October 4, 2019 | Issue 6
Principal's Updates

Dear CFMS Families,

Research shows a connection between effort and achievement. Roger Maris said, "Home runs are not hit by chance, but preparation." Positive study habits, in and out of school, can contribute to achievement. Here are some steps to help your child. We are guiding at school and reinforcement at home would be beneficial.
  • Be organized
  • Use a type of agenda
  • Use time wisely
  • Have a routine
  • Study in a quiet spot that isn't too comfortable
  • Work earlier than later
  • Prioritize
Throughout the year we will provide many lessons to help students succeed. In addition to skill review we will continue to emphasize the importance kindness and acceptance. October 7th is National Bullying Prevention Day. On this day students, schools, and communities all over the world go BLUE together against bullying. So let's wear blue Monday!
Students should join us in solidarity to stop bullying and cyberbullying!  We at CFMS are learning the impact of our words and working to understand others. We can treat everyone with kindness - even just a simple smile!


Proud to be a Tiger,

Laila Discenza
Principal, Chagrin Falls Middle School
342 E. Washington Street
Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022
(440) 893-7695 x 4301


News & Announcements
PICTURE RETAKES OCTOBER 15
Students who were not here for picture day in August and any student who would like their picture retaken will have an opportunity to have this done on October 15th. If you want pictures retaken have your child bring their original picture package with them to hand to the photographer.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON ORDERING

MS SKI CLUB REGISTRATION OPEN
Run by Community Education, this club is an annual favorite for middle school students.
The bus leaves after school on select Fridays in January and February and returns back to the school. Students are provided the opportunity to ski with their friends for 4 hours under the lights! Students who are already season pass holders may register for bus transportation only to participate in the club.  See the flyer for all details.

STUDENT DIRECTORIES ON SALE
PTO is excited to announce that the Chagrin Falls School District Student Directory is now fully digital via joinourclass . Mobile App included! You’ll have access to names, emails and phone numbers at your fingertips from anywhere you are. No more hunting for the directory around the house or in the car, it’s now just one click away! CLICK HERE to be directed to the PTO fundraising page and scroll down to Middle School Fundraiser-Student Directories to order. CLICK HERE FOR FLYER

OCTOBER IS DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH
Monday, October 14th from 6;30 pm -8:30 pm in the Intermediate School Cafeteria Tiger Prep presents A Walk In The Shoes Of A Dyslexic. CLICK HERE for details.

TESTING DATES - PLEASE PUT ON YOUR CALENDARS
Testing dates are April 15,16, 20, 21, 23 & 24 . Students will be testing in the morning. Please do not schedule any appointments before 10:00 am on these dates. Your flexibility is greatly appreciated.

SCHOOL FEES REMINDER
CFMS Fees for 2019-2020 are $120.00 and can be paid online through Final Forms or by check payable to CFMS in the Middle School office. Per Board Policy p articipation in extracurricular field trips will not be permitted unless payment has been received. A payment schedule may be arranged at the building level with full payment to be received by June 15.

YEARBOOK - order yours today!
Follow these  EASY steps  to place an online order.

INFINITE CAMPUS MOBILE APPS
Infinite Campus has two new and improved mobile apps: Campus Student (for students) and Campus Parent (for parents). Download your free app for real-time access to grades, assignments, attendance, schedules, announcements and more. Infinite Campus Mobile Apps can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Search "Infinite Campus" on either store to find the updated apps. If you are using the old Infinite Campus app, please download the new app. The old app will be removed from the app store June 30th, 2019.

ATTENTION ALL 8TH GRADE PARENTS  
This is a final call to register your student for the Washington DC trip .   Additionally, all class t shirts must be ordered by October 18. All information can be found on the CLASS WEB PAGE

Important Dates

October
1st- MS Ski Club Registration Opens
4th- MS night at the Varsity Football Game vs Edgewood
15th - Picture Re-takes during W.I.N . CLICK HERE for details . CLICK HERE for order info.
16th-Real Money, Real World 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. CLICK HERE to volunteer
18th - End of the first quarter - window open 10-14
25th- Halloween Spooktacular Dance 7-9 pm MS Cafe
November 4th- Family First Night

April
Testing week is April 15th through 24th. The 7-12 campus will run a 2-hour delayed start schedule in order to test in the morning then attend our scheduled classes. Please make every effort to have your child here everyday.

Important Info For Families


Celebrations- Student Parent Handbook page 24
Due to increasing numbers of students with life threatening food allergies we will protect student health and safety and maintain our instructional focus. Edible treats are not permitted and parents are asked not to send food related items to share with classmates at any time. They are also asked not to bring in food related items for student presentations and special school-wide events.  

For general information on middle school...
Please CLICK HERE to view the parent tip sheet. This information is also located on the MS homepage.

Questions regarding attendance, appointments & planned absences....
Please CLICK HERE to be redirected to the absences webpage.


CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS
8th Grade Class T-Shirt Sale
Congrats to Aiden Cabic for the winning shirt design! Shirts are on sale now for $15 each. We strongly encourage all students to order for the class picture in Washington. 
Homeroom teachers distributed order forms. Students, please turn money in to homeroom teachers by Friday, October 18.  CLICK HERE TO PRINT THE ORDER FORM
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8th Grade College and Career Studies
On October 16th the 8th grade class will be participating in The Ohio State University's Extension Program  Real Money Real World.   RMRW provides young people the opportunity to learn basic money management practices in the classroom and then make simulated lifestyle and budget choices similar to those adults face on a daily basis through a spending simulation. RMRW is a great example of “learning-by-doing.”   CLICK HERE   to learn more about the program. We are asking for the participation of parent volunteers to ensure that our program is a success. Please consider partnering with the school as we bring this program to Chagrin Falls Middle School. Volunteer time is from 12:00 pm-2:30 pm. Your time and involvement in this program is greatly appreciated. TO SIGN UP CLICK HERE
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ATHLETIC NEWS
Boys Basketball Tryouts are October 23 to 25
Girls Basketball Tryouts are December 9 to 11
Wrestling Practice begins on November 11
More information to come as we get closer to the date
CLUB NEWS
CFMS Pops Choir
It's not too late to join the  Chagrin Falls Middle School Pops Choir , a group that meets before school on Wednesdays to sing and perform pop music. See Mr. Bachofsky or a music teacher for more information. This group starts up next Wednesday, October 2nd at 7:00am. Pops Choir is open to all CFMS music students who currently are enrolled in band, orchestra, or choir . 

Connect Club
This club is supported by Tiger Prep and  started their 2019-20 school year season with a pizza party! The students spent time getting to know new friends who joined this year and then proceeded to have fun with the video gaming truck, life size Jenga and Connect Four games, and taking fun pictures with friends in the photo booth!  

Speech and Debate Calendar 2019-20
  • Parent & Student Informational Meeting: 6:30 Monday, October 7th 
  • 2 Training opportunities for Parent Judging both Speech and Debate: 
  • Oct. 15th and Oct 17th 6:30 pm in HS Room 320 (Ken Kasee’s room)
  • Join Google Classroom or Remind for updates and reminders:
  • Google Classroom: 0d9px40
  • Remind: https://www.remind.com/join/cfmssp @cfmssp CFMS Speech and Debate 
  • Team Meetings: Fridays after school from 2:50- 3:50 
  • (Must be picked up by 4 pm at the latest. Bring snack/ treat.)
  • Squad Meetings: Before school 7:10- 7:30/ TBD by each Squad
SUPPORT ORGANIZATION NEWS
After Prom Garage Sale
Spend an hour this weekend gathering up items you no longer use around your home and you can donate them to a great cause next weekend! Check your garage and basements! Drop them off at the IMS Cafe next Friday and they will be sold as part of a fundraiser for After Prom. Have a stash of Halloween costumes or sports equipment from years gone by? Holiday decorations you no longer use? Clothes your kids have outgrown? It's time to purge and donate to After Prom!
Sept 20- 4pm-10pm donation drop off at the IMS Cafe
Sept 21 - 9am-2pm Sale Hours in the IMS Cafe

Ed Foundation Student Board Fundraiser
The Wrapping Paper Is Back CLICK HERE for parent letter and CLICK HERE for the sale details. Sale runs through September 30th.
MENTAL WELLNESS CORNER
Mental Wellness Corner - October's topic…mindfulness activities for children and teens


Current research suggests that learning mindfulness techniques can have benefits for both adults and children. Mindfulness can increase focus, improve mental health and well being, support social skill development, mitigate effects of bullying, reduce anxiety and reduce attention problems.    
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
As October begins, we are recognizing National Bullying Prevention Month. This week, our students all attended an assembly where Officer Baldwin, our resource officer, and I discussed social media usage. Officer Baldwin talked with students about the legal and safety issues of which students need to be aware, while I focused on the empathetic side of utilizing social media positively. Social media is such a dominant part of so many students' lives, that it's important to be part of that discussion and equip students with the skills so they can make safe, positive, and responsible decisions when they are online. During this assembly we discussed the impact messages and photos can have on others, how what we intend to share may not be what is perceived, and the difficulties that come with being empathetic online when we are not face-to-face with others. This can be a very tricky topic to manage since social media is always changing, but we know just how important it is for parents to be informed and in the loop about their child's online behaviors. If your child utilizes social media, please make sure you are in the loop and take time regularly to speak with them about it and address concerns they have.

Our 8th grade students will be taking the PSAT 8/9 on the morning of Wednesday, October 16th. Please visit our website to view our presentation from conference night that provides more information about this test.

As always, please reach out to me if I can ever help you with anything you need!

Kyle Patterson
School Counselor
Chagrin Falls Middle School
440-247-5500 x4307
@PattersonCFMS
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342 E. Washington Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

Main Number: (440) 893-7695
Administration: (440) 893-7695 ext. 4301
Adm. Asst.: (440) 893-7695 ext. 4302
Athletic Office: (440) 893-7695 ext. 4337
Attendance: (440) 247-4790
Clinic: (440) 893-7695 ext. 4304
Fax: (440) 247-4855
Guidance: (440) 893-7695 ext. 4307
Lobby: (440) 893-7695 ext. 4303
CHAGRIN FALLS MIDDLE SCHOOL