The Weekly Buzz
A Weekly Newsletter from Corner Middle School
Volume 3, Number 6: August 22, 2021
Jefcoed Updates COVID Status at Corner Middle School
Dear Corner Middle School Family,
Our school is experiencing increases in the number of positive cases and close contact cases related to COVID-19.
Due to the continued increases, all students and staff will be required to wear face masks for a minimum of 14 calendar days. This mask requirement will begin Monday, August 23, 2021. We will monitor data to determine when the mandatory mask order for our school may be lifted.
Please review this video outlining our COVID response plan.
Please assist us with the following steps to ensure these numbers do not continue to increase:
- It is strongly recommended that all eligible students and staff are vaccinated.
- Use social distancing to avoid exposure. Remain 6 feet apart whenever possible.
- Remain at home and seek medical attention if you experience COVID symptoms.
- Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea
We will monitor data to determine when the mandatory mask order for our school may be lifted. Further increases in positive cases and close contact COVID cases may result in a transition to school-wide remote learning for a period of 14 calendar days or more. Thank you!
A follow-up email update went out to the district shortly thereafter:
Dear JEFCOED Family,
I’ve got several updates for you this week.
We’ve had another successful week of learning across our district. I’ve been visiting many schools and I love what I’m seeing. Our students are engaged and excited to be back in the classroom! This week we released our first COVID dashboard. Moving forward, we plan to release this weekly on Wednesdays.
Let’s talk about our current situation and our procedures. I’ve said from the beginning we’re going to be watching the numbers at each school, and we will act when there is a problem. Thursday we announced five campuses, Oak Grove High, Oak Grove Elementary, Corner High, Bagley Elementary, and Brookville Elementary, will shift to mandatory masks for at least 14 calendar days. Friday we added Bryan Elementary, Corner Middle, Gardendale Elementary, McAdory Middle, and Snow Rogers Elementary to that list. All of these schools will begin requiring masks Monday, August 23rd for a minimum of 14 calendar days. This is necessary to slow the spread. It will also help us cut down on the number of close contacts that have to be excluded from school. Remember if everyone is wearing a mask and at least three feet apart, it is likely fewer students would be excluded from school if there is a positive case.
I have been meeting with parents when we implement a mask order. During those meetings, I go over our criteria for when schools shift to the different steps: warning, mandatory masks, remote learning. I now want to make that information available and clear to the whole district.
Watch Covid Response Plan Presentation
So what can you do right now? Well, the obvious thing is to wear a mask. Yes, they are optional but masks are Strongly Recommended. Again if students wear a mask, not only does it cut down on their chances of getting the virus, but it also cuts down on the chances of being excluded from school.
Get vaccinated. We cannot require vaccinations, but I again encourage anyone eligible for the shot to get it. The vaccine cuts down on your chances of getting the virus, and data is also showing that if you have a breakthrough case, your chances of having serious symptoms or being hospitalized go way down.
Vaccination Sites from Jefferson County Department of Health
Practice personal responsibility outside of school. Folks, what happens inside the school walls is many times tied to what happens on the outside.
Finally, I know the last couple of weeks have divided our communities and pitted people against each other. That is unfortunate. I can’t control what you say, nor would I try. However, let me tell you what I tell my employees. Complain Up. Don’t complain down and don’t complain out. What that means is if you have a concern bring it to the people that have the power to make changes. It does no good to air grievances on social media and towards someone who is not in a position of authority. It does no good to start rumors that have no facts to back them up.
If you have a question or concern, reach out to me. Reach out to your principal. We might not always do what you want, but we will listen. I see all the emails that come to me. Do I always respond? No, and it’s frankly impossible for me too. But I read every single one.
We have to stay together folks. We need each other now more than ever.
All the best,
Dr. Walter Gonsoulin
#JEFCOEDStrong
#ForgingAhead
Dr. Gonsoulin also discussed our district status in the video linked below:
District Mask Policy Updated
ALSO, STUDENTS WHO ARE ISOLATED OR QUARANTINED FROM SCHOOL SHOULD NOT ATTEND EXTRACURRICULAR EVENTS.
Thank you for your cooperation!
CMS Connects with 5th Grade Families Re-Scheduled for Monday Evening
The administration and counselor will meet with families to review information and strategies that can assist parents in helping their students transition successfully into and throughout middle school. We will begin promptly at 6:00, and will field questions throughout and following the meeting.
Please join us for the first CMS Connects of the 2021-2022 school year! We look forward to seeing you on Monday!
CMS Athletic Season Pass / Student Activity Card Information
- If you plan to attend an athletic event where admission is collected, please come to the ticket table where a list of all pass purchasers is located.
- Give your name to the faculty or staff member collecting admission.
- Please sign your name by the printed name on the list legibly.
- The purchased pass is only good for the admission of the student whose name is listed. It is not transferable to another student or family member.
- You will follow these procedures at each athletic event you attend this school year.
Please remember, the deadline to purchase an annual athletic pass is 3:00 PM on Monday, August 23, 2021.
