204 Duke Street / P.O. Box 440 Chester, Nova Scotia B0J 1J0 Phone: 902-275-2720 · E-mail: cams@ssrce.ca

We respectfully acknowledge that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) People first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources, but instead recognized Mi’kmaw and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.

It is hard to believe that we are only a few weeks away from winter holidays- time is flying by! Although we have the winter break in December, it is still a busy, with many Student Council activities planned for our students. Report cards were distributed on December 1st. If you did not receive your child’s report card, please contact the school ASAP.

As the weather gets colder, there is an increased chance for school to be closed for weather purposes. Just a friendly reminder that decisions about school closures are made by SSRCE, not the school administration. Please visit the SSRCE website or Facebook page, or local news providers for updates on school closures. You can also sign up to receive text messages from SSRCE. Please visit www.ssrce.ca for more details on how to sign up for text alerts.

Season’s Greetings, and I wish everyone all of the best in the new year!

Sincerely,

Jay Thomas, principal
Chester Area Middle School

Winter Break Dates

School is closed for winter break for students from December 22nd- January 2nd. The first day back to school in the new year for students is January 5th.

School Closures & Delayed Starts

If SSRCE announces that there is a delayed start due to road conditions or weather, busses will pickup students two hours later than usual (for example, if your child typically gets the bus at 7 a.m. the delayed pickup time would be 9 a.m). School would start two hours later than our usual start time of 8:48am. If students arrive at 10:48am, we would begin our day with period 3. We would lose periods 1 and 2. There would not be recess on delayed start days; however, lunch time would be held at our regular time of 12:04-12:44pm. Our dismissal would remain at our regular time of 2:48pm. SSRCE may close only some schools based on weather in various parts of the South Shore region. FYI: we are in the Forest Heights family of schools.

Here is the December 2025 Community Newsletter

CAMS Community Newsletter December 2025.pdf

2025/26 Cell Phone Directive

As follow up to the Cell Phone Directive, here is some very useful information for you to have about the implementation of the cell phone directive at CAMS:

a) Grade 5 and 6 students are not permitted to use cell phones or personal devices at any time during the school day, including during recess and lunch. If a grade 5 or 6 student is caught with their phone, devices will be confiscated and parents will be required to come and pick it up.

b) Grade 7 and 8 students are permitted to use their cell phones or personal devices during lunch time only, which is from 12:04-12:44pm this year.

Students who are caught using their cell phones at times outside of lunch are subject to the following consequences:

First Offence- students' phone will be confiscated and held in the office. Parents will be contacted, and the student will pick up their cell phone at end of day. The student will serve one lunchtime detention

Second Offence- students' phone will be confiscated and held in the office. Parents will be contacted, and the student will pick up their cell phone at end of day. The student will serve three lunchtime detentions

Third Offence- Step 3- students' phone will be confiscated and held in the office. Parents will be contacted and be required to pick up their child's phone. The third incident will be viewed as a violation of Code of Conduct, and a suspension will be the consequence.

Offences After Step 3- Steps of progressive discipline will be in places, including suspensions with increased length, suspensions will occur, and the student will be prohibited from bringing their phone into the building.

*Students with documented medical conditions (ie- using apps to monitor blood-sugar levels) are permitted to use their devices in school for their designated medical purposes.*

The cell phone directive and implementation at CAMS is designed to help students stay focused on learning and to make the schools a safer place for everyone. If you need to contact your child during the school day, please don't hesitate to contact the school's main line at (902) 275-2720, email at cams@ssrce.ca, or email your child's teacher directly.

SchoolCash Online

SchoolCash Online is our preferred method of payment for school fees, including everything from field trips to yearbooks to lunches. You can sign-up for SchoolCash Online by clicking on the logo.

Donate Now - CAMS Thanks You For Your Support!

Click to make a donation to one of the following school programs: CAMS Library, Athletics, Breakfast Program or Lunch Program (please specify in the message box).

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