Cameron Family Newsletter

ENGLISH: Need translation? Just click "Translate" at the top of your screen!

ESPAÑOL: ¿Necesita traducción? Haga clic en "Translate" (traducir) en la parte superior de la pantalla.

PORTUGUÊS: Precisa de tradução? Clique em “Translate” (traduzir) no topo da tela!

12/23- 12/31: No School Winter Break

1/2: School resumes!

1/20: No School- Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/23: Early Release: Virtual Caregiver conferences

1/30: Early Release: Virtual Caregiver conferences

1/28and 1/29: ACCESS testing. See Information below

Important Information

Each year, students in English learner programs, including students who have opted out of ESL instruction, take the ACCESS for ELLs language proficiency test.

The test measures academic English language proficiency for students learning English in our school and throughout our state.

Students who are identified as English Learners (Emergent Bilingual) at Cameron, Fuller and Walsh Middle Schools will begin taking the test on January 28th and January 29th.

Students who are identified as English Learners (Emergent Bilingual) will arrive at school on January 28th and 29th at the regularly scheduled time.

Students who are not taking the test will have a delayed start to the school day. Buses will be picking students up from their regular bus stop and the school day will begin at 11.

More information regarding the buses for students not taking the test will be sent home closer to the test date.

Scholars of the Month

In November, we started a new recognition program to celebrate student scholars here at Cameron. Each academic teacher selected ONE student from their team as the “Scholar of the Month” in their class, and specials teachers selected one per grade. The criteria for this was shared with students at our November Community Meeting, and was as follows:

A Scholar…

• Consistently puts their BEST effort into every assignment.

• Has a high grade in their class.

• Is able to ignore distractions, and does not distract others.

• Meets high standards for behavior and attitude every day (PRO!).

You can view the first group of scholars selected HERE. All scholars were awarded a certificate on December 2nd, and were able to participate in a reward activity at that time. Their names were also announced at our Community Meeting on December 3rd.

Congratulations to all scholars!

New After school session information

https://secure.smore.com/n/2bzvx-session-2-registration?ref=email

Information from Band

https://secure.smore.com/n/5ha47-mrs-dupuis-band-music-update?ref=email

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phone use is not allowed at Cameron Middle School. Students are asked to put Cell Phones in their lockers or turned off and put in their book bag. Airpod/headphone use is also not allowed at Cameron Middle School. We encourage students to leave these items at home.

The Cell Phone Policy is in the Family Handbook and will be reviewed with all students over the first week of school.

Cameron Ski Club

Sign-ups for the Cameron Ski Club at Wachusett Mountain start on October 2nd. Skiing is after school for six consecutive Thursdays starting January 2nd, 2025 (with possibility of postponements due to weather or evening school events). Cost is $189 for the 6-week lift ticket if purchased by December 1st (then increases by $30). Equipment rentals and group lessons are also available. For more information, please complete the Ski Club Interest Form. If you have questions, please email John Reilly.

Chromebooks

This past month we have had an extremely high number of Chromebooks that needed to be fixed due to student misuse, such as intentionally breaking the screen or removing the keys from the keyboard. We have also had to replace a lot of devices and charging cords because they were lost. We reminded students that they all signed a Chromebook use agreement at the start of the school year. We will be teaching a booster lesson to all students this week reminding them of their responsibility with the school issued Chromebook. Each month I receive a report about which Chromebooks were fixed or replaced. I will be reviewing this list each month and will reach out to families if I notice intentional destruction. Thank you for your support with this.

Information from the Nurse

Please fill out this form to give permission to the nurse to give your child over the counter medication. If we don't have this form on file she can't give your child Tylenol or Ibuprofen

https://form.jotform.com/241495693650162

Drop Off and Pick up Procedure Reminders:

Students should be dropped off and picked up on Elm Street or Michael Road. Cars are not allowed on school property during arrival and dismissal. Students who are walkers or parent pick up are released from school after the buses have left. If we were to dismiss parent pick up and walkers prior to bus dismissal it would make it very difficult for our buses to get through the car traffic to pick up our bus students. We appreciate your patience during dismissal.

Every day I receive reports of cars making u-turns on Elm Street and Michael Road. Please protect the safety of our students and DO NOT make a u-turn on Elm Street or Michael Road.

Transportation

If your child did not receive a bus assignment please see below for resources.

1. Carpool to School - We have teamed up with GoTogether to help families find carpool options. This is an online tool where you can connect with other families to set up car rides or walks to school.

2. Bikes for Middle and High School Students - We have bikes available for free. If your child didn’t get a bus assignment and can safely bike to school, please contact me, and I can help you with the process.

3. Metrowest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) - Older students can use the MWRTA bus to get to and from school. Please check the MWRTA website for the schedule and bus stop information, as not all schools are covered.

We apologize again for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

Universal Free Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast is available each morning in the cafeteria. Breakfast and Lunch are free for all students!