The Talon - CMS Newsletter
Volume 1 - Issue 19 - November 10, 2024
A Message from the Principal
To CMS Families,
Fun in Ms. Zirkle's science class!! Mr. Young, our CMS innovation specialist, worked with Ms. Zirkle and her students to help them take a deep dive into atomic structure with the help of mini-robits, as pictured above. Please make sure to read this issue of The Talon so you are update to date on all things Eagle Nation!
I am honored to serve as your principal for the 2024-2025 school year. Not only do I want all Eagles to be successful in the classroom, but I also want every CMS Eagle to be a prepared high school student, and a life-ready adult. I expect all Eagles to be Committed, Motivated, and Successful. I appreciate your time and do not hesitate to email me at jjust@ccps.us or call me at (804) 633-6561 ext 4013 if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Mr. Joshua Just
Principal
Caroline Middle School
(804)633-6561 ext 4013
Attendence Matters at CMS!!
CCPS values your child’s attendance at school. We need your help! Please monitor your child’s attendance and help them obtain a high quality education with their peers in school. Last year, our school’s absenteeism rate was 22%. As we aim to meet the state accreditation standards we want to decrease this number to 15%!! Thank you for your partnership in your child’s education.
CMS Yearbook Info
- *8th Grade ONLY Baby Photo Submission- yearbookordercenter.com (school code: 13407) Deadline to submit January 30th,2025
- Yearbook Photo submission- If you would like to submit photos for consideration in the yearbook please follow the instructions on the website. Photos have to be school appropriate and ONLY middle school students that currently go to CMS. Pictures can be any school activity or sporting event including clubs, field trips, and community events.
Thank you for your help representing as many students as possible this school year! Website: yearbookordercenter.com (school code: 13407) Deadline to Submit March 30th, 2025
FFA Fruit & Nut Sale
Don't forget to get your orders for the annual fruit and nut sale in my next Friday.
Order due by Nov 22nd. Pick up will be the week of Dec 16th.
Checks should be made to CMS FFA.
Online order link below:
NJHS Canned Food Drive
NJHS Students invite you to participate in our 6th annual canned food drive. Our goal is to collect 3,500 non-perishable items for our November community service project. NJHS student leaders will be assembling 25-35 Thanksgiving meal boxes with turkeys for students and families in need this holiday season. We need your support to achieve our goal. All Items are to be dropped off in your A Day homeroom.
Here are some incentives for you to get involved: 1. The class that donates the most canned goods by this Friday, November 22, 2024, will earn a pizza party! 2. Staff members who contribute the most canned goods will be entered into a drawing.
Scholastic Fair Wrap Up
Expectations for all CMS Eagles
Students and families please take a moment to review the following essential information for the upcoming school year:
Events & Activies - CMS offers opportunities for all students to engage in learning and various activities. In order for students to participate in pep rallies, field trips, dances, 8th Grade Promotion, and other events sponsored by CMS, each student must :
Have a passing grade in all core classes (evidence of academic improvement will be used on a case-by-case basis for students who are failing a class) for the current nine weeks
Have no more than three unexcused tardies per nine weeks for any class
Have no more than four unexcused absences per nine weeks for all classes
Have no cell phone/communication device policy violations per nine weeks
Remain in good behavioral standing for the current nine weeks
8th Grade Promotion - Students must pass all core classes for the year in addition to meeting the nine week expectations stated above to participate in the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony.
Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices - At the school board meeting on 7/8/2024, the CCPS school board voted on a new cell phone policy. Students will not be allowed to use or have cell phones and other electronic devices out during the entire school day. Please review the CMS Speciifc Cell expectations Below:
CMS Practice and Procedures for Cell Phones & Electronic Communication Devices
Students will submit cell phones to their homeroom teachers to start each school day. Teachers will store all cell phones in their classroom lockbox.
If a student does not have a cell phone, then they must complete the cell phone disclosure form and return it to the main office for admin review. The cell phone disclosure form may be picked up from Ms. Smith in the main office.
Cell phones will be returned to students after the bus changes are announced during the end of the day homeroom period.
Student Accountability for Cell Phone Violations
If a student does not follow the CCPS/CMS cell phone policy……
Admin will confiscate the cell phone and the parent must pick up the phone or device.
Students are subject to school discipline if they violate the code of conduct by not adhering to the cell phone policy.
