Weekly Update
24-25 Academic School Year
Important Reminder
Athletics and extracurricular activities, homework club (2:45pm-3:30pm) are only open to those who are signed up/actively participating and roster member of a team. All students will need to exit the building at the scheduled dismissal time. If the activity starts at a later time the students are still required to exit and return at the appropriate start time for their activity.
Upcoming Dates to Know:
December
12/23- 1/1 -School Closed Winter Break
There will be locker clean outs this week to have a fresh start returning on 1/2
Please remind students to take all clothing/ food/ drinks out of their lockers this week
January
1/20- School Closed
February
2/13- School Closed
2/14- School Closed
2/17- School Closed
Marking Period Dates:
- Final MP1 grades will be viewable to parents/guardians on 11/21
- MP2 progress reports via genesis 12/19
- MP2 Ends 1/30/25
- Final MP2 grades will be viewable to parents/guardians on 2/5
Secondary Campus does not hold parent/guardian conferences. We urge you to check gradebook in the parent portal and to communicate with your student, students teachers, counselors and case workers.
Clarification:
Food & Beverage consumption in school & in the classroom
At CMS students are permitted to bring refillable water bottles to school and may bring the water bottle to their classes.
To avoid sanitation issues and pest infestation, all other types of beverages or food items which are brought to school should be consumed before entering the school building. If the beverage or food item is brought for lunch, it should be placed in the student’s locker until their scheduled lunch period for consumption in the cafeteria. All beverages and food items should be taken home by students on a daily basis and not left in their locker.
- Breakfast is available beginning at 7:30- 7:50 every morning in the CMS Cafeteria. Students may enter the building through the main office proceed directly to the CMS Cafeteria for breakfast.
- The cost of breakfast is $2.00
- Students who receive free/reduced lunch are also available for free/reduced breakfast
- Students may bring lunch or may purchase lunch in the cafeteria.
- If students are not eligible for free/reduced lunch, the cost of lunch is $4.00
- The weekly lunch menu may be accessed at: https://www.collsk12.org/page/cafeteria-services
- Families interested in being assessed for eligibility for Free and Reduced School Meals, please complete the following document and submit it to the Collingswood Central Administrative Office (100 Lees Avenue, Collingswood).Link to document: Lunch Application
Please remind your students to take all food/beverage items out of their lockers daily.
From the Nursing Department
CMS PTA Member
All Middle School Students are required to change during PE class. Students are strongly recommended to leave extra sneakers and cover up clothing if the weather is on the chillier side. Students will be going outside as much as possible.
-Students lose points in PE for not changing/wearing appropriate clothing.
Please do not allow your students to bring in spray perfume or spray deodorant. These items cause flare ups for members of our school community who have allergies and/or asthma. If a student has been seen using an item they have been asked to take it home
Sports:
Spring Sports
Is your student interested in a spring sport? No need to wait on paperwork- GET IT IN to not delay any participation
Please use the 24/7 drop box outside of the CMS main office at your convenience for all paperwork
If your student's physical is not active or approved by district physician- student cannot participate.
IF NOT FULLY CLEARED STUDENT CANNOT PARTICIPATE
Attendance Letters:
Check Your Parent Portal for Lettters:
Attendance letters FIRST went out, Friday 9/27 and will continue to do so throughout the year.
- All letters for attendance/discipline are posted to the parent portal- Have you logged in?
Reminder: Five (5) lates = one (1) unexcused absence
School Starts promptly at 8:00am. 8:00 & 8:01am is late
- Attendance Contracts started for the 2nd marking period. If your student has had 5 *unexcused* absences your student likey has received this tier support.
If you have a medical note or questions regarding attendance please reach to Mrs. Mauger: JMAUGER@COLLSK12.ORG
Pick up/ Drop off
The Collingswood Police Department (CPD) has worked collaboratively with school officials to help develop a plan to address some of the traffic and pedestrian concerns specific to the High School and Middle School Campus. Please review the information below and help us in making our school zones safer for everyone.
- Everett Avenue will be made a temporary One-Way street. However, the only mechanism put in place to restrict traffic will be the placement of cones at the intersection of Everett and Eldridge Avenues to prohibit traffic from turning right onto Everett towards Collings Avenue.
- Cambridge Avenue will continue to be closed to traffic
- There will be safety cones and additional signage to designate drop off and NO parking areas along Eldridge Ave
- Students should only utilize the crosswalks for any intersection
The following actions are STRICTLY PROHIBITED:
1) Parking on the left side of Eldridge Avenue (opposite the school)
2) Idling for long periods of time. The right side of Eldridge Avenue (along the school) is available for Short Term Stopping Only for drop off and pick up
3) Stopping or Standing on W. Collings Avenue, between Everett and Colford Avenues
4) Dropping off and picking up in the middle of the roadway
5) Crossing Collings Avenue at Cambridge Avenue. Students shall only cross Collings Avenue at the designated crosswalk/pinch point in front of the school where the crossing guards is posted.
Sneak Peak into 8th Grade:
Miss Tosh’s 8th-graders created concrete poems that reflect their uniques personalities and experiences.
