CMCSI Warrior Word Parent Newsletter
September 2020
Haga clic en el enlace de arriba para leer el boletín en español.
News from the Front Office
Wow! It has been an amazing start to the school year! We've really enjoyed seeing all of our Warriors. The school year has gotten off to a terrific start and we are very thankful to our staff for going above and beyond to keep our students safe. We're also thankful for our parents. Parents, you have been so supportive during this time and we are truly appreciative of your patience and flexibility as we are working together to navigate our new normal. Our Virtual teachers & Warriors are getting into the routine and working hard too! At CMCSI, we are continuing to reinforce and monitor our four main safety goals for this year: temperature checks; face coverings; social distancing & hand washing. We appreciate you reminding your students about our four safety goals for the year. As always, we welcome your feedback and questions, so feel free to reach out if you need anything. We are looking forward to some cooler days as fall quickly approaches!
Dr. Betsy Ainsworth, Principal & Mrs. Dana Walker, Assistant Principal
Intercom System and Drop off/Pick up Station
If you are checking in your child, checking your child out, or are at school and need to speak with someone in the front office, please use our newly installed intercom system. You will push the silver button seen on the image to the left to alert the front office you are out front. Someone will communicate with you using the intercom system and help you as needed. Please note: ID will still be required to check out students.
In addition to the intercom system, you can drop off or pick up items using the filing cabinet located outside the front of the building. An image of the cabinet is shown to the right. This cabinet is checked daily by a staff member. Also, items needed to be picked up by parents are also placed here. Please label any items for delivery.
Parent Information
We are utilizing our outdoor spaces for mask breaks, lunch and recess more than ever this year! Please remember to apply bug spray & sunscreen daily.
Due to social distancing and limiting the number of students on buses, we cannot allow students to ride the bus home with friends this year.
Students who are quarantined due to COVID-19 or related symptoms will be moved to Blended Learning Instruction. Blended Learning will allow your child to access their assignments via Canvas from their current teacher, and students participating in Blended Learning will not be counted absent. Blended Learning is NOT the same as the virtual learning option that some families have already chosen, as Blended Learning is a temporary placement for students until they can return to the building. Once a student is cleared to return to school, he/she will be moved back to in-building instruction and out of Blended Learning. Your child's teacher will be in contact regarding additional information about Blended Learning, if applicable.
PTO is selling awesome NEW CMCSI SPIRIT WEAR for students and parents! Visit here to order online. Sale ends September 13th! Show your Warrior Pride!
If your child ordered a 2019-2020 CMCSI Yearbook and could not pick it up this summer, we will send those home with students soon. More information to come!
Don't forget Ice Cream is on sale for $1 each morning. Students must arrive before the tardy bell at 7:45 to purchase Ice Cream. (exact change only, please)
If you have not completed the Back to School paperwork and returned it, you may access those documents at https://cmcsi.hallco.org/web/document-library/. Both English and Spanish versions are available.
In addition to Back to School paperwork, all students will need to have a User Agreement completed so they can use a school device. You may access the User Agreement following the directions below.
1. Go to www.hallco.org and click on Parent Toolbox.
2. Once inside the parent portal, click Documents.
3. Select the document you would like to sign.
4. Read and review document. At the bottom you will find a ‘Signature Page’, click the red page with pen icon.
5. Click ‘Sign’ and your signature and date will appear, click Submit.
6. The Documents tab will reappear and show that you have signed the document.
Get Ready for SCHOOL PICTURE DAY on September 16th!
Fall Picture day is Wednesday, September 16th. Both in-person and virtual students will have their pictures taken on this day. A schedule for virtual students will be sent home prior to picture day.
NEW this year! Each student will receive a "speculation package" from our new company, Strawbridge Studios. This package will allow you to view the pictures rather than prepaying. If you desire to keep your child's pictures, you may choose to purchase all or some of the photographs, and submit your payment. If you do not wish to purchase your child's pictures, please send back the packages as soon as possible to your child's teacher. More information will be coming soon!
