Chaska Middle School West - Star Tracker Newsletter

February 2020

Chaska Middle School West

140 Engler Boulevard

Chaska, MN 55318

952-556-7400

School Hours
8:40 - 3:30

CMSW Website

Attendance Line 952-556-7499

Attendance Email
[email protected]

Counselors -

Scott Buschena 952-556-7432

6th grade Comets

8th grade

Shannon Hanlon 952-556-7433

6th grade Meteors

7th grade

Nurse - Marcie Bartholomew

952-556-7419

Intercultural Specialist -

(Spanish speaking)

Lucia Seeman

952-679-0605

Nutrition Site Manager -

Kari O'Konek 952-556-7404

Bus Company

Positive Connections -

952-361-0899

District Transportation Dept. -
952-556-6160

Quick Links

Calendars

Lunch Menu

Campus/Parent Portal

Stay Connected

Principal Points from Sheryl Hough

We are off and running into our second half of the school year. The Ellis Island Simulation was a realistic and memorable learning experience for our 6th graders. Students are settled into their new semester courses and connecting with new teachers.

February is Black History Month and we are celebrating in our classrooms and around our school. Please check in with your child and ask about our Morning Show, advisory lessons, classroom activities and our display case - pictured below.

Registration for next year begins on Feb. 27 for current 6th and 7th graders so watch for important materials being sent home.

We also have conferences on Feb. 27 and March 5. An email with link to sign up for them electronically will be coming to you soon.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with families to help all students thrive. #Everylearnereveryday

Looking Ahead

2/6 - 28 Pennies for Patients Fundraiser

2/7 District Jazz Festival

2/11 Choir Concerts

2/13 2 Hour Late Start

2/17 No School - Presidents Day

2/27 Conferences 3:50 - 8:00

3/6 No School - Teacher workshops

3/5 Conferences 3:50 - 8:00

3/23 - 27 No School - Spring Break

Registration Presentations to Students

Counselors from the high schools will be talking to our 8th graders about registering for high school classes on Tues. 2/25 and registering for classes on Tues. 3/2.

6th & 7th graders will be going through the registration process beginning on Thurs. 2/27. Watch for upcoming emails with more specific information soon.

High School Registration Information Night

for Parents/Guardians

Thurs. 2/27 at 6:30pm is Registration Night at both Chanhassen High School and Chaska High School. This event is for parents/guardians of current 8th graders to hear about high school courses, registration and more. Student need not attend.

Conferences

Conferences will be Thurs. 2/27 and Thurs. 3/5 from 3:50 - 7:30pm.

All conference scheduling will be done online. The new link to register for conference times will be sent out soon. Watch for an email from Assistant Principal Mark Shoquist with the link and instructions.

Learning Benevolence with Pennies for Patients Fundraiser

We are helping students learn about the gift of "giving to others". Again, this year we are joining with CMSE & PRMS to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help fight childhood cancers. Our combined goal is $35,000!

The fundraiser kicks off with a pep rally on Thurs. 2/6 and runs through Fri. 2/28. Advisories will compete against each other for prizes. Activities will include bake sales, a haunted library, tag sales, $1 hat days and more with entertaining incentives along the way.

Here is a link to donate: Pennies for Patients Donations

Here is a link to FAQ about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Contact Tony Porthan with questions at [email protected].

Choir Concerts are Tues. 2/11

Choir 6 at 6:00 - students should arrive by 5:50

SA Choir 7 at 6:45 - students should arrive by 6:35

SA Choir 8 & TB Choir 7/8 at 7:30 - students should arrive by 7:20

All concerts are in the Small Gym.

Contact Choir Director Caroline Swanson for more info [email protected] or 952-556-7549.

Come see the combined middle school musical

"FAME JR!"

Students from all three middle schools have joined forces to recreate the 1980's film "FAME". Come see all of the talented performers.

Show dates:

Thurs. 2/20 at 7:00pm

Fri. 2/21 at 7:00pm

Sat. 2/22 at 2:00 and 7:00pm

Sun. 2/23 at 2:00pm

All shows are at Chanhassen High School. Purchase tickets at District112.ticketleap.com

Parent Teacher Organization

Please consider supporting our teachers and staff by helping prepare a meal for conference night on Thurs. 2/27. We appreciate any donations! Here is a link to sign up to help: Conference Meal Sign-up

The PTO is busy preparing for our only fundraising event, the Silent Auction & Raffle, that takes place during the Evening with the Stars event on Thurs. 4/9 from 5:30 - 8:00pm. All proceeds go towards teacher requests and directly impact our students.

We are asking families for any business donations they may be willing to provide, whether it is a gift certificate, gift basket or other item. Your donation would benefit the students and staff at CMSW as well as spotlight your business, product or service. Please drop off any business donations at the main office by 3/13 or email [email protected] for pick-up.

Our next PTO meeting will be on Tues. 2/11 at 4:00 in the Large Conference Room in the Main Office. All are welcome to attend!

Not Your Average Fundraiser

Due to a grant from Special Olympics, this year CMSW has a Unified Advisory which includes both special needs and general ed students. The Advisory's purpose is to create an inclusive environment and bring awareness throughout the school to include others of all abilities and spread kindness.

Our Unified Advisory is participating in the Polar Plunge Fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics on Fri. 3/6 at Riley Lake in Eden Prairie.

Here is a link to more information and to donate.

This is a great opportunity for 7th graders to earn Service Hours by participating.

Contact Social Studies teacher Kelly Erickson with questions at [email protected] or

952-556-7745.

Community Resources

Please submit your box tops to the main office by Fri. 2/21 . This is our last chance to submit paper box tops for the year!

You can continue to support our school using the Box Tops App, the new program where receipts are scanned and submitted directly. Click on this LINK for more information about this new program.

School Supplies

As we begin the second half of the school year, it is a good time to check that your student still has enough supplies such as pencils, markers, notebooks, ear buds, etc.

If you would consider a donation, our teachers have a few basic needs requests that can be dropped off at the main office:

pencils, pencils, pencils
colored markers
colored pencils
construction paper, assorted colors
card stock, assorted colors
post-it notes
tissues
hand sanitizer
wipes

Hyland Field Trip Fun

Seventh graders had a wonderful experience at Hyland Hills Ski Park enjoying Minnesota winter sports. Many students were skiing and snowboarding for the first time!

Ellis Island Simulation

On January 24, with the help of 170 family volunteers, nearly 800 6th graders experienced the Ellis Island Simulation at Pioneer Ridge Middle School. The event gave students a perspective on the challenges of traveling to America in the early 20th century. Thank you to all of our volunteers!

Community Resources

There are may community resources available for local families. Click this link for more information:

Community Outreach Resource List.