News from the Middle

Asst. Principal: Anthony Forfia EMAIL

Secretary: Diana Norris EMAIL

Nurse: Jen Trittschuh, RN EMAIL

MAIN OFFICE/ATTENDANCE: 440-285-4062

Website: www.chardonschools.org

Address: 424 North St.

Hilltopper Families:

It was a great first week(ish) of school! The kids seemed so excited and happy to see their friends again while making time to meet new friends. There are lots of things happening next week on campus: volleyball on Monday, Open House on Tuesday, Back 2 School Bash during the day on Friday, and so much more! We look forward to seeing as many people as we can during these events.

Have a great weekend.

Mrs. Sherwood & Mr. Forfia

Please note the following important dates:

August 25th: School Picture Day ALL STUDENTS

August 25th: Open House 5:30-6:45PM

August 28th: PTO Back 2 School Bash (during the school day)

September 1st: Reading MAP

September 2nd: Math MAP

September 4th: No School/Students

September 7th: No School/Labor Day

4TH GRADE PARENTS ONLY

To ensure our youngest Toppers get where they need to go at dismissal, please complete this google form to inform your child's homeroom teacher what each day's plans are. If you have complicated plans, please call the office.

We have many students whose dismissal plans have not been shared with the homeroom teachers. Please take a few minutes to complete this quick Google form.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

Information regarding bus routes and schedules will be available the week of August 3rd through the BusRight app. Please refresh your app if you do not see routes by Friday August 7th. Continue to monitor the app regularly as schedules may be modified or updated. For more information on how to access the BusRight app, click HERE.

Questions and other requests can be submitted to the transportation department HERE .

School picture day is coming! Set out your child's favorite outfit and have them come prepared to smile big on Tuesday, August 25th. See the link below for online ordering from Pastor Photography. Retakes are scheduled for October 21st.

2026-27 MEAL PRICES:

Breakfast

$2.00-$2.50 - PreK-12 Student

$2.90 - Staff/Guests

Lunch

$3.50 - Elementary School Student

$3.75-$4.00 - Middle/High School Student

$4.85 - Teachers/Guests

Ala Carte Items

Offered every day

Prices range from $.50-$1.50

Additionally, your student may qualify for free meals or reduced-price meals. You can learn more about income eligibility guidelines at the following link: School Meal Application

This application must be submitted for each student seeking income-based assistance and it must be submitted each school year. Income-based free and reduced benefits expire on Oct. 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted prior to Oct. 1 to ensure uninterrupted coverage.

For more information, please review the Chardon Food Service webpage.

The CMS office requires a signed letter from your child's advisor verifying their participation in the Geauga County Fair.

Please note that the only day excused is Thursday, September 3.

Thank you for your assistance.

Occasionally your child will forget something at home. They are welcome to call home from either the classroom phone or the office phone (NO CELL PHONE). If you are able to bring it we ask that you leave it in the vestibule with a note with the child’s FIRST and LAST NAME (We provide pen/paper). We will make our best effort to get it to your student as soon as possible.

If you are dropping off your child’s lunch please note their lunch times below. Lunch time is very hectic which makes it difficult to locate them, please try to drop off at least an hour before scheduled lunch times.

If your child calls you or is expecting it, it is their responsibility to come to the office to pick it up.

LUNCH TIMES:

10:20-10:45 6A

10:45-11:10 6B

11:12-11:35 5th

11:37-12:00 4th

12:08-12:38 7th

We will have two shifts available for volunteers, 9:30-12:15 and 11:45-2:00. ( 4th & 7th grade will be out during the first shift, 6th & 5th will be out during the second shift)

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook! CMS Hilltoppers PTO

Book fair volunteers needed! The fall book fair is scheduled for October 6th, 7th (parent teacher conferences), and 8th. Anyone interested in volunteering for this should contact Amanda Moore at 440-321-5692. (Text preferred)

Students in grades 4-7 will participate in the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth assessment two to three times this year, with the fall administration approaching during the window of August 1st and 2nd. MAP Growth provides educators with valuable data to understand instructional needs and tailor learning to student strengths.

MAP Growth also serves as a whole-grade screening tool for gifted identification in Reading and Mathematics for students in grades 2–10. Students who score at or above the 95th percentile nationally in Reading or Math qualify for gifted identification under Ohio Department of Education and Workforce guidelines. Parents of students who meet the criteria for gifted identification will receive written notification via email within 30 days of the district receiving test results.

Chardon Middle School received a generous donation from the Geauga Court of Common Pleas dropped off by Magistrate Kevin Starrett today. It contained fully packed backpacks with school supplies and donations of disinfecting supplies for the classroom teachers. Our students and staff are so lucky to be a part of this community! Thank you!

Welcome to the 26-27 school year.

Please note we have no illness policy, but we do have guidelines. Please familiarize yourself with them. Allow good nutrition, sleep and hydration.

Since our clinic here is so busy, I will try my best to call you if your child comes in. I typically call for fever, vomiting, injuries, and cardiac/ breathing issues. There is not a lot of time to call for small abrasions and such. I will do my best.

As far as the measles being in Geauga county, I do have a list of children who are not vaccinated. I will watch and contact trace if needed. Please note if your child is not fully vaccinated and they are exposed, your child will have to sit out for 21 days.

Any medication (over the counter or prescribed) has a form to be filled out before I can give it at school. We no longer keep a stock of over the counter meds. So we have no Neosporin, cough drops, sunscreen, Motrin or Tylenol. If your child will need those at school, you will need to fill out an OTC form and bring the medication to me (the child is not allowed to transport). I will place the medication in a bag for your child to use when they come to me.

Prescribed medication form for any medication I will need to give such as ADHD med, antibiotic, anxiety med, or even inhaler, etc. is also on the website.

Vision testing will be started soon; I test all new to school kids, 5th and 7th grade. If you do not want your child tested please call me or email me. ( 440-286-0457)

If you ever have a concern or question please feel free to call me

Jennifer Trittschuh RN BSN LSN

Attendance Line 440-285-4062 (before 9:00 am):

• Sick/Not Feeling well

• Dentist/Doctor Appointment

• Early Dismissal (please give us at least 2 hours notice)

• Other

Report absences:

• Please leave a message on the attendance line (before 9:00) or speak to one of the secretaries.

• Notes - student should bring to the office

• Please do not leave a message on a secretary's personal voicemail (she may be absent).

• If you inform the teacher please also contact the school office.

Change in Dismissal:

• If you need to change how your child is getting home, please call the office as soon as you know so we can get the message to your child.

Tardy - students must be in their classroom by 7:35 am or they will be considered tardy.

When a student receives 3 tardies, they will be issued an after school detention.

After school detentions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 3:30.

Please click the banner below to review the updated and recently Board of Education-approved Chardon Middle School Addendum to the CLSD Parent-Student Handbook. This handbook is published annually to help ensure a safe and productive learning environment for students, staff, parents, and visitors. It outlines students' rights, responsibilities, and the consequences for misbehavior. Included in the district handbook is an addendum specific to Chardon High School. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact the school administration.

A reminder that students will be prohibited from using cell phones or other devices during the instructional day. This policy prohibits the use of these devices by students during any period of time in which a student is expected to be in attendance. This applies to formal instruction time as well as other supervised activities such as recess, meal periods, field trips and the transition between classes.

Students may not have their phones on them at any point in the school day.

This policy is in alignment with state law and Ohio Department of Workforce and Education guidelines prohibiting the use of such devices by students during the instructional day.