The Eagle Express #1

August 27, 2026

A MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL UNVERSAW

Dear CMS Families,

As we approach the end of our third week, students and staff have settled into the rhythm of a new school year. I’ve enjoyed meeting many of our students through visits to classrooms, casual conversations in the cafeteria and quick chats in the hallways. Students completed the iReady diagnostic assessments this week. Teachers will use data from these assessments to inform instructional practices. Be on the lookout for iReady reports to come home in early September so you can support your student(s) at home.

Traffic is flowing smoothly and efficiently through the car lines in the morning and the afternoon. There is traffic backed up onto Old Lexington Highway for about 8-10 minutes during each car line, and I realize this is frustrating and potentially unsafe. We’ve taken advantage of the full length of stacking (queuing) on school grounds to get cars off of the road and onto our property. In the mornings, there is no waiting in the car line as of 7:50 am, so please consider adjusting your drop off time by a few minutes if your schedule allows.

We appreciate your support in ensuring students are in compliance with dress code while at school. CMS follows the district dress code policy (JICA-R). A gentle reminder that the following items currently popular with teens and tweens do not meet the district dress code: pajamas, bedroom slippers, crop tops, open-backed tops, biker shorts. Be mindful of the fit of bottoms in regard to the length of shorts and low rise of waist line of pants/shorts (no sagging).

Thank you for your support of Chapin Middle School. Go Eagles!

Kind Regards,

Anna Unversaw

Principal

8TH GRADE CHROMEBOOK SWAP DAY- 9/2

DID YOU KNOW?

DRESS CODE REMINDER

Chapin Middle School dress code follows Board Policy AR-JICA-R. If a student does not meet expectations for dress code, a parent or guardian will be contacted to bring additional clothing for the student to wear. The student will remain in ISS until appropriate dress is provided. We appreciate your support and partnership in purchasing clothing that meets District Five dress code expectations.

Clothing and/or hair should not be so extreme or inappropriate to the school as to disrupt the educational process. Therefore, clothing deemed distracting, revealing, overly suggestive or otherwise disruptive will not be permitted. This includes bare midriffs, halter/tank tops, see through shirts, tops or blouses and bike shorts.
No vulgar, obscene or otherwise inappropriate symbols, language or wording will be permitted on clothing or accessories.
Clothing or accessories (i.e. bookbags, jewelry, hats, etc.) that display alcohol, tobacco or other drug symbols are not permitted.
Gang attire, gang colors or gang symbols are also not permitted to be worn or displayed on accessories.
Hats, head stockings or kerchiefs may only be worn during the school day for special occasions when approved by the principal.
Proper shoes must be worn at all times. (Bedroom shoes are not considered proper or safe.)
Special dress or costume may be worn during the school day for special occasions when approved by the principal.
Pants must be worn at the natural waistline and undergarments are not to be visible.

Shirts with open backs and bare midriffs are in violation of dress code. Shirts should cover the top of pants, even when arms are raised. Additionally, shirts should not be so long that it appears the student does not have on appropriate bottoms/pants.

Because of potential distractions to the learning environment, CMS students are to leave the following items at home: flags, spirit paint, pillows/blankets, stuffed animals, bedroom shoes, full-face masks or makeup, inflatable costumes, perfume/cologne and/or costume props. Items that are disruptive to the goal of a focused learning environment will be confiscated from students and available for pick up in the Main Office at the end of the day.

COLLEGE COLORS DAY

On Friday, September 4, 2026, we invite all students, teachers, and staff to participate in College Colors Day! Show your college pride by wearing the colors, shirts, jerseys, or other gear representing your favorite college or university.

Whether you’re cheering for your dream school, a family favorite, or simply love the colors, let’s fill our school with college pride!

Parents, we encourage you to join in the fun by helping your student choose their favorite college gear to wear for the day.

Let’s see which colleges and universities are represented throughout our school community!

Go Eagles!

GIRLS C-TEAM BASKETBALL

VISION SCREENINGS 9/22

On September 22nd CMS will be hosting Vision screenings for our 7th grade students as well as new to D5 students in 6th and 8th grade. A team of Registered Nurses from our school district will be here to run the screening for us on that day.

Please ensure that if your student wears glasses, that they have them with them on this day. Also, if you would like to opt your student out of one or both tests, please email Nurse Tracey Abercrombie (Tabercro@lexrich5.org) and the teacher together in the same email and they will ensure that your student does not test.

PARENT-SCHOOL TRAINING FOR FAMILIES OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

CMS YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE

CMS BELL SCHEDULE

LUNCH/RECESS SCHEDULES

CMS UPCOMING EVENTS

TUESDAY, 9/1

Think, Move, Chess 3:15-4:15

Room A112

FRIDAY, 9/4

College Colors Day

MONDAY, 9/7

Labor Day Holiday

Schools and Offices CLOSED

TUESDAY, 9/8

Think, Move, Chess 3:15-4:15 PM

Room A112

WEDNESDAY, 9/9

RUN HARD Registration closes

CMS PTO CORNER

PTO Website

RESERVE THE CMS SPIRIT BOAT

PURCHASE YOUR CMS MERCH TODAY!

PTO WANTS TO PARTNER WITH YOU!

THANK YOU TO OUR CMS PTO SPONSORS

Tanner & Co Interior Design

Helen Pridmore

David Strawhorn

Stacey Yudice

The Coffee Shelf

Concordia Music Academy

Victoria Ares

Total Mortgage of Chapin

William DiMaggio with The Hood Team

Denise Harper

eXp Realty

Lake Murray Home Team

Facebook: Denise Harper

Instagram: @cdeniseharper

AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Crooked Creek’s “Afternoon Safari” Program

The Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) has expanded its Afternoon Safari program to middle school ages. Their daily afterschool program includes a snack, supervised homework time, and a variety of age-appropriate recreational and organized physical activities. For more information, please visit https://www.icrc.net/programs-and-activities/safari-after-schoolfull-day-programs.