The Talon - CMS Newsletter
Volume 1 - Issue 10 - September 2, 2024
A Message from the Principal
To CMS Families,
I hope everyone enjoyed their labor day weekend. We ended last week with a FANTASTIC Pep Rally led by our CMS AD Mr. Clark. The students and staff showed EAGLE Pride and a great school spirit. Students Rashawn Rollins and Eli Holewa were recognized as student-athletes of the week (pictured above). Please take a moment and read this issue of the Talon so you are up to date on all things Eagle Nation.
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
(804)633-6561 ext 4013
STEM in Mrs. Johnson's Class
Mrs. Johnson is the CMS Admin Intern who also teaches STEM at CMS. She has hit the ground running and we are luck to have in the building. She is pictured above helping students in her STEM Class.
CMS Picture Day!!
Join the CMS PTA Today!!
Please take a moment and use the link below to join the CMS PTA today.
An important Message from the Supervisor of Transportation.
Effective Tuesday, September 3, students who currently ride Bus 9 will begin riding Bus 51 to and from CHS. The pickup time will start at 6:40 am and the drop off time will be approximately 3:00pm. Please be at your bus stop 10 minutes prior to pickup time.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the CCPS Transportation Office at 804.933.6562
Expectations for all CMS Eagles
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 :
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
Have no more than three unexcused tardies per nine weeks for any class
Have no more than four unexcused absences per nine weeks for all classes
Have no cell phone/communication device policy violations per nine weeks
Remain in good behavioral standing for the current nine weeks
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:
CMS Practice and Procedures for Cell Phones & Electronic Communication Devices
Students will submit cell phones to their homeroom teachers to start each school day. Teachers will store all cell phones in their classroom lockbox.
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.
Cell phones will be returned to students after the bus changes are announced during the end of the day homeroom period.
Student Accountability for Cell Phone Violations
If a student does not follow the CCPS/CMS cell phone policy……
Admin will confiscate the cell phone and the parent must pick up the phone or device.
Students are subject to school discipline if they violate the code of conduct by not adhering to the cell phone policy.
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.
CMS Athletics
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.
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
*Winter sport Conditioning information coming soon*
Important upcoming dates:
August 26 - Fall Athletic Pictures
August 28 - Fall Pep rally
September 5 - Girls Basketball Home Opener V. Walker Grant
September 4 - Volleyball Home Opener V. Goochland
September 4 - Boys Soccer Home Opener V. Goochland
September 5 - Football and Cheer Home opener V. Prospect Heights
September 13, 14 - Girls Bball tournament
September 19 - Football Home V. Louisa (GOLD OUT GAME) *Childhood cancer awareness*
September 27 - CMS Spirit night at CHS football game
October 3 - Girls Bball V. Louisa (ORANGE OUT GAME) *Bully Prevention*
Recent Announcements from CMS Athletics:
Conditioning and tryout dates are updated on the calendar below!
- 5th graders are allowed at CMS Conditioning/off season programs only if registered with Athletic Director. Transportation offered from Elementary to CMS.
- 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
CMS Clubs and Activities
Session 1: September 9 - October 18
Registration ends on August 28. Their is a form on your child's schoology page to fill out to pre-register!
Club list for session 1 and their respective meetings within dates above:
Golf: Tuesday
Environmental Science: Tuesday
Creative Writing: Wednesday
Run Club: Thursday
Student Athletic Support: Sign ups only
Dungeons and Dragons (DnD): Tuesday
Robotics: Monday
Anime: Tuesday
(more to come)
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
Please contact Director of Student Activities, Travis Clark, at Tclark@ccps.us
CMS Essential Dates for the 24.25 SY
Here are the dates you need to know for the 24-25 SY at CMS:
- CMS Open House - August 8th, 2024 - 3 to 6 pm - CMS
- 6th Grade Transition Day - August 12th, 2024 - Regular School Day - CMS
- First Day of School - August 13th, 2024
- Book Fair - November 11th through November 15th
- Fall Dance - November 15th, 2024
- 8th Grade Promotion - May 22nd, 2024 - Time and Location TBD
More Dates will be added soon!!!!
Eagle Nation Information Sources
- 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