---

I would like to commend the students and teachers today for the efficient, safe, cooperative way they handled taking shelter because of the bad weather conditions. We have practiced the drills before and it showed. Teachers guided students to safety in a quiet, cooperative manner. The students were outstanding. After almost two hours in shelter they remained calm and understanding in close quarters. Everything was very orderly with everyone accounted for at all times.

In the event that we should experience this again, please know we are doing everything to keep your child safe. At times like these all staff are attending to the safety of your children and will not be available to answer phones. We will make contact with you with the resources we have when needed. For most of the time it is by far safer to keep the students on campus than to release them during weather warnings, so refraining from coming to get your child would be the safest thing to do.

Thank you for your help in supporting our efforts in keeping your child safe!

Toni Thalken

Thank you for your help in our first round of STAAR testing. If you didn't get to volunteer this time we will need more volunteers in a couple of weeks for the rest of the testing! And speaking of Volunteers.........please come to our Volunteer Breakfast this Tuesday morning at 8:15-9:15 am in the Library! The teachers will cook up some breakfast items to thank you for all you do. Hope you can stop by :)

I also want to thank the volunteers who showed up at the Academic UIL contest on Saturday. It was a long day and, once again, because of the help of many parents and teachers the students did an awesome job! We took home many, many individual awards and because of that the school received an overall 2nd place sweepstakes! Amazing.

Here is what we have coming up this week:

Mon. Apr. 2-

Tue. Apr. 3-Volunteer Breakfast 8:15 am in Library;

Wed. Apr. 4-Special Olympics at Mustang/Panther Stadium during school day; 7th gr. Zone Track meet;

Thurs. Apr. 5- 8th gr. Zone Track meet; Double stretch

Fri. Apr. 6-No School

Enjoy your 3-Day weekend!!!

15% Rule Delayed but Results Still Count
State law requires that the new STAAR End-of-Course assessments account for 15 percent of a student's final grade in each course. The Commissioner of Education recently gave school districts the ability to defer implementation of the "15 percent rule" for the 2011-2012 school year and the GCISD Board of Trustees has approved a resolution to delay the state requirement for the current year. The Board's decision gives students an extra year to adjust to the new STAAR system. However, it is important to remember that although the end-of course assessments will not count toward a student's final course grade this year, student performance on the STAAR will still count toward the accumulation of points required for graduation. STAAR end-of-course tests are being given in Algebra I and II; geometry; biology; chemistry; physics; English I, II and III; world geography; world history and U.S. history. More information is available on the district website and STAAR Resources page, and you are always encouraged to contact our counselor or campus administration if you have further questions. Thank you for helping us navigate these new assessments and prepare your student for success!

Course Verification for HIGH SCHOOL

***CHHS

CHHS will be OPENING registration again April 1-13 for the students to be able to make changes to their schedules for next year. You will NOT need to print out your schedule and write in your choice since you will be able to make changes on the computer.

After April 13th, any changes that need to be made will have to be made by us. (This will require a written request from a parent-an email will work-and NO changes will be allowed after May 1st.

***GHS

GHS will have Skyward open April 18-20th. GHS students will need to print off the course list and make the changes. GHS counselors have to have something in writing to make changes.

***For All---you must use your LOGIN for Skyward Access!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopefully by now you read my announcement of my retirement this year but what you may not know is we have a few more people on campus retiring.  Cathy McConnell our nurse, Susan Green our 8th gr. math teacher, Lori Bland our 8th gr. English teacher, Judy Edens our 6th gr. math teacher, and Charlie Morrison our 6th gr. English/Social Studies teacher are all retiring this year! We still have lots of time left in the year with plenty to do but this is news I know you would want to have now.

I would like to thank all the volunteers who spent many hours last week as part of our diversity week on campus. What a wonderful display we had everyday!

This week is the start of STAAR testing for the first time.  If your child is one of the students who will be testing please make sure they get plenty of rest all week and have a good breakfast each day as we will need to start the testing first period instead of delaying a bit as in the past.  If you have any questions about this please call.

Here is what we have for the last week in March (already!)

Mon. Mar. 26: 7th gr. Texas Discoveries out 12:00-3:00 pm; Board meeting 7:00 pm

Tues. Mar. 27: STAAR 7th gr. Writing; 8th gr. panoramic picture during stretch; Art reception at PDEC 5:30-7 pm Bells off, announcements 6th per.

Wed. Mar. 28: 7th gr. STAAR Writing, 8th gr. STAAR Reading

Thurs. Mar. 29: NO Double Stretch; 8th gr. STAAR testing 7gr. Accelerated Math only STAAR testing; Progress Reports sent home; Track Meet

Fri. Mar. 30: State Qualifier Geography Bee; Academic UIL begins with Drama @ CTMS in afternoon

Sat. Mar. 31: Academic UIL @ CTMS 8 am-?

Time to break out the shades, it's going to be sunny and warm all week!

---

We are trying out a fundraiser with Mr. Jim's of Colleyville this week and need your support.  The fundraiser starts today and runs each day through Thursday! 

Please consider ordering from Mr. Jim's and tell the delivery person it is for Colleyville Middle School and CMS will get a portion of the proceeds! 

Also, be sure to pass this email along to all your friends and neighbors!

Thanks for supporting our school!

 

---

Dear Parents,

Welcome back from Spring Break! Hope your family time was fun. I know we are jumping right into many things this week already and have to adjust back to school schedules. Students usually come back tired in the morning because of getting up early but by lunch they are chatting up a storm catching up on the week away from each other!

Here are the events for this week:

Mon. Mar. 19: Diversity Week begins; Tennis @ CHHS 4:30

Tues. Mar. 20: District Art Show reception at PDEC; Diversity Pot Luck Dinner 6-8 pm in CMS cafeteria

Wed. Mar. 21: Faculty Meeting

Thurs. Mar. 22: Double stretch ; Track Meet @ 4:00

Fri. Mar. 23: End of 3 weeks;

Have a good week getting back on schedule!

Toni Thalken

                                                                              CMSDiversity Week

March20-22, 2012

 

Parents & Teachers

 

It is time again to celebrate our diversity. Here is our schedule:

 

March20

 

We will display several countries,outside of the library from 9:30-1

Pot Luck – in the Cafeteria from 6-8 pm.Come One Come All

 

March21

 

We will display several new countries -outside of the library from 9:30-1 and if you missed the countries that were displayed on March 20 – they will be set up in the library

 

March22

 

We will continue with our displays.During the lunch hours we will serve food from different cultures to wrap up our diversity week.

 

CALLTO ACTIONS:

·      If you wouldlike to donate food on March 22 to share with the kids during lunch

Or/and

·      Participatein our Pot Luck on March 20,in the Cafeteria from 6-8 bring sample of yourfavorite dish to share. 

 

If  you have any questions please feel free to email me.  We look forward to your participation andother ideas you may have to enhance our Diversity Week. Please let us know howyou plan to participate as soon as possible

 

 

Cyndi Rose– cyndirose58@gmail.com – 214.616.4054

Congratulations to our February Volunteers of the month: Terese DeFore and Swetta Reddy!

Just a reminder to everyone that any off campus or at home hours can be sent to cmsptavoluntr@gmail.com. Remember... any meeting, phone call or conversation is considered volunteer time and should be counted! Also, if you are on the GCISD Council, any district committee or the CMS Booster club, your hours can be counted! Please turn in your hours by recording them in the computer manually or by sending them to the email address above. If you have any questions, let me know.

Thank you to all our CMS volunteers!!

Crissie :)

214.801.9933

Be Happy – Stay Healthy!  The flu has hit CMS in full force.  If your child is ill, they must be fever free (less than 100 degrees) for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.  If your child has a doctor’s note, do not send them back to school before the date they are released by the doctor.  Student’s will be allowed time to make up their work when they return to school and are feeling better.   Check the teacher website for homework.

