CMS Knightly News

Email: cms@matsuk12.us
Website: matsuk12.us/cms
Location: 9250 East Bogard Road, Palmer, AK
Phone: (907) 761-1500

May 7th - Step Up Step Down - for 8th grade students

May 9th - "Wolf Tale Blues & Big Bad" Play at CMS @7:00 pm

May 10th - "Wolf Tale Blues & Big Bad" Play at CMS @7:00 pm

May 12th - Music Awards Banquet at CMS - 6:00 - 8:00

May 20th - 8th Grade Promotion 12:00 - 1:00 at CMS

May 21st - Last Day of School for students

From the Principal’s Desk

As I write this we are exactly 3 weeks away from the end of the 24-25 school year. That is 15 school days to wrap up class work, celebrate successes, and sail off into summer! CMS 8th graders are preparing to head off to high school while our 6th and 7th graders are getting ready to step up and become the new student-leaders at CMS. The end of the school year is a special time in schools…and a good time to stop and reflect. It has been a great school year at Colony Middle! CMS has continued to see student excelling academically and the numbers of students participating in co-curricular activities continuing to increase. We continue to have the highest number of advanced classes and early high school credit opportunities in our school district. We also offer the highest number of co-curricular activities…56 at last count! It is always nice to finish the year on a strong note and with the winds in our sails as we start summer. That brings me to the last item I’d like to write about. Next week, May 5th to 9th, is Teacher Appreciation Week and I would like to ask everyone to stop and send a short thank you to a CMS staff member who made a positive difference for your student this year. The CMS staff is without a doubt the most dedicated group of educators that I have had the privilege to work with in my 20+ years in education. They support students each and every day in our classrooms and give up huge amounts of time to sponsor our clubs, sports, and activities. Those 56 different clubs, sports, and activities simply would not happen without supportive adults willing to give of their time. Please consider sending a short note helping to show the positive difference CMS staff members make. We have a form that we have created on the CMS website to help with this. It can also be accessed at the following link:

Simply select link, type in a short message. The CMS front office will print and deliver the message for you. Thank you for your time it really does make a huge difference for teachers.

In the 15 days that remain, please don’t hesitate to reach out if there is anything that CMS can do to support your student in finishing the year. We wish you all a fantastic summer vacation. As always, thank you for your support for CMS as we work to deliver excellence for every student…every day.

Sincerely,

John Gardner

Principal -- CMS

Head to our CMS webpage for more information from our Athletics & Activities Department, the Library and our Counselors! In the top right hand corner of our page be sure to click on the grey square box with the three lines for more links to important and up to date information.

Bus passes are required for students to ride an unassigned bus or to disembark at an unassigned stop. Bus passes are issued at the school office and require a note or email from the parent/guardian. Please include bus number and stop description. You may email the CMS Secretaries at carrie.holmes@matsuk12.us or brenda.kennedy@matsuk12.us or send a note with your student.

The front office is very busy at the end of the day so we appreciate you notifying us early as to changes in your student's after school transportation. Thank You.

If a student has already boarded the Bus for the evening, parents need to call the Front Office to request their student be released from the Bus. For safety reasons, students are not allowed off the Bus without notification from the Office.

Attention Colony Middle School families! Don't forget to check our Lost and Found for any missing items. Unclaimed belongings will be donated at the end of the school year, so swing by and take a look! Your lost treasure might just be waiting for you!"

For the latest information on SPORTS game schedules and news please click here to navigate our Athletics page for up to date schedules and information. GO KNIGHTS!

Just a quick reminder: if your student plans to participate in any sports this season, please be sure to register them on BigTeams before the start date. By doing this, your child’s name will be included on the sports roster, which will help keep everything running smoothly.

If you need any help with the registration process, feel free to reach out at 761-1500.

Thank You!

7th Grade Families!

We are excited to share a fantastic opportunity for our 8th-grade students to earn high school credit by taking classes at Colony High School. Next door, they can participate in advanced courses such as:

• Algebra 2

• AP Human Geography

• English 2

• Army JROTC

Each course provides a head start on their high school journey, enhancing their academic experiences and preparing them for future success.

For detailed information about these classes, please visit our website.

If you want to enroll your student in one of these classes, kindly complete this Google Form.

If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to your student’s counselor. You may also access the CMS Counselors webpage here.

Kleigh Anderton

Counselor A - J

Kleigh.anderton@matsuk12.us

(907) 761-1526

Ryan Parker

Counselor K - Z

Ryan.parker@matsuk12.us

(907) 761-1528

CMS Counseling Department

Dreaming of an unforgettable adventure?

If you missed out on our trip to Spain, don’t worry! We have an exciting new opportunity for you. Picture yourself exploring Venice, Florence, Rome, and the stunning Sorrento region during Spring Break 2026!

We can’t wait to share the details of this incredible journey, planned in partnership with EF Tours, our trusted educational travel partner.

For more information contact: marcie.zimmerman@matsuk12.us

Students that stay after school for an event or extra-curricular activity, need to be picked up no later than 15 minutes after the activity ends. It is imperative for supervision purposes that students be picked up on time. Please notify the office/coach/administration if you have any questions regarding this policy.

Students may enter the building at 7:15 am and wait in the lobby until the 7:30 bell rings. (For PLC Mondays, students may enter the building at 8:15 and wait in the lobby until the 8:30 bell rings). If your student eats breakfast at school, they should go directly to the kitchen downstairs to get their breakfast and eat in the cafeteria.

Students being picked up at the end of the school day should be picked up no later than 2:25 pm. Thank You!

Students can be dropped off in the drop-off lane in front or back of the school or parking area. Please refer to the map below. The drop-off lane in the back of the school is a great option for a faster and less congested transition. As always, please follow the directional arrows and watch for pedestrians as you navigate our parking area. Thank You for keeping everyone safe.

We have an exciting announcement for all the parents and families of Colony Middle School. Have you heard about our Facebook page? If not, now is the perfect time to hit that "Follow" button!

By following Colony Middle School on Facebook, you'll never miss out on our vibrant school community's latest updates, news, and happenings. We're constantly posting about the incredible events taking place at CMS, ensuring you stay in the loop.

From student achievements and extracurricular activities to important reminders and upcoming events, our Facebook page is your go-to source for all things Colony Middle School. It's a fantastic way to stay connected and engaged with our school's journey.

So go ahead and give us a follow on Facebook! Join our online community and be a part of the excitement. We can't wait to keep you informed and share the wonderful experiences happening at Colony Middle School.

See you on Facebook!