Email: bacorpuz@bethelsd.org
Website: https://cmms.bethelsd.org
Location: 5108 260th Street East, Graham, WA, USA
Phone: 253-800-8000
Facebook: facebook.com/cougarmountainms

Instagram: @cmms.cougs

CMMS Students & Families,

Thank you to everyone for a fabulous first week back to school, we are very excited about this school because THIS IS THE PLACE where great things will happen! This week we are looking forward to kicking off our fall athletics and welcoming our entire CMMS community to our OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, September 5th from 5:30 - 7:00 PM! As always, be sure to read all of the important information in each section below so you're fully in the know!

Have a great week,

~CMMS Admin

Our Vision at Cougar Mountain:

Is for ALL students to be competent, confident, compassionate and prepared to be successful in the world.

Our Mission at Cougar Mountain:

Is to foster a safe and respectful learning community where equitable opportunities, collaboration, support, and safety promote each student’s success and ability to positively impact our society.

Our Goals at Cougar Mountain:

• Equitable opportunities for each student to get what they need to be successful

• Engagement of parents and community

• Diversity, cultural inclusion, mutual respect, and fairness

• All stakeholders accountable for results

• Set high expectations with high support

ALL parents of student-athletes must use FinalForms to complete and sign athletic participation forms for your students.

FinalForms saves data from season-to-season and year-to-year, meaning that you will never need to enter the same information twice. FinalForms also pre-populates information wherever possible, for each of your students, saving you time.

You may review your data at any time to verify it is current. You will be required to sign your forms once per year and after any update.

IMPORTANT: You will receive an account confirmation email from FinalForms. Please click the link and follow the steps to login and access your student(s). If you require any support during the process, scroll to the page bottom and click “Get Help”.

If you cannot locate the email from FinalForms, please contact Donae Kennedy (dokennedy@bethelsd.org) or Becky Lovern (rlovern@bethelsd.org) and they can assist!

Athletic Registration
All parents of student-athletes must use FinalForms to complete and sign athletic participation forms for your students. Learn more at https://www.bethelsd.org/programs-departments/athletics2

Our fall sports offered for all grade levels are BASEBALL, FASTPITCH and TRACK. Baseball and fastpitch begin on Tuesday, September 3rd and track will begin on Wednesday, September 4th.

Baseball and fastpitch will have tryouts, and teams will be announced by the end of the first week. Track is a non-cut sport, meaning all students who wish to participate will be able to, and any students that do not make the baseball or fastpitch teams may then join track if they wish to do so.

Students who would like to participate in any sport must have an ASB card and have a current physical on file (physicals are valid for 13 months from their original date). There are no exceptions to these expectations!

** All students who are bringing softball/baseball equipment with them to school need to bring it to Mr. B's classroom (916) in the morning AFTER being released from the cafeteria at 7:05 but before 1st Period at 7:15. ****

Baseball/Fastpitch: First day is 9/3.

Baseball should meet Coaches Banaszak and Gillingham on the window side, Fastpitch should meet Coach Kelley on the hallway side.

Track: First day is 9/4.

Track should meet Coaches Price, Gillingham, Ovechka, and Goldsberry in the small gym.

• Students should meet coaches in the cafeteria immediately after dismissal at 1:45 each day.
• All students must be cleared by coaches first before suiting up or participating. If not cleared by coach, students must see Mrs. Kennedy for clearance and/or next steps.
• If students bring a copy of their physical with them to school, please have them bring it to the office as soon as possible! Don't wait until after school.
• If students wait until after school to produce a physical, it could result in lost practice time as they'll have to wait for it to be processed before they can participate.

Baseball and fastpitch will have tryouts, and teams will be announced by the end of the first week. Track is a non-cut sport, meaning all students who wish to participate will be able to, and any students that do not make the baseball or fastpitch teams may then join track if they wish to do so.

Students who would like to participate in any sport must have an ASB card and have a current physical on file (physicals are valid for 13 months from their original date). There are no exceptions to these expectations!

Track:

Coaches: Price, Ovechka, M Gillingham, Goldsberry

First day of Tryouts: Wednesday, September 4th

Baseball:

Coaches: Banaszak, D Gillingham

First day of Tryouts: Tuesday, September 3rd

Fastpitch:

Coaches: Kelley, Open Coaching Position

First Day of Tryouts: Tuesday, September 3rd

For planning purposes:

First track meet will be September 18th @ Art Crate vs Liberty

First Fastpitch and Baseball games will be September 16th @ CMMS vs Spanaway Middle

To ensure the safety of our students, parents, and community, the following must be adhered to:

Only clear bags or small clutch/purses/wallets will be allowed inside the stadium. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”. A small clutch bag, not exceeding 4.5” x 6.5”, with or without a handle or strap, may be carried inside the stadium.

