The Bird Nest

As we embark on the second quarter, we want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication our students and teachers have shown so far this year. With upcoming district assessments on the horizon, both students and staff are focused on reviewing key concepts and reinforcing skills learned in the first quarter. We encourage students to stay engaged, ask questions, and make use of available resources as they prepare.

We’re also excited to announce that winter sports are kicking off their seasons! We look forward to the girls’ and boys’ basketball games this winter and encourage our community to come out and support our teams. Additionally, archery tryouts will be held in December, and more information about this will be shared soon.

In addition to sports, the Leadership Class is planning an upcoming winter sports pep assembly and a winter dance later in December, so stay tuned for more details! We’re also thrilled to share that the Drama Club will be hosting their Semester 1 play in December, showcasing the talent and creativity of our students.

Thank you for your continued support, and let’s make this quarter a great one!

Justin Sullivan

Principal,

Grades 6-8

sullivanj@cleverbluejays.org

417-743-4820

Our Veterans Day Assembly was a heartwarming tribute to honor those who have served our country. A special thank you to Mrs. Tharp and her 4th and 5th-grade students for sharing their musical talents, creating a memorable experience for all. We’d also like to recognize Mrs. Sisk and the 8th-grade band for their outstanding performance. Additionally, a heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Kerin Hatch for dedicating her time to make the beautiful honor quilts, adding a special touch to the event. Most importantly, thank you to the veterans for their service and dedication to our country. Your sacrifices are deeply appreciated. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this assembly so impactful!

We are thrilled to celebrate our middle school students who excelled in academics during Quarter 1! Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to learning have truly paid off, and we are incredibly proud of their accomplishments. This recognition reflects not only outstanding grades but also consistent effort and resilience in all their classes. Congratulations to each student for setting such a high standard of excellence in our school community! Keep up the great work!

We’re excited to recognize our middle school students with outstanding attendance! Students who achieved 95% or higher attendance earned a special “Treat or Treat” ticket, which they can use to enjoy a snack and ice cream during lunch. Thank you for showing up every day and making each moment count—your commitment to learning is truly valued!

Our Middle School and High School Counselors will be presenting Signs of Suicide training to all of our 6th-12th grade students throughout the month of November. This curriculum strives to teach students:

• That depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help.
• How to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend.
• To ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend.
• Who they can turn to at school for help.

This infographic highlights some key points for parents and caregivers as students are completing their training. For additional information or questions, please visit Novembers Mental Health Matters Newsletter or reach out to Mrs. Casey at caseyl@cleverbluejays.org, 417-221-7867 or in Rooms.

We are excited to announce that the 2023-2024 yearbooks will be delivered after Thanksgiving break! Keep an eye out as we look forward to sharing memories from last year.

In addition, you can now pre-order your 2024-2025 yearbook! Simply visit the Jostens website to reserve a copy and ensure you don’t miss out on capturing this year’s highlights.

As we prepare for the possibility of Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) days, we want to ensure that students are equipped to continue their learning from home. In the event of an AMI day, your student will bring home a packet with assignments to complete. These assignments are designed to reinforce and extend the skills they have been working on in class and are an important part of our instructional plan to prevent learning interruptions.

Please encourage your student to complete the assignments to the best of their ability. If any questions arise, teachers will be available via email to provide support. Completed work should be returned to school on the next in-person day.

For more details on AMI expectations and grading, please view the link below.

Thank you for partnering with us to support your student’s learning, regardless of the setting!

Our Middle School Leadership U class is making an incredible impact by supporting K-5 teachers and staff. These student leaders dedicate their time to assisting with various classroom and administrative tasks, including tutoring younger students and helping with classroom activities. Not only are they providing valuable support to our elementary school, but they’re also gaining real-world experience in responsibility, teamwork, and service. Their commitment helps our school community thrive and showcases the power of mentorship and leadership in action. Thank you to our Leadership U students for all they do!

We are thrilled to announce the winners of our inaugural "Leader Slips" drawing! This new initiative is designed to recognize and celebrate students who exemplify respect, responsibility, and leadership within our school community.

Teachers are actively awarding Leader Slips to students who demonstrate these exceptional qualities in their daily actions. Each slip serves as a tangible acknowledgment of their positive contributions and leadership roles within the school.

Students who earn a Leader Slip not only receive a special treat but are also entered into our monthly prize drawings. Additionally, we will spotlight one outstanding Leader of the Month from each grade level, who will be honored with a special lunch with the principal off-campus—a unique opportunity to celebrate their achievements in a personal setting.

We encourage all students to continue striving for excellence in their behavior and interactions, and we look forward to celebrating more accomplishments in the future. Stay tuned for more Leader Slip winners and the positive impact they will have on our school environment!

Get ready to experience a fresh take on a classic tale with our upcoming drama production of Wizard of Oz: The Deleted Scene by Eddie McPherson!

Mark your calendars for two performances on December 8th—a matinee at 2 PM and an evening show at 7 PM.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for kids under 12, and free for children under 5.

Don’t miss this exciting twist on Oz, brought to life by our talented Drama Club students!

Every two weeks, we are excited to highlight the incredible activities and achievements of our students and athletes. From academic accomplishments to athletic excellence, we recognize the hard work and dedication of our school community. This initiative is also part of our commitment to the OKJ Recognition Program, which honors those who embody our school values. Join us in celebrating the diverse talents and efforts of our students as they shine both in the classroom and on the field!

Part of our mission at CMS is to keep students and parents up to date with important information. This year we will be using various platforms to help achieve this mission.

• Email - It is important that you have an updated email on file with the school office. Most often communication will be done using email.

• Facebook - Like the Clever Schools 6-8 page

• Rooms - Rooms is a new communicaiton application the district will be using. Information will be sent out via text messages and emails leading up to the start of school.

• Canvas - Students will use Canvas on a daily basis for completing assignments; parents have the opportunity to create an observer account that is linked to their child's account.

• Lumen Touch Parent Portal - We encourage you to create an account to access and view student information at any time.

Clever Schools is implementing a Technology User Fee for grades K-8.

The Technology User Fee will be $25 for each student, we will be pushing out invoices for this through MySchoolBucks, https://login.myschoolbucks.com/, which is used to pay your lunch balances. Please watch your email for the invoices to come out.

This fee can be paid over the next 7 months if needed, you will be able to make partial payments until December 31, 2024.

Rooms: Clever Middle School 6-8

Website: www.cleverbluejays.org
Location: 103 S Public Ave, Clever, MO, USA
Phone: 417-743-4820
Facebook: facebook.com/Clever6-8