Sunday Communication Chancellor Middle School 1-18-26
We hope everyone had a great weekend!
We have four full days of school this week. There is no school for students TOMORROW (Monday, January 19th).
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: Studies have shown that students who are chronically absent from school are more likely to have involvement in the juvenile justice system for non-truancy reasons.
At this point, we have had 91 days of school, so missing 10 or more days of school at this point is considered chronically absent.
CMS Chronic Absenteeism by Grade Level:
6th Grade: As of 1-16-26, 14.7% of 6th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
7th Grade: As of 1-16-26, 17.6% of 7th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
8th Grade: As of 1-16-26, 20.2% of 8th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
Perfect Attendance Monthly incentive: 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 Semi-Formal: Friday, May 15th, 6-8pm (those students with 16 or less absences at that time will be allowed to attend).
CMS PTO News:
Thirsty Thursday- January 22nd. Available in the car rider line (2:00-2:45pm). Variety of $3 drinks available. Cash and card accepted.
Save the Date:
Spirit Night at Panera (Central Park Location) January 29th 4-8pm. Be sure mention CMS and show your flyer (click here for flyer).
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
Rising 6th Grader Night: Our winter Rising 6th Grader Night will be held on Wednesday, January 21st, at 6pm. This is for current 5th graders who will be attending CMS next year (and their parents). This is a time to learn about the typical day of a 6th grader, learn about classes, and start to become familiar with the school itself. There will also be two sessions over the summer you can attend.
Attention Families of Current CMS 8th Graders,
We encourage all families to attend the upcoming Rising 9th Grade events at your student’s future high school. These events are a great opportunity to learn more about academic programs, electives, and student life.
· Chancellor High School will host Rising 9th Grade Night on January 21 from 5:00–7:00 PM.
· Riverbend High School will host Rising Bear Night on January 20 from 5:30–7:30 PM. (This is an updated/corrected time for Riverbend’s night, previously incorrectly listed as 5:00-7:00pm).
Families will have the chance to learn about core classes, elective opportunities, AP courses, clubs, athletics, and more. You will also be able to meet teachers and staff and ask questions to help prepare for the transition to high school.
Please do your best to attend the event at your student’s future high school.
NJHS Meeting: NJHS will meet on Thursday, January 22 from 3-4pm. Mark your calendar
ACCESS Testing: All English Language Learners (ELLs) in Virginia are required to take the WIDA ACCESS assessment each year. This assessment measures students’ English language proficiency and progress in the four language domains: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.
If your child is identified as an English Learner, they will participate in this required assessment. The testing window is January 20 through March 6.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the WIDA ACCESS assessment, please contact your child’s ELL teacher or the school’s testing coordinator.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s education.
Student Restrooms: Lately we have had vast increases in our student restrooms (boys and girls) being vandalized. Toilets being intentionally clogged, soap dispensers damaged, intentional messes made, etc. We will be increasingly vigilant about our student restrooms. Students found responsible will face strong consequences from the SCPS student code of conduct, and can be held liable for the cost of repair/replacement due to damages. Please talk with your student(s) about this. Every child at CMS deserves to use a restroom that is in proper condition.
Renaissance Fundamentals
Dear Families,
We hope you had a wonderful winter break. Spotsylvania County Public Schools will administer a survey for students called Renaissance Fundamentals. All students, in grades 2nd through 12th will be invited to participate. Information collected from the Renaissance Fundamentals survey will allow our school team to proactively address non-academic barriers to learning, which can compromise the wellbeing and academic success of our students. While student participation is voluntary, the information will help us better understand and provide support to your student.
The short engagement survey is focused on the following nine factors:
1. Feeling about school
2. Perceived learning capability
3. Self-regard as a learner
4. Preparedness for learning
5. Attitude of teachers
6. General work ethic
7. Confidence in learning
8. Attitudes of school attendance
9. Response to curriculum demands
Students are scheduled to take the survey February 2nd -13th. If you have any questions about the purpose of the survey or wish to opt your child out from completing the survey, please contact your child’s school counseling office prior to January 30, 2026.
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 Tucker no later than January 28th, 2026. We cannot accept late forms.
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:
Boys Basketball: TMS will play at CMS on 1/22/26. The fifth quarter will start at 3:50pm.
Wrestling: CMS will play at TMS on 1/22/26. The match will start at 4pm.
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: 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 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.
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.