IMPORTANT BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Hello CCMS Parents and Students!

The big day is almost here and teachers are busy preparing for the first day of school! Due to construction delays, we were unable to hold an orientation for 7th/8th grade students. Ample time on the first day will be devoted to reviewing the building layout, schedules, courses, and other pertinent information. Student schedules have been mailed home and students should receive them prior to the first day. Please have students bring that schedule with them on the first day of school. 

Until the first day, here are a few reminders:

• The first day of school is Tuesday, August 30, 2011
• The school day begins at 7:37. Students should be in the building by 7:37 each day. Bus lists will be in the local paper this week.
• Students who ride a bus will be dropped off at the front High School entrance. They will walk through the cafeteria area to the Middle School located at the back of the High School complex.
• Students who get dropped off by a parent/guardian or other ride should travel to the back of the complex and enter through the building through the new Middle School lobby.
• ALL Middle School students will report to the auditorium upon arrival. They may eat breakfast in the cafeteria before going to the auditorium.
• When students are dismissed from the auditorium, they will report to their first period class with their teacher. I have enclosed a copy of their schedule so they know where to go for first period. In first period, teachers will review all information and help students acclimate to their new surroundings. Some schedule changes may still occur to balance classes, accommodate special needs, etc.
• Middle School students are permitted to bring a bookbag to school but it must be placed in the student’s locker during the school day. (This is the same policy that we have followed in previous years.) Students will be assigned a locker with a built-in combination lock.
• You can find the complete Student Handbook containing CCMS rules and guidelines on the website.

I look forward to an exciting school year in our new home. If you have any questions now or thorough out the year, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

Kim McDermott

Welcome Back, High School Students!

As summer vacation draws quickly to its conclusion, we are putting the final touches on preparation to begin another successful year here at the High School. We are very excited to welcome the sixth through eighth grade students to the campus and I am sure that, together, the two schools will be able to offer an even more valuable educational/co-curricular experience through the combination of our resources. Mrs. McDermott, Mr. Klezek, and I have been working closely on a number of innovative ideas and we are anxious to share our efforts with our respective staffs to begin implementation.

Since the Middle and High Schools will be utilizing the same campus there are a few points that I would like to highlight:

• Both schools will be operating on the same bell schedule with the school day beginning at 7:37 AM and ending at 2:43 PM.
• All students who ride the buses will be dropped off and picked up at the front of the building where the flag pole is located.
• All students who are transported to school by parents must be dropped off and picked up at the back of the building through the Middle School lobby.
• Meet the Teacher Night will be held on September 1st.
• Students may bring backpacks/book bags to school, but they must remain in their lockers until dismissal.
• Athletes may keep their athletic gear in the respective male and female team rooms during the school day.
• Students who drive to school will be issued a parking sticker and a parking slot in which to park upon the completion of the necessary paperwork. Students who drive to school will also enter and leave the building through the Middle School lobby.
• Please review all of the policies and guidelines contained in the student handbook and return all signed forms in a timely manner. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call the High School office.

Jackson Elementary School’s Kindergarten Orientation

Jackson Elementary School’s Kindergarten Orientation is Aug. 24th from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.  This is for incoming kindergarten students and their parents. If you have questions, please call the school at 749-8421.

Welcome Back, Jackson Elementary Students!

Get Ready, Get Set, Go!!

Welcome back to another great year! August 30th is the first day of school!!
All are welcome to attend Jackson Elementary School’s Open House on August 31st. You can stop in from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. and see the school!! School board members, community members, friends, and families are welcome to come and see the new Multipurpose Room and other updates to the school. On August 31st, Jackson will also have a “Meet the Teacher Night” from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Presentations will be as following: 7:00 – 7:15 – 1st grade, 7:15 – 7:30 – 2nd grade, 7:30 – 7:45 – 3rd grade, 7:45 – 8:00 – 4th grade, 8:00 – 8:15 – 5th grade. Kindergarten orientation will be August 24th from 6:00 – 7:30.

