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August – October 2016

Collierville Middle School

Dragon News A bi-monthly newsletter published by the Collierville Middle School PTA

Letter from the Principal

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Dear CMS Parents/Guardians,

Although our school year is still in its infancy stage, it is hard to believe that we have already reached the midpoint of the first quarter.

I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our teachers and students throughout the start of this school year. The 6th graders have made a masterful transition to the middle school experience, 7th graders are accepting added responsibilities and transforming into the eventual heirs that will reside at the apex for the 2017-2018 school year, and the 8th graders are currently leading our student body by example and making our faculty and staff extremely proud as they represent the 2016-2017 Dragon family with honor, respect, and unparalleled eagerness to excel at the highest level. Equally important, I want to thank all of our CMS parents for their unyielding support as we continue our

(cont. page 2)

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The CMS “Dragon News” Newsletter is available on the CMS webpage or through the CMS-PTA email chain.

Key Dates

Oct. 4

Oct. 10-14

Nov. 10

Clash of the Dragons Kickball Tournament

Fall Break (No School)

Veteran’s Day Ceremony (9 a.m.)

Have news to share?

Oct. 7 End of 1st Quarter

Oct. 24-28

Red Ribbon Week

Book Fair, Art Auction and Silent Auction (5-7 p.m.)

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If you have any news, dates or information for an upcoming newsletter, please email Katie Timms at [email protected].

Money raised for Kickball Tournament due to earn prizes

Sept. 30

Oct. 25

Nov. 11 Veteran’s Day (No School)

Sept. 16 District Learning Day (No School)

Oct. 3

Orchestra Concert at Highpoint Collierville (6 p.m.)

Sept. 15 Parent Conference Night (4-7 p.m.)

Dragon News August – October 2016

Collierville Middle School 580 Quinn Road Collierville, TN 38017 901.853.3320

Letter from the Principal (cont. from page 1)

Welcome to CMS!

CMS is happy to welcome the following new teachers and staff to our faculty! Our administrators, fellow teachers and staff, students and parents are privileged to have you with us:

• Mrs. Burton (6th Special Education) • Mrs. Earl (Resource A) • Mrs. Latimer (6th Writing) • Mrs. Moskal (7th Counselor) • Mrs. Pittman (6th Math) • Mr. Puida (6th/7th Social Studies) • Mrs. Seeley (Librarian)

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partnership in establishing an educational environment that is conducive to all learners and learning styles. In acknowledging the importance of our parents as partners in education, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the hard work of our fantastic PTA as we have launched our annual Clash of Dragons Kickball Tournament and Fundraiser.

I would like to thank our PTA President, Tina Rehm, and our board members for their commitment to our school and the community as a whole: Kimberly McNutt, Liz Baird, Rebecca Wyrick, Tamala Lyle, Kelly Roller, Angela Porada, Sunday Holmes, Amy Bouche, Lisa Cox, Sherrie Cox, Kim Fiveash, Katie Timms, Jan Gould, Heather Arnold, and Amy Flood. In addition, I would like to thank our board members for consistently upholding the PTA values of collaboration, commitment, accountability, respect, inclusivity, and integrity.

We also have added some new faces to our faculty. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Puida, Mrs. Burton, Mrs. Earl, Mrs. Pittman, Mrs. Latimer, Mrs. Seeley, and Mr. Moskal to CMS. I want to also take the time to remind you that Collierville Schools Parent Conference Night is scheduled for Thursday, September 15 from 4–7 p.m. As we have done in the past, there are two types of conferences that night (i.e., parent-requested conferences and teacher-requested conferences). Teachers will send home letters for any teacher-requested conferences.

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If you would like to request a conference with any teacher, just go the following Signup Genius link and selecting a conference time: signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4bafaa22abfb6-cmsparentteacher

In closing, I want to inform you that PowerSchool Parent Portal is available for parent access, and letters were sent home with students last week. Please encourage your son/daughter to check his/her grades at least once a week for the purpose of tracking progress.

