Hello CRMS Families,

Can you believe it? It's almost time to come back to school, but not quite yet.

The summer staff at CRMS which consists of Dr. Holloway (Principal), Mr. Lambert (Assistant Principal), Mrs. Plutschak (Administrative Secretary), Mrs. Towers (Enrollment Secretary), and our custodial staff (Mr. Starkey, Ms. Robin Blount, and Mr. Dontay) are working on all the things that need to happen before we open up the building for school.

This newsletter is a simple introduction of items for you to consider with your family as you prepare for back to school. Of course, if you have any further questions beyond this newsletter, please feel free to contact us at the school. We are available to answer your questions.

Take Care. Be Well.

#BeAPowerPlayer

August 28th--Schools open for Teacher Return

September 4th--Schools Closed for Labor Day

September 5th--First Day of School

September 15th--Half Day/Teacher Professional Development (PD)

September 29th--No School (PD)

6th grade parents. If you have not sent in a proof of residency for their child to attend Colonel Richardson Middle School, your child will not receive a schedule at Back to School night, nor will they be allowed to attend school for the 2022-2023 school year.

Proof of residency can be ONE of the following: electric bill, gas bill, rental/lease agreement or proof of home ownership. Document must be in the parent/guardians name. If you do not have one of the above proof of residency listed please contact Mrs. Towers at 410-479-1462.

If your child is entering 7th grade, they will need proof of receiving the Tdap and meningitis vaccine. They can not start the first day with out it.

If your child is going to need any medication throughout the school year, to include: Motrin (Ibuprofen), Tylenol (Acetaminophen), cough drops, Benadryl, Epi pen, inhaler, daily meds etc, they will need a state medication form filled out by their doctor. No meds can be given without an order. Please call your doctor and have them send us the forms now. CRMS fax is 410-754-5695.

Please send a water bottle with your child that can be refilled throughout the day.

For girls, it is always a great idea to have a spare set of clothing in their locker, in the event they have a menstrual accident.

Families...It's that time.

Tax Free Shopping week in Maryland is August 13th-19th, 2023!

If your students are anything like the ones I live with...Then they've already begun to share their shopping lists with you. My first question is always, "Are you allowed to wear that at school?" Sometimes my children revise their lists, and at other times, I'm surprised by what IS and IS NOT allowed to be worn at school.

We would love to help you out with these discussions with your student. Included is the CCPS dress code policy. Our goal is to have school be a safe place, yet a comfortable space for students AND staff. We are also responsible for helping students think about their futures, which we hope will include professional endeavors as they become older. So, we encourage students to dress appropriately and aligned with our policy each day.

The beginning of the school year is usually pretty warm, so shorts and tops can become an area of concern. The code says, "Male and female students shall not wear clothing that is unduly revealing including but not limited to halter or other tops such as tank, tube, see-through, or tops which leave the midriff bare, spaghetti straps, or clothes leaving undergarments visible. Sleeveless garments must fit closely under the arms. The determination of whether shorts, skirts and dresses (including slits) are appropriate in length will be made by the administration."

Students will be asked to change and/or make a phone call home for something else to wear. We do not want students missing class time for their fashion choices; however, the policy is in place to keep the environment safe for ALL.

Students will have the CCPS laptop for all school-related electronic needs. Cell phones will not be utilized for classroom instructional activities and therefore, will not be needed during the school day. We will ask students to leave cellphones in their lockers during the school day where they can be locked up and secured when there is a constant issue with cellphone use when and where use is prohibited (i.e. restrooms, classrooms, hallways). The school also has "equipment lockers" where teachers and administrators can keep phones when students do not adhere to the policy. The school does not look for lost or stolen personal electronic devices.

If students need to contact home, the school office phone is available. We know that students occasionally forget an item or have to check about transportation arrangements.

As you may have heard, marijuana (referred to as cannabis in legislation) possession and use became legal on July 1, 2023 for adults 21 and older, with certain limits and restrictions.

However, nothing has changed for our students in Caroline County Public Schools. Students are still not allowed to use or have cannabis in schools, and there is no plan to change disciplinary practices.

• The CCPS Student Code of Conduct (policy and regulation) states that if a student is found under the influence of drugs or controlled substances, a teacher or administrator will intervene and respond to the situation. Related service providers, such as social workers, psychologists and counselors, are also informed.

• If a student is using or possessing drugs or controlled substances at school, discipline can include anything from intervention by an administrator to suspension to expulsion. School police and related service providers are notified of the situation.

• Those distributing or selling drugs at school can be suspended long-term or expelled. School police and related service providers would be alerted.

Regarding cannabis education in school, the subject is already a part of Maryland’s Comprehensive Health Education Framework and is addressed at multiple grade levels, and lessons vary depending on students’ ages.

CRMS schedules become available to families during Back to School Night (August 31st). They MAY be available sooner in Powerschool, but generally, the issues with scheduling are worked out by our BTS night when families can pick up a hard copy of their student's/s schedule.

The process of creating student schedules can be a very tedious one. There are several factors that go into creating individual schedules for students, which includes, considering their ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) requirements for fine arts, PE, Health, and foreign language. Students also have to complete a semester of Computer Science. Add to that, there are some students who may need scheduled academic interventions, Gifted and Talented courses, and high school credit-bearing courses.

So, please be patient. Your student will get their schedule. Basic school supplies listed in this newsletter will suffice. You will have time to address any changes to a schedule for your child after they receive their syllabus on the 1st day of school.

CCPS is committed to providing a safe, respectful, nurturing educational environment where the worth and dignity of individuals are valued and their safety and rights are protected. Behaviors that compromise this environment, interfere with school operations or are otherwise contrary to the basic mission of our public schools will not be tolerated. Bullying, hazing, harassment or other discrimination affecting a student or a staff member should be reported by a victim, parent/guardian, witness, staff member or other person having knowledge.

Staff members with knowledge of such conduct are required to promptly report it to the building principal.

Caroline County Public Schools prohibits discrimination in its educational programs, and in employment, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or disability.

Dr. Yolanda Holloway, Principal

Mr. Eric (Neil) Lambert, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Jennifer Blunt, School Counselor

Mr. Jarrod Moaney, School Counselor

Mrs. Jane Towers, Enrollment & Attendance Secretary

Mrs. Heidi Plutschak, Administrative Secretary

Email: holloway.yolanda@ccpsstaff.org
Website: https://www.colonelrichardsonms.org/
Phone: 410-479-1462
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Colonel-Richardson-Middle-School-329879580517088