Panther Press

Hello CSMS Families,

I am so proud of CSMS students and staff who worked hard to help us earn an 'A' from the state board of education. As we all eagerly anticipate the festivities and relaxation that come with the upcoming holiday season, I want to emphasize the importance of maintaining focus and staying engaged in our academic pursuits. The weeks leading up to the break present a valuable opportunity for our students to solidify their understanding of key concepts, complete any outstanding assignments, and set a positive tone for the upcoming semester.

I encourage everyone to finish the year strong by approaching each day with the mindset of finishing the semester on a high note. Completing assignments, participating actively in class, and seeking clarification on any lingering questions will contribute to a sense of accomplishment.

As we approach the holiday break, let us continue to foster a community that values hard work, dedication, and a commitment to learning. I am confident that with our collective efforts, our students will return in the new year refreshed, motivated, and ready to take on new challenges.

Wishing you all a joyful and restful holiday season.

Principal Larson

Throughout the year, we strive to provide students with various presentations from community members and organizations that contribute to their educational success and overall well-being. Next week the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southeastern Arizona (NAMI SEAZ) will be providing presentations during the Social Studies classes.

The Ending the Silence (ETS) program offered by NAMI Southeastern Arizona is a 50-minute presentation designed to give students an opportunity to learn about mental illness through an informative Power Point and short videos. Through the presentation, students learn symptoms and indicators of mental illness, suicide prevention, and are given ideas about how to help themselves, friends, or family members who may be in need of support. Additionally, the presentation includes personal testimony from a young adult living with a mental illness about his/her journey to recovery. You have the option to opt out of your child viewing the presentation. We hope you will agree that this information is an invaluable opportunity to give your child potentially life-saving information on mental health and resources and tools. To learn more about these programs, please visit https://www.nami.org/find-support/nami-programs/nami-ending-the-silence.

Presentation Schedule:

December 4th- 6th Grade Social Studies Classes

December 5th- 7th Grade Social Studies Classes

December 6th- 8th Grade Social Studies Classes

If you’d like to have your child “opt-out” of this presentation, please complete the bottom section of this letter and have your child turn it in to their Social Studies teacher or the front office.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to call our school office at 520-459-8892. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Sandy Larson

Principal

__________________________________________________________________________________________

My child, ______________________, will opt-out from the presentation offered at Colonel Smith Middle School.

Parent Signature: ________________________________________ Date:____________________

Please take some time to review our uniform policy. We are seeing many students wearing a t-shirt under their sweaters/sweatshirts instead of the uniform polo shirt. Polo shirts must be worn under sweaters. Students will be sent to the office for a change of clothes or to call home if they are out of compliance.

Starting in January 2024, CSMS will host jeans days for students on the 2nd Friday of the month! Uniform tops must be worn with your jeans on these days! The last Friday of the month will still be a uniform free day. There is one condition to wearing jeans to school...no rips or holes allowed.

Second Semester Jeans Days

January 12th

February 9th

March 8th

April 12th

May 10th

Our handbook is available on our website at:

School Handbook – Our School – Colonel Smith Middle School (fhasd.org)

• The Remind App will be used by teachers and admin at the school and district office to send information.
• You can download the School News App and select Colonel Smith Middle School to follow the latest website updates. Our website is filled with essential information, calendars and resources.
• Monthly Newsletters will be emailed and sent via the Remind App.
• PowerSchool access is available for parents.
• Information will be attached to the student schedules.
• Call the front office, 520-459-8892, if you need assistance.
• You can set notification alerts for grades and attendance.
• Email and phone calls will also be used to communicate with teachers and parents.

We would like to remind parents to contact the office by 8:00 a.m. if your child will be absent from school. It is important to have an accurate account of all students, even if your child will only miss a few minutes. You may reach the office at (520) 459-8892 ext. 1312 or email celadom@fhasd.org. Please send a note with your student following an absence or email us (required) for documentation purposes. Thank you for your support regarding this important matter.

