Hello, Tiger Families!

It was wonderful to see so many Tiger families engaged with CBB and their child's learning at our Back to School Literacy Night last week. As we continue through the school year, our goal remains the same: to partner with our families to make sure every scholar is learning, growing and successful. We need your continued support with several areas that are impacting student learning.

Check Infinite Campus Regularly

Parents, please make it a habit to check Infinite Campus regularly for your child’s grades, missing assignments and academic progress. Please do not wait until Oct. 8, the end of the quarter, to find out that your child is struggling or has several missing assignments.

Talk with your child about their grades and ask:

What assignments are you missing?
What class do you need additional help in?
What is your plan to improve your grade?
Have you talked with your teacher about getting support/tutoring?

We want our students to take ownership of their learning, and they need both the school and home working together to hold them accountable.

School Starts at 7:50 a.m. — Students Need to be Here BEFORE 7:50!

We need your help with morning arrival. We are averaging 70 students per day arriving late to school and receiving a first-hour tardy. We are asking families to establish routines that help students get to school on time. This may mean setting an appropriate bedtime, getting up earlier, preparing clothes and backpacks the night before and leaving home earlier. Our expectation is that ALL students arrive at school BEFORE 7:50 a.m. and are ready to begin their day on time. Punctuality is an important life skill, and we have to work together to teach and reinforce it.

Early Dismissals are Impacting Learning

We are also concerned about the number of students who are being picked up early from school, with some students leaving early two or three times per week. We understand that appointments and family situations happen. However, when students regularly leave school early, they miss important instruction, class discussions, assignments and opportunities to receive support from their teachers.

Whenever possible, please schedule appointments outside of the school day or as late in the day as possible. Every instructional minute matters.

Saturday School for Scholars

Being on time does not stop when students arrive at school. We are also seeing students wait until the 60-second warning bell before they begin moving to their next class. Students are expected to use passing time appropriately and be in class and ready to learn when the bell rings.

Students who continue to be tardy to class, miss assignments,or demonstrate behaviors that interfere with their learning may be required to attend Saturday School. Saturday School is an opportunity for students to receive additional support. Depending on the student's needs, Saturday School may include:

Completing missing assignments or receiving tutoring
Attendance 101 and support with developing better attendance habits
Reflection and support around behaviors that are interfering with learning

Our goal is not simply to give a consequence. Our goal is to identify what is getting in the way of learning and provide students with the support and accountability they need to be successful.

iPads are Learning Tools

We also need your help reinforcing the appropriate use of school-issued iPads. The iPads are provided for learning purposes, not personal entertainment during the school day. We are seeing students access social media, message one another during class and use AI websites or tools to generate answers for assignments instead of demonstrating their own learning.

We want students to learn how to use technology and AI responsibly. However, using AI to complete work or provide answers that students are expected to produce themselves does not allow teachers to see what students actually know and have learned.

Students who misuse their iPads will receive a warning and redirection. Continued misuse may result in parent contact after the second warning, loss of iPad privileges and potentially completing assignments using paper and pencil for the remainder of the school year. Please have a conversation with your child about responsible technology use. We want technology to support learning—not become a distraction from it.

Family Advocacy — Oct. 21 and 22

Please mark your calendars for Family Advocacy on Oct.21 and 22! We want to see our families, and we are asking you to bring your student with you. This is an important opportunity for us to come together, discuss your child's academic progress, celebrate successes, identify areas for growth and make a plan for continued success. Please plan accordingly so you and your student can attend.

We Need Your Partnership

Tiger Families, middle school is an important time for students to develop the habits they will need in high school and beyond. Showing up on time, attending school for the entire day, completing assignments, using technology appropriately and being accountable for their choices are habits we must teach together.

We will continue to support, encourage and hold our scholars accountable at school. We are asking you to reinforce these same expectations at home. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of Carl B. Bruce Middle School.

It’s a great day to be a Tiger!

