Chagrin Falls Middle School Parent Newsletter

February 12th/ Issue 17

PRINCIPAL'S UPDATES

Dear CFMS Families,

A holiday on Monday provides us with a long weekend to enjoy.

There are some activities to do in Northeast Ohio that may add to your child's learning. Take a trip and walk along West Park Trail to view President McKinley's tomb. Or get some fresh air at Lakeview Cemetery and view President Garfield's tomb. On Monday there is free admission at the Akron Zoo and the Great Lakes Science Center will be open from 10:00am-5:00pm. If careers are your interest, the Cleveland Zoo is hosting Keeper for a Day programs, too.

I hope that you find engaging learning experiences, real-life inquiry and fun this weekend!

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

Laila.discenza@chagrinschools.org

IMPORTANT DATES

February 15: Presidents Day NO SCHOOL

February 16-18: Normal Tuesday-Thursday schedule

February 19: Remote Friday/ We will follow the Monday class schedule and remain remote

February 22 & 24: All 8th Grade Face to Face Virtual Field Trip during advisory

February 23 & 25: All 7th grade team building activity

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Congratulations to our January Students Of The Month!

7th Graders: Alexa Apshago and Ethan Johnson

8th Graders: Emily Shisila and Alexander Burnight

Please CLICK HERE to learn more about them

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 -3rd Grading Period:

Week #1 GOALS AND RESOLUTIONS click here to view week 1

Week #2 DOTS click here to view week 2

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

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

8th grade Girls Basketball

The CFMS girls basketball team has started off the season strong with an 8-1 record overall. The Lady Tigers season highlights have been two big wins against West Geauga and Orange. Lilly Stukus leads the team in scoring with Abby Coy and Emma Thatcher the assist leaders. The team has proven to be a defensive powerhouse in the Chagrin Valley Conference shutting down opponents behind the defensive hustle of Brix Niethammer and Bella Radomsky and Mia Sluder and Addi Martin rebounding inside. The team wraps up their season on February 25 with their final home game against Hawken. - Coach Coy

7th grade Girls Basketball

The Chagrin Falls basketball team currently has a record of 5-3. The team has really gelled into a unit to be reckoned with. The teams greatest attributes are their defensive intensity (which has been inspired by Charlotte Clark), hustle, and ability to learn on the fly. Dora Norton has led the team in scoring this year and both Eliza Gonzales and Lauren Sutliff have been the leaders on the court. The team has 5 more games to wrap up the season and hope to build on what has already a successful campaign. Great work girls! - Coach Cannon

8th grade Boy's Basketball

The team finished the season that started in October this past Monday. Playing 5 games before being shut down by the pandemic, the Tigers were then able to play 6 games without interruption in January. For the season the Tigers won 9 games and lost 6 games. The boys averaged 39 points per game while surrounding an average of 35 points per game. Brad Russell led the Tigers in scoring with an average of 10.5 points per game. Just being able to play 15 games was a huge success. The adversity these boys faced day in and day out was an experience worthwhile. This team grew leaps and bounds from day 1 on October 22nd to the final day on February 8th. - Coach Scott

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.

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

Kyle.Patterson@ChagrinSchools.org

@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