November 28, 2021
Dear CMS Community,
I hope all of our CMS community had a restful few days off with family and friends.We start another busy, learning filled week tomorrow. A reminder that there is an early release on Wednesday to accommodate parent conferences.
Last Tuesday, I presented an update to the School Committee on the many wonderful happenings at Chenery Middle School. You can review my slides HERE. Included in the presentation is our work to expand our support of all students through MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support). This comprehensive system supports the academic, emotional, and social lives of all students and seeks to identify struggling students early with a cycle of review and monitoring. It also endeavors to meet individual student learning needs and modalities through UDL (Universal Design for learning).To learn more about MTSS and UDL as outlined by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, click HERE.
In addition, we continue to provide families with important resources to support students with their use of online tools, social media, apps, and games. There are many ways we can help our children become positive digital citizens by building our own awareness as well as putting restrictions on devices and applications to provide needed boundaries. Please see the Teens and Social Media section of our newsletter each week.
Best Regards,
Karla B. Koza, Principal
Important Upcoming Dates
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Wednesday, December 1
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Middle School Parent Conferences (virtual)
Early Release at 11:00am. Student schedule HERE.
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Tuesday, December 7
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7:00pm Chamber Singers and Chamber Orchestra
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Thursday, December 9
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6:00pm Grade 7 Chorus Concert in the Auditorium
7:30pm Grade 7 Orchestra Concert in the Auditorium
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Friday, December 10
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Holiday/New Year Photo Competition Sponsored By Student Council
DEADLINE January 1st
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Monday, December 13
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7:00pm Grade 6 Theater Workshop performance (families only)
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Tuesday, December 14
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6:00pm Grade 7 Band Concert in the Auditorium
7:30pm 8th Grade Band and Chenery Winds Concert
6:30-7:45pm Family Trivia Night - VIRTUAL Sponsored by Student Council
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Wednesday, December 15
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Anti-Bullying – Orange Shirt Day Sponsored by Student Council
Upload a Photo
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Thursday, December 16
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7:00pm CMS & BHS Jazz Ensembles Concert in Auditorium
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Thursday, December 23
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Ugly Sweater Spirit Day Sponsored by Student Council
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Friday, December 24 - Friday December 31
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No School - Winter Break
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DROPPING OFF ITEMS FOR STUDENTS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
If you need to drop something off for your child during the school day, please buzz the door at Washington Street. An administrative assistant will buzz you in. Then, please see the green bookshelves on the right and fill out the drop off log on the clipboard. This enables us to identify the item and contact your child to pick it up.
END OF TERM 1 INFORMATION
End of Quarter 1: Friday, November 12, 2021
Start of Quarter 2: Monday, November 15, 2021
Quarter 1 Grades released on PlusPortals: Tuesday, November 30, 2021
TWEENS & SOCIAL MEDIA - HOW TO SUPPORT POSITIVE USE
Many of our students are using the Discord App. It has been a chat space where negative interactions are occurring and spilling into the school day. Please CLICK HERE to learn about the App. Click here to learn about the dangers of Discord.
Click here for an article on understanding TikTok.
Learn more about how to protect children with settings on Netflix HERE.
How to manage your child’s device remotely, CLICK HERE.
How to manage your child’s YouTube account, CLICK HERE.
SmartSocial - Free Parent Event on December 2.
25 Dangers Parents Need To Know About TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Fortnite, Netflix, YouTube & More When: December 2, 2021, at 5 PM Pacific, 8 PM Eastern Click here to save your seat.
Can’t attend live on Dec. 2? Register for the event and we’ll send you the replay! Note: This event is not intended for students.
STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS
Gratitude is everywhere! Students in chorus take time to create a gratitude chain.
8th Grade Leaders working together to plan upcoming CMS Community Days which will focus on building a stronger, equitable, more united community.
LIVE MUSIC AGAIN AT CMS!
Starting off our winter concert season in person with our 8th grade chorus and orchestra.
PTO UPDATE
Annual Appeal and Giving Tuesday
This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for you! We have had a wonderful response to our Annual Appeal and thank each and every one of you who have donated. If you haven't had a chance to donate, please consider a gift to the Chenery PTO on Giving Tuesday, when you will receive one last email request from us for the year 2021. Of course, if you just can't wait until Tuesday, here is the link: donate to the Chenery PTO. Thanks again! -The Chenery Fundraising Team
Directories - Watch for your Chenery Directory, which will come home with your students this week.
REOCCURING NEWS & RESOURCES
CMS FOOD DRIVE
Stay tuned for more details.
LOST AND FOUND - PLEASE REVIEW
Has your child not come home with a coat or water bottle? Missing some sneakers or an umbrella? Our lost and found is overflowing. We will put all items in the main hallway on tables for students to see and pick up if they have lost something. We will donate all items lost and found on Friday, December 3rd.
CHENERY MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Students MUST have updated physicals before tryouts submitted to CMS Nurses Office.
To Register to Participate in Winter Basketball Click Here: 21-22 Chenery Basketball Tryout Registration
Click HERE for activity fee payment information.
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Girls Basketball - Grades 7 & 8
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Coach: Ryan Schmitt
Contact: rschmitt@belmont.k12.ma.us
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Monday, November 29
2:30-5:00pm
Tryouts
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Tuesday, November 30
2:30-5:00pm
Tryouts
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Wednesday, Dec 1st
2:30-5:00pm
Tryouts/Cuts
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Tuesday, Dec 7
Practices Begin
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Boys Basketball - Grades 7 & 8
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Coach: Ian Haffer
Contact: ihaffer@gmail.com
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Thursday, Dec 2
2:30-5:00pm
Tryouts
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Friday, Dec 3
2:30-5:00pm
Tryouts
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Monday, Dec 6
2:30-5:00pm
Tryouts/Cuts
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Tuesday, Dec 7
Practices Begin
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For additional information, contact the coaches at the email above OR Adam Pritchard, Athletic Director at apritchard@belmont.k12.ma.us
COMMUNITY SERVICE OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS
There are several virtual options for students to complete community service. All in person events follow social distancing guidelines and recommendations. Please check the websites of the organization you may want to volunteer with as some of these opportunities may not be available at this time. CLICK HERE for information.
All questions about these volunteer opportunities should be directed to the Community Service Representative listed as the contact. Students in grades 6-8 who are interested in earning the Presidential Award (President’s Volunteer Service Awards) the hours are: 50-74 = bronze, 75-99 = silver, 100+ = gold
The hours for the Chenery Service Award (Herbies) are 25-49 hours. All community service/volunteer hours can be reported on THIS FORM. Remember to direct all questions regarding deadlines to submit community service hours for awards to your current Social Studies, World Geo, or Civics teacher.
CMS STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS
Click here for CMS Student Council Calendar of Events 21-22
CMS IS UNDERSTAFFED - YOUR HELP NEEDED
We continue to experience a shortage of professional aides, building substitutes and cafeteria staff. This impacts students directly in meeting educational needs, having needed support in large classes, having to pull professional aides to cover classes when teachers are absent, and students needing to wait longer to get lunch. If you or someone you know is interested in working in our school I encourage you to apply. CLICK HERE to learn more.
PLUSPORTALS TUTORIAL
Need a refresher on where to find information on Portals? Want to know what our daily announcements are at CMS? Click HERE for a video tutorial on how to navigate our student information system.
TRANSGENDER AWARENESS WEEK/MONTH
Transgender Awareness Week, observed November 13th to November 19th, is a one-week celebration leading up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), which memorializes victims of transphobic violence.The transgender pride flag is a light blue, pink and white striped flag, designed by American trans woman Monica Helms in 1999, and is a symbol of the transgender community, organizations, and individuals.
RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & UNDERSTANDING
Picture books and middle grade books: https://welcomingschools.org/resources/childrens-books-transgender-non-binary
CMS YEARBOOK
The Chenery Middle School 2021-2022 Yearbook is available for sale! The yearbook is a 150+ page hardcover record of the 2021-22 school year. It will document student life, activities, student portraits, staff photos, events, grade eight farewell ads, and much more. The yearbooks will be given out to students during homeroom before the end of the school year (no later than June 17, 2022).
Start by clicking this link for the 2021-2022 CMS YEARBOOK
After clicking the link above, you’ll be able to -
- Order a Yearbook - $25.Deadline to order - March 31, 2022
- Order a Grade 8 Farewell Ad - Full Page - $75, 1/2 Page - $50, 1/4 Page - $40 You design and layout on the Jostens Yearbook website. Yearbook theme (colors and formatting) will be applied to your design. Examples of Grade 8 Farewell Ads Deadline to order - February 4, 2022
Upload Yearbook Photos
- The Photo Upload Portal is the place to upload any and all photos for the 2021-2022 yearbook.
- Deadline to upload photos - March 31, 2022
- Please consider uploading any photos you have. Photos you took at a game, celebration, outing, concert, dance, CMS Staff photos, out of school, groups, event, trip, etc.
Don’t delay, order a yearbook today!
BPS Health Protocols
There are updated guidelines and protocols that are important for families to review to understand what happens when a student presents symptoms of COVID, tests positive for COVID, or is determined to be a close contact. Please check the BPS Nursing Page on a regular basis. Details on the Test and Stay protocol can be found HERE.
It is critically important to review and complete a symptom checker (found HERE) if your child is exhibiting any COVID19 symptoms. Please do not send your child to school sick..
Please encourage your child to bring a water bottle each day. We have filling stations but not access to traditional bubblers.
Cheetah Spot
Does your child ride a school bus or can’t make it to the store when it is open? If so, they can pick up a green order form outside of the school store and follow the directions on the form. Students can use the order form to place and receive an order so they don’t miss the bus.
How to Sign Up For CMS Email
To receive the communications sent out on the Chenery Middle School listserv, click HERE.
Helpful District and School Documents
HOW TO CONTACT CMS SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
PRINCIPAL KARLA B. KOZA
@KarlaBKoza
Please contact me in any of the ways below.
Chenery Middle School
95 Washington Street
Belmont, MA 02748
Lower School (5 & 6) Assistant Principal Nicolette Foundas email: nfoundas@belmont.k12.ma.us and voice mail: 617-993-5820
Upper School (7 & 8) Assistant Principal Mark DiStefano email: mdistefano@belmont.k12.ma.us and voice mail: 617-993-5831
ENCORE & Student Programming Assistant Principal Ryan Holland email: rholland@belmont.k12.ma.us and voice mail: 617-993-5801
Lisa Hurtubise, ELA Reading Director email: lhurtubise@belmont.k12.ma.us and voice mail: 617 993-5945
Elizabeth Baker, Director of Science email: ebaker@belmont.k12.ma.us and voice mail: 617-993-5970
Jonathan Golden, Director of Mathematics email: jgolden@belmont.k12.ma.us and voice mail: 617-993-5805
Deborah McDevitt, Director of Social Studies email: DMcDevitt@belmont.k12.ma.us and voice mail: 617-993-5980
Vicky D'Annunzio, Interim Director of World Language email: vdunnuzio@belmont.k12.ma.us and voice mail: 617-993-5950
Arto Asadoorian, Director of Fine and Performing Arts email: aasadoorian@belmont.k12.ma.us and voice mail: 617-993-5990
Lindsey Rinder, Director of English Language Education email: lrinder@belmont.k12.ma.us and voice mail: 617-993-1044
Jonathan Libby, Assistant Director of Student Services email: jlibby@belmont.k12.ma.us
Rosa Inniss, METCO Director email: rinniss@belmont.k12.ma.us