Dear CRMS Families,

The long winter months and extreme cold can take a toll on everyone, especially our middle school students. Shorter days, limited outdoor time, and the post-holiday slump can impact their mood, energy levels, and ability to regulate their emotions—both at home and at school. Now is a great time to check in with your child about how they’re feeling and help them develop strategies to manage stress and emotions in healthy ways.

Here are a few ways to support your student’s mental health at home so they can be more regulated and engaged at school:

🔹 Encourage Open Conversations – Ask your child how they’re feeling and really listen. Try open-ended questions like, “What’s been the best and hardest part of your day?” or “Is anything at school feeling overwhelming right now?”

🔹 Create a Routine for Sleep & Screen Time – The cold weather can make it tempting to stay up late on devices, but a consistent bedtime and limits on screen time—especially before bed—can improve mood and focus during the day.

🔹 Get Moving Together – Physical activity is one of the best ways to boost mood, even if it’s just a short walk, stretching, or a dance break in the living room.

🔹 Help Them Manage Stress – Encourage deep breathing, journaling, or listening to music as ways to unwind. If school stress is building up, help them break down tasks into smaller steps.

🔹 Look for Changes in Behavior – If your child seems more withdrawn, irritable, or overwhelmed than usual, it may be time for extra support. Remind them that talking to a trusted adult—whether at home, school, or beyond—is always an option.

As always, our CRMS staff is here to support students academically and emotionally. If you have concerns about your child’s well-being, don’t hesitate to reach out to their teachers, counselors, or administrators. Together, we can help our students navigate the winter months with resilience and confidence.

Take Care. Be Well.

Dr. Yolanda Holloway

#BeAPowerPlayer

March 14th--1/2 Day Professional Development

March 21st--CHANGE, now a 1/2 Day Professional Development

The Board of Education is currently considering revisions to the Dress Code Policy. Please visit the district website for complete details and information on providing feedback.

The 2025-2026 Application for a Change of Student School Assignment is available online from March 1 through June 1. Please visit the Caroline County Public Schools webpage for requirements and application.

Recently, attendance letters were generated based on state attendance calculations. Any student who has missed 10% or more of the school year so far received a letter as a notice. For example, February 21st marks the 101st day of school—so if a student has missed 10 or more days, they would have received a letter.

In Maryland, student attendance is calculated based on the number of days a student is present in school. While we do differentiate between lawful (excused) absences and unlawful (unexcused) absences, all absences—regardless of the reason—impact a student’s overall attendance record. Lawful absences include reasons such as illness, medical appointments, family emergencies, religious observances when properly documented or other absences with principal's approval (ex: family vacation that is communicated ahead of time). Unlawful absences occur when a student misses school without an approved reason.

Regular attendance is essential for student success, and we appreciate your partnership in ensuring your child is at school as much as possible. If you have any questions about attendance policies or need to submit documentation for an absence, please reach out to the school office.

Yondr pouches have had a positive impact on our school this year. We've had a 66% drop in disciplinary referrals from last year and we attribute much of that to the limits that have been set with the use of cellphones. Way less drama can be shared and engaged in during the school day. Students are able to concentrate and participate in their lessons without the anxiety of checking social media for "likes" or new "Snaps." It has been a different environment.

We welcome your continued support around these efforts and ask that you remind your student to 1) Take care of these pouches (they cost $30 for replacements) and 2) To Use them during the school day to ensure our classrooms are free from distractions.

Starting November 1, 2024, CCPS will begin to obligate students for damaged and missing technology equipment. The CCPS Student Technology Obligation Program is designed to promote students' responsible use of technology and reduce damage costs through a tier-based pricing system. This program aligns with the Technology Obligation Regulation (Reference: III.31.71R) and the CCPS Terms of Use Agreement governing the use of technology by students.https://www.carolineschools.org/page/technology-student-obligation-program

Need to provide or update your student's information? Parent/Guardians should use the Year Round Form, also in the parent portal in PowerSchool.

Visit carolinecps.powerschool.com and log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal. (You must log in via a browser, not the app.)

From the Parent Portal:

1. Select the student you wish to update along the top.

2. Select the Student Information Update form icon on the left side for the applicable school year.

3. Verify the student's date of birth.

4. Select ‘Begin Form’.

If you are unable to access either form, please contact the school to update your child's information. This information is also available on the district website.

CCPS is committed to providing a safe, respectful, nurturing educational environment where the worth and dignity of individuals are valued and their safety and rights are protected. Behaviors that compromise this environment, interfere with school operations or are otherwise contrary to the basic mission of our public schools will not be tolerated. Bullying, hazing, harassment or other discrimination affecting a student or a staff member should be reported by a victim, parent/guardian, witness, staff member or other person having knowledge.

Staff members with knowledge of such conduct are required to promptly report it to the building principal.

Mr. Eric (Neil) Lambert, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Tricia Bolduc, School Counselor 8th grade and 7th grade Last Names A-L

Mr. Michael Tyndall, School Counselor 6th grade and 7th grade Last Names M-Z

Mrs. Jane Towers, Enrollment & Attendance Secretary

Ms. Kiesha Hynson, Administrative Secretary

Email: holloway.yolanda@ccpsstaff.org
Website: https://www.colonelrichardsonms.org/
Phone: 410-479-1462
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Colonel-Richardson-Middle-School-329879580517088