Middle School Parent's Association

MSPA What's Happening - Feb. 3, 2020

Wendy Derzawiec

FEB 03, 2020





What's Happening
February 3, 2020

Letter from the Presidents


Dear Parents,

Thank you to Erin Worthing and Valerie Franks for chaperone the dance on Friday night. Thank you also to Tim Pollick for doing a 30 minute fly-by at the dance to help cover the initial rush.  You were al amazing and your help is very much appreciated!

We hope to see you all at our next MSPA Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6:30pm in the CEMS Library Learning Commons.  This is a time to share your ideas, vote on grants, learn about upcoming events, and general  news about what's happening in the district.

Thank you to our Teacher Appreciation Team, for picking up Holy Donuts at the HS on Monday, Jan 27, you not only supported our CEMS teachers but Project Graduation as well.  Way to go!!!!

The 2020-2021 School Calendar is available to anyone interested in planning next year.  Click here.

What's Happening at school this week!
  • Mon and Tues - 7/8th Grade FrenchSpanish Interviews, 8-2:30, snow date Feb 6th
Today, Monday is Day 6

Wednesday is an early release day!

Sincerely,
Heather Reeves and Jennifer Pollick
Co-Presidents
What's Happening this month:
** MSPA Sponsored Events and Programs
 

February

3 & 4 - 8am-2:30 pm, 7/8th Gr French/Spanish Interviews (Snow Date: Feb 6th)

5 - Early Release day, dismissal 1:25

11 - MSPA Monthly Meeting 6:30pm**

13 - Hannaford Gift Card deadline**

15 - BoxTops Collection Date **

17 - 21 - No School, Winter Break

28-29 - So ME Honors Festival (7th and 8th grade)

27 - Officer Galvan's Mexican Fiesta

March

2 - 5:00-8:30pm, Basketball Bonanza**


To view the year in advance the MSPA 2019-2020 Calendar can be found here.  It is regularly updated, so save the link.

What's on the Menu this Week?

Monday: Ham & Cheese Croissant, Salad Bar, Fruit Bar, Milk Variety. Alternatives: Deli Bar, Assorted Bagels, Chicken Patty on a Bun, Potato Jalapeno Cheddar Bites, Teriyaki Dippers

Tuesday: Super Nachos, Salad Bar, Fruit Bar, Milk Variety. Alternatives: Deli Bar, Assorted Bagels, Soup Kelly's Choice, Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun, Chicken Patty on a Bun, Chicken Caesar Salad

Wednesday: Chicken Pot Pie, Salad Bar, Fruit Bar, Milk Variety. Alternatives: Deli Bar, Assorted Bagels, Soup Kelly's Choice, Chicken Patty on a Bun, Sloppy Joes, Pasta w/ Sausage

Thursday:  Make Your Own Italian, Salad Bar, Fruit Bar, Milk Variety. Alternatives: Deli Bar, Assorted Bagels, Soup Kelly's Choice, Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun, Mexican Lasagna

Friday:  Homemade Pizza, Salad Bar, Fruit Bar, Milk Variety. Alternatives: Deli Bar, Kelly's Choice
Check out your child's class progress
 
It's time for the 9th Annual CLYNK for Schools  Recycling Challenge!

January 21 - March 20, 2020

What's the Challenge?

CLYNK encourages schools like yours to raise funds by collecting redeemable bottles and cans year-round and CLYNKing at participating Hannaford Supermarkets. During the annual Recycling Challenge, schools get even more change for their efforts. For every $1.00 raised in the Challenge period, you receive a bonus $.50 match from Hannaford Supermarkets, plus the opportunity to compete for other cash prizes provided by CLYNK. Last year's winners raised an average of $1,500 per school.
Hannaford Grocery Card Fundraiser Update :  Fill out this form and drop it off, along with your check, to the MS or Pond Cove front office and get a Hannaford grocery card for the full amount of your check. Hannaford gives our school 5% back of our monthly order - you choose the grade your 5% gets allocated to.  The money STAYS with that class for future outdoor programming.   You may also choose to send your 5% to teacher grants.   Next due date is February 13!

For questions please email Laura Allen at allenlaura207@gmail.com.   
 

Download the ALL-NEW Box Tops app and just scan your grocery receipt.

