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.

Welcome back to another school year! I hope that everyone had a restful and relaxing summer and are ready to start the 2026/27 academic year. We have a number of new staff joining us this year; please welcome the following new staff:

Ms. Lauren MacLean- grade 6

Ms. Shabnam Upadhyay- Learning Centre

Mr. Morgan Harlow- grade 7/ 8 math/ science

Mr. Brian Willman- grade 5/6 math/ science

Ms. Abby Blanchard- grade 5/6 music

We will be sending out monthly newsletters around the beginning of each month. In addition, we will send out information as needed. We keep our website updated regularly. Please check in at www.cams.ednet.ns.ca on a regular basis for news and information items. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself, Jody Miller, the vice-principal, or any other staff. I wish everyone a great school year!

Sincerely,

Jay Thomas, principal
Chester Area Middle School

School Photo Day

School photo day at CAMS is September 15th, 2026.

Retake day is October 13th.

Here are the school supply lists for 2026/27

Ordering Lunch

Ordering Your Lunch

To help our cafeteria run smoothly and ensure that every student receives the meal they would like, it is important that lunch orders are placed either online through the NS Lunch Program. Ordering ahead allows cafeteria staff to prepare the correct amount of food, reduce waste, and serve students more efficiently during lunch periods. It also helps ensure that popular menu items remain available and that students receive their meals on time.

Recess & drink options can be pre paid through school cash online.

Start date to order online

Lunch at your school will begin on Tuesday, September 8.

Key dates for the first ordering cycle:

• Ordering opens: Friday, August 28

• Ordering closes: Wednesday, September 2, at noon

Registering and ordering

All lunches must be ordered through the online ordering system. To get started, visit www.NSLunch.ca and click “Order Now.”

Returning users can sign in using their existing account.

New users will need to create an account and provide:

1. GNSPES account information for students, or My NS Account information for parents and guardians

2. The student’s name, exactly as it appears in PowerSchool

3. The student’s PowerSchool ID

Make sure the students’ name is entered exactly as it appears in PowerSchool so the account can connect properly. If you receive a mismatch error, check your student information is entered correctly. You will only be able to place an order three times with a mismatch error.

We hope everyone had a happy safe summer and we look forward to seeing you!

CAMS Community Newsletter September 2026.pdf

Mental Health Support at CAMS

CAMS AOS Promotional Poster.pdf.pdf

2026/27 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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