Middle School Parent's Association

What's Happening February 10, 2020

Letter from the Presidents Dear Parents, The next MSPA Monthly Meeting is Tuesday (tomorrow), at 6:30pm in the CEMS Library/Learning Commons.  We hope you will take the time to join us.  Meetings run approximately 1 1/4 hours. 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. URGENT CALL FOR HELP - Sheri Bragg our amazing Clynk Chair is ready to step down at the end of this school year.  As you know the Clynk program helps fund 2/3 of the 6th grade trip to Chewonki.  We all started Clynking in Kindergarten!  We are hoping to find a parent or team of parents to take on Sheri's work.  I really this would be someone who has a child in the early years at Pond Cove so they could follow the program for a few years before turning it over, but a parent with a 5th grader would be very welcome!  Students Clynk from K-8th grade.   On Friday, Feb 14th the MSPA will be hosting a Valentine's Day Cookie Swap for teachers. We appreciate all donations of cookies, homemade or purchased.  Please drop off your cookies on Thursday or Friday morning in the CEMS office.  Please label any special dietary concerns, i.e. nuts, GF, etc. What's Happening this week at CEMS: Monday, Feb 10 is first Indoor track Practice 2:30-3:45 Today, Monday is Day 4 Happy vacation week, the next e-newsletter will be sent out on Monday, February 24, 2020. Sincerely, Heather Reeves and Jennifer Pollick Co-Presidents
What's Happening this month: ** MSPA Sponsored Events and Programs

February

11 - MSPA Monthly Meeting 6:30pm** 13 - Hannaford Gift Card deadline** 14 - Teacher Valentine's Day Cookie Swap** 15 - BoxTops Collection Date ** 17 - 21 - No School, Winter Break 28-29 - So ME Honors Festival (7th and 8th grade) 26 - Ultimate Frisbee Parent's Meeting 27 - Officer Galvan's Mexican Fiesta

March

2 - 5:00-8:30pm, Basketball Bonanza** 4 - Early Release Day 7 - 6th Grade Honors Festival 10 - 5/6th grade Math Meet 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: American Chop Suey, Salad Bar, Fruit Bar, Milk Variety. Alternatives: Deli Bar, Assorted Bagels, Chicken Patty on a Bun, Pretzel Bites, Veggie Burger, Cheeseburger on a Bun.

Tuesday: Pulled Pork or Veggie Quesadilla, Salad Bar, Fruit Bar, Milk Variety. Alternatives: Deli Bar, Assorted Bagels, Soup Kelly's Choice, Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun, Cheese Quesadilla, Pasta Bake Wednesday: Roast Chicken Dinner, Salad Bar, Fruit Bar, Milk Variety.Alternatives, Deli Bar, Assorted Bagels, Soup Kelly's Choice, Chicken Patty on a Bun, Max Sticks, Chicken Caesar Salad, Grilled Hot Dogs

Thursday:  Vegetarian Chili, Corn Bread, Salad Bar, Fruit Bar, Milk Variety. Alternatives: Deli Bar, Assorted Bagels, Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun, Pulled Pork on a Bun, Chicken Patty on a Bun, Chili Dogs, Crunchy Hawaiian Chicken Wrap Friday:  Meatball Sub, Valentine Treat, Salad Bar, Fruit Bar, Milk Variety. Alternatives: Deli Bar, Kelly's Choice