Again, I thank you for your continued support, and I am looking forward to a very productive 2016–2017 school year. Sincerely, Roger L. Jones, III Principal, CMS



PTA President’s Profile

Dear CMS Families,

I hope everyone’s school year has gotten off to a fantastic start. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our returning students and families, as well as our new students and their families. I am Tina Rehm, your returning and current PTA President this year. I am so excited to have a 7th grader this year at CMS and a freshman at CHS. I look forward to meeting and working with all of you! We are so excited to be working with our CMS Principal again this year, Mr. Roger Jones. We also are happy to be working with Mrs. Anita Swindle and Mr. Jon Tupper, our Assistant Principals. We are thrilled to have all of our CMS faculty and staff at the school and look forward to working with them in the education of our children. Our 2016 Clash of Dragons kickball tournament and fundraiser is in full swing! We are actively collecting money and the kickball tournament will be Friday, September 30th. Funds we receive from our fundraiser will go toward improving our school to make it a more positive learning environment. Promethean board technology is at the top of our list. Without your support this would not be possible, thank you! If you have not already joined PTA, please consider doing so. Membership is still only $6, and you can find a membership form in this newsletter. Thank you to everyone who has already joined! Also, we have several opportunities throughout the year for parents to help out in various areas. If you have a little time to spare, please let us know (the volunteer form is in the middle of our handbook). Any help you can give is greatly appreciated. Thanks to all the parents who have already sent in their information. We will be contacting you as assistance is needed. Finally, if you have not signed up for our newsletter, please email us at [email protected]. Please give us your name, email address, and the grade of your child. In addition to emailing the newsletter to you, we will send out emails regarding important CMS news. You can also like us on Facebook. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me, or anyone on the PTA Board of Managers. Our contact information is on the back page of this newsletter. Thanks for everything you do for our school. I look forward to seeing you soon. Tina Rehm PTA President, CMS [email protected]



Clash of Dragons Kickball Tournament and Fundraiser

Incentives

Grand Prize for the students raising the most money in each grade1 • $100 gift card per grade level • Additional $50 gift card for student raising most

overall All students raising $50+ Mama D’s Italian Ice party All students raising $125+ Game Truck laser tag All classes raising $1,250+ Movie night at CMS including movie, popcorn, candy & drink Top Fundraising Homeroom Hungry Hippo candy party during school-wide assembly Top 10 Fundraising Students Turn Mr. Jones into an ice cream sundae at school-wide assembly Winning 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Homerooms of Kickball Tournament Trophy to be displayed in homeroom all year Winning Overall Homeroom of Kickball Tournament Trophy for CMS trophy case and pizza party

1If there is a tie for the Grand Prize winner, we will draw a winner from these individuals.

Clash of Dragons is the CMS fundraiser for

the 2016-2017 school year, and is our

school-wide kickball tournament to be

held on Friday, September 30.

The goal of raising $40,000 will go towards

fine arts and athletics student

performance enhancements in the gym.

This yearly event is a great chance for

CMS students to go up against each

other’s homeroom classes and other

grades in the quest to win a trophy to be

displayed in either their homeroom if they

win for their grade, or a trophy in the CMS

trophy case if they are the Overall CMS

winning homeroom.

All money raised is due to your student’s

homeroom by Monday, October 3 to

qualify for any incentives and prizes.

It’s time to Clash against your fellow students in our battle to raise funds for our great school!



Purchase a Clash T-Shirt You won’t need to pre-order a t-shirt this year. The shirts will cost $15 and will be sold during lunch from September 19 until the event. Each student and teacher wearing a Clash of Dragons t-shirt at the Kickball Tournament on September 30 will add an extra point to their homeroom team’s score!

Buy Snacks! When you need a snack or a beverage while trying to kick your way to a win at the tournament, we will have you covered! Support CMS buy purchasing snacks at the Kickball Tournament for $1-$3. Treats will include tea from McAlister’s Deli, Mama D’s Italian Ice and PTA concessions.

Ways to Help CMS Reach our $40,000 Goal

Raise Funds Online or by Cash/Check This year, CMS is reaching more donors with online donations. Go to thegetmovincrew.com and look for this star to create your student’s free fundraising page and to get more information.

And, you still can collect donations by checks payable to CMS PTA or cash and place them in the envelope distributed in homeroom. Return the envelope to your student’s homeroom teacher by Monday, October 3 to qualify for prizes.

