Updates for the week of 08.24.26

We had a great first full week of school at CsM!!  The positive energy was palpable, and our kids have done a really great job of acclimating to the building-wide expectations and their new teachers!!

A note regarding communication - you can expect to receive a newsletter from your child’s team every first and third week of the month - thus, you should have received one at some point during this past week.  Team newsletters will not be sent during break weeks or if there is a fifth week in a given month.  We hope that this biweekly(ish) newsletters will assist you in knowing what is happening in your child’s classes and help you feel connected to their learning!  As always, if you have any suggestions for improving our home-school communication, please reach out to me!!

In Agriscience class, students harvested potatoes that had been planted by last year's students!!

Students are really enjoying our beautiful media center space!!

Our students in the LEAP program got to try out the climbing wall this week!!

Oso, a trained therapy dog, came for a visit this past Friday!!

Here are the updates and information for this week:

1.  Day colors this week - Below is each day's color for this week!

2.  CMS Schoolwide Behavior System - We are using the same break system to support student behaviors that was used at Walker.  The system was explained to and practiced by all students during the first week of school using these slides. In a nutshell, the progression is this:

• Verbal redirection (reminder)

• Limited choice (“Your choices are X or Y”)

• Stage 1 break in the classroom (not punitive; just a chance to regroup)

• Stage 2 break in another classroom (not punitive; just a chance to regroup and get back on track), phone call home to alert family of time out of class

• Office visit, phone call home, consequence

The only deviation from this progression is if a child exhibits a “major” behavior that would necessitate immediate intervention by the office.  Administrative responses to major behaviors are governed by the CCS Student Rights and Responsibilities document.

3.  Last day to change courses - Tuesday *08.25.26) is the last day for a student to request a course schedule change.  Please contact your child’s counselor ASAP if your child wishes to make a change in their electives so that they may share the course request change form with you.

• 6th grade counselor - Dr. Jaclyn Jacobson

• 7th grade counselor - Mr. Bill Ullrich

• 8th grade counselor - Ms. Tessie King

4.  Athletics at CMS - This week we have our first set of games of the season happening on Saturday, August 29th as we have two groups of football players and cheer teams playing/cheering. Come out and support our Young Knights this weekend at CHS!

Football/Cheer

• Date: Saturday, August 29th - 6th graders at 2pm, 7th/8th graders at 4pm

• Location: CHS 

For more information on athletics for the season, check out our CMS Athletic Webpage that is updated weekly with upcoming games/tickets/and upcoming sports.

5.  Take a tour of CMS! - If you haven’t already, come and see our fully renovated and expanded Charlottesville Middle School! Prospective families and members of the community can now take guided tours of CMS - so tell your friends and neighbors!!

Prospective Family Tours will be led by a school counselor and student ambassadors, 

focusing on curriculum and student experience. Sign up to take a prospective family tour 

here: https://charlottesvillecityschools.jotform.com/261733587886071.

General Public Tours will be led by an architect from VMDO. Sign up to take a general 

public tour here: https://charlottesvillecityschools.jotform.com/262034121268953

6.  Fall intramural sports (registration ends 08.31.26) - This fall, CMS students have the opportunity to participate in intramural sports!!  All sports are coed. Additional details can be found here . Please fill out this form for your student to participate. Questions should be directed to Mrs. O'Connor at oconnoj1@charlottesvilleschools.org. Your student must have a completed form turned in prior to being allowed to participate.  

7.  Literacy curriculum review and adoption process - CCS is in the process of reviewing literacy curricular materials in advance of adopting a new core curriculum for next year.  We are looking for high-quality reading and writing materials that will inspire our students, and your perspective as parents, caregivers, and partners is a vital part of this decision. Please take a moment to complete this survey to share your thoughts!  These are the programs being recommended for review.

8.  Refillable water bottles - Just a friendly reminder to please send your child to school each day with a refillable water bottle!  Staying hydrated throughout the school day helps students feel their best, stay focused, and be ready to learn.

9.  9th Street entrance (repeat) -  Please do not use the 9th Street entrance during arrival/dismissal.  This is a very hectic area with buses coming in, cars exiting the drop-off/pick-up line, and a LOT of children crossing the street.  Other than buses, this is exit-only during arrival/dismissal times. 

10.  Upcoming MAP assessments (repeat) - Below are our Fall MAP testing dates.

• T 08.25.26 - 6th Grade Reading MAP

• W 08.26.26 - 7th Grade Reading MAP

• R 08.27.26 - 8th Grade Reading MAP

• T 09.01.62 - 6th Grade Math MAP

• W 09.02.26 - 7th Grade Math MAP

• R 09.03.26 - 8th Grade Math MAP

11.  Information from community partners - 

• Central Little League Baseball and Softball (new)

• Cville Bricks LEGO Showcase (new)

• City of Charlottesville “Connect” Sites for after school (repeat)

• YMCA after school program for middle schoolers (repeat)

Much love,

Summer Thompson

Principal

UPCOMING EVENTS T 08.25.26 - 6th Grade Reading MAP assessment W 08.26.26 - 7th Grade Reading MAP assessment R 08.27.26 - 8th Grade Reading MAP assessment T 09.01.62 - 6th Grade Math MAP assessment W 09.02.26 - 7th Grade Math MAP assessment R 09.03.26 - 8th Grade Math MAP assessment M 09.07.26 - Labor Day (school division closed) St