachers, counsellors and administration. Our purpose is to give the Allies some skills to notice when problems are occurring, give them strategies to respond in a safe and supportive way and help them know when a problem should be brought to an adult’s attention. Allies will also report back from their class about areas where improvements can be made so that CMS is a responsive, comfortable and safe learning environment. In this way, all of our students have a voice. Our first training session will be held on Friday, November 4.

Wednesday, November 2nd - Picture Retakes

Thursday, November 3rd - Parent/Teacher Conferences

Sunday, November 6th - Daylight Savings Time

Thursday, November 10th - Remembrance Day Assembly

Friday, November 11th - Remembrance Day (No Classes)

Monday, November 14th - Professional Development (No Classes)

Friday, November 18th - WE Day

Tuesday, November 29th - Grade 6 Parent Meeting - 6:00pm in Library

Friday, December 2nd - Grade 8 learning trip
Thursday, December 8th - Band Concert
Tuesday, December 20th - Christmas Concert
Wednesday, December 21st - Grade 5 swimming pm
Thursday, December 6th - The Big Show
Friday, December 23rd - Start of Christmas Break (NO SCHOOL)
Friday, December 23rd - Friday, January 6th - WINTER BREAK
Monday, January 9th - Classes Resume

Any bus that will be late due to weather or mechanical issues is listed on the HSD website in the bus delay area.

Go to: www.hsd.ca (there is a link on the CMS website)

• Then go to: drop down menu of Departments/Transportation
  
• Thank you for checking these options before calling HSD Transportation Department.

If you have other bus related questions, please phone 204-320-2347.

• If your address or phone number changes over the school year (or has changed over the summer), please let us know.
  
• If your email address has changed or you have acquired an email address, we would also appreciate receiving that information.
  
• Please remember to check into the office when entering the school.
• Children also need to be signed out when being picked up from school before 3:45pm.

CMS has several students with severe peanut allergies. Please ensure that lunches and snacks are free of peanuts and peanut-related products.

Thanks for helping keep our students safe!

This course is designed to prepare adolescents 11 years of age and older for babysitting. Participants will learn important child care skills, safety tips for children of all ages, how to cope with common problems, how to make the children’s environment safe and enjoyable, some great games and what to do in case of an emergency. Students need to bring a doll or teddy bear, pencil and eraser and a lunch. Students will need to be signed in and out by an adult.

*Tuition: $59.00

Date: Saturday, November 26, 2016

Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

**Please REGISTER in person or by phone minimum 5 business days prior.

Phone Payment: Credit Card In-Person Payment: Cash, Cheque, Debit or C/C

Email: cms@hsd.ca
Website: http://cms.hsd.ca/
Location: 1 Brighton Lane, Steinbach, MB, Canada
Phone: 204-346-9644