 

Reasons to keep your child home:

                                Fever (temperature of 100 degrees or higher)

                                Vomiting and/or diarrhea

                                Red, mattery, watery, itchy eyes

                                Fatigue – child is unable to stay awake in class

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

 

Cathy McConnell, RN

CMS School Nurse

817-305-4918

cathy.mcconnell@gcisd.net

Fax:  817-498-9764

 

---

Dear Parents,

I thought nothing could beat the Thursday night Track meet for an uplifting sense of pride in yet another thing we do as a school. There were so many teachers and students on the field participating. The weather was beautiful, the smiles were plentiful, and we took home a few ribbons. Then came Friday's Faculty/Student basketball game! As I glanced over the gym, there were some prideful sights to behold. Teachers as cheerleaders, (who by the way were pretty good!) getting the students very involved, teachers as goofy and talented basketball players, teachers as refs smiling and laughing as they called fouls, and students thoroughly enjoying themselves as players or fans. And the best part of all...... it was all for Charity! We have a pretty amazing school!

Here is what we have for the week before Spring Break:

Mon. Mar. 5: Choir Concert @ 7:00 pm

Tues. Mar. 6: 8th grade Scoliosis testing through science classes; PTA Gen. meeting 6:00 pm in cafeteria, Open House 6:30-8:00 pm

Wed. Mar. 7:

Thurs. Mar. 8: Drug survey given to some 6th period classes into stretch; Track meet @ Coppell HS; Double Stretch Math PLC's

Fri. Mar. 9: Course selection sheets due for 6th and 7th graders; Cheerleader tryouts @ 4 pm

Have a fun and safe Spring Break!

Toni Thalken

 

 

Grapevine-Colleyville

School Health Services_______________________

 

 

 

IMMUNIZATION CLINIC

 

 

 

Date: March, 2012

 

 

Dear Parent/Guardian of current 6^th graders,

 

Since 2009, The Texas State Department of Health requires all students entering the 7^th grade to have Tdap, Meningococcal, and second Varicella (chicken pox) vaccines. If you are uncertain if your child has had these vaccines, you may access the school’s immunization record from Family Access.

 

The Tarrant County Health Department will be at Colleyville Middle School on the morning of April 10^th to administer state required immunizations. This clinic is available for all students regardless of family income.

 

The cost will be $14.00 for one vaccine, and $25 for two or more vaccines. Checks should be made payable to TCPH. The information and permission forms are available to down load from the district website: www.gcisd-k12.org Go to Departments and Programs-Health Services-Middle School Immunization Clinics. A separate permission form needs to be completed for each vaccine. The completed forms and payment are due in the nurse’s office by April 6^th in order for your child to participate in the April 10^th Clinic.

 

Please contact me if you have any questions.

 

Sincerely,

 

Cathy McConnell, RN BSN Colleyville Middle School

CMS School Nurse 1100 Bogart Drive

cathy.mcconnell@gcisd.net Colleyville, Texas 76034

817-305-4918

Fax: 817-498-9764

 

 

 

Date: March 2012

 

Dear Parent/Guardian of ______________________________________,

 

Since 2009, the Texas State Department of Health requires all students entering the 7^th grade to have Tdap, Meningoccal, and a second Varicella (chicken pox) vaccines.

 

The Tarrant County Health Department will be at Colleyville Middle School on the morning of April 10^th to administer state required and/or recommended immunizations. This clinic is available for all students. Our records indicate that your child will be coming due the following marked immunizations:

 

_____ Tdap

 

_____Meningococcal

 

_____Varicella (chicken pox) -- If your child has had only one Varicella Vaccine, a second booster is due. If your child has had the disease, including a break through case, please complete the enclosed form.

 

These immunizations are a STATE LAW. Schedules will be held at registration, if proof of immunizations is not received by fall schedule pick-up day. Schedules will not be released until immunizations are up to date.

 

If you are interested in taking advantage of the immunization clinic, please contact your child’s school nurse for permission forms and information sheets or you may visit www.gcisd-k12.org – departments – Health Services – middle school immunization clinics. The permission form for each individual vaccine and the payment of $14.00 for one vaccine, $25 for two or more- cash, or check payable to TCPH, needs to be received by the school nurse no later than April 6^th in order for your child to participate.

 

Please contact me if you have any questions.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Cathy McConnell, RN, BSN

Colleyville Middle School Nurse

1100 Bogart Drive

Colleyville, Texas 76034

817-305-4918

Cathy.mcconnell@gcisd.net

 

 

 

Toni Thalken

Principal

Colleyville Middle School

817.305.4900

Dear Parents,

Thank you very much for the Valentine's Day treats for the staff! Our PTA and volunteers are the Best! Last Friday night was a testimony to that as well because of the great social you sponsored for our students. The cafeteria and gym were filled will music, food, and games. A fun night was had by all!

If you haven't already noticed we are currently under construction. Some Bond items for CMS have already begun. Right now our Multi-purpose room is underway with more to go on this summer. I ask that you be more mindful in the parking lots and consider where you drop your children off especially around the crosswalks. It is easy to get distracted with cranes and whatnot around the school for you and your children. Our back crosswalk by the band hall and gym is especially busy right now so we are asking for extra caution.

March 2 is the deadline for ordering yearbooks. All students should have their registration materials with deadlines approaching as well for choosing coarse selections for next year.

This week also starts our big annual Leukemia Charity Drive. This includes a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament March 2 after school, a teacher/student basketball game, and various items on sale during the week. (see info and forms below) Please support this by donating to your child's 5th period class. Each class will be collecting donations until March 8th. We are always one of the top middle school contributors in the region for this Charity and want to continue this tradition. As always, thank you for your wonderful support in all our events.

 

Here is what we have coming up this week as we "Leap" into March..........

 

Mon. Feb. 27: Leukemia Charity Drive Campaign of Pennies for Pasta kicks off; Board meeting 7:00 pm

Tues. Feb. 28: 5th Grade Parent Night 6:30 pm in Cafeteria

Wed. Feb. 29: CEC meeting 3:45; CHHS Hockey demo in north gym for stretch

Thurs. Mar. 1: Report Cards go home; choir UIL; Track meet @ CTMS; double stretch

Fri. Mar. 2: March Madness Student/Teacher Basketball Game Assembly; 3-on-3 tournament after school

Have a great week!

Gratefully,

Toni Thalken

3-on-3 CMS March Madness Tournament

Team Name:

Check Appropriate Division:

Boys: 6^th Grade___ 7^th Grade___ 8^th Grade___

Girls: 6^th Grade___ 7^th Grade___ 8^th Grade___

Players’ Names (3 or 4 players):

1) Captain: ________________ Cell: ____________

2) ________________________________________

3) ________________________________________

4) ________________________________________

Entry Fee: ($80 per team)

Cash ______

Check# ______

(Make it out to: “The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society”)

** Deadline to register a team is Thursday, March 1 to Mr. Nathman in Room 216

** Please note that 100% of the entry fee will go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

** Game times/brackets will be posted at the pep rally Friday, March 2 & games will start at 4pm

 

 

 

Toni Thalken

Principal

Colleyville Middle School

817.305.4900

Dear Parents,

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with another successful 6th grade Cotillion. It is nice to have something special just for 6th graders.

I also want to thank the parents who attended the District Curriculum meeting last week. It was a great turnout with hopefully all questions answered. If you still have concerns or questions about this please call me.

