With recent events in the news, all of us at CMS continue to be diligent in monitoring students throughout the day coupled with having conversations focusing on personal and social responsibilities.

Our CAPS program (Central Academic, Personal, and Social Responsibilities) has been and will continue to be the framework in which we guide students to be positive, productive students during their two-year Central experience. As I have repeatedly indicated to students, 99% of our students do the right thing. And, I always follow with my 99% doing the right thing message, that we need to get the remaining 1% on board in making positive decisions.

The reality is that we need parents to be with us as we guide our students to do the right thing. Thankfully, the majority of CMS parents are involved and engaged in their students both in and out of school. However, with the ease of using social media to post inappropriate threats, messages, and videos, we have recently been reminded that it has become more important to monitor student use of all forms of social media. Issues related to texting and messages posted on face book, have resulted in negative behavior (unfortunately captured on video, posted and covered by local and state media). Our overall message is to continue to have conversations with your student, monitor face book postings (as most of you do), and encourage your student to share knowledge of potential inappropriate behaviors.

Again, we are truly appreciative of the students and parents connected to Central Middle School. Let’s continue to instill the need for our students to make positive choices as they move forward.

Principal Points

October

Having completed the first nine weeks of schools, and having the first two-week fall break underway, we are well into the 2012-2013 school year. Several major events have occurred within the first nine weeks including the following:

• CMS CSA program is officially a member of the New Tech Network joining four other middle schools (three in Indiana, one in Texas). The first round of NTN visits/observations have occurred focusing on New Tech’s School Success Rubric. The support of NTN will further strengthen BCSC CSA K-12 framework.
• The CMS Continuous Improvement Council (CIC) has completed and submitted the required School Improvement Plan. Based on ongoing data analysis, including ISTEP+ scores, Acuity outcomes, Core 40 Algebra I assessment results, Biology I End of Course Assessment, AR Reading, and other assessments, the CIC developed a rubric, similar to the NTN School Success Rubric, with data, to guide areas of focus for the 2012-2013 school year. The CIC will develop a process to monitor growth within all areas of the rubric (i.e., Curriculum and Instruction, Technology, School Culture and Empowerment, Professional Culture, Partnership Development, Academic Success, Post Middle School). The CMS SIP will be posted on the school’s web site following a review of the plan, in December, by BCSC’ CCIC.
• The Indiana Department of Education will be publically sharing individual school “letter grades” at the end of October. Although all of us understand that the ISTEP+ assessment captures only a small snap-shot of what schools actually do for and with students, it is made public. Without going into detail, indications do show that CMS will show significant growth relative to last year’s grade contrasted with this year’s success. More, later!
• CMS’ School-Wide Learning Outcomes have been clearly identified with the focus on the 5 Cs: Content Knowledge; Communication (oral and written); Critical Thinking; Community (partnerships); Connected Technologies. Although these areas have always been at the fore front of instructional design, a more intentional connection to the above 5 Cs will be evident the second nine weeks.

We will continue to provide ongoing communication through newsletters, web site, emailings, Parent Portal, and My Big Campus (as this venue becomes more engrained). Let’s continue to work together to ensure that every student not only shows academic growth, but also opportunities to go beyond Indiana standards!

September

9/12/12

With three weeks left in the first nine weeks, students are well familiar with both their schedules and expectations.

As I’ve noted in previous newsletters and principal points, our consistent goal is to support every CMS/CSA student regardless of academic need. As a result, we have welcomed the new iGrad program. In essence, the iGrad program is designed to advocate, assist, and support students who show the potential for being successful for the next five years, and, have an opportunity to attend and complete higher education (college/trade school/universities). Based on collaboration with Ivy Tech, Cummins and BCSC, the program is in full swing with several students taking advantage of the iGrad support.

In addition to the iGrad program, CMS Counselors Karen Koenig and MJ Shireman have been working with East High School students who have been selected to become mentors to some of our identified CMS students. Again, with the focus on academic and social support, students who are recommended (or through parental request), will have another opportunity for support.  

A third program design to support students who might struggle with homework, is the ongoing Beacon program (four days a week-Monday-Thursday, after school, with transportation provided). Applications are available in the office. An extension to this program is the fall break Beacon Program. During the first of the two week break, the Beacon Program will be held, at Northside, from 8-12, each morning, Oct. 8^th-12^th. Transportation is available for students who do not walk to school. Enrollment forms must be completed prior to September 19^th (available in the office).

Finally, 21^st Century Scholarship forms and applications are available. Last year, with the exception of only four students in Bartholomew County, every student eligible (based on income levels) was signed up for this tremendous opportunity. For questions about the 21^st Century guidelines and stipulations, contact your grade level counselor ( MJ Shireman-7^th; Karen Koenig-8^th). College tuition is the end product for students fulfilling the contract.

Again, the first five weeks of school have been tremendous. Through clear, modeled expectations, students understand academic and social expectations. Let’s keep the positive atmosphere going!!!