September Message

Dear CMS Families~

Day 1 of the 2019-20 school year is in the books! Thank you for sending your children back to us as we begin to Celebrate Learning with them for the next 182 days (minus the inevitable CNY snow days)! The life of a middle schooler is certainly a busy one. Academics, outside interests, family time, and socializing with friends takes up most of the day. It’s hard to imagine that they have any downtime at all. Add into the mix the fact that an adolescent’s brain is developing more quickly than when they were infants (It’s true!), and it is no surprise that sleep is an important component of a physically and mentally healthy state of being. That old adage about “8 hours” of sleep being the sweet spot doesn’t really hold true for adolescents. It might surprise you to know that The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 9-10 hours for them. Getting that screen time decreased, especially in the early evening, helps to kick into gear the natural desire for sleep. Once your child develops this routine, they will typically notice how much better they feel and perform. This first short week of school is the perfect time to train their brains to benefit from the power of a good night’s sleep!

While we are on the topic of busy kids (and families), you might not be aware that we make morning and afternoon announcements every single day. Announcements run the gamut from when Student Council meets, the due date for yearbook orders, the lunch menu for the next day and EVERYTHING in between. It’s a lot to remember. Announcements for students and families are updated daily on the CMS Announcement page of the WG website. Please visit this page whenever you need an update. We also include the Positivity Project character message of the week.

Come meet the new Superintendent, David C. Bills.

Please contact me at any time if you have any questions or concerns.
We Celebrate Learning!

Beth
Follow us on Twitter @camillusmiddle
P.S. – If you haven’t had your child return the “pink sheet” please do it tomorrow!

I would like to introduce you to our newest staff members:

Mrs. Mary Klink – 7th grade Health teacher
Mrs. Anne Dorio – Special Education teacher
Mrs. Jennifer Palmer – Art teacher
Officer Tim Macholl – Special Patrol Officer
Ms. Paula Bernardoni – School Counselor intern

School Safety and Security

The District has made a strong commitment to enhance the safety and security of all of our school buildings. Over the summer we added a second bank of secured doors in the main foyer. I would like to remind you of a few of the protocols in place when you visit us here:

• Upon being allowed through the exterior door of a district building, visitors will be asked to present a photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport.
• Your ID will either be scanned or manually entered into the system at the transaction window in the secure vestibule. 
• Once cleared, you will proceed to the main office to retrieve your ID, sign in and receive a pre-printed badge with your photo on it.
• You will then be directed to the appropriate location.
• This badge must be worn at all times when in the building.
• When in the building, you are only approved to go to the specific location requested. You should not go to any other area of the building without returning to the main office for approval.
• When leaving the building, return to the main office, turn in your badge and sign out.

We have also added the presence of a school resource officer (SRO), Tim Macholl, to the staff here at CMS. Officer Tim will be another trusted adult here in the building to help support our students.

Curriculum Night
Please mark your calendars for our Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 26th from 6:30-8:00 pm. The schedule for the evening will be in the mail to you next week...be on the lookout! Please make sure to stop by our library where we will have refreshments. While you are there you can become a PTO member, volunteer for a committee and see our Positivity Project resources. Curriculum Night is for parents and guardians only. We look forward to a terrific year where We Celebrate Learning!

September 6 - Wildcat Friday
September 6 - 6th Gr. Getting Acquainted Dance 2:15-4:00
September 10 - 1st Day of Interaction Time
September 13 - Picture Day
September 18 - Board of Education Mtg - 7:00 p.m. @ WGHS
September 24 - Talk w/ the Superintendent - 7:00 p.m. @ WGHS LGIR
September 26 -  Curriculum Night - 6:30-8:00 p.m.

April Message

PTO MEETING and District Budget Presentation TONIGHT!

Please plan to attend the PTO meeting at the high school at 6:00 pm tonight. We will be electing officers for the 2019-20 school year. If you want any information about serving as an officer please contact our president, Mrs. Pearlene Amica at pearlene.amica@gmail.com. Following our meeting at 7:00 pm, Assistant Superintendent Paul Pelton, will be presenting the school budget for 2019-20.  Both meetings will be held in the Large Group Instruction Room.


Report Cards

The 30 week report card will be available on SchoolTool on Friday, April 26 and will be hand carried home by students. Please take a moment to review it with your child. Please contact our Guidance Department at 315-672-8381 if you any question or concerns.



New York State Mathematics Testing

Please see the testing schedule below:

Testing Schedule

Math  - Grades 6

April 30 & May 1

Testing during per. 1-3

Class resumes 4th per.

*7 & 8^th grade on regular schedule

Math – Grades 7 & 8

May  2 & 3

Testing during per. 1-3

Class resumes 4th per.

*6^th grade on regular schedule

April 26 - Report Cards Available

April 30 & May 1 - 6th Gr. NYS Math Assessments

May 2 & 3 - 7 & 8th Gr. NYS Math Assessments

May 3 - Wildcat Friday

May 5 - 17 - CMS Art Exhibit at Maxwell Library

May 6 - Battle of the Books - 7:00 p.m.

May 8 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. at WGHS LGIR

May 13 - SEPTSA Meeting - 6:30 at WGHS

May 16 - Talent Show - 7:00 p.m. 

