Cougar Chronicle
September Weekly Update ~ September 4, 2026
Important Back to School Information 2026-2027
If your student is not returning to Carter Middle School please call our office at (586) 825-2620 so we can start the withdraw paperwork.
A note from Mr. Lee
WELCOME BACK CARTER FAMILIES!
There is something special about the first days of school.
Even after all these years in education, I still get excited watching our students walk through the doors. There are new shoes, new backpacks, nervous sixth graders trying to figure out which hallway to take, and eighth graders walking in looking like they have been doing this forever.
And just like that, Carter feels like Carter again.
As parents, you put a lot of trust in us when you send your kids through our doors each morning. I don't take that lightly. These aren't just the students on our enrollment list. They are your kids, and for the next 180 school days, we get the opportunity to be a small part of their story.
Our theme this year is Every Day Counts, and I hope it becomes more than just something we put on a shirt or say at an assembly.
Middle school goes fast. There are going to be great days, hard days, funny days, and probably a few days when everyone is ready to start over the next morning. That's okay. What matters is what we do with each one of them.
We want our students to work hard and learn, but we also want them to find their people, try something new, make mistakes, laugh, grow, and leave Carter as better versions of themselves than when they arrived.
We also know we can't do that without you. We are on the same team. There will be times this year when we need your help, and there may be times when you need ours. My hope is that through all of it, we remember that we are working toward the same thing: doing what is best for our kids.
Thank you for trusting us with them.
The building is full again. The hallways are loud again. And we wouldn't want it any other way.
Welcome back, Cougars. Let's make these 180 days count.
Special Remarks from Mr. Syswerda
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! We are very excited to begin another year of teaching and learning. I would like to extend a special greeting to our 270 new 6th grades scheduled to start at Carter this fall. Welcome to the Cougar family!
One reminder I feel compelled to make is the shift to online physical submission this year. (Perhaps this is the 2nd or 3rd time online physicals have been mentioned in this newsletter.) Please refer to the submission guides we have distributed to help you in this regard. If you still have questions, please call the main office.
Carter Middle School Parking Lot
There is no parking or dropping off of students in the AM or PM in the circle drive in front of Carter. This is for bussing only. Please see the attached video for information regarding parking lot rules and procedures. Thank you for taking a moment to review it.
E-Bike and E-Scooter Restrictions
Please view the updated restrictions for E-Bike and E-Scooters for this school year. Any questions please contact our main office.
Attention 8th & 7th Grade Families
Final Form for Athletics
This year Carter is using FinalForms, an online forms and data management service. Instead of turning in your physical from your doctor, you will upload it to finalforms. You can register at: warrenconsolidated-mi.finalforms.com, you will follow the prompts to create your account, create your students and sign your forms.
School Photos
Order your school photos today! If you didn't order your School Pictures during Carter Cougar Days there's still time. Any photos not taken during Carter Cougar Days will be on retake day on Monday, October 5, 2026.
8th Graders will additionally have a Panoramic photo of the 8th Grade Class on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Please see below for the QR code/order form to order online.
Order your Yearbook TODAY!
You can order your 2026-2027 yearbook online now, before the price goes up. To order your yearbook, visit our website or the following link. Don't miss out on this chance to get your yearbook at the lowest price! Remember to check the deadlines and price change dates to make sure you order in time. Last year we did sell out of yearbooks!
EXTENDED VACATION INFORMATION
If your family is planning to take an extended vacation during the school year, a form must be completed and submitted to the school in advance.
Please review the attached letter for important information regarding the school’s attendance policy and the requirements for extended absences.
SCHOOL LUNCHES
School lunches start on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. As of now school lunches are free for all students as long as the Education Benefit form is filled out, if you have not filled out the form please fill it out here. Students must wear their student ID's to go through the lunch line. If their ID is lost you can purchase a new one through counseling for $5. Lanyards are $2 if you loose yours.
There is no outside food allowed to be brought in for lunch (ex: McDonald's, Taco Bell, etc, or doordash) we can not accept Doordash orders for students. You may bring a brown bag lunch from home if your student(s) is not getting a hot lunch. Breakfast & Lunch menus are available by clicking here.
Carter Apparel
Interested in ordering apparel with the Carter logo?
Click the link below to place your order. All items will be shipped directly to your home.
26-27 Carter Important Dates
26-27 District Calendars
Background Check Forms
If you are interested in volunteering at Carter Middle School a background form needs to be completed two weeks prior to volunteering. Please click the link below or stop by the main office to pick up a form and return to our office. We will need a copy of your driver's license before we are able to submit your form.
Early Release
Please read the following letter in regards to our early release policy for the 2026-2027 School Year.
