Cougar Update
January Edition
Please read the message from Dr. Smith, Principal.
Congress Cougars,
March is here, and Spring Break is on the horizon. However, before we get there, we still have a lot of work to do. We are so proud of our students as they show us daily how we, as educators, inspire them to be successful, which is why many of us show up every day.
During our March 1st professional development session, we focused on how we can amplify student voices at Congress. We want to provide space for authentic conversations where students feel they are in safe spaces to learn. How can we create safe spaces in our classrooms, cafeterias, extracurricular activities, and bus rides to and from school?
Our staff is working to make Congress a safe space for all students, staff, and community members. However, our students and staff are making this uphill climate change look like a cakewalk for some. While we would love to snap our fingers and improve it overnight, we know that change takes time and sometimes becomes uncomfortable.
Please know we can not work alone and need our families' support. As we move closer to warmer weather, some of our studnets are beginning to shed layers of clothing for comfort and some for style. While we want students to express themselves fully, we still expect their attire to be appropriate for a middle school setting. If we deem the attire inappropriate for school, we will provide an alternative or a phone call home for a proper outfit.
Our Park Hill Parent Student Handbook has been updated to allow middle school-level students to carry or place their phones in the lockers throughout the day. However, students are not allowed to use their phones during active instruction or make phone calls during class. Parents calling the students during class is not an exception to this rule, and the student may be issued a consequence for the interruption. We have reviewed the policy with all grade levels and have shared that they may receive an office referral for disruption to the academic environment.
We encourage our students to strive to be the best and exceed their expectations by completing assigned work and rocking out on the NWEA/MAP test. We will soon see students' progress as we begin NWEA testing from March 6th - 10th. Please make sure your students are rested and on time for school. If your student needs to be checked out early, consider a pickup time after 9:00 AM to avoid disrupting the testing environment.
Families, please know I love serving as your child's middle school principal and enjoy our daily interactions. Question! Do you worry that your student may forget some of the great memories of middle school? Here's a thought: as we all get forgetful at times, you can purchase a yearbook without worrying about remembering all the exciting memories. School should be a safe, fun, memorable learning experience where everyone can share those memories with loved ones for years.
All remaining yearbook sales are going towards our 8th Grade celebration. We are working on dates to finalize our celebrations. Finally, thank you for all the support you bring to Congress. Although trials may come, know we need each other, and when we all stand together, we can not be defeated!
We are better because of you!
NWEA Spring Testing
Rest Up For The Test!
We are preparing for our winter session of testing. Our students will take the NWEA Test (Measures of Academic Progress) on March 6th - 10th. During testing sessions, students will be asked to put their phones in their lockers until the test block has ended. We are excited to compare our student's scores to their Winter 22 testing session. Please make sure your student is well-rested.
The adaptive achievement and growth test provides essential information about what your child knows and is ready to learn. It creates a personalized assessment experience by adapting to each student's learning level and measuring their progress and growth. If your child correctly answers a question, the computer assessment provides a more challenging question, and if they miss that same question, an easier question is asked. This provides essential information about your child's knowledge and readiness to learn.
FAN GEAR! Get Ready For The Game!!!
Store Password: Cougars
Parents we need your help!!! The front office is in the lead!
Spring Cleaning is Near
Dear Parents and Students:
Our PTA has decided to sell trash bags again as our fundraiser this year.
These are quality bags suitable in size and strength for our trash needs and the yard work we will be starting soon. These bags are thicker than many store brand bags and people love them!! There are three different sizes of bags available, but they all cost the same…..only $12.00 per roll.
Yellow – 39 gallon 25 bags per roll
White – 15 gallon (tall kitchen) 65 bags per roll
Blue – 55 gallon (super size) 16 bags per roll
Paper Yard Waste Bags 2 packs (10 bags)
We are taking orders from March 1st through March 15th. Money should be collected when the order is taken. Checks can be made payable to Congress PTA. Please return the order form and money by
March 15th.
