February 28th/ Issue 19
PRINCIPAL'S UPDATES

Dear CFMS Families,

It was an enduring learning week at CFMS! The 8th grade team participated in the Face to Face virtual field trip where they heard a first-hand testimony about a personal experience on the Kindertransport and a first-hand testimony from a child of two Holocaust survivors. The students were respectful as they engaged in the Zoom and asked excellent questions. The speakers inspired the students to value one another and to remember the importance of safeguarding civil and human rights.

The 7th graders practiced team building with a viewing of "The Kid who Would be King" with fun activities that preceded. This helped build a sense of community and extended the English Language Arts studies of King Arthur.

8th graders will be scheduling for high school this week during Social Studies/Advisory and 7th grade families and students will be receiving communication Tuesday, including a virtual presentation and scheduling details. This week in Advisory students will be receiving their iready winter scores. They will reflect on their growth and partake in student-teacher conferencing. Also, both grades will learn about the value of books through Read Across America week.

If interested, please sign up for parent-teacher conferences (click here for info). Also, please update your child's schedule this week as there is a change due to round two of staff Covid-19 Vaccinations. Thursday will be remote (Asynchronous and Synchronous lessons posted) and Friday will remain remote with Asynchronous lessons posted. (Details here.)

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
IMPORTANT DATES
March 4: Asynchronous or live lessons / virtual learning. Students remain at home.
March 5:  Asynchronous lessons / virtual learning . Students remain at home.
March 8: noon deadline to sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
March 11: Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences 3:00pm-7:00pm
March 19: Typical Virtual Friday Schedule grades 7-12.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations to our February Students Of The Month!
7th Graders: Morgan Gerbitz and Tom Wilkinson
8th Graders: Gracie Ryan and Carlo Ricco
CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS
  • VIRTUAL ACADEMY
Please complete this testing survey by Friday. Thank you!
  • DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our morning announcements are presented live each school day at 7:45am. Parents you are welcome to login and listen to them....hear about what's happening in school!
CLICK HERE or go to the MS Homepage and click on ANNOUNCEMENTS on the left side.
  • MS. FENTON'S ART CLASS WEEKLY CHALLENGE -3rd Grading Period:

Week #1 GOALS AND RESOLUTIONS click here to view week 1
Week #3 Something PLASTIC click here to view week 3
Week #4 Pet Peeve click here to view week 4
Week #5 WINTER click here to view week 5
Week #6 Mirror Reflection click here to view week 6
Week #7 Chachkies click here to view week 7


Grant A Guitar Scholarship Essay Contest

The Grant A Guitar Scholarship is awarded each year to students in order to foster music appreciation and fluency – and, ultimately, to amplify the power that music has to improve our daily lives.
 
Has music helped to keep you connected in this age of quarantines,
isolation, and shutdowns?
​
Tell us about it in an original essay and you may be eligible to win a guitar and lessons – even if you have never played a note or plucked a string!
 
The 2021 Grant A Guitar Scholarship is NOT a skills-based contest.
​
Submit an essay in the month of April on how music has helped keep you connected to the people and beliefs that you hold most dear and you may be this year’s recipient of a Grant A Guitar scholarship.
​
(At least) one high school student will receive a guitar and lessons worth $1,000, and
One middle school student will receive a guitar and lessons worth $500
FINAL FORMS
We are unable to accept online payments through Final Forms for the next few months. Parents will need to pay by cash or check. Final Forms is transitioning to a new payment processing system which limits our ability to accept payments. Payments may be submitted to the school office.
CLUB/ATHLETIC NEWS
  • March 9th fundraiser CFMS Speech & Debate
as our team prepares for states on March 13th!

Tiger Taco Tuesday with Moe's Southwest is back by popular demand on Tuesday, March 9th!

"Moe" Tigers Eat Tacos!
Support the Middle School Speech and Debate Team by taking the night off and eating healthy with contactless pick-up at Chagrin Middle School Parking Lot!

