Bobcat Newsletter

We’re so proud of our amazing CMS Robotics Club for their outstanding performance at the 2024-25 VEX Rapid Relay Competition! Our students showcased their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills as they navigated challenges, coded their bots, and presented their designs with confidence.

Highlights from the event include:
Strong collaboration and sportsmanship
Impressive autonomous runs and creative engineering
Lots of learning, laughter, and memorable moments

Whether it was troubleshooting on the fly or cheering on teammates, our students demonstrated what STEM is all about—innovation, perseverance, and fun. A huge thank-you to our supportive parents, staff, and volunteers who helped make this experience possible.

In honor of Assistant Principal's week, I wish to take a moment to recognize the incredible work of our Central Middle School assistant principal, Ms. Katie Gaffney. Her positive attitude, unwavering willingness to help, and constant presence in the hallways make a lasting impact on our school community. Every day, she greets students with a warm smile, ready to offer a kind word of encouragement or lend a hand when needed. Whether she's supporting teachers, guiding students through challenges, or ensuring everything runs smoothly, her dedication is evident in everything she does.
Let’s take a moment to thank our assistant principal for the positive energy, support, and leadership she brings to our school every day. Her efforts truly make a difference, and we are lucky to have someone so dedicated at the heart of our school community.

The 8th graders at CMS visited the Southern Virginia HIgher Education Center to explore different careers through hands-on experiences. They rotated through stations where they learned about IT, HVAC, entrepreneurship, energy, welding, and robotics. The received information on each job such as certifications, income opportunity, and where these jobs are in our region. Everyone enjoyed the experience.

Students at Central Middle School are leveling up their commitment to attendance! As part of our attendance incentive program, students who met the goal got to enjoy an epic gaming experience in a mobile arcade!

From racing games to multiplayer battles, our hardworking students had a blast celebrating their dedication to showing up every day. Attendance matters, and what better way to reward it than with some friendly competition and fun?

Today we released the Brook Trout our class hatched in October and have raised this school year. The students also particpated in a water quality and macro-invertabrate hands-on lab.

Happy Ag Literacy Week. The CMS Officer team read to all the 1st and 2nd graders at Eureka, Bacon and Phenix Elementary.

Congratulations to the CMS Drama Team! For the 3rd year in a row, they placed 1st in the district drama competition! This year’s competition was held on March 15th at Lunenburg Middle School. Team members are Susan Cook, Mack Davis, Jacob Hamilton, Christian Jenkins, Martha Robindolph, Davey Sexton, Della Sexton, Katelyn Sexton, and Brooklynn Williams, and they are coached by Anne Hamilton. They performed the play “Simply Cinderella,” written by Jacob Dorn.

The students of the CMS Forensics team showed their incredible dedication and talent placing first in four out of the six categories, with one second-place, and one third place finish. There were only two returning students from last year, while the rest were new to the team. The team's success is a testament to their hard work, as they committed to staying after school four days a week to practice and prepare. Their enthusiasm and passion for Forensics were evident throughout the short season. Their coach, Ms. Lillie Goode, stated this was her first year leading the team and she couldn't be more proud of their outstanding performance.

Congratulations to the CMS FFA teams that competed at the Area FFA Rally. The plant science team with Sophie Lyle, Kylie Nuckols, Emma Hayes, and Lucy Irving placed 1st. Ag Mechanics team A with Landon Parker, Wyatt Adams, and Daniel Garcia placed 1st. Ag Mechanics team B with Colton Carlton, Lonnie Morton, and Devin Adkins placed 4th. The Food and Fiber team with Ryleigh Metts, Bailey Walker, Suraiya Simmons, and McKinley Palmer placed 2nd. Small Animals Team A with Jacob Hamilton, Kyra Capers, and Robbie Wegner placed 2nd. Small Animals Team B with Kiley Kean, Kali Street, and Kendall George placed 5th. Jr Prepared Public speaking with Noah Moorefield placed 3rd.

Mrs. Finnegan would like to recognize these CMS students who went above and beyond to produce top-quality artwork that was selected to be displayed at the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts from June-September 2025 as part of their Youth Art Month display. The skills showcased through their art include the use of multiple elements of art and principles of design. Several of them mastered more challenging techniques from perspective to pointillism. These students pictured include: Alex Abbott, Kyra Capers, Alyssa Gosney, Nakiera Newcomb, Leah Cowart, Cassie Merinar, Carmen Capers, Nora Gayles, Brooke McKinney, and Kolbie Chumley.

The Central Middle FFA was able to celebrate National FFA Week February 17th-21st. Students enjoyed a trivia contest and dress-up days such as FFA shirt day and Farmer Day. The CMS FFA Officers hosted an appreciation breakfast for the faculty and staff at Central Middle. They also enjoyed a visit from the Virginia State FFA Offices and participated in a leadership workshop hosted by the Virginia State FFA Officers. Members also attended the Southeast Area Funquest trip where they were able to meet members from other local FFA chapters and enjoy roller skating with friends.

