The Cougar News issue 04
9/6/26
A Message from the Principal
Hello Cougars!
What a fantastic first week of school! Our cougars were ready and started day one with a positive attitude!
As we jump into the school year, I want to reinforce the theme for our school year: "Supported by Kindness, Driven by Purpose." Over the past few days, I’ve already witnessed this in action! Students were helping one another find classrooms, students helping one another open lockers, cleaning up trash in the lunch room, teachers creating welcoming spaces, and everyone showing up ready to learn and grow. This is why we're here and I can't wait to continue to watch our community grow together!
When we lead with kindness, we build a community where every student feels safe to take risks, ask questions, and thrive. When we stay driven by purpose, we transform everyday events into meaningful achievements.
Thank you to our students, staff, and families for making this week such a success. Let’s keep this momentum going!
Be kind on purpose,
Mrs. Sands
Car Rider Information
If your student is a car rider:
An email, phone call and text message was sent to all contacts of students on Tuesday 9/1/26 with the information below. Unfortunately, this has not yet been perfected and we ask that you please review these expectations:
AM drop off: Please do not enter the parking lot before 7:25am. When the car rider line backs up, it makes it difficult (sometimes impossible) for our staff to enter the parking lot. If you're earlier than 7:25, we ask that you wait outside of the school parking lot.
PM pick up: To expedite dismissal, please do your best to pull up, so we can load more cars (see image below).
Join us 2:40-3:30 in the media center- all are welcome!
September 1
September 29
October 27
November 10
December 8
January 26
February 23
March 9
April 27
We will be breaking into four small sub-groups during our School Improvement Team meetings. If you're interested in focusing on one of these four areas, please join us:
Attendance
Math
Literacy
Behavior/Culture
A huge Cougar shoutout goes to the Lichner family! Today, they brought in hundreds of 3D printed “buddies”! These buddies will be stocked in our Cougar Store! Thanks to the Lichner family’s hard work, time and generosity, all CHMS students will have the chance to use their hard-earned Cougar Cash to adopt their very own 3D buddy! Thank you for supporting PBIS and our efforts to make CHMS the best place to be!
Family Mental Health
Parent Guidance & Counseling
Mental Health Series
Join FOR Club
Health Information
Incoming 7th Grade Families — Action Required
Maryland state law requires all students entering 7th grade to have proof of two specific updated boosters before school begins:
Tdap booster (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
Meningococcal vaccine (MCV4)
PTSO News
Sports
Sports Tryout info
- Boys Soccer tryouts: Tuesday 9/8 and Thursday 9/10 until 4:15.
- Girls Soccer tryouts: TBD once we find a coach
- Bocce tryouts: Wednesday 9/9 until 4:00
- Cross Country Tryouts: Wednesday 9/9 until 3:45
In order for a student to stay they must have a completed CCPS Athletic Physical packet turned in to Mr. Kluh before staying for tryouts. All students staying for tryouts must have a ride picking them up promptly at the end of the tryout time that is listed.
Please visit the CCPS athletics page for more information.
Budget Priorities & Involvement Survey 2026-2027
We are asking all staff, students and parents to complete this budget survey for the fall of 2026 as we make decisions to best support student learning and success. Expect additional budget survey(s) to be distributed later in the year. This survey will include information on how you would like to see our Title IV funds be used. Title IV is Newly authorized under subpart 1 of Title IV-A of ESSA, the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) program grant’s purpose is to help meet the goal of ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities for all students. Under ESSA, the Title IV-A grants help meet this goal by increasing the capacity of SEAs, LEAs, schools, and local communities to fund activities that support three content areas: Well-Rounded Education, Safe and Healthy Students, and Effective Use of Technology. Please complete this survey by September 18, 2026.