Cedar Crest Middle School
May 2024 Newsletter
Rounding Third and Heading Home
Message from the Principal
Hello CCMS Falcon Families
It is hard to believe that we are rounding third and heading home towards the 9th inning of the 2023-2024 school year. As we prepare for the final weeks of school, it is important to stay focused on academics but also reflect and celebrate the numerous successes of our students and staff. Throughout this year our students’ readiness for excellence was showcased in their academic, athletic, and artistic accomplishments. We have amazing students at CCMS.
Our students “hit it out of the park” as they took on the ELA and Math State assessments. I am very proud of our students and staff for their hard work and effort during the PSSA's. Our students and staff prepared throughout the course of the year for success on the tests. Our 8th grade students will be taking the Science State assessment on May 6th and 7th.
On behalf of the CCMS staff, I would like to thank our parents for your support this year. It's hard to believe we have a little over a month of school remaining. As the temperature starts to rise, students are reminded to dress appropriately for school. It might be a good time to review the dress code with your student (and avoid getting a phone call to bring a change of clothes.) Also, please review our school expectations for cell phones. We discourage cell phones or electronics from coming to school. However, if a student brings a cell phone, they must keep it stored in their bookbag or locker at all times.
Thank you for reading our monthly online newsletter. You can bookmark this link for easy access; however, the link will change with each monthly newsletter. If you have any questions, please contact the main office at 717-272-2032. The CCMS secretaries will direct your questions or inquiry to the appropriate staff member to best serve you.
Let’s welcome the month of May with open arms and hearts full of hope and happiness.
Sincerely,
Mr. Joseph Burton
Principal
Cedar Crest Middle School
Cornwall-Lebanon School District Mission
“Empowering our students to reach their individual potential.”
Do you need translation? ¿Necesitas traducción?
If you need a translation, please open the online version of your newsletter by clicking the "View it in your browser" link provided at the top of the email: Once you have accessed the online newsletter, you can look at the top right side of the newsletter to find the "Accessibility" bar and the "Translate Newsletter" option.
Si necesitas traducción, por favor abra la versión en línea del boletín escogiendo “View it in your browser” del enlace proveído en la parte superior del corre electrónico: cuando hayas acezado el boletín en línea, puedes mirar a la parte superior derecha del boletín donde va a encontrar la barra de accesibilidad y busque la opción “Translate Newsletter”.
CCMS is a great place to work...Click below for job opportunties!
Receive credit towards Field Placement.
Option to move into a Prospective Substitute Teacher Position after completion of 60 college credits.
Information about Physicals for Fall Sports
TESTING DATES (Spring 2024)
Educational Trips Will Not Be Excused On These Dates
PSSA - Science (8th Grade Students Only) on May 6 and 7
Keystone - Algebra 1 on May 13 and 14
Important Dates
May 6 - 7 - PSSA Science (8th Grade only)
May 7 - CCMS Spring Orchestra & 7th/8th Grade Chorus Concert, & 7:00 p.m. in the Cafetorium
May 14 - CCMS 6th Grade Band & Chorus Spring Concert, 7:00 p.m. in the Cafetorium.
May 16- CCMS P-SP Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Library.
May 27- Memorial Day, No School :: CCMS/CCHS Bands in Lebanon Memorial Day Parade, 10 AM
Electronic Sign In
The safety of our students is always a top priority for the Cornwall-Lebanon School District (CLSD). As part of our district safety initiative, we are pleased to announce that we have upgraded to a new visitor check-in system in our building to enhance school safety for both students and staff.
How Does It Work?
When entering the middle school building, visitors are required to present identification (such as a driver’s license, state-issued ID, or passport), which will be scanned into the Identi-Kid Visitor Managment System. The system checks the visitor's name and date of birth against a national database of registered sex offenders. No other information is collected, recorded, or shared externally. Upon approval, the front desk secretary will release the front door and present you with a sticker with the visitor's information and purpose.
Check-in is still required during each visit even if an item or correspondence is being dropped off with the secretary.
The system is only be used during school hours, not for after-school activities.
Support Those in Need
6th Grade Blue Aggies Field Trip Information
Blue Aggies’ Field Trip
Pack a lunch and water bottle and dress for outside activities.
