Next week is the last week of school in October before the super long weekend. We have a busy week ahead, please check out the newsletter for information on upcoming events and meetings.

Monday - Day 3

Tuesday - Day 4

Wednesday - Day 1

Thursday - Day 2

Friday - Day 3

We will hold a Unity Dance on Thursday, October 26th from 3:30 to 5PM. This is open for all students.

I know and like who I am and can comfortably talk about my family and myself and describe our various group identities.

Students from across the grade levels participated in discussions in CREW about their own identities. Some students also modeled this on the morning announcements. This is the first standard of the school year as we initiate more acticities centered around social justice.

Thursday morning we will be partnering with the Salem Police Department to conduct our ALICE safety drills. We met with students this week in small groups to preview and discuss expectations.

During our drill tomorrow, students and staff will be reviewing the ALICE acronym along with different scenarios and how to best respond. One of our scenarios will include a controlled evacuation where students will walk either to Bertram Field or Splaine Park where attendance will be taken.

Please know that we do our best to be thoughtful and mindful of our language when discussing this topic with students. We would appreciate you discussing with your child the importance of being responsible and cooperative during this time tomorrow.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

It's that time of the year where we make our BIG REVEAL for this year's Drama Club Production! We are excited to announce that our 2024 theatrical production is Disney's Descendants!

Orientation is mandatory for all students interested in participating as cast members, crew members, or pit orchestra members and will take place on Monday, November 6, 2023 at 6:30PM in the auditorium. Students must attend with an adult in order to receive the welcome packet with registration materials.

Email Ben Chertok bchertok@salemk12.org with questions.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the PTO meeting on Wednesday Night. We had over 20 participants including admin, guardians and teachers. We are off to a strong start. Here are the notes:

Leadership Roles: The team discussed the need to have leadership positions within the PTO to ensure accountability and follow through. The essential roles included President, Secretary, Treasurer . There may also be sub committees that take the lead on fundraising and events. If you are interested in taking more of leadership role please sign up here: PTO Roles

CMS Thanksgiving Dinner: The school would like to restart the tradition of the CMS community dinner. The price of turkeys has increased, so the dinner may be a spaghetti supper. This would occur on the Thursday prior to Thanksgiving break.

Next Steps:

• Angel N. is going to check on the price of turkeys.
• Barb M. is going to share a an items list w/ FEF
• Malcolm will create a sign-up genius for guardians to donate.

Teacher Needs: PTO members were wondering what teachers need for their classrooms. The consensus was around cleaning supplies, tissues, paper towels, dry erasers. The discussion around an Amazon Wish list came up.

Next Step:

• Angela B. is going to create an Amazon Wish List

Fundraising: The team discussed fundraisers that would be easy and would support student and teacher needs.

Next Steps:

• Gavin will check on parking lots
• Team will come up w/ ides for next meeting

Next Meeting: November 15th 6-7pm - Cafeteria of CMS

The School Site Council is a team that meets monthly to progress monitor the school improvement plan as well as discuss the policy and procedure of the Collins Middle School. If you are interested in serving on the School Site Council please send me an email with a little blurb about yourself. On the October 18th meeting we will vote in members based on the amount of teachers represented.

Who are we?

We are ELPAC!

We are parents or guardians of children who are learning English (ESL), or learning two languages (Dual Language)

We also advise the school district and the School Committee about issues related to children who are learning English.

All families of English Learners are welcome! We meet 5 times a year. If you are interested in joining us, we would love to have you!

2023-24 Meeting Schedule:

Thursday, Oct. 12: ELPAC Meeting via Zoom (6-7:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, Nov. 15: Multi-Language Learner Family Night at Saltonstall School (6-7:30 p.m.)

Tuesday, Dec. 12: ELPAC Meeting via Zoom (6-7:30 p.m.)

Thursday, Feb. 8: ELPAC Meeting via Zoom (6-7:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, Mar. 27: Multi-Language Learner Family Night at Saltonstall School (6-7:30 p.m.)

Thursday, Apr. 4: ELPAC Meeting via Zoom (6-7:30 p.m.)

June 2024/Date TBA: ELPAC Meeting at Horace Mann Field (6-7:30 p.m.)

The City of Salem is continuing their policy of generously donating the use and proceeds from the Universal Steel Parking Lot to local community organizations! This year, Collins Middle School will share the parking lot with a couple of other organizations on Saturday, October 21st! This is a great opportunity for us to raise money towards ALL student activities!

Parents & guardians, we need your help-
We are looking for 2-3 adults per shift, to volunteer their time for this fundraiser!
10a-12p
12p-2p
2p-4p
4p-6p &
6p-END
Please sign-up utilizing this link on Sign-up Genius.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BAFAC2FA1F4C25-44728331-volunteer