Central Middle School
October 16, 2026
Message from the Principal
Pennridge Central Middle School Community,
It is hard to believe that we are already midway through October, and the end of our first marking period is quickly approaching on November 6, 2026. As we enter the final weeks of the quarter, we encourage families to stay engaged in their child's academic progress. If your child is experiencing academic challenges or could benefit from additional support, please consider encouraging them to attend our Homework Club. Details can be found in the flyer below.
Next week, our Student Assistance Program (SAP) will kick off our annual Red Ribbon Campaign. Throughout the week, students will participate in special activities that promote healthy lifestyle choices while also helping to raise funds for our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. We encourage all students to get involved and show their support. Additional information about the week's activities is provided below.
Additionally, students will be taking the Mathematics LinkIt! Benchmark Assessment on Tuesday, October 20. These assessments provide valuable information regarding student progress and help guide instructional planning.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. As always, we greatly appreciate your continued partnership and support.
GO Rams!
Tim Keddie
Principal
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is a national campaign that encourages students to make healthy choices and remain drug-free. Through this fundraiser, students can have fun while supporting a positive cause.
This Red Ribbon Week (Thursday 10/22-Wednesday 10/28) , our Student Assistance Program (SAP) is celebrating healthy choices and a drug-free lifestyle with an exciting Balloon Pop Fundraiser! Through this fundraiser, students can have fun while supporting a positive cause.
Students who make a donation will have the opportunity to select and pop balloons during lunch for a chance to win a variety of prizes and special rewards.
All proceeds from the Balloon Pop Fundraiser will directly benefit our PBIS program, helping us recognize and reward students throughout the year for making safe, responsible, and respectful choices.
Donation Options:
- 1 Balloon = $3
- 2 Balloons = $5
- 5 Balloons = $10
- $20 Package = 5 Balloons PLUS automatic entry into the Students vs. Principal Dodgeball Challenge
Exciting Prizes Include:
- Red Ribbon Week bracelets and pins
- An extra gym period
- Pizza party lunch for the winner and five friends
- Students vs. Principal Mr. Keddie Dodgeball Challenge (all winning students vs. Mr. Keddie)
- $100 CASH GRAND PRIZE
- And many additional prizes generously donated by our community partners and CCN parent group, including:
- Chick-fil-A Swag Bag (valued at $75)
- IronPigs Swag Bag
- Reading Royals tickets
- Inline 309 passes
- Otherworld passes
- Additional surprise prizes
Homework Club
Looking for a supportive space for your child to complete assignments and stay on top of schoolwork? The Homework Club at Pennridge Central Middle School provides students with a structured, supervised environment on Tuesdays and Thursdays where they can work on homework, get organized, and develop strong study habits. Whether a student needs a quiet place to focus, extra time to complete assignments, or support staying on track academically, Homework Club is a great resource to help them succeed. We also offer bus rides home at 4:20PM!
Contact Mrs. Miller @ jumiller@pennridge.org if you have any questions!
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, October 14 - LinkIt RELA Benchmark A
Thursday, October 15 - LinkIt RELA TDA
Tuesday, October 20 - LinkIt Math Benchmark A
Monday, October 26 - LinkIt Science Benchmark A
Wednesday, October 28 - AP Night; Pennridge High School Auditorium @ 6:00 p.m.
Friday, October 30 - Fall Fest
Tuesday, November 3 - NO SCHOOL; Staff Inservice Day
Wednesday, November 4 - Picture Retake Day
Friday, November 6 - End of First Marking Period
Spring Musical
This year’s Central Middle School spring musical is Disney’s Dare to Dream!
Students interested in auditioning are strongly encouraged to attend the audition workshop on Friday, October 16, from 3–5 p.m. in the auditorium.
Auditions will be held on October 22 and 23 from 3–5 p.m. in the auditorium.
Audition materials are available in the Canvas “Dare to Dream” course. Students can find the link to join the course on their grade-level Canvas page.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Fall Athletics Information
Fall Athletic Schedules
Here is a link to our Fall Sports schedules. Click HERE.
