ZCMS Principal ENG 08/13/26
Welcome!
Dear ZCMS Families,
Welcome to another exciting school year at Zion Central Middle School! I hope you and your family have enjoyed a wonderful summer filled with opportunities to relax, recharge, and make lasting memories. As we prepare to welcome our students back, our staff is eager to begin another year of learning, growth, and achievement all in the effort to help our students grow. We are looking forward to also welcoming families and students who previously attended Shiloh Park Middle School. The unification of our Zion middle school community provides us with the unique opportunity to grow together and take collective pride in the future of Zion.
Before looking ahead, I want to celebrate what our students, staff, and families accomplished together last year. Thanks to your partnership, ZCMS experienced significant academic growth, improved student attendance, improved extracurricular participation, and a decrease in student discipline incidents. These achievements are something we can all be proud of. They reflect the hard work and commitment of our entire school community, reminding us of the importance of a positive school culture.
While we celebrate these successes, we know our work is never finished. This year, we remain committed to building on that momentum by maintaining a school where every student feels safe, respected, supported, and challenged to succeed. A positive school culture is the foundation for strong learning. We will continue to focus on fostering our core values of: accountability, belonging, collaboration, equity, innovation, integrity, and respect in every aspect of daily life at ZCMS by maintaining high expectations. Thank you for doing your part in contributing to these core values at Central.
Our Commitment
At ZCMS, we believe every student deserves a school where they feel welcomed, valued, and connected. This year we will continue emphasizing:
High expectations for learning and behavior.
Safe, respectful classrooms where everyone belongs.
Strong relationships between students, staff, and families.
Regular attendance and punctuality.
Personal responsibility, accountability, integrity, and kindness.
Families are an essential part of our success. By encouraging regular attendance, maintaining communication with teachers, and reinforcing positive expectations at home, you help create the conditions for every student to thrive.
With that being said, I would like to share some helpful information with you to make the start of the year transition easier.
First Day of School: August 19th, 2026
School Hours: 7:55 – 2:35
Students should arrive a few minutes before the first bell (7:55) if possible to ensure they are ready to begin learning on time. If they take the bus, we expect they will arrive a few minutes early as well. We will hold students in the gym to distribute schedules and their welcome gift.
Day One Entry: Students should enter through door 14 by the gym.
Daily Entry (starting 8/20): 7th grade students will enter through door 14 with 8th grade students entering through door 8.
Student Handbook
Please review the student handbook above (click button), which outlines student expectations to ensure a safe environment for learning.
Student Schedules
Schedules will soon be available on PowerSchool. We encourage you and your student(s) to review their schedules before the first day of school to ensure a smooth entry.
Open House
Please join us for our Open House on August 25th from 4:30-6:30. This is an excellent opportunity to meet teachers, gather information, walk student schedules, and become familiar with our building.
Transportation
Bus route information is available through PowerSchool and can be provided to students at the school. During the first week, buses may run slightly behind schedule as routes become established. Feel free to call our office with any questions. Students should be picked-up and dropped-off along 27th st as buses line up on Bethel.
Stay Connected
Please make sure your contact information is current so you receive important school announcements, emergency notifications, and event reminders throughout the year. We encourage families to regularly check district communications and the ZCMS website for updates.
Looking Ahead
Whether your child is entering middle school for the first time or returning for another year, we are excited to welcome them. We believe this school year will be filled with opportunities for students to grow academically, develop meaningful relationships, discover new interests, and prepare for future success. Personally, I strive to do all I can to ensure your child feels they belong at ZCMS.
Thank you for your continued partnership and trust in our school. Together, we will continue building on last year’s success while maintaining the integrity of our positive, safe, and supportive school culture.
We look forward to seeing everyone on the first day of school!
Warm regards,
Christopher Johnson
Principal, ZCMS
Important Dates
August 19 - First Day of School
August 25 - Open House (4:30-6:30)
September 7 - No School (Labor Day)
September 9 - Student Early Release (7:55-11:30)
October 2 - Last day of Quarter 1
Contact Administration
Christopher Johnson, Principal
CJohnson3@zion6.org
Tommy Anderson, Assistant Principal