**** AVAILABLE AGAIN THIS YEAR!! **** Orders can also be placed and paid for online at https://buybags.trashbagfundraiser.com. Enter CONGRE as the Group ID and your child’s name on the checkout page. You can share this information about online ordering with your friends, relatives, and co-workers as well. It’s such an easy way to order bags!!!
The bags will be available for pick up on April 3rd (5pm-8pm) and April 4th (after school-5pm).
Please note that 1 case of bags (10 rolls) weighs approximately 50 lbs. Your order will need to be picked up at school, as the rolls of bags are too heavy to send home with your child.
Let’s all get behind this effort. Buy your bag supply from us and offer them to relatives, friends, and neighbors. If you want to go door-to-door in your neighborhood, please have an adult accompany your child. All profits from this sale will go to the PTA and be given to the school where needed.
If you have any questions, please contact Katie Hensler (katiehensler@gmail.com). Thank you in advance for your cooperation and continued support.
Sincerely,
CONGRESS PTA
Congress PTA
Parents, how exactly could a 100% participation on our PTA hurt Congress Middle School? With after-school activities, working late while trying to prepare a meal for the family can seem unbearable, but if you cannot join us in person, join us online. We are having in-person and virtual meetings to accommodate our families. We would like to do so many things this year but need your support. Our Congress Middle School staff appreciates all you do for our students and staff. Our PTA ROCKS!! . It starts with your membership. Just joining you will help us provide needed resources for staff and students.
March 6th online at 6:30 PM.
PTA Fundraiser - March 30, 2023
Miles of Smiles (Level Up Kids)
Miles of Smiles (Level Up Kids) will be at CONGRESS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Miles of Smiles (Level Up Kids) will be at CONGRESS MIDDLE SCHOOL
MARCH 15th – APRIL 17th, 2023!
Miles of Smiles, a program of Level Up Kids, provides free dental care to children in the Northland who do not have access to oral health services. The dental care will be provided to students at CONGRESS during the school day MARCH 15th – APRIL 17th! All care is provided by a licensed dentist and assistants and all patients receive a comprehensive exam, cleaning and x-rays.
Please register ASAP if you would like your student to be seen during the school day. We highly encourage online registration, which is quick, easy and convenient! You can register right from your phone! https://practisforms.com/milesofsmilesinc/forms/milesofsmilesinc-registration-form
https://practisforms.com/milesofsmilesinc/forms/milesofsmilesinc-formulario-de-inscripcion
Paper forms will also be sent home in your student’s backpack or folder. If you wish to complete the registration that way, please fill out in its entirety and return as soon as possible.
Please contact Karen Schaff (816-359-6175) or Morgan Rietzke (816-359-6981) if you have any questions or need help registering your student.
Help Control The Leaves
Quarter 3 Begins 12/25/2022 Ends 03/19/2023
News from the Library Media Center:
“February has been a busy month in the Library Media Center. We celebrated Black History Month with books displays and lessons. The 7th grade reading classes even took a few moments at the end of their classes to write down something that they can each do to help make our little corner of the world look better, sound better, and feel better for all people. They have been very thoughtful and reflective.
We posted their ideas in a display of hearts in the library. The book subscription bags are a success! Students have enjoyed the book selections and the surprises in their bags. We will be starting the next round of subscription bags soon. If your student is interested in signing up, here is the link to the survey.
–Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Guinn
Please read the message from Mrs. Kahler, Assistant Principal
AVID
Dear Parents and Guardians:
The Advancement Via Individual Determination program, or AVID, was created to help academically and personally motivated students prepare to attend a four-year college, university, or career technical school. For more than 30 years, AVID has been instrumental in preparing students for success in higher education. Students who have applied and meet our program criteria will have an interview this upcoming Friday, March 03rd.
The AVID program's core component is the AVID Elective, which supports students as they challenge themselves in more rigorous classes. In 7th and 8th grade, students take AVID as an elective course that provides them with the skills necessary to succeed with the end goal of attending college. Students learn study, note-taking, time management, writing, and research skills while immersed in a college-going culture.
AVID recruits students are motivated to do well in school and are serious about their academic future. Those ideal candidates for the AVID program will be notified of their acceptance into the program, and you to participate in the recruiting process. Additionally, the AVID class provides access to information about careers, colleges, and universities through field trips, tutors, guest speakers, and college admission requirement information.
Sincerely,
Amber Kahler
Parent We Need Your AVID Feedback!!
We will be conducting the AVID Survey during the month of March. The window to complete these will be from March 1 – 30. Please use the button below to conduct the survey.
HELP!!! It's Career Day
Parents, want to share your career with middle schoolers? We are still looking for volunteers for our Career Day on March 30th! If you or someone else would be interested in sharing their career with the students, please contact Mrs. Kahler to sign up. March 30th from 7:45-9:20.
Contact Mrs. Kahler for more information! kahlera@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Congress Families,
Please find more information concerning spring sports on our website "Get Involved".
REMIND App
Please make sure you download the "REMIND" app on your phone. Enter the information below and don't miss any important updates this season!
Parents Remind App Code; @t-parent
Athletes Remind App Code; @t-athlete
Please look for more information, but we would like to have spirit nights on some of our home and away games. If you still need to check out our school store, please do so and order your Congress gear. Proceeds raised will go to support our programs.
Parents, this is also the perfect time to encourage your students to manage their grades. Failing grades will eliminate some students from participating in extracurricular activities. Track season is off and running with over 100 students participating.
Please check our school website, Get Involved at Congress, for all updated sports-related information.
Read more about ImPACT testing.
The IMPACT test is valid for 2 years so if your athlete took it last year, they do not need to re-take it this year. Please have them double check if they are unsure.
Athletics Information
Students seeking to participate in any of our sports this year must have a current physical and ImPACT test on file. All information related to our sports may be found on our school website under the Get Involved Tab. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Assistant Principal Athletic Director Brian Van Horn (816) 359 – 4230.
General Information
Because You Care
Our employees are the reason we are so successful here at Congress Middle School and the Park Hill School District, and the Park Hill School District would like to recognize us for all we do for our students.
The Park Hill Star award is awarded monthly to any staff member in the school district. Anyone can nominate an employee for this award by using the form below. In addition, please send a note of encouragement to our Congress Staff, letting them know you care.
Sometimes, negative comments are made directly to our staff members or posted on social media. We want to change that narrative! We want the positive vibes to outweigh the negative vibes. Please vote for one of our staff members or send a kind note to staff members for the entire month of December.
AMI School Days
Winter months are upon us, and we've already experienced the first snow of the season. Below you will find links to our Alternative Modes of Instruction (AMI) schedules for teams. As we prepare our students for high school, we expect them to take responsibility for their learning. It may seem like they need help navigating different websites and learning platforms, but they always shine once given the opportunity. Some may take longer than others, but they all find a way. Our Congress kids are true ROCKSTARS!
Parents We Need Your Help!!
Message from Sprigeo
We created Sprigeo so people would feel safer at school. When a person really needs help or there is a safety threat at school we hope you will step up and send in a report. Sending in a false report makes it harder for your school to help the people who really need it. If necessary you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. You can find out more about Sprigeo and the School District Safety Evaluation at Sprigeo.com. Thanks for using Sprigeo!
Joe Bruzzese, Founder of SprigeoIf you feel unsafe or know someone who feels unsafe, please report it here. After you fill out the form below, Sprigeo sends an email to a school administrator with all of the details from your report. You can also download one of our apps from the Apple Store or the Android Marketplace to submit a report.
- Safety threats, bullying, harassment or intimidation at school
- Safety threats, bullying, harassment or intimidation outside of school
- Cyberbullying; Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.
- Fights, drugs, alcohol or weapons at school
- Friends who talk about hurting themselves