Comet Connection
October 26 - October 30, 2026
🌟 Celebrating Community, Strengthening Partnerships, and Moving Forward Together!
⭐️Greetings, Comet Family!🌏💫
What a wonderful week we had at Carolina International School! Our school community was filled with excitement, celebration, and opportunities to come together. As we continue through the second quarter, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to have such a dedicated team of educators, supportive families, and amazing scholars!
💗 Celebrating a Great Week at CIS!
Last week was filled with memorable experiences and meaningful celebrations!
🎀 Turn It Pink Day: Our scholars and staff proudly turned CIS pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in honor of our very own CIS breast cancer survivors and "THRIVERS." Thank you to everyone who participated and helped raise awareness for this important cause!
🍂 Second Grade Oktoberfest: Our second-grade scholars had a wonderful time celebrating Oktoberfest! What a fun opportunity for our students to learn, celebrate, and create lasting memories together.
🎃 PTSO Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat: Our PTSO hosted a fantastic Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat! The beautiful weather, wonderful turnout, and enthusiastic participation made this event a great success. A heartfelt thank you to our PTSO, volunteers, staff, families, and community members who helped organize, support, and participate in this event. Your involvement makes a difference, and we truly appreciate all that you do for our scholars and school community!
🎉 Looking Ahead: Another Exciting Week!
The fun and excitement will continue this week!
📚 K–5 Character Day/Book Ball: Our elementary scholars will participate in our annual Character Day/Book Ball celebration! We look forward to seeing our students bring their favorite book characters to life while celebrating literacy, creativity, and a love for reading.
🏆 Middle School First Quarter Recognition & Celebration: On Friday, our middle school scholars will participate in their first-quarter recognition and celebration. Students will be recognized for their modeling our four core values and enjoy fun, themed activities at the end of the school day. We look forward to celebrating their hard work and encouraging continued success throughout the second quarter!
🦷 On-Site Dental Clinic – Monday, October 26: Our on-site dental clinic will return to CIS on Monday, October 26. We appreciate the opportunity to provide services that support the health and well-being of our scholars.
📌 Important School Reminders
As we continue through the second quarter, please help us maintain a safe, organized, and productive learning environment by reviewing the following reminders.
⏰ Morning Arrival & Instructional Time
Morning arrival ends promptly at 8:12 AM.
Instruction begins at 8:15 AM.
Please ensure that students arrive on time and are prepared to begin their instructional day.
Every instructional minute matters, and consistent, timely attendance is essential to academic success!
🚗 Afternoon Dismissal & Student Pick-Up
All students must be picked up from campus by 4:00 PM, unless they are participating in an approved, supervised school activity.
Students who have not been picked up by 4:00 PM will be directed to our after-school program. Parents and guardians will be responsible for communicating with after-school staff regarding any applicable charges accrued for supervision.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us ensure that all students are safely supervised and picked up in a timely manner.
🚘 Student Drivers & Campus Parking Requirements
To ensure student safety, campus security, and proper documentation, all students who drive to school and park on campus must have a valid CIS student parking permit.
Students must:
Complete a CIS Student Driver/Parking Permit Application.
Present a valid driver's license.
Provide current vehicle registration and proof of automobile insurance.
Pay the required student parking permit fee.
Vehicles parked on campus without proper registration and authorization may be subject to towing. We ask all student drivers and families to comply with these requirements to help us maintain a safe and orderly campus.
🎯 Quarter 2 Academic & Behavioral Expectations Reset
This week, our administrative team will meet with our middle and high school scholars to review and reinforce schoolwide academic and behavioral expectations. As we move further into the second quarter, we want to ensure that every scholar clearly understands the importance of academic responsibility, positive behavior, respectful interactions, appropriate decision-making, and accountability.
Our goal is not simply to remind students of expectations, but to empower them to take ownership of their choices and understand how their actions contribute to a safe, respectful, and productive school environment. We ask our families to partner with us by reinforcing these expectations at home. Student success requires consistency, accountability, and collaboration between school and home.
