Parent Newsletter

March 7, 2019

Central Middle School Header Photo

Spring MCA Testing

With spring around the corner (no, really!) it is time to start thinking about the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA). Below are the testing dates and which test will be given:

  • Thursday, April 11 - Reading MCA (all grades)
  • Thursday, April 18 - Math MCA (all grades)
  • Thursday, May 2 - Science MCA (given only to 8th graders)

Students will be testing on their iPads, so it is important that they come to school with their iPads fully charged with a set of head phones or ear buds. On the days of testing we encourage students to leave other electronic devices at home including cell phones and smart watches. The only electronic device allowed in the testing rooms is their iPad. If students do bring such devices, they will need to store them in their locker prior to entering the testing room. Good sleep and a healthy breakfast will be helpful for your student on testing days. When possible, please refrain from making appointments outside of school when your student is testing. If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Rob Rimington at 763-745-6031 or Rob.Rimington@wayzataschools.org.

Social Media/Digital Citizenship Awareness Week – March 4-8 

This week, we will focus on increasing awareness and personal responsibility with students regarding healthy online behavior. Advisory time will be used to present lessons on Social Media Responsibility and Digital Citizenship. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to be entered into a drawing at the end of the week by reviewing tip sheets on creating balance while utilizing social media and cyber bullying with parents/guardians at home. The students will need to have an adult sign the sheet and take a selfie with their parent/guardian holding the tip sheet. Students will then show the selfie and signed sheet to their Advisory teacher to be entered into the drawing. The prize is to be determined and there will be a name drawn for each grade level. We look forward to having meaningful discussions about utilizing social media in a healthy manner and creating a positive digital presence!

Did You Know?

Minnesota State GeoBee 

Congratulations to Adithi Varathan from 6th Grade Blue Team. Adithi is a finalist in the upcoming 2019 Minnesota State GeoBee. This outstanding young student is one of the top 100 qualifiers out of thousands of students who competed at their local level.

Minnesota State High School League State Wrestling

Kyler Wong and Calvin Lonnquist are members of the Wayzata High School varsity wrestling team. They made it to the Minnesota State Championship. Kyler Wong took 5th place.

7-8 Grade, Mary Poppins Jr., The Musical
Performances will take place in the auditorium March 15 at 7:00 p.m. and March 16 at noon. All are welcome for this event, it is a great opportunity for family and friends. Tickets will be sold at the door an hour before shows.

2020 7th Grade Costa Rica Trip

Global Studies teacher, Brian Deeney, will once again be leading a trip to Costa Rica for CMS students. The trip will take place June 8-16, 2020. Interested 7th graders will sign up this spring, attend pre-trip meetings through next year, and travel the summer after 8th grade. Students will do service work, visit local sights, and be fully immersed in the culture.This is an exciting opportunity for personal growth before high school! There will be an informational meeting March 11 at 7:45 p.m. in the media center. Email any questions to Brian.Deeney@wayzataschools.org.

Reminders

Reporting an Absence, Early Dismissal, or Late Arrival

When notifying the attendance office of an absence, early dismissal, or late arrival, please choose between one of the following options:

  • Enter an attendance request on Skyward Family Access, with details on time in comments.
  • Write a brief note for your student to bring on their way into school in the morning.
  • Call the attendance line at 763-745-6055 and leave a message.

Early notification is always appreciated. If your student is not feeling well at school, protocol is to go to the health office.  The health office staff will assess their needs and call you to pick them up if necessary.  If your child is needing to be dismissed early, they will be more comfortable in the health office, prevent the spread of illness, and front office will know where to locate them when you arrive.

Intramural Activities

  • Spanish Club:  Runs bi-monthly through May 1.
  • Debate Club: Thursdays, starting March 14.                                                                                                     

Athletics

Spring Athletics Registration is now open for:

  • 7th and 8th Grade Boys' and Girls' Track and Field
  • 7th and 8th Grade Boys' Tennis  

For more information, please visit the Activities and Athletics webpage.  Register on EPay. No experience necessary. Spring season starts Monday, March 18.

PTA News

PTA Meeting

Please join us for our next PTA meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in room A406.  Please join us and special guest, Scott Gengler, Wayzata High School Principal. Learn about the latest happenings around CMS, connect with our Principal and other parents.

Thank You Buffalo Wild Wings

The PTA would like to give a big shout out to Buffalo Wild Wings for sponsoring our restaurant week. We greatly appreciate their support of our school and we also appreciate everyone who stopped by.

Bake Sale – March 26

The PTA will be hosting a bake sale at 6th Grade Orientation Night on March 26 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. If you will be able to make a baked foods donation, we would greatly appreciate your support. Please watch for the Bake Sale SignUpGenius in the next week.

Volunteer Needs

Open PTA Board and Committee Chair Positions for 2019-2020

Join a group of fun parents interested in providing needed support to our amazing school staff and deserving student body! The PTA has several open Board and Chairperson opportunities for the 2019-2020 school year.