Please see below for important announcements:

Here are the events for the next two weeks:

Mon. Feb. 13: Box Tops campaign starts; 7th gr. Boys Basketball @ Home

Tues. Feb. 14: Valentine's Day; 7th gr. Girls Basketball @ Home

Wed. Feb. 15:

Thurs. Feb. 16: 5th graders visit on campus; Double Stretch

Fri. Feb. 17:

Mon. Feb. 20: No School;

Tues. Feb. 21: No School; Teacher Staff Development Day

Wed. Feb. 22: 6th gr. Registration through Social Studies classes

Thurs. Feb. 23: 7th gr. Registration through Social Studies classes; Network down throughout the day due to Switch work update on campus; Double Stretch

Fri. Feb. 24: End of 6 week grading period; Pep Rally; PTA indoor Social 6:30-9 pm

Have a great long weekend!

 

Attention Parents!

Beat the Summer Rush & get vaccinated at the school!

All 7th graders will be required to have proof of the following vaccines prior to the 1st day of school.

Tdap - Mennigococcal—2nd Varicella

The Tarrant County Health Department will be hosting an immunization clinic on your student’s campus on the following dates:

April 10, 2012—CMS & HMS

April 11, 2012—CTMS & GMS

The cost is $14.00 for one vaccine & $25.00 for two vaccines.

Please see your school nurse or visit the GCISD website—Health Services for the required forms.

Congratulations to our January Volunteers of the month: Kristen Fanning and Pam Hall!

Just a reminder to everyone that any off campus or at home hours can be sent to cmsptavoluntr@gmail.com. Remember... any meeting, phone call or conversation is considered volunteer time and should be counted! Also, if you are on the GCISD Council, any district committee or the CMS Booster club, your hours can be counted! Please turn in your hours by recording them in the computer manually or by sending them to the email address above. If you have any questions, let me know.

Thank you to all our CMS volunteers!!

Crissie :)

214.801.9933

Please help us with our BOX TOPS campaign. We are encouraging students to bring in bags with 50 BOX TOPS in each bag to the counseling department by Feb. 24^th. If students are able to do this they can sign up for an extra pajama day set for Feb. 24^th. Thanks for your help; we have been able to purchase many valuable items for our school with the money earned from BOX TOP collecting.

Toni Thalken

Principal

Colleyville Middle School

817.305.4900

Parents,

This week is "Education Go Get it Week" and National Counselor's Week. Our Career and Technology teachers along with our Counselors are sponsoring a College and Career Awareness week. Everyone will be wearing their favorite college t-shirts as well as dressing professionally on designated days. 8th graders will start their 4-year plans with counselors from the High Schools on campus. All students will be hearing and seeing various items this week around campus promoting Colleges and Careers.

I would also like to invite you to the District Parent meeting Monday night at the Professional Development Education Center (PDEC) at 6:30-7:30 pm for an informative meeting to discuss the new structure of our 6th grade core classes for next year. Please visit the district website or CMS website for more information regarding our classes and the meeting set for Monday night. If you can't make the meeting and want information about this please call me. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Please remember that Tuesday is an early release day for students. Teachers will be attending professional development workshops and will not be available to supervise students so please be prompt in picking your children up that day. Busses will pick up at 12:10 and lunch will not be provided.

Here is what's coming up for this week:

Mon. Feb. 6: Parent curriculum meeting @ PDEC 6:30-7:30 pm

Tues. Feb. 7: Early release 12:10 pm/Professional Development Day (mini schedule-students will attend all classes for 30 min. no stretch time and no lunch provided.) Busses will pick up at 12:10 promptly.

Wed. Feb. 8: 8th grade 4 yr planning with GHS and CHHS counselors during Social Studies Classes; AVID Parent night at CTMS 6-8 pm

Thurs. Feb. 9: Professional Dress Day for Students and Teachers; Progress reports sent home; Regional Spelling Bee 1:00 pm @ PDEC

Fri. Feb. 10: College T-Shirt Day; Cotillion

Sat. Feb. 11: CMS hosting Math Contest

 

Enjoy your week!

Toni Thalken

 

 

 

 Parents please read the overview of what we are working on at the middle level.

GCISD Middle School Program incorporating stronger College Readiness Focus

On January 23, the GCISD Board of Trustees approved recommended changes to the middle school curriculum structure. The changes are designed to bring the middle school program into alignment with the district’s LEAD 2021 strategic plan to increase the depth of learning, increase student performance and prepare every student for university-level work.

This document is intended as a summary overview of the middle school program, purpose and structure changes. We understand parents have specific questions and we are working to provide answers to those questions. Responses will be published on the district website in the form of Frequently Asked Questions.

Several schools have already hosted parent meetings to share information and address questions about the middle school program, and the district is hosting a middle school parent meeting on Monday, February 6, to provide additional details.

History and reasoning

Prior to 2008-2009, GCISD had a two-tiered instructional program at the middle school level. Four years ago, the district added an Accelerated track to the course offerings, creating the current system that groups students into one of three levels: On Level, Pre-AP, or Accelerated. The purpose of this system was to strengthen the rigor of courses being offered in middle school and, specifically, to build a stronger foundation for student success in AP courses in high school.

While the district has seen increases in AP performance and participation at the high schools, overall middle school performance for state accountability has remained stagnant. Over the past four years, we have seen little change in the overall scores for middle school grades on the state assessment (TAKS), with scores either remaining stagnant or declining slightly in the past two years. Accountability ratings have remained at Recognized or Academically Acceptable, with only one middle school meeting Exemplary standards.

In researching this trend as part of our ongoing evaluation of our educational programs, district and campus leaders began by assessing our teaching practices and providing targeted training and support for teachers. Through continued research of student data, we have determined that the declines in student performance also are due, in large part, to a structural system that ultimately resulted in categorizing students into defined ability levels rather than providing opportunities for all students to achieve to their highest potential.

The district’s LEAD 2021 strategic plan takes the middle school program a step further, calling for structures at all levels that maximize the potential of all students and a curriculum that reflects college readiness standards (Strategy III.7, III.9).

The new structure essentially removes On-Level classes, raising the level of challenge and rigor for all students. The move to a two-tier structure at middle school is a step toward a stronger system that adds value to the work that has already been done and ensures college and career readiness for all students.

“This plan is about creating the context in which all kids see themselves as viable learners,” said Dr. Robin Ryan, Superintendent. “Education should not be a situation of high ability versus low ability, but should focus on high achievement for all and provide the structure to support higher-level learning for all students.”

Outline of program

Beginning with sixth grade students in 2012-2013, all core area courses will reflect four tenets of college readiness – cognitive strategies, content knowledge and skills, academic behaviors, and contextual skills and awareness. Courses previously labeled as “On Level” and “Pre-AP” are being replaced with “College Readiness” courses. Students who meet the criteria for Gifted and Talented will continue to be served through the Discoveries program for language arts and social studies, and through Accelerated Math and Accelerated Science. Students who are not identified as GT also have the opportunity to enroll in Accelerated Math and Accelerated Science. Please see additional information regarding college readiness and sixth-grade required courses.

Lisa Grimes, sixth-grade teacher and Language Arts team leader at Cross Timbers Middle School, said the move to a college readiness curriculum is in the best interest of the students.

“With LEAD 2021, we’re going to a two-level program because our district belief is that all students need to have college readiness available to them,” Grimes said. “By going to two levels, we make that stand as a district and we take the focus off of grouping students and on to what is in the curriculum.”

Impact to current Pre-AP

Under the current system, Pre-AP courses address the same sixth-grade curriculum standards as On Level classes, and any student can choose to enroll in Pre-AP. The Pre-AP strategies will be incorporated into the new College Readiness courses.

“One of the misconceptions is that Pre-AP is gone,” Grimes said. “In reality, the name has changed to College Readiness and it’s open to all students, just as Pre-AP already is.”

Teachers have been and will continue to receive professional development in methods to design instruction to meet the needs of each learner in their classroom.

