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Family Weekly Update

November 3, 2023

Family Weekly Update November 3, 2023
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Collins Community

We had an odd week with the long Halloween weekend. It can be challenging for students to get back into the groove after a long weekend. However students did a great job bouncing back and diving into the academic workload. We will face the same adversity next with another three day week. We have three weeks until the end of trimester I. The trimester will officially close on November 17th. We want to see all of our students finish the trimester strong. Please reach out to your student's teachers through ParentSquare with questions abut homework and classwork.


We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. It is well deserved!

Week Ahead

Monday - Day 3

Tuesday - No School - Voting Day

Wednesday - Day 4

Thursday - Day 1

Friday - No School - Veteran's Day Observance

CMS Instructional Priorities CMS Instructional Priorities

Instructional Focus

This year at Collins Middle School we are anchoring our instruction with three instructional strategies we want to incorporate into every lesson. This structure is a shift in pedagogy from years past that we feel will best support and meet the needs of all students. Here are the priorities:


  • Implement well-planned small group and collaborative work for students to engage in differentiated tasks.
  • Provides specific feedback to students so that they can improve, develop, and revise verbal and written work in class.
  • Independently access available classroom resources and strategic scaffolds (manipulatives, technology, notes, visuals, sentence frames, etc.)


Each week we hope to share some of these priorities with you all as we build our student's intellective capacity.

Workshop Model Workshop Model

Teacher Table in ELA

Here in is this photo Ms. Feronti is meeting with a small group of students at the teacher table. They are working on Text Dependent Questions. Students meet with the teacher and are provided instruction based on their individual skills. Teachers use data and student to inform their small groups.

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Targeted Instruction in Social Studies

This is a Tier 1 instructional structure that provides differentiated levels of skills for students. There is a always a connection from the Focus Lesson of the Day to the work here.

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Independent/ Collaborative Work

When students are not at teacher table they are working on tasks that are aligned to the Focus Lesson. This another opportunity time we put the cognitive lift on students with rigorous tasks. We want all students to engage in the "productive struggle."

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Check for Understanding

Teachers take "laps" around the room between groups to check in with groups and their understanding of the skill/concept. This is critical to ensure students can move beyond the struggle and engage in the content. Teachers also provide real-time feedback in both the small groups and independent time.

Social Justice Standards Social Justice Standards

This Week's Theme

I know about my family history and culture and how I am connected to the collective history and culture of other people in my identity groups.


Students from across the grade levels participated in discussions in CREW about their own identities. Some students also modeled this on the morning announcements. This is the first standard of the school year as we initiate more acticities centered around social justice.

ALICE Drill ALICE Drill

Reschedule

We will reschedule the ALICE Drill for November 29th.

Parent Teacher Organization Parent Teacher Organization

Thanksgiving Community Dinner

We are bringing back the Collins Family Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday Nov 16th from 6-8pm. All of the food will be cooked at the school the day of the event by staff members. The event is completely free for all to attend!!!


We are in need of donations of both food items and funds to cover the turkeys. Please see the link below to sign up! If anyone would like to contribute funds to cover the cost of the turkeys, you can send cash & checks to the main office, made out to Collins Middle School OR Venmo Angel Nelson at

@angel-nelson-19

Thank you!


tinyurl.com/collinsthanksgiving23

Next Meeting

Next Meeting: November 15th 6-7pm - Cafeteria of CMS

Last Chance to Vote - School Site Council

We will be selecting two members to the School Site Council. This process requires a vote for members to be selected. Please vote here. Last Chance to Vote!


The School Site Council is a team that meets monthly to progress monitor the school improvement plan as well as discuss the policy and procedure of the Collins Middle School.

English Learners Parent Advisory Council

Who are we?


We are ELPAC!

We are parents or guardians of children who are learning English (ESL), or learning two languages (Dual Language)

We also advise the school district and the School Committee about issues related to children who are learning English.


All families of English Learners are welcome! We meet 5 times a year. If you are interested in joining us, we would love to have you!


2023-24 Meeting Schedule:



Wednesday, Nov. 15: Multi-Language Learner Family Night at Saltonstall School (6-7:30 p.m.)

Tuesday, Dec. 12: ELPAC Meeting via Zoom (6-7:30 p.m.)

Thursday, Feb. 8: ELPAC Meeting via Zoom (6-7:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, Mar. 27: Multi-Language Learner Family Night at Saltonstall School (6-7:30 p.m.)

Thursday, Apr. 4: ELPAC Meeting via Zoom (6-7:30 p.m.)

June 2024/Date TBA: ELPAC Meeting at Horace Mann Field (6-7:30 p.m.)

8th Grade NYC Trip 8th Grade NYC Trip

Information

8th grade families!


Online payments for the 8th Grade NY Trip are now live!


https://fourwinds.secure.force.com/TripRegistration/ - Our unique code is collins24

NY Trip Online Payment Registration (English)

NY Trip Online Payment Registration (Portuguese)


​If you have any questions while navigating this process, please feel free to reach out to Malcolm Pimentel, mpimentel@salemk12.org and Ben Chertok bchertok@salemk12.org

Drama Club Drama Club

Meeting

It's that time of the year where we make our BIG REVEAL for this year's Drama Club Production! We are excited to announce that our 2024 theatrical production is Disney's Descendants!


Orientation is mandatory for all students interested in participating as cast members, crew members, or pit orchestra members and will take place on Monday, November 6, 2023 at 6:30PM in the auditorium. Students must attend with an adult in order to receive the welcome packet with registration materials.


Email Ben Chertok bchertok@salemk12.org with questions.

School Improvement Plan School Improvement Plan

Copy of 2024 draft SIP: CMS

Copy of 2024 draft SIP: CMS

Salem Public Schools School Improvement Plan 2023-24 Collins Middle School Salem Public Schools - School Improvement Plan Context Provide a brief description of the school demographics and any unique programs or characteristics (e.g. ELT, Dual Language, etc.). Collin...

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