CHMS Weekly Update

5th Grade - Unit 1: Empathy and Skills for Learning

Lesson 2 - Listening with Attention

Why This Lesson Matters: Empathy and communication skills have been shown to increase school success and decrease youth involvement in problem behaviors, such as substance abuse and aggression. This lesson focuses specifically on listening with attention, a skill necessary for effective communication with others and for academic success.

6th Grade - Unit 1: Mindset & Goals

Lesson 2 - How to Grow Your Brain

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn about the brain’s ability to grow and change when they practice challenging things. Having a growth mindset supports your child’s success in school and in life.

Try this at home: Tell your child about a time you had to learn something new. Explain whether it was hard to learn and how you learned it. Ask your child if there’s anything they would like to learn to do this year.

7th Grade - Unit 1: Mindset & Goals

Lesson 2 - Creating New Pathways in Your Brain

This week’s lesson will help your child understand how their brain changes when they learn something new. They'll explore how overcoming challenges helps build new connections in the brain.

Try this at home: Tell your child about a time you had to learn something challenging and how you kept going despite difficulties. Ask them about something they've learned recently that was difficult at first but got easier with practice.

8th Grade - Unit 1: Mindset & Goals

Lesson 2 - Motivation

This week’s lesson will help your child explore what motivation is and why it matters. They’ll also reflect on why they feel motivated to do certain things but not others.

Try this at home: Tell your child about something that motivates you and why. Ask them what activities they feel motivated to do and what makes those activities enjoyable or important to them.

ParenTeenConnect.org, a free website for parents and their teens created by the makers of Second Step® Middle School, is a great resource for middle school families. It provides expert advice and practical tools for dealing with real parent-teen issues.

Picture Day at the middle school will be during the school day this Wednesday, September 9th! Students should have brought forms home last week. Please make sure the form has the correct name at the top. Additional forms are available in the office.

Fall testing continues this week with all students taking the Reading NWEA on Tuesday, September 8th and the Math NWEA on Thursday, September 10th. Students can check with their Homeroom teacher to see where their testing location will be. We will operate on our testing schedule for NWEA days.

It is very important that students do their best on these assessments. We use the data from these assessments to ensure that each student is receiving the interventions and supports that they need!

Check out the resources linked below for more information about the assessments students will take this year.

Current 8th graders have the opportunity to go on an East Coast Trip in 2027! This is not a school-sponsored event, but Mr. Boyle is supervising and can answer any questions. You can reach him by email at sboyle@chsd.us. If you are interested in your 8th grader participating, please plan on attending the informational meeting on September 24th at 5:30 PM in Mr. Boyle's classroom.

The middle school doors open to students at 7:30 AM, and students should go down to the cafeteria if they arrive before 7:50 AM. Students who are dropped off in the car loop may use the Central Office entrance and then head down to the cafeteria from there. If they need to talk to someone in the office, or if parents/guardians need to come into the building, they should use the Middle School's main entrance. Remember, breakfast is free and encouraged for all students!

Our day ends at 3:00 PM. When students are dismissed from class, it is important that they grab their belongings and head out to their pick up location quickly. Our buses are on a tight schedule so they can get to the elementary buildings on time. For students who get picked up in our car loop, it is expected that they are picked up by 3:15 PM. Also, students who are picked up in our car loop should remain on the sidewalk in front of the building to wait for their ride. Students should NOT walk away from the building down toward Arthur Rd or M-66.

Please remember that students get in free to any athletic events at Chippewa Hills! However, middle school and elementary students must be accompanied by an adult. Additionally, students should not plan to stay after school for evening events as there is no supervision for them.

MS Cross Country

Tuesday, September 8th - HOME - 4:30 PM Start Time

Saturday, September 12th - Away at Sparta Invite - 12:30 PM Start Time

Mrs. Recker - Secretary

"She's just amazing! She has a lot to organize but seems to always do it flawlessly! She always has a smile on her face when I come in!"

The Middle School has a Parent Club! Please go to their Facebook Page (linked below) and click "follow" to stay up-to-date on what they have going on and ways to volunteer!

Chippewa Hills is once again proud to offer FREE breakfast and lunch to ALL students for the 2026-2027 school year!

Note: Milk without a meal, a la carte items, and second meals will still need to be purchased.

The August breakfast and lunch calendars are attached below.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is excited to announce a premier youth scholarship competition for the 2026-2027 school year. The contest's powerful patriotic theme is chosen by our Commander-in-Chief: "What A Veteran Taught Me About America"

This program gives middle school students a unique opportunity to express their views on democracy and patriotism through a written essay.

• The Prize: The national first-place winner receives a $5,000 award, with a total of $55,000 in national awards distributed to state winners. Prizes are also awarded at the local Post and District levels.

• The Format: A typed, anonymous essay in English, exactly 300–400 words in length. No graphics, color, or poetry are allowed.

• Submission: Students must submit their typed essay along with the signed Official Student Entry Form (linked below)

Friday, September 18th - 7th/8th Grade Activity Afternoon from 3:00-5:00

Thursday, September 24th - 8th Grade East Coast Trip Informational Meeting - 5:30 PM - Mr. Boyle's Room

Friday, September 25th - Early Release Day

Monday, September 28th - No School for Students - Staff PD Day