October 15, 2026

October 15, 2026

Hello Central Middle School Families,

This week, as part of our ongoing, multi-layered approach to keeping our CMS students and staff safe, we welcomed Ms. Kim Heyes and Lacey from Interquest Detection Canines! Our students learned from Ms. Heyes about what Lacey can detect, how she does her job, and why school districts partner with detection canines as part of their school safety efforts. Then came the exciting part... Lacey put her skills to work with a live demonstration, showing students just how talented she is at sniffing out contraband in backpacks!

At Central Middle School, we conduct random searches throughout the school year using Interquest Detection Canines as one component of our broader school safety practices. We appreciate the opportunity to help students better understand these efforts and the important role they play in maintaining a safe school environment.

If you have questions about Monday's presentation or would like to learn more about any of our school safety protocols, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to connect with our families!

We hope you enjoy the extended weekend, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Ranger Nation on Tuesday morning!

Go Rangers!

Jeff Simon
Proud Principal of Central Middle School
jsimon@fhps.net - (616) 493-8750

October 19 No school for Students

October 20 Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:15 pm

October 21 D&D meeting, 2:45

October 21 Debate Team Meeting, 2:45

October 21 Orchestra Extravaganza, 6:00pm @ FAC

October 22 Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:15pm

October 23 7th Grade Vision Screening

As your student transitions to the secondary level, the primary piece of feedback that is communicated to parents and families comes in the form of letter grades. (Direct, qualitative, and immediately actionable feedback is provided to your student in class and through formative assessments.) Our next feedback reports will be sent to you tomorrow, Friday, October 16. The feedback you will receive is a snapshot grade of your student's learning in each class up to this point in the semester. Note: There is no grade that will be input for ACE.

If you would like to receive more frequent communication and feedback on your student's learning, you can access this information at any time by logging on to PowerSchool. If you have any questions after receiving this feedback report, please contact your student's teacher.

We understand that there are times when you need to grab your student from school for a variety of reasons. When this is necessary, please make sure to come into the main office and sign them out.

• 7th grade: 3-4:15 p.m.
• 8th grade: 4:15-5:30 p.m.
• Wear a T-shirt (with name on it if possible), shorts and gym shoes. Athletes can change in the locker rooms.

Reminder - All participants must have a physical in Final Forms in order to take the court.

If your student is interested, you will sign up via Final Forms.

Start Date: October 21, 2026

One team, all middle schools combined.

Reminder - All participants must have a physical in Final Forms in order to take the court.

If your student is interested, you will sign up via Final Forms.

We are looking for a parent or member of our community to coach our Math Counts team. Math Counts is national middle school math program and in-person competition series for students in grades 6 through 8. You can find more information here.

If you are interested in learning more about what this involves, please contact Principal Jeff Simon at jsimon@fhps.net or (616) 493-8750.

For more information, please visit: Information for Students and Parents

**To sign up to participate in the AMC, please visit: Sign-up Form

The wait is finally over! Dungeons and Dragons sign up will start next week. Meeting times will be after school on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00.

No experience is necessary. If you are a creative person with a huge imagination, this is the club for you! Sign ups will be in the front office.

Our first meeting date will be Wednesday, October 21, in the media center!

ODYSSEY OF THE MIND - it's not too late! Sign-ups are still being accepted for students who love to build cool stuff, perform, write stories, or otherwise use their limitless imagination. Click here for the form to sign up ASAP. Need more information? Contact your OM Coordinator, Marti Atwater, at matwater@fhps.net.

BIKE DRIVE

The COMETS - your Forest Hills high school FIRST Robotics students - are again seeking donations of adult bicycles (26" or larger wheel) in almost any condition. We have supported Upcycle Bikes, a Grand Rapids non-profit organization, since its founding. (See Robotics is about building community' FHS robotics team continues giving back and Robotics students provide smooth bike rides for refugees and youth in need - School News Network | A Window into Your Public Schools) Bicycles are refurbished and then provided by Upcycle at no cost to those in need of transportation. Help us help Upcycle by bringing your bikes to the Fine Arts Center on Saturday, October 17 (1:00 - 3:00) or Sunday, October 18 (3:00 - 5:00). If you can't make it on those dates but have a bike to donate, please email marti.atwater@fhrobotics.org to arrange a pickup time. Thank you for your support!

Please bring any donation to the main office at CMS. Thank you!

Get ready to celebrate 20 years of Disney's High School Musical! Forest Hills Northern's talented students are bringing this fan-favorite musical to life November 19–21 at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center! Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 PM and Saturday at 3 PM and 7 PM. Don't miss this high-energy show filled with music, dancing, and Wildcat spirit!

Tickets are on sale NOW at FHFAC.Ludus.com or at the FAC Box Office, Monday–Friday, 9 AM–4:30 PM.

Help us provide meals for our wonderful CMS staff during Parent/Teacher Conferences. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EACA628A5FBC61-66502765-cmsconference

Help us bring sunshine and smiles to our staff! Pick a theme, get creative, and provide an edible treat and beverage for approximately 50 staff members. Volunteers must have an FHPS Volunteer Form for the 2026–27 school year on file.

Sign Up for the Treat Trolley

We’re looking for volunteers to make copies for teachers and cover the front desk during office staff meetings. Volunteers must have an FHPS Volunteer Consent Form for the 2026–27 school year on file.

View Volunteer Opportunities & Sign Up

Cannonsburg is offering discounted lift ticket punch cards for K–12 students for the 2026–27 season, with no blackout dates! Purchase by November 30 before prices increase. When purchasing, please be sure to enter “Central Middle School” in the comments section.

Purchase a Cannonsburg Punch Card

On Monday of this week, Central Middle School shared all the information for our reproductive health unit with our 8th grade families. In case you missed it, you can find that letter here.

The last two weeks we provided reminders on drop off. Now let's talk quick about pick-up... and lets keep it simple.

1. The front drive of the school is one-way after school.

2. Park on both sides of the front drive.

3. Pull all the way forward.

4. The lot to the north and east of the building are available to be parked in.

5. When in doubt, be safe, be patient, and know that kids are more important than time.

Click HERE for the newsletter!

• Middle School Girls’ Softball: Would your student (in 7th or 8th grade) be interested in playing middle school girls’ softball in the spring of 2027? If so, there is an interest form to note your student's level of interest in softball. Additional information will be shared later, but right now they’re gathering information on interest level. Complete the Google form for middle school softball if you have a student who might be interested in playing this spring.
• Central High School’s Community Club is hosting its second annual Trunk or Treat event, Wednesday, Oct. 28 (rain date is Oct. 29) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Forest Hills Central High School’s parking lot in front of the school (the lot off of Hall St.). FHC’s Community Club’s advisor is Rebecca Lipke, a mathematics teacher at FHC. For questions, please contact her at rlipke@fhps.net.

For more opportunities for your student, visit FHPS community flyers.

Show off your FHC pride with some swag from the FHC Swag Store!

OK2SAY is the student safety program that allows students to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at students, school employees, and schools. It uses a comprehensive communication system to facilitate tip sharing among students, parents, school personnel, community mental health service programs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and law enforcement officials about harmful behaviors that threaten to disrupt the learning environment.