Dear CMS Families!

There’s a change in the air! Summer is winding down, and the feeling of fall is so close, you can almost taste it. 🍂

We’re happy to announce the launch of our Spirit Wear Store! Wearing school merch is a great way to show off school spirit and create a strong sense of pride and belonging. It’s all about making everyone feel like part of something special. Soon, we’ll be showing off our school pride together!

Join us for our first PTA meeting on Tuesday, September 17th at 5:30 p.m.. Plus, if you know anyone who needs to register to vote in the upcoming November election, we’ll have a voter registration table available. The deadline to register to vote in Texas is October 7th. We hope to see you there!

CMS will host its first Scholastic Book Fair in the library starting on Monday, September 23. As there are no library aides in the district, we’re asking for parent volunteers to help with the book fair. If you can assist before school (7:45-8:30 a.m.) or during the day for a class period, please sign up here.

Thanks so much for being part of the PTA and supporting our school and students! We really appreciate everything you!

Calhoun MS PTA President

Lilliana Wright

This year, we’ve teamed up with local screen printer Lantern Ink to bring you some awesome spirit wear! You’ll have options when it comes to shirt selection—Gildan tees will be priced differently than BELLA & CANVAS tees, so you can choose your favorite. You can order and pay directly through their website, which was created just for us, and they’ll deliver your items to Calhoun Middle School at no extra cost. PTA will then distribute the merch to your child. If you prefer home delivery, that’s available for an additional shipping fee. There will be a set window for ordering, but don’t worry if you miss it—the store will reopen later for more orders

We can’t wait to see everyone rocking the new drip!

"Accepting imPerfection" means understanding that nobody is perfect—and that's okay! It’s about learning from mistakes and setbacks, and using them as opportunities to grow. Instead of getting frustrated when things don’t go as planned, we see challenges as ways to improve. By accepting our own imperfections and those of others, we become more open-minded and caring—two important IB learner profiles. This helps us build a strong, supportive community where we all grow together.

Accepting imperfections also develops other key IB traits like being reflective, so we can learn from our experiences, and being principled, allowing us to be honest with ourselves and others. These qualities help us become risk-takers, unafraid to try new things even if we're unsure of the outcome, and more balanced, understanding that progress matters more than perfection.

Simply put, progress beats perfection every time, and you're perfectly imperfect. May you be inspired to be creative and submit your interpretation of "Accepting imPerfection!"

Entry Guidelines:

• Theme: Artwork must reflect the theme "Accepting Imperfections."
• Categories: Visual Arts, Literature, Photography, Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Film Production.
• Originality: All entries must be original, created solely by the student.
• Submission: SUBMISSION DUE DATE IS OCTOBER 30, 2024. Entries may be submitted digitally.

General Rules:

• Medium Requirements: Each category has unique requirements for file types and sizes. (e.g., photography must be high-resolution JPG/PNG).
• Artist’s Statement: Include a 50–100-word artist statement explaining how the work relates to the theme.
• No Group Projects: All entries must be individual efforts.

Judging Criteria:

• Interpretation of Theme: How well the theme is expressed in both the artwork and the artist’s statement.
• Creativity: Originality, expression, and unique perspective.
• Technique: Level of skill demonstrated through the medium used.

CMS will host its first Scholastic Book Fair in the library starting on Monday, September 23, and it will run throughout the week. Students can preview books and set up their EWALLET via the provided link to shop without needing cash. Calhoun families that would be able to volunteer to assist Ms. Hill can sign up here.

Our first Coffee Walk was a hit! It’s so nice to all be in one building under one roof, with the bonus of an indoor-access elevator. If you’d like to join the fun, check out the Sign-Up Genius attached to volunteer as a barista on campus. Coffee Walk will be held the first Thursday of each month—just remember "Thirst Thursday"!

We could use donations of cold brew coffee and creamers each month. If you'd like to contribute, please sign up using the Sign-Up Genius link.

We received about $140 in donations from our generous PTA community—just one dollar shy of what was needed to purchase non-perishable supplies! 🤛 Thank you for your continued support in making our teachers feel appreciated!

We love you a latte,

The CMS PTA

At our first in-person General PTA Meeting on September 17th, Ms. Amy Taylor will speak regarding charges or "issues" set before the 89th legislative session and how it affects teachers, students, and families. We will also have a voter registration table set up.

More information and details to come!

Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that honors and celebrates the cultures, histories, and contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples. It serves as a recognition of their resilience, rich traditions, and the injustices they have faced throughout history, particularly due to colonization. Observed on the second Monday in October, it was established as an alternative to Columbus Day, seeking to shift focus from celebrating Christopher Columbus to acknowledging the significance of Indigenous communities in shaping the history and identity of the Americas.

We invite you to join Calhoun MS PTA ( Dads too!) and become an integral part of our school community! Your membership helps us support our students, teachers, and school programs. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference and helps create a stronger, more vibrant community. Whether you're interested in volunteering, sharing ideas, or supporting events, there's a place for everyone. We look forward to having you on board!

We have several exciting events planned this school year that will need the help of volunteers from our school community. Our goal is to offer our teachers a monthly snack or treat, along with our regular Coffee Walks. Additionally, we’ll be hosting several dances and running concession in the evenings for CMS Ladies Volleyball and CMS Boys Basketball in the fall. If you’re able to volunteer, we’d love to have your support!

Email: info@calhounpta.org
Website: www.calhounpta.org