💙 WE ARE ONE: One School. One Team. One Goal – Student Success!
As I reflect on the many wonderful things happening at CIS, I want to express my sincere appreciation to our families, staff, and community partners. None of us can do this work alone. There are no big "I's" and little "you's" when it comes to the success of our scholars. Every person in our school community plays an important role, and every contribution matters. Whether you are a teacher providing engaging instruction, a staff member ensuring our school operates smoothly, a parent reinforcing expectations at home, or a volunteer giving your time to support school activities, YOU are an important part of our success!
We may have different roles and responsibilities, but we share one common purpose: ensuring that every scholar has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.Thank you for your continued support, partnership, and commitment to Carolina International School. Your contributions do not go unnoticed, and they are deeply appreciated!
Let's continue to Lead with Respect, Demonstrate Responsibility, Embrace Service, and Seek Solutions in everything we do! 🌠Together, We SOAR! 🚀💙
Looking at the Week Ahead:
https://www.ciscomets.com/athletics/athletics-calender
October 26: On-site Dental Clinic
October 26-29: NC Check-ins (4th & 5th Grade)
October 28: RTA Assessment (Reading Retained 4th Graders)
October 30: K-5 Book Ball 12:00-3:00 (K-1: 12:00, 2-3: 1:00, 4-5: 2:00)
Please take a moment to review this week’s newsletter for important updates and information. 🤗
💫Meet Mr. Henderson: High School History Teacher
📚 Mr. Henderson currently teaches History and Economics & Personal Finance at CIS, where he is committed to helping scholars develop the knowledge and skills needed to become successful, responsible, and informed citizens.
🎓 A proud graduate of Winston-Salem State University, Mr. Henderson brings valuable teaching experience from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where he previously taught high school Social Studies. His background in education and passion for student success allow him to create meaningful learning experiences that connect classroom instruction to real-world situations.
💡 Mr. Henderson is especially passionate about developing critical thinkers, encouraging informed decision-making, and preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Through his instruction, he strives to empower scholars with the confidence, knowledge, and life skills necessary to navigate their futures successfully.
💙 We are excited to welcome Mr. Henderson to our CIS Comet Family! His enthusiasm for education, dedication to student growth, and commitment to academic excellence make him a wonderful addition to our school community.
A Message from the School Nurse
Health & Wellness
When Should You Keep Your Child Home?
To help protect the health of all our students and staff, please keep your child home if they have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Students should remain home for at least 24 hours after their last fever, vomiting, or diarrhea episode without the use of medication to reduce the fever or stop the symptoms. Once your child has been symptom-free for 24 hours without medication, they may return to school.
Thank you for helping us keep our school community healthy!
🍂 Staying Healthy This Fall!
Fall brings cooler weather, beautiful leaves, and seasonal allergies! Here are a few simple ways to help your child stay healthy this season:
- 🍁 Manage Allergies: Seasonal allergies can cause sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes. If your child is experiencing allergy symptoms, please give any needed allergy medication at home before school, following their healthcare provider’s recommendations.
- 🧼 Wash Away Germs: Remind children to wash their hands frequently and cover their coughs and sneezes.
- 💧 Stay Hydrated: Please send your child to school with a water bottle each day to help them stay hydrated throughout the school day!
- 🍎 Eat Well: Encourage nutritious, balanced meals and snacks to help support your child's overall health.
- 😴 Get Enough Sleep: A consistent bedtime routine helps children feel rested and ready to learn.
- 🧥 Dress for the Weather: Temperatures can change throughout the day, so dress your child in layers and bring a jacket or sweater for cooler mornings.
- 🤧 Know When to Stay Home: If your child has a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, please keep them home until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours without medication to suppress symptoms.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our school community healthy! Wishing everyone a happy and healthy fall! 🍁
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the school nurse at anniesmith@ciscomets.com. 👩🏻⚕️
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🦷 On-Site Dental Clinic will return on October 26.
