CHMS Weekly Update

Our Winter Benchmark Testing starts up this week. Remember, at three points throughout the school year, all students take the NWEA for math and reading and the Acadience Reading test for a more diagnostic look into student reading abilities. Our 5th and 6th graders also take the Acadience Math test. Yes, this is a lot of testing, but it ensures that students receive the appropriate interventions and supports during throughout the year.

We will start our Winter testing this year with our 7th and 8th graders completing Gate 1 of the Acadience Reading assessment on Monday, December 1st, and 5th and 6th graders completing the Acadience Reading assessment on Wednesday, December 3rd and Thursday, December 4th respectively. Check out the Fact Sheets linked below for more information about how the tests are structured.

Winter testing will continue next week with all students taking the Reading NWEA on Tuesday, December 9th and the Math NWEA on Thursday, December 11th.

The Acadience Math assessment will be given to our 5th and 6th graders during math classes in the upcoming weeks as well.

It is very important that students do their best on these assessments. We use the data from these assessments to ensure that each student is receiving the interventions and supports that they need!

Our annual Hoops for Hunger field trip to a CMU women's basketball game is coming up in January, so we need to start raising donations to the local food bank to contribute to the cause. This week, the middle school will be hosting a canned food drive. Students are invited to bring canned and boxed food items to thier homeroom December 1st-5th. Let's see which class can bring the most!

Also, every Wednesday in December will be Hats for Hoops day! Students can bring a dollar and wear a hat each Wednesday. All money raised will go toward the Soup Kitchen to feed local families. Let's go, Warriors!

The Chippewa Hills Band Boosters Craft Show is happening Saturday, December 13, from 10 AM – 3 PM at Chippewa Hills High School. This long-loved community tradition brings together 80+ incredible vendors offering wood crafts, sweet treats, glass décor, candles, soaps, jewelry, and so much more.

Come hungry! There will also be a food truck on site to keep you fueled while you browse.

This is the perfect place to find unique gifts and support local makers in our community!

Check out the Thanksgiving edition of the Warrior Watch!

We are excited to welcome you to our first-ever Warrior Wonderland Lighted Tree Walk—a new community tradition we hope will bring warmth and joy to your holiday season.

Stroll the illuminated trails of Warrior Woods and enjoy sparkling trees decorated by our students and school groups. Bring the family, bundle up, and soak in the holiday glow. We’ll also have a warm community bonfire and plenty of holiday cheer!

Event Dates:

Saturday, December 13

Sunday, December 14

Saturday, December 20

Sunday, December 21

Time: 6-8 PM | Free for all ages.

Located at Warrior Woods, the home of the Chippewa Hills Cross Country Course, located at the corner of M-66 and Arthur Road.

Please note: The Lighted Tree Walk is a walking trail event only. If you or a family member need accommodations to access the trail, please reach out—we’re happy to help ensure everyone can enjoy the experience.

We look forward to celebrating the magic of the season with you!

5th Graders are starting a new type of program in the Second Step curriculum. Their lessons will look a little bit different starting this week. We will list out the title of the lesson and why the lesson is important in these newsletters.

5th Grade - Unit 1: Empathy & Skills for Learning

Lesson 1 - Empathy and Respect

Why This Lesson Matters: Empathy and communication skills have been shown to increase school success and decrease youth involvement in problem behaviors, such as substance abuse and aggression. Empathy is a crucial foundation for healthy communication and interpersonal relationships. Empathy and perspective-taking skills help students establish better peer relationships and offer help and emotional support to others. These prosocial behaviors, in turn, are linked to better grades and higher achievement. Beginning with this lesson, skills related to empathy are taught throughout the curriculum.

6th Grade - Unit 2: Developing a Positive Sense of Self

Lesson 8 - What are Guiding Principles?

This week’s lesson will introduce your child to guiding principles—the things that are most important to people that help them make decisions. Your child will learn about 10 common guiding principles and discuss how guiding principles can help them understand behavior, including their own.

Try this at home: Tell your child about something important to you that you consider one of your guiding principles. Ask them to name some guiding principles that they found interesting or feel strongly about.

7th Grade - Unit 2: Developing a Positive Sense of Self

Lesson 8 - What is Self-Concept?

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn about self-concept—how they see and think about themselves. They’ll learn that a person’s self-concept can affect their actions and decisions, which is why it’s important to develop a positive self-concept.

Try this at home: Ask your child to explain what a self-concept is. Ask them why they think it’s important to have a positive self-concept.

8th Grade - Unit 2: Developing a Positive Sense of Self

Lesson 8 - Agency

In this week’s lesson, your child will learn about agency—the power to make and act on their own decisions. They’ll identify some areas in their lives in which they have agency and learn that focusing on those areas can help them feel empowered.

Try this at home: Tell your child about an area in your life in which you have agency. Ask them to describe where they have agency in life.

We are excited to implement grade level community nights this year! These events are meant to bring students and their families together for a night of educational fun at the middle school! The dates for these events are listed below. RSVP forms will be sent out prior to the events in order to get a head count.

5th Grade - DATE CHANGE! - Thursday, December 4th from 5:00-6:30 PM

6th Grade - Tuesday, March 3rd from 5:30-7:00 PM

7th and 8th Grade - Thursday, February 26th from 5:00-6:30 PM

7th/8th Grade Boys Basketball - Home games will be in the High School Gym!

B Team Only! - Monday, December 1st - Away at Reed City - 6:00 PM Start Time - Bus Departs at 4:30 PM

Wednesday, December 3rd - Home vs Central Montcalm - 4:00 PM Start Time

Mr. Bendele - 7th Grade Science Teacher

"He's funny and a super cool teacher and he makes learning easier and more fun."

Mrs. Ruthruff - 5th Grade Reading Teacher

"Mrs. Ruthruff can both laugh with her students and also hold them accountable by having high expectations. I hope she knows how lucky the middle school is to have her!"

The Middle School has a Parent Club! Please go to their Facebook Page (linked below) and click "follow" to stay up-to-date on what they have going on and ways to volunteer!

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

The November breakfast and lunch calendars are attached below.

Thursday, December 11th - Band Holiday Concert - 7:00 PM

Friday, December 12th - 5th and 6th Grade Activity Afternoon

Saturday, December 13th - Band Boosters Craft Show - 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Tuesday, December 16th - Orchestra Holiday Concert - 7:00 PM

Wednesday, January 7th - Hoops for Hunger event at CMU