Family Weekly Update

Thanks you everyone for a great week. Please remeber Monday there is no school. Enjoy the long weekend!

Thank you,

Gavin Softic (he, him)
Principal
Collins Middle School

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We will be hosting Parent Teacher Conferences on December 4th from 12:20 to 4:35pm and 5:30 - 7:30pm. Conferences have been sent out via ParentSquare.

Join the entire SPS Family Engagement Team on Tuesday, November 26th from 5p-7p
Let's review your child's report card together! We'll cover;

• How to access the report card
• How to understand the grading scale
• Q&A to cover any questions you may have

Light refreshments will be served.
Where? At the Salem Community Life Center
401 Bridge St, Salem, MA 01970
(1st floor)
Scan the QR code below to register, see you there!

Students should have their pass attached to their backpacks or in a place that is easily accessible. Bus riders who do not have a bus pass should contact the Transportation Office as soon as possible and we will replace it. Contact jbarros@salemk12.org with questions.

Please remind your student that they need to have bus passes with them to get on the bus. This is a safety concern. We know there are time students forget their passes, but please help us in making this a consistent routine.

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• Boys Basketball Tryouts on Monday and Tuesday November 18th and 19th
• Girls Basketball Tryouts Wednesday and Thursday November 20th and 21st
• If we need a 3rd/4th date after we cut down the team, boys will have final tryouts Monday November 25th and Tuesday November 26th.
• Tryout times are from 3:25-4:30 as the late bus comes at 4:40.

Jr. Celtics sign-up is now open! Please see the attached flyer for more details.
This year, more than any other, league organizers are stressing the importance of participant dedication! If your child intends to play, they need to make a commitment to remain and participate for the entire length of the season. It becomes a challenge for organizers/ coaches to carry out the season if kids drop out of the league. It also affects their teammates ability to play or win games.
And as always, transportation is not provided. Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation.

8th Grade Opt-in Overnight Trip!

We're going to New York City! May 29-30, 2025!

As the weather is getting colder, please remember to dress warmly. We will still be going outside for recess, so it’s important to wear coats, hats, gloves, and other appropriate clothing.

If you are in need of any warm clothing, such as coats, please let us know. We're happy to assist!

If you are looking for after-school programming for your student, please let us know. There are several clubs, activities, and programs available for middle school-aged students.

We’re happy to help you find the right fit!

jhrodriguez@salemk12.or csakelakis@salemk12.org

• Free Resources for Parents and Caregivers: Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is continuing to sponsor a free Parenting Solutions Library. MPY is offering this valuable resource in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit organization located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Through this partnership, MPY is providing proven resources to help students’ families thrive. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. The Parenting Solutions Library is easily accessed using the link on MPY’s home page. No log in or passcode is needed. Please share with your PTOs and in your newsletters. For convenience, they have created this handout. Please contact MPY.

We hope this message finds you well! As we embark on another exciting school year, we want to extend an invitation for you to join our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). This year, we have a strong representation of 8th grade parents, and we are eager to continue building our PTO with fresh ideas and enthusiastic involvement.

Our PTO plays a crucial role in supporting our school community, organizing events, and fostering a positive environment for our students. We believe that every voice matters, and we would love to have more families involved in shaping the future of our organization.

If you're interested in joining us or would like to learn more about how you can contribute, please reach out to Gavin Softic at gsoftic@salemk12.org. Your involvement can make a significant difference!

Come and Support CMS! Meetings:

• Nov 19th 630pm
• Dec 17th 630pm
• Jan 21st 630pm
• Feb 25th 630pm
• March 18th 630pm
• April 15th 630pm
• May 20th 630pm
• June 17th 630pm

We are excited to announce that on November 14th, we will be hosting a Community Thanksgiving Dinner for all families! This event is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together, share a meal, and celebrate the spirit of community.

We hope everyone can attend and enjoy this time together. As we get closer to the date, we will share more details about the dinner, including how to RSVP and any other information you may need.

Thank you for being a part of our community, and we look forward to celebrating with you!

If you need assistance with the ASPEN Parent Portal please contact our family engagement facilitator, Malcolm Pimentel. mpimentel@salemk12.org

Technology Family Resources

The goal of this document is to support families, staff, and students in outlining clear and consistent expectations for the Collins Middle School.

We recognize that clarity is necessary in setting a strong foundation for the positive school culture and climate at Collins Middle School. Collins Middle School is committed to providing an equitable environment for all students, and to ensuring that all students are able to access their right to a free appropriate public education. For this reason, it is vital that students and families understand the rights and responsibilities of a student of Collins Middle School. For a full overview of the areas addressed below, please refer to the Collins Middle School Handbook, which is in adherence to the Salem Public Schools Code of Conduct.

This document provides an overview of our expectations and provides details on our response to infractions in the event that situations arise over the course of the school year.

CMS School-Based Rules and Agreements

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557372650897

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollinsMiddleSchoolSalemMA/

Instagram: Cmshappenings

Website: spscollins.salemk12.org