Donate or Purchase Items from Our Silent Auction Our annual Silent Auction concludes the fundraising effort for CMS and will be held on Tuesday, October 25 from 5-7 p.m. along with the CMS Book Fair and Art Auction.

We currently are seeking items to auction and have received several so far, including:

• Round of 4 for golf at Windyke Country Club • Art from Katie Toombs Fine Art • Carpool Pass • Tennis lessons • Nutcracker Ballet basket • Carwash packs from Carwash USA

If your company is interested in donating a service or item for the Silent Auction, please contact Sherrie Cox at 901.361.7980 or [email protected].

• Thirty-One products by Elizabeth Bouchoc • Spa escape from Gould’s Salon • 30-minute flight in a private plane • Duck hunting experience • Baked goods and homemade items



Adventures of the Traveling Dragons

Contacts:

Jo Powers, Art [email protected] Britta Hall, Orchestra [email protected] Misty Benson, Choir [email protected]

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This past summer, 21 CMS choir, orchestra, and art students took a 6-day fine arts trip to New York City and Boston as the Traveling Dragons. The group walked nearly 100,000 steps as they visited notable art and history museums including: the Museum of Science Boston, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), and the American Museum of Natural History.

Leading the Traveling Dragons on this adventure were Mr. Jones, Mrs. Powers, Mrs. Benson, Mrs. Hall and several parent chaperones. They also saw many historic sites including: the Freedom Trail, Boston Common, Harvard University, Old North Church, famous battlefields, Lincoln Center, Julliard School of Performing Arts, and Ellis Island.

They ate fabulous food at every location and stopped often for laughter and pictures. Finally, they got to do some fun sightseeing including: The Empire State Building, Broadway show “Matilda,” Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and Grand Central Station.

Our Traveling Dragons, who had just arrived at the Boston airport.

Our tour bus on the last day of our trip with bus driver Oscar, Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Benson, tour guide Glen, Mrs. Powers, and our esteemed Principal, Mr. Jones.

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For the summer of 2017, the Traveling Dragons are expanding to all fine arts 7th/8th graders (Choir, Orchestra, Advanced Art, and Band students). We are planning a trip to historic Philadelphia and the Amish Country. We will have our same fearless tour guide, Glen!

Come to our informational meeting on Tuesday, September 13 at 6 pm.



CMS Shines at National Beta Convention in New Orleans

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Students who placed first through third at the Tennessee Junior Beta Convention in Nashville last November were invited to attend the national convention held in New Orleans this past June to compete with middle schools all over the United States.

Many students and their families enjoyed a family vacation eating beignets, riding the trolley cars, and touring the World War II museum. Students also enjoyed the Beta ball and competing at the national level.

The CMS Students all did a fabulous job competing, and several teams placed at the national level.

Our Battle of the Books team, which included Taryn Miskowiec, Philip Urrutia, and Katherine Freed (Joey Macri not in attendance) placed first in the nation. Congratulations, team!

Our CMS representatives at the Junior Beta National Convention in New Orleans this past June.

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The CMS Living Literature and technology teams both received 5th place. The Living Literature participants were Katherine Freed, Anna Hudson, Mary Catherine Enriquez, Sydney Rehm, Casey Hanauer, CJ Coleman, Calvin Alt, Addi Morefield, Emma Worrell, Emory Bradford, Eliza Reynolds, Laura Cherry, and Maddie Bobbit. And the Technology creators were Anna Hudson, Mary Catherine Enriquez, and Sydney Rehm (Nikita Sam not in attendance).

Calvin Ault also individually won 4th place in Spelling.

Our 7th graders look forward to competing at the state convention again this November, and the returning members of Living Literature are aiming for first in the nation this next year when the competition will be in Orlando.

Contact:

Laura McLemore [email protected] The Battle of the Books National Beta Champions!

Congratulations to Katherine Freed, Philip Urrutia and Taryn Miskowiec (Joey Macri not in attendance).



Subscribe to Teacher Web Pages From the CMS webpage, go to “About Us” and click on “Staff Directory.” Click on your student’s teacher. On the right side of the teacher’s page, click on +Subscribe and enter details to receive emails on site updates.

Ways to Stay Informed!

