Curtis Chronicles

Cougar Parents,

We are already at the 3rd nine week first progress report. Please be sure to check skyward to see how your student is progressing in their courses. We will continue to provide support for any student who needs it in the form of tutoring, resources, communication or whatever else they might need!

Our second round of MAP testing is almost complete and we will be evaluating the growth your students have made since September. We are proud that students are continuing to work so hard and keep moving forward in their learning even during this unique year. Our staff will continue to strive to help them get ready to move up to high school and towards whatever career or college plans they may have!

Unfortunately, this year we will not be doing elementary or middle school UIL academic competitions. We have struggled to find the best way to make it available to all types of learners and organize the event safely. We will continue to encourage our students to practice their skills in the events they enjoy and look forward to picking it up again next year.

A friendly reminder to everyone about cell phone use in school zones. Cell phones are prohibited in school zones which includes our parking lot. Please keep your focus on the road and crosswalks to help keep our students safe.

Don’t forget to recognize a teacher that has stood out to you or your student in any way! Visit our website for the WOW link or click here: Recognize a Teacher

Thank you for your continued support!

Sonya Pitcock

January 27: Parent University

February 1: Attendance Credit Election Info Session

February 8-13: Nothing Bundt Cake Spirit Week

February 22: Texas PTA Rally Day

BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

January 25: 7th grade girls v. McMillan; boys @ McMillan

January 28: 8th grade girls v. McMillan; boys @ McMillan

February 1: 7th grade girls @ Rockwall Cain; boys v. Rockwall Cain

February 4: 8th grade girls @ Rockwall Cain; boys v. Rockwall Cain

February 8: 7th grade girls v. Ereckson; boys @ Ereckson

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE THIS HISTORIC BOOK!

You can purchase online here. You also have the option to pay in three installments on line.

Curtis MS is raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through their Hero Squad Fundraiser. NJHS is sponsoring this fundraiser so click on the link below to donate. Search for your child’s Track’s teacher by last name to donate to their class. The Tracks classes are competing to raise the most money as part of their Team Challenge! Ask your child about Tracks Team Challenges they have done this year and what the other challenges are for this quarter!

Our CMS goal is to raise $2021. The fundraiser runs from January 25 through February 12.

Thanks for your support of this worthy cause!

https://events.lls.org/pages/ntx/Walter-and-Lois-Curtis-Middle-School-2021

The Curtis PTA will award two $500 scholarships to college bound Allen High School graduating seniors who attended Curtis Middle School for at least one full year.

Applications are due no later than 3 pm on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.

Details and application are available by clicking here.

Note: In order to view, the student must be logged into the Allen ISD portal.

Please send any questions to Lindsay Wood, CMS PTA Scholarship Chair at Lindsay.Wood@allenisd.org, phone: 972-727-0340.

On January 27, 2021, join Allen ISD as we talk about Technology & Trends that may change the way we work and live.

Candy Slocum, Executive Director for Interlink, will be the speaker and facilitator. Slocum has 28 years of experience as a Labor Market Strategist where she forecasts occupations and skills that will be in-demand in the future workforce. She will discuss today's career opportunities, as well as how careers may continue to evolve in the future.

https://www.allenisd.org/Page/60063

AISD is hosting an information session about the upcoming May Attendance Credit Election. The session is Feb 1 at 7 pm. Please RSVP here.

More Info

This spring, Allen ISD will host a special election known as an Attendance Credit Election. You may remember this election from the Spring of 2020 that was ultimately canceled due to COVID-19. In short, a new Texas law requires Allen ISD to gain voter approval for a process of reimbursement under the recapture law (commonly referred to as Robin Hood).

If this election fails, the Texas Education Agency will detach $3.03 Billion worth of commercial property from Allen ISD’s tax revenue. This would result in a permanent loss of local control in our district. What does this mean to you as a taxpayer? With a reduction in commercial property, it would require the tax rate to rise 9 cents, causing a median single-family home (worth $375,000) to have an increase of $337.50 in its annual tax bill.

What happens if this election is approved by voters? An approved election would allow Allen ISD to make its state-required recapture payments with the State of Texas through the purchase of attendance credit. This is the same process that Allen ISD has used since 2011. It is also important to note that if approved, your total tax rate will not change and it will not affect the level of state funding that Allen ISD receives.

Election Day is May 1, and we want our community to have upfront and factual information about this important election as soon as possible. Please join us for a community Zoom presentation to learn more about the Attendance Credit Election on Feb. 1 from 7-8 p.m. on Zoom.

Click here for more information on the election via the district's website.

This year’s middle school advanced academics information meeting for parents is scheduled for Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be facilitated via Zoom webinar.

To join the webinar meeting, please go to https://zoom.us/s/93109320570. There is no need to register for the meeting.