SPORTS INFORMATION
Athletic Events
A parent must accompany their student to all athletic events within WCS. This is a district rule and any student that is not accompanied by their parent/guardian will not be allowed into the game.
Students must have their Student ID's in order to enter any game with their parent/guardian.
SPORTS PHYSICALS
The State of Michigan requires students to have a completed sports physical BEFORE tryouts begin for any sport team. NEW THIS YEAR: ALL FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED ON FINAL FORMS. You can register at: warrenconsolidated-mi.finalforms.com, you will follow the prompts to create you account, create your students and sign your forms.
All physicals must be dated after April 15 of the current year.
Girls Volleyball Tryouts
Girls Volleyball Tryouts will begin on Wednesday, September 9 through Friday, September 11, from 3:00–4:30 p.m.
All students trying out must:
- Attend all three days of tryouts.
- Have a current physical on file before tryouts begin.
- Wear a T-shirt with their last name printed on the back.
- Remain in the gym for the entire tryout session.
- Wear tennis shoes only. Crocs are not permitted.
We look forward to seeing everyone at tryouts. Good luck to all participants!
Important Events
Reminders 💡
September 4 ~ No School
September 7 ~ No School
September 8 ~ School Resumes
September 8 ~ Football Practice begins
September 8 ~ Take Tuesday begins
September 9 ~ 7th/8th Grade Girls Volleyball Try-outs
September 9 ~ Booster Club Hungry Howie Night
September 10 ~ 7th/8th Grade Girls Volleyball Try-outs
September 11 ~ 7th/8th Grade Girls Volleyball Try-outs
September 14 ~ Booster Club Meeting
September 15 ~ Open House
September 15 ~ Little Caesars Kick Off
CARTER BOOSTER CLUB INFORMATION
Booster Club Weekly Updates
Our first monthly Booster Club meeting will be held on Monday, September 14th at 6PM in the Media Center. Please come join us and see what the Booster Club is all about!
Little Caesar Fundraiser will kick off on Tuesday, September 15th and run until Thursday, October 15th. Look for more information to come.
Also, Taki Tuesday starts next Tuesday, September 8th right after school. Parent volunteers are needed for our Taki Tuesday, if you have a completed background check on file, please sign up here. Hungry Howie's Pizza Day is Wednesday, September 9th.
Get involved. Stay connected. Make a difference!
The Carter Booster Club is made up of parents, families and community members who want to help make Carter Middle School an even better place for our students. Whether you can volunteer at an event, help with fundraising, donate your time or simply stay connected, we’d love to have you be part of the team!
Have a question, want to volunteer, or just want to learn more about what the Booster Club is up to? Reach out to the Booster Club Board anytime!
📧 Email: carterboosterboard@gmail.com
📞 Phone: 586-275-7241
📱 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/carterboosterclub (or search @carterboosterclub in the app)
Follow us on Facebook for upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, fundraisers, announcements and ways to support our Carter Cougars!
🐾 THANK YOU, CARTER FAMILIES!
Your support helps us provide activities, events and opportunities that benefit our students and our school. We appreciate everything our Carter families do to help make our school community stronger!
Kroger Community Rewards
Did you know you can support the Carter Booster Club just by shopping at Kroger?
If you have a Kroger Shopper’s Card, you can select Carter Booster Club as your Community Rewards organization. Once you're enrolled, a portion of your eligible purchases is donated to the Booster Club — at no extra cost to you!
Every little bit helps, so if you haven't already, sign up and support Carter while you shop!
TITLE 1 NOTIFICATION
Under Federal law, you as parents may request the following specific information about the professional qualifications of your children's teachers:
- Whether the teacher has met the state qualifications/licensing for their grade level/subjects.
- Whether the teacher is on a temporary permit or waiver.
- The teacher's majors, graduate certificates/degrees, and discipline fields.
- Paraprofessional services and qualifications.
Carter Middle School has been identified as a school-wide Title I, Part A building. This is a federally supplemented program designed to help children reach high academic standards. In receiving funds from this program the district has a requirement to inform you, as a parent of a child attending a Title I school, of information regarding the professional qualifications of your child's class
Carter's Counselor Corner
https://cartermscounseling.weebly.com/
Kristin Forsyth - students with last name (A-L)
(586) 698- 4297
Lisa Stabile - students with last name (M-Z)
(586) 698- 4798
In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1977, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, it is the policy of Warren Consolidated Schools that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, (including sexual orientation or transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, "Protected Classes") be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to, discrimination during any program, activity, service or in employment. Inquiries should be addressed to the Chief Human Resource Officer, 31300 Anita, Warren, Michigan 48093, (586) 825-2400, ext 63110.