$30 Technology Fee and Student Device Care
Dear CIS Parents, Guardians, and Students:
Technology is essential to instruction at Carolina International School, and we need every family’s help in maintaining reliable access for students.
The annual technology fee is $30 per student. This fee supports much more than student computers. It helps offset the cost of our network and technology infrastructure, technical support, cybersecurity, educational software, testing platforms, device repairs, and the purchase of replacement computers.
CIS works to keep this fee as low as possible, but these services and equipment represent a significant annual expense. Parents will receive a separate email with a payment link in the upcoming week, and we ask that the $30 technology fee be paid promptly.
We also need your help protecting school-issued computers.
Our available supply of devices is limited. Each year, computers are lost, damaged, or not returned, and in some cases the related replacement costs remain unpaid. The school is purchasing additional computers and repairing devices when practical, but we cannot immediately replace every damaged or missing unit.
Students receiving a school device are expected to:
- Handle the computer and charger carefully.
- Keep food and drinks away from the device.
- Report damage or loss immediately.
- Return the computer and charger when requested or when leaving CIS.
Families may be responsible for the cost of devices or accessories that are lost, not returned, or damaged through misuse or negligence, consistent with school policy.
We are asking every CIS family to do two things: pay the $30 technology fee when the payment link is received and help your student take proper care of any school-issued device.
Your support helps us ensure that computers and other technology resources remain available for all students throughout the school year.
Thank you for your cooperation and support!😊
Standard Reminders:
👕 Uniforms
Students should come to school dressed in appropriate school uniform attire each day. Failure to comply with the school’s uniform expectations may result in the student being provided with school-issued uniform items to change into, if appropriate sizes are available. Students may also be asked to contact their parent or guardian and request that the appropriate uniform items be brought to school.
🥪 Lunch
All parent lunch drop-offs by parents should be delivered prior to the start of your student's scheduled lunch time. When students receive lunch late, it may cause them to miss important instructional class time.
Scheduled lunch times are as follows:
- Kindergarten - 2nd grade- 11:00 AM
- 3rd - 5th grade- 11:30 AM
- High School- 11:30 AM
- Middle School- 12:33 PM
⛔️ Lunch deliveries via UberEats, DoorDash, etc. are not permitted. If a student orders lunch to be delivered, it will be kept in the front office until the end of the school day. In cases where a student forgets to bring lunch and a parent is not available to bring lunch to the school, parents can log into the Mama's site and order from the late menu.
⏰ Office Hours
- Office hours are 7:30 AM- 4:00 PM.
- Arrival begins at 7:45 AM. Students should be in class by 8:15 AM.
- The car rider line begins at 3:10 PM and ends at 3:45 PM. After 3:45, students should be picked up from the front office no later than 4:00 PM.
🛑 Any student who is not staying after school for a supervised practice, meeting, or rehearsal will need to be picked up no later than 4:00 PM each day or enroll in the after-school. Students can no longer linger and wait in the building to be picked up beyond 4:00 PM. There is not ample adult supervision to ensure student safety. https://www.ciscomets.com/support/before-and-after-school-enrichment
Excused Absences and Tardies🕣
Here at CIS every day counts and attendance matters. Our Attendance Team will be closely monitoring and tracking attendance.
All excused absence documentation must be submitted through our online form. No physical notes (from doctors, dentists, parents, etc.) will be accepted. For the attendance team to accurately track and update attendance records, parents must upload any necessary documents directly to the form. Please submit excused absence forms within 3 days of the attendance occurrence or the absence will be unexcused.
Excused Absence Form: https://forms.gle/Q21isixyTxVMSCfC7
🥪 Lunch Ordering
Order lunches online...Visit https://mamaslunch.ahotlunch.com to place your orders. CAMPUS CODE: K12Comets. The menu cycle is 2 weeks at time, please pay close attention to menu closing dates.
Questions? Contact mamaspizza.laura@gmail.com.