May 17 - End of 35 Weeks

May 20 - 6th Grade Orientations - 6:00 p.m. at CMS LGIR

May 21 - Budget Vote - 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. at WGHS 

May 22 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. at WGHS LGIR

May 23 - NYS 8th Grade Science Performance Assessment

May 23 - Special Olympics at CNSHS

May 24 - 35 Week Reports 

May 27 - Memorial Day - No School

March Message

Dear CMS Families:

Camillus Middle School students will be participating in the annual New York State Assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics starting next week. Please see the chart below for the administration details. These assessments measure the learning standards around which our teachers design and deliver their daily instruction. Our teachers routinely revise and refine this instruction to make it the most rigorous and relevant experience for our students. Because of this, we have no need to engage in test preparation or practice tests. Our children are completely prepared to take these assessments because our curriculum is in alignment with the standards the tests measure.

I know that some of you may have reservations about encouraging your child to take the assessments. Your concerns, together with the concerns of educators, have been influential in changing some important aspects of the assessments. Here are some of the positive adjustments that were made last year and are in place for this testing cycle:

• 3 days to 2 days of testing 
• Untimed testing – students may have as much time as they need
• All questions have been written and reviewed by New York State teachers
• Student scores are not part of the formal evaluation system for teachers and administrators

From our perspective, the assessments are a valuable tool that help us know how effectively our curriculum is aligning with the standards. Since students from across the state take the assessments, the results provide a window into how we compare with similar schools and where we can make improvements. I am encouraging you to support the message we are giving your children here at school; this is your opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned and how you have grown as a student. We ask them to simply do their best. You can also help at home by making sure they have a good night’s sleep, a little something to eat and extra hydration. A quick “you’ve got this” as they go out the door in the morning helps to motivate them with a positive outlook.

I would be very happy to speak with you should you have any questions at all about the assessments. Please feel free to call me at 315-672-3159.

We Celebrate Learning!
Beth

Testing Schedule

ELA –  Grade 6	April  1 & 2	Testing during per. 1-3	Class resumes 4th per.
*7 & 8th grade on regular schedule
ELA – Grades 7 & 8	April  3 & 4	Testing during per. 1-3	Class resumes 4th per.
*6th grade on regular schedule
Math  - Grades 6	April 30 & May 1	Testing during per. 1-3	Class resumes 4th per.

*7 & 8^th grade on regular schedule

Math – Grades 7 & 8

May  2 & 3

Testing during per. 1-3

Class resumes 4th per.

*6^th grade on regular schedule

April 1 & 2 - 6th Gr. NYS ELA Assessments
April 3 & 4 - 7 & 8th Gr. NYS ELA Assessments
April 3 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. @ WGHS
April 5 - Wildcat Friday
April 9 - Group Yearbook Pictures
April 10 - SEPTSA Meeting - 6:30 p.m. @ OR
April 12 - End of 30 Weeks
April 15 - 19 - Spring Recess - No School
April 23 - CMS PTO Meeting & Budget Presentation - 6:00 p.m. @ WGHS
April 26 - Report Cards Available
April 30 & May 1 - 6th Gr. NYS Math Assessments
May 2 & 3 - 7 & 8th Gr. NYS Math Assessments

March Message

The 11th annual Culture Fair will be held at West Genesee High School on Saturday, March 2nd from 12:00-3:00 p.m in the upper gymnasium. Join us as we celebrate our community’s diversity at this fun event featuring dance performances, live music, cultural demonstrations, food samples, artwork, T-shirts, kids crafts, and more!

Our next 3:3 Basketball Tournament will be on Friday, March 8th from 2:15-4:00 pm. Teams can be mixed grade levels and/or co-ed with 4 players maximum. Team registration forms were handed out in PE classes and are also available in the main office. Fill out the form and return payment ($5 per player) to the Main Office by Monday, March 4th. All proceeds benefit our PTO. Let’s Play!

Our favorite week of the year is almost here . . . Spirit Week will be March 18 - 22! Next week Student Council will be voting on the theme for each day, check the WG website - CMS Announcement page for the final vote.

Our annual St. Patrick’s Day Dance will be on Friday, March 15th from 6:00-8:00 pm. DJ Dan Becker will be here with his flashing lights and the best dance music in town. Our gym will also be open for basketball. Tickets are available at the door for $5. Snacks will be available for sale. All proceeds benefit our PTO.  If you would like to chaperone, please contact our Dance Chairperson, Pam Anastasio, at panastas@skanschools.org. Wear your green and come on out for a great night!

Our 25-week progress reports will be available for viewing on SchoolTool Friday, March 15th. If you have trouble logging on to view, please call or email Nancy Boise at nboise@westgenesee.org or 315-672-8381.

March 1 - Wildcat Friday

                 Career Fair - 8th Grade

March 2 - Culture Fair 12-3 p.m. @ WGHS

March 6 -  Board of Education Meeting 7:00 p.m. @ WGHS

March 8 - 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament 2:15-4:00 p.m.

March 12 - 6th Grade Concert 7:00 p.m. 

March 15 - 25 Week Reports Available

                   St. Patrick's Day Dance 6-8 p.m.

March 19 - 7/8 Gr. Band & Orchestra Concert 7:00 p.m.

March 20 - 1/2 Day for Students - 10:10 a.m. dismissal

                    Board of Education Meeting 7:00 p.m. @ WGHS

March 26 - Jazz Band, Chamber String, & Select Chorus 

                   Concert 7:00 p.m.