Donate $10 more dollars & have your taco kit delivered to your front door. Only 10 spots available!
  • HS Cheer Tryout Information
All 8th graders interested in trying out for the JV Cheerleading football squad
  • Follow their Instagram account for info about tryouts. It's chagrinfalls_cheer
  • Fill out your Instagram bio.
  • After you fill out your Instagram bio you will receive a code to access Google Classroom
  • HS Tryouts will be held on March 31st from 4-6 pm at CFIS gym.
  • There is an in-person review clinic on March 15th 5-7 pm at CFIS gym.
  • All tryout material will be posted to Google Classroom the first week of March.
  • See the MS cheer coach Mrs. Czerr or our Athletic Dirctor Mr. Thombs with any questions.
  • Yearbook

HURRY! Reserve your CFMS Yearbook today!
We have been working hard to make this year’s  Chagrin Falls Middle School yearbook. Each page is filled with friends, photos and fun memories! Order your child’s copy today at ybpay.lifetouch.com using your school’s Yearbook ID Code:  14291921
  • 8th graders - we need your design submissions for the 8th grade class t shirt.
  • Due by: Friday 3/5 
  • Hand-drawn or digital design (all digital images must be free of copyright) 
  • Must include “CFMS Class of 2025” 
  • Design: Front and back, two-ink color
  • Submit design to Miss Conte: Rm. 208 or email: marisa.conte@chagrinschools.org
ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL
Report absences: to the attendance line 440/247-4790 or the MS Office 440/247-4746.
You may email teachers or coaches additionally however for any absence to be excused the office needs to document communication with a parent/guardian.

Please remember that there needs to be an approved excuse for visiting virtually.
Submit doctor appointment verification slips to the school following any appointment absences.

Do you have absence paperwork to send to the school?
Email: CFMSattendance@chagrinschools.org 
Fax: 440/247-4855
Mail: 342 E. Washington St. C.F., OH 44022

Have a question for our school nurse? 
Call the school clinic 440/893-7695 ext 4304 or the District Nurse Cell: 330/998-3350
email: debra.elam@chagrinschools.org

Quick Reference for understanding absences as they appear in Infinite Campus


Medical= student is home ill or at a medical appointment. Student is not expected to attend class virtually but can absolutely choose to do so. Student will not be marked unexcused if they do not log in.

Visiting Virtual= Student is home but is not ill. This is a family choice. Parent is requesting that their student not attend class physically out of an abundance of caution. The student is not being told to stay home and quarantine. Student is expected to log on virtually. Student will be marked unexcused if they do not log in.

Quarantine= Student is home due to Covid related issues. Student is expected to log on to class virtually if not symptomatic and ill. Student will be marked unexcused if they do not log in.
Counselor's Corner
The Guidance Advisory Council is working to create interactive videos to help with the scheduling process for incoming 6th graders and current 7th graders. This information will be sent to families on March 1st and to students on March 2nd.

The High School Counselors will be providing 9th grade scheduling videos to our current 8th graders in all advisory classes this Wednesday, February 17th. Former students will also return to answer questions. High School Counselors will meet with in person 8th graders to schedule for next year during Social Studies classes on March 1st and March 2nd. Virtual Academy students will schedule for next year with their Counselor during Advisory class March 1st.

Kyle Patterson
School Counselor
Chagrin Falls Middle School
440-247-5500 x4307
@PattersonCFMS
Mental Wellness Highlight
Mental Wellness Corner - February's topic… Growth Mindset  

Many students have just completed winter benchmarking assessments. Unsurprisingly, this can create stress in some students. They compare their scores to their friends or their past assessments, and they make a number of conclusions (not always accurately!) about their abilities based on their scores. 

If you notice that your child experienced stress or disappointment in their scores, it may be a good idea to explore the importance of a growth mindset with them. Growth mindset focuses on the ability to learn and change. One score or one grade is not indicative of your child’s ability to grow and strengthen their skills. Viewing mistakes and setbacks as normal, and as an opportunity to problem solve, learn and grow can help to build their confidence and resiliency! 

Take a look at this article for more ideas on how to help your child develop a growth mindset. Growth Mindset
LUNCH ROOM NEWS- CLICK HERE
MS YEARBOOKS 2020-2021-CLICK HERE
‌
PTO NEWS- CLICK HERE
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