Principals' Message Dear Parents and Guardians, Technology and social media play a monumental role in the lives of your students. Both technology and social media can be wonderful tools for connecting us with those we care about, as well as engaging us in current events. Sometimes however, these tools are misused and have negative implications for our students. Please take a little time to have conversations with your student regarding their social media use, what apps they use, who they share their posts with, and the information or pictures they are posting. This is a topic that is applicable to all students, as exploration of socialization is a normal part of your middle schooler's development. Although "off and away for the day" has been a big help at school, students regularly access social media outside of school. To minimize digital drama that impacts the school day and student life in general, we are encouraging families to consider a few of the following technology parameters: - Limit your child's use of social media to an hour or less per day.
- Have your student take technology breaks. Having device-free time allows them to disconnect and remove themselves from the drama.
- Talk to your student about how to set boundaries for healthy relationships, as these boundaries apply to both online and in person interactions.
- Use movies, TV, and current events to talk about responsible social media usage.
- Keep lines of communication open between you and your student. Let them know you are there for them if they are experiencing social media drama.
- Inspect your child's devices regularly—you should know all logins and passwords.
- If you believe the social media drama, bullying, or harassment is going to disrupt or negatively impact your student's day at school, call the counselor, principal, or dean of students for support.
- Get to know the parents of your child's friends and encourage your student to hang out face to face. If drama arises, you can work with the other parents to help your students navigate the situation.
- Administer spot checks--check your student's phone for late night messaging, social media usage, and emails.
- Encourage open conversations with your student about social media usage. Check in with them weekly about what they are using, why they like it, and how the social media platform positively enhances their life.
For additional do's and don'ts of social networking, or other tips on what to be on the lookout for in social media usage, visit these information pages: Bonus: How to determine if your student is utilizing the "My Eyes Only" feature to hide photos on Snapchat. CMS Student Support Team Year Book Orders Even though the online yearbook sales is now closed, you have time up to Friday, January 31 to place the order at school by bringing the order form and payment (either cash or check made out to Central Middle School) to the front office. Save the Date A Wayzata High School registration presentation with Amy Swenson, WHS Gifted & Talented Coordinator, will be held on Monday, February 10, 8:15-9:00 a.m. in the CMS auditorium. Please do not park in the bus corral. Athletics Winter II: January 13 - March 6 All athletics practice Monday-Friday, 4:10-5:20 p.m. Winter II Activities - Girls Coding, Mondays
- Math Counts, began January 7
- Bullet Journal Club Session 2, began Monday, January 6
- Rocket club (start date TBD)
More information will be posted on the website, the school TV monitors, activities bulletin board, as well as flyers that are available in the office. There is a one time intramural fee of $25 that covers all intramural activities (not athletics) throughout the school year. Registration forms are available in the front office. Activity Late Bus Late activity bus transportation is available Monday-Thursday and leaves at 5:30 p.m. A list of stops is available in the front office, or on the school website. Please note the bus stop nearest to your home for these routes may not be the same stop as your student's regular route. Review the routes and discuss with your student. Bus drivers cannot stop at individual homes. Ski and Snowboard Club Ski and Snowboard Club is offered through the City of Plymouth Parks and Recreation, and open to Wayzata middle school students. Next PTA Meeting The next PTA meeting is Tuesday, January 14 at 11:30 a.m. Please consider joining and contributing to the PTA. This is a great way to be updated on what is happening at CMS. Membership does not commit you to volunteering but we are always in need of help! January Wayzata Legislative Action Committee Update The Wayzata Legislative Action Committee (LAC) met Wednesday, January 8. Dawn Willson, Health Services Supervisor for Wayzata Public Schools, and Scott Gengler, Principal at Wayzata High School, presented on mental health services and supports available in Wayzata Public Schools and at Wayzata High School. The 2020 Wayzata Legislative Platform will be approved by the School Board at the Monday, January 13 School Board Meeting. In the coming months, members of the Wayzata LAC will be meeting with state senators and state representatives from the nine senate and house districts that represent Wayzata Public Schools to discuss these legislative positions. The Wayzata LAC is a non-partisan group of citizens that monitors legislative activity as it affects K-12 education and advocates positions on behalf of the district. For more information, please visit the Wayzata Committees webpage or contact Bindu Moram or Annie McDaniels, your school’s Wayzata LAC representative. Cold, Flu, and Lice… What Can You Do to Help? Influenza, commonly called “the flu”, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus, which infects the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. If your child will be out sick with the flu, they must be without a fever for over 24 hours before returning to school. When contacting the school to report that your child is sick, please be specific including if the fever is 100 or greater and if your child has a cough or a sore throat. More information is available on the Minnesota Department of Health website. Head lice are a common problem for children in childcare settings and schools and anybody can get it. Most cases of head lice are acquired outside of school. Remember to check your child’s head after returning from a play date or sleepover – two common settings where head lice are spread. Regular observation by parents can also be an effective way to detect and quickly treat head lice. More information is available on the Minnesota Department of Health or CDC websites as well as ways to treat head lice. When to keep your child home from school We've had so many great Ask Ali questions in our inbox – thanks to all who have submitted! Ali, along with her network of local experts, has 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. We have some great age 18+ Yoga options: Mindful Flow Yoga Tuesdays, January 21 - March 17 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Wayzata East Middle School Gentle Yoga Wednesdays, January 22 - March 11 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Wayzata East Middle School Upcoming Events: Young Scientist Roundtable: Man's Best Friend Helping to Treat Brain Cancer -There is groundbreaking work being done at the University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Medical Center and Masonic Cancer Center in the treatment of brain tumors in dogs. Dr. Liz Pluhar, Board Certified Veterinary Neurosurgeon and Director of the Canine Brain Tumor Clinical Trials Program, will discuss new immunotherapies that greatly extended the survival of canine patients with Glioblastoma (GB) and how these are to be translated into trials in human GB patients. *note date change from the printed calendar Wednesday, January 15 at 7 p.m., Central Middle School Auditorium Parenting with Vision: Bully Proofing Your Kids - Bullying is experienced in a variety of forms and can be distressing for both kids and parents. Navigating the dynamics of bullying can be complicated and has become even more difficult with the prevalence of cell phones and social media. Parents may feel overwhelmed, defenseless and caught off guard when issues of bullying emerge with their child. Learn about the different types of bullying that exist, who is likely to be affected, and what parents can be attuned to, and leave with tools that can be used within parent-child relationships to be preventative and responsive to issues of bullying. January 13 at 7 p.m., Central Middle School Auditorium **Most examples in this presentation will pertain to students within the ages of kindergarten through 8th grade. However, all parents, grandparents, and caregivers are invited to attend. Events are free with no registration required. Thursday, January 9, 2020 All day Friday, January 10, 2020 All day Tuesday, January 14, 2020 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Thursday, January 16, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday, January 28, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday, February 6, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday, February 11, 2020 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Monday, January 13, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Wednesday, January 15, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM Tuesday, January 21, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Wednesday, January 22, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday, January 23, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Monday, January 13, 2020 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Monday, January 27, 2020 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 305 Vicksburg Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55447 | 763-745-6000 |