We are thrilled to have our amazing students and dedicated staff back at Central Mountain Middle School for another incredible school year! Each and every one of our Wildcat family plays a vital role in making our school a special place to learn and grow.

As we embark on this new journey, it's important to remember that the beginning of the school year can bring changes and adjustments. From new routines to many important dates, there's a lot to keep track of, and we are here for you each step of the way! If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or our friendly front office staff.

We have a lot of exciting things planned for this year! We're eager to see what the future holds and believe this will be a fantastic year for our students, staff, and families.

With Wildcat Pride,

Each grade level at Central Mountain Middle School is divided into three color teams: Blue, Grey, and White. Throughout the year, we'll focus on one of our Core Values and host exciting competitions for awesome prizes.

This first quarter, our Core Value is "Being Present." To embody this value, we have met with each class to explain and encourage our students to:

• Come to school every day: Be committed to your education and be there to learn and grow.
• Be attentive: Listen actively in class, focus on the task at hand, and avoid distractions.
• Be on task and actively participate: Engage in class discussions, ask questions, and complete your assignments with care.
• Use time wisely: Manage your time effectively, prioritize your tasks, and avoid procrastination.
• Grow your sense of curiosity and resiliency: Be open-minded, ask questions, and learn from your experiences.

Your child's color team will compete in various activities that test their ability to be present. These might include classroom challenges, games that require focus, or creative projects that encourage mindfulness. By participating, your child will not only earn points for their team but also collaborate with their peers and develop valuable life skills.

We encourage you to support your student and cheer them on as they strive to embody the spirit of "Being Present."

September 2 - Labor Day - No School

September 9- Picture Day @ CMMS!

September 17- Cherrydale Fundraiser Kickoff

September 26 - Homecoming Parade

This year, we will be offering monthly ‘Keystone Conversations’ in an effort to provide our parents and guardians with information they feel would be most helpful to assist in closing the gap between home and school. We would love to hear from parents / guardians to know what training or information they would like to receive. We would like all parents / guardians to complete this short form to let us know what you need.

KCSD is continuing to ClassDojo as our messaging app. Please be sure to connect (or reconnect) so you don't miss any important information from your child's school or teachers.

Stay informed about:

• School events and activities
• Important deadlines and assignments
• Emergency alerts and school delays/dismissals/closures

All elementary schools within the district are Title I schoolwide schools and receive Title I federal funds to support the positions of Interventionist and Title I Associates. We determine how to use the funding to staff our buildings based on family input and our school data. If you are interested in becoming a part of our Title I team, please reach out to your building Interventionist or principal. Our Policy 917/918 meetings are a great place to start, because we always review our School Improvement plans and the most updated school data during those meetings.

At all school levels, we use Title IV federal funds to purchase incentives for PBIS (our positive school-wide behavior supports) rewards, and we emphasize the goal of following school rules in all schools.

Required documents for families:

Right to Request Qualifications of Teachers (see Annual Notices and Policy Review button above) - if you wish to request a paper copy, please contact jevey@kcsd.k12.pa.us .

Note: If your child is taught for four or more weeks by a teacher who is instructing in a content area for which they are not currently certified, the district must notify you. Four-week notification letters will be added here if that becomes necessary.

Non-Discrimination Statement (see Annual Notices and Policy Review button above) - if you wish to request a paper copy, please contact jevey@kcsd.k12.pa.us.

Title I District Parent Policy - Policy 918

Coaching Newsletter for Families - How We Teach Reading

Title I Complaint Procedure

Math is everywhere! When you measure an ingredient for a recipe, tell time, pay a bill, or look at the daily temperature, you are using math. These activities offer ideas on how to make math fun at home and start building some math skills that kids will use as they get older. Click to learn more!

Video (Spanish Only)

If your family speaks a language other than English, the district has access to translators and interpreters that can accompany you in meetings with teachers and school members. If you would like to be connected with a translator or interpreter please reach out to your child’s teacher or the school guidance counselor. The accessibility features in the top right corner of this Smore allow you to translate this page.

We're so excited to have our schools filled with students and teachers where we can all grow and learn together!

There is so much awesomeness that can be achieved when we're present at school. If something is getting in the way of your student coming to school, please reach out to your student's teacher, school counselor, district social worker, or school nurse. We want to make sure that your student is receiving whatever supports necessary to help them be successful.

REMNDER: As we start a new school year, excuses need to be turned in within 3 days of an absence. Use your school's attendance email to make sure that the excuse notes get turned in on time.

Wildcats on the Prowl: AttendanceMatters Now!