“Our district has been so proactive in preparing us for the changes of LEAD 2021 that they have taken on training teachers to do two things, the first being differentiated instruction – we don’t teach one size fits all,” Grimes said. “The second is they have started training for something called formative assessments [the process of ongoing checks for understanding that guides daily teacher instruction.] This type of classroom-level assessment allows teachers to teach multi-levels within the same classroom, and that practice is ongoing in any good teaching environment.”

She added that the move to a College Readiness course will not impact higher-achieving students because, through differentiated instruction, they are already receiving the instructional extensions they need for deeper-level learning. She explained that teachers who differentiate instruction don’t spend time teaching students what they already know but allow them to always move forward, no matter where their level of understanding begins.

In addition, the new STAAR state accountability tests are more rigorous and designed to measure a broader range of achievement, which requires teachers and districts to continue to increase the level of instruction in their classrooms. So the perception that teachers have to teach to the “lowest common denominator” is unfounded.

“LEAD 2021 asks teachers to design lessons purposefully with differentiation, so all students will get the lesson they need,” Grimes said. “It’s not about the kids’ ability, it’s about the curriculum we’re teaching and we’re going to work with the kids we are given to take each of them to their next level of achievement.

“This is not a sacrifice for smart kids so we can reach our lower-performing kids,” she continued. “This is about reaching all kids at all levels to perform at their highest levels.”

Opportunity for All

The college readiness structure in middle school will provide more challenge for higher-achieving students while also infusing a higher standard for all students. This focus toward college readiness will set new expectations for learning and performance for all students.

Grimes said the new structure removes limits and opens opportunities for students to achieve their full potential.

“When we limit opportunities to children by denying them access to rich thinking, rich discussion, and college readiness skills, then we are closing doors for them,” she said. “As a district, we don’t believe we should limit their access to learning; that mindset completely goes against any belief that any teacher would have about learning.”

GCISD FastNews - Jan. 30, 2012 Special Edition

Posted by Public Information at 1/30/2012

 

District leaders to host meeting to discuss sixth-grade curriculum

Parents are invited to an informational meeting to discuss changes to the sixth-grade curriculum structure as it relates to the district's LEAD 2021 strategic plan. Superintendent Dr. Robin Ryan and members of the district's instructional leadership team will be on hand to provide historical information about the program and vision for the future, an explanation of the College Readiness courses and curriculum, and the process of transitioning to the new structure. Time will be provided for questions and answers.

 

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, February 6, in the Panther Den at the GCISD Professional Development and Education Center, 5800 Colleyville Blvd. in Colleyville.

 

Dear Parents,

Please read the following information about our classes for 6th graders next year. Hopefully some misconceptions will be cleared up.

I also encourage you to go to the GCISD

website to review the Lead 2021 strategies we are striving for. Our movement from the Teaching Platform to the Learning Platform will be evident by all the changes we make. As always our decisions for any changes are for student success.

 

Students Entering 6^th Grade in 2012-13

The GCISD strategic plan, LEAD 2021, states that GCISD “will transform from a teaching platform to a learning platform by designing engaging, differentiated work for students toward the accomplishment of the GCISD mission and strategic objectives. In maintaining high expectations for all students, GCISD will create structures at all levels that maximize the potential of all students through rigorous curriculum and instruction. Curriculum, instruction, and student performance will reflect college and career readiness standards.” Four tenets of college readiness will be reflected in all 6^th grade curriculum:

Key Cognitive Strategies – Intelligent behaviors necessary for college and career readiness

· Inquisitiveness

· Intellectual Openness

· Reasoning

· Interpretation

· Precision and Accuracy

· Problem Solving

· Critical and Creative Thinking

Key Content Knowledge and Skills – Utilizing the key cognitive strategies in each of the core content areas

· Reading, writing, inquiry and research across the curriculum

· Use of data to develop understanding

· Use of technology to enhance learning

Academic Behaviors – Behaviors that are necessary for success in all content areas

· Study Skills

· Notetaking

· Communicating

· Time Management

· Academic Integrity

Contextual Skills and Awareness – Interpersonal and social skills that enable students to interact with a diverse cross-section of peers and experts toward success in postsecondary endeavors

· Collaboration

· Global Empathy

· How to interact with people from other backgrounds and cultures

· How to demonstrate leadership in a variety of settings

· “College Knowledge” – formal and informal information, stated and unstated, necessary for both gaining admission to and navigating within the postsecondary system

All students entering 6^th grade in 2012-13 will be enrolled in college readiness core courses and will learn grade level standards through rigorous curriculum and instruction. Previously labeled “On-Level” and “Pre-AP” courses have transformed into “College Readiness” courses that reflect the intent of LEAD 2021 and will prepare ALL students with the content, skills, behaviors, and habits of mind to be successful in all post-secondary endeavors. College readiness courses will be phased-in beginning with school year 2012-2013 in 6^th grade, and in each subsequent year will grow to include the next grade level.

Gifted and Talented (GT) students are served through the Discoveries program (an integrated language arts and social studies class) as well as through Accelerated Math and Accelerated Science. Students who are not identified as GT also have the opportunity to enroll in Accelerated Math and Accelerated Science. These two accelerated courses cover content from multiple grade levels with compacted curricula. Due to the increased pace and rigor of these courses, recommended criteria for student success will be considered for enrollment.

Recommended Criteria for Accelerated Math / Accelerated Science

· 115+ on an aptitude test for specific subtests

· 85^th percentile on an achievement test in math and/or science

· 85 GPA in the specific subject area

· Students who can master rigorous curriculum at a fast pace (a year and a half of content in one year)

· Self-motivated / strong work ethic

· Strong reading, writing and math skills

· Enjoys problem solving

· Time management

· Collaboration

Students who do not meet the recommended criteria for Accelerated Math and/or Accelerated Science yet desire enrollment in these courses should contact school personnel (counselor/principal) to discuss the process for admission.

SIXTH GRADE REQUIRED COURSES

All core area courses will reflect the tenets of College Readiness. Students entering 6^th grade will learn grade level standards through rigorous curriculum and instruction. Gifted and Talented (GT) students are served through the Discoveries program (an integrated language arts and social studies class) as well as through Accelerated Math and Accelerated Science. Students who are not identified as GT also have the opportunity to enroll in Accelerated Math and Accelerated Science. These two accelerated courses cover content from multiple grade levels with compacted curricula. Due to the increased pace and rigor of these courses, recommended criteria for student success will be considered for enrollment. These criteria along with GT requirements appear at the front of this booklet. One course in Fine Arts is required during 6^th, 7^th or 8^th grade. Please make course selections carefully as switching courses during the year may result in missed content.

College Readiness LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading Course No. 0603

English Course No. 0604

This course infuses the tenets of College Readiness with grade level content standards. Students are challenged through learning experiences as they make meaning of content. Students develop deep conceptual understanding and 21^st Century habits of mind as they learn and apply skills and concepts.

Students in sixth grade language arts participate in a course of study which includes advanced oral and written language development. Note taking, oral presentations, study of word origins, critical reading and writing skills and multiple opportunities for research are major instructional targets. Critical reading skills are developed through a wide variety of diverse materials including classical and contemporary literature and informational texts.

Students are expected to analyze information from multiple sources to form relationships among ideas. Students are expected to communicate written ideas effectively by maintaining focus and coherence,

developing ideas fully, expressing their unique voice or perspective, and increasing proficiency of conventions such as spelling, capitalization and punctuation. Sixth grade students are scheduled into one English class and one reading class, which make up the language arts program.

WORLD DISCOVERIES

Reading Course No. 0616

English Course No. 0617

Social Studies Course No. 0618

Meet qualifications for GT placement

This course infuses the tenets of College Readiness with grade level content standards. Students are challenged through learning experiences as they make meaning of content. Students develop deep conceptual understanding and 21^st Century habits of mind as they learn and apply skills and concepts.

