Thursday, January 21/ Issue 15
PRINCIPAL'S UPDATES

Dear CFMS Families,

The third quarter is underway and Tuesday marked a return to all in-person learning. We are happy to have the students together at the same time! They are doing a great job with procedures set forth for safety. They are also working hard in class and socializing with one another!
We will help all students with the transition socially, emotionally and academically. We will also continue to help students build skills like focus and preparation. If you want to get involved here are some choices to talk to your child about when setting 2021 goals:

1. Health - Being active
2. Happiness - Being positive
3. Volunteer - Completing random acts of kindness
4. Relationships - Accepting and understanding family and friends 
5. School - Improving skills and/or grades
6. Risk-take - Trying something new
7. Role Model- Making good decisions
8. Budget - Saving money

Students will remain virtual this Friday but following their Monday schedule. Please let me know if you have any questions.

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
January 21 - Physical Science Readiness Test for eligible students during advisory (parents were notified January 5th)
January 22 - MONDAY schedule and VIRTUAL
January 25-28 - IREADY testing in all ela and grade level math during advisory
February 15: Presidents Day NO SCHOOL
February 22 & 24: All 8th Grade Face to Face Virtual Field Trip during advisory
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations to our December Students Of The Month!
7th Graders: Sophia De La Cruz and Michael Brosnan
8th Graders: Mia Eaves and Nathan Nguyen
CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS
  • 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

2nd Grading Period:
Week #6 GLASS click here to view
Week #7 ART ELEMENTS click here to view week 7
Week #8 MEMORY click here to view week 8
3rd Grading Period:
Week#1 GOALS AND RESOLUTIONS click here to view week 1


CLUB/ATHLETIC NEWS
  • Speech & Debate
December 19th hosted by Kenston
Congrats to the Speech and Debate Team members who participated in the tournament on December 19th hosted by Kenston. This was a super competitive tournament, and we had many students trying new categories or events. 

Three students new to debating placed this week: Rory Rhode placed 6th in Extemporaneous Debate and Colin Moran and Carlo Ricco took 6th place in Public Forum Debate. 

Our competitors handled some tough topics this week and bravely spread their wings. I am so proud of their dedication and effort. 

Congrats on a job well done!

January 9th hosted by Brecksville
Congrats to Rory Rhode who took 1st place in Extemporaneous Debate at the Brecksville Tournament on Saturday, January 9th! This is her 2nd time placing this year in debate! 

All our competitors did an outstanding job and are to be commended for their dedication and efforts!
  • Yearbook
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


ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL
Report absences: to the attendance line 440/247-4790 or the MS Office 440/247-4746.

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

Do you have absence paperwork to send to the school?
Email: Connie.miralia@chagrinschools.org or Laila.Discenza@chagrinschools.org 
Or Fax to: 440/247-4855

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
As we have begun our all-in transition this can stir up a lot of feelings in students. Whether it is excitement, anxiety, or any combination, please know that students continue to have support here at school.

With the increased flex time that lunch and recess provides, this may be the first opportunity some of our students have had to navigate social situations outside of the classroom this year. We have worked to organize lunch tables and recess locations prioritizing student requests the best we can. If your student is having trouble navigating any of these new situations, please encourage them to reach out to me, and I'm happy to help any way I can.

Furthermore, this transition to all-in puts our virtual academy students in a new situation as well, being the only ones attending online Monday-Thursday. We recognize how this can be a difficult adjustment for some of our students as well as they navigate there being significantly fewer students online in classrooms, as well as now missing the lunch/recess time with friends here at school. Please continue to check in on your children and let us know how they are feeling and doing while managing this.

This week is an adjustment for everyone, and we are here to support and listen and do anything we can to help all sides navigate this change.

Kyle Patterson
School Counselor
Chagrin Falls Middle School
440-247-5500 x4307
@PattersonCFMS
Mental Wellness Highlight
Mental Wellness Corner - this month’s topic… Mindfulness

I joked in last month’s newsletter that mindfulness is everywhere- Mindful screen time, mindful eating, mindful yoga, and on and on. However, with all of the adjustments we have recently needed to make, I thought it might be important to review the idea. 

Mindfulness is the process of being aware of your present environment, and working to quiet thoughts or feelings connected elsewhere. It can be helpful in increasing relaxation, reducing stress, worry, tension or sadness, and making interactions with others more meaningful. 

But how do we achieve this, and how do we help our children to achieve this? One of the first steps is learning to take deep breaths (if I have worked with your child, ask them about pizza breathing!). Focus on your breaths: the sound of your breathing, the way your body feels and moves, and notice your emotions as you breathe. These are all important first steps in practicing mindfulness. 

For additional ideas, check out this website: Mindfulness
LUNCH ROOM NEWS- CLICK HERE
MS YEARBOOKS 2020-2021-CLICK HERE
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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