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.

February is an important month, in that we are now halfway through the school year. For our grade 8’s, it is also a time to start to think about the transition to high school. While we have just recently started to get our first true taste of winter, February is typically a cold month where temperatures dip well below zero. We continue to have a number of students who are not coming to school dressed for the weather. As a reminder, students will be going out for recess and lunch, except in exceptional circumstances. We continue to have a supply of jackets at the school for students to borrow or keep.

Although we are in the middle of winter, we have an action-packed month, with Winter Carnival planned for the week of February 23rd to the 27th. See below for the schedule of events!

Sincerely,

Jay Thomas, principal
Chester Area Middle School

February is African Heritage Month

Each February, Nova Scotians come together to honour African Heritage Month, a time to recognize the history, culture, achievements and contributions of African Nova Scotians and people of African descent across the province. The 2026 theme for African Heritage Month is: “Strength in Unity – Moving Forward with Purpose, Prosperity, Power and Progress.”The theme reflects the strength that grows when communities come together with shared purpose. It honours the progress made through solidarity and the power of unity to create lasting change.This year’s theme also highlights the importance of intergenerational connection. Elders, as knowledge keepers and leaders, carry the stories that help us understand where we come from. Youth bring new energy and vision to carry that legacy forward. Together, they show us that unity is not only our history. It’s our way forward.

Winter Carnival Week Feb 23rd- 27th

CAMS is celebrating Winter Carnival this month! See below for the schedule of events. The themes for each day are underlined. Here are the Theme Days:

Winter Carnival Schedule

📅 February 23

🎨 School Spirit Day
Wear school colours or school merchandise

⛄ Snow Sculpture: Animals & Wildlife
🧤 Students must dress warmly! Hot Chocolate will be provided at the end.

· Period 4: Grades 5 & 6

· Period 5: Grades 7 & 8

📅 February 24

🏒 Jersey Day
Wear your favourite team’s jersey

🍕 Free Pizza Lunch

🥅 Staff vs. Students Hockey Game
⏰ 1:15 – 2:15

📅 February 25

👯 Twin Day
Dress the same as your friend

🏊‍♂️⛸️ LCLC Swimming & Skating – Grades 7 & 8

· 11:00 – 11:45 Swimming & Skating

· 11:45 – 12:15 🍴 Lunch in the Galleria
(Tables and chairs will be set up)

· 12:15 – 1:00 Swimming & Skating

🏃 Obstacle Course – Grades 5 & 6 Period 3

📅 February 26

🏖️ Beach Day
Bring the sunshine indoors! Wear Hawaiian shirts, sunglasses, or floaties

🏊‍♀️⛸️ LCLC Swimming & Skating – Grades 5 & 6

· 11:00 – 11:45 Swimming & Skating

· 11:45 – 12:15 🍴 Lunch in the Galleria
(Tables and chairs will be set up)

· 12:15 – 1:00 Swimming & Skating

🏃 Obstacle Course – Grades 7 & 8 Period 3

📅 February 27

😴 PJ Day

🎬 Movie Afternoon

· Periods 4 & 5

No School February 16th

School is closed for students and staff on Monday, February 16th for Heritage Day.

Drama Club Opportunity

We are very happy to offer a CAMS Drama Club this year. Our drama club will begin on March 26th. If students are interested, please sign up in the office.

Here is the February 2026 CAMS Community Newsletter

CAMS Community Newsletter February 2026.pdf

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.

Mental Health Support at CAMS

CAMS AOS Promotional Poster.pdf.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.

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