This course replaces Language Arts (reading, English) and social studies. The World Discoveries class at the sixth grade level will provide the opportunity for identified gifted/talented students to see the relationship between reading, writing, and history. Included in the course will be the study of art, music, literature, architecture, geography, culture, government, and folklore of the cultures of the contemporary

world. Students are expected to communicate written ideas effectively by maintaining focus and coherence, developing ideas fully, expressing their unique voice or perspective, and increasing proficiency of conventions such as spelling, capitalization, and punctuation World Discoveries provides opportunities for extended learning, possible field trips to local historical sites, and hands-on experiences. This course requires a high level of reading, comprehension, and writing skills. A significant time commitment will be needed for this course and should be considered before enrolling. There may be additional material costs associated with this course for which the student will be responsible.

College Readiness SOCIAL STUDIES: World Cultures

Course No. 0642

This course infuses the tenets of College Readiness with grade level content standards. Students are challenged through learning experiences as they make meaning of content. Students develop deep conceptual understanding and 21^st Century habits of mind as they learn and apply skills and concepts.

This course is a study of people and places of the contemporary world and their historical development. The concepts of limited and unlimited government are introduced and the students describe the nature of citizenship in various societies. Institutions common to all societies of government, economics, education, and religion are compared. Respect for cultural diversities of the world is highlighted as a citizenship skill. Map and globe skills, chart and graph skills, reading, writing, and problem solving skills are stressed throughout the course.

College Readiness MATH

Course No. 0622

This course infuses the tenets of College Readiness with grade level content standards. Students are challenged through learning experiences as they make meaning of content. Students develop deep conceptual understanding and 21^st Century habits of mind as they learn and apply skills and concepts.

Focal points in mathematics at grade six are using ratios to describe proportional relationships, geometry, measurement, probability, and adding/subtracting decimals and fractions. Problem solving strategies, language communication, connections within and outside mathematics, and formal and informal reasoning are emphasized. Students are expected to use these processes together with technology and other mathematical tools to develop conceptual understandings and solve problems.

ACCELERATED MATH

Course No. 0626

This course infuses the tenets of College Readiness with grade level content standards. Students are challenged through learning experiences as they make meaning of content. Students develop deep conceptual understanding and 21^st Century habits of mind as they learn and apply skills and concepts.

This course meets the needs of the district’s accelerated and gifted/talented mathematics students.

All of sixth and part of seventh grade TEKS objectives are compacted to prepare the student for Accelerated Math in seventh grade. Students should possess advanced facility with numbers and have a sincere interest in mathematics.

Recommended criteria for success in this course can be found in the front of the Program of Studies.

College Readiness SCIENCE

Course No. 0632

This course infuses the tenets of College Readiness with grade level content standards. Students are challenged through learning experiences as they make meaning of content. Students develop deep conceptual understanding and 21^st Century habits of mind as they learn and apply skills and concepts.

Grade 6 science is interdisciplinary in nature with a focus on physical science. Enduring understandings in Science transcend disciplinary boundaries and include change and constancy, patterns, cycles, systems, models, and scale. As students engage in inquiry-based scientific investigations and reasoning they will learn science in the following conceptual strands: Matter and Energy; Force, Motion and Energy; Earth and Space Science; and Organisms and Environments.

ACCELERATED SCIENCE

Course No. 0636

This course infuses the tenets of College Readiness with grade level content standards. Students are challenged through learning experiences as they make meaning of content. Students develop deep conceptual understanding and 21^st Century habits of mind as they learn and apply skills and concepts.

This course meets the needs of the district’s accelerated and gifted/talented science students.

This science course is interdisciplinary in nature with a focus on physical science and life science. Sixth grade and a portion of seventh and eighth grade TEKS are combined in this course. Students should have a sincere interest in science.

Enduring understandings in Science transcend disciplinary boundaries and include change and constancy, patterns, cycles, systems, models, and scale. As students engage in inquiry-based scientific investigations and reasoning they will learn science in the following conceptual strands: Matter and Energy; Force, Motion and Energy; Earth and Space Science; and Organisms and Environments. Students will receive compacted instruction including standards from sixth, seventh and eighth grades.

Recommended criteria for success in this course can be found in the front of the Program of Studies.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION / HEALTH

Course No. 0650

The emphasis in the sixth grade PE program is on understanding, measuring, monitoring, and improving the relationship of physical activity and health as a lifetime skill. Students acquire physical skills through instruction, demonstration, practice and assessment. These various skills will be used in drills and/or lead-up games for a variety of individual and team sports. Through the use of technology, students will learn to measure their own performance more accurately and develop plans for improvement. Students are required to suit out in proper uniform.

In health education an emphasis is placed on acquiring knowledge and skills regarding healthy behaviors, understanding puberty and the reproductive process. Abstinence-based programs such as Choosing the Best, Aim for Success, and Life Skills Training are major components in providing this health information. Play It Safe, a TEKS-based program, addresses a variety of contemporary topics such as sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and other pertinent issues in an age-appropriate manner. Parent previews will precede presentation of all materials related to human sexuality

2012-13 Sixth Grade Courses FAQ

The WHY

Q – Why is the district making changes in the 6^th grade core course offerings?

A – GCISD believes we have a moral imperative to provide a rigorous curriculum that ensures college and career readiness for all students. We are aligning our practices with this belief. This opens pathways for more children to take advantage of the most rigorous curriculum and instruction.

Q – Why not just keep Pre-AP?

A – The College Board does not endorse locally developed Pre-AP courses. In the current system, skills and habits of mind necessary for college and career readiness are presumed. In a college readiness curriculum, these are embedded. GCISD has adopted and employed College Board resources and strategies, and will continue to do so through the College Readiness courses.

The College Board strongly believes that all students should have access to preparation for AP and other challenging courses, and that Pre-AP teaching strategies should be reflected in all courses taken by students prior to their enrollment in AP. The College Board discourages using "Pre-AP" in the title of locally designed courses and listing these courses on a student's transcript, because there is no one fixed or mandated Pre-AP curriculum that students must take to prepare for AP and other challenging coursework. Rather than using Pre-AP in course titles, the College Board recommends the adoption of more comprehensive Pre-AP programs that work across grade levels and subject areas to prepare the full diversity of a school's student population for AP and college. (http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/preap/index.html)

The HOW

Q – How will teachers address all ability levels and assure that my child is challenged at and beyond his/her ability level?

A – Teachers will design experiences that target state standards while providing all students means of delving deeper into content. Teachers will continue to engage in professional learning experiences to refine and enhance instructional practices.

The WHAT

Q – What courses will be available for my child in 6^th grade?

A – All 6^th graders will be offered a college and career readiness curriculum in core area subjects. In math and science, students will be offered accelerated courses. Students who qualify for Gifted and Talented (GT) will be served through an integrated language arts and social studies course called World Discoveries as well as through accelerated courses in math and science.

I hope this answers some questions you have about the classes we will have on campus next year. If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to call me.

Here is what we have for this week coming up:

 

Mon. Jan. 30: 7th gr. Boys Basketball @ Home; Parent Preview 6&7 gr. Health film @6:30 pm in CMS Library

Tues. Jan. 31: Our Special Services Teacher Sara Snell is retiring today.

Wed. Feb. 1:

Thurs. Feb. 2: Parent Preview 6&7 gr. Health Film @ 9:15 am in Health rm.; Double Stretch; 8th gr. Boys Basketball

Fri. Feb. 3: End of 3 week grading period; Cotillion @ 6:30 pm

 

PTA Membership Drive – Student Directories Distributed

 

The CMS PTA Fall membership drive concluded in October. The 2011-2012 student phonebooks were distributed on December 15th directly to students during their 2nd period class.

Remember anyone may still join PTA for our Spring membership drive to receive all the benefits that PTA has to offer, and receive a copy of the Student directory. Or if you would like an additional directory, an additional membership may be purchased for $7.50. Membership forms are available in the front office and on our Website www.cmsptaonline.org. Payments may be dropped off in the front office.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding CMS PTA membership or the phonebook, feel free to email me, Joy Prochera, VP-Membership joyfully27@gmail.com .

Toni Thalken

Principal

Colleyville Middle School

817.305.4900

Dear Parents,

We had a short week to start our semester last week but it was filled with lots of information. We had 3 days of Colt Camp so students could simply clean out lockers for a fresh start but more importantly we reviewed our Character Education program of Colts in Action (you can find this on our website) and students also made goals for the upcoming semester to finish out this school year. The goal setting for our students is part of the Lead 2021 Student Platform we are starting to launch in small steps as students take a more active part in their educational needs. We covered the rules for the cell phone usage we are now implementing on the middle school campuses after 3 successful years of use on the High School campuses. This is basically allowing students to use their cell phones on campus before and after school as well as between classes and at lunch. They will continue to not be able to have them out in the classrooms. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions regarding any of the information your students received during Colt Camp.

6th and 7th grade parents also look on our website for the Health Education films to be seen by your students. Parent viewing is posted there as well. Be looking for the PTA 6 week Colt Courier newsletter as well.

Whew! :)

Here is what's up for this week:

Mon. Jan. 23: 8th grade Boys Basketball game @ home, 5 pm; Board meeting @ 7 pm

Tues. Jan. 24:

Wed. Jan. 25: 7th gr. Math Maps testing, CEC @ 3:45 pm

Thurs. Jan. 26: 7th gr. Math Maps testing, Double stretch; 8th gr Girls Basketball 5 pm @ home

Fri. Jan. 27: Pep Rally and PJ Dress-up Day

Have a great week....The last full one in January!

Gratefully,

Toni Thalken

 

 

GCISD Summer Programs has a Facebook page to bring you updates. We have many programs and several new classes. Summer 2012 will be extraordinary!!

Use the link below to go to our page and friend us.

We hope to see you around this summer.

GCISD Summer Programs Facebook Page:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003321646003&ref=tn_tnmn

 

updated information on STAAR and EOC's is available on the STAAR resources website: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Page/20618.

 

 

Toni Thalken
Principal
Colleyville Middle School
817.305.4900

---

Parents,

Please note that the Cotillion starts at 6:30 pm. There was a mistake in my update this week that said it started at 7:00 pm.

Also please note another event change in time regarding the Film Festival for the Solar System Scavenger Hunt:

Hello everyone-

Several 6th graders have come to my classroom today concerned that they can't go to both the Cotillion and the Science Fiction Film Night on Friday, January 20. So, let's change the date of the film.

How about linking the Science Fiction Film night with the Yearbook Release on Friday, May 19? This could give students a place to gather on the night of the yearbook pep rally.

Heather Foote

CMS Science

---

 

Dear Parents,

The next two weeks are short ones with semester exams, early release days, and a long weekend. Please make sure you make arrangements for the early release days on Thurs. and Fri. of this week. The morning busses will be running at normal time and the afternoon busses will be picking up right after school at 12:10 pm. The teachers will be processing grades and getting ready for next semester classes so we ask that all students get picked up at 12:10 pm. Thank you for your promptness in this. Lunch will not be served on those two days and some students choose to walk to local restaurants. This is fine as we will have a crossing guard for Bogart.

I encourage you to attend the Middle School and Beyond Program this Tuesday night. The process for course selections will begin soon and this is a great opportunity for you to get first hand information about this.

If you have any questions about the semester exam schedules please contact the office.

Again, thank you for your support and the many hours you devote to making our school the Best!!!

Mon. Jan. 9:

Tues. Jan. 10: PTA evening mtg. 6:30-Middle School and Beyond program given by our counselors (see flyer below)

Wed. Jan. 11: Semester exams start today (just one 1st period only)

Thurs. Jan. 12: Semester exams 2, 3, & 4, early release for students no lunch served

Fri. Jan. 13: Semester exams 5, 6, & 7, early release for students no lunch served; 7th grade Boys Basketball home@ 5 pm

Cotillion in cafeteria @ 7 pm

Mon. Jan. 16: No school MLK Day

Tues. Jan. 17: No school for students, Teacher Work Day

Wed. Jan. 18: New Semester starts, Stretch with 6th period class (Colt Camp)

Thurs. Jan. 19: Stretch with 6th period class (Colt Camp); 7th gr. Girl's Basketball @ Home

Fri. Jan. 20: Stretch with 6th period class (Colt Camp); Cotillion @ 7 in cafeteria

Enjoy the long weekend!

Gratefully,

Toni Thalken

 

Middle School and Beyond

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

6:30 p.m.

CMS Cafeteria

Helping your Child Navigate Course Selection from Middle School to High School

Parents of Middle School Students (6 – 8) will have an opportunity to develop an understanding of the curriculum sequences that can affect your child in their Middle and High School Years. Counselor Krystal McCure will guide you through Middle School course selections.

Who should attend?

If you are a parent of a 6^th grader, you will have an opportunity to navigate your child’s course selection available at the 7^th grade level and have a plan that will continue into the High School years. We will go over the benefits of taking advanced courses and discuss the Standardized tests available to all our students.

If you are a parent of a 7^th grader, you will have the opportunity to prepare your child not only for courses available at the 8^th grade level, but will be informed of courses that transfer to High School.

If you are a parent of an 8^th grader, you will be informed of the High School Core Courses and Electives and also, the different Graduation Plans.

Following the presentation, there will be a question and answer period.

We encourage everyone to attend this very informative program presented by the CMS PTA following a brief meeting.

 

Toni Thalken

Principal

Colleyville Middle School

817.305.4900

---

Dear Parents,

Welcome back! Whereas I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday, it is hard to be cheerful when we had such a tragedy happen in our community to one of our former families on Christmas day. I wish you all a new year filled with good health, love and all your resolutions conquered.

My personal adventures last month certainly filled me with overwhelming joy. I have a new grandson, Noah! He's a healthy, happy little boy and our family couldn't be happier!

Just an update of our days on campus concerning the Christmas tragedy: It has been low key. Our team set up handled the little concerns to address and made for a very comfortable atmosphere.

 

Here is how we will start 2012!

Mon. Jan. 2:

Tues. Jan. 3:

Wed. Jan. 4:

Thurs. Jan. 5: Double stretch; 8th gr. girls Basketball @ Home

Fri. Jan. 6: 8th gr. Boys Basketball @ Home

Remember next week we start semester exams! Thursday and Friday, Jan. 12, & 13 will be half days with no lunch provided.

Please note the announcements at the end of this letter.

 

Gratefully,

Toni Thalken

*****Middle School and Beyond on Tuesday, January 10!!!***

Details to follow........PTA and CMS counselor evening presentation

 

Congratulations to our November Volunteers of the month, Deborah Ryan and Judith Davis!!

Congratulations to our December Volunteers of the month: Annette Walters and Cyndi Rose!

Just a reminder to everyone that any off campus or at home hours can be sent to cmsptavoluntr@gmail.com. Remember... any meeting, phone call or conversation is considered volunteer time and should be counted! Also, if you are on the GCISD Council, any district committee or the CMS Booster club, your hours can be counted! Please turn in your hours by recording them in the computer manually or by sending them to the email address above. If you have any questions, let me know.

Thank you to all our CMS volunteers!!

Crissie :)

214.801.9933

Toni Thalken

Principal

Colleyville Middle School

817.305.4900

 

---

Dear Parents,

As many of you may know our CMS community experienced a very sad tragedy over our holiday break. On December 25th two former students of Colleyville Middle School were victims of a murder-suicide. Ali Yazdanpanah was a student on our campus last year and his sister, Nona, was our student five years ago. Many of our teachers and students have been affected by this incident.

