China Spring Middle School

CSMS Newsletter

Parent & Student

Week of October 14th-October 17th

FROM MR. ELLIS

• david.ellis@chinaspringisd.net

• As an addition to our mandated Tucker’s Law Assembly, Mrs. McAdams will be going into the classroom on Monday, Oct. 14th (7th grade) and Tuesday, Oct. 15 (8th grade) doing a followup presentation regarding topics that surround our middle schoolers: vaping, attendance, digital citizenship, locker room etiquette, hallway procedures, etc.   7th grade History classes will be done on Monday during your child’s History period.  8th grade Career Investigations will be done on Tuesday during your child’s Career Investigations period.  If you do not want your child participating, please let Mrs. McAdams know by email.

• Academic UIL tryouts are coming up shortly as we start October. Students will sign up to try out for as many events as they want to participate in. Tryout sheets will be posted in the cafeteria so students can sign up before school or during lunch. We are the reigning DISTRICT UIL CHAMPIONS and are going for a 4th STRAIGHT TITLE! 

• Congratulations to our Boys Cross Country team who claimed the district title! What an outstanding season for both boys and girls. Thanks Coach Earp!

• 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. 

• 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. 

• 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.

  • When you know your child will be absent, please call the school office or email Mrs. Palmer (spalmer@chinaspringisd.net) to notify us of his or her absence.  This will keep you off of our call list for that day when we call absent students.

  • 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 95.76%.  Please make healthy choices and get well soon if you are ill.

  • Monday, October 7

    • 7th grade – 96.96%

    • 8th grade – 92.91%

  • Tuesday, October 8

    • 7th grade – 97.39%

    • 8th grade – 92.52%

  • Wednesday, October 9

    • 7th grade – 97.83%

    • 8th grade – 94.12%

  • Thursday, October 10

    • 7th grade – 96.96%

    • 8th grade – 98.02%

  • Weekly Average

    • 7th grade – 97.28%

    • 8th grade – 94.39%

    • Campus – 95.76%

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

• Current NJHS members – donate one bag of candy for one hour of community service.  Bring candy to Mrs. McAdams.

• 504 meetings have started, and I am diligently working on getting those schedules.  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.

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

• National Bullying Prevention Month is observed in October: 

• Purpose:

• To raise awareness of bullying and encourage people to take action to create safer environments 

• History:

• October was first designated as National Bullying Prevention Month in 2006 

• Effects of bullying:

• Bullying can have devastating effects on children and families, including: 

  • School avoidance 

  • Loss of self-esteem 

  • Increased anxiety 

  • Depression 

• Types of bullying:

• Bullying can be verbal, physical, through social exclusion, or via digital sources.

• If you are being bullied or someone you know is getting bullied please report it to Mrs. Bartee or Mrs. McAdams.

• I will be going into the classroom on Monday, Oct. 14th (7th grade) and Tuesday, Oct. 15 (8th grade) doing a followup presentation regarding topics that surround our middle schoolers: vaping, attendance, scenario cards, a survey.  7th grade History classes will be done on Monday during your child’s History period.  8th grade Career Investigations will be done on Tuesday during your child’s Career Investigations period.  If you do not want your child participating please let Mrs. McAdams know by email.

• NJHS Meeting will be Thursday, October 17th, 2024 at 7:30 in Library

• RED RIBBON WEEK- October 28th through October 31st-

  • October 28th - Rally in RED!   (Wear Red)

  • October 29th- Say Peace Out to Drugs! (Wear Tie-Dye or Bright Colors)

  • October 30th- Head to Toe, I am Drug Free! (Crazy Hair and/or Socks)

  • October 31st- Make Drugs Disappear (Wear Camo)

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.

• House bill 496 requires CSMS to offer bleeding control instruction to all students grades 7 through 12. If you would like your middle school student to attend this training on Friday October 25th from 8:30-9:00am please email Nurse Nixon at lnixon@chinaspringisd.net to enroll.

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

• 10.11.2024 – Campus Closed

• 10.12.2024 – Saturday School

• 10.14.2024 – MS Volleball vs. Lorena (Home)

• 10.17.2024 – NJHS Meeting – 7:30am – CSMS Library

• 10.17.2024 – MS Football vs. La Vega (Away)

BELL SCHEDULE