Ordering Instructions:
- Parents, please log in at https://mamaslunch.ahotlunch.com and sign-up for an account.
- You will not receive additional emails from Mama’s if you sign-up for an account.
- Although the online ordering system is intuitive, below is a list of each step, in case you have any questions.
- Campus code: K12Comets Click “parents click here to sign up” (located at the bottom of the login screen)
- Complete “parent sign-up” page. You will receive an email asking you to activate your account.
- Click on the activation link in the email. It will take you to the log in screen. Enter your email address and password.
- Go to “children” on left side of screen. Click “add child” (blue button) Enter your child’s first & last name and campus code
- Click “verify campus”. Go to “grade” drop down menu and select the corresponding grade for this school year.
- Go to the “classroom” drop down menu and select the teacher for this school year.
- Click “create” (blue button). Parents will see the child’s name was added. Go to “orders” on the left side of screen. Click “new order”. (This can be found under the word “orders”.)
- Click “order” (blue button) on next screen. Select your item(s).
- Click “checkout” (blue button) when your order is complete. You will see “Are you sure you want to checkout?” Click “yes” (blue button).
- Click “pay invoice” (green button). Select “pay all” (green button). You will see a multi-order payment screen. Click “yes” (blue button).
- Click “proceed” (green button) at the bottom of the page. Enter your credit card/payment information and press “pay” (green button). Only Mastercard and VISA are accepted.
Menu only reflects lunch for 30 days out, please come back to the menu if you need to order for dates at the end of the month
***There will be a Late Ordering Menu Item available each day. This item is for the student/parent to order BEFORE 7:59 am. For example, if the student left their lunch in the car, forgot it at home etc. they can log into the Mama's site and order from the late menu. There will be only 1 item available, no substitutions allowed. This menu has a $2.00 additional charge.
Please review the arrival and dismissal procedures below:
🚙 Arrival (7:45–8:12 AM; school begins 8:15 AM)
K–5 Students
Unload on the side of the building ↔️
Applies even if middle/high school siblings are in the vehicle
K-5 Self-Contained Students
Unload at the back (door across from K–3 playground) 🔙
Use inside lane closest to building
Middle & High School Students (no K–5 student in car)
Unload in front of the school 🏫
Middle & High School Self-Contained Students
Unload in front of the school 🏫
🚗 Dismissal (3:10 PM)
Afterschool Programs, Carpools, Families with 3+ Students🧒🏼🧒🏼🧒🏼
Load in front of the school 🏫
K–5 Students & Any Single Middle and High School Student with a K–5 Sibling 🧒🏼🧒🏼
Load on the side of the building ↔️
Parents: Enter back loop, inside lane, follow to the side
Middle & High School Students (loading 2 or fewer) 🧒🏼🧒🏼
Load at the back of the building 🔙
Parents: Enter back loop, outside lane, follow to the back
General Reminders 📝
Turn signal = ready to pull out; wait for staff direction 🛑
No pickup number? Give student’s last name to staff 🔢
If you have specific bus or transportation concerns, please reach out to Care Cab Kidz directly.
https://www.ciscomets.com/athletics/athletics-calender
October 26: On-site Dental Clinic- Day 2
October 30: K-5 Book Ball 12:00-3:00 (K-1: 12:00, 2-3: 1:00, 4-5: 2:00)
November 3: Make up Picture Day
November 4: NHS Inductions 6:00 PM
November 11: Veterans' Day- No School for Students and Staff
November 20: Blood Drive- 8:00 AM- 12:30 PM
November 20: International Extravaganza
November 23-27: Fall Break- No School for Students and Staff
December 3: Winter Arts Department Program (MS/HS 6:00 PM)
December 4: Winter Arts Department Program (K-2 9:30, 3rd-5th grade 1:30)
December 7-11: K-8 MAP Testing (Winter)
December 7-11: HS Teacher- Made Exams
December 14-18: HS EOC Exams
December 18: Quarter 2 & 1st Semester Ends
December 21- January 5: Winter Break Break- School Closed