As we prepare for school to resume on Monday, our district has already mobilized a team of trained crisis counselors to provide comfort and assistance to our school in this time of grief. Counselors will be available for students and staff in small groups or individually, as needed.

We understand we all react in different ways to the loss of a member of our school community-whether it's a student we've taught or a classmate we've befriended. Our library will be closed on Monday so that the counselors can use that venue throughout the day to provide support. Extra counselors will remain on campus as long as necessary.

If you feel your children need any of this support, we encourage you to have conversations with your children and encourage them to visit with the trained crisis team members in the library on Monday.

Losing a student is one of the most difficult times a school faces. I am confident with our supportive and giving community working together we can provide the help and comfort necessary to work through this most difficult time.

Sincerely,

Toni Thalken

 

Toni Thalken

Principal

Colleyville Middle School

817.305.4900

---

Dear Parents,

I am sending the calendar dates for the next two weeks because my daughter is past due with her first child and lives in Nashville so I will be making the journey when my grandchild arrives! There are many events going on and I wanted you to have them now.

If you haven't already done so the 2012/2013 school Calendars are on the GCISD district website for you to vote for. The deadline is today Dec. 4th to vote. The calendars are very different as one ends the semester in December before the winter break and the other calendar ends the semester in January.

I realize your families have lots of events to attend at this time of year but I also encourage you to attend our first Diversity Dinner on Dec. 8th. The PTA and DAC are putting a lot of work into this and the tickets are only $2.00! It is in our Cafeteria from 6:00-8:30 pm. See below for details.

The end of the 3 weeks grading period is this Friday the 9th of Dec. Please help keep your children on track with their assignments so they are all up-to-date with everything before the Holiday break. When we get back in January there is only one week before semester exams. This could be overwhelming if a child is behind in school work facing semester exams. Not a good way to start the New Year. Let us know if we can assist in any way.

As you can see from the calendar there are many things going on to end this year. Hopefully I will see you during this time if not, have a wonderful two weeks off to enjoy your families during the holiday season. Maybe even have a snowy Christmas! Safe travels, see you in 2012!

 

Here is what we have to end the year....

Mon. Dec. 5: 8th gr. Boys Basketball @ home

Tues. Dec. 6: Choir @ Ft. Worth

Wed. Dec. 7: Geography Bee in Cafe @ 8:15 am; Cross Country

Thurs. Dec. 8: Double Stretch; Hot Chocolate 2nd stretch in Cafeteria; 8th gr. Girls Basketball @ home; DAC Pot Luck Dinner 6:00 pm-8:30 pm in our Cafeteria

Fri. Dec. 9: End of 3 weeks; Fine Arts Assembly in Cafeteria-6th grade attends per. 1, 8th grade per. 2, 7th gr. per. 3

Mon. Dec. 12: 7th gr. Boys Basketball @ home; Board mtg. 7:00 pm

Tues. Dec. 13: Choir Concert 7:00 pm @ Compass Church

Wed. Dec. 14: Band and Choir tours elementary schools all day;

Thurs. Dec. 15: 7th gr. Girls Basketball @ home; Band Concert @ CHHS 6-8:30 pm

Fri. Dec. 16: Dress-up day: Holiday silly sweater;

 

Please make an effort to notify your parents of the STAAR resources we have available on the district website (http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Page/20618). A link to the webpage is also located on the 'Parents & Students' page on the district's homepage.

 

Travel the World in one Night

&

Taste Diversity

Dear CMS families,

The CMS World Club and PTA Diversity Advisory Council committee hope you’ll join us to celebrate cultural and ethnic diversity at our potluck dinner on December 8, 2011, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the CMS cafeteria.

We need your help to make this event a success. Please bring a favorite dish representing your cultural and ethnic heritage and join us for this celebration. To ensure that we have enough food we’re asking families to let us know in advance if they will be attending and whether they will be bringing food to share. Food from local restaurants will also be available.

Tickets for the dinner are $2 per person and can be purchased through the CMS World Club. We encourage families to buy tickets in advance, however, they will also be available at the door. The CMS World Club will be selling tickets after school on Mondays and Wednesdays, or please see Mrs. David in room #210.

For questions or to RSVP and tell us what you’ll be bringing, call or send an email to Cyndi Rose at cyndirose58@gmail.com or (214) 616-4054.

“Everyone eats – bring your favorite family dish”

 

 

 

Toni Thalken

Principal

Colleyville Middle School

817.305.4900

---

I hope you all enjoyed the Thanksgiving Break! I was hoping for my grandchild to be born during that time but maybe he is waiting for the month of December.......we will see.

Even though it was a few weeks ago I cannot go without thanking PTA for delivering Thanksgiving Pies to everyone on staff at CMS before the break! Oh my, what a wonderful tradition you have kept up. It has become one of the favorite days of the year on campus. I love to tell others about it because they just can't believe it. It is a wonderful, thoughtful thing you do. Thank you very much.

With only 3 weeks before the next break there will be a lot to accomplish at school for your students. This goes along with extra-curricular activities and performances for this time of year. Please help with your children's time management during this time. We want them to enjoy all that middle school has to offer but not fall behind in their studies!

Looks like Winter is blowing in just in time for some Hot chocolate! Student Council will be selling it this week!

Don't forget to read the CMS PTA Colt Courier for lots of news around the school.

Here is what we have for next week:

Mon. Nov. 28:

Tues. Nov. 29:

Wed. Nov. 30: CEC mtg 3:45pm

Thurs. Dec. 1: Spelling Bee 8:15 am in Cafe; Hot Chocolate in Cafe 2nd half of Stretch; Grapevine Main St. Holiday Parade 7:00pm; 7th gr Girls Basketball @ Home

Fri. Dec. 2: 7th gr Boys Basketball @ Home

Have a great week and dress warm!

Toni Thalken

Dear Parents,

I hope you enjoyed the extra hour of sleep this weekend! I am sure your children did. :)

Just a quick reminder of our Grace Food Drive going on this week-6th grade brings cans of mixed vegetables; 7th grade brings cans of fruit; 8th grade brings cans of cranberry sauce and everyone brings boxes of jello. It is a great opportunity for students to contribute to giving thanks at this time of year. All cans are to be dropped off in front of the library. The drive goes until next Tuesday the 15th of Nov.

We are having a "Golden Day" on Thursday to celebrate the 6 gold acknowledgements the Texas Education Agency awarded us for our high commended scores on the TAKS tests last spring. We received one for each test we took as a school as well as an acknowledgement for our attendance rates. It is quite an honor. I am continuously reminded of the wonderful school we have. It is not like this everywhere!!

Here are some events for the week:

Mon. Nov. 7: 7th gr. football home

Tues. Nov. 8:

Wed. Nov. 9: drum line from CHHS in Coltiseum during stretch; Faculty mtg. 3:45 in library

Thurs. Nov. 10: Golden Day Cook-out for lunch!

Fri. Nov. 11: Outdoor Social 6:30-9:00 pm, Veterans Day;

Have a great week and see below for announcements,

Toni Thalken

All-School Social
November 11 from 6:30-9:00
$10 admission includes admission to the Social, one drink, one slice of pizza and one candy item.
Additional concessions are $1 each (pizza, drinks, candy, popcorn)
Kona Ice available for $2, $3 or $4
Laser Tag $3
Game Truck $3.

Thanks for Giving Pies

It is that time of year again when we start

thinking about the change of seasons and start of Holidays....

We will continue our tradition with the Thanks-for-Giving Pies

for the entire staff on the CMS campus.

We will be ordering those yummy pies again from our baker in Dallas.

