Hello CMS Families!

We now have late bus every day, Monday - Thursday. There may be some days it may not run on Thursdays but we will let our students know in the morning.

We are starting Spring Academies Monday, February 3rd. We will have two sessions. Our goal is to make sure that our kids are making progress AND they master the content. The more they can master the content, the better prepared they are for the next grade level. A good indicator of how students are performing is to look at any assessment which would be a CBA (curriculum based assessment) or Unit Check. If students are participating in track, band or choir, we will not require them to attend Spring Academies Session 1. Teachers will still have one day of academic coaching and we will have a Spring Academies Session 2.

On Tuesday, February 4th, all students will be taking their Reading Benchmark. We will run everything like a testing day so students will be purchasing a sack lunch from the cafeteria and eat lunch in their testing room. They will have a cheeseburger, carrots, apple and milk in their sack lunch. If you would like to have lunch delivered, it must be during their designated lunch time so that it does not interrupt their testing time. Students will get their testing room tomorrow - Monday. We will ask students to turn off their cell phone and turn it into the teacher or place it in their backpacks. We do not want students to be in possession of their cell phones during testing. We also want our students to do their best. This test will give us information as to how we can help your child and how they can help themselves. Last week and Monday, they are setting goals for how they want to do. They have to do their best and work hard so we get accurate data. We appreciate you talking to your child about using their strategies and doing their best. Once we grade their test, we will send it home so you know how they did and what they need to do to make progress. They will be taking their Math benchmark, Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

Below are some important dates for course selection:

• February 11th - 5th Grade Parent Night for Incoming students
• February 12th - 6th grade Choice Sheet Presentation through SS classes
• February 13th - 7th grade Choice Sheet Presentation through SS classes
• February 18th - 6th grade Course Entry
• February 19th - 7th grade Course Entry

Please remind your child to wear their IDs, keep their phones out of sight and follow The Cougar Way! We have high expectations for all our students. They should be staying after school if they need extra help so they can master their content. We will begin Spring Academies Session 1. Certain students will be asked to stay for mandatory academic coaching where teachers will be focusing on certain skills for students. We appreciate your help and support in getting our students to attend.

Lisa I. Walls, Principal

Chapa Middle School

#throwsomefire

#gritandganas

#somosfuerte

#kickthatceiling

We are Chapa Middle School! We are Cougar Pride!

It's Counselor Appreciation Week! Show our Counselors some love by sending them a nice message below!

We will generally follow the Character Strong bell schedule every day after a weekend then the remainder of the week, we will follow the LIT bell schedule. If we have a holiday on a Monday, then we continue with LIT as normal. Occasionally we will have an Activity Schedule. Please see the link below for the day-by-day bell schedule. You are always welcome to call the office as well.

Academic coaching has started. Most teachers are available Monday - Thursday or by appointment. Below is a list of teachers and the days they stay late. Students can stay and receive extra help, get a snack and catch the bus at 5:00 p.m. as long as they are bus eligible. We encourage all students to stay to keep up with their work and ensure they are mastering content.

Family Recipe for Success

Chapa Middle School aspires to engage with our community by giving back to organizations all year instead of just at certain times of the year. Our Family Nights will continue to be free, but we are going to ask for a cash donation or a non-perishable donation to help the Armando Chapa Memorial Scholarship. We thank you in advance for supporting our community and showing our students a variety of ways our school can give back to our community.

Girls’ Night Out - Monday, February 10, February, 2025, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Girls just want to have fun!! CMS girls are invited to bring an adult female to join in on an evening of polishing nails, dinner, karaoke, knitting, duck tape art, door prizes, and more. Title 1 information will also be discussed. This event is just for the girls. Cash donation/non-perishable item donation.

Dance & Open Gym ; Friday, February 28, 2025; 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. CMS Cougars are invited to go CRAZY and spend a few hours dancing, playing in an open gym, and eating delicious food from our concessions. IDs must be worn to the event and worn the entire time. Students must be picked up within 15 minutes of the end time or they will not be allowed to participate in the next event. There is a fee for this event. 8th-grade class favorites recognized

Late Bus - Our late bus will only be able to run Monday - Wednesday because of the shortage of bus drivers.

Schoology Login Information - Not every teacher is using Schoology. However if you want information on how to login as a parent, see the information HERE

Below is some important information to review for the upcoming school year.

1. Meal Delivery

2. Cell phones and earbuds

3. Student Devices

Hays CISD Campuses Closed to Meal Delivery Services - As part of enhanced safety at campuses, all Hays CISD campuses do not accept deliveries from meal delivery services or restaurants for student lunches. Parents may still bring outside food for their children if they plan to deliver the meals directly to their children during the child’s designated lunch period. All guests are required to follow existing safety protocols and check in with an ID at the front office. We will make sure that you know when your child’s lunch is so that if you do come to campus, you come during lunchtime.

Hays CISD Middle School Campus Cell Phone & Earbud Rules - This procedure is intended to support student learning while minimizing student distractions and disruptions. The procedure will also support and enhance current safety procedures and protocols. Teachers are expected to incorporate technology as a part of their lesson plans as long as it supports the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Students may use their own technology (laptops or iPad) to support the learning objectives in the classroom. During an emergency, students will, of course, be able to use their cell phones

Student use guidelines during the school day (7:40 AM-3:45 PM)

• Students may use their personal electronics on campus before 7:40 AM and after 3:45 PM.

• Cell phones must be out of sight and on airplane mode in the classroom.

• Students will not have their cell phones out during class or passing periods.

• Cell Phone use is prohibited in bathrooms, locker rooms, changing areas, or any area considered private, and while riding on a bus.

• Cell phone use is prohibited while at lunch.

Violation of electronics procedure - Students who violate the procedure will have the following consequences.

• August 13th - 23rd - Warnings are given to all students.

• August 26th - Consequences begin

• 1st Offense – Confiscation of the device and returned to the student at the end of the day

• 2nd Offense – Confiscation of the device and returned to the student at the end of the day

• 3rd Offense – Confiscation of the device, may charge a $10 fee and returned to the student at the end of the day

• Multiple Offenses – Confiscation of the device, may charge a $10 fee, returned to the student at the end of the day, and disciplinary consequences such as evening ISS.

Students who fail to surrender devices will elevate consequences immediately.

Parent expectations - Parents can help their child support this policy, the learning environment, and our school’s mission by:

• Discussing the school expectation with your child

Student Device Program - As part of the Hays CISD 1:1 initiative, the district is offering a Device Protection Plan to cover accidental damages and losses including theft and lost devices. We highly recommend this plan to those opting-in to utilize a district device. The 2024-2025 Device Protection Plan MUST be purchased within 60 days from the first day of school unless your student is newly enrolled or if a life changing event occurs within the school year which will then have to be reviewed on a case to case basis. In addition, we are limiting ONE protection plan per student, per school year. Pricing will be determine according to your student’s lunch qualification. Regular: $40, Reduced: $20, Free: $10

The plan can be purchased online at the site linked below. Please note that the Device Protection Plan is non-refundable and must be purchased before the damage/repair occurs. https://hayscisd.revtrak.net/techonly/#/v/2024-2025-Technology-Device-Protection-Plan

● Parents/guardians and students are not authorized to attempt repairs themselves, or contract with any other individual or business for the repair of the Chromebook or iPad.

● Theft or loss of device must be immediately reported to your campus Library staff or to the Technology Dept

● If the Chromebook is damaged or not working properly, it must be turned in to the campus for repair or replacement. If a loaner device is issued, please note that the plan is tied to the student and NOT the device. Therefore, if your student has an active protection plan then the loaner device will qualify for the plan coverage

More info on Device Protection Plan

Link to Dress Code

Students shall be dressed and groomed in a manner that is clean and neat and that will not be a health or safety hazard to themselves or others. The District prohibits any clothing or grooming that in the principal’s judgment may reasonably be expected to cause disruption of or interference with normal school operations.

1. Basic Principle:

a. Certain body parts must be covered for all students.

b. Clothes must be worn in a way such that the genitals, buttocks, breasts, and nipples are fully covered with opaque fabric.

c. All items listed in the "must wear" and "may wear" categories below must meet this basic principle.

2. Students Must Wear, while following the basic principle of Section 1 above:

a. A shirt and

b. Pants/jeans or the equivalent (for example, a skirt, sweatpants, leggings, a dress, or shorts); and

c. Shoes

3. Students May Wear, as long as these items do not violate Section 1 above:

a. Religious headwear.

b. Hats facing straight forward or straight back that must allow the face and ears to be visible to staff and not interfere with the line of sight;

c. Hoodie sweatshirts (wearing the hood over the head is not allowed),

d. Fitted pants, including opaque leggings, yoga pants, and "skinny jeans";

e. Ripped jeans, as long as underwear and buttocks are not exposed;

f. Tank tops, including spaghetti straps and halter tops;

g. Athletic attire; and

h. Hairstyles of any length and style.

4. Students Cannot Wear:

a. Violent language or images.

b. Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity) or any other substance prohibited under policy FNCF(LEGAL);

c. Clothing that promotes gang affiliation.

d. Hate speech, profanity, or pornography.

e. Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class or consistently marginalized groups.

f. Any clothing that reveals visible undergarments

g. Swimsuits (except as required in class, field trips, or athletic practice)

h. Accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon; or

i. Any item that obscures the face or ears (except as a religious observance).

Student ID’s

The district's dress code includes proper display of the student’s campus identification card (ID). All students are expected to wear the campus-issued SmartTag ID while on campus. More information on SmartTag here https://www.hayscisd.net/smarttag.

Enforcement

Dress code enforcement shall be the responsibility of the administrators on campus. Students in violation of Section 1 and/or 4 shall be provided three options to be dressed more to code during the school day:

1. Students shall be asked to put on their own alternative clothing, if already available at school, to be dressed more to code for the remainder of the day.

2. Students shall be provided with temporary school clothing to be dressed more to code for the remainder of the day.

3. If necessary, the student's parent may be called during the school day to bring alternative clothing for the student to wear for the remainder of the day.

The following actions will be taken and documented in Hero:

• 1st & 2nd Offense: Students will be provided the three options above. Parents will be notified and it will be documented in Hero.

• 3rd & 4th Offense: Students will be provided the three options above, will receive lunch detention, parents will be notified, and documented in Hero.

• 5th & 6th Offense: Students will be provided the three options above, students will receive after-school detention, parents will be notified, and documented in Hero.

• 7th Offense: Students will be provided the three options above,will receive evening ISS, and there will be a Parent/Student/Admin conference with a dress code contract in place.

Please take a look at our teacher wish lists and purchase something to help them out.

We appreciate you!

Email: lisa.walls@hayscisd.net
Website: www.hayscisd.net/
Location: 3311 Dacy Lane, Kyle, TX, United States
Phone: (512) 268-8500
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChapaMS/