December 19, 2021
Dear CMS Community,
As we approach our winter break we all can be a bit antsy for it to begin. However, we continue to expect our focus to be on learning up until Thursday at dismissal. Our core values of Respect, Responsibility and Readiness to Learn are always in effect and we expect all students to adhere to those principles with sustained effort and good choices.
When we do begin the winter break, I hope all school community members can take some time to rest, recharge, and have fun. Students, staff and families all work very hard every day. Down time and self-care is critical to enable us to do the hard work of teaching, learning and growing. I will be encouraging our educators and staff to disconnect from work over break. I will resume the family newsletter on January 1st.
Best wishes for a wonderful break.
Best Regards,
Karla B. Koza, Principal
Important Upcoming Dates
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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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Wednesday, January 12
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7:00pm CMS PTO Zoom Meeting
Belmont Wellness Coalition - Presentation of Youth Risk Behavior Study Data
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February Dates
February 1, 8 and 15
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Discovery Museum for 6th Grade
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May Dates
(5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 6/1)
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Discovery Museum for 5th Grade
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STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS
We are so proud of our students and engineering teacher, Mr. Beebe, for helping one of our beloved staff members who experienced a home fire early this year. This is a great example of students and adults living out our core values and supporting members of our community. Click HERE to warm your heart. Thank you to David Beebe for putting this together and a smile on our faces.
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.
HOW TO REFER YOUR CHILD FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS
We are grateful that our counseling team has grown. In order to provide clarity to families in how to refer a student for academic, emotional, or behavioral support please follow these guidelines. Click HERE for mental health resources for families outside of the school setting.
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School Counselor
Carla Hawkins, Grade 5 Ext.5823
Lindsay Culver, Grade 6 Ext. 5834
Robyn Cohen, Grade 7 Ext. 5833
Joe Quinn, Grade 8 Ext. 5824
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Your first stop to refer a student for review and support.
- School counselors triage need and then may engage administration and/or social workers as needed.
- Fields concerns from parents and may discover need to refer for additional support.
- Communicates with students/parents and gathers additional information.
- Monitors students’ grades, attendance, and reaches out to students and parents with any concerns.
- Part of the response team if a student requires immediate intensive support.
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Social Workers
Paula Lazar, Violet and Key Teams
Mollie Bourne, Lower School
Ashley Peterson, Upper School
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- Support students based on required services in IEPs.
- Support students referred to them through school counselors.
- Counseling links to external counseling supports, DCF, and other community resources.
- Part of the response team if a student requires immediate intensive support.
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School Psychologist
Colleen Leary
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- Meets with students weekly who have counseling listed on their IEP or 504 plan.
- Triage any students with safety concerns and make next step referrals; communicating with administration, guidance and families.
- Meets with additional students in need for social/emotional support when space allows either regularly or on an emergency basis.
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BELMONT WELLNESS COALITION PRESENTS IMPORTANT HEALTH DATA
As we continue to find increases in mental health concerns and challenges, we offer families the opportunity to better understand what is happening with the students at BPS. Please join the CMS PTO at our next meeting on Wednesday, January 12, at 7 PM on Zoom. The Belmont Wellness Coalition will be presenting data highlights from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The YRBS is given to students in grades 7 - 12, every two years. Shared highlights include data on rates of substance use, causes of stress, and mental health factors, including information on suicide ideation. Time will be allowed for questions and discussion.
REMINDERS ABOUT DISMISSALS, ABSENCES, TARDIES, MATERIAL DROP OFF
Dismissals Before 2PM Please
Each day we have several student dismissal requests for 2:00 PM and after, and oftentimes parents have to wait extra time in order for us to find a student. If at all possible, we ask that you have your student dismissed before 2:00 PM to avoid the end of the day rush. Also, in all dismissal cases, a call to the attendance line is appreciated, as each student on the dismissal list is looked up before you arrive so we know exactly where to find the student.
Lower School Attendance Line 617-993-5822
Upper School Attendance Line 617-993-5832
Parents, please remind your student to pick up the items you leave for them. We are finding that the office notifies students of items you drop off, but they are not coming to retrieve the items.
CMS FOOD DRIVE - THANK YOU!
Thank you to all students and staff who donated to the drive. Extra big shout outs to the students who helped to organize and Ms. Hawkins and Mr. Dyer who ensured delivery to those in need.
REOCCURING NEWS & RESOURCES
STUDENT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IN BELMONT CENTER - REMINDERS FROM BELMONT POLICE
1 Common Street (Belmont Lyons Club)
Since March of 2019, three students have been struck by a car at the intersection near the Lyons Club. This area in question is 3 lanes of traffic (2 lanes Southbound and 1 Lane Northbound) however is not designated for crossing. There are no crosswalks here and vehicles have no expectation that a pedestrian would cross at this dangerous location. There are crosswalks in the vicinity to make safe passage across the roadway. Expediency can not be used as justification for unsafe behavior.
Designated Crosswalks
- Intersection of Common Street and School Street/Waverley Street
- 75 Common Street
- Royal Road by Common Street
- 405 Concord Avenue
Please help us teach young people how to cross roadways safely.
- Look both ways. Look left, then right, then left again before crossing. Keep your eyes open as you cross and be aware that drivers might not see you even though you can see them. Never assume a driver sees you.
- Cross streets at a crosswalk or intersection. While it may be tempting to cross mid-block, this is where most injuries occur. Using traffic signals and crosswalks where drivers expect pedestrians is much safer, especially in high-traffic areas.
- Stay alert. There are a lot of distracted drivers on the road, so be aware at all times. Don't allow your vision to be blocked by clothing or hats or yourself to get distracted using your cell phone or headphones. Make eye contact with drivers to have a sense of whether they see you.
- Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
CMS STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS
Click here for CMS Student Council Calendar of Events 21-22
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