February 6, 2022
Dear CMS Community,
I hope everyone enjoyed the unanticipated long weekend.
I wanted to make you aware of a bias incident that occurred at Chenery. Last week, a student let an adult know that a swastika had been drawn into a snowbank. After investigation, we do not know when this was done or who did it; however, our continual ask for our school community members to say something when they see something was supported by the student who reported it. We condemn this anti-Semitic act and support our students and families in the Jewish community.
This difficult but critical work to combat ignorance and denounce hateful words and acts within our community continues with our equity teams, community days, our IDEA (inclusion, diversity, engagement, and action) club as well as within our culturally responsive teaching that happens every day throughout our school. Part of that work includes providing opportunities for student voice and action. Students will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the focus of our upcoming community days. The next meeting of the IDEA club is Thursday, February 10th at 2:20 PM in room 235. We are also working to connect all members of our community with the new Chenery Cooks! Project - A Multicultural Collection of Recipes from the Chenery Community. Please see more information below.
Thank you for your support at home and within the larger Belmont community to work together for a better world.
Respectfully,
Karla B. Koza, Principal
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
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February 10
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Trivia Night - VIRTUAL 6:30-7:30pm (Sponsored by Student Council)
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February 14
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Q2 Grades Released
CMS School Council 3:30-4:30 LCR
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February 15
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5th & 6th Grade Band Concerts:
5th Grade concert time is 6pm (students arrive at 5:15pm)
6th Grade concert time is 7:15pm (students arrive at 6:45pm)
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February 16
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Anti-Bullying – Orange Shirt Day Upload a Photo HERE
Community Day #2 (Update Schedule Coming)
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February 18
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College Spirit Day Upload a Photo HERE
CMS Snow Photo Competition DEADLINE March 5th Upload a Photo HERE
Music Selection Form Due (for Rising 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Students.)
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February Dates
February 1, 8 and 15
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Discovery Museum for 6th Grade
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February 21-25
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February Break
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March 8
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8th Grade NAEP Testing (Info to come)
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April 25
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Grade 7, Blocks A (7-1), C, (7-3) D (7-2)
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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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SUPPORTING STUDENTS THROUGH STRESS -WEBINAR RECORDING
Last Thursday, we had a very well attended parent night with McLean Hospital consultant, Dr. Brittany Jordan-Arthur, regarding Supporting Students Through Stress. She provided excellent context and practical strategies for supporting our children as they navigate the many stressors facing teenagers today. If you would like to view this recorded webinar, please click HERE.
CHENERY COOKS! - A MULTICULTURAL COLLECTION OF RECIPES FROM THE CHENERY COMMUNITY
We invite all students and their families to join us as we celebrate diversity and culture in the new digital version of a cookbook started years ago at CMS. In the first edition, thirty-six countries were represented, and each recipe was submitted by a Chenery family or staff member and was representative of their cultural heritage. We will be replicating this approach in the second edition. Please click HERE for more information and directions on how to share YOUR loved recipes as we celebrate the many cultures represented at our school. Please direct all questions to chenerycooks@belmontschools.net managed by our wonderful librarian, Karen Duff.
MUSIC SELECTION PROCESS FOR 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR
On February 1st, google forms were sent to families through which parents can indicate their child’s music selection for the 2022-23 school year. You may view the original language of the email and access the links through THIS GOOGLE DOC. Please reach out to Ryan Holland, Assistant Principal of Encore and Student Programming if you have any questions: rholland@belmontschools.net.
REOCCURING NEWS & RESOURCES
Belmont LGBTQ+ Alliance to host Community Zoom Get Together
Belmont LGBTQ+ Alliance will be holding a Community Zoom Get Together on Tuesday, February 15th at 7:30 pm. The Alliance, a part of Belmont Against Racism, has been working since 2001 to make Belmont a more equitable and inclusive place where everyone can thrive. This second Zoom Get Together will focus on connecting people, sharing experiences in Belmont, and discussing what more needs to be done to raise the visibility of and address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Everyone is welcome. Interested individuals should contact Fran Yuan at belmontlgbtqalliance@gmail.com for the Zoom Link.
BALANCING TECH IN SCHOOL AND AT HOME
While we continue to grow our capacity on purposeful and meaningful use of technology at school, some parents wonder how to better curb non-essential tech use at home. Here are a few resources that may help as you work with your child.
What's the right age to get my kid a phone?
Parents' Ultimate Guide to Discord
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.
MENTOR MATCH FROM BELMONT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Mentor Match is a free academic mentoring program hosted by Belmont Public Library for students in grades 6-10. Students are paired with a volunteer mentor from BHS to help them once a week for one hour either in a virtual session or in-person and masked at the library. Each match lasts for as long as the mentor's schedule allows and they are welcome to explore any subject their mentor feels comfortable with. Students or their parents can register here: https://belmontpubliclibrary.net/2021/08/03/mentor-match/ If you are a student who is interested in becoming a volunteer mentor, please complete a Tutor Profile here: https://forms.gle/JbkhLdbzt91DnEnC6
TUTORING OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE
The Belmont Public Schools offers tutoring to students who are in quarantine or isolation due to COVID and not able to attend school.
- Tutoring services are delivered virtually for up to 10 days per student
- Tutoring referrals are made once the need for quarantine is determined. However, as it takes a few days to process a referral and arrange a tutor, the tutoring may not actually begin until students return to school given the short 5-day quarantine. In cases like this, the tutoring will focus more on academic support for transitioning back into the classroom vs provision of curriculum/instruction while the student is absent.
- Tutors coordinate content and materials directly with the classroom teacher
During the initial communication with the school nurse related to quarantine you will be asked about your interest in tutoring for your student.
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.
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!
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