Sunday Communication Chancellor Middle School 4-19-26
We have four full days of school scheduled for this week. There is no school for students on Tuesday, April 21st. This is due to that day being a special election day, and most of our school sites are used as voting places
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 chronic absenteeism as early as Kindergarten is a stronger predictor of a student not graduating high school on time than 8th grade standardized test scores in reading and math.
At this point, we have had 142 days of school, so missing 15 or more days of school at this point is considered chronically absent.
CMS Chronic Absenteeism by Grade Level:
· 6th Grade: As of 4-17-26, 15.2% of 6th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
· 7th Grade: As of 4-17-26, 17.3% of 7th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
· 8th Grade: As of 4-17-26, 20.9% of 8th grade students are chronically absent for this school year.
AttenDANCES (Attendance incentive dances):
8th Grade Semi-Formal: Friday, May 15th, 6-8pm (those students with 16 or less absences at that time will be allowed to attend). Also, any students with any ISS or OSS between April 6th and the date of the dance will not 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
7th/8th Grade Homework Club (Attendance Recovery): 7th and 8th graders are welcome to stay after school on each Monday that school is in session for homework club. Students staying after need to have a note with permission from their parent, and a ride home at 4:30. These students should report to the front office at 3:00pm. Staying after school for two of these sessions recovers one day of absence (3 hours equals one day of absence recovery).
6th Grade Homework Club (Attendance Recovery): 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. Staying after school for two of these sessions recovers one day of absence (3 hours equals one day of absence recovery).
CMS PTO News:
Save the date: April 30th Spirit Night McAlister's 4-8pm dine-in, pick up and online order. Mention CMS PTO or show the flyer linked Here: McAlister’s Spirit Night Flyer
Teacher/Staff Appreciation is just around the corner. We will be providing food for a few days and raffle baskets.
Ways to contribute (links follow each item)
· Food items:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044DA9AC2EA1FCC16-63498659-teacherstaff
· Raffle basket: If you would like to make a raffle basket or items toward a raffle basket please email us: chancellormiddlepto@gmail.com
· Contribute financially: https://square.link/u/ZlBCy4hR
We are looking for a few awesome parents and guardians to join the CMS PTO Board next year. No special experience needed just willingness to help and share your ideas! Nominations for 2026-2027 PTO Board are due by April 24th. Please reach out if you have any questions. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1yjKV-e1rwHrHAhxRRnlqWa4OIdR25XCAj73PXDOp3ws/edit
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 at this link: https://forms.gle/rHCTn3Jrb6E3LiF79
Please reach out if you have any questions at this link: chancellormiddlepto@gmail.com
PTO memberships are still available at this link
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwHc9Ctkq1AOY2UmdyJPY_umlGK69swX1ZgncCmJ3i5feFBw/viewform
Pep Rally Friday, April 24: CMS will be holding an SOL Pep Rally on Friday, April 24th. We ask students to wear these colors that day for the pep rally:
6th Graders: Blue
7th Graders: Green
8th Graders: Red
Testing Reminders: As we prepare for the upcoming STAR Reading assessment (April 22) and Virginia English SOL (April 30), we ask for your support in encouraging your child to stay focused, take their time, and give their best effort. Getting a good night's sleep the night before, and a good breakfast the morning of, is important. These assessments play an important role in understanding your child’s reading progress. School staff use the information provided from these assessment results to better understand weaknesses in knowledge/skills so that we can more effectively meet your child's needs through various supports and interventions moving forward. Your child giving their best effort is of utmost importance. Thank you for partnering with us to help your child show what they know!
Cursive Handwriting: Students interested in learning cursive handwriting are invited to stay after school with Miss Dixon beginning on Monday, May 4. Sessions will be held Mondays through Thursdays until 4:10. The last session will be on Wednesday, May 27. Permission slips are available outside of the upstairs restrooms.
Math 6 SOL Review Student Incentives: Math 6 teachers, Mrs. Currier, Ms. Shelton, and Mrs. West, are asking for donations of individual bags of chips, canned soda, full-size candy bars, or Little Debbie Snacks. Please send in any donations to Mrs. Currier, Ms. Shelton, or Mrs. West no later than Thursday, April 30th. These treats will be used as incentives during our SOL review. Thank you!