Please notify the school office at least 3 days in advance if you are moving. All school materials will need to be returned and you will need to sign a withdrawal form on your child's last day. Notify the office by calling (520) 459-8892 or emailing celadom@fhasd.org or littleb@fhasd.org.

Welcome to Panther Athletics! We are excited that you are interested in extracurricular programs offered at Colonel Smith Middle School. As we begin the school year, please review the goals, objectives, and expectations that must be followed to be a member of our athletic teams. We look forward to a competitive and great year! Our expectation for our student-athletes is that they have the dedication, desire, and discipline to commit themselves to the rules, regulations, and training needed to achieve excellence.

Goals of Athletic Programs:

• To gain a working knowledge of the sport
• To improve personal performance
• To compete as a team, and build teamwork
• To always demonstrate good sportsmanship

Objectives of Athletic Programs:

• To demonstrate a positive attitude personally, and in interactions with other players
• To model good sportsmanship on and off the field of play
• To become a well-rounded student
• To maintain and support a healthy and active lifestyle

Dr. Sam Granillo

Athletic Director

granillog@fhasd.org

520-459-8986

All students must have a sports physical and all required forms completed in Final Forms in order to try-out for any sports team. Click the following link to create or update your Final Forms account today. https://forthuachuca-az.finalforms.com/

Girls Basketball

Try-outs January 9th & 10th 3-4:30PM

Please keep your student home when they are ill. They must be vomit or fever free for 24 hours, without fever reducing medication, before returning to school.

We have many students who are coming to school having not eaten breakfast. Please check in with your student to make sure that they are still eating before school and students going through growth spurts who are hungrier than normal. If they find it difficult to manage getting ready independently while still managing to have enough time for breakfast, or are not hungry until after arriving to school please consider packing their bag with several grab and go snacks for the week.

Health office wish list:

Girls underwear- all sizes

Snacks, Snacks, Snacks (crackers, granola bars, cheese sticks, peanut butter crackers, etc- any grab and go type snack is appreciated).

Thanks so much!

Terra Whipple BSN, RN

Congratulations to Cody Van Sickle for receiving the Kiwanis Award for the month of November. Cody has grown tremendously throughout middle school, academically and socially. He also displays outstanding character and prides himself in being an amazing student. Congratulations, Cody. We are proud of you!

Thanks to those of you who sent in food and diapers for our Kiwanis Builders Club drive during the month of November. We appreciate your generosity and support.

December 4th-6th: NAMI Suicide Prevention Presentations

December 5th-7th: Boys Basketball and Girls Softball Championships (Time TBD)

December 13th: Governing Board Meeting, FHASD Support Center, 4:15PM

December 13th: CSMS Winter Band Concert, 5:30PM

December 15th: Uniform Free Day!

December 15th: Half Day of School, No Lunch Served, Release at 11:40AM

December 16th-January 1st: Winter Break

January 2nd: Students return to school

Click the following link to purchase your yearbook today. Yearbooks are $24 until December 31st; after then, the price goes up!

https://yearbookforever.com/schools/colonel_smith_middle_school_buy_yearbook_359286/jl0If0s1N22GGKSX86rZHYj4

• Students will have lunch in the cafeteria and recess outside, weather permitting, as a grade level.
• They can bring packed lunch or get a school lunch.
• If you feel your family would qualify for free or reduced lunch, the instructions to apply are included in the letter from Mrs. Karen Nieto, attached to this message. We would prefer all applications be completed digitally, however; a paper copy is also available in the front office.
• If you have questions regarding the application process or would like a paper copy of the application, please reach out to Mrs. Little or Mrs. Celado in the front office and they will be happy to assist you. Please note, the number of students that qualify for free or reduced lunch is tied to many of our funding sources so we highly encourage all families to apply even if they think they might not qualify.
• Free and Reduced Lunch Parent Letter
• Free and Reduced Lunch Application

• We are grateful to have an amazing PTO! They are always looking for volunteers!
• PTO Facebook
• PTO Spirit Wear