Additionally, all elementary and middle school students who plan to attend school-sponsored events, such as football games, must be accompanied by an adult. They will be turned away if they attempt to gain admittance without a parent.

We thank you for your understanding and adherence to these guidelines.

Transportation has had a number of challenges, and it will impact our activity bus schedule this year. The activity bus will come now at 4:45pm and will take any student living in the CMMS boundaries home. ONLY students staying on campus with an adult, organized activity or sports may ride the activity bus. No student may leave campus, return and ride the activity bus.

Activity busses run Monday - Thursday. The only exception is the first Friday of any sports season which the bus will also run on Friday.

Baseball, Fastpitch, and Baseball Fundraisers start Monday, August 26th.

Open to anyone who would like to support CMMS athletics. All items are adult sizing. Families can purchase online under your student account here. (Do not create a new account). During normal school hours, students can purchase in person before school or during lunch at the ASB Student Store. All staff and other patrons can purchase in person at the ASB Student Store before school or during lunch. Cash, check, card, and mobile payment accepted. (Apple Wallet, Samsung Pay, etc.)

Items will be ordered and delivered by the vendor after the fundraiser closes. Coaches will be handing out the items when they arrive.

Fundraiser closes on Monday, September 16th at midnight.

Hoodies $30

Optional last name on the back of the hoodie $5

T-Shirt $15

(Upcharge for sizes 2XL - 5XL)

We begin our fall STAR testing this next week with Math (9/5-14). Reading will follow from 9/16-20. This round of testing is used in a number of spaces to support all of our students. We use this data to compare to spring state testing, to previous years' scores, for progress monitoring throughout this year, and for goal setting in classrooms as well. It's important and important that ALL of our students take these assessments and that they take them seriously and do their best. We KNOW you know lots of things, and sometimes we need you to show it in places like the STAR test. Please check in with your math and ELA teachers to confirm when you will be testing, and be sure you are here!

Our amazing campus safety team, Mr. Danny and Ms. Cierra, will again be using the QR code and link below for students to request support during the school day. Students are not to ask for a pass to their offices, nor should you be "waiting for Mr. Danny/Ms. Cierra" outside their door. The QR code below is posted in each classroom and in the hallways. You can also access the link in your Canvas pages. Mr. Danny and Ms. Cierra will come to see/get you when they are able to discuss your concern/issue. If there is an immediate safety emergency, please tell your teacher or the nearest adult.

Pictures for ALL students will be taken on Thursday, September 5th during the school day. These pictures are for ASB/ID cards, our information systems, the yearbook, and for purchase. Please use the links and code below to order pictures if you wish. Our CMMS Picture Day ID is EVT4V9NFP.

Child Nutrition Services will continue to participate in the USDA's Community Eligibility Provision for the 24-25 school year. Students attending any CEP school will receive FREE breakfast and lunch each day during the school year. Good News! Cougar Mountain has qualified for the 24-25 school year as a CEP school!

However, continued free meals at CMMS depends on YOU!

All Bethel School District Families must complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility Benefit Application (CNEEB) each year. Completing this form also ensures that CMMS will continue to receive the full amount of federal and state funding available.

The online application will be available Monday, August 12th, 2024.

You can access the forms at:

https://emealapps.bethelsd.org/

Purchase your ASB Membership, CMMS t-shirt, and 24/25 yearbook for one low price.

The Pride Pack Bundle will be offered online beginning August 15th and run until 7:30pm on September 5th. You can purchase in person at the open house from 5:30 - 7:30 pm on September 5th.

(ASB membership and the yearbook can still be purchased individually online or in person. T-shirt purchases are in-person only at the student store.)

Please pick up your CMMS t-shirt at Open House on September 5th from 5:30-7:30. (No need to show your receipt, we will be expecting you).

ASB cards will be printed on picture day. Yearbooks will be distributed during the last week of school.

Purchase your bundle beginning August 15th by clicking here or directly in ParentVue!

UPDATE!! iPad paperwork and damage coverage will be available AUGUST 15TH!

Please complete the Hold Harmless form, and purchase or decline insurance. You will need your child’s student number to sign in. Insurance for the 2024-2025 school year is $25. Free or reduced lunch price is $15.

• 1st incident with insurance - Free
  
• 2nd inciden t- $25
  
• 3rd incident or no insurance- full cost of repair or replacement ($89 for screen/$326.81 full cost)
  
• Please go online to https://wa-bethel.intouchreceipting.com/ or scan the QR code to complete the forms.

