Principals' Update: Start of School
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Once again we want to welcome you to the 2021-2022 school year. We are anticipating the arrival of all of our students and are excited to welcome the addition to our family...6th and 7th graders! It promises to be a great year where we learn together what it means to be an amazing middle school community.
We will be using the Principals’ Update as our primary mode of communication. We will do our absolute best to provide you with meaningful, timely information.
In this communication, we’ve included some helpful information to prepare you for the upcoming school year as well as information that might prove helpful later on. We encourage you to *SAVE* this message for future reference. We also encourage you to utilize the CMS website where there are many other resources for you to access such as our Parent/Student handbook.
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School Supplies and School Store |
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The CMS School Store will be using a virtual platform to ensure access to supplies for all of our families. For your convenience, supplies will be available for sale at the CMS Online School Store in the form of pre-assembled supply packages. You can place online orders starting today through the end of the school year. There will be an additional opportunity to purchase supplies at the Open Houses by filling out a supply purchase request form and submitting it along with payment. Package options containing essential supplies have been assembled for CMS students.
- Package One - 7th & 8th Grade ($29.00): 2" binder, cleaning cloth, composition notebook, earbuds, eraser, extra fine sharpie markers (2), highlighter (yellow), highlighters (6 pack - assorted colors), paper (graph), paper (loose leaf), pencil lead, pencil pouch, pencils (#2, box of 12), pencil (mechanical), pens (2), planner, plastic pocket folders (6 assorted colors, 1 black), protractor, sheet protectors (10), stylus for iPad.
- Package Two - 6th Grade ($31.00): All the materials in package one with additional composition notebook and spiral notebook.
- Package Three ($5.00): Student Planner only
- Package Four ($12): Scientific Calculator only
- School Supplies Donations
Supplies will be available online through My Payments Plus. Families are able to register on My Payments Plus and create an account, enabling them to pay for activities fees, donations, Field Trips, and school store supplies. Once an account is created, please select ‘Central Middle School Activities’ and ‘CMS Supplies’ in the drop down boxes. This will take you to the school store ordering page.
Supplies purchased online will be delivered to your student's classroom at the start of the school year.
For questions or alternate ordering options please contact Malalai Khattak, Central Middle School Finance Assistant at 952-975-7316.
Supply assistance is available for purchase of school supply packages. If you need supply assistance please stop by the School Store during Open House, fill out this Google Form or contact Linda Yelland at 952-975-7321.
Monetary donations for the supply assistance program are also accepted on the My Payments Plus platform.
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Health Services staff are available during the school day to meet the health needs of each student. When a student becomes ill or is injured during the school day, first aid and illness management will be provided. 911 will be called if a student is significantly ill or injured.
Medication at School:
Medication is dispensed in school only as necessary for the well-being of the student and under a doctor’s supervision. All medication must be kept in the school health room unless special arrangements are made with the Licensed School Nurse. Students receiving medication during the school day must have the written permission of a parent/guardian and a written order from their physician. All medication must be in the original bottle.
Health and Emergency Forms:
Health and Emergency Forms can be found online at our Health Services Site. It is important that the names and phone numbers listed for emergency contacts are current and accurate.
Immunizations:
Minnesota law requires all incoming 7th grade students to show proof of the following immunization:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) booster
- Meningococcal (MCV4): 1st dose
Children may be exempt from immunization for various reasons, including certain medical conditions or religious/personal beliefs. If your student has a medical condition and is unable to receive certain vaccines, or if your religious/personal beliefs contradict vaccines, please complete the back of the immunization form (section 1, A and/or B). To obtain the immunization form please visit this link.
All students are expected to be in compliance with the state immunization laws on the first day of the 2021-2022 school year. Students who fail to provide proof of immunization or exemption will be at risk of exclusion from school.
Please provide verification of immunization by mail or fax to:
ATTN: Immunizations/Health Office
8025 School Road, Eden Prairie 55344
Fax: 952-975-7320
To obtain information on low cost or no cost clinics providing vaccines please visit this link.
If you have already submitted your student’s vaccine information, please disregard this notice.
Thank you,
Jennifer Plapinger, MSN, RN, LSN, PHN, CPN
Licensed School Nurse, Central Middle School
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The school day will start at 9:25 and end at 4:07. Please use the links below to view the bell schedule for each grade.
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During construction, major changes were made to our locker system including the addition of new lockers for another grade of students. As of right now, we're unsure if we'll start the school year using lockers as there is still work to be done to get them ready. We are still waiting for locker number plates and locks to be installed on all of the new lockers. If lockers can be completed by open houses, we'll begin assigning them to students with priority being given to 6th grade. If unable to assign lockers by the start of school, we will assign lockers and devote time to helping students learn to use their lockers during some of our daily FLEX time after the school year begins.
*All students should plan to start the year carrying their backpacks to and from school and classes.*
The size of our lockers vary. We have single tier and double tier lockers. We plan to assign single tier lockers to 6th grade students. The single tier lockers are bigger and will serve as a place for 6th grade students to store their PE clothes as well. The double tier lockers will be assigned to 7th and 8th grade students. These lockers are smaller; however, 7th and 8th grade students will also be assigned a gym locker.
Lockers are provided for the convenience of students, but are not to be considered secure.
If you encounter a problem with your locker, please contact the receptionist in the main office.
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Jostens will be taking student pictures during Open Houses. All students must have their pictures taken to receive an ID badge – no fee for the ID. Parents have the option to purchase pictures of their student. |
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Pending our finalized Covid protocols, Central Middle School will be utilizing volunteers to provide school store and office support during the 21-22 school year. Volunteer commitments are for the full school year unless otherwise listed. A volunteer schedule will be made using the results from this form. Volunteers will receive communication regarding their role by August 30th. Please visit this link to sign up to volunteer.
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Free breakfast and lunch will be provided to all students during in-person learning at every school for the entire 2021-2022 school year. In past years families needed to meet income requirements to qualify for free school meals. During the pandemic the USDA eased restrictions so schools could serve meals to all students free of charge, and schools can continue serving free meals to all students through June 2022.
Meals that qualify for this program must contain all the food components to make it a complete meal. Students only need funds in their food service account to make purchases such as a second lunch, an extra entrée (“megabites” at the elementary schools) and other individual (a la carte) items including milk.
Families who may qualify for free/reduced-price meal benefits should still complete the Application for Educational Benefits, as there are other benefits such as free or discounted sports fees, discounted internet access, etc. and, if extended, additional P-EBT funds. The school district also receives funding based on the number of students with free/reduced-price meal benefits. There are three ways to apply:
Parent/guardians can access the online application in their Parent Portal. Click on “More” then “Meal Benefits.” If you need help with the Parent Portal, contact the Parent Helpline at 952-975-7094.
Families can download an application here and return it to any school or the Welcome Center or mail it to the address on the form. Paper applications will be mailed to all households in early August; a return envelope will be included.
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Bus Schedules:
Bus schedules will be sent to you in a separate mailing directly from the transportation director's office. Bus drop off and pick up will be at the east side of the school. If you have any questions, please visit the transportation webpage.
Activity Bus:
The activity bus is provided for students who participate in after-school activities. The activity bus leaves CMS at 5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and will stop at the High School, departing the High School at 5:40 p.m.
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There are numerous activities available to students. Please view our Activities page on the Central Middle School website for more information.
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The Parent/Student Handbook can be found here.
Please take a moment to review the CMS Handbook (click the link above). The handbook outlines policies and guidelines for student life at CMS. We would welcome any questions you may have concerning the handbook. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and support of our policies.
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Attendance and Arriving Late/Leaving Early |
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Attendance:
The school district implements attendance guidelines to encourage good attendance habits for all students. For an absence to be considered excused the school attendance line (952-975-7301) needs to be called. Please provide the reason for the absence and the student's name and grade.
Arriving Late/Leaving Early:
CMS students arriving late or leaving early must bring a note or have a message on the attendance line from a parent/guardian that includes the parent’s name, student name and reason for absence. Excused reasons for being late or leaving early will follow the same listing as excused absences found in the handbook. Students should give the note to the receptionist as soon as they arrive at school. If leaving early, the note should indicate the time the student should meet their parents at the Welcome desk. Students who are late due to oversleeping or missing the bus are considered unexcused. Students arriving late or leaving early will use the main entrance of the building.
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Student schedules will be available on the Campus portal the week of August 23rd. You may print a copy and bring it with you to your Open House. Please note that our master schedule is put together deliberately to meet the needs of each CMS student. Due to the complexity of CMS course registration, we are not able to honor schedule change requests submitted for social reasons. We thank you in advance for your understanding.
We are planning to distribute color team assignments to families by Wednesday, August 17th.
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OPEN HOUSE NIGHTS:
- 6TH GRADE SEPTEMBER 2nd
- 7TH GRADE AUGUST 31st
- 8TH GRADE AUGUST 26th
Please note the date and time for your student’s upcoming Open House. At Open House, students will be able to walk their schedule and find their classes, explore CMS, load their locker (pending locker assignments), have their pictures taken, find out about student activities, and place an order for a school supply package. New students also will receive their school-issued iPad at Open House. (Students who are unable to attend Open House will receive their iPad during the first week of school.)
6th Grade Open House
6th grade students and parents are invited to Open House on Thursday, September 2nd, 2021. If your student's last name starts with A-L please come between 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and if it starts with M-Z please come between 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. You are welcome to attend any time during your assigned time frame.
7th Grade Open House
7th grade students and parents are invited to Open House on Tuesday, August 31st, 2021. If your student's last name starts with A-L please come between 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and if it starts with M-Z please come between 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. You are welcome to attend any time during your assigned time frame.
8th Grade Open House
8th grade students and parents are invited to open house on Thursday, August 26th, 2021. If your student's last name starts with A-L please come between 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and if it starts with M-Z please come between 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. You are welcome to attend any time during your assigned time frame.
SEPT. 8 - First Day of School
Curriculum Night
- 6TH GRADE SEPTEMBER 21st
- 7TH GRADE SEPTEMBER 14th
- 8TH GRADE SEPTEMBER 16th
Parents are invited to Curriculum Night which is arranged according to grades (see dates above). At Curriculum Night you will be able to meet your student’s teachers, learn about their courses of study, and socialize. More information will be emailed in the future, and please watch our website for additional information. Curriculum night is for parents and guardians only.
OCTOBER - PTO Fundraiser
Watch for more information. Money earned through this fundraiser is used to support the students and staff at CMS.
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Central Middle School
8025 School Rd
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
952-975-7300
School hours: 9:25-4:07
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