Board Members

  • Treasurer: Manage and execute the financial activities associated with running the PTA and collaborate with other board members to manage PTA business. Good organizational and spreadsheet skills needed. If interested or have questions, please contact Sue Ufheil at sufheil@comcast.net.
  • Communications Chair: Gather, write and disseminate all external communication relevant to the PTA and collaborate with other board members to manage PTA business. This position also interacts with PTA committee chairs and staff. If interested or have questions, please contact Paula Huettner at tomhuettner@yahoo.com.
  • Secretary: Create agendas, take notes and moderate meetings for all PTA forums, and collaborate with other board members to manage PTA business. If interested or have questions, please contact Suzanne Hoagland at smhoagland@mac.com.

Committee Chairs

  • Membership: Manage and develop PTA membership drive and update current membership list. Works closely with Board & Fundraising Chair. the bulk of commitment is early in early in school year. If interested or have questions, please contact Suzanne Hoagland at smhoagland@mac.com.
  • Fall Fundraiser: Develop strategy and execution plan for the primary fundraiser of the year for CMS PTA. Leverage information from previous fundraisers, and work with the PTA Board for support. If interested or have questions, please contact Suzanne Hoagland at smhoagland@mac.com.
  • Box Tops: Collect, organize and submit all Box Tops for Education submissions at intermittent dates. This effort helps raise hundreds of dollars each year that the PTA puts back into support for our students & staff. If interested or have questions, please contact Beth Corning at bethacorning@gmail.com.
  • Service Projects: Provide the opportunity to engage students in a yearly community service project. Previous projects have included a pen-pal style relationship with younger kids in an intercity school as well as collecting & compiling items to help homeless teens. If interested or have questions, please contact Beth Corning at bethacorning@gmail.com.
  • Bake Sale: Organize a Bake Sale to welcome next year's 6th graders and raise money for the PTA programs during the 6th grade orientation in March each year. Send out a SignupGenius for homemade contributions, and sell donated items the night of the event. If interested or have questions, please contact Linda Grey at ljgrey88@gmail.com.

Around the District

Are Your Kids Ready?
Following the Minnesota State Statute 121A.15 (School immunization requirements) and Wayzata Public School Immunization Policy and Regulation, your child will not be able to start or remain enrolled at school without an immunization record that is up-to-date, actively in progress or without a legal exemption. Note: there are additional requirements for Kindergarten and 7th grade. It is best to receive vaccinations from your primary care provider, but in the event that you are unable to see your primary provider or if you do not have insurance that covers the cost of vaccinations, Wayzata Public Schools is a participant in the Park Nicollet Barrier Free Immunization Initiative. This program allows immunization-only visits on a same-day appointment basis, immunizes children without a doctor visit and provides immunizations with no direct charge to families.


Partners in Prevention Ask Ali

We've had so many great Ask Ali questions flooding our inbox over the past month. Thanks to all who have submitted! We want you to know Ali, along with her network of local experts, have been working hard to answer these questions. Responses are posted every Monday on her blog at partnersinpreventionmn.org/askali. Parents, you've got to check out the responses to these questions! There are some interesting ones that have been asked; chances are you might be wondering some of these things. Keep the questions coming!


Community Education

Check out our new "Prep for the Future" Study Skills Seminar by Sycamore Learning Company. This 4-hour seminar will give students new insight into a variety of topics, including: goal setting, note taking, study habits, memorization tips, test taking strategies, essay writing, scheduling, and reading speed. Saturday, March 23 from 9:00-1:00 p.m. at Central Middle School. Register here.


Wayzata Middle School Clay Target Team

Attention all 6th, 7th and 8th graders!  Are you looking for an exciting spring sport?  Try clay target shooting!   The Wayzata Middle School Clay Target program is a partnership with Wayzata Schools Community Education, the Plymouth Gun Club and the Buffalo Gun Club.  Students shoot trap one or two days per week, Tuesdays and Fridays, from April-May.  Experienced coaches work closely with each student athlete to ensure proper technique, safety and skill building.  Students are encouraged to join the high school clay target team when they reach 9th grade.  Each student must bring their own firearm.  The coach can assist families in choosing the right gun for their student.  DNR Firearm Safety Certification is required prior to the first practice April 9.  Visit the MN DNR Website under Education and Safety for a listing of firearm safety classes.  Contact Coach Randal Baker at 612-308-6596 or email bakerskeetandtrap@gmail.com for more information, then register at  Wayzata Community Education.


Upcoming Event: 
Parenting with Vision - Gray Matter: Parenting through Complicated, Emerging Trends - A panel of experts discussing the difficult in-between areas of parenting. From vaping to privacy, these are just two of the gray topics that parents face trying to address emerging trends and raising youth in a world where things aren’t black and white. Tuesday, March 12, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Central Middle School


Calendar

School Events

Thursday, March 7, 2019
4:15 PM - 9:00 PM
 
Friday, March 15, 2019
7:00 PM - 8:45 PM
 
Saturday, March 16, 2019
12:00 PM - 1:45 PM
 
Monday, March 18, 2019
All day
 
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
All day
 
9:40 AM - 11:40 AM
 
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
All day
 

District Events

Tuesday, March 12, 2019
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
 
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
 

School Board Meetings

Monday, March 11, 2019
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
 
Monday, March 25, 2019
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 

305 Vicksburg Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55447 | 763-745-6000