October 11, 2021
Dear CMS Community,
At the end of the school day on Friday, a student reported to a teacher that a small swastika was faintly carved into a stall wall in the 6th grade boys bathroom. This is extremely disappointing and conflicts directly with our core values and our goals to create a safe school environment for all community members. Any act of hate cannot be tolerated.
As this information came to us late Friday afternoon, we will carefully investigate the details surrounding the issue early this week. Our school-based equity team will meet to strategize how we may best address this with our students and our whole school community. It is important that we directly address any action that does not adhere to our values of respect and inclusivity for all members of our school community.
In addition, we have had a rise in disruptive behavior on school busses that includes throwing things at other students and out windows, vulgar language, and inconsistent mask usage. While we will work to address these issues, we ask that you please set expectations for your child when he/she/they ride the bus. Safety is a priority and our drivers and other students should not have to tolerate bad behavior of others.
While most of our students do a wonderful job at adhering to our core values and expectations, it takes all of us to have the school community we all want and deserve. Please engage your child in conversations around equity, acceptance, and helping us all stay safe emotionally, culturally and physically.
Finally, a reminder for all students to bring charged chromebooks and a water bottle to school every day. Have a great week ahead.
Best Regards,
Karla B. Koza
Principal
Important Upcoming Dates
Monday, October 11
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No School
Indigenous Peoples Day
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Wednesday, October 13
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Virtual Middle School Parent Conferences Early Release (11:00AM)
PTO Meeting with the Assistant Principals 7PM (see below)
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Wednesday, October 20
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Virtual Middle School Parent Conferences Early Release (11:00AM)
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Sunday, October 17
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First Quarter Progress Reports Released
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Wednesday, October 27
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Virtual Middle School Parent Conferences Early Release (11:00AM)
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Monday, November 1st
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Picture Day Rescheduled
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CHENERY MIDDLE SCHOOL - SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL
As we turn the calendar to October, it is time to put together our School Improvement Council. The council is co-chaired by the principal and a parent. Meetings will begin in November and will be held the 2nd Monday of each month from 3:30-4:30pm. The council consists of administration, 2 parents, 2 upper school students, 2 educators and 1 community member not directly related to the school. The goal of this group is to create a school improvement plan for the 2022-2023 school year. If you are interested in joining, please complete this form by Friday, October 15th. Depending on parent interest, the PTO may need to hold an election for the positions.
REMINDER: PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES BEGIN THIS WEEK
Families received an email last week with information on how to register for conferences,
SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS WITH INTERNET & SOCIAL MEDIA USE
Student Search Concerns
We have an automated system that identifies potentially concerning searches. Terms pulled often include the words “suicide,” “kill,” “guns,” “porn” and expletives. Our assistant principals receive these reports and email parents to make them aware of the concerning searches. They also speak with students to best understand the motivation for the searches. Often, the results are harmless, however, we want to ensure parents are aware and provide you with the opportunity to speak with your children. Please reach out to any assistant principal if you have any questions about this.
Negative Impacts of Social Media
As we learn more about social media platforms, we are learning about the negative impacts. Smart Social is a resource families can use to get information about social media and tips on how to navigate the online world with children. Please click HERE to learn more or sign up for email newsletters on the topic. Click HERE to read The Negative Impact of TikTok on Teens
PRIVATE SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS
2021-2022 Private School Application Process
The Chenery Middle School has developed the following guidelines to ensure that the private school application process runs smoothly for students, teachers, and counselors: CMS Private School Application Overview 2021-2022. This information can also be found on the CMS website: https://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bps/cms/School-Info/Departments/Guidance. Please contact your student’s school counselor if you have any questions or need additional support with this process.
PTO Update
UPCOMING MEETING
Our first general PTO meeting is taking place virtually next Wednesday, October 13. We are excited to hear from our Assistant Principals, the FBE, and Principal Koza. If you have a question to submit in advance of the meeting for the Assistant Principals go to this form. We hope to see you there! Here is the Zoom link for the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87828759598?pwd=R1Zza1dzUEZQd0ZkY3hvV1BCVVB3QT09
ANNUAL APPEAL
We are nearly three weeks into our Annual Appeal, and we’re so grateful for your generosity. To date, we have raised almost $17,000, which is half way to our goal! If you haven’t donated yet, we encourage you to do so here. Here is Principal Karla Koza on the positive impact that the Chenery PTO has on the school community: “The PTO truly supports us in our mission to help our students discover who they are, what they are interested in, and what it means to a productive member of our school and their world.” Thank you for your support!
DIRECTORY IN PROCESS
The Chenery Directory is in process. If you have any questions at all about the directory or about whether your information is included, please email Carrie Redi and Ying Tian at chenerydirectory@gmail.com.
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY
If you own a business, or have a favorite business owner, the PTO is offering the opportunity to place an ad in the Chenery PTO Family Directory. These advertisers get exposure to the families of over 1400 students and help offset the cost of printing the directory. For more information, please contact the Chenery PTO Fundraising Committee at chenerypto.ads@gmail.com. Because we would like to get the directory to families in a timely manner, the deadline is October 15.
Please see our website HERE to learn more about school and PTO sponsored clubs and activities. We are still working on final details for some clubs. To register or apply for a fee waiver, print and fill out The Application Form. You may pay the activities fee with a check made out to the Town of Belmont at the CMS main office or online here.
REOCCURING NEWS & RESOURCES
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.
CMS Student Council
Click here for CMS Student Council Calendar of Events 21-22
CMS Photo Day - YEARBOOK PHOTOS
All students will get a photo taken on Picture Day. Whether you plan to order photos or not. The photo is used for the CMS Yearbook, Student Photo ID’s, and School Database. CMS Photo Day is on Tuesday, October 5th.
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