Cordova MS Cougar Tracks
The CMOS Weekly Parent Newsletter
Week of September 4, 2023 👋
Greetings From The Principal
Greetings Cougar Nation:
I trust that this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to remind you that last year I raised the finger indicating 1. This finger didn't indicate that our school was number 1; it indicated that our school was rated a "Level 1" for student academic growth and achievement. This school year, I can state PROUDLY that our school was rated a LEVEL 5 by the state of Tennessee for academic growth. We were one of 69 schools to achieve a LEVEL 5 rating, and 1 of 3 schools in the district to move from a Level 1 rating to a Level 5 rating. Again, this work could not be done without our hardworking students, our dedicated teachers and support staff, and your motivation of your students daily. We appreciate the work of our community, and now it is our turn to repeat this effort.
This week, I also wanted to take a moment to highlight the significance of students adhering to school expectations for behavior. At CMOS, we are dedicated to providing a safe and conducive learning environment for all of our scholars. Our four schoolwide expectations for behaviors is centered around the concept: P.A.W.S.:
- Practice Respect!
- Act Responsibly!
- Work Together!
- Stay Safe!
Our established school expectations created by our RTI2-B Plan play a vital role in achieving this goal. Here are a few key reasons why they are so important:
- Safety - Our school expectations for discipline are designed to keep our students safe. They cover various aspects, from appropriate classroom conduct to campus security, ensuring that all CMOS scholars are protected at all times.
- Respect and Responsibility - Following rules teachers our scholars the values of respect and responsibility. It helps them understand that their actions have consequences and that they are part of a larger community.
- Academic Success - Structured and consistent expectations is conducive to helping our students AIM HIGH daily. When scholars guide their actions by our expectations, they can focus on their studies and excel academically.
- Preparation for the Future - Committing to our expectations for discipline is a valuable life skill. It prepares students for success in their future endeavors, where adhering to work required guidelines and standards is often a requirement.
- Positive School Culture - A school with students who know and understand these expectations fosters a positive and harmonious culture. This, in turn, enhances the overall education experience for all.
We kindly request your support in reinforcing the importance of following our schoolwide expectations for discipline with your scholar. Encourage open communication about any concerns or questions they may have regarding our expectations. For those scholars who have challenges with meeting our expectations, we will enforce the district discipline guidelines to assist them in correcting their habits for behavior. Together, we can ensure a safe, respectful, and enriching return to our LEVEL 5 status for this school year. Again, thank you for entrusting us with your scholar's education. Your parnership is invaluable in shaping responsible and successful leaders of tomorrow.
Raising the standard of excellence,
Principal Christopher Hardiman
Help Us Celebrate Our LEVEL 5 Achievement!
We AIMED HIGH for Level 5 Status!
Join me in congratulating these teachers for earning Level 5 status for the 22-23 school year!
Join me in congratulating these teachers for earning Level 4 status for the 22-23 school year!
Visit The School Counselors' Website for More Details on Counseling Services!
This Week's Schedule
Monday, September 4, 2023
- No School - Labor Day Holiday
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
- CMOS Girls Soccer v. Kingsbury MS - 5:30 pm - Cordova HS
Wednesday, August 16, 2023 -
- CMOS Football (Away) v. Mt. Pisgah MS - @Cordova HS Stadium - 5:30 pm - Tix $5
- Progress Reports Delivered - we will deliver progress reports to our students. Parents can also check progress reports beginning at 3 pm on PowerSchool.
Thursday, August 17, 2023
- CMOS Girls Soccer v. Kate Bond MS - 5:30 pm - @Kate Bond MS
- Parent Teacher Conferences - 4p - 7 p @CMOS - Please see the announcement below concerning our parent teacher conferences.
Friday, August 18, 2023
- CMOS Volleyball @Treadwell MS - 5:30 pm
- Last Day For Our Spirit Store Sales.
- First Fun Friday Student Food Truck Event - Please see the announcement below concerning this event.
ACTION ITEM - PLEASE COMPLETE THIS TASK, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS!
Parents, if your scholar has not received a 1-to-1 device for the school year yet, it is because you have not completed the eCollect form yet. Sixth grade parents, it is important that you complete this process to ensure that your scholar receives his or her device in the next few weeks. All seventh and eighth grade parents who did not complete the process last school year should do so NOW to ensure their scholar receives a device. Please call the school during normal business hours to ensure your scholar has completed this process.
Upcoming Events
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held at the school this Thursday, September 7, 2023, beginning at 4 pm and ending at 7 pm. As always, we will have food trucks available for you to purchase dinner. We will also have an incentive for our student and parents that show up for parent teacher conferences. A sign up sheet will be emailed on Tuesday for sign ups. Although we encourage parents to sign up for conference, teachers will meet between conferences with parents who walkup for unscheduled meetings.