Cougar Moutain Middle School rests on historical ground. To honor our history, Mrs. Wonacott created two displays. One is for the original people of this land, the Nisqually Indian People. The cedar hat and paddle were gifted and made especially for this display. The second display is about the first settlers of European descent, some from the Hudson's Bay Company and others who came later. Several of our nearby streets are named after many of the settlers.

Membership Drive
We're kicking off our Membership Drive with an Early Bird Discount until Friday September 6th! Joining the Booster Club creates an instant community for you and your student to build connections and opportunities that create a legacy for our future alumni to benefit from. We are a group of parents, teachers, and community members who work together to enhance the educational experience for all our students through fundraising and volunteer efforts. Our mission is to foster a sense of community and school spirit while providing the resources needed for our students and staff to thrive. Join today by completing the Google Form below!

BOOSTER CLUP MEMBERSHIP FORM

Thank you!

Jessie

CMMS Booster Club

Monday, 9/2:

• No School, Labor Day

Tuesday, 9/3:

• Cougar Times Review (S'more)
• Get to Know YOU Activity

Wednesday, 9/4:

• YOUR Advisory expectations & community building

Thursday, 9/5:

• Review Open House format & schedule
• Stu Cabe Assembly Preview

Friday, 9/6:

• AM Assembly Schedule
• Stu Cabe Assembly in the Gym: Students will go to Advisory and you will be dismissed by grade level via PA

We will be presenting the HIV/AIDS Parent & Guardian previews at the end of September and early October. If any parents/guardians choose to opt their child out you must register for one of the presentation sessions. We are required by law to have a record of all of the people who participate, and they must attend a session in order to receive the opt out form.

All of the flyers with links to sign up can be found HERE.

Please reach out to Beth Lochen in Arts Ed (elochen@bethelsd.org, ext 2080) if you have any questions.

CLICK THIS LINK TO THE BETHEL SCHOOL DISTRICT WEBSITE for direct access to the following links...

• BUS ROUTES
• FREE & REDUCED MEAL APPLICATION
• PARENTVUE
• SAFE WALKING ZONES
• ENROLLMENT
• MIDDLE SCHOOL FORMS
• HEALTH FORMS
• IPAD FORMS
• STUDENT INSURANCE
• SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST
• ATHLETICS

At Cougar Mountain we have lots of ways we like to reward, honor, and celebrate our students who are following our Cougar Pride Expectations. It is important to make sure our students who are being safe, respectful, responsible, and always learning are recognized for their efforts and achievements. Here are some of the ways in which we celebrate:

• Cougar Cash: Our own currency that students can earn from staff any day. This is done either in paper from or in our digital Cougar Cash Bank any day. The Cougar Cash can be spent every other Friday at our prize store during lunch!
  
  

• Cougar Club: A daily opportunity where 5 select teachers can hand out one ticket to a student who has been amazing that day. The student then brings the ticket to Ms. Gates in the main office and gets a spot on the Cougar Club board in the main hallway. Once a full row is filled on the board, all of those students win a prize!
  
  

• Positive Office Referrals: Teachers can write a Positive Office Referral at anytime for a student who is modeling excellent behavior. Once an administrator receives the referral we will bring the student into our office and call home to share the awesome news with family! It also comes with a coupon for a free personal pizza from Pizza Time.
  
  

• Students of the Month: A select group of students are nominated each month to receive certificate for being successful in a certain class/criteria. The criteria changes each month to reward different students.
  
  

• Trimester Awards: At the end of each trimester staff recognizes and award students who have been meeting our Cougar Pride Characteristics for the entirety of the trimester along with those who have shown amazing growth as well.

A well-loved reward for students showing our Cougar Pride Characteristics is Fun Friday! Our first Fun Friday will be September 20th. Students will be able to choose from a variety of fun activities to take part in for the last 40 minutes of school. All students who meet the following criteria can attend.

• No major discipline
• No more than 1 lunch detention
• Passing all classes

Those who do not meet the criteria will be rostered into a holdback room where they can can work on missing assignments or reflections from discipline incidents. Our goal is 100% of our Cougars engaging in the fun part of Fun Friday so keep this incentive in mind!

9/2 - Labor Day No School

9/3 - First Day Of Baseball and Fastpitch

9/4 - First Day Of Track

9/5 - Picture Day, 5:30 PM Open House

9/6 - Stu Cabe Assembly

Upcoming Dates:

9/9 - Late Arrival 8:15

9/16 - Late Arrival 8:15

9/23 - Late Arrival 8:15

9/30 - Late Arrival 8:15

***FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2024***

Cougar Mountain Middle School Hours:

• Students ~ 7:15 AM - 1:45 PM

***LINK TO BSD CALENDAR WEBSITE***

Podcast Episode 96: School nurses, urban chicken farming, and outdoor adventures

STUDENT AND FAMILY TIMES 8/26