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CHMS Weekly Update

March 23rd - 27th, 2026

CHMS WeeklyUpdateMarch 23rd - 27th, 2026

Reminder! Reminder!

Friday, March 27th is an Early Release Day for students and staff. Students will be released at 12:00 PM. We will have a special schedule this day due to having our Ag Olympics Assembly in the morning!

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March Is Reading Month! March Is Reading Month!

March Madness Theme

Reading Madness is in full swing this month! All month long, students can look forward to engaging activities, friendly challenges, and plenty of book-inspired competition. Daily reading is one of the most powerful ways students build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, and expand their thinking across all subject areas. Students should plan to have a reading book with them in every class so they’re ready to participate. Let’s make it a winning month for reading!

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This Week!

Wednesday, March 25th - Wear Warm Weather Clothes!

*School dress code still applies

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Book Bracket

Students have been voting for their favorite books throughout the month, and our final matchup is between the Harry Potter and Dog Man series. Which series will become our Book Champion!?

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Events this Month

Check out the flyer below which lists dates for our events this month!

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Spring Testing! Spring Testing!

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Spring testing season is quickly approaching, and our students will be participating in several important assessments. All students will take the NWEA assessments in Math and Reading, along with the Acadience Reading assessment to provide a more detailed look at individual reading skills. Our 5th and 6th grade students will also take the Acadience Math assessment.


In addition, state testing will take place this spring. 5th grade students will take the MSTEP in Math, ELA, Social Studies, and Science. 6th and 7th graders will take the MSTEP in Math and ELA, while 8th graders will take the MSTEP in Social Studies and Science, along with the PSAT in Reading/Writing and Math.


These assessments provide valuable information to help us support each student’s growth and achievement. We encourage students to do their best, get plenty of rest, and come to school ready to focus. Thank you for your continued support!

Testing Dates

Wednesday, April 8th - 7th & 8th Grade Acadience (Gate 1) - normal schedule for all

Wednesday, April 15th - 8th Grade PSAT - altered schedule for 8th graders only

Monday, April 20th - 7th & 8th Grade Acadience (Gate 2) - normal schedule for all

Tuesday, April 21st - All Students, Reading NWEA - testing schedule

Wednesday, April 22nd - 6th Grade Acadience (ORF) - normal schedule for all

Thursday, April 23rd - All Students, Math NWEA - testing schedule

Monday, April 27th - 5th Grade Acadience (ORF) - normal schedule for all

Tuesday, April 28th - MSTEP - 6th & 7th Graders take Math, 5th & 8th Graders take SS - testing schedule

Thursday, April 30th - 5th Grade Math MSTEP - altered schedule for 5th graders only

Tuesday, May 5th - MSTEP - 6th & 7th Graders take ELA, 5th & 8th Graders take Science - testing schedule

Thursday, May 7th - 5th Grade ELA MSTEP - altered schedule for 5th graders only


*5th and 6th grade reading teachers give the Acadience Maze test in their classes between April 20th and May 1st

**5th and 6th grade math teachers give the Math Acadience between April 20th and May 1st

Fact Sheets

Check out the Fact Sheets linked below for more information about the tests and how they are structured.
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Acadience Reading7-8 Fact Sheet (1).pdf
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Acadience Reading K-6 Fact Sheet (1).pdf
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Acadience Math Fact Sheet (1).pdf
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Family Guide to NWEA Map Growth - Fact Sheet (1).pdf
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State Assessments Fact Sheet (MSTEP & PSAT).pdf
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What Parents Should Know About State Assessments.pdf
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What Parents Can Do to Help Students Prepare.pdf
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Links

The links below will take you to more information about each test.

M-STEP Summative

launch michigan.gov

The PSAT 8/9 – SAT Suite | College Board

Take the PSAT 8/9 to get early feedback on your knowledge in the areas that matter most for college and career readiness.

launch satsuite.collegeboard.org

Leading up to MAP Growth: 20 tips for families

As kids prepare for MAP Growth testing, teachers and families can work to help them succeed. These 20 tips will guide parent and guardians.

launch nwea.org

Acadience Reading Assessments | Acadience Learning

Acadience® Reading Assessments To help your students move forward, you first need to know where they’re at. Backed by years of rigorous research, our assessments allow you to identify where students are struggling and help them get back on track. Acadience measures are: Quick to administer Easy to score and record Designed for universal screening […]

launch acadiencelearning.org

Acadience Math | Acadience Learning

Acadience® Math Assessments provide universal screening detect when students need extra support sensitive to effects of intervention Acadience Math was designed with efficiency and dependability in mind. You can now track mathematics skills for students in grades K-6 as accurately and as easily as you track reading skills. Acadience Math Fact Sheet one-page product overview […]

launch acadiencelearning.org

5th Grade Instrument Fittings 5th Grade Instrument Fittings

Check out the info below regarding instrument fittings and rentals for our 5th graders who are interested in joining Band or Orchestra next year!

