The CMS Scoop
The Best Middle School in the Universe!
Volume 21, Number 9 - November 9, 2026
Hello CMS Families!
Dear Chapa Middle School Families,
We have just five weeks remaining until the end of the semester! As we approach the end of the semester, it is important that students stay focused on their academics and finish strong. All students in RLA and Math will soon take their second Curriculum-Based Assessment (CBA). We encourage parents to regularly check their child's grades and remind students to attend after-school Academic Coaching if they are struggling or need to get caught up. Academic Coaching is a great opportunity for students to receive additional support and improve their understanding of the content.
Beginning Monday, November 9th, we will reset all student behavior referrals and tardies, giving everyone a fresh start! However, students who receive a discipline referral or owe money for five or more replacement IDs after the reset will not be eligible to participate in our final Cougar Time celebration on Thursday, December 17th.
At this point in the school year, students are familiar with our campus expectations, and we expect them to make responsible choices each day. Students who do not meet these expectations will receive appropriate consequences. Our three guiding expectations remain the same: Respect People, Respect Property, and Respect Learning. We appreciate your continued partnership in reinforcing these expectations at home. Together, we can help our Cougars make positive choices and finish the semester successfully!
Finally, we have three exciting events planned before Thanksgiving Break! We hope you will join us for one or all of them. We always enjoy seeing our Cougar families and appreciate your continued support of Chapa Middle School!
Please continue to review all information regarding upcoming events, campus activities, and important reminders. We truly appreciate your partnership and support of Chapa Middle School.
If you need to meet with me, please contact my secretary, Cynthia Rangel, to schedule an appointment.
Thank you for helping us support our students and ensure they have a successful school year. Let's finish the semester strong, Cougars! 💙💚 #VAMOS
Dr. Lisa I. Walls, Principal
Chapa Middle School
#goalsgrindgrowth
#crosstheline
#handlehardbetter
Code Word: #vamos
We are Chapa Middle School! We are Cougar Pride!
Upcoming Event Flyers
General Information
Athletic Events
Students are able to attend CMS athletic events at no charge; however, students who are not passing their classes will not be permitted to attend football or volleyball games. An administrator will be on duty and will verify student grades through Student Self-Serve. Students attending games are also expected to remain seated and watch the event. Students who are repeatedly walking around or not following expectations may be asked to leave.
Minga
Please review the additional information provided regarding Minga. We strongly encourage parents to download the app and log in using their child’s information. Minga provides valuable information regarding student behavior, consequences, hall passes, and other campus information. This is another helpful way for families to stay informed and connected.
Attendance
If your child is absent due to illness, please send all attendance documentation to mary.nunez@hayscisd.net. For attendance questions or concerns, you may also contact Ms. Nunez at 512-268-8500, ext. 4783.
Late Bus, Academic Coaching, and Clubs
We have officially started our late bus service, academic coaching, and after-school clubs.
Late bus transportation will be available Monday through Wednesday for students who are eligible for bus transportation. Students will remain on campus after school and will be transported to designated neighborhood “hubs” for drop-off. Please review the information below for specific hub locations and stops.
Free Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Sack Meals
We continue to encourage our students to take advantage of the meals available to them at school. Students have the opportunity to receive breakfast, lunch, and a dinner sack meal each school day.
We often remind students how expensive groceries can be and that taking advantage of these meals can help families while also making sure students have food available later in the day. Please encourage your child to eat breakfast and lunch at school and take home a dinner sack meal.
Immediately after the dismissal bell, students will follow our regular dismissal procedures and may pick up a dinner sack meal before leaving campus. Students must have their student ID available to scan, just as they do during lunch.
Students participating in academic coaching, tutoring, or clubs will be dismissed last and will pick up their dinner sack meal before reporting to their after-school activity.
We are excited to provide this additional support for our students and families.
Hays CISD Campuses Closed to Meal Delivery Services - As part of enhanced safety at campuses, all Hays CISD campuses do not accept deliveries from meal delivery services or restaurants for student lunches. Parents may still bring outside food for their children if they plan to deliver the meals directly to their children during the child’s designated lunch period. All guests are required to follow existing safety protocols and check in with an ID at the front office. We will make sure that you know when your child’s lunch is so that if you do come to campus, you come during lunchtime.
