Notes from the Middle

Principal - Mr. Adam Tomco

Asst. Principal - Ms. Tracy Paroubek

School Nurse - Mrs. Jennifer Trittschuh

Secretary - Mrs. Diana Norris

Building Clerk - Mrs. Dana Shutty

Clerical Assistant - Mrs. Elaine Cressman

Library/Technology - Mrs. Nancy McFaul

ATTENDANCE LINE: 440-285-4062

Email: adam.tomco@chardonschools.org
Website: www.chardonschools.org
Location: 424 North Street, Chardon, OH, USA
Phone: 440-285-4057

ONLY TWO WEEKS LEFT IN THE 1st QUARTER. As we enter these final two weeks of the first quarter, I want to encourage your child to stay focused, ask questions, seek help when needed, and continue giving their best effort in all their endeavors. Remember, the first quarter is just the beginning of an exciting academic journey, and there are many more opportunities ahead for growth and achievement. We look forward to celebrating the successes of this quarter and setting new goals for the next.

CELL PHONES

After an increase in cell phone usage over the past few weeks, I wanted to remind all parents/guardians about CMS's cell phone guidelines as outlined in the Student Handbook. BIg ideas from the Handbook:

"While students may possess PCDs in school, on school property, during after-school activities (e.g., extra-curricular activities), and at school-related functions, they must be stored out of sight during school hours during after-school activities (e.g., extra-curricular activities), and on school buses or other Board-provided vehicles."

"Using a PCD to capture, record, and/or transmit audio and/or pictures/video of an individual without proper consent is considered an invasion of privacy and is not permitted. Students who violate this provision and/or use a PCD to violate the privacy rights of another person may have their PCD confiscated and held until a parent/guardian picks it up, and may be directed to delete the audio and/or picture/video file while the parent/guardian is present. If the violation involves potentially illegal activity, the confiscated PCD may be turned over to law enforcement."

I kindly request that parents and guardians review these expectations with their children and emphasize the importance of responsible cell phone use at school.

ANNUAL UPDATE

Please make sure you have completed your ANNUAL UPDATE in INFINITE CAMPUS. A reminder was sent our to over 250 families this past week to complete the update. I have re-posted the expectations below.

Enjoy your weekend. Only four days of school next week!

-Mr. Tomco

The 6th grade team is excited to announce that next week we will be having a fun activity day related to the novel students have been studying in their ELA classes. To culminate the unit, we will have a “Holes Movie Day” on Thursday, October 12th. Students will get to watch the film together in class and compare the characters to the characters depicted in our novel Touching Spirit Bear in order to more deeply analyze the experiences of the main character, Cole Matthews, as compared to the main character in the film Holes. Also, students will have the opportunity to share their journey story they are writing in ELA and social studies with their peers. During the viewing, students will enjoy some Holes themed snacks. There is a sign up if you are able to donate snacks for the students to enjoy on this day. Here is the link to that sign up sheet: Holes Movie Day Sign Up.

On Thursday, students will also receive a visit from Drink Local Drink Tap, a local non-profit organization that assists in solving water equity and quality issues across the globe. Their visit will kick off our next unit that centers around the novel A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park.

We are so excited for these upcoming events and appreciate any donations you are able to provide. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Holub, the 6A social studies teacher, at rachel.holub@chardonschools.org. Thank you!

Conferences are scheduled for:

Wednesday, October 25, 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Thursday, November 02, 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Monday, November 06, 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Thursday, February 06, 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm (INVITE ONLY)

To schedule a conference click the button below to access our online scheduling system. Conferences will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon scheduling, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with the date and time of your conference (if you do not receive an e-mail you did not schedule a conference!). *** PLEASE RETAIN THIS E-MAIL CONFIRMATION WITH THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!

This past Monday, October 2nd, a group of 19 7th graders and 6 middle school staff members participated in leadership training for Sources of Strength. Students and staff learned about the strengths wheel and started brainstorming ways to help their peers learn to lean into these strengths when facing challenges or hardships. Sources of Strength is a program piloted last year at CMS and recently adopted by the district to help students identify and develop their strengths, and to learn how to ask for help from a trusted adult when needed.

The book fair will be open from October 24th - October 26th for students to visit and purchase books during the school day. A schedule has been created and your child's ELA teacher will share their assigned date. Payment methods are Cash, Credit Card, and Checks made payable to Chardon Local Schools. You also have the option to set up an e-wallet for your student at the following link:

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/chardonmiddleschool

PLEASE NOTE: We are obligated to collect sales tax for all purchases made during the Fair, regardless of the shopper, product, or payment method. There is only one exception: no sales tax for purchases made by the school with school funds for the school's use.

Power of the Pen is a competitive writing team for fifth-eighth graders that pits the best writers against each other in a battle of the pen. Power of the Pen will meet on Tuesdays after school until 3:45. If you would like to join, please see Mrs. Monsman in Room 104. The first meeting will be on Tuesday, October 17th.

Chardon Local Schools partners with PublicSchoolWORKS to offer the Stay Safe. Speak UP! student safety and bullying prevention program. This 24/7, confidential reporting tool is available to students, parents, staff, and the community. Visit the link to learn about 3 easy ways to report and bookmark access to the tool.

Link to report an incident: https://bit.ly/chardonnewssssu

YEARLY CALENDAR HAS BEEN UPDATED!!

Moes Taco Kit Fundraiser

Let us help with dinner when you're exhausted the day after Halloween!

Order by 10/31 for pick up at CMS on Wed. Nov. 1st at 6:00 pm

Here is the order link. https://form.jotform.com/232563896870167

October book fair volunteers are needed!

Here's the link to sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0444A4AA22A7F49-44638974-book

Student Leadership Opportunity! Would your K-12 student like to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at a Board of Education meeting? Student leaders gain practice at public speaking; meet the Superintendent and Board President; and earn a Portrait of a Hilltopper certificate. Enter our monthly contest today for a chance to win!

Link to enter: https://bit.ly/leadthepledge23

October 07: PTO Fall Fest

October 12: 6th Grade HOLES Day

October 13: Non-Student/Non-Staff Day, NO SCHOOL

October 16: Professional Development Day, No School for Students, Chardon Middle School Building Showcase Presentation, BOE Meeting

October 20: End of the first quarter.

October 24-26: Book Fair

October 25: Picture Retakes, Parent Teacher Conferences, Grades Posted in IC