Sunday Communication
10-26-25
We have 5 full days of school this week.
Upcoming Day Off: There is no school for students on Tuesday, November 4th.
Use this link to view the SCPS A-Day/B-Day Instructional Calendar. A-Days and B-Days will not change throughout the year and is how they will stay, regardless of school cancellation (snow days, for example). A Days are underlined.
Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism: “Chronic absenteeism” means a student missing 10% or more school days for the year. Each week in this Sunday Communication there will be a fact/statistic/tip about attendance and/or chronic absenteeism.
This week’s fact: According to the U.S. Department of Education, students who are chronically absent are 2.5x more likely to drop-out of school than their non-chronically absent peers.
At this point, we have had 50 days of school, so missing 5 or more days of school at this point is considered chronically absent.
CMS Chronic Absenteeism by Grade Level:
6th Grade: As of 10-17-25, 19% of 6th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
7th Grade: As of 10-17-25, 19% of 7th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
8th Grade: as of 10-17-25, 21.5% of 8th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
AttenDANCES (Attendance incentive dances):
6th Grade: Thursday, March 26th, from 3-5pm (those students with 13 or less absences at that time will be allowed to attend).
7th Grade: Friday, March 27th, from 3-5pm (those students with 13 or less absences at that time will be allowed to attend).
8th Grade: Friday, January 9th, from 3-5pm (those students with 8 or less absences at that time will be allowed to attend).
CMS PTO News: Mark your calendars for a spirit night at Paisano’s (in Central Park) all day on Thursday, November 20th. Mention CMS PTO when you order and pay!
PTO memberships are still available:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwHc9Ctkq1AOY2UmdyJPY_umlGK69swX1ZgncCmJ3i5feFBw/viewform
Next PTO meeting: November 13th, 6pm, at CMS
Veteran’s Day Breakfast: CMS is hosting our annual Veterans Day Breakfast on Tuesday, November 11th, at 9am. The breakfast is for any family members (who are veterans or active members of the armed forces) and their CMS student(s). Please use the form linked below to RSVP:
Students of the Month: Each month, teachers on each grade level select two students as Students of the Month, based on the character traits of being respectful, responsible, and productive. Congratulations to the students listed and pictured below for being chosen as CMS Students of the Month for October!
8th: Natalie Hill
8th: Diego Santos
7th: Kyle Warren
7th: Rowan Scullion
6th: Grayson Munoz
6th: Miranda Werner
No Halloween Costumes: This is our annual reminder that Halloween costumes are not to be worn to school. These include things like (but not limited to), masks, face paint, inflatable costumes, onesie costumes, etc.
Treasure House Supply Drive: CMS NJHS is holding a drive for the Spotsylvania Treasure House, now through November 21st. Drop off items in the collection boxes located in the CMS front lobby. Items needed include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, baby wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant.
School Picture Delivery: Parents still need to order pictures? Our NEW Code Lookup Tool is now available. They can simply scan the QR code 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.
Make-Up/Retake Picture Day: Make-up / Retake pictures will be on Thursday, October 30th. This is for students who were absent on September 29th or who want a picture re-taken.
Boo-Grams: The CMS Student Council Association will be selling Boo-Grams for $1 Monday through Friday of this week. Stop by the table outside of the library during homeroom to purchase one for a friend!
Dressing Day at CMS: CMS is hosting a FREE dressing day, On Saturday, November 8th, from 11am-2pm. Please come by for free clothing, food, and other resources! And bring a bag with you so that you can easily take your items home.
If you would like to donate any clothing (in good condition) for this event, please donate to the CMS main office between now and November 7th.
Advanced High School Programs: SCPS is holding Information Nights for 8th graders and their parents interested in the advanced high school programs of Commonwealth Governor’s School and the International Baccalaureate Program.
Thurs, Oct 30: Courtland High School (CGS and IB), 5:30pm-8pm (in conjunction with the 4E Educational Expo.
Tues, Nov 18: Riverbend High School (CGS)
Weds, Nov 19: Spotsylvania High School (IB)
See the informational flyer linked below:
CMS Yearbook: The Yearbook is now available for purchase. Purchase your Yearbook early and receive a discount. You are able to purchase online or send in your money and order form by your child. Order forms have been sent home.
ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.STRAWBRIDGE.NET ONLINE CODE: YB33988
Save the Date: 4E Education Expo! Come out to Courtland High School to see a showcase of middle school and high school educational programs in Spotsylvania County, and how SCPS strives to develop young people into valuable and thriving members of society via the 4 E’s:
-Enrolled: Enrolling in continuing education after high school.
Employed: Employed within the workforce.
-Enlisted: Enlisted in the armed forces.
-Engaged: Engaged in their community.
When: Thursday, October 30th, 5:30-8pm
Where: Courtland High School
Cell Phones / Personal Technology: This year, just like every previous year, students are not allowed to use cell phones in school at CMS. Last year, the Governor of Virginia made an executive order that extends to all public VA K-12 schools, restricting the cell phone usage by students from the beginning of the day to the end of the day.
Cell phones must be off and away (in backpack/bag, not in pocket of clothing).
This also includes smartwatches, earbuds/headphones.
Students who fail to follow these rules will have their device confiscated, and also face possible disciplinary consequences.
Social Media: Each year we like to remind our parents about the behavior of students on various social media platforms, groupchats, online video games, etc. Throughout each year, we receive reports of students being mean on these platforms, starting or getting into drama, hurt feelings, etc. CMS has no control over social media. The platforms are not willing to work with schools (to investigate, delete posts/accounts, block users, etc). Further, this is happening away from the supervision of school adults and outside of school time. Please, parents, be mindful of what your child is doing with their phone/device. There are many apps that can help parents monitor what their child is doing on their device. If your child has a negative interaction on one of these platforms, please have them block/delete that “friend”, or remove/delete the app from your child’s phone/device. Parents – if you see what some adults act like on social media, you can only imagine how 11, 12, 13 year olds may act.
Medications and Treatments in School: Students who require medications or treatments in school, including self carry/self administered medications like inhalers or EpiPens, or over the counter medications like Tylenol or allergy tablets, must have orders/forms signed by a healthcare provider each school year. You can find the forms on the School Division website under Health Services. Nurse Tucker can provide hard copies of most forms upon request.
CMS Athletics:
Fall Sports: Football: There is no football game this week.
Winter Sports:
Girls Volleyball: The Lady Mustangs will play at TMS on 11/6/25. The fifth quarter will start at 3:50pm and the cost is $3.
Boys Basketball: Tryouts begin January 6th-8th from 3-5pm. Boys basketball is available for grades 6-8.
Wrestling: Tryouts begin January 6th-8th from 3-5pm. Wrestling is available for boys and girls for grades 6-8.
Tryouts/practices are Monday-Friday. The expectation is for all participants to be present and on time for all tryout dates and practices. Students are required to bring appropriate attire. All participants must be picked up by a parent or guardian no later than 5:15PM.
Requirements: Students must have the Revised April 2025 six page athletic physical form completed and turned into the school's nurse, Mrs. Tucker. In addition, all students and parents must complete the Online Concussion training and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training. Students must also adhere to the Spotsylvania Code of Conduct and must maintain passing grades in all subjects in order to try out and maintain eligibility throughout the sports season.
All information and links concerning sports, physicals, and concussion training can be found and accessed on the Chancellor Middle School Website at the following link: www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/o/chancellorms/page/athletics
Please contact Athletic Director, Mr. Threatt, with any questions: fthreatt@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
Ongoing Reminders:
Please call the school to make any changes to your contact information (phone numbers, email address, postal address, emergency contacts). This can be done any time throughout the year.
When visiting the school, you will be asked to show a government-issued photo ID in order to enter the building.
Dismissal is at 2:45pm. If you need to pick-up your student early, please be aware that early pick-up ends at 2:30pm.
In the morning, buses unload at 7:40am and students go to breakfast if they wish, then report to homeroom. Car-riding students can be dropped-off as early as 7:20am, and we will provide them supervision in the gym. Please do not drop off your student any earlier than 7:20am. They will not be allowed in the building and there will be no supervision of them if they get dropped-off before 7:20am.