Sunday Communication
Chancellor Middle School
3-1-26
We hope everyone had a great weekend!
We have five full days of school scheduled for this week.
The next scheduled day with no school for students is Friday, March 13.
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: Research suggests that children who are chronically absent for multiple years between preschool and second grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the third grade.
At this point, we have had 114 days of school, so missing 12 or more days of school at this point is considered chronically absent.
CMS Chronic Absenteeism by Grade Level:
6th Grade: As of 2-27-26, 13.5 of 6th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
7th Grade: As of 2-27-26, 18.1 of 7th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
8th Grade: As of 2-27-26, 19.3 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).
Saturday School for Attendance Recovery: CMS is offering Saturday School sessions in order to help students “recover” absences so that they can qualify for AttenDANCES or other attendance incentives. Attending one Saturday School Session (8am-11am) makes-up for one day of absence. Click the link below to learn more about Saturday School (including the dates offered), and to register your student for Saturday School.
Saturday School Information and Registration
CMS PTO News:
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
Read Across America Week: This week is Read Across America Week! Students received a Bingo Board on Friday from their 3rd block teachers to participate in Read Across America Week. Students who turn in a completed bingo board by Monday, March 9th will receive a reward in the library.
Students can also participate in this week's spirit week:
Monday: Reading makes you BRIGHT! Wear bright or neon colors
Tuesday: Reading takes you anywhere--Wear vacation or travel shirts
Wednesday: Team Up to Read--Wear a Sports Jersey
Thursday: Get Cozy and Read--Pajama Day
Friday: Mustangs Read--Wear School Spirit Attire.
Extra copies of the Bingo board can be found outside the library doors.
Evolv: All middle schools in Spotsylvania County will soon be getting the Evolv Weapons Detection System. This system screens all students/visitors/guests for weapons upon entry into the building. High schools in Spotsylvania County started using this system last school year, and continue doing so. This week in school, we will be taking time to explain the system to our students so that implementation can go as smoothly as possible. Chancellor Middle School is planning to start using the system on Monday, March 9th. Parents, please be on the lookout for emailed information during this week with more details on the Evolv Weapons Detection System
From CMS Art Teacher Ms. Feliciano:
Dear Semester 1 and Semester 2 Students and Families,
We're excited to share that our Division Art Appreciation Month Celebration is right around the corner! This special event will take place on Monday, March 9, from 4:00-5:15 PM, followed by the School Board Meeting beginning at 5:30 PM. We'll be hosting a cookie reception as part of the celebration, and we would love to see you there to support and celebrate our talented student artists.
If your student would like to have artwork displayed at the event, pieces may be turned in to Ms. Feliciano in Room 119 no later than Wednesday, March 4.
Please be sure all artwork is clearly labeled with:
· Student's full name
· Grade level
· Semester 1 or Semester 2
· CMS
This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase creativity and highlight the amazing work our students have been producing. We can't wait to celebrate their artistic achievements with you! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Warmly,
Alexandra Feliciano
afeliciano@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
CMS Art - Room 119
6th Grade Homework Club: 6th grade homework club meets every Monday from 3pm to 4:30pm in the counseling office. Students need to have a note from a parent giving permission to stay, and a ride home at 4:30.
8th Grade Science SOL Tutoring: We're excited to announce that Mrs. Tate and Mrs. Yon will be holding a weekly tutoring session for 8th Graders hoping either to pass the 8th Grade Science SOL or perhaps score Pass Advanced on the test. This will be an excellent opportunity for students to review material from the 6th and 7th grade that is on the SOL but that hasn't been presented in class since they were in their 6th and 7th grade classrooms.
Review sessions will be hosted on Wednesdays starting next week, March 4th. If you are interested in having your child attend, please make sure they will have a ride available at 4 pm each day they are staying, and have a signed permission slip. Permission slips are available in science classrooms, but can also be printed off at this link.
Integrated Reading & Writing (IRW) SOL – Grade 8: Our 8th grade students will take the Integrated Reading & Writing (IRW) SOL on Wednesday, March 11th in the morning. We are proud of the preparation our students have been doing and look forward to seeing them demonstrate their learning.
You can help your child feel confident and ready by:
-Encouraging a good night's sleep the evening before the test.
-Making sure they eat breakfast that morning.
-Arriving to school on time.
-Reminding them to read carefully, take their time, and review their writing before submitting.
-Encouraging a positive mindset and confidence in their preparation.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Kristen Dillow, Instructional Coordinator at CMS, at kdillow@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
CMS Talent Show Practice:
Talent Show Practice/Meeting/Audition on March 6 from 3:00-4:30
WHO: ALL Performers, MC's and Stage Crew
A signed permission letter must be provided to attend and a ride to go home after.
Yearbook Club: The Yearbook Club will not meet again until late March. Please stay tuned for dates.
SCPS Job Fair: SCPS is holding a job fair on Saturday, March 7, from 9am-12pm at Massaponax High School. This is a job fair for licensed positions, teachers (elementary, middle, high), school counselors, social workers, speech-language pathologists, and ESOL teachers.
Please see the flyer linked below for the QR code for registration:
Riverbend's Grizzly Mile Bear Cub Run: Mark your calendars for Riverbend's Grizzly Mile Bear Cub Run on Saturday, March 28, 2026!
8:00 AM - Grizzly Mile (14 & under)
8:30 AM - Bear Cub 300m Run (10 & under)
Here is the link to register: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Fredericksburg/GrizzlyMile and the flyer is 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
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:
Girls Soccer: Interested in playing girls soccer at the high school? Chancellor High School is seeking a few more girls to participate on their JV girls soccer team. If you are currently in 8th grade, zoned to attend Chancellor High School, and are interested in participating, please come to our JV girl soccer practices any day next week starting on Monday March 2nd from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Any questions please reach out to the Chancellor High School Athletic Director, Len Carlson, at 540-786-2606.
Boys Basketball: CMS will play at POMS on 3/2/26. The fifth quarter will start at 3:50pm.
Wrestling: POMS will compete at CMS on 3/2/26. CMS will compete at SMS on 3/5/26. The match will start at 4:15pm.
Pictures: The boys basketball team and wrestling team will take their individual/team pictures on 3/4/26.
Track: Boys & Girls track tryouts will begin on 3/16/26 from 3-5pm.
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: 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.