Principal: Kimberly Cugnetti
Assistant Principal: Justin Walker
Central Middle School Main Office: 269-323-5600
(Office Hours: 7:00 - 3:45)
To report an absence: 269-323-5696 or Skyward Family Access (instructions)
Counseling Office: 269-323-5661
6th grade(ALL) and 7th grade (A-L) Counselor: Chris Palmer
269-323-5627
7th grade (M-Z), 8th grade (ALL) Counselor: Teresa Caron
269-323-5675
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21 - 27
It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the first marking period! We encourage you to check Skyward regularly to stay updated on your student’s grades. You can also view their Google Classrooms for more details about assignments. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student’s teachers.
Our Mustang Mania fundraiser is officially underway! This is our one major fundraiser of the year, and the money raised helps support student activities and needs throughout the school year, including field trips, the 8th grade dance, and classroom resources. Donation envelopes were sent home on Friday, and we are so grateful for your support!
We’re looking forward to another great week ahead. Thank you for partnering with us and for entrusting us with your child each day!
Sunday, September 21
Monday, September 22
A Day
Tuesday, September 23
B Day
Cross Country @ West MS; 4:00
Wednesday, September 24
A Day
Picture Retakes
Football - 7th @ Home, 4:00; 8th @ Battle Creek Central, 4:00
Thursday, September 25
B Day
Volleyball games - 7th @ Home, 8th @ Mattawan; 3:45
MS Band Night - McCamley-Knight Fiel
Friday, September 26
A Day
Saturday, September 27
September 30
8th Grade Washington DC trip meeting; 6:30 in the CMS Commons
October 1
Fall Count Day
October 8
PSAT 8; 6/7th grades will have a Late Start - more info below
CMS MAKER SPACE MATERIALS Our middle school library is home to a Maker Space, a creative, hands-on area where students can design, build, explore, and problem-solve. Throughout the year students will will have the opportunity to work on creative challenges, crafting, or collaborative projects. The Maker Space encourages innovation, teamwork, and critical thinking.
To keep this space stocked with engaging materials, we are seeking donations of supplies. If you’d like to support our students, please visit our Amazon Wishlist.
Thank you for helping us inspire creativity and curiosity in our learners!
ARCHERY For students interested in our archery team, 6th grade practice begins Mon Oct 6th, 7th and 8th grade starts Nov 3rd. If you are interested in participating, pleae fill out the Archery Sign Up Form.
PPS BOND PPS is seeking a new bond to finish the job at our elementary schools! Voters will be asked to consider a $132.4 million bond proposal in the November election to finish replacing three of our oldest schools, modernize another, and update vital technology and services to serve PPS students for years to come, all with no increase in the 2024 millage rate
Why make this request? The COVID-19 pandemic upended supply chains, causing high inflation (especially building materials, equipment and labor) and construction delays.Here is what the new bond would cover:
Build the new Amberly Elementary School and the new Angling Road Elementary School – the last two elementary buildings to be replaced.
Renovate Moorsbridge Elementary School.
Replace PCEC to support Community High School and Early Childhood Education.
Continue important updates to educational and safety technology.
Replace buses that have outlived their mechanical lives.
Request your absentee ballot online at mvic.sos.state.mi.us/AVApplication or plan to vote Nov. 4. You can learn more about the 2025 Bond at portageps.org/2025bond.
COUNT DAY Fall Count Day is Wednesday, October 1. This day is important because it determines our school's funding. If possible, please avoid scheduling any non-critical, out-of-school appointments for your student on Wednesday, October 1. Thank you for your help and support in having all students counted for Count Day!
8TH GRADE WASHINGTON TRIP There will be an informational meeting about the 2026 Washington DC Trip on September 30 at 6:30 in the CMS Commons. For more information about the trip including cost, dates and how to register, please see the 2026 CMS Washington DC Website. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Juodawlkis mjuodawlkis@portageps.org (269)323-5615
OCTOBER 8 PSAT - 8th GRADE On October 8th, 8th-grade students across the State of Michigan will be taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). The Michigan Department of Education selected PSAT as the required state assessment for all 8th-grade students, which measures their growth in Math and English Language Arts. The PSAT is taken several times over a student’s middle/high school career. The aggregate results of this assessment are used by each middle school and high school to improve our instruction and delivery of content further. Individual results can help your student identify academic areas to focus on in preparation for the SAT, which is taken in the student’s junior year.
OCTOBER 8 SCHEDULE CHANGE - 6th and 7th GRADES In order to allow 8th graders the space and time to focus on the PSAT, the school day for the 6th and 7th-grade classes will begin at 11:00 a.m. on October 8th at all PPS middle schools. This is similar to the schedule we follow at high schools when students take the SAT. If your 6th or 7th-grade student does not have a way to get to school at 11:00 am, they may ride the bus in the morning as usual, and we will provide a space for them to work on homework or read silently. Lunch will be provided for all grade levels on this day.
BOARD GAMES/CARDS We are looking to add more activities for students during lunch! If you have any gently used board or card games at home that you would like to donate, we would be grateful to put them to good use here at school.
SCHOOL PICTURES School picture proofs are ready! You should have recently received communication directly from Strawbridge Communications.
