NEWSLETTER

Message From The Principal

Our first trimester has come to an end.  We are so proud of our Mountaineers.  They’ve been fantastic all around.  We took some time yesterday to celebrate all the great opportunities our Mountaineers engaged in during this first trimester with an all-school assembly.  All fall clubs, sports teams and intramural basketball teams were recognized.  In addition, we revealed the new athletic banner hanging in the gym celebrating the 2025 undefeated season for both boys soccer teams.  We ended our time celebrating students who continue to demonstrate kindness at CHMS.  Students did an excellent job supporting one another and showing positive enthusiasm for all the celebrations during the assembly.

Next week is the first long school break.  We do hope everyone gets some time to relax, recharge, enjoy family time and engage in activities that bring them joy.  When we return, we will be starting the second trimester which means all students will move to a new exploratory class either Design Tech Ed, Art or Health and Wellness.  For Art and Health, we will have long-term subs covering those classes until the December break.

Lastly, now that the first three months of school are complete, this is a good time to remind families about the importance of attendance.  Consistent attendance is so important for our students. Being at school each day builds strong academic habits, strengthens connections with peers and teachers, and prepares students for long-term success both in and beyond middle school. Even small improvements, like arriving on time, can significantly impact how students learn, engage, and feel about school.

Research shows that: 

• Missing even 10% of the school year (about 18 days, or 2 days each month) can make it harder for students to keep up academically.

• Consistent attendance is especially important in middle school, where coursework becomes more rigorous and skills build from class to class. Even a few absences can mean missing labs, group work, EXP classes that meet less often, or sequential lessons in math and world languages—areas where gaps grow quickly.
  
  

• Students who attend school regularly are more likely to stay engaged, perform well in their classes, and feel confident in their abilities because they receive the full benefit of class discussions, hands-on activities, and collaborative learning.
  
  

• Strong attendance also helps students build friendships, routines, time-management skills, study habits, and independence that support them throughout their educational journey.
  
  

How Families Can Help?

Families play a vital role in helping students build healthy attendance habits. Here are a few suggestions:

• Establish consistent morning routines to support on-time arrival.  Establish consistent evening routines as well.  Maintaining a pre-determined bedtime and disconnection from technology helps with getting adequate sleep.
  
  

• Whenever possible, schedule appointments, vacations, or family commitments outside of school hours or school days.
  
  

• Talk with your student about school, ask what they’re learning, how their classes are going, and remind them how showing up each day helps them succeed.
  
  

• If transportation, health, or other challenges make attendance difficult, please connect with us. We are here to partner with you and find solutions.

As a school community, we are committed to ensuring that CHMS is a place where students feel safe, supported, and motivated to learn. We will continue to monitor attendance closely, communicate early when concerns arise, and collaborate with families to support every student’s success.

Have a great break CHMS families!

Gretchen Muller