Dear CRMS Families,

We hope you’ve stayed safe and warm during this unexpected snowy week! Missing a week of school after a two-week Winter Break can present unique challenges as students transition back into their routines. Here are some tips to help your child prepare for their return to school:

1. Reset Routines: Encourage your child to re-establish their school-night routines, including regular bedtimes and morning schedules, to ensure they’re well-rested and ready to learn.
2. Organize Materials: Help them gather and and in some cases, find, their laptops and briefcases and Yondr pouches.
3. Review and Reflect: Spend some time reviewing some notes and other assignments so students don't come back totally unprepared for the expectations. School is still school and learning still needs to move forward. Even a quick review can refresh their memory and build confidence for upcoming classes.

As we approach the end of the second quarter and first semester, it’s also important to encourage students to finish strong in their classes. Here are some ways you can support them:

• Set Goals: Encourage your child to set specific, achievable goals for completing assignments and studying for tests.
• Monitor Progress: Check in with them about their grades and assignments on PowerSchool, and help them prioritize tasks that need extra attention.
• Celebrate Effort: Recognize the hard work they’ve put in so far and remind them that perseverance and effort are key to success. And encourage them to meet always strive to meet their fullest potential.

The transition back may take some time, but with a little preparation and encouragement, we’re confident our students will be ready to finish the quarter strong. Thank you for your continued support in helping your child succeed!

Take Care. Be Well.

Dr. Yolanda Holloway

#BeAPowerPlayer

January 20th--No School (Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday)

January 21st--Rescheduled School Board Meeting @6pm

January 24th--Half day for students/ End of 2nd Qtr.

January 27th--No School for Students/Professional Development Day

January 28th--Beginning of 3rd Quarter (2nd Semester Begins)

January 31st-- Report Cards Issued (Check Powerschool)

February 14th--Half Day for Students/ Professional Development Day

February 17th--President's Day (Schools Closed)

For students, parents, teachers, and staff of South Asian ancestry,

The Maryland Governor's Commission on South Asian American Affairs is committed to supporting the educational success and growth of our community. We would love to hear about your experiences and perspectives on education. Your valuable input will help us develop initiatives and strategies to better support students, families, and educators in the South Asian American community across Maryland and ensure that no one is left behind. After inputting your responses, please remember to click "Submit" to have your responses submitted anonymously.

Please click here to complete the survey.

Survey link: https://forms.office.com/r/vCLGkeweWM

Click here for more information on the Commission.

Starting November 1, 2024, CCPS will begin to obligate students for damaged and missing technology equipment. The CCPS Student Technology Obligation Program is designed to promote students' responsible use of technology and reduce damage costs through a tier-based pricing system. This program aligns with the Technology Obligation Regulation (Reference: III.31.71R) and the CCPS Terms of Use Agreement governing the use of technology by students.

What to discuss with your child's school counselor:

• Academic performance: Concerns about grades, study habits, or learning difficulties.

• Social behavior: Issues with peers, bullying, or social isolation.

• Emotional well-being: Anxiety, depression, stress, or mood swings.

• Family situations: Significant life changes that might impact your child's school performance.

• College and career planning: Guidance on course selection, applications, and future career paths.

How to approach the conversation:

• Schedule a meeting: Contact the counselor to set up a convenient time to meet in person or over the phone.

• Introduce yourself: Briefly state who you are and why you're reaching out.

• Express your concerns: Clearly explain what you've observed and why you're seeking support.

• Listen actively: Pay attention to the counselor's feedback and ask questions to clarify any points.

Missing 10% of school at any point in the school year. For example, if we have been in school for 60 days and your student has missed 6 of those days (even with a note), the state considers that student to be chronically absent.

It's snowed. Some of us were brought up to believe that "a good snow can kill some of these germs going around." Maybe it does...We hope! In the event that all of the icky germs and viruses have not been frozen away after this big snow, please consider the following as we attempt to get all of our students back into the habit of coming to school regularly, especially during winter's harsh conditions.

Please join Caroline Better Together for their Mid-Winter Community Check-In on Wednesday, Jan 22nd at St. Luke's Church in Denton!

This first Community Dinner and Conversation of 2025 will feature updates from our collective impact action teams already working on specific projects to improve life in Caroline County. We’ll have conversations about how you can get involved in creating the positive changes you want for your neighborhood, town and county. Together we will try to envision what we want living in Caroline to be like by 2030 and discuss what needs to happen to make this vision a reality.

As always, dinner starts at 5:30pm, followed by conversation until 7:30pm! RSVPs are appreciated but not required. To RSVP use this link: bit.ly/CBTDinner, or the QR code on the graphic.

Need to provide or update your student's information? Parent/Guardians should use the Year Round Form, also in the parent portal in PowerSchool.

Visit carolinecps.powerschool.com and log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal. (You must log in via a browser, not the app.)

From the Parent Portal:

1. Select the student you wish to update along the top.

2. Select the Student Information Update form icon on the left side for the applicable school year.

3. Verify the student's date of birth.

4. Select ‘Begin Form’.

If you are unable to access either form, please contact the school to update your child's information. This information is also available on the district website.

CCPS is committed to providing a safe, respectful, nurturing educational environment where the worth and dignity of individuals are valued and their safety and rights are protected. Behaviors that compromise this environment, interfere with school operations or are otherwise contrary to the basic mission of our public schools will not be tolerated. Bullying, hazing, harassment or other discrimination affecting a student or a staff member should be reported by a victim, parent/guardian, witness, staff member or other person having knowledge.

Staff members with knowledge of such conduct are required to promptly report it to the building principal.

Mr. Eric (Neil) Lambert, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Tricia Bolduc, School Counselor 8th grade and 7th grade Last Names A-L

Mr. Michael Tyndall, School Counselor 6th grade and 7th grade Last Names M-Z

Mrs. Jane Towers, Enrollment & Attendance Secretary

Ms. Kiesha Hynson, Administrative Secretary

Email: holloway.yolanda@ccpsstaff.org
Website: https://www.colonelrichardsonms.org/
Phone: 410-479-1462
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Colonel-Richardson-Middle-School-329879580517088