Progress Reports
Progress Reports will be disseminated through PowerSchool on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. The progress report grades will be available at 3 pm. Printed copies of the progress reports will be available in the main office during regular business hours beginning on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
Spirit Store Sales - Champion Promotions
CMOS, in partnership with Champion Promotions, has created a spirit wear store. A percentage of sale proceeds with benefit our school. Students can buy a short sleeve, long sleeve, or unzipped hooded sweatshirt. These are the only hooded sweatshirts that students can wear to school beginning October 15, 2023 - March 7, 2023. Please use this link to access the store or scan the QR code on this posting.
Three Daily Checks
Parents, scholars are starting to receive their electronic devices. As a practice of habit, please speak with your students about how they aimed high during the school day. In the evening before bed or before coming to school, please ensure: their homework is completed, their electronic device is charged, and check to ensure that the bag contains only school related supplies and materials. You are our first line of defense. We appreciate your assistance with this daily ask.
Expected Student Habits and Expectations!
CMOS Standardized Uniform Dress Code
- Please review this dress code policy with students.
- UNZIPPED HOODED SWEATSHIRTS ARE NOT ALLOWED THIS SCHOOL YEAR!
CMOS Cell Phone Expectations
- All CMOS students must turn in their phones, smartwatches, and Air Pods. The collected electronic devices will be returned after school.
- All CMOS students caught with these items during the school day will receive an appropriate disciplinary consequence.
- All electronic devices will be returned at the end of the school day.
CMOS Backpack Expectations
Backpacks should only be clear or mesh backpacks. No EXCEPTIONS!
Arrival Procedures
- All bus riders should follow the direction of staff once they exit the bus.
- All walkers should enter the main entrance of the school through the Sanga Road entrance.
- All students who are car riders should be dropped off at the main entrance of the school each morning. The main entrance is on Sanga Road.
- Parents should follow the direction of school staff. Please follow the flow of traffic, and do not get out the traffic line to try to leave earlier. We will ensure that the flow of traffic continues to move.
- As you leave the campus, you can only make a RIGHT turn to exit the campus and to return to Sanga Road. You cannot make a LEFT Turn.
- Students can begin entering the building at 7:00 am through the main entrance.
- As students arrive, they should be prepared to go through the security screening process. They should be prepared to have their bags and personal belonging ready to be searched.
- Once they have gone through the security screening process, students can report to homeroom or to the cafeteria for breakfast.
- Please note that breakfast is served in the cafeteria from 7:00 am - 7:20 am.
Dismissal Procedures
- CMOS uses a staggered dismissal to release students in the afternoons. We begin our dismissal process at 2:05 pm.
- Parents of car riders are expected to pick up students using the school driveway. Out of an abundance of caution, please do not park on Sanga Road to pick up students in the afternoon as we want to ensure their safety.
- Walkers will be dismissed with car riders.
- Once dismissed all walkers should exit the campus immediately.
- The school stops student checkouts at 1:30 pm.
- For Aftercare, all Y-CARE students will assemble in the cafeteria at 2:15 pm.
- For all athletes, they will also assemble in the cafeteria at 2:15 pm until their coach picks them up for athletic practice.
- Please note that all students should have left our campus by 2:30 pm. If a student is still waiting for a ride after 2:30 pm, the school will contact parents about ensuring that their student is picked up in a timely fashion.
General Information
- Students will not have a locker this school year.
- All student cell phones, smart watches, and AirPods must be turned in to staff each morning. If students are caught with one or more of these electronic devices, they will receive a disciplinary consequence.
- The school will conduct random unannounced searches to ensure that all student phones are given to school staff upon entrance of the building.
- Students caught with these electronic devices will be given a disciplinary consequence.
- We suggest that students leave their cell phones at home or turn them in because they are a distraction to the learning process. This ensures that all students are focused on rigorous, engaging learning throughout the day.
- All backpack should CLEAR or MESH MATERIAL backpacks.
- All students should have their school supplies by Friday, August 11, 2023. Students can bring their school supplies to their homeroom teachers.
- The school supply lists are below.
- Students should follow the school dress code every day.
- NEW THIS YEAR: Unzipped HOODED SWEATSHIRTS are NOT ALLOWED.
- The CMOS standardized dress code is listed below.
Athletics and Student Organizations
Student and Fan Athletic Events Expectations
Parents and students, there is a new rules for behavior at all Memphis Shelby County Schools athletic events for the 2023-2024 school year. The expectations are listed below in a short video. Please view it with your student. If they do not follow district rules, students can be banned from attending any athletic events for the remainder of the 2023--2024 school year.
Important Documents
Here are important documents needed to assist you for the first day of school.
Connect With Us!
If you need to contact us or need daily updates, please do the following:
Follow us on Facebook: Cordova Middle School
Follow us on Instagram: @cordovams_mscs
Like us on Twitter: @CMOSCougars and @CMOSPrincipal
Email Us: Click Here