Get the app at: https://www.boxtops4education.com
We will still be collecting paper Box Tops and dimes all year! Next Collection Date, February 15.
CEMS and CESD PROGRAMS
CEMS BAND CAMP



CEMS Band Camp:  August 17-21

The CEMS Band Camp is a day camp for current middle school band students who are rising 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th graders. The camp will run from 8:00am- 12:000pm Monday through Friday and concludes with a casual band room performance for family and friends at 11:30pm on Friday. The daily schedule includes full band rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, small ensembles, as well as supervised snack and recreation time. The band camp staff includes CEMS band director Caitlin Ramsey and CEHS band director Mike Scarpone. This program will be run through CE community services. 


Cape Band Buddies:
New for the summer of 2020, we will be starting the Cape Elizabeth Band Buddies! Have your student be a part of this exciting program! This summer opportunity is designed to have younger musicians work with designated high school "Band Buddies" on Mondays throughout the summer. The cost is free! It only requires you to sign up in advance with Mr. Scarpone. Band Buddy sessions are 30 minutes, once a week. This is for all instrumental students at CEMS including incoming Freshman.  Band Buddies sign ups will be emailed out in the late spring.

For additional Band Camp Options please contact Caitlyn Ramsey, CEMS Band Director
 
Exciting news! After a year hiatus, the Festival of Curiosity will once again fill the halls and classrooms of CEMS with fun and learning on Friday, June 5, 2020! With dozens of exciting hands-on activities and experiences, we're thrilled to have the FESTIVAL back to ignite the curiosity of ALL 540 students at the Middle School. 
 
WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR
 
  • The Whalemobile – a 43-foot inflatable humpback kids can explore from the inside out!
  • Top Secret Science & Math – hands-on science experiments for students to investigate and discover
  • Curious Creatures – interactive live animal program on biodiversity. (IDEXX Sponsored!)
  • Museum of Science (Boston) Traveling Programs -– three curriculum-based presentations on Heat Flow, States of Matter, and The Sound of Silence
  • Motivational Speaker Pam Garramone on the Science of Happiness and Habits to Cultivate
  • Volunteers from our STEM-enriched community will teach students about their professions and share in-depth knowledge on various topics, from cardiologists to biologists to money managers to athletes, and even attorneys and farmers. 
  • Local businesses and organizations are participating too.
  • Fresnel Theater:  a workshop on leadership & communication
  • Divergent Games: a workshop on puzzles and game strategy
  • Engineers Without Borders: a workshop on their work around the world
  • Sail Maine: a workshop on blending sailing with physics and math
  • Athleta: a workshop on the power of the body
  • Plus, presentation by CELT, Fort Williams, Cape Police Dept, Cape Fire & Rescue Dept, Fort Williams Foundation, Thomas Memorial Library, and so much more!
 
The Festival of Curiosity brings our students an incredible daylong celebration packed with hands-on learning experiences intended to ignite a lifelong engagement with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math). Students are encouraged to explore, problem-solve, and become inspired by real-world technical problems and solutions, led by teachers, community members, and industry leaders. Studies show that students who fail to become engaged in STEM by high school are at risk of losing interest, ability, and confidence in these crucial skills. This makes middle school a critical moment to spark an interest in STEM among our students in Cape Elizabeth. 
 
Attached is a link to a video showcasing our event, which we believe genuinely portrays the students' enthusiasm for the day and what they learned. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LjfZauQnhln2O5ABHvbKYtw2G5mHZHVy/view 
 
We rely on our local community in many ways to run the event. If you're interested in showcasing your strengths in the field of STEM or curiosity, please reach out to us. We would love for you to be involved. This year all activities are 30-minutes long with 8-10 students. The more professionals we have, the smaller the learning groups can be. 
 
You can also support us financially by being either a sponsor or supporter of our larger activities. Your business logo will be on our handouts. Or consider sending a check for $20 (made out to the Festival of Curiosity) to the school. We'll be asking for supplies (e.g., masking tape, glue, sort of stuff) and volunteers in late March. 
 
Substitute Teachers Needed

If you are interested in learning more you can check the link below or contact any of our district principals.  The Middle School is in particular need for substitute teachers, with only a few on sight staff members on any given day to cover absent teachers, it is imperative that the district build it's base of subs.  This is not a volunteer position, you get paid!

Please apply online at https://www.cape.k12.me.us/o/cesd/page/job-openings--105
Community Events and Programs
Travel Lacrosse Registration

Grades 3/4 and 5/6 Travel Lacrosse registration Deadline is February 28th.  Call CECS to Register  799-2868
Thomas Memorial Library: Teen Services

Dungeons & Dragons RETURNS! *February 4 th and 6 th
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00-5:00pm
Our teen D&D club is coming back! We will have 2 sessions after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for teens in grades 6-12.

Registration is required and space is limited, so please visit
our website at thomasmemoriallibrary.org for more information.
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