Check out your child's class progress There were some big jumps this week that wrapped up the December / January CLYNK Challenge. The Chase / Briggs team secured the top spot with $71.50 and each team will receive an outdoor experience of their choosing and both teachers will receive a Hannaford gift card for their continued support of CLYNK at CEMS!  Arbour / Newton  remained in second place with $65.65 and the Doane / Geikie team ended with $54.75 in third place.  Remember the 9th Annual CLYNK for Schools Recycling Challenge is underway and will run through March, 20, 2020.  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. The Challenge is offered in both Maine and New York, and schools will only compete against schools in their state. First ($1,500) and second ($1,000) prize will be awarded per state for schools that collect the most funds. Third place ($500) will be awarded per state for schools that put forth an extraordinary effort, as identified by CLYNK. Cash prizes are awarded in addition to the redemption funds and bonus match. Official contest rules can be found at www.clynk.com CLYNK for Schools Recycling Challenge is a way for schools to raise awareness around the environmental benefits of recycling while working together as one team to raise funds for school discretionary use.  Sheri Bragg
Hannaford Grocery Card Fundraiser January Update:  Participants using their Hannaford pre-paid gift cards raised $172.50 in January for the schools - we receive 5% back from our bulk orders each month.  The next deadline is February 13th -  just in time for those Valentine treats or dinner you've been planning!   Drop off a check with your filled out form to the MS or Pond Cove front office and you will receive a Hannaford grocery card for the full amount of your check.   Forms can also be found in the lobbies of Pond Cove and the middle school.  Getting a new card?  No worries, this month you can choose to have your card delivered to you (instead of mailed) that way you can make all your last minute Hannaford Valentine purchases!    For questions please email Laura Allen at allenlaura207@gmail.com.    See here how your child's Chewonki fundraising is going. 

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.

Basketball Bonanza. All Middle School Girls and Boys basketball players VS. the Middle School teachers and staff. Event is on 3/2 with doors opening at 5:30pm, National Anthem at 6pm, first game (Girls 8th grade team vs. Female teachers and staff) tips off at 6:05pm, and the second game (Boys 8th grade team vs. the Male teachers and staff) tips off at 7pm. All done by 8pm. There will be give-aways, and half time competitions for those in the stands! Benefits the 8th grade graduation celebration.

CEMS and CESD PROGRAMS
ULTIMATE FRISBEE Ultimate Frisbee is back at Cape Elizabeth Middle School!   Parent's meeting is Wednesday, February 26, at 7pm in the Community Center Community room (second floor).  Those who played last year will receive registration and medical forms via email in the next few days.  If your daughter or son (5th through 8th grade) is interested in playing Ultimate, please email Peter Kelley at peter@maineultimate.org; we'll add you to our mailing list and send you the necessary forms. 




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
CEMS 4th Festival of Curiosity Friday, June 5, 2020 Science, Technology, Learning & More! Now that you have marked your calendar for the Festival, we thought we'd continue to give you an inside peek at some of the fabulous organizations and professionals who will come to our event:
  • 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. (Thank you IDEXX for being our sponsor!)
  • 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.
  • Divergent Games: a workshop on puzzles and game strategy
  • Fresnel Theater:  a workshop on leadership & communication
  • 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!
We are still looking for experts, techies, tinkerers, hobbyists, geeks, and artists to lead workshops to make this year's Festival fantastic! If you have an idea, we would love to hear from you. We're a friendly group. We won't bite if you raise your hand.  Please let us know if you're our missing talent at festivalofcuriostiy@gmail.com  And if you can't geek out. Please visit our Facebook page and consider making a direct donation today! This is 100% based on donations and sponsors. 
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

2020 Girls Spring Travel Lacrosse Registration is OPEN through Feb 28th

Registration is OPEN for this up coming spring season.

Please contact Community Services to register your 3rd-6th grade daughters.

Mandatory Meeting will be held on Wednesday March 4th.

Indoor practices start 3/10-4/2 Tuesday/Thursday nights. 3/4 5:30pm-6:30pm 5/6 6:30pm-7:30pm

Outdoor practice will begin as soon as weather permits 3/4 will practice on Tuesday/Thursday 5:30-7pm 5/6 will practice on Monday/Wednesday 5:30-7pm

Games are held on Saturdays starting May 3rd.









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Copyright © 2019-2020 MSPA, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 14 Scott Dyer Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME  04107 www.capemspa.org
Quick Links Cape Elizabeth Middle School Pond Cove Parent's Association Cape Elizabeth HS Parent's Association Troy Eastman, Middle School Principal Kyle Morey, Middle School Assistant Principal School Calendar