CMS offers several ways to keep informed of your student’s grades, school news and events. Please be sure to download the following applications to your phones or visit the listed websites so you don’t miss out on any important information.

PTA Emails Send an email with your name, student’s name, grade and homeroom teacher to [email protected] to be added to the email list. We also send the quarterly CMS Dragon News through this distribution.

School News

Student Assignments and Progress

PowerSchool Download the phone app or visit powerschool.com to keep on top of your student’s grades.

Social Media

Facebook “Like” Collierville Middle School PTA on Facebook.

CMS Website Visit colliervillems.colliervilleschools.org to access valuable information including a staff directory, details on clubs and sports, school policies and the PTA.

REMIND Download the REMIND phone app or send a text to 81010 with the message @cms alerts to receive important CMS news quickly, including bus delays or inclement weather dismissal.

Twitter Follow CMS on Twitter. Go to @colliervillems



Cultural Arts

Lego Club

Contact:

Tamala Lyle, VP Cultural Arts [email protected]

is Back!

Contact:

Stacey Johnston [email protected]

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The theme for the 2016-2017 Reflections contest is “What is Your Story?” This contest offers a great opportunity for our students to showcase their many talents in any or all of the following six categories:

• Dance Choreography • Film Production • Literature • Music Composition • Photography • Visual Arts

The Reflections contest will be held in October. Information will be sent home with the students soon. Also check the CMS website for updates.

Meanwhile, be thinking about how you can express and communicate what the theme, “What is Your Story?,” means to you. We look forward to many great entries from CMS! Those who do especially well may have a chance to move on to the state level of competition.

What a great chance to represent your school! We anticipate being inspired by the great

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creativity and artistic expression of our CMS students as they submit their entries for this year’s competition!

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MathCounts is a national middle school coaching and competitive mathematics program that promotes mathematics achievement through a series of fun and engaging "bee" style contests.

MathCounts at CMS will begin Tuesday, September 20. We will meet in Room 105, Ms. Johnston’s room, that day and each Tuesday

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from 3:15-4 p.m. Students will need to bring a note stating they can stay after school each Tuesday beginning September 20.



Lego Club

Contact:

Britta Hall [email protected]

Orchestra

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CMS Orchestra is tuning up for another great year! We have 76 musicians in our Orchestra this year (38 6th graders and 38 7th/8th graders). This is the orchestra’s largest class in the 11 years since the program was created. We are so proud of our thriving Collierville Schools Orchestra program. We hope that the community continues to support our student’s musical efforts.

Our Fall Concert will be held on October 4 at Highpoint Collierville at 6 p.m. We are excited to announce that we will perform with the Schilling Farms Orchestra, where Mrs. Hall also directs. This will be an exciting new first for both schools and is something that you will definitely want to hear. The schools will be combined on a few songs creating a mega orchestra group as well as showcasing individual talents.

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The CMS Orchestra will be selling Yankee Candles for their fall fundraiser until September 13. Candles can be purchased online and make great gifts for loved ones. The orchestra receives zero funding and needs a new cello rack for their classroom and new violins for the program. Please help us meet our musical goals, it’s truly a wonderful cause. For more info contact Becca Wyrick at [email protected].

Mr. Gray a Finalist for Tennessee Teacher of the Year!

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In June, the Tennessee Department of Education announced our own 8th Grade Science and Physical Science teacher, Mark Gray, as one of nine finalists for the 2016-17 Tennessee Teacher of the Year award.

The nine finalists represent each CORE region in the state, with three finalists in each Grand Division (West, Middle, and East).

Grand Division winners and the Teacher of the

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Year will be selected from this group and announced on September 22.

These finalists will have the opportunity to join the commissioner’s Teacher Advisory Council. Members of this body will offer insight, feedback, and advice

on issues that impact teachers and students across the state.

We wish Mr. Gray luck and appreciate all he does for CMS and our students!



Reminders from the Front Office

Car Rider Line Safety • Cell Phone – Please do not use your cell

phone in car rider line when the students are outside.

• Drop-off/Pickup – Students may only exit/enter from the passenger side of the car.

• Trunk Use – In the interest of safety, we ask that students do not load/unload items from the trunk while in line.