If you are concerned about a student for any reason, you can make a SAP referral. The SAP referral can potentially lead to any needed services and/or supports the student may need to be successful.

Scan the QR code on the picture to make a referral!

During middle school, students experience changes, such as transitioning into adolescence, balancing multiple classes/assignments, dealing with peer pressure, developing new friendships, caring about what others think/fitting in and/or personal situations. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) may contact one of our counselors with any questions or concerns they may have regarding their student's academic, career, behavior and/or socioemotional well-being.

A counselor is someone to talk to, who will listen without judgment. A school counselor can assist in short-term counseling and if needed arrange long-term counseling and the SAP (Student Assistance Program) and Tier II support. Counselors can teach students tools to improve and cope with different situations, especially because sometimes it's hard to figure out where to start. Students may be want to see a counselor for the following reasons:

• Want to share an experience/feelings
• Feel depressed and/or lonely
• Have thoughts of self-harm
• Feel stressed and/or anxious
• Feel angry and/or frustrated
• Want to improve grade(s)
• Talk about college/careers
• Relationship/peer issues/conflicts
• Personal issues (divorce/separation, loss of a loved one, etc.)

To learn more or to schedule a meeting, please contact your student's school counselor.

Dr. Billie Miller: Grade 5 School Counselor

Phone: 570-893-4900 x3086

Email: bmiller2@kcsd.us

Monica Graham: Grade 6 School Counselor

Phone: 570-893-4900 x2960

Email: mgraham@kcsd.us

Phil Williams: Grade 7 School Counselor

Phone: 570-893-4900 x2957

Email: pwilliams@kcsd.us

Karen Bossert: Grade 8 School Counselor

Phone: 570-893-4900 x2953

Email: kbossert@kcsd.us

Hillarie Reese: School Social Worker

Phone: 570-893-4900 x3000

Email: hreese@kcsd.us

Chelsea Miller: Guidance Secretary

Phone: 570-893-4900 x2952

Email: cmiller2@kcsd.us

The link in the button above should take you to our Volunteer Application.

You may also apply on-line at https://www.applitrack.com/kcsd/onlineapp/ instead of using a paper form.

Clearances and Mandated Reporter training are also required. Here are the links:

· Clearances

· (Act 34) PA State Police https://epatch.pa.gov/home

· (Act 151) PA Child Abuse https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home

· (Act 114) FBI https://www.identogo.com/locations/pennsylvania

Use service code to receive the correct clearance: 1KG6XN

Mandated Reporter Training http://www.reportabusepa.pitt.edu/

Elizabeth Nace is our Personnel Secretary & Volunteer Specialist, you can use the information below to contact her, and she said she is happy to help you and answer questions!

570-893-4900 x 2319

https://www.kcsd.us/district-offices/human-resources/volunteer-information

enace@kcsd.k12.pa.us

86 Administration Drive, Mill Hall, PA 17751

Keystone Central School District has School Resource Officers throughout our district for safety and security.

Officer Scott VanGorder - Central Mountain High School

Officer Cory Beaver - Bucktail High School & Renovo Elementary

Officer Luke Motter - Central Mountain Middle School

Officer Mike Fetzer - Elementary district-wide and District Attendance Officer

Officer Todd Brian - District-wide

Did you know that KCSD has an online cyber option for students? Please visit our website to learn more about the flexibility and courses that are available to our students!!

Check out our Virtual Academy Newsletter!

Please use the following link to read the upcoming events and information for August and September.

https://secure.smore.com/n/6axde

Many questions can arise concerning your child's laptop, internet access, busing information or maybe you'd like to volunteer in your child's school. These links below can help you get answers or point you in the direction of who to speak to.

Dave Romanyshyn, Principal

Phone: (570) 893-4900 ext. 2956

Email: dromanyshyn@kcsd.k12.pa.us

Laura Fragassi, Assistant Principal 5-6

Phone: (570) 893-4900 ext. 2954

Email: lfragassi@kcsd.k12.pa.us

Ryan Carty, Assistant Principal 7-8

Phone: (570) 893-4900 ext. 2955

Email: rcarty@kcsd.k12.pa.us

Michelle Bechdel, School Secretary

Phone: (570) 893-4900 ext. 2950

Email: mbechdel@kcsd.k12.pa.us

Hollie Moore, School Secretary

Phone: (570) 893-4900 ext. 2951

Email: hmoore2@kcsd.k12.pa.us

Tammy Evelhair, Attendance Secretary

Phone: (570) 893-4900 ext. 3701

Email: cmmsattendance@kcsd.us