Sunday Communication Chancellor Middle School 12-14-25
We hope everyone had a great weekend!
We have five full days of school this week.
Upcoming Days Off: There is no school for students from December 20th through January 5th (Winter Break). School resumes on Tuesday, January 6th.
Use this link to view the SCPS A-Day/B-Day Instructional Calendar. A-Days and B-Days will not change throughout the year. How they are listed on the calendar now 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: Chronic absenteeism dramatically lowers a student's chances of college success. A recent study found that only 11% of chronically absent high school students made it to their second year of college, compared to 51% of non-chronically absent students.
At this point, we have had 77 days of school, so missing 8 or more days of school at this point is considered chronically absent.
CMS Chronic Absenteeism by Grade Level:
6th Grade: As of 12-12-25, 14.0% of 6th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
7th Grade: As of 12-12-25, 16.7% of 7th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
8th Grade: As of 12-12-25, 20.5% of 8th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
Perfect Attendance Monthly incentive: Starting for the month of November, any student with perfect attendance for the entire month will be rewarded with one recess period at the beginning of the following month.
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).
8th Grade Semi-Formal: Friday, May 15th, 6-8pm (those students with 16 or less absences at that time will be allowed to attend).
Attendance Report Cards: Attendance report cards were distributed in homeroom at the end of last week, which showed your student’s attendance from the beginning of the year through December 4th. Also on the report card (front and back) is helpful information about chronic absenteeism, and our CMS attendance incentives.
CMS PTO News:
1.We are still in need for a few items for our staff holiday celebration on December 18th.
Please submit the items (labeled PTO) to the school no later than Dec 17th.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044DA9AC2EA1FCC16-60822908-december
2. Thirsty Thursday -December 18th while you wait for your student (2:00-2:45pm) Cost is $3 per item (cash and card accepted). Available while supplies last.
3. Calling all CMS Businesses and Families! We are looking for sponsors for the 2025-2026 school year. We have several things planned for the rest of the school year such as: support for school dances, SOL encouragement, Honor Roll incentives, teacher/staff appreciation just to name a few but we need you! Different levels of support are listed here: https://forms.gle/rHCTn3Jrb6E3LiF79
Please reach out if you have any questions: chancellormiddlepto@gmail.com
PTO memberships are still available:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwHc9Ctkq1AOY2UmdyJPY_umlGK69swX1ZgncCmJ3i5feFBw/viewform
Spirit Week: CMS is having a Spirit Week for this last week before Winter Break.
Monday, Dec. 15: Winter Wonderland! Wear blue, white, silver.
Tuesday, Dec 16: North Pole! Dress like an elf, Rudolph, Mr./Mrs. Claus, etc. (note: Penguins do not live at the North Pole.)
Wednesday, Dec 17: Trim the Tree / That’s a Wrap! Accessorize with gift wrap, bows, tissue paper, etc. (plus holiday socks/hats!)
Thursday, Dec 18: Ugly Sweater Day! Break out the ugly holiday sweaters! It’s their day to shine!
Friday, Dec 19: Holiday PJ Day! Get comfy as we get ready to relax for the next two weeks!
6th Grade Homework Club: There will be no 6th grade homework club on Monday December 15th. The next 6th grade Homework Club meeting will be January 12th from 3pm to 4:30pm. This is a great time for students to catch up on work, work on homework, get answers to questions about assignments or what they're learning, and to study for tests and quizzes. Students need a note from a parent or guardian and a ride at 4:30pm to stay.
New ParentVue and StudentVue App: There is a new version of the app for ParentVue and StudentVue. You may find issues with the functionality of the old app – downloading the new app will fix this. The NEW ParentVUE app and NEW StudentVUE app are available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android devices, and allows parents and students to view school information such as grades, attendance, and assignments. To use the app, download it and then log in using the same credentials you created for the web-based ParentVUE/StudentVUE portal or your username and password for the current ParentVUE/StudentVUE app; you may need to contact your school for an activation code and login information if you have not already set up an account.
See further details and instructions in the linked document below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TX5SFPxDoL0Ej4Z4FUIrJdTmDWLjtTPw6JiOKXBbQ7w/edit?usp=sharing
8th Graders Applying for Advanced Programs: Any 8th grade student who is interested in applying to one of the advanced programs for high school, and have not yet done so, should pick up a Permission to Apply form in counseling. The online application will open on December 1, 2025 and is due by January 9, 2026. Additional information can be found on the Advanced High School Programs SCPS website.
Next Yearbook Club Meeting: The next meeting will be held December 17, 2025.
Title Takedown: Title Takedown will meet this Tuesday (Dec 16) after school from 3-4 p.m. in the library. Please bring your library books, orange folders, and discussion questions for your books. You will get your next book assignment at Tuesday's meeting. See you there!
Library Books: Students should make sure to return or renew any library books before they leave for winter break. Overdue notices will be going out this week. Any lost or damaged book fines should be paid with cash or a check (made out to Chancellor Middle School) in the library.
NJHS: The previously scheduled NJHS meeting on December 19th has been canceled. Please be on the lookout for the date of the January meeting.
Spring Immunization Clinic at CMS: This spring we will host another immunization clinic for any of our students in need of immunizations. Our CMS immunization clinic will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Consent forms have been mailed to the families of any rising 7th grade student that does not have proof of the vaccinations already on file in the school clinic. Signed original consent forms must be turned in to Nurse
Reporting Student Absences: When your student is absent, please call the school or send an email to chancellormsattendance@spotsylvania.k12.va.us so that we can excuse the absence. Students who reach 5 unexcused absences or 10 total absences re required to have an Attendance Success Plan put in place.
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
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 Winter Sports:
Girls Volleyball: TMS will play at CMS on Monday, 12/15/25. The fifth quarter will start at 4pm. The volleyball team will have their team pizza party on Tuesday, 12/16/25 from 3-4:30pm.
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: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/o/chancellorms/page/athletics
Please contact Athletic Director, Mr. Threatt, with any questions:
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.