• Bad Weather – When weather is bad, the students will be dismissed from the gym. Please be extra patient on these pickup days.

• Passing – Please note that you can go around cars in front of you if your student has been picked up.

Save your Box Tops, Tyson and Campbell Soup Labels, and Can Tabs!

Earn Money for CMS by Shopping at Kroger

CMS collects box tops for the Box Tops for Education program. Each box top you turn in is worth 10 cents. You can view a list of participating products at boxtops4education.com.

CMS also is collecting labels from Tyson products and Campbell Soup cans. Tyson Project A+TM labels are on more than 40 Tyson products. And visit labelsforeduation.com for the Campbell Soup products that qualify.

Save your can tabs, too! All money collected from the can tabs directly benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Kroger’s Community Rewards®

program

allows you to designate Collierville Middle school as your nonprofit organization to receive funds. Just link your Kroger Plus Card to CMS and our school will automatically earn funds when you purchase from Kroger.

Help the Health Room The health room is available to all students and constantly is replenishing supplies. Lysol spray, large bandaids, sanitary pads, latex-free gloves and contact cases are particularly in need if you can assist. Also, please email Kelly Roller at [email protected] if you can volunteer your time in the health room.

Bring in 50 Box Tops and Choose a Coupon! New this year! Any student who brings a bag of 50 box tops to the front office will get to choose a coupon for such things as a free frosty at Wendy’s, a free chicken biscuit or sandwich at Chick-fil-A, or a free large sandwich at McDonald’s. This offer will be available while supplies last.

Thanks for helping earn money for CMS!



Join 2016-17 Collierville Middle School PTA Today!

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Show your support of our school by joining the CMS PTA. How does my membership help CMS? The PTA uses your membership money to make CMS a strong, positive learning environment for our children by purchasing items needed to keep CMS on the “cutting edge of technology” and by providing funds to fill school and teacher grants.**

CMS 2016-17 Goal: 100% participation How do we achieve 100% participation? Purchase memberships. No limits exist on the number of memberships you can purchase.

Who can join? Parents, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Guardians, or anyone wanting to support CMS.

What is the cost of Membership? $6.00 per Membership

How do I join? Complete this form and return it to school with your student in an envelope marked “CMS PTA MEMBERSHIP.” We accept cash or checks. Make checks payable to CMS PTA.

If you have any questions please contact the CMS PTA Membership chairperson: Amy Bouche at [email protected]

The PTA does not release information provided on this form. Money received without a member name listed will be considered a CMS PTA donation. **A small portion of the membership dues supports National, State and local PTAs.

Member name _________________________________________ Phone # __________________________ (Please Print Your Name) Email ______________________________________________________________________________________ Member name _________________________________________ Phone # __________________________ (Additional Person’s Name) Email ______________________________________________________________________________________ Please list additional membership names and contact information on the back of this page. # Of memberships ________ @$6.00 = $__________ Total Enclosed List children attending Collierville Middle School:

Student ________________________________ Grade_____ Homeroom Teacher_______________________

Student ________________________________ Grade_____ Homeroom Teacher_______________________

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President Tina Rehm [email protected] 489-5990

Secretary Kimberly McNutt [email protected] 489-0293

Treasurer Liz Baird [email protected]

Communications Heather Arnold [email protected] 651-1953

Cultural Arts Tamala Lyle [email protected]

Health and Safety Kelly Roller [email protected] 268-1177

Hospitality Angela Porada [email protected] 355-6402

Legislation Kim Fiveash [email protected] 486-5702

Membership Amy Bouche [email protected]

Parent Volunteers Jan Gould [email protected] 832-4833

Programs Rebecca Wyrick [email protected] 361-7951

Publications Katie Timms [email protected]

Publicity Amy Flood [email protected] 687-8415

Room Parents Sunday Holmes [email protected] 601-506-1934

Ways and Means Sherrie Cox [email protected] 361-7980

Parliamentarian Lisa Cox [email protected] 603-3735

Principal Roger Jones [email protected] 853-3320

Teacher Rep Lisa Beauford [email protected] 853-3320

CMS PTA 2016-2017 Board of Managers

collierville middle school dragon news€¦ · you have a little time to spare, please let us know...

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