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Youth Choir Youth Choir

Scholarship Opportunity

Voca Lyrica is a treble choir that has been providing music entertainment to the Big Rapids community for 25 years! Evey year Voca Lyrica awards up to &1500.00 to a deserving student(s) in 6th-12th grade in Mecosta County. The funds are for the student to attend the summer vocal program at Blue Lake Fine Arts Center or for private voice lessons.


For more details or to apply please go to www.vocalyrica.org


The application deadline is 04/01/2026.

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CHMS Parent Club CHMS Parent Club

Chippewa Hills Middle School Parent Club

Chippewa Hills Middle School Parent Club. 331 likes. CHMS Parent Club will do all they can to bring positive and fun activities to our students.

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Check out some info from our CHMS Parent Club!

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Warrior Watch! Warrior Watch!

Check out the St. Patrick's Day edition of the Warrior Watch if you missed it last week. A new episode will be coming soon!

Warrior Watch St.Patrick's DayEpisode

Quiz Bowl Quiz Bowl

Our 7th and 8th grade Quiz Bowl teams wrapped up their seasons last week. The 8th graders went 12-1, and the 7th graders went 2-11 on the season.

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Second Step Second Step

What are we learning this week?

5th Grade - Unit 2: Emotion Management

Lesson 11 - Managing Anxiety

Why This Lesson Matters: Academic and social situations cause anxiety in many students. Students who cannot effectively manage anxiety have difficulty focusing and working in school and are at risk for emotional and behavioral problems. When students become overwhelmed by anxiety, their ability to handle stress deteriorates, rendering them even less effective at handling further challenges. Being able to manage anxiety effectively by using Ways to Calm Down, including positive self-talk, can help students achieve more personal, social, and school success.


6th Grade - Unit 4: Managing Relationships & Social Conflict

Lesson 20 - You're Changing

In this week’s lesson, your child will examine changes they’ve gone through and how those changes can affect their relationships.

Try this at home: Share how one of your friendships or relationships has changed over time. Ask your child to share how some of their friendships have changed since starting middle school.


7th Grade - Unit 4: Managing Relationships & Social Conflict

Lesson 20 - What Makes a Conflict Escalate?

In this week’s lesson, your child will examine common reasons social conflicts escalate from minor to major.

Try this at home: Discuss with your child a time in your life when you were involved in an escalating conflict. What do you wish you had done instead? Ask your child if they are part of a conflict right now that they need help with.


8th Grade - Unit 4: Managing Relationships & Social Conflict

Lesson 20 - My Values

In this week’s lesson, your child will explore their values and identify how behaviors that are important to them show them what they value.

Try this at home: Ask your child about some of the values they have identified and why. Share a few of your own values and how you live out those values in your day-to-day life.

Mecosta County Youth Academy Mecosta County Youth Academy

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Middle School Athletics Middle School Athletics

No events this week!

Staff Shout-Outs! Staff Shout-Outs!

WE NEED MORE SHOUT OUTS!

Let's show our Chippewa Hills Middle School Staff some appreciation! This form will be linked every week along with a couple shout-outs to recognize the amazing staff at CHMS!
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Some Recent Shout-Outs!

Mrs. Goodrich - 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher

"She is always nice and kind to her students."


Mrs. Meyer - Secretary

"She is the best!"

Breakfast and Lunch Breakfast and Lunch

Note: Milk without a meal, a la carte items, and second meals will still need to be purchased.


The March breakfast and lunch menus are attached below.

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March Breakfast Menu.pdf
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March Lunch Menu.pdf
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Coming Up! Coming Up!

Thursday, March 26th - 7th Grade Field Trip

Friday, March 27th - Early Release Day for Students and Staff

Monday, March 30th-Friday, April 3rd - SPRING BREAK!

Friday, April 24th - Early Release Day for Students, Afternoon PD for Staff

Monday, May 4th - Early Release Day for Students, Afternoon PD for Staff

Wednesday, May 13th - Spring Orchestra Concert - 7:00 PM in HS Auditorium

Thursday, May 14th - Spring Band Concert - 7:00 PM in MS Gym

Sunday, May 17th - HS Graduation

Wednesday, May 20th - 6th Grade Field Trip

Wednesday, May 20th - Mosaic School Graduation - 7:00 PM

Thursday, May 21st - Early Release Day for Students and Staff

Friday, May 22nd - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! Early Release Day for Students and Staff

Click Here for the School Website
Sarah Muscott
Principal at CHMS
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