In addition to the proof information being emailed, Strawbridge has a NEW Code Lookup Tool also available. Scan the QR code below and follow the directions to access their child's picture ordering gallery. No need to contact Customer Service for an access code! *Student last name and Student ID number will be required for data security.*
If you have questions about the Code Lookup or are having difficulty navigating the site ,please reach out to the Strawbridge Customer Service team via the Live Chat on their website, www.strawbridge.net
Strawbridge Picture Flyer.pdfREFLECTION ZONE As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment, we are excited to introduce a new initiative at our school: the Reflection Zone. This space is designed to help students who may need a brief break to regroup, reflect, and refocus before returning to class.
The Reflection Zone is a dedicated space for students who may have been asked to leave class for minor behavioral issues. The goal of this space is to provide students with a safe and calm environment where they can reflect on their actions, understand how their behavior impacts others, and learn strategies for making better choices in the future.
Reflection and Reset: When a student is sent to the Reflection Zone, they will complete a reflection form. This form asks them to think about their behavior, the consequences of their actions, and how they can improve. This process helps students take responsibility and learn from the situation in a constructive way.
Supportive Guidance: Staff members in the Reflection Zone are there to guide students through this process, offering feedback and support. Once the student has completed their reflection and is ready to return to class, they are welcomed back to continue their learning.
A Proactive Approach: By allowing students the time and space to reflect, we are giving them the opportunity to process and improve. Instead of the teacher communicating that the student is in trouble, they are providing them an alternative in resetting and reentering the learning.
At Portage Central Middle School, we believe that every student is capable of learning from their mistakes and growing from their experiences. The Reflection Zone aligns with our school’s core values of Help, Engage, Respect and Due What’s Right, (HERD). By giving students the opportunity to reflect and take ownership of their actions, we’re helping them develop important life skills like self-regulation, empathy, and responsibility.
We encourage you to discuss the Reflection Zone with your student. Let them know that this space is a tool to help them succeed, not a punishment. If your child has been sent to the Reflection Zone, it’s an opportunity for them to learn and come back to class ready to engage in a positive way. As partners in your child’s education, we also ask for your support in reinforcing these values at home by talking to your child about the importance of making thoughtful choices and handling challenges constructively.
We believe the Reflection Zone will be a valuable part of our approach to maintaining a respectful, supportive, and focused learning environment for all students.
If you have any questions or would like more information about how the Reflection Zone works, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to support you and your students in every step of their journey.
Thank you for your partnership.
Sincerely,
Justin Walker
Assistant Principal, Portage Central Middle School
SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH There will be free meals for ALL students until September 30th. Due to budgetary uncertainty in Michigan, families who do not qualify for Education and Nutrition Benefits will have to start paying for their students’ breakfast and lunches in October.
Did you know that your student might qualify for free or reduced-price meals? The application only takes a few minutes to complete, and your information will be kept safe and confidential. Education and Nutrition Benefit applications are NOW available for this school year. All families are encouraged to apply online at https://portage.familyportal.cloud. Please check out the following link to learn more about eligibility - Income Guidelines for School Nutrition Programs FAQ
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Susan Livingston, Director of Dining Services, at 269-323-5155 or via email at slivingston@portageps.org.
MY RIDE K-12 Download “My Ride K-12” today for real-time updates and notifications about your child's bus! My Ride K-12 will give you access to your student’s:
Bus number
Bus stop location
Estimated pick-up and drop-off times
Real-time notifications for bus delays and changes to bus stop locations, routes, or pick-up/drop-off times.
My Ride K-12 on the App Store & My Ride K-12 - Apps on Google Play
Click here to read more from Transportation.
AWAY FOR THE DAY CELL HOURS Students are not to use their cell phone or ear buds/headphones during the school day, which begins at 7:40 through the final dismissal bell of the day (2:40). If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call the office. Students may also come to the office if they need to contact you. We appreciate your support of keeping phones and headphones/ear buds away for the day.
BAGS/BACKPACKS To help us keep our classrooms safe and free of clutter, students may not bring bags of any kind (including purses, tote bags, or drawstring bags) into classrooms. Students are welcome to carry a small pencil pouch for their school supplies.
DRINKS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY We ask that students have only water during the school day, outside of lunch times.
STUDENT HANDBOOK The Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct can be found HERE.
SKYWARD FAMILY ACCESS Please see HERE for help in accessing Skyward. In Skyward, you will be able to check your student's grades, attendance, enter absences, as well as find your student's email and password.
STUDENT MEDICATION PROCEDURES For any medication kept at the school, whether prescription or non-prescription (over-the-counter medication, ointments, medical creams, etc.), will require a medication consent form filled out and signed by a parent or guardian. For prescription medication, a physician's signature is also required. This Medication Authorization Form must be completed before any medication can be administered at school.
If your child has allergies, asthma, diabetes, or seizures, an Emergency Action Plan is also required. You can obtain these forms from your child's physician, or may use these generic forms below for your convenience. Please note that these also require a physician's signature. If your child has any other chronic conditions that may require care at school please let our school nurse know.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP Please practice patience in the drop-off/pick up line. We will utilize the dual lanes, with the lane closest to the sidewalk as the drop off/pickup and the outside lane as the moving lane. STUDENTS ARE NOT TO BE DROPPED OFF IN THE OUTSIDE MOVING LANE AT ANY TIME. Please remember to use your blinker when merging into the moving lane.
We also ask that you do not drop off or pick up students in the parking lot or in the receiving lane on the west side of the building. The drop off and pick up lanes are busy; we ask this for the safety of all students.