COVID-19 & Safety Information
This year, if your child exhibits any symptoms that are also symptoms of COVID-19, students will need to remain out of school for 10 days OR until your child can get a negative COVID-19 test or visit the doctor (to get a note diagnosing illness and recommending a return to school date). Nurse Shaunda will be in contact with additional information, if applicable.
Please remember it is important to keep your child at home if they have a fever, are feeling ill, or are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19. Please contact Nurse Shaunda or your child's teacher if your child is feeling unwell.
If a student or family member tests positive for COVID-19, contact the school nurse at shaunda.harper@hallco.org immediately to discuss next steps to ensure the safety of all students and to support your child’s learning.
Please review these protocols for when your student is sick from Hall County Schools in English or Spanish.
Please review these safety guidelines from Hall County Schools in English or Spanish.
Car Rider Reminders
For morning drop-off, after your child has his/her temperature taken, please have your student gather belongings, mask, water bottle, etc. so he/she is prepared to exit the car quickly with all belongings prepared when your car arrives at the sidewalk for drop-off.
Please remain in your car when unloading AND loading students. If you need to buckle students into car seats, please pull into the parking lot, as you exit the loading area.
ID will be checked and required without a Car Rider tag. This delays loading for ALL students, and you may be asked to pull into the parking lot (after sitting through the line).
Please have students load/ unload from the PASSENGER SIDE. This saves time and is safer than having students cross between cars.
Cafeteria Information
When preparing lunch for your child at home, please choose items that can be opened by children independently. This will reduce the spread of germs and ensure teachers have time to enjoy their lunch, as well.
We would like to encourage parents to us MyPaymentPlus this year. There will be no additional charge for using this online payment tool. Cash will NOT be accepted so this is the best breakfast and lunch payment option for our families.
The Warrior Way & Character Education at CMCSI
"The Warrior Way" is a unique way for students to focus on Character Development at CMCSI. Each week our school focuses on one of the "Warrior Words." Students brainstorm creative ways to demonstrate each letter and teachers select one student each week that is demonstrating the Warrior Way in the classroom and in special areas of the school. Students selected as their class' Warrior of the Week are recognized on morning announcements and awarded special privileges in the classroom.
Additionally, students are engaged in character development lessons using the Core Essentials Curriculum. This month's focus is on Friendship. Students are participating in discussions on how to maintain a strong friendship. how to show others you care, and also sharing their friendship experiences.
Diversity is this month's Social Justice topic. Students are learning what diversity means and studying social justice influencers who were impacted by diversity. Students may be selected by their teacher for recognizing qualities similar to social influencers who are inventive, inquisitive and find alternate ways to solve problems. We are looking forward to recogninzing our students on our Social Justice bulletin board.
BackPack Love
If you are in need of food for the weekend Straight Street Ministry offers a program called backpack love to help families at CMCSI.
What is BackPack Love? Each Friday throughout the school year, the organization provides a backpack full of food that feeds a food insecure family of five. Inside each bag are three dinners, two breakfasts, two lunches and snacks. Families who are in the program can either 1) pick up the backpack on Friday’s from school or 2) the child may take the backpack home with them via the bus/car rider line. Empty backpacks are returned each Monday in order for Straight Street Ministry to refill.
Please complete the form here, or parents can reach out to our counselor, Ms. Stewart via email sonia.stewart@hallco.org or by phone 770-967-3121 ext 703, if your family would benefit from participating in this weekly weekend program.
How can our Warrior Families support CMCSI?
Please continue to send hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes (like Clorox wipes) for our classrooms, as it is hard to find items "in bulk" right now. Please consider donating to your child's classroom, our Media Center, gym, Computer Lab, etc. We appreciate your help!
Don't forget to help CMCSI earn money (free to you!) in these easy ways:
THANK YOU to our 2019-2020 Partners in Education!
If you have a business or have connections with businesses in our community, and would like to become partner in education with CMCSI this year, please email betsy.ainsworth@hallco.org to see how you can support our students & staff this year. Thank you!