If you are a student whose family paid for the Corner Pride Pack, you will receive your Student Activity Card on Tuesday. Your pass will have your name on it. You should not lose it. These cards are good for only the activities listed and are not transferable.
We look forward to seeing our students and their families at CMS events all throughout the school year!
CMS Looking for a Few Good Young Mathematicians
CMS XC Info Sent Out Last Week
Calendar for the Week of August 23, 2021 - August 29, 2021
Monday, August 23, 2021
- 6th Grade Class Guidance
- Student Council Elections
- CMS Ex. Ed. Department Meeting 8:15
- Football, Cheerleading, Cross Country, and Volleyball Practices
- CHS 9th Grade Volleyball at Albertville 5:00
- CMS Connects for 5th Grade Families in the CMS Competition Gym 6:00 PM
- CHS JV Football at St. Clair County 6:30
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
- 7th/8th Grade Data Meetings
- Football and Volleyball Practices
- CHS Volleyball at Mortimer Jordan 5:30
- West Blocton at CMS Football 6:00
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
- Jacket Period at CMS (Advisory)
- ELA NIC Meeting 3:20
- Football and Volleyball Practices
Thursday, August 26, 2021
- 5th/6th Grade Data Meetings
- Peer Helper Training at McAdory Middle School 8:00-3:00
- CHS 9th Grade Volleyball at West Point 5:00
- CHS Volleyball at Pleasant Grove 5:00
- Football, Cheerleading, Cross Country, and Volleyball Practices
Friday, August 27, 2021
- 8th Grade Meetings with Mr. Manning
- Football and Volleyball Practices
- CHS Football at Mortimer Jordan 7:00
Saturday, August 28, 2021
- Corner Community Park Football Games
- CHS Volleyball Hosts JV Tournament at CHS
- Relax, Be Productive at Home, and Count Down the Days until the Kick-Off of College Football
Sunday, August 29, 2021
- Enjoy Your Day Worshiping, Relaxing, and/or Having Fun with Family and Friends!
Looking Ahead to Important School Dates
August 30, 2021. North Jefferson and Minor at CMS Volleyball 4:30
August 30, 2021. CMS Football at Odenville 6:00
September 1, 2021 CMS Volleyball at Hueytown with Erwin 5:00
September 2, 2021 Band Instrument Tryouts 4:00-7:00
September 4, 2021 CMS Volleyball at Hayden Tournament - TBD
September 6, 2021 Labor Day - Schools Closed
September 7, 2021 Jasper at CMS Football 5:30
September 7, 2021 CMS Volleyball at Hayden with Cullman 4:00
September 8, 2021 CMS Volleyball at Irondale 5:00
September 8, 2021 Progress Reports Go Home
September 8, 2021 CMS XC at North Jefferson Middle School 3:45
September 9, 2021 Vision Screening/Hearing Monitoring at Corner Middle School 8:00
September 11, 2021 A+ College Ready Math Training
September 13, 2021 CMS Football at Cordova 5:30
September 13, 2021 Oak Grove/Fultondale at CMS Volleyball 4:30
September 14, 2021 PEEHIP Flu Vaccine Clinic at Corner Middle School 8:30
September 14, 2021 CMS Volleyball at Jasper 4:30
September 14, 2021 CMS XC Meet at Corner 3:45
September 15, 2021 CMS Volleyball at Rudd 4:30
September 20, 2021 Jasper at CMS Volleyball 4:30
September 21, 2021 CMS XC at North Jefferson Middle School 3:45
September 22, 2021 Pleasant Grove at CMS Volleyball 4:30
September 23, 2021 Hayden/Sumiton Christian at CMS Volleyball 4:30
September 25, 2021 Jefferson County MS Volleyball Tournament at Irondale Middle - TBD
September 25, 2021 A+ College Ready Math Training
September 28, 2021 CMS XC Meet at Corner 3:45
September 29, 2021 Jefcoed Secondary CILT Meeting
October 4, 2021 Jefferson County XC Championships at North Jefferson Middle School 3:45
October 7, 2021 iReady Training at CMS for Math, ELA, and Ex. Ed. Faculty
Corner Middle School
Our Mission
Corner Middle School is committed to empowering our students as they build a foundation for college, career, and community success in a nurturing environment.
Our Vision
Our vision at Corner Middle School is to ensure our students are academically, emotionally, and socially prepared for challenges they may encounter in the next phases of their lives.
Our Beliefs
Corner Middle School believes we will accomplish our Mission and Vision in serving our community of learners by:
- Loving, encouraging, and inspiring our students and each other in our daily interactions.
- Utilizing highly-effective instruction and a challenging curriculum.
- Meeting the needs of diverse learners in order to prepare them for college and entry into a career pathway.
- Partnering with the community.
- Cultivating student leaders.
- Integrating technology into all areas of learning.
Email: mmanning@jefcoed.com
Website: https://cornerms.jefcoed.com
Location: 10005 Corner School Road Warrior, Alabama 35180
Phone: (205) 379-3230
Facebook: facebook.com/CornerMS
Twitter: @CornerMiddle