October 2019
Chaska Middle School West
140 Engler Boulevard
Chaska, MN 55318
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Counselors -
Scott Buschena 952-556-7432
6th grade Comets
8th grade
Shannon Hanlon 952-556-7433
6th grade Meteors
7th grade
Nurse -
Marcie Bartholomew
952-556-7419
Intercultural Specialist -
(Spanish speaking)
Lucia Seeman
952-679-0605
Nutrition Site Manager -
Kari O'Konek 952-556-7404
Bus Company
Positive Connections -
952-361-0899
District Transportation Dept. -
952-556-6160
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Principal Points from Sheryl Hough
Thank You for Attending Curriculum Night
We know fall is an extremely busy time of year so we appreciate all of you who were able to attend our Curriculum Night on Sept. 19th. We received great feedback and were able to show parents and guardians children's classrooms, listen to presentations, etc.
Late Starts Mean Learning Time for Staff
Our first Late Start is this Thursday, Oct. 3rd. You may wonder what we do at CMSW during our Late Starts. Arika Mareck is consulting with us again this year as we continue our focus on how to lean in to difficult conversations by learning and reflecting. We are centered on creating a culture of learning and teaching where everyone feels seen, heard, valued and safe. This year we will be watching the movie "Race - The Power of Illusion" in segments and spending time reflecting on race, how we define it and what it means to us.
We will also spend time on Oct. 3rd connecting with colleagues to finalize our Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and create our PLC SMART goals that support student achievement. Each PLC develops and implements strategies that support their goal that must be measurable by the end of this school year.
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 Message from Assistant Principal,
Mark Shoquist
Walkin' on the West Side Fundraiser
Our annual fall fundraiser is underway and students are working to secure donations. The walk-a-thon will be on Thurs. October 10th.
Click this link for more information on how to support your student and CMSW.
Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences
They will take place on three dates:
Friday Nov. 1, 1 - 4:00 pm
Thursday Nov. 14, 3:45 - 8:00 pm
Thursday Nov. 21, 3:45 - 8:00 pm
Parents will register on line to meet with whichever teachers they choose. An email with more specifics will be coming in late October.
School Resource Officer Presence at CMSW
We are again excited to share that our district is partnering with our Chaska Police Department to utilize our School Resource Officer (SRO) time. Learners and families can expect to see Officer Mike Kleber and Officer Trent Wurtz at CMSW on Tuesdays and every other Friday. The main purpose of their time at the middle schools is to be a police presence assisting in education, counseling, school safety, and investigations. Through this partnership we hope to establish and build meaningful relationships with students and our community while supporting a safe and secure environment.
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News from Dean, Irv Andrews
P
hone Apps
Please talk with your child about
what apps he or she currently has on their phone as some apps may be of concern. One such app is Omegle which you do not need to register to join.
It allows anyone to connect and chat with random strangers. Sites like these are popular with sexual predators and individuals who like to send sexually explicit messages.
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Looking Ahead
10/3 2-Hour Late Start
10/8 School picture make-ups and retakes
10/10 Walk-a-Thon
11/4-8 6th grade Deep Portage Trips
11/11 Veterans Day Program
11/14 & 21 Conference Nights
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All students should have their photo taken
and will receive a student ID. Ordering school picture packets is optional. If students did not get their picture taken during Open House, they will have a final chance to have a school picture taken on Tues. 10/8. Picture re-takes will also be done that day.
This year, Lifetouch was running way behind, so photo packets just arrived and were distributed this week. Please check with your student for them or look in Parent Portal to see how your student's photo looks to determine if they would like a retake.
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6th Grade Musical - The Knights at Dawn
Come see the talented 6th graders from all three middle schools perform this entertaining musical.
Performances:
Fri. 10/11 at 7:00 pm
Sat. 10/12 at 7:00 pm
Sun. 10/13 at 2:00 pm
Cost: $5
All shows are in the Chaska High School Auditorium.
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6th Grade Deep Portage
All sixth graders have the chance to attend an overnight team building experience which will create lifetime memories! The adventure occurs at the Deep Portage Conservation Reserve.
Nov. 4 - 6 for Comets
Nov. 6 - 8 for Meteors.
Click HERE for more information.
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Achieve Program
This
before and/or after school program is designed to help students
achieve success in school
. Students are referred to the program by their teachers or counselors to focus on:
- core subject skill-building
- study and organizational skill development
- enrichment experiences including arts, sports and outdoor activities
Please contact your student's Counselor or Advisor
if you think your child might benefit from this program.
6th grade Meteors & all 7th grade
Shannon Hanlon - 556-7433 - [email protected]
6th grade Comets & all 8th grade
Scott Buschena-556-7432- [email protected]
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Parent Teacher Organization
We have an active, supportive PTO.
The next meeting will be on Tues. 10/8. The PTO meets once a month and offers several areas of support to the school. Please consider being a member. Click on this
PTO Volunteer Form to see how you can help even if you are unable to attend the meetings.
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Free Weekend Food Program for any Families
The Sheridan Story has come along side of CMSW to help consistently supply nutritious food every weekend for families in need. At the end of each week nutritious food bags are discreetly put into student lockers to bring home.
This free, confidential program has no requirements but families need to fill out the permission form in order for students to receive the bags of food. Here is a link to more information.
Families may enroll any time throughout the school year and may choose from a variety of different weekend food bag options. If you are interested in signing up for the free program or if you have questions, please contact our school counselor
Shannon Hanlon at [email protected] or 952-556-7433.
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Box Tops for Education
We collect box tops to earn cash for our school. Please support us by clipping and bringing them in to the office
by Wed. 10/16.
After that date, Box Tops for Education is starting a new program through an app where receipts are scanned and submitted by families directly. Click on this
Box Tops link for more information regarding this new program which will continue to raise money for our school.
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There are may community resources available for local families.
Click this link for more information:
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Grading and Assessment
As we transition to Infinite Campus and a points-based grading system, we are here to answer any questions you might have. For information around standards and learning targets, our philosophy around assessments (summative and formative) and retakes, as well as Campus Portal tutorials,
visit this website.
Stigma 180 Community Seminars
Several events are offered this year addressing the following issues: Anxiety and Depression, Parenting Anxious Children, and Understanding the Children's Mental Health System. These are free events that are open to the public. Click
HERE for more information.
Learn more about the Nov. 5 Referendum
Or plan to attend a Community Information Session, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 6-7 pm, Chaska High School Blue Forum.
Do you want to vote early?
Election Day is Tues., Nov. 5.
Avoid lines and save time. Absentee and early voting is available beginning Sept. 20.
Learn more
HERE
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Rumor vs. Reality
The Nov. 5 Referendum asks voters to approve the building of a new elementary school to address district funding and enrollment.
Rumor:
The district is not facing capacity issues and enrollment numbers are inflated.
Reality:
Eastern Carver County Schools is experiencing growing enrollment and limited capacity at the elementary level. Our existing middle and high schools currently have enough space and capacity to meet the projected enrollment growth through 2028-29, according to the demographer's report.
Read more HERE.
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