China Spring Middle School

CSMS Newsletter

Parent & Student

Week of September 23rd-26th

FROM MR. ELLIS

• david.ellis@chinaspringisd.net

• Parents, please understand that students should not be completely without parental supervision at games in the stands and bleachers. If students violate the code of conduct during an extracurricular activity, it might necessitate you taking them home from the game. If you drop your student off, please be available to take a call from an administrator should we need to get a hold of you due to circumstances that happen in the stands or bleachers. 

• See You at the Pole Happens this Wednesday, September 25th, at the flagpole of CSMS beginning at 7:00am. This is a time where students who want to participate get together and pray for our school. If you want more information, please reach out to Kristen Clements.

• We had an AMAZING pep rally on Thursday. Thank you to our Cheer Coaches for putting it together and to our Cheerleaders, Band, and Choir for their performances in the pep rally!

• UPDATE to our MS Cross Country schedule – The next MS Cross Country Meet will be on September 25th in HUBBARD.

• Congratulations to our Volleyball teams who fought hard against Gatesville last week and GOT THE SWEEP!. Volleyball plays Monday Night at home against Connally. Good luck ladies!

• Congratulations to our 7th Grade Football teams who SWEPT Tennyson on Wednesday night. Our 8th grade Football team split withTennyson with our 8B team getting the win in DRAMATIC fashion on a last second fumble return for a touchdown!. 

• CSMS Football teams play Thursday this week (9.26.24). Please reach out to coaches or the athletic department for any questions regarding athletics. 

• SPIRIT DAY - 09.26.24 - “Light up the Lions!”  Wear Neon!

• CSMS is ALL about teaching and learning. Please make sure your student is coming to school prepared with necessary materials, including their iPad. Please reach out to your child’s teacher(s) should you have any questions. 

• NO THIRD PARTY DELIVERIES ACCEPTED ON CAMPUS i.e. (DoorDash, UberEats).  Parents, we appreciate your cooperation because it has helped us create a much safer environment for students at school.

• CELL PHONES PROHIBITED at CSMS.  Student cell phones must be off and stored in a backpack or purse.  Should a student need to communicate with a parent/guardian via their personal cell phone, he or she should ask for permission to go to the office to call or text his/her parent. Cell phones distract from the teaching and learning that must take place each day. Thank you for keeping your cell phone put away.

• Please remind your student to charge their iPad every night and bring it to school fully charged and ready to go. 

INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS: SCHOOL-HOME CONNECTION

• Mrs. Ghazzagh, Instructional Coach, sghazzagh@chinaspringisd.net

Middle school marks a pivotal time where students begin to encounter increased academic expectations and greater responsibility for their learning. Our teachers have been focusing on creating a structured yet supportive environment that fosters independence and critical thinking. This shift is essential in preparing students for the rigor they will experience throughout their secondary education journey.

In class, teachers are helping students develop key organizational skills, time management, and effective study habits. They are encouraging students to take ownership of their work, set personal goals, and reflect on their learning progress. The aim is to instill a sense of responsibility that will not only support their academic success now but also equip them with lifelong skills.

Parents play a crucial role in this transition as well. Here are a few ways you can support your middle school student in taking responsibility and ownership of their studies:

• Create a Consistent Routine: Help your child establish a regular study schedule and a quiet, distraction-free workspace at home. Consistency is key to building strong habits.

• Encourage Independence: Allow your child to manage their assignments, but be there to offer guidance if needed. Encourage them to use planners, calendars or apps to track homework and upcoming projects.

• Promote Reflection: Ask your child questions like, “What did  you learn today?” or “How do you feel about your progress?” These conversations help students take ownership of their learning.

• Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Reinforce the importance of effort and improvement, even if grades aren’t perfect. This teaches students to value perseverance and growth.

Together, we can help our students not only meet but exceed the expectations of secondary education, preparing them for a bright academic future. Thank you for your ongoing support!

FROM MRS. BARTEE

• sbartee@chinaspringisd.net

• PLEASE NOTE:  Several CSISD campuses have different start times due to transportation needs.

  • Primary Campus Start Time – 7:50am

  • Elementary Campus Start Time – 8:00am

  • Intermediate Campus Start Time – 8:00am

  • Middle Campus Start Time – 7:55am

  • High Campus Start Time – 7:55am

• Attendance

  • Attendance is taken every day during every class period.

  • School starts at 7:55am.  If a student is more than 20 minutes late to school, he/she will be marked absent for first period.

  • Every absence needs to be documented in writing with the front office within three school days of the student returning to school.

  • Attendance warning letters will be sent home once a student reaches three (3) unexcused absences.  Additional warning letters will be sent home after five (5) unexcused absences.  Once a student reaches seven (7) unexcused absences, Mrs. Bartee and Chief Wachsmann will require parents to meet with them at the middle school in person to discuss truancy prevention measures and to make a plan for improving school attendance.  After ten (10) unexcused absences, truancy charges will be filed against the parent, and Judge Richardson will contact the parent to schedule a court hearing.

• Weekly Attendance Update – It is our goal at China Spring Middle School for our average daily attendance rate to be at or above 97%.  This past week, we did not reach that goal with an average daily attendance rate of 95.26%.  Please make healthy choices and get well soon if you are ill.

  • Monday, September 16

    • 7th grade – 94.35%

    • 8th grade – 95.29%

  • Tuesday, September 17

    • 7th grade – 96.96%

    • 8th grade – 93.33%

  • Wednesday, September 18

    • 7th grade – 96.09%

    • 8th grade – 93.73%

  • Thursday, September 19

    • 7th grade – 95.22%

    • 8th grade – 97.25%

  • Weekly Average

    • 7th grade – 95.65%

    • 8th grade – 94.90%

    • Campus – 95.26%

FROM OUR PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We wanted to communicate  all the plans for the 2024-2025 school year so you can plan accordingly. Please see the dates and additional info below.

• Fall Dance will be November 14th.  We will need snacks, décor, and volunteers.

• Catered Thanksgiving Lunch 11/21/24

• Catered Teacher Appreciation Lunch 5/8/25

Randomly throughout the year we will ask for monetary donations to stock popcorn, sodas, and water all year for the teachers and staff.
If you want to donate $75 now you will be done for the year. You can drop cash or check (CSMS) at the front office or Venmo, Kristin- Clements- 4. Otherwise, we will send emails leading up to the event and you can donate then, if you can!

We appreciate all the support you have shown for CSMS. Looking forward to a great year. 

Amanda Talbert, parent volunteer /Kristin Clements, parent volunteer

FROM MRS. MCADAMS, School Counselor

• amcadams@chinaspringisd.net

• 504 meetings have started taking place.  We will meet on each 7th grade 504 student, so if you have a 7th grade student with a 504 plan, look out for more information from me regarding scheduling a meeting.  If you have an 8th grade 504 student, please reach out to me if you would like to schedule a meeting.

• September is Suicide Prevention Month 

• Please contact me if your child has any counseling needs. 

FROM NURSE NIXON,  School Nurse

• lnixon@chinaspringisd.net

• If you wish for your child to take medication at school, there is a medication form located on the CSISD Health Services website.  Parent and doctor signatures are required.

FROM MRS. PALMER,  Registrar/Attendance Clerk

• spalmer@chinaspringisd.net

• DUES: Class Dues are $20 - we accept Cash or Check made out to CSMS or you may pay online through Myschoolbucks.com - Store, Browse All, Class Dues.

• If you have an absence excuse note for your student, you may email Mrs. Palmer or bring the note to the front office.

UPCOMING EVENTS

09.23.2024 - MS Volleyball v. Connally (Home)

09.23.2024 - Education Technology Day

09.25.2024 - MS Cross Country @ HUBBARD

09.26.2024 - MS Football v. Brownwood (Home) - Light up the Lions!  Wear Neon!

09.27.2024 - Campus Closed

BELL SCHEDULE