CMS Newsletter 25/26 #11
FEBRUARY 20TH, 2026
FROM MR. KOBLISKA
CMS Families,
As we move through these darker winter weeks, I want to pause and offer a message of hope to our students, families, and staff. Even when the days feel long and heavy, our community remains a steady source of light through showing up, caring for one another, and doing the important work of helping children grow.
As a parent, I am reminded often that it is easy to drift into “what’s next” and miss the moment right in front of us. That moment includes the learning, the mistakes, the small wins, and the quiet progress that happens every day. Our children are growing in real time. They are figuring out friendships, navigating emotions, and building the skills and confidence they will carry into the future. At CMS, our team is committed to supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally because developing strong character and a love of learning matters just as much as grades.
A conversation with a parent today reinforced something I deeply believe. We are stronger together, and stronger when we listen, collaborate, and lean on one another. If your family needs support, please reach out. We are here for your children and for you. We also need your partnership through your encouragement at home, your communication, and your shared commitment to helping students make good choices (even when it's hard).
When we lead with integrity, kindness, advocacy, resilience, empathy, and curiosity, we make each child’s CMS journey the best it can be, one day, one moment, one step at a time.
Warmly,
Paul Kobliska
FEW IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Few Reminders for Students:
- Energy drinks, soda, and caffeinated drinks are not permitted in school
- The Plainfield Ave parking lot is not to be used for drop off. Use Plainfield Ave or Lower Columbia Parking lot.
- Spring Sports forms and payments are due by 3/9
REFERENDUM INFORMATION
EXECUTIVE FUNCTION WEBINAR
IMPORTANT DATES
- 3/3 Grade 7 Literary Lunch
- 3/4 CMS Career Day (8th graders)
- 3/9 SPRING SPORTS FORMS DUE
- 03/12 UC Teen Arts Festival
- 3/10 - VOTE FOR THE REFERENDUM
- 3/11 BHEF Harlem Wizard Fundraiser
- 3/16 CMS Principal Chat & PTO Meeting (virtual)
- 3/18 CMS SEPAG Meeting
- 3/24 Spanish Class Field Trip
- 3/26 National Spanish Exam
- 3/26 Staff vs Students Basketball Game
- 3/27 Last Day of 3rd Marking Period
- 03/30 School Closed-Spring Recess (3/30-4/3)
SNOWBALL DANCE FOR 7th & 8th GRADERS
KEEP UP WITH THE COUNSELORS
CMS Counseling
Ms. Gina DeLauro - Grade 6
Mrs. Ashley Morris - Grade 7
Mrs. Heather Saunders - Grade 8
Ms. Casey Nebus - Student Assistance Counselor at CMS & GLHS
February Precept
CMS Celebrates Kindness Week!
CMS has been celebrating kindness during the month of February! Staff and students kicked it off with some fun and cozy spirit days. Throughout the rest of the month, students will have the opportunity to earn heart shaped shout outs for showing acts of kindness. Each heart will then be collected for the advisory to earn points! Students also have a chance to write a note of appreciation for their teachers if they'd like during EP. Encourage your child to get involved and spread some positivity!
Parent Resources
SPRING SPORTS INFORMATION
School Nurse: Nurse Sohail, cms.subnurse@bhpsnj.org
Spring Sports & Registration Information
Spring Sports registration and physical forms must be complete by March 9, 2026.
Boys Baseball - Coach Patrick Cuccurullo patrickcuccurullo@gmail.com
Girls Softball - Coach Mike Roof mroof@bhpsnj.org
Tryout Dates:
Boys CMS Baseball - 3/16/26
Girls CMS Softball - 3/16/26
Forms MUST be submitted in order for students to participate in tryouts
Check with the coach for more information.
Step 1: Complete the FormReLeaf registration.
Instructions, if needed
If you do not already have an account with FormReLeaf. Click on "SIGN UP" located at the upper right-hand corner of this page.