If you would like to sponsor a pie for a favorite teacher or staff member, let me know. The cost per pie is $13.00. I have an envelope at school in the office by Diana Vibrock's desk for those checks (made out to CMS PTA -reference pies) or cash donations. If you would like to sponsor a pie, please send the donation in with your child to drop off at the office-if you have a certain staff member in mind -just make note of the staff member on your envelope. We would like to have the order in by November 10th. We will have 90 pies on the order...these include all the staff members, teachers, crossing guards, cafeteria crew and our wonderful bus drivers. This is a great tradition and a big thank you to our staff for all the giving they do! The pies will be delivered to all our staff to enjoy over the Thanksgiving Holiday……Thanks for helping us continue this special tradition!

Lisa Edwards - VP Hospitality PTA 2011-2012

laedwards01@verizon.net

6^th – water or Gatorade bottles

7^th – snacks the firefighters can eat on the run like crackers, granola bars, etc.

8^th – eye drops or TUMS

The drive will be held on September 21-23.  The donation boxes will be in front of the library.  Please encourage your students to donate!

Emily Allen

Colleyville Middle School

Please visit the GCISD website and you will see a picture of the American flag made by our very own art students! Way to go! We also had teen leadership and Pals students visit the airport with the Wish Flight group at American Airlines. We have awesome students at CMS.

Remember this Tuesday we have an early release day. Students are out at 12:10 and the busses will be here promptly. There will be no lunch served that day.

If you are a new family to our community the CMS PTA will be hosting a breakfast for you this Tuesday morning right before the general PTA meeting and Volunteer training. Please plan to attend. It is a wonderful way to get to know about our community and school. This will all start at 8:30am for the breakfast and 9:00am for the Volunteer training and PTA mtg.

Events for this week-

Mon. 19: 7th football away

Tues. 20: 8th football home, early release @ 12:10pm:mini schedule, no lunch for students

Wed. 21: Vision and Hearing for 7th graders in Science classes.

Thurs. 22: Double Stretch- 7th grade Volleyball home,

Fri. 23:

Have a great week!

Toni Thalken

The 2011-2012 Student Phonebook is underway. Do you have a business you would like to advertise in the CMS Student Phonebook that will be in the hands of over 600 CMS parents, teachers and staff? Ads are being accepted NOW through September 30. We also invite you to provide business leads for us to contact about advertising in the CMS Phonebook. Rates and details are available on the CMS PTA website at http://www.cmsptaonline.org/. Questions? Contact Alisa McGregor (alisa_mcgregor@hotmail.com or 817.514.1905.) THANK YOU for your support!

What a fun way to end the week with an outdoor social! It was a beautiful night with many students enjoying the friendships they have.  The football field was filled with fun, food and laughter. There will be others so if your child couldn't make this one be sure and encourage them to attend the next one in November. Thank you to all the volunteers that made this happen!

A reminder that supervision for students starts at 7:45 am so please do not drop off students before this.  Afterschool supervision lasts until 3:45 pm so please pick up before this time unless your student is staying after for a sponsored activity they are a part of. We have assigned tutorials, meetings and parent conferences occurring before and after the supervised times that we need to honor. If your child ever needs to arrive early for use of the library or computer use or to print something out that they couldn't do the night before we understand.  Just send a note with them requesting to go to a certain room for extra help and it will be fine.

Coming up this week:

Mon. Sept. 12:  Football 7th Home

Tues. Sept. 13: Football 8th away

Wed. Sept. 14:

Thurs. Sept. 15: Double Stretch; Volleyball-8th gr. home; Progress reports go home

Fri. Sept 16: Wear Red, White, and Blue to support Patriotic Week

Have a wonderful week!

Toni Thalken

Dear Parents,

The Pep Rally on Friday was a great way to end our 2 week colt camp during our stretch time. Our real stretch time will start this week.

This is the end of our 1st 3-week grading period. Progress reports will come out next Thurs. This first one will probably be on the brief side as we start our new year.

If you have a Staples Binder that came in the 6th grade supply package and notice that the rings will not shut all the way please take the binder to any Staples store for a replacement. They have a lifetime guarantee. We have had a few that are not working properly.

A reminder for dress code: Shorts and skirts must be finger tip length(this rules out the Nike shorts altogether-they just don't work), no holes in jeans, undergarments may not be showing. The popular feathers in girls' hair is okay as long as the colors are not extreme and distracting. These are just a few. You may look up the dress code in the GCISD Student/Parent Handbook on the district website.

We are changing our Saturday School to Fridays after school. (Hopefully, we will not have to do this very often :)

This will save on energy as we will not have to open the school on Saturdays.

I encourage you to have your child attend the PTA social this Friday night. It is outdoors on our football field. It is always the highlight of the fall events. Info on end of this message...

Here is a list of events for the week:

Tues. Sept. 6: 8th gr. football @ home-5:30pm

Wed. Sept. 7: 7th gr. Football @ HMS

Thurs. Sept. 8: 7th gr. Volleyball home; double stretch

Fri. Sept. 9: End of 3 wk. grading period; PTA Outdoor Social 6:30-9:00pm

Have a great (cooler!) week,

Gratefully,

Toni Thalken

The very last week of school is here! It is amazing and we are Exemplary again!  (Please make sure you read the last PTA newsletter for details.)

Last week was quite the CMS showcase with all the news coverage for our Freedom Flight and National Geography Bee winner in Washington DC. I am glad more people are aware of the wonderful school and students we have at CMS! 

I know your children will be excited this week with many social activities going on but please make sure they focus on their final exams.  We will have short days but there will be a lot of testing going on.  Teachers have end-of-year grading and packing they have to attend to so the students will be asked to leave promptly after school on both early release days @12:10 pm.

If you have any end-of-year questions please do not hesitate to call.  My last message for this year will be on the PTA newsletter. Look for the link on our CMS website.

Toni Thalken
Principal
Colleyville Middle School
817.305.4900

We only have two weeks left for this year! So many different events happened last week; lots of testing, a Band Concert, a Great Pep Rally and wonderful yearbooks distributed.  These things make it really feel like the end of the year is here. Please check teacher's websites for any last directions to finish their classes successfully.  Also the 6th grade parents need to send in proof of immunizations needed for the 7th grade asap. 

Woohoo!! The bond passed.  Now we can get some much needed work done on this old school of ours! (See poster in lobby of CMS)  Thank you for all who voted.

Thanks to PTA for 6th grade laser show and 8th grade guest speaker last week.  They were both a hit! Our end of the year Choir Concert was also amazing last week.  And I only hope you made it to the spectacular Freedom Flight Night last Monday @GHS.  It was all over the news as it should have been for the genuine Patriotic event that it was.

Have a great week!

Dear Parents,

We finished our TAKS testing for the year last week!  Thanks to all who volunteered during this time.  I know I say this all the time but we REALLY could not pull the week off without your help and support.  It runs very smoothly but only because we use everybody we have and then some.   Thanks for taking what could be a stressful week and filling in where needed.

This is for parents of 7th graders.  Many of our 7th grade students received applications because they qualify for National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).  Please make sure they fill out the applications and turn them in asap.

8th grade parents be sure to send in forms, money, etc. for the events your children will be offered to attend to finish their middle school years.  They will have the opportunity to go to Main Event with their class during the school day with their teachers.  They will also have a day devoted to them off campus on the last day of school that is sponsored by the 8th grade parents for students to enjoy each other before many of them have to split up to go to High Schools.

For all students: This week will have the last outdoor social on the CMS football field.  6:30-9:00pm.  Encourage your children to attend this fun event the PTA puts on for them.

Here is the agenda for this week so far!

Toni Thalken
Principal
Colleyville Middle School
817.305.4900

This will be a smart phone friendly message.  No attachments, just straight text.  I will have a message on our CMS website under the principal's page every Monday from here on out for you toaccess for our weekly updates.  It is still not easy for me to send  out too many emails in one day yet so you will have to get it from our website.

Please read our website for other messages from the PTA, nurse, and various surveys to take.

Gratefully,