Advanced Placement (AP) Night @ High School
8th Grade Parents:
The Pennridge High School would like invite 8th Grade Students and their Parent/Guardian to attend Advanced Placement (AP) Night at Pennridge High School. This event will take place on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium and lobby area. We welcome any students and their families currently in grades 8-11 who are interested in AP offerings at the high school. Whether you are already in an AP class and wish to learn about ongoing AP opportunities, or you are just curious about AP in general, you are encouraged to attend. The night will begin with an opening overview in the auditorium, then many of our AP teachers and students will be available to meet with you to share information and answer your questions. AP classes provide benefits in the following areas:
- College application strength and readiness
- College credits
- GPA
- Scholarship opportunities
- Career exploration
- Critical thinking skills
- Time management skills
We hope to see you on October 28th!
Pennridge School District Event
Free Parent Movie Night: Helping Our Children Navigate Stress in the Digital Age
How can we help our children manage stress, build resilience, and communicate about what they’re experiencing? Join Pennridge School District and Devereux’s Center for Effective Schools on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. at Pennridge High School in the LGI, 3.3, for a free screening of Screenagers: Next Chapter.
This documentary explores adolescent stress, anxiety, and depression in the digital age and offers practical strategies to support emotional well-being, manage stress, and strengthen communication. Devereux will pause the film at key points to lead discussion and help parents and caregivers connect the ideas to supporting their children at home.
Mark your calendar and invite another parent or caregiver to join you!
Girls Exploring Tomorrow's Technology (GETT)
RamPacks
RamPacks is an organization that provides food for children with food insecurity and those at risk of hunger within the Pennridge School District. The food is provided and packed into backpacks or bags by volunteers and delivered to schools every week. It is funded by donations from churches, community groups, businesses, and individuals. If you are interested in learning more about RamPacks, please click the logo below. If you need a form, click HERE.
CCN
Join us for our next CCN meeting of the year on Friday, November 6, at 10:30am ET at Central Middle School. Please check in with the front desk upon arrival.
Click here to access the minutes from our monthly CCN meetings
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We are looking for volunteers from our CMS community to help us make this school year a success! Whether you'd like to take on a leadership role or just lend a hand the - we welcome everyone looking to get more involved with the CCN. Please see the SignUp Genius links in the post for more information on each of these volunteer opportunities.
Red Ribbon Week Volunteers Needed (10/22 - 10/28)
Central Middle School is looking for volunteers to help with the Red Ribbon Week prize distribution in the CMS cafeteria during lunch periods from 10/22 - 10/28.
Please sign up for any time slots you would be able to assist with; we would like 1-2 volunteers per lunch period if possible.
This event is being organized by the CMS guidance department and additional questions can be directed to Mrs. Leon at bleon@pennridge.org or 215-258-0930 ext. 701006
NOTE: PSD CLEARANCES ARE REQUIRED TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS EVENT
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AAAAE29A4F8C34-66658973-cmsred#/
CMS Fall Fest 2026 (Friday, October, 30th) - Mrs. Vantresca is looking for parent volunteers to help supervise an activity in the library during Fall Fest (CLEARANCES REQUIRED)
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AAAAE29A4F8C34-66200848-cmsfall#/
CCN Committee Volunteers for the 2026 - 2027 School Year
Sign Up to serve as a Committee Head or Volunteer for one of our upcoming activities (Spirit Wear * Red Ribbon Week * Family Fun Night * Holiday and Spring Luncheons * Red Cross Blood Drive * 8th Grade Picnic)
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AAAAE29A4F8C34-66200675-cms2026#/
***NOTE - Any volunteers are REQUIRED to have voluteer clearances through the District: Pennridge School District Voluntary Clearances Information.
Contact us: centralcommunicationnetwork@gmail.com.
Website: www.pennridgeccn.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pennridgecentralparents