Principal’s Update, September 16

Dear CMS Families,

Sustained Silent Reading:  On September 23rd, we will begin implementing 15 minutes of Sustained Silent Reading at the start of each Directed Study. This time is intended to provide students with structured time within the school day to devote to this valuable practice.  This is a strategic move influenced by our school improvement goals, current research, and our work exploring scheduling and programmatic best practices. The research indicates that children who read independently are more likely to perform better in all academic areas. Teachers will make exceptions for students on a case by case basis as issues arise.

During the 2015-2016 school year, seventh graders read A Long Walk to Water, the life story of Salva Dut, a Sudanese man who fled his village at age eleven, survived the second Sudanese Civil War, and eventually found refuge in Rochester, New York.  Students completed a persuasive, service learning project through which they raised over $20,000 for the non-profit organization, Water For South Sudan.  This fall, the current seventh graders will embark upon a similar project.  To honor our student’s exceptional work, Salva Dut will be visiting the middle school in November. He will meet with the students and exchange gratitude, stories, and inspiration. Here is a link to The Concord Journal article from March:Concord Journal Article

The CMS PTG is presenting SCREENAGERS: Growing Up in the Digital Age, a documentary about one of the biggest parenting challenges of our time. Click here for more information from the PTG. The viewing is for the whole family with the hope that it provokes great conversations at home.

Peabody’s Back to School Night will be this coming Thursday evening. Parents, please bring a copy of your student’s schedule. Parents will follow an amended D-day schedule.

Best,

Drew