With gratitude,

Mrs. Stacey Chatmon
Principal, Carl B. Bruce Middle School

Thursday, Sept. 24

Attendance 101 parent meeting at 9 a.m.
Volleyball vs. Sumner Academy from 3:30 p.m. (cash only)

Friday, Sept. 25

Fall sports picture day from 3:15 to 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26

Football vs. Rosedale at 11 am. at Wyandotte (cash only)

Monday, Sept. 28

Cross country vs. Argentine, Arrowhead and Gloria Willis at 3:30 p.m. at Arrowhead

Tuesday, Sept. 29

Volleyball vs. Arrowhead at 3:30 p.m. (cash only)
LeadUp Study Hall/Tutoring from 3:30 to 4:55 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 1

Cross country vs. Arrowhead, Central and Sumner at 3:30 p.m. at St. Margaret's Park

Friday, Oct. 2

Mr. Simmons' field trip to the pumpkin patch
Hispanic Heritage Festival and Talent Show from 4 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3

Football vs. Eisenhower at 11 a.m. at Schlagle Stadium (cash only)

Thursday, Sept. 24 to Tuesday, Oct. 6

Our annual Scholastic book fair will start next week.

6th- and 7th-graders

Thursday, Sept. 24 or Friday, Sept. 25
Thursday, Oct. 1 or Friday, Oct. 2

8th-graders

Monday, Sept. 28 or Tuesday, Sept. 29
Monday, Oct. 5 or Tuesday, Oct. 6

Book fair flyer - English

Book fair flyer - Spanish

Book fair trailers

Without access to cell phones for electronic payments, students will need to use cash or Scholastic's eWallet program to pay for items. To set up your child’s eWallet, go to https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/carlbbrucemiddleschool It's easy to set up and easy for others to contribute funds! (you might have to refresh if you get an error message the first time)

Friday, Sept. 25

Sports pictures will be taken for cross country, football and volleyball on Friday, Sept. 25.

The photographer will be available from 3:15 to 6:30 p.m. to take both group and individual photos. Any player who does not purchase photos on or before picture day will receive a proof, allowing parents to place orders afterward. Sports picture day packets will be distributed by the end of this week.

If you would like to purchase a package, you can go to mylifetouch.com. Our picture day code is

W37KQ2TVE. (This is a different code from our fall picture day code.)

Tuesdays beginning Sept. 29

KU and Thryve have partnered to offer two types of free tutoring to all students who need help. They can help with all assignments as well as goal setting and time management. Students who normally ride the bus may take the 5 o'clock bus home. All other students will need to be picked up or walk.

Sign up at this link: http://bit.ly/KULEADUP.

In person: Tuesdays from 3 to 4:55 p.m.

Virtual: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. Click here to access the Zoom link (Meeting passcode is 1234)

We accept only cash for sporting events.

Adults are $4.
Secondary students are $2.
Elementary students and younger are free.

Middle school students may attend their home school onsite events without a supervising adult. All middle school students or younger will not be admitted to away events without a supervising adult.

All spectators are asked to move to and from public areas in the facility without congregating. Repeated violations could result in being asked to exit the facility.

Gates for athletic events will close at various times depending on the event. Most events will close the gate entry after the conclusion of halftime of the final contest. Some events such as basketball and football events may close the gate entry at the conclusion of halftime or the third quarter. No spectators will be allowed entry after the gate has closed for that event.

No outside food and/or drinks are allowed. No re-entry allowed. No spectators are allowed on the competition surface/area at any time.

The game day administrative team has the right to refuse entry to any spectator.

Bag procedures

No backpacks or bags larger than 12" x 12" x 6" will be allowed
Exceptions will be made for medical purposes and diaper bags that accompany young children after proper inspection
All items need to be easily visible
The use of clear bags is highly recommended

KCKPS is introducing a new way to stay connected. They have purchased ParentSquare to help us keep you better informed and more connected with our school community.

Please download the free mobile app, available for iOS and Android. You can also access ParentSquare from your web browser at www.parentsquare.com .

With ParentSquare, you’ll soon receive all school and classroom messages in one place and translated into your preferred language — whether by email, text, app or web. You’ll also be able to:

Stay up to date on news and events
Send and receive messages with teachers and staff
Fill out forms and permission slips
Sign up for conferences and volunteer opportunities
View calendar items and photos from your school

We’ll share more information soon, including how to set up your account and customize your notification preferences.

To learn more about how ParentSquare connects you and your school, watch this short video.