The Bird Nest

I am pleased to share that our students have been hard at work preparing for 3rd quarter materials, showing great focus and dedication as they dive into new content. It’s wonderful to see them engaging in their learning, and we appreciate your support at home!

As part of our ongoing efforts to monitor student progress, NWEA winter scores will be included in the upcoming progress reports next week. These scores will provide insight into your child's growth and areas for continued development.

Additionally, please note that this will be the final NWEA test required for students, as we are exploring other district benchmark testing programs to better support our assessment needs moving forward. We will keep you informed as we transition to these new tools.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Justin Sullivan

Principal,

Grades 6-8

sullivanj@cleverbluejays.org

417-743-4820

As we prepare for the possibility of Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) days, we want to ensure that students are equipped to continue their learning from home. In the event of an AMI day, your student will bring home a packet with assignments to complete. These assignments are designed to reinforce and extend the skills they have been working on in class and are an important part of our instructional plan to prevent learning interruptions.

Please encourage your student to complete the assignments to the best of their ability. If any questions arise, teachers will be available via email to provide support. Completed work should be returned to school on the next in-person day.

For more details on AMI expectations and grading, please view the link below.

Thank you for partnering with us to support your student’s learning, regardless of the setting!

We are proud to recognize our Middle School Leaders of the Month, students who exemplify what it means to lead by example, show kindness, and inspire others through their actions and attitudes. These individuals have gone above and beyond to demonstrate respect, responsibility, and resilience both in and out of the classroom.

Their positive influence strengthens our school culture, and we thank them for being role models to their peers!

Our high school student leaders recently organized a dynamic Leadership Day for middle school FBLA and NJHS members. The event featured hands-on team-building activities aimed at fostering collaboration, communication, and leadership skills. These engaging experiences not only encouraged our middle schoolers to step out of their comfort zones but also provided valuable learning moments and motivation as they head into their upcoming competition season. A huge shout-out to our high school leaders for setting a positive example and inspiring the next generation of student leaders!

As we wrapped up the second quarter, we recognized students who went above and beyond in their academics, leadership, and character. Teachers took note of those who consistently demonstrated hard work, perseverance, and a positive attitude in the classroom. Whether it was tackling challenging assignments, showing kindness to peers, or stepping up to help others, these students set a great example for everyone.

Before heading into winter break, Mr. Maples’ 6th grade science students took part in an exciting hands-on lab by dissecting owl pellets! 🧪🔬 The students examined the contents to uncover what the owls had been eating, identifying bones, fur, and other remains. The activity sparked curiosity and critical thinking, allowing students to connect concepts from their life science unit to the natural world. With tweezers in hand and magnifying glasses ready, they dove into the mystery of each pellet — making for an engaging and memorable way to close out 2024!

We are thrilled to announce that Natalynn Mitchell, a 6th-grade student, will soon be a published author! This fall, Natalynn wrote a short story that has been selected for inclusion in the upcoming book, Fright Club—a national anthology featuring student-written stories from across the United States.

While several of our students entered the contest, Natalynn is currently the only Clever student to have her work chosen for publication. What an incredible accomplishment! We’re proud of her creativity and excited to see her story in print. Congratulations, Natalynn! 🎉

The Jr. High Boys Basketball season is officially underway, and the team is off to a successful start! They will soon be entering a tough stretch of conference games, so any support is greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work, boys!

Our students have been actively participating in their in-class counseling sessions, where we've been focusing on essential topics like mental health, emotional well-being, and online safety. These lessons have provided students with tools to better understand their feelings, manage stress, and make informed decisions about their mental health. We’ve also been discussing the importance of staying safe online, emphasizing healthy digital habits, and the potential risks of social media and the internet.

Looking ahead, our 8th-grade students will be diving into high school transition work over the next few months. This will include discussions about setting goals, understanding high school expectations, and preparing emotionally for this big change. Be on the lookout for more information and resources to support your child’s successful transition to high school.

The 2023-2024 yearbooks are here! 🎉 If you missed out on ordering one last year, we’ve got you covered! Yearbooks are now available for purchase in the office for $20 (cash or check).

Supplies are limited, so grab yours before they’re gone!

As a reminder, outside deliveries of flowers, balloons and other gifts will not be accepted at any school buildings, and will be returned to the vendor.

Regular attendance is key to your child's academic success. Missing school not only disrupts their learning but can also make it harder to stay on track with assignments and classroom activities. We encourage families to prioritize consistent attendance, ensuring that students are present and engaged in every lesson. If your child is unable to attend due to illness or other reasons, please reach out to the school to discuss how we can help them catch up on missed work. Together, we can help set your child up for success!

Part of our mission at CMS is to keep students and parents up to date with important information. This year we will be using various platforms to help achieve this mission.

• Email - It is important that you have an updated email on file with the school office. Most often communication will be done using email.

• Facebook - Like the Clever Schools 6-8 page

• Rooms - Rooms is a new communicaiton application the district will be using. Information will be sent out via text messages and emails leading up to the start of school.

• Canvas - Students will use Canvas on a daily basis for completing assignments; parents have the opportunity to create an observer account that is linked to their child's account.

• Lumen Touch Parent Portal - We encourage you to create an account to access and view student information at any time.

Rooms: Clever Middle School 6-8

Website: www.cleverbluejays.org
Location: 103 S Public Ave, Clever, MO, USA
Phone: 417-743-4820
Facebook: facebook.com/Clever6-8