Now that the new Multipurpose Room is complete, the drop-off procedure for students in the morning will be different and in a safe and more organized manner. If you drop off your child, please go back to the school and drop your child off at the new Multipurpose Room entrance. Please drop off your child after 8:20 a.m.

If you pick up your child at the end of the day, please come into the building and sign your child out in the office and then go to the cafeteria and wait for your child to be dismissed. This will help with keeping the hallways open in case of emergencies. Thanks for your cooperation!
This year with the help of generous donations, the teachers at Jackson Elementary school are going to participate in the Institute for Inquiry training throughout the school year. This training is geared towards teaching students through hands-on activities and inquiry based knowledge not only in Science but all subjects. This training is through ASSET, Inc. and made possible by donations from the Central Cambria Education Foundation. The CCEF is a nonprofit organization that helps our students participate in extra educational opportunities that our students would not be able to receive. If you are interested in learning more about the Central Cambria Education Foundation, please go to the  www.ccsd.k12.pa.us website.

The teachers and students are also going to the participate in the Science It’s Elementary Program this year. The teachers were trained this past year and will teach the same Module this year. This was made possible by donations from Cambria CoGen Plant, Jackson Lions Club, and Somerset Trust Bank.
Thanks to our PTO and teachers and staff and everyone who helps in making Jackson Elementary School a great place to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. The PTO has been working hard on the new playground, putting in new benches, and cleaning the gardens, etc. We appreciate everyone’s hard work.

Thanks to Gamesa for donating a new scoreboard for our new Multipurpose Room. Thanks to Rich Bauer – Somerset Rural Electric and Glenn Coposky- Selectric Electrical Company for volunteering to install the new scoreboard donated by Gamesa.

The saying “it takes a village to raise a child” is so true. Thanks for all of your help!!

This past year we all have been working very hard to exceed student achievement for all students and meet the AYP guidelines on the PSSA. Once again, Jackson Elementary School has met this goal.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Tricia Murin at 749-8421 or tmurin@cencam.org.

See you soon,

Mrs. Tricia Murin

Welcome Teachers, Students and Parents to the NEW Central Cambria Middle School!

The day we have been waiting for is finally here! We are busy preparing for the opening of our new building and the start of the school year. Many teachers have already been in to start organizing their rooms and becoming familiar with the layout of the facility. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we sift through boxes, schedules, bell systems, bus routes, and activities, knowing the first few weeks will bring additional changes and adjustments. Although many things are changing, our focus remains on promoting student success in a positive school environment. Our new 9-period schedule provides block scheduling in Language Arts and Math, as well as intervention and enrichment opportunities to support student achievement and growth.

The first day of school will provide ALL students with an opportunity for orientation and exploration, as teachers will spend the day helping students review schedules, floor plans, classes, expectations, and activities. Sixth grade students have been invited to a separate Orientation Boot Camp on Friday, August 19th to help make the transition to middle school less stressful. If you need more information on the 6th grade camp, please check the website article or contact Ms. Robin Ribarich, Middle School Guidance Counselor.

As you prepare students for the new school year, please review these revised and existing guidelines for a successful start!

• The school day for Middle School and High School students begins at 7:37 am. Students must be in the building by this time or they are considered tardy. Dismissal is at 2:43 pm.
• New bus routes in Ebensburg Borough will accommodate students who used to walk to the Middle School. Watch for bus routes to be posted in the local paper the week before school starts.
• All Middle School and High School students will exit the buses in the front of the High School building and walk to breakfast or to their respective waiting areas.
• Parent drop-off and pick-up for Middle School students is at the rear of the building complex near the new entrance and lobby.
• Meet the Teacher Night for Middle School and High School parents will be held on Thursday, September 1st. An overview of the new building and schedule will be provided to interested Middle School parents in the auditorium at 5:30 pm. The Middle School Meet the Teacher session will run from 6:00 pm to 7:10 pm. The High School Meet the Teacher session will run from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm. More information regarding Meet the Teacher Night will be sent home with students on the first day of school.
• A Community Open House for the new Middle School is being planned for late September.
• Middle School students are permitted to bring backpacks to school, but those must remain in their lockers during the school day.
• Please remember to maintain a positive balance in your child’s lunch account.
• Look for more information on all of the programs, activities and events to be sent home with students. Since middle school students are famous for leaving all of that information in their lockers, be sure to check out the school website and my newsletters! The school website is: www.cchs.k12.pa.us
• You can review other school policies/guidelines in the student handbook. Please be sure to review this information with your child and return all signed forms as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Kim McDermott