The recording of the meeting will be posted to the Advanced Academics webpage for those who cannot attend the live webinar session and for those who wish to review a recording of the information.

Now in its 13th year, this annual Allen event benefits the Foundation For Allen Schools, and all proceeds directly fund classroom grants, teacher and student scholarships, Allen PTA programs and campus projects.

The 2021 event involves your choice of a:

1. Virtual 1 mile fun run/walk
2. Virtual 5K or
3. Sleep in registration

You will have the choice to walk around your neighborhood with family and friends or you can come walk a course we've put together on the RaceJoy APP. The course will have some great photo ops along the way too!

The 2021 course will start at the Allen High School tennis courts. You can complete your fun run/walk or 5K anytime between Saturday, February 27, 2021 and March 3, 2021. You can also upload your time through the RaceJoy APP and will still qualify for the 5K finisher medals!

It's going to be an event the whole family will enjoy, and you can feel good knowing that your participation has a direct impact on students and teachers in all Allen ISD Schools!

Register now!

Informational Meeting: 6 pm January 26:

Each year, Allen ISD hosts an informational meeting for parents providing information on the district’s Gifted and Talented services. This year’s informational meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be facilitated via Zoom webinar. To join the webinar meeting, please go to https://zoom.us/s/91674840215. There is no need to register for the meeting. The recording of the meeting will be posted to the Gifted & Talented Services webpage for those who cannot attend the live webinar session and for those who wish to review a recording of the information.

Testing Info:

This year, Allen ISD will begin offering the computerized version of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) for all students in grades 1-11 who test for potential gifted identification. All students interested in participating in phase I of testing for potential gifted identification will take this administration of the CogAT onsite. Separate testing sessions will be offered for in-person and at-home learners. Registration for phase I testing for students currently in grades 1-11, opens January 26, 2021 and closes February 5, 2021. Please access the registration form for more information, including testing dates, at https://forms.gle/GRSfCChSGmcuuBRZA. (Please note: the registration form will not accept responses until January 26, 2021.)

Dear Parents and Guardians,

During these uncertain times, we understand that you may be struggling to balance your child's at-home or in-person learning along with your own work and home commitments. We are here to support you! Join us at one of the times listed by clicking on the date/time links below. We are here to provide a space for you to discuss your challenges and identify healthy ways to cope & problem solve. It will be a great way to connect with other parents facing similar struggles. We hope you will join us! Facilitated by the Allen ISD Support Counselors.

Please note: Registration will open 2 weeks prior to each event.

Middle School Parent Chats

Wednesday, February 17 @ 2 pm

Wednesday, March 17 @2 pm

Wednesday, April 21 @ 2 pm

Wednesday, May 19 @ 2 pm

Hope you can join us!

AISD Support Counselors

This year's Rally Days is a virtual event, which will allow for participation from home! If you ever wondered how PTA advocates for our children in Austin, you are invited to tune in!

For details: https://www.txpta.org/rally-day

Do you shop on Amazon? Use Amazon's Smile and support Curtis PTA!

AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your purchase to Curtis PTA when shopping Amazon.

1. Go here: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/

2. Select your charity: PTA Texas Congress 201 Curtis Middle School

3. Bookmark smile.amazon.com

4. Start using smile.amazon.com whenever you want to shop at Amazon!
   

   
   

Be sure to shop through AmazonSmile the next time you shop online. You’re still shopping with Amazon — you’re just doing good while buying what you need!

Please encourage grandparents, neighbors, and friends to support Curtis PTA by shopping through AmazonSmile too.

CMS PTA is pleased to once again offer our business sponsorship program. Curtis PTA would like to invite community businesses to show support for our staff, students and community by making a financial contribution to our PTA for the 2020-21 school year. PTA strives to make every child’s potential a reality.

There are two contributions levels for you to consider.

Red Level, $100

• Your logo and link to your website on CurtisCougarPTA.org from now through June 30, 2021.
• Included in end-of-year thank you email.

Black Level, $250

• Your logo and link to your website on CurtisCougarPTA.org from now through June 30, 2021.
• Included in end-of-year thank you email.
• 1 Thank you in our campus-wide newsletter that goes out to all families.
• 1 thank you and shout out with link to your website on our Curtis PTA Facebook page.

CLICK HERE for more details or email Jennifer.

If you are interested in CMS Announcements, you can access them directly on the CMS website.

Be sure to check back often! CLICK HERE

PTA Facebook Page

PTA Website

Email: ptacommunications.curtis@gmail.com
Website: https://www.allenisd.org/curtisms
Location: 1530 Rivercrest Boulevard, Allen, TX, USA
Phone: 972-727-0340
Twitter: @CurtisCougars