The Mustang Minute

Everyday I am thankful that I get to work in such a supportive community that cares so deeply about education! Thank you for allowing all of us to work with your children each day! We hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend!

Save the Date: By November 30th you will be tired of Turkey - so Dine Out at the Chateau and support the Coakley PTO! Details below!

The picture to the right is from our November Friendship Club. This inclusive program meets monthly to celebrate, do crafts and have fun! This was their last project "A Thankful Turkey"

NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES

During the week of January 29th (note the date change), the