Family Emergencies - If parents need to communicate with a student due to an emergency, then families are encouraged to contact the main office.
- Halter tops, tube tops, tanks tops, see-through tops, tops with spaghetti straps, altered t-shirts (sleeves removed), and muscle shirts. Tops must not expose cleavage or the midriff. Sleeveless tops must be 3 inches or more across the shoulder.
- Bicycle/spandex shorts.
- Leggings/Jeggings must be accompanied by a top that covers the front and backside.
- Shorts/skirts/dresses/“skorts” must be at least mid-thigh in length.
- Skirts or dresses with slits must be at least mid-thigh in length.
- Exposed male and female undergarments (top and bottom).
- Holes in pants: Pants with holes/openings may be worn, but they cannot be higher than mid-thigh.
- Pajama pants.
- Flip flops, Heelys (shoes with wheels), bedroom slippers, untied shoes, slides, heels above 2 inches. Flip flops may be worn by secondary school students, but appropriate shoes must be worn when required for participation/enrollment in certain classes/physical activity.
- Hoods or other head wear that cover the face and/or eyes and thus prevents the identification of a student. However, acceptable head cover (except for religious/medical purposes) must be removed due to safety concerns in certain classes such as science labs and CTE.
- Sunglasses, chokers, or chains worn on clothing.
- Nonprescription and/or color contact lenses.
- Rolling backpacks are not permitted in any of the schools, unless there is a legitimate medical need or another legitimate purpose, with prior approval of the principal.
Student Athlete of the Week... Bryson Ellia - 8th grade - Football
Student Athlete of the Week... Summer Terrell - 8th grade - Volleyball
CMS Athletics
Any student trying out for any CMS sport must be in good academic standing in compliance with handbook, section Eligibility and have a valid VHSL Sports Physical dated after May 1, 2024 as well as a after school form turned in, which is valid for the entire year.
Use this link to access the physical form: https://www.vhsl.org/sports-medicine/physical-examination/
Please familiarize yourself with the 2024/2025 Student Athlete - Parent Handbook. https://www.ccps.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2425CMS-Parent_Student-Athlete-Handbook-3.pdf
Important upcoming dates:
November 6 - Fall Banquet 6pm
November 8 - CMS spirit night at CHS football 7pm
November 11 week - Winter Sport Tryouts
November 15 - Fall Dance
November 21 - Basketball season opener
November 23 - Cheer and Dance Expo
December 4 - Wrestling and Swim season opener
December 13 - Fall pep rally
Recent Announcements from CMS Athletics:
Conditioning and tryout dates are updated on the calendar below!
- 5th graders are allowed at CMS Conditioning/off season programs only if registered with Athletic Director. Transportation offered from Elementary to CMS.
- National anthem sign ups for home games will take place in your child's band or chorus class!
CMS Athletic Resources:
- Website Link
- Athletics Calendar
- Please follow Caroline Middle School Athletics on Facebook for all up to date information!!
Please contact Director of student activities, Travis Clark, at Tclark@ccps.us
CMS Clubs and Activities
Session 2 is going on now! They will meet once per week until December 13!
Interested in starting a club? Please contact Tclark@ccps.us to get started!
CMS Club Resources:
Website: https://www.ccps.us/caroline-middle-school-clubs
Please contact Director of Student Activities, Travis Clark, at Tclark@ccps.us
CMS Essential Dates for the 24.25 SY
Here are the dates you need to know for the 24-25 SY at CMS:
- CMS Spirit night @ CHS football game - November 8
- Book Fair - November 11th through November 15th
- Fall Dance - November 15th, 2024
- Winter Pep rally - December 13
- Q2 behavior/expectation event - CMS' got talent - December 20
- 8th Grade Promotion - May 22nd, 2024 - Time and Location TBD
More Dates will be added soon!!!!
Eagle Nation Information Sources
- Caroline County Public Schools Website: http://www.ccps.us/
- CMS Student Dress Code: https://www.ccps.us/dress-code (Will be updated soon)
- Parent Teacher Resource Center: http://prc.blogs.ccps.us/
- PowerSchool Portal: https://caroline.powerschool.com/public/
Email: jjust@ccps.us
Website: https://www.ccps.us/caroline-middle-school
Location: Caroline Middle School, 13325 Devils Three Jump Road, Milford VA 22514
Phone: (804)633-6561
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoaringAtCMS