Principal P's Friday Message

CMS Mission

Camillus Middle School staff consistently builds strong, supportive relationships with students and families to foster a respectful and inclusive learning environment in order for all students to achieve their highest academic and social-emotional potential

CMS Vision

“Camillus Middle School continues to focus on improving the educational opportunities, academic performance, and social-emotional well-being of every student.”

Dear CMS Families,

We are excited to welcome you to Curriculum Night next Thursday! Earlier this week, you should have received information by mail, including a detailed schedule of Team and Department presentations, along with teacher classroom locations. Additionally, we sent out a letter about our upcoming One Book, One School event, which begins on September 30.

All students will receive a copy of Ghost by Jason Reynolds in their homeroom. At Curriculum Night, we will have some extra copies available for any parents, guardians, or caregivers who would like to participate in our community-wide reading of Ghost. These will be available in the library.

As a school, we’ll be exploring the book across different subjects through activities tied to its themes. This includes a mile run in PE classes that focuses on goal-setting, perseverance, and building resilience. Inspired by Ghost, we are also organizing a used sneaker drive to support Collection bins for used sneaker donations will be located outside the cafeteria, in the gym, and by the main office. Let's try to get over 250 pairs of used sneakers donated.

We look forward to seeing you at Curriculum Night and sharing these meaningful experiences with our school community!

Better Together,

Ms. P

Phone: 315-672-3159

Email: jprzybylski@westgenesee.org

Instagram @Camillus_Middle

Emergency Drills

We have completed two evacuation drills so far. Over the next few weeks there will be additional evacuation drills and a lockdown drill.

Wildcat Words Vocabulary

As part of our commitment to enhancing our students' language skills, the teachers and staff at CMS have carefully selected 40 tier-two vocabulary words that will be introduced and reinforced throughout the school year. These "Wildcat Words" are important, versatile terms that students will encounter across various subjects in their daily academic lives and their future life experiences.

Key points about the Wildcat Words Vocabulary:

1. Students will work on mastering these 40 words as part of a building-wide challenge.

2. Each week, a new word will be introduced on Monday and Tuesday during school announcements.

3. The announcements will include the word of the week, its definition, and a sentence demonstrating its use.

4. Students will work with the words to “own” them throughout the school year. “Owning a word” typically means that students will not only be able to understand the word and its definition, but students will also be able to use them in their writing and in conversation consistently throughout the school year.

We believe this program will significantly boost our students' vocabulary and improve their overall communication skills. We encourage you to engage with your child about these words at home to reinforce their learning.

The links below will give you access to the list for both 7th and 8th grade:

Grade 7 Wildcat Words List 2024 - 2025

Grade 8 Wildcat Words List 2024 - 2025

Thank you for your continued support in your child's education.

Picture Day

Picture day is September 24. Order forms were sent home in the summer mailer. You can also go to the website to order https://www.upstate-images.com/ The code to order with is CamillusMS24.

ParentSquare Attendance Absence Submission

As of Monday, September 16, 2024, you can submit your child’s absence reason through ParentSquare. You must wait for a notification from ParentSquare (via text, app notification or email) confirming your child’s absence before providing the reason.

You have until the end of the school day to submit the reason via ParentSquare. If you miss this deadline, please contact the school directly or send a note with your child.

From the Website:

• Click “Send Note to School”

• Enter the reason for the absence

• Click submit to send it directly to your school’s attendance office

From the App:

• Click “Send Note to School”

• Enter the reason for the absence

• Click submit to send it directly to your school’s attendance office

*Please note the notifications times:

• Grades 5 - 12 - 8:45 - 9:00 AM

• Grades K - 4 - 10:30 - 10:45 AM

Click here for a printable version (PDF) from the website.

Picking Up Early

If your child is being picked up early from school please send in a note or call the attendance office. 315-672-3426. When picking up your child you will need to come to the main office to be checked in and then you will sign your child out in the health/attendance office.

Dropping off items

If you need to drop something off please come to the main office. There is a table and sticky notes in the foyer to label and leave items. Food from restaurants can not be dropped off.

Join the Camillus Middle School PTO

The CMS PTO continues to support our students, staff and our community. Events we have sponsored and are planning include:

• Back to School Picnic 8/27/24

• Student Dances

• Thanksgiving meals for CMS families

• 3v3 Basketball Tournament

• Scholarships for WGHS students

• Book Fair

• Scholarships to the Seabreeze Field Trip

• Staff Appreciation

• End of Year Celebration

100% of your membership goes back to the PTO to support these projects and more. We cannot fund these activities without your membership and support.

Please join online at https://camillus-middle-pto.cheddarup.com

Membership is only 10$. Anyone in the family and CMS staff can join.

Additional donations to support our students are always welcomed and greatly appreciated via Cheddar Up.

Follow us on Facebook: Camillus Middle School PTO

Contact us with questions: wgcmspto@westgenesee.org

September 24

Picture Day

September 26

Curriculum Night

6:00 PM- 7:30 PM

• Be Safe:

• Walk in the hallways and when entering and exiting the building

• Practice safe use of technology

• Maintain personal space and boundaries

• Make sure adults know where you are

• Be Responsible:

• Take ownership and pride in your work.

• Be on time, prepared, organized, and productive.

• Attend school regularly

• Seek help if you need support.

• Be Respectful:

• Respect others’ belongings

• Follow school and classroom expectations

• Speak appropriately to peers and staff

• Be open-minded to individual differences

• Follow directions

• Take care of school property.

• Be Kind:

• Include everyone - no one gets left out

• Encourage and help others

• Treat others the way they want to be treated.

• Do a good deed

Each month students who are caught in the act of being safe, respectful, responsible and kind will receive a "Better Together Ticket". Students who turn their ticket into the main office will receive a pass to attend a monthly celebration during WIN time. Be the reason we are Better Together at CMS! Keep spreading positivity and leading by example!

Clubs will meet after school on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 2:15 and 2:45. Late buses are available after September 30. If you have questions about a specific club, please contact the club advisors. Contact information is provided here. I have attached a PDF below as well.

Upcoming Meeting Dates:

October 1

🎮ESports (Room 8)

Ski Club Meeting

🏳️‍🌈SAGA/ Pride (Room 122)

🎶Select Chorus (Room 123)

October 3

🎮ESports (Room 8)

🎣 Angler Club (Room 113 )

📚Yearbook (Room 119)

October 4

💛Better Together (Rm 217)

The West Genesee School District has a Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association (SEPTSA), designed to help parents advocate for special needs students and offers a forum for parents, teachers, and students to exchange information on many pressing issues in special education. Membership is open to any interested parent, teacher, or student. We offer regular meetings with speakers, workshops, and events. More information is available at https://www.westgenesee.org/district-services/parent-resources/septsa

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

To learn more check out the link below.

National Hispanic Heritage Month