Register as an individual and create your account
On the Top menu bar select “Find Organization”
Search for Columbia Middle School and Click On “School Name”
Click on the “Sport Season” you wish to register for
Click the appropriate sport,
When finished click “Submit” located in lower right hand corner
Please call Form ReLeaf Tech Support if you need further assistance @ 1-844-367-6735
Step 2: To participate on a school-sponsored interscholastic team, follow steps A or B depending on the date of students' physical.
STUDENTS NEW TO CMS SPORTS OR WHOSE PHYSICALS ARE ONE YEAR OLD OR OLDER
(4 TOTAL FORMS must be filled out. Forms 1-3 remain at the pediatricians office. Form 4 is handed into the CMS health office)
FORMS 1-3 (see below) MUST BE COMPLETED AND MUST REMAIN IN THE STUDENT’S FILE AT YOUR PEDIATRICIAN OFFICE. The CMS health office does not hold copies. (FROM NJDOE: These forms are maintained by the healthcare provider completing the physical exam (medical home). It should not be shared with schools. The medical eligibility form is the only form that should be submitted to a school. The physical exam must be completed by a healthcare provider who is a licensed physician, advanced practice nurse or physician assistant who has completed the Student -Athlete Cardiac Assessment Professional Development module hosted by the New Jersey Department of Education.)
Form 1: Health History (English | En Español)
Form 2: Annual Athletic Pre-Participation Physical Examination Form
Form 3: Athletes with Disabilities Form: Supplement to the Athlete History
FORM 4 IS TO BE COMPLETED BY YOUR PEDIATRICIAN AND HANDED IN TO THE CMS HEALTH OFFICE.
Form 4: The Medical Eligibility Form
B.STUDENTS WHOSE PHYSICAL IS More Than 90 days old but still within 364 days of the START of the respective season and is on file in the CMS health office THIS FORM (form 5) SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE PARENT AND HANDED IN TO THE CMS HEALTH OFFICE.
Form 5: Health History Update Questionnaire (English | En Español)
FORMS MAY BE HANDED IN AT THE CMS MAIN OFFICE, HEALTH OFFICE OR EMAILED TO cms.subnurse@bhpsnj.org
Step 3: Athletes participating in at least one sport and any activities must pay the 2025-2026 sports activity fee of $150 before tryouts begin on Pay Schools Central. A screenshot of the payment confirmation must be sent to cms.subnurse@bhpsnj.org. (PLEASE NOTE: this $150 payment will cover ALL activity fees for the entire school year)
All PaySchools Central fee questions should be directed to the BH Board of Education, Business Office/Nancy Floyd at NFloyd@bhpsnj.org.
An athlete may not participate until all 3 steps are complete.
EMERGENCY MEDICATION
If the athlete requires emergency medication (Epipen or inhaler), forms completed by the private physician are required. Permission for self-administration is strongly encouraged. If self-administration permission is not included, 2 sets of EpiPens and/or the inhaler are required - one to remain at school and one for the coach to carry.
Outreach 2 students had a successful 2nd marking period designing and implementing four service projects. We also had a successful service field trip to GRACE in Summit last week where we helped distribute fresh food to over 200 families.
FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT THE BH LIBRARY
READ ABOUT TRANSIT HUB IMPROVEMENT PLAN
INFO ON FREE YOUTH POLICE ACADEMY
HARLEM WIZARDS VS BHPS TEACHERS AND STAFF
CMS Student VS Staff Basketball Game
SPIRITWEAR - SALE- 20% OFF
Spring Sale: 3/10-4/6
20% OFF!
ESSEX REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Essex Regional Educational Services is providing a link to resources on their website for free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care and more. Visit this link to get started: https://erescspecialprograms.findhelp.com/. This resource allows a family to type in a zip code anywhere in the state or the country, for that matter, and search for any resource they are in need of, but especially “food banks.” Also, once a family is on the site, they can select a language other than English.