This week, we celebrate the incredible Ms. Harvey, the heart and soul of our school! ❤️ From offering a listening ear to guiding us through challenges, Ms. Harvey goes above and beyond to support CMS students and teachers every single day. Her kindness, wisdom, and dedication make a lasting impact on our school community.

Central Middle School students participated in a Veteran's Day service competition to bring the most items to be donated to McGuire Veteran's Hospital. Mrs. Shepheard's 8th grade homeroom won the competition with 106 items collected. The children in this homeroom were treated to a Pizza Party as a reward for their generosity.

On Friday, January 17th, Central Middle School hosted a fun and exciting event to reward students for their excellent attendance during the 2nd 9-week period. 104 students—approx 1/3 of the student body—attended a Karaoke and Pizza Party to celebrate their commitment to showing up and putting their best foot forward.

The event was a huge success, with students enjoying karaoke, pizza, and prizes. Many were eager to grab the microphone and sing their favorite tunes, filling the room with laughter and applause. The party served as a reminder of the importance of attendance and how it helps students succeed both in school and in life.

We enjoyed recognizing students who are making the effort to show up every day. This event was a way to celebrate their dedication and hard work.

Central Middle School plans to continue hosting events like this to keep students motivated and engaged in their learning. Hope to see you there!!

Special thanks to the Watt Foster Foundation and Foster Fuels for their generous donation and coats for our CMS students.

Students at CMS participated in the school spelling bee on Wednesday, November 20,2024. After 13 rounds of spelling, eighth grader Cassie Merinar was declared the winner. The championship word was “lavishly.” The runner up was Katelynn Sexton, eighth grade.

The following students also participated in the bee:

6th grade:

Bryce Cooper

Carson McCall

Noah Moorefield

Cassidy Warbington

Skylar Owen

Avery Overstreet

7th Grade:

Gavin Haskins

Carlos Pulido-Garcia

Alec Hardy

Avery Bolton

Triston Routt

Destini Russell

8th grade:

Cole Humphrey

Gabe Wickizer

Sophia Cooper

Cassie Merinar

Billy Ott

Saivion Street

Both the winner and runner up will go on to compete in the County Bee on January 14, 2025. Congratulations to all participants.

Central Middle School recently held its fall Breakfast of Champions. Twice yearly students are nominated by teachers and staff members for being "champions" and are recognized with breakfast and a certificate. Thirty-nine students were nominated for a variety of reasons such as having good manners, being kind and respectful, and being helpful to a classmate in need

Central MIddle School held a poster contest in October in honor of bullying prevention month. Student entries focused on unity, kindness, and heroism. The posters were displayed in the cafeteria, where the student body submitted votes for their favorite poster. Our People's Choice 1st place winner was Aria Wickizer; tied for 2nd place were Jayden Lambert, Leila Adams, and Caylee Acree.

Participants included:

Colton Carlton

Carter Beard

Jayden Lambert

Aria Wickizer

Payton Bruce

Kiley Keen

Kali Street

Liliana Brooks

Leila Adams

Caylee Acree

Emma Yates

Tanner Townsend

Ada Reynolds

Central Middle School students received a donation of school supplies as well as a monetary donation from Mt Tirzah Baptist Church. The supplies were arranged in the library and available to students during open house. The monetary donations will be used to purchase hygiene items and made available to students through their PE classes. Thank you to all who made these donations possible.

Central Middle School

2024-2025 School Supply List

6th Grade Supply List:

• General Supplies (carried throughout the day):
• Pencils
• Notebook paper
• Highlighters
• Colored pencils
• Scissors
• 4 pack of glue sticks
• 1" binder
• 5 pack of dividers
• Zipper pencil pouch for binder
• 1 plastic two-pocket folder for homework
• Planner (optional)
• Reading/Language Arts:
• 2 marble composition notebooks (no spirals; one for library)
• Math:
• 1 1/2" binder (just for math)
• Science:
• 1 notebook (marble composition or spiral notebook)
• History:
• No extra items needed

7th Grade Supply List:

• 2 heavy-duty 3-ring binders (1 for math only, 1 for English, history, and science)
• Highlighters
• Colored pencils
• Pencils/pencil pouch
• Pens
• Notebook Paper
• 1 set of dividers with pockets
• Hand-held pencil sharpener

8th Grade Supply List:

• General Supplies:

• Notebook paper
• One-inch binder (for Science)
• Binder (may share with all other classes)
• Colored pencils
• Pencils
• Highlighters
• Marble composition book
• Graph paper (for Algebra)

Health & PE Supply List (2024-2025):

• Individual water bottle (spill-proof)
• Tennis shoes for PE
• 1 subject notebook
• Personal hygiene items as needed for PE (e.g., deodorant, lotion, hair ties, hair brush)

Mrs. Banfield’s Student Supply List:

• 3-prong folder with 2 inside pockets (for Keyboarding)
• 1-inch binder (for Career Investigations)
• Divider tabs (for Career Investigations)

Mrs. Metts Student Supply List:

• Notebook Paper
• Pencil