To CMS Families,

I hope everyone is doing well this weekend. I appreciate everyone's flexibility last week with our weather related changes. I also wanted to thank the students on the Principal's Student Advisory Committee for providing their opinion on school related issues two weeks ago. I will be meeting with the SGA this Tuesday as well to discuss spring events.

I am honored to serve as your principal for the 2024-2025 school year. Not only do I want all Eagles to be successful in the classroom, but I also want every CMS Eagle to be a prepared high school student, and a life-ready adult. I expect all Eagles to be Committed, Motivated, and Successful. I appreciate your time and do not hesitate to email me at jjust@ccps.us or call me at (804) 633-6561 ext 4013 if you have questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Mr. Joshua Just

Principal

Caroline Middle School

jjust@ccps.us

(804)633-6561 ext 4013

The time is coming for you to be able to design, create, and launch your own super rocket. The cost is 600 PBIS points and is open to the first 75 students until all slots are filled. Last day to purchase is Feb. 28. In order to participate you must meet the 3rd quarter expectation requirements and have no cell phone violations. Get ready to BLAST off with the 6th grade team! Can't wait to see you there.

CCPS values your child’s attendance at school. We need your help! Please monitor your child’s attendance and help them obtain a high quality education with their peers in school. Last year, our school’s absenteeism rate was 22%. We are currently at an 18.5% for chronic absenteeism. As we aim to meet the state accreditation standards we want to decrease this number to 15%!! Thank you for your partnership in your child’s education.

USII: Our next unit dives into the causes of World War II. We'll explore the rise of dictators like Hitler and Mussolini, the failure of the League of Nations, and the atmosphere of aggression and appeasement that ultimately led to this global conflict. Students will learn about the economic and political factors that fueled the war and how these events shaped the world we live in today.

Science: We have been exploring the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration and how they affect life.

Math: In our upcoming math unit, we will be reviewing slope. Students will learn how to determine the slope of a line using graphs, tables, and equations. We will focus on key concepts such as rise over run, positive and negative slopes, and how slope represents the rate of change in real-world situations.

• To support your child, encourage them to practice identifying slope in everyday objects, such as ramps or staircases. Reviewing past assignments and using online resources like IXL or Khan Academy can also help reinforce their understanding.

English: Our next unit will focus on the Harlem Renaissance. It will include works from Langston Hughes, Zora Neal Hurston, Maya Angelou, and other historical figures. We will continue to focus on the five paragraph strategy that helps students to develop coherent pieces of writing, and we will continue with our word study program.

As a reminder we have tutoring for students every Monday (Math with Ms. Judd) and Wednesday after school. We also have a Saturday Session from 9 am to Noon at CMS on February 22, 2025. Please email Ms. Tiniko Johnson at tijohnson@ccps.us if you want your student to attend either a Wednesday or Saturday session or if you have questions.

• *8th Grade ONLY Baby Photo Submission- yearbookordercenter.com (school code: 13407) Deadline to submit January 30th,2025
• Yearbook Photo submission- If you would like to submit photos for consideration in the yearbook please follow the instructions on the website. Photos have to be school appropriate and ONLY middle school students that currently go to CMS. Pictures can be any school activity or sporting event including clubs, field trips, and community events.

Take a moment and review the following links to review the program of students for CMS/CHS:

• Program of Studies - PDF
• Program of Studies - Flipbook

Family Night will be held on Thursday, February 20th from 5-7pm (Weather Permitting). All families can shop the full Book Fair in the CMS school library

Please email Alaina DeHaven with any questions: adehaven@ccps.us

Students and families please take a moment to review the following essential information for the upcoming school year:

Events & Activies - CMS offers opportunities for all students to engage in learning and various activities. In order for students to participate in pep rallies, field trips, dances, 8th Grade Promotion, and other events sponsored by CMS, each student must :

1. Have a passing grade in all core classes (evidence of academic improvement will be used on a case-by-case basis for students who are failing a class) for the current nine weeks

2. Have no more than three unexcused tardies per nine weeks for any class

3. Have no more than four unexcused absences per nine weeks for all classes

4. Have no cell phone/communication device policy violations per nine weeks

5. Remain in good behavioral standing for the current nine weeks

6. 8th Grade Promotion - Students must pass all core classes for the year in addition to meeting the nine week expectations stated above to participate in the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony.
   

Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices - At the school board meeting on 7/8/2024, the CCPS school board voted on a new cell phone policy. Students will not be allowed to use or have cell phones and other electronic devices out during the entire school day. Please review the CMS Speciifc Cell expectations Below:

1. CMS Practice and Procedures for Cell Phones & Electronic Communication Devices

1. Students will submit cell phones to their homeroom teachers to start each school day. Teachers will store all cell phones in their classroom lockbox.

1. If a student does not have a cell phone, then they must complete the cell phone disclosure form and return it to the main office for admin review. The cell phone disclosure form may be picked up from Ms. Smith in the main office.

2. Cell phones will be returned to students after the bus changes are announced during the end of the day homeroom period.