Dress Code Reminder: With the weather significantly warming-up now, we would like to remind our students/families about this particular part of the dress code:
“Students must wear clothing that covers their skin from chest to mid thigh with opaque (non see-through) fabric in front, back, and on the sides.” (Page 33 of Spotsylvania County Schools Student Code of Conduct)
8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance: The 8th grade Semi-Formal dance will be on Friday, May 15, from 6-8pm. Any 8th graders with more than 10% absences by that point will not be allowed to attend. 16 absences or less by May 15 will be allowed to attend. Also, any students with ISS/OSS between Spring Break and the day of the dance will not be allowed to attend
Online tickets for the 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance will go live on Monday, April 27th, at 8am. Parents of eligible students will receive an email when the link is live.
Tickets may be purchased online as a convenient option for families. Online sales will be available from Monday, April 27th through Tuesday, May 12th.
· Price: $10 per ticket
· Who: Current 8th grade students only
Please note that tickets will also be available for purchase in person during the school day starting on Monday, May 4th - Thursday, May 14th. All tickets—whether purchased online or in person—must be secured within the sales window.
Tickets are non-refundable, and all school expectations and guidelines apply. Students MUST attend school on the day of the dance.
We look forward to celebrating with our 8th grade students!
Educational Agriculture Expo: The SCPS Chapter of FFA is hosting an Agriculture Expo for the community on Saturday, April 25th, from 10am-2pm at Courtland High School. The event will feature local agriculture exhibits, student organizations, and opportunities for students to learn about agriculture and the careers that go along with it. This event is free of charge.
Please see the attachment linked below for more information!
Science SOL Review for 8th graders: The 8th grade Science SOL will cover material from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Science. While there are topics in the 6th grade content that are taught again in 8th grade, there are some things that are not. Would your child like a refresher course? We are here to help. We are offering Science SOL Review on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00 in room 109 (near aux gym). We will bring the Science content to life! Students need a signed note to stay and a ride home promptly at 4:00pm. Hope your 8th grader can come.
Dates:
· March 4, 11, 18, 25 -- (6th grade Science material review on March dates)
· April 8, 15, 22, 29 -- (7th grade Science material review on April dates)
Chancellor High School Athletics Fundraiser Golf Tournament: Chancellor High School Athletics Department is hosting their annual fundraiser golf tournament on Friday, May 15th, 2026. Please see the attachment linked below for more information, registration, etc. Golf Tournament Flyer
Riverbend High School Cheer: For rising 9th graders who will be attending Riverbend High School, if you are interested in participating in Cheer as a 9th grader, there is an interest meeting on Monday, April 20th, at 6:30pm in the Riverbend High School cafeteria. Please see the attachment linked below for more information. Riverbend Cheer Tryout Flyer
CMS Library Book Reminders:
· Students are limited to 1 book at a time starting April 6th.
· All library books are due on Friday, May 8th.
· If a student's book is damaged or lost during a student's checkout, that student is responsible for paying for the replacement of the book.
· Parents can pay for lost or damaged books in person or can send cash or a check (made out to Chancellor Middle School) with their student. Any lost books found within 6 months of payment will be refunded.
CMS Yearbook: Advance/online sales for the yearbook are closed. We will have a limited amount available for in-person sales in May when the yearbooks are delivered.
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, and AI/AR glasses.
· 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:
Boys Soccer & Girls Softball: CMS will compete at FMS on Monday, 4/20/26. SMS will compete at CMS on Wednesday, 4/22/26. The fifth quarter play will start at 3:50pm.
Boys & Girls Track: BMS will compete at CMS on Wednesday, 4/22/26. CMS will compete at FMS on Thursday, 4/23/26. The track meets will start at 3:50pm.
Practices are Monday-Friday. The expectation is for all participants to be present and on time for all dates, practices and games. 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, and you must also pass through the Evolv Weapons Detection System.
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.