Academic Coaching
Academic coaching will begin on Tuesday, September 15th. Teachers will only be available one day after school. Because of the budget cuts our campus is paying for the after school bus and we only have enough funds for the bus to run Monday - Wednesday. Below is a list of teachers and the days they stay late. Students can stay and receive extra help, receive a brown bag dinner and catch the bus at 5:15 p.m. as long as they are bus eligible. We encourage all students to stay to keep up with their work and ensure they are mastering content. This is the academic coaching schedule until the end of basketball season.
Volunteer Opportunities
Academic UIL
8th Grade Dance Information
Attendance Matters!
Other Important Information
Upcoming Events - Family Recipe for Success 2026-2027
Chapa Middle School aims to engage with our community year-round by giving back to organizations, not just at certain times. Our Family Nights will remain free, but we will ask for a cash or non-perishable donation to support the Armando Chapa Memorial Scholarship. Thank you in advance for supporting our community and showing our students the many ways our school can give back.
Fall Family Fun Time - Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The whole family is invited for an evening of fun activities, holiday crafts, and information for parents about online programs, tutorials, and ways to get involved at CMS! We will give away turkeys and hams for door prizes, so enjoy the fun! Healthy snacks will be provided. We will also discuss Title I information. Cash donation/non-perishable item donation
Thanksgiving Lunch - Friday, November 20, 2026. CMS students and their families can purchase a special Thanksgiving meal. We will serve turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings. We will reserve a special area on stage for you to eat together. If you wish to puchase a lunch, it will is a cash only purchase.
Cross Walk Locations
Hays CISD will have trained crossing guards at the location indicated in yellow. The area will be staffed during these hours:
- 6:45 a.m. - 8:10 a.m. and 3:10 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Please have your student cross only during these times to ensure their safety. Our goal is to staff this area to coincide with the school zone signage. These times coincide with the bell schedules of Chapa Middle School and Science Hall Elementary to provide adequate coverage. We need all students to cross with our crossing guard.
In the morning, please do NOT park along the curb as this is just to drop off your child. In order to keep traffic flowing, please use the curb side to drop off and leave. Please also move forward so that as many cars can get in line as possible.
Car Drop Off in the Morning
Minga
We also want to introduce the new software that we are using this year to manage some things here at Chapa and to communicate to parents. This new program is called Minga. Please click on the attached link to get an introduction to Minga. Minga Family Guide Introduction This year, we will only be using Minga for Hall Passes, Tardies, Consequences/Progressive Discipline for classroom and common areas, and point system for positive behavior. Minga will communicate to parents via email to report progressive discipline for their student. Minga is set up to allow 2 restroom passes a day, along with another general pass for the campus. Students also have the opportunity for restroom visits at lunch and between classes. That is a total of 8 opportunities, plus a 9th opportunity during lunch, for a restroom visit. Along with the restroom passes, Minga will also track progressive discipline and will automatically re-set consequences to zero after each Cougar Time, which is about 3 times a semester.
SMART Tag App
See the video below as well as directions for how to access SMART Tag.
Amazon Teacher Wish Lists
Please take a look at our teacher wish lists and purchase something to help them out.
We appreciate you!
CMS Webstore RevTrak
Click HERE to access RevTrak to make payments for a variety of items.
Technology Help Desk
Click HERE to access the Technology Help Desk.
SMART Tag
Hays CISD uses the Secured Mobility Authorized Ridership Technology (SMART) tag system for all students who ride the bus to and from school. Through a smart phone app, parents have instant and important information about their child's bus including a tracking feature and the option to set up notification alerts for things like bus delays. Click HERE on how to download the app.
Chapa Middle School
Email: lisa.walls@hayscisd.net
Website: www.hayscisd.net/
Location: 3311 Dacy Lane, Kyle, TX, United States
Phone: (512) 268-8500
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChapaMS/