Counseling Office update:
- If you would like your student to meet with their school counselor, please have them log into their grade level google classroom and they can use the form posted to let their counselor know they would like to meet. They are here to support the students with any academic, social, or emotional needs. Students are encouraged to meet with them or the wellness center if needed.
If you are in need of records for prospective schools and/or moving: all requests need to go through the counselling office.
Please email Mrs. Karla Dickerson at Kdickerson@collsk12.org
.....and the winners are for the door decorating:
Participation points:
6th grade: 10/10 Advisories participated = 100%
7th grade: 5/8 Advisories participated = 63%
8th grade: 5/6 Advisories participated = 83%
Overall Door Winners:
- 3rd place: 203 Whitman/Snyder
- 2nd place: TIE! 202 Tosh/Meehan, 306 Gross/Slade, 307 Niessner/Gallagher
- 1st place: TIE! 204 Paglione, 209 Rodgers, 212 Kemeny
Congratulations to everyone who decorated! Our halls look jolly and festive! Next chance to earn points is on Monday for Tropical Paradise day!
Spirit Week Winter 2024
Get ready for CMS Spirit Week!
Spirit Week is an annual competition between the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades to see who has the most school spirit. It is held each year prior to Winter Break. You can earn points for your grade by participating in different events, like Door Decorating, Theme Dress days, and Minute To Win It spirit games! The grade with the most points at the end of the week gets to watch a movie with their grade-level peers in the auditorium on Friday afternoon (12/20).
Here is what to look forward to:
- Thursday, 12/12 - Last day for Door Decorating!
- Friday, 12/13 - sign up for Spirit Games in Advisory!
- 12/16-12/20 - Theme Dress days:
- Monday, 12/16 - Tropical Paradise
- Tuesday, 12/17 - Soccer Mom or Vacation Dad
- Wednesday, 12/18 - 80s Day
- Thursday, 12/19 - Senior Day
- Friday, 12/20 - Pajama Day
- Friday, 12/20 - Spirit Games (Minute To Win It games in our Advisory assemblies)
- Friday, 12/20 - Winning grade gets a movie in the afternoon!
All students are encouraged to attend. Students are not required to stay the entire time. Chromebooks will be provided for students to complete work.
If your student is in attendance- the expectation is to be completing work.
Reminder: Cell Phone/ Tech Devices:
Help us, Help your student stay out of trouble.
- Students are prohibited from using their personal tech devices during school hours.
- If a student needs to get in touch with a parent/guardian they can use the main office phone or the main office conference room phone(for privacy).
- We kindly ask that your refrain from texting or calling your students during the school day- Please utilize the main office or guidance office. We will immediately get in touch with your student at your request.
Second Offense: Parent/ Guardian will need to come get the tech item. Will not be surrendered to the student.
Congratulations to all!
Names will be printed in the Retrospect*
Do not miss a GREAT show with GREAT actors:
FREAKY FRIDAY: THE MUSICAL!
When an uber-organized mother and her spontaneous teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right. Masquerading as each other, they must work together to solve the mystery of how to break the spell.
Tickets are reserved seating. Choose your seat ahead of time and buy your tickets online at our new website www.collingswoodtix.com. Any order placed online with a Collingswood, Oaklyn, or Woodlynne staff email address will automatically receive a discount!
FREAKY FRIDAY: THE MUSICAL is approximately 2 hours long, including a 15-minute intermission.
Did you see our very own Ms. Niessner in the news?
Collingswood Panther Pantry serves the students and families in the Collingswood/Oaklyn school district solely by donations. This initiative is led by Ms. Arden Niessner and all the staff and student volunteers donating their personal time to sort, box up, and deliver donations across the community.
THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED, CONTINUE TO DONATE AND SHOW UP FOR ALL OUR FAMILIES.
Check out the video segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ1qzSi50lA
And the article: https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/collingswood-school-district-food-pantry-students/
Donations are always needed
Panther Pantry is our school's food pantry. Our mission is to provide individual students and families of the Collingswood & Oaklyn school district with supplemental nutritional food, diapers, feminine hygiene, supplies, etc. in a cheerful, welcoming, confidential, and non-judgmental environment. We support our mission through generous donations from our Collingswood & Oaklyn teachers & staff, parents & guardians, and the Collingswood/Oaklyn community.
Right now, we need EVERYTHING! Whatever you can donate is greatly appreciated!
List of Items Needed
(Please make sure these items are non-perishable and are not expired!)
Instant Dry Milk
Instant Potatoes
Pancake Mix
Boxed Mac & Cheese
Rice
Cereal
Canned Vegetables & Fruits
Dried Pasta
Oats
Canned Chicken and Tuna
Jarred Sauces
Trail Mix
Other Shelf-Stable Foods
Condiments
Crackers
Canned Soups
Bagged Popcorn/Snacks
PB/Jelly
Beans
Personal Care Items
Toiletries
Lotions
Feminine Items
Last, but not least, if you ever encounter a student in need, please do not hesitate to reach to the main office.
- There is a Yellow Collection Box inside the MS main office for all donations.
414 West Collings Avenue
Collingswood, NJ 08108
Phone: 856-962-5702 x6501/6500
Fax: 856-962-5751