Curtis Chronicles

Cougar parents,

We hope everyone was able to stay warm over the past week in the cold weather. We are super happy to see the kids back at school this week! This year is flying by and the 3rd quarter is coming to a close next week. Please be sure to have your students check grades in skyward and staying on top of work turned in this week and next so teachers can update grades.

Friday, March 5 will be a half day and students will be released at 12:35. Buses will run on the early schedule. We will not make any adjustments to the daily bell schedule and students will only attend periods 1-5 that day. A and B lunches will be served at school. C lunch will be served at 12:15 with the option for students to take their lunch with them if needed.

To begin planning for our STAAR online testing, we will start collecting devices from our in-person learners only beginning after Spring Break, March 15. Our goal in collecting these devices is to make sure we have the devices on campus and in working condition to be able to use them for STAAR testing beginning in April. Please be sure your child brings the device and the charger to turn in.

Also, our Coffee with the Counselors to answer any course registration questions has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 25 from 8:30-10am.

Here is the webinar link to join:

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.

When: Feb 25, 2021 08:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Topic: Curtis Middle School: Course Selection Webinar

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://allenisd.zoom.us/j/85600962616?pwd=SS9NTGVGR0FRb3ZEVG51OG9haGN2dz09

Passcode: 725877

Thank you for all the support,

Sonya Pitcock

February 24: Last Day to Sign Up for Allen Eagle Run at Midnight

February 27-March 3: Allen Eagle Run

March 2: Jersey Mike's Spirit Night

March 5: Early Release Day

March 8-12: Spring Break

BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

February 25: 8th grade girls v. Willow Springs; boys @ Willow Springs

CMS PALS and Active Learning Students will be putting together meals that will be distributed to homeless individuals as well as shelters. We are doing this on Friday to be delivered on Saturday. Below is a signup genius that is open to anyone wanting to help. Students who need service hours will receive 1 hour for each slot signed up for. Items can be left in the bin in front of Curtis or brought to K107 by noon on Friday.

Thank you for your generosity!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b054ea5a929a3f85-tango

Nominations for the PTA Lifetime Membership award are being accepted now through March 8, 2021. You may nominate someone who you feel goes “above and beyond” for the Curtis students and community. In the space below please tell us who you would like to nominate and why. You may nominate as many people as you would like.

CLICK HERE to nominate.

Allen ISD will hold a special election, known as an Attendance Credit Election, on May 1 seeking voter approval for the district to pay recapture by purchasing attendance credit from the State with local tax revenue. An attendance credit is simply the name given for a district to equalize its wealth through recapture payments.

To learn more about the election and it's impact on our district, please visit:

https://www.allenisd.org/2021attendance

7th Grade

The 7th grade Tracks classes finished January by looking at the endorsements in high school, and making a post high school road map. In February, we are focusing on communication skills. The areas of focus are:

• public speaking
• taking a stance and being able to defend that stance
• body language
• conflict resolution
• interview skills

We started the unit with students doing Black History month presentations, and we will end the unit with interview skills.

8th Grade

The 8th Grade Tracks classes have been continuing their focus on post-secondary opportunities. Students have been exploring 4-year Universities, advanced degree options, 2-year Colleges and Associate degrees. They have also been introduced to Trade School programs and military options. As our focus on "Post-Secondary" life continues we will be introducing the students to: Resume Writing and Interview Skills.

We will finish the 9 weeks with the students creating their own "Work Ethic" pledges based on Mike Rowe's "S.W.E.A.T. Pledge."

Coming Up Next 9 weeks: Life in the Real World!

• Communication Styles
• Budgeting
• Investing
• Nutrition
• First Aid

The Curtis PTA will award two $500 scholarships to college bound Allen High School graduating seniors who attended Curtis Middle School for at least one full year.

Applications are due no later than 3 pm on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.

Details and application are available by clicking here.

Note: In order to view, the student must be logged into the Allen ISD portal.

Please send any questions to Lindsay Wood, CMS PTA Scholarship Chair at Lindsay.Wood@allenisd.org, phone: 972-727-0340.

Now in its 13th year, this annual Allen event benefits the Foundation For Allen Schools, and all proceeds directly fund classroom grants, teacher and student scholarships, Allen PTA programs and campus projects.

The 2021 event involves your choice of a:

1. Virtual 1 mile fun run/walk
2. Virtual 5K or
3. Sleep in registration

You will have the choice to walk around your neighborhood with family and friends or you can come walk a course we've put together on the RaceJoy APP. The course will have some great photo ops along the way too!

The 2021 course will start at the Allen High School tennis courts. You can complete your fun run/walk or 5K anytime between Saturday, February 27, 2021 and March 3, 2021. You can also upload your time through the RaceJoy APP and will still qualify for the 5K finisher medals!

It's going to be an event the whole family will enjoy, and you can feel good knowing that your participation has a direct impact on students and teachers in all Allen ISD Schools!

Register now!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

During these uncertain times, we understand that you may be struggling to balance your child's at-home or in-person learning along with your own work and home commitments. We are here to support you! Join us at one of the times listed by clicking on the date/time links below. We are here to provide a space for you to discuss your challenges and identify healthy ways to cope & problem solve. It will be a great way to connect with other parents facing similar struggles. We hope you will join us! Facilitated by the Allen ISD Support Counselors.

Please note: Registration will open 2 weeks prior to each event.

Middle School Parent Chats

Wednesday, March 17 @2 pm

Wednesday, April 21 @ 2 pm

Wednesday, May 19 @ 2 pm

Hope you can join us!

AISD Support Counselors

Do you shop on Amazon? Use Amazon's Smile and support Curtis PTA!

AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your purchase to Curtis PTA when shopping Amazon.

1. Go here: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/

2. Select your charity: PTA Texas Congress 201 Curtis Middle School

3. Bookmark smile.amazon.com

4. Start using smile.amazon.com whenever you want to shop at Amazon!
   

   
   

Be sure to shop through AmazonSmile the next time you shop online. You’re still shopping with Amazon — you’re just doing good while buying what you need!

Please encourage grandparents, neighbors, and friends to support Curtis PTA by shopping through AmazonSmile too.

CMS PTA is pleased to once again offer our business sponsorship program. Curtis PTA would like to invite community businesses to show support for our staff, students and community by making a financial contribution to our PTA for the 2020-21 school year. PTA strives to make every child’s potential a reality.

There are two contributions levels for you to consider.

Red Level, $100

• Your logo and link to your website on CurtisCougarPTA.org from now through June 30, 2021.
• Included in end-of-year thank you email.

Black Level, $250

• Your logo and link to your website on CurtisCougarPTA.org from now through June 30, 2021.
• Included in end-of-year thank you email.
• 1 Thank you in our campus-wide newsletter that goes out to all families.
• 1 thank you and shout out with link to your website on our Curtis PTA Facebook page.

CLICK HERE for more details or email Jennifer.

If you are interested in CMS Announcements, you can access them directly on the CMS website.

Be sure to check back often! CLICK HERE

PTA Facebook Page

PTA Website

Email: ptacommunications.curtis@gmail.com
Website: https://www.allenisd.org/curtisms
Location: 1530 Rivercrest Boulevard, Allen, TX, USA
Phone: 972-727-0340
Twitter: @CurtisCougars