Friday, May 24, 2024, 09:00 AM
Gretna Glen Camp & Retreat Center, Old Mine Road, Lebanon, PA, USA
6th Grade Team Blast Field Trip Information
6th Grade Team Blast Field Trip Information
Dress in comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle.
Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 09:00 AM
Paramount Sports Complex, Landings Drive, Annville, PA, USA
6th Grade Team Ironmasters Field Trip
Team Ironmasters
Pack a lunch, bring a water bottle and wear comfortable clothes.
Friday, May 31, 2024, 09:00 AM
Gretna Glen Camp & Retreat Center, Old Mine Road, Lebanon, PA, USA
April Students of the Month
Team Blast (6-1)- Dontae Snyder
Team Blue Aggies (6-2)- Kiera Noland
Team Ironmasters (6-3)- Brucelee Joseph
Team Titans (7-1)-Kelcy George
Team Gryphons (7-2)- Lucas Bensing
Team Knights (7-3)- Mason Derr
Team Academy (7-4)- Maddie George
Team Mariners (8-1)- Gavin Keo
Team Enterprise (8-2)- Jaiden Taylor
Team Endeavor (8-3)- Eva Louis
Yearbooks will arrive this month!
Students should listen to the announcements for a distribution date. If you forgot to order a yearbook, don’t worry. There is still time! Once all yearbook orders have been processed, we will sell the extra copies on a first come first serve basis for $30.00. Only cash or a money order will be accepted at this time. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Tracey Oblinsky at toblinsky@clsd.k12.pa.us or by calling the middle school office.
It is Spring Concert Season at CCMS. Come on out on Tuesday, May 7th at 7:00 pm to support our CCMS Orchestra and 7th & 8th Grade Choirs! The concert will begin promptly at 7:00 and will be held in the CCMS cafetorium. We hope to see you there!
April Dates:
- BOYS 7th & 8TH GRADE VOLLEYBALL, Tuesday's and Thursday's from 3:00-5:15 pm. (May 2, 7, 9)
- SPIN (Grades 6-8) with Ms. Benson, 3:15-4:00 pm, Cafetorium (May 7, 14, 21)
- Chess Club, Grades 6-8 with Mr. Fogelsanger, B-14 (May 6, 13)
- GAGA & 4-Square with Mrs. Patterson, 3:10-4:10 pm (May 1, 22)
- Sketch with Mrs. Ryland and Mrs. Bott, 3:10-4:10 pm (May 6, 13 and 20) Our final art club meeting date will be May 20; we will not meet in June.
- JUMPSTART After-school tutoring, 3:10-4:10 pm (May 7, 14, 21)
- Pokemon Club with Mrs. Nolan, 3:10-4:10 pm (May 8)
- Making Strides Walking Club with Mrs. Rode, 3:10-4:10 pm (May 1, 8, 22)
- Envirothon with Mrs. Daugherty & Mrs. Nolan, 3:10-4:10 pm (May 2 and 9)
Club Extra's
Youth Action Club
Youth Action Club
Thank you to everyone who contributed pull tabs to support the Ronald McDonald House. As a school we collected 100 pounds 7 ½ ounces of tabs! The winning team was Enterprise; participating students from that team will receive an ice cream treat. Shout out to Jaylynn Zipp, grade 8, who toted almost 50 pounds of tabs to school to support this project! Thanks also to Emersyn Bucher, grade 8, who submitted a sandwich bag filled with tabs at the end of the day to push the total over 100 pounds!
Mini-THON/Diamond Dash
Cedar Crest Middle School presents its ninth annual Diamond Dash Festival on Friday, May 17th. This school-wide event raises money for Four Diamonds and other student activities. There will be food trucks, games, an inflatable obstacle course, and activities that students may purchase with tickets. There will also be a variety of free activities as well. Students who have not preordered tickets may purchase them outside at the ticket booth on the event day.
If you are interested in making a donation, please click this link to check it out. We are also looking for parent volunteers. Volunteers MUST have school clearances on file in the district office. Please click on the following link if interested: VOLUNTEERS.
Team Academy Takes Acorns to Oak Saplings
Life's a Garden. Dig it!
The Best Time to Plant a Tree was 20 Years Ago...The Second Best Time is Now!
I'm A Gardener. What's Your Super Power?
Happy Spring!!
Many students of Team Academy and some other honorary students who were too excited to not include in the effort have been transforming the classroom B-23, into a plant propagating palooza. We started back in September and October collecting seeds and acorns from campus, our homes and anywhere else we found them and put these in Ziplock backs with damp vermiculite and placed them in the mini fridge we have in the classroom.
There they remained, over-wintering as we learned about genetics and biology until January and February when we pulled them back out into the light and they germinated – pushing taproots out of their protective seed coats. We planted over five hundred acorns and now have that many oak trees growing on the counters, under lights and by the window. We also germinated several species of native wildflowers including butterfly weed (the host plant of the monarch butterfly) along with some vegetable seeds (that we purchased) that the students were interested in growing. These plants easily bring our totals above a thousand plants.
In the photo are pictured most of the students who assisted in this vast effort along with the oak trees, wildflowers and vegetables we’ve grown. These students have sown the seeds, transplanted the seedlings and watered diligently. All of these plants need to be “hardened off” prior to being planted outside as they’ve literally never seen direct sunlight, but this simple procedure is easily explained to anyone interested. The students involved certainly have “first dibs” on the plants they’ve worked so hard to grow but I’m sure they’ll be plenty to share so anyone interested in adopting any of our plants (particularly the oaks – the indisputable number one plant anyone could put in their yard) please reach out and let me know (sdavis@clsd.k12.pa.us) and a heartfelt thanks to all the students who enthusiastically participated in this tremendous botanical feat!
Wings of Praise
Wings of Praise Winners for February
Week of 4/1/24-4/7/24
- Riley Brandt, 6th
- Porter Smith, 7th
- Avy Roache, 7th
- May Hernandez, 8th
- Olivia Walton, 8th
Week of 4/8/24-4/14/24
- Nick Yanez, 8th
- Jai Khattan, 8th
- Manhattan Legrande, 6th
- Nick Kennen, 8th
- Tori Stauffer, 8th
Week of 4/15/24-4/21/24
- Lannah Hower, 6th
- Chloe Helwig, 7th
- Sawyer Jackson, 7th
- Owen Brown, 7th
- Jon Sensenig, 8th
Week of 4/22-4/28/24
- Bryson Swope, 6th
- Lexi Ortiz, 7th
- Addi Kline, 7th
- Molly MaCauley, 7th
- Anthony Verna, 7th
Cedar Crest Performing Arts
Skating Party for Cast - Crew - Littles
The social worker is available to all families in the district. To request services please contact:
Erin Callihan, LSW, CSSW
CLSD Social Worker
(717) 389-1871
Free Summer Program for CLSD Kids K-8th Grade
Falcons Connect is a free summer program for all our CLSD K-8th grade students and their families. For the past two summers, it’s been a fantastic time to get together with school friends and make new ones in a relaxed format at a park near you!
This summer, we’re excited to return to South Hills, Lions Lake, Gloninger Park, and Ironwood. We’ll also be at Union Canal Elementary School playground.
- Wednesday - 6/12 from 10-11:30 am at South Hills
- Tuesday - 6/18 from 4-5:30 pm at Lions Lake
- Tuesday - 7/16 from 10-11:30 am at Gloninger
- Tuesday - 7/23 from 5-6:30 pm at Union Canal Elem
- Friday - 8/2 from 10-11:30 am at South Hills
- Monday - 8/12 from 10-11:30 am at Ironwood
At each Falcons Connect, CLSD staff will be available to interact with the children, play outdoor games, create simple crafts, and enjoy a meal together, provided by our CLSD Food Services with generous community support from the Giant Store’s Feeding School Kids program.
Need more info? Here are links to a flier with more info and dates:
Ready to RSVP? Use this link or the QR code above to let us know when we’ll see you at Falcons Connect!
SNACK SHACK
The CCMS staff are so appreciative of your kind generosity in providing delicious treats in the Snack Shack. There are over 120 staff at CCMS, so, you can imagine the treats go quickly. We updated our Amazon Wish List with what went fast and seemed to be favorites. If you could so kindly, check out the wish list again and purchase something, whether it be on Amazon where it will be shipped directly to school, or when you are out and about and can add something extra to your order. We want the Snack Shack to be a treat for them when they need a pick-me -up all year round, so we need help keeping it stocked. Your generosity doesn’t go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate the support of our CCMS Staff!
Next PSP Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 17 at 7:00 pm in the Learning Center.
We, as the PSP thank you so much for supporting our students at CCMS!
Message from the Nurse
All medications must be picked up from the nurse’s office by a parent/adult no later than Friday, June 7 at 10:30 am. A nurse will not be available to distribute medications after this time. Medication cannot be transported to or from school by a student. If your child requires medications for next school year, you may send your child to the nurse to pick up the forms or find them on the district website (www.clsd.k12.pa.us) under Services-Health Services. New medication orders, signed by the physician, are needed each year. This includes orders for over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, ibuprofen, Tums).
The state requires all students entering 7th grade to have the Tdap and MCV immunizations, before the first day of the 7th grade school year. Your child will be excluded from school if written documentation of the required immunization is not provided to the nurse. Please send updated immunization records to the school nurse via fax to 717-389-1858, mail, or drop it off at the school, as soon as possible. Please call Mrs. North, middle school nurse, at 717-389-1845 with any questions.
If your 7th grade student had a dental exam with their private family dentist, and you have not yet turned in your student’s completed dental form, please send it to the nurse as soon as possible.
If your 6th grade student had a physical exam with their private family physician, and you have not yet turned in your student’s completed 6th grade physical form, please send it to the nurse as soon as possible.
If you received a health referral, based on the vision, hearing, or scoliosis screenings, please send the completed referral to the nurse’s office as soon as possible.
Please encourage your child to always have a refillable water bottle throughout the school day!
Thank you and Have a Great Summer! 😊
Join Our Team: Be a Guest Teacher in CLSD Schools
Have you ever thought about a career in education? Do you hold a bachelor’s degree? Guest Teaching might be just what you are looking for to increase your income while maintaining a flexible schedule. As a substitute teacher in the Cornwall-Lebanon School District, you can earn $155/day ($165/day for emotional or autistic support classrooms). Monthly bonuses are possible, too!
Lancaster-Lebanon IU13 offers a Guest Teacher Training program that is designed to provide participants with limited or no classroom experience with the necessary training to qualify as day-to-day substitutes. Individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any content area and wish to serve as a day-to-day substitute teacher are encouraged to enroll in the program.
The Guest Teacher Training is done in two parts: online training and one on-site training day from 8 AM to 4 PM. (Lunch will be provided.)
Each Guest Teacher exits the training program with the basic skills and resources to be a substitute teacher and will be issued an emergency teaching permit from the PA Department of Education (PDE).
Make a positive impact in our schools and community while enjoying a flexible schedule!
Click here to learn more and find out when the next training begins.
From the District . . .
• Thank an Educator: For Teacher Appreciation Week, consider recognizing your student’s special teachers, staff members, or coaches with a Certificate of Appreciation by donating to the Falcon Foundation through the “Thank an Educator” program. Make a donation in any amount of your choosing by Friday, May 17, 2024, for certificate delivery in May. Visit www.clsd.pa.us and select Falcon Foundation under the COMMUNITY tab menu.
• Visit the online CLSD Community Bulletin Board for info about summer camps and opportunities, as well as fundraisers and other activities. Look under the “Community” tab on the CLSD website: <www.clsd.k12.pa.us>
• Also, under the “Community” tab, visit the “Events & Activities” page for a link to the Calendar of Key Dates for the 2024-25 school year.
• Upcoming Events:
May 3 – School Lunch Hero Day
May 5 – CCHS Spring Band Concert, 2 PM, CCHS auditorium. In addition to recognizing senior members, the CCHS Concert Band and Symphonic Band will present a wide variety of repertoire of works by Ticheli, Dunton, Zdechlik, Stamp, Pitts, Traugh, and more! Tickets are $2 general admission at the door.
May 6-10 – National Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7 – National Teacher Day
May 7 – CCMS Spring Orchestra & 7th/8th Grade Chorus Concert, 7 PM, cafetorium
May 8 – National School Nurse Day
May 9 – Elementary Strings Concert, 7 PM, Cornwall
May 10 - School Communicators Day
May 13 – *CLSD Board of School Directors Public Work Session, 5:30 PM, LGI room at CCHS
May 14 - Senior Awards Program, 6:30 PM, CCHS auditorium
May 14 – CCMS 6th Grade Band & Chorus Spring Concert, 7 PM, cafetorium
May 19 – CCHS Spring Orchestra Concert, 2 PM, CCHS auditorium
May 20 – *CLSD Board of School Directors Meeting, 5:30 PM, LGI room at CCHS
May 21 – Elementary Field Day at CCHS (rain date: May 23)
May 21 – CCMS 7th/8th Grade Spring Band/Falcon Ensemble Concert, 7 PM, cafetorium
May 23 - CCHS Rhythm in Blue Show Choir will present their Spring Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the CCHS Auditorium. Tickets are $2 each and will be on sale beginning May 13 at the CCHS main entrance. Tickets also can be purchased at the door the day of the event and Gold Cards will be honored at that time.
May 27 – No School, Memorial Day … CCHS & CCMS Marching Bands in Lebanon Memorial Day Parade, 10 AM
June 4 – Last day for PM Kindergarten and Extended Day Kindergarten
June 5 – Last day for AM Kindergarten and Early Dismissal schedule: CCHS-10:40 AM; CCMS-11:10 AM; Elementary (K-5)-11:50 AM
June 6 - No Kindergarten and Early Dismissal schedule: CCHS-10:40 AM; CCMS-11:10 AM; Elementary (K-5)-11:50 AM
June 7 – No Kindergarten and Final Student Day for grades 1-12 with Early Dismissal schedule: CCHS-10:40 AM; CCMS-11:10 AM; Elementary (1-5)-11:50 AM
June 7 – Report Cards available online beginning this day (all grade levels)
June 10 – *CLSD Board of School Directors Public Work Session, 5:30 PM, LGI room at CCHS
June 17 – *CLSD Board of School Directors Meeting, 5:30 PM, LGI room at CCHS
* CLSD School Board Meeting attendance information is listed under the “Our District” tab, “School Board,” on the CLSD website: <www.clsd.k12.pa.us> All meetings are Livestreamed for viewing on the CLSD website in the same section.
Volunteers and Chaperones
Cornwall-Lebanon School District greatly appreciates the volunteers and chaperones who provide assistance to students and teachers, as well as special events and activities. Volunteers are essential to the success of students. Look under the “Community” tab on the District Home page for details: www.clsd.k12.pa.us. Anyone who will be serving as a long-term or short-term volunteer for the District must complete the Volunteer Information packet, located on the website, prior to serving as a volunteer.
Skyward Notification System
The Skylert Notification System is only as accurate as the information you have provided to the District. Be sure your phone/email settings allow (do not block) these three numbers: (717) 272-2031; (717) 389-1810; (717) 272-2036 and emails from @clsd.k12.pa.us addresses. Please review your information and make any updates in Skylert:
1. Login to your Skyward account.
2. Click the word “Skylert” in the left menu.
3. Fill-in and check or uncheck your desired settings. Be sure to select at least one email or phone number in each category.
4. Click “SAVE” in the upper right side of the page when you are done and BEFORE you click on Exit.
Links To Important Parent/Guardian Help Information
Principal Contact Information
Mr. Joseph Burton
Principal
Cedar Crest Middle School
Website: www.clsd.k12.pa.us
Location: 101 East Evergreen Road, Lebanon, PA, USA
Phone: (717) 272-2032
Assistant Principal Contact Information
Assistant Principal
Cedar Crest Middle School
Website: www.clsd.k12.pa.us
Location: 101 East Evergreen Road, Lebanon, PA, USA
Phone: (717) 272-2032
Assistant Principal Contact Information
Assistant Principal
Cedar Crest Middle School
Website: www.clsd.k12.pa.us
Location: 101 East Evergreen Road, Lebanon, PA, USA
Phone: (717)272-2032