2. Student Accountability for Cell Phone Violations

1. If a student does not follow the CCPS/CMS cell phone policy……

1. Admin will confiscate the cell phone and the parent must pick up the phone or device.

2. Students are subject to school discipline if they violate the code of conduct by not adhering to the cell phone policy.

3. Family Emergencies - If parents need to communicate with a student due to an emergency, then families are encouraged to contact the main office.

• Halter tops, tube tops, tanks tops, see-through tops, tops with spaghetti straps, altered t-shirts (sleeves removed), and muscle shirts. Tops must not expose cleavage or the midriff. Sleeveless tops must be 3 inches or more across the shoulder.
• Bicycle/spandex shorts.
• Leggings/Jeggings must be accompanied by a top that covers the front and backside.
• Shorts/skirts/dresses/“skorts” must be at least mid-thigh in length.
• Skirts or dresses with slits must be at least mid-thigh in length.
• Exposed male and female undergarments (top and bottom).
• Holes in pants: Pants with holes/openings may be worn, but they cannot be higher than mid-thigh.
• Pajama pants.
• Flip flops, Heelys (shoes with wheels), bedroom slippers, untied shoes, slides, heels above 2 inches. Flip flops may be worn by secondary school students, but appropriate shoes must be worn when required for participation/enrollment in certain classes/physical activity.
• Hoods or other head wear that cover the face and/or eyes and thus prevents the identification of a student. However, acceptable head cover (except for religious/medical purposes) must be removed due to safety concerns in certain classes such as science labs and CTE.
• Sunglasses, chokers, or chains worn on clothing.
• Nonprescription and/or color contact lenses.
• Rolling backpacks are not permitted in any of the schools, unless there is a legitimate medical need or another legitimate purpose, with prior approval of the principal.

Any student trying out for any CMS sport must be in good academic standing in compliance with handbook, section Eligibility and have a valid VHSL Sports Physical dated after May 1, 2024 as well as a after school form turned in, which is valid for the entire year.

Use this link to access the physical form: https://www.vhsl.org/sports-medicine/physical-examination/

Please familiarize yourself with the 2024/2025 Student Athlete - Parent Handbook. https://www.ccps.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2425CMS-Parent_Student-Athlete-Handbook-3.pdf

Spring Sport tryouts are next week! Make to sure have your physical turned in to be eligible for tryouts. Here are the specific days of grade levels below!

Baseball:

2/24 - 5/6th

2/25 - 7/8th

2/26 - All grade levels

2/27 - Second cut/invitation only

Softball:

2/24 - All grade levels

2/25 - ALl grade levels

2/26 - Second cut/invitation only

Track & Field:

2/24 - 5/6th

2/25 - 7th

2/26 - 8th

2/27 - second cut/invitation only

Girls soccer:

2/24 - All grades

2/25 - All grades

2/26 - second cut/invitation only

Recent Announcements from CMS Athletics:

Conditioning and tryout dates are updated on the calendar below!

• 5th graders are allowed at all CMS athletic offerings only if registered with Athletic Director. Transportation offered from Elementary to CMS for BGE. Activity buses available post practice/condtioning.
• National anthem sign ups for home games will take place in your child's band or chorus class!

CMS Athletic Resources:

• Website Link
• Athletics Calendar
• Please follow Caroline Middle School Athletics on Facebook for all up to date information!!

Please contact Director of student activities, Travis Clark, at Tclark@ccps.us

Session 3 clubs are going on now! If you registered and haven't heard from the sponsor, please reach out to Mr. Clark.

Session 3 clubs (once a week from January 13 - March 7):

Babysitting certification - Monday

Student Athletic Support - Sign ups only

ECO club - Tuesday

Creative Writing - Wednesday

DnD - Tuesday

Video Game - Wednesday

Anime - Tuesday

Podcast - Monday

Interested in starting a club? Please contact Tclark@ccps.us to get started!

CMS Club Resources:

Website: https://www.ccps.us/caroline-middle-school-clubs

Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=ccps.us_od3i8furg4ui27gen9r1bbuvbg@group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York

Please contact Director of Student Activities, Travis Clark, at Tclark@ccps.us

Here are the dates you need to know for the 24-25 SY at CMS:

• Evening Parent Teacher Conferences - February 13th - 3 to 6 pm
• Morning Parent Teacher Conferences - February 14th - 8 am to 11 am
• Winter Dance - March 14th - 6 to 8 pm - 3rd Quarter Criteria to Qualify
• 8th Grade Promotion - May 22nd, 2024 - Time and Location TBD

More Dates will be added soon!!!!

• Caroline County Public Schools Website: http://www.ccps.us/
• CMS Student Dress Code: https://www.ccps.us/dress-code (Will be updated soon)
• Parent Teacher Resource Center: http://prc.blogs.ccps.us/
• PowerSchool Portal: https://caroline.powerschool.com/public/

Email: jjust@ccps.us
Website: https://www.ccps.us/caroline-middle-school
Location: Caroline Middle School, 13325 Devils Three Jump Road, Milford VA 22514
Phone: (804)633-6561
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoaringAtCMS