We are excited to share that the first few weeks of school have been filled with success! Students and staff have done an incredible job settling into routines, and the positive energy throughout our campus is contagious.

We’ve also just completed our Fall MAP testing, which provides us valuable insights into each student’s academic progress. Parents, you’ll be receiving this information during our next grade check on September 18th. We look forward to continuing our partnership to support your child’s growth and achievement throughout the school year.

In addition, our fall sports season kicks off next week! We hope to see both students and parents at the upcoming games, cheering on our student athletes. Your support means the world to them, and it’s a great way to show school spirit!

Thank you for all your support, and here's to a great year ahead!

Justin Sullivan

Principal,

Grades 6-8

sullivanj@cleverbluejays.org

417-743-4820

We are excited to introduce our new "Leader Slips" initiative, designed to recognize and celebrate students who demonstrate exceptional qualities of respect, responsibility, and leadership within our school community.

Starting next week, teachers will be awarding Leader Slips to students who exemplify these values in their daily actions. These slips serve as a tangible acknowledgment of their positive contributions and leadership roles within the building.

Students who earn a Leader Slip will also receive a special treat and be entered into our monthly drawings for additional prizes. Additionally, we will be highlighting one outstanding Leader of the Month from each grade level. These selected students will be honored with a special lunch with the principal off-campus, providing a unique opportunity to celebrate their achievements in a more personal setting.

We encourage students to continue striving for excellence in their behavior and interactions, and we look forward to celebrating their accomplishments. Keep an eye out for these slips and the positive impact they will have on our school environment!

We are so excited for this year's Fall Festival! Planning is in full force and we are planning some exciting things for families! As our single largest fundraiser for our Leader In Me student Action Teams we hope you will join us for an evening of Food, Fun, Family, and maybe even a new little friend with some fins (IYKYK). The Book Fair will be Open, as well as Jay Threads.

If you would like to participate in the fun by hosting a game, or are able to donate some prizes, click HERE for more information. We can't wait to spend the evening with you and your family!

Mark Twain nominees are for grades 4 through 6. Truman nominees are for grades 6 through 8. Students in 6th grade can read a combination of the Mark Twain nominees and the Truman nominees. These are high interest books chosen by a committee of Missouri school librarians. Please note that some of these books may touch on sensitive social matters such as race/culture, loss of loved ones, bullying, medical conditions, etc.

Two Options:

Students can read nominees on their own. After finishing an Award book, students will come to the library to fill out a Google Form about the book. Teachers can read nominees to their classes. Students will not need to complete the quiz or written component if the book is read aloud by the

teacher.

Incentives for Students:

4 Books: Invitation to the Voting/Donut Party in March

6 Books: 1 ticket in gift certificate drawing for the April book fair, and a candy bar

8 Books: 1 additional ticket in gift certificate drawing for the book fair, a candy bar, and can attend the Children’s Literature Festival of the Ozarks field trip.

10 Books: 1 additional ticket in gift certificate drawing to the gift fair, a candy bar, and can attend the Children’s Literature Festival of the Ozarks field trip.

12 Books: Invitation to the Voting Party, a gift certificate to the book fair, a candy bar, and can attend the Children’s Literature Festival of the Ozarks field trip.

Contact Mrs. Hepler in the library if you have questions.

6th-grade science students have been practicing their metric measurements. They have received hands-on experience with graduated cylinders, triple-beam balances, and meter sticks.

In Mr. Utke’s LEGO class, creativity and problem-solving are in full swing as students dive into exciting LEGO challenges. Each week, students are tasked with building innovative structures and solving complex problems using LEGO bricks. Their projects range from designing intricate architectural wonders to engineering dynamic moving models.

The class has been buzzing with enthusiasm, and it’s incredible to see the students' imagination come to life in their creations. These challenges not only enhance their engineering skills but also foster teamwork and critical thinking.

Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from our LEGO builders as they continue to explore and create with boundless creativity!

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.

From work, to home, to school, our phones are a key tool to navigate and communicate throughout the day. The custom-built Clever R-V app makes it easy to stay up to date with district news and events.

Now, Clever R-V is making it easier to stay in touch with teachers and class information from that same app. Using the Clever R-V app you can easily switch from district and school information to Rooms, where you can see your student's classes and engage directly with teachers. Rooms can be accessed via the web and from our district app, which is available for free and can be used from both Apple and Android phones. To access Rooms, you will need to create a login and password.