Central Cambria Middle School 6th Grade Transition Boot C.A.M.P.

C.A.M.P. = Concentration, Achievement, Motivation, Participation
Friday, August 19th
9:00 am – 1:00 pm

We hope that your family is having an enjoyable summer! As mentioned in the Global Connect call, we had to reschedule this event due to construction delays on the new middle school.

Central Cambria Middle School is excited to be able to offer a one-day program aimed at preparing 6th grade students for a smooth transition to middle school. Middle school is a time in which students experience many different changes and are faced with a variety of challenges. Some of these changes occur physically/emotionally, socially, academically, and personally as per their individual experiences. For some students, transitioning from elementary school to middle school can be an exciting new adventure; however, for other students, it can be confusing and stressful. Students in transition may experience difficulty due to differences in school structure, teacher and academic expectations, forming new friendships, and peer pressure.

Whether students transition from elementary school to middle school or grade-to-grade, they need to be equipped with the skills and resources to successfully adapt to the anticipated changes. The goal of the program is to help students feel prepared to begin their middle school journey and will focus on developing study skills, setting goals, reducing stress and anxiety, making positive decisions, handling peer pressure, encouraging participation in activities, building friendships, and developing self-esteem and communication skills.

We hope that your child can participate in the program. In addition to the valuable skills the students will obtain, this is a great opportunity for them to build friendships as well. Students are not required to attend. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide transportation for this program. Please drop students off at the main entrance of the High School. For planning purposes, students who are attending must be registered by Monday, August 15th. Students will be provided with a pizza lunch. If you have any questions about the program or would like to register your child, please contact Robin Ribarich by email: rribarich@cencam.org or by phone: (814) 472-6505 ext. 101.

Getting Ready to Return to CES

BACK TO SCHOOL AT CAMBRIA ELEMENTARY
As summer comes to an end, everyone at Cambria Elementary is preparing to get ready to come back to school. Our faculty has been working hard to ensure that our students have another successful, safe, and enjoyable school year. Throughout the summer, our K-5 classroom teachers have all attended the Institute for Inquiry as a requirement of the Investing in Innovation (i3) grant program. This five day summer training helped prepare our teachers to come back to school with new in-depth skills and strategies related to teaching and learning through inquiry.
When this time of year approaches things can get a little hectic so, here are a few reminders………
☺ Please check your child’s lunch account balance.
☺ A suggested, but not required, student supply list for each grade level is posted on the Cambria Elementary website under the navigation tab on the left.
☺ Students should arrive at school no earlier than 8:20 a.m. Students will not be permitted in their classroom before this time and must wait in the front vestibule until the 8:20 a.m. bell rings.
☺ Classes begin promptly at 9:00 a.m.; however, we ask that students be in their classrooms by 8:45 a.m.
☺ Parents who wish to pick up their child every day must sign a dismissal contract (available in the office). Parents who do not pick up their child on a daily basis must write a note to the teacher in the student planner.
☺ We consider the matter of individual student dress to be the responsibility of the parents. Any type of dress or grooming that is disruptive will not be permitted. Clothing with inappropriate slogans or advertising is not permitted.
☺ Parent pick-up procedures for students at the end of the day will be the same as last year. However, students are encouraged to ride the bus home. Please review the August Chalkboard for details on how to get a green card with your child’s name on it if you need a new one for this school year.
Please enjoy the last few weeks of summer! We will be looking forward to seeing everyone August 30, 2011.

Sincerely,

Dr. Lansberry