Three Main Benefits:

1. One app for everything Clever R-V
2. Easily see class specific announcements
3. Message teachers directly

Beginning this school year, all communciation from teachers, coaches, and club sponsors will come through Rooms. We will no longer be utilizing Remind, SeeSaw, or other communication apps. Please be watching your email for a communication from Edurooms. The email will give you steps to sign up for your Rooms account.

Why Attendance Matters?

Consistent attendance is vital for your child’s academic success and overall development. Each school day is packed with learning experiences, from engaging lessons to collaborative group work, which are difficult to replicate outside the classroom. Regular attendance ensures that your child does not miss out on these valuable opportunities to learn and grow.

The Impact of Absences

Even a few absences can add up and affect your child’s progress. When students are frequently absent, they may struggle to keep up with their peers, miss important instructions, and feel disconnected from their classmates. This can lead to lower grades, decreased confidence, and added stress.

How You Can Help?

We understand that absences are sometimes unavoidable due to illness or emergencies. However, we encourage you to ensure that your child attends school every day they are able. Here are a few ways you can help:

Set a Routine: Establish a consistent bedtime and morning routine to help your child start the day on the right foot.

Communicate: Keep in touch with your child’s teachers if there are any concerns that might affect attendance.

Prioritize School: Schedule appointments and family vacations outside of school hours whenever possible. We encourage you to use Mondays when all possible.

Support Available:

If your child is facing any challenges that make regular attendance difficult, please reach out to us. We are here to support your family and ensure that your child has every opportunity to succeed.

Quarterly grades will be calculated using the following measures:

• Formative Assessments - 25% (Daily Assignments, Classroom Quick Checks)

• Summative Assessments - 75% (Tests, Projects)

Students will be assessed using the following grading scale.

Letter Grade Overall Percentages

A 100%-90%

B 89%-80%

C 79%-70%

D 69%-60%

F 59% or below

All Formative and Summative activities not turned in on time will be recorded as an Incomplete ("I") in the grade book. This will be calculated as a zero in the student's overall grade.

Formative: Due no later than the beginning of class on the following Tuesday from the original due date. Assessments will not be accepted after this deadline. The original due date will be determined by the date listed in LUMEN.

Summative: Retake/redo assessments are due no later than the end of the school day 14 calendar days (2 weeks) from the original due date. The original due date will be determined by the date listed in LUMEN.

*If the final due date is a day that school is not in session (inclement weather, breaks, etc.), it will extend to the next day school is in session.

In the world of work, we are given the opportunity to retake assessments and redo work that we did not master the first time. This usually happens following additional coaching, instruction and practice. The same will be true for students with the following guidelines:

• At the teacher’s discretion a legitimate effort must be made on the first attempt in order to be eligible for a retake/redo.

• Students must complete a CMS Retake Contract

• The student must receive additional instruction and/or complete additional practice to demonstrate progress toward mastery before completing the retake/redo.

Students will have the opportunity to earn maximum credit on redo formative & summative assessments.

If a student chooses not to make a first attempt or refuses to complete the additional work required prior to the retake/redo, the teacher does not have to allow the student the opportunity to retake/redo.

Grade checks will take place approximately every two weeks on Wednesday mornings.

A CMS student (involved in any activity) who receives two or more failing grades on any 2-week grade check will become academically ineligible until the following 2-week eligibility check. If the student is failing less than two classes when the next 2-week grade check is completed, he/she will regain eligibility on the day grades are posted. If, however, the student is still failing two or more classes, he/she will remain ineligible until the next 2-week grade period.

GRADE CHECK DATES:

1st Quarter: 9/4, 9/18, 10/2, 10/18 (end of quarter)

2nd Quarter: 11/6, 11/20, 12/11, 12/20 (end of quarter)

3rd Quarter: 1/22, 2/5, 2/19, 3/5, 3/14 (end of quarter)

4th Quarter: 4/9, 4/23, 5/7, 5/16 (end of quarter, could be moved pending snow days)

Clever Schools is implementing a Technology User Fee for grades K-8.

The Technology User Fee will be $25 for each student, we will be pushing out invoices for this through MySchoolBucks, https://login.myschoolbucks.com/, which is used to pay your lunch balances. Please watch your email for the invoices to come out.

This fee can be paid over the next 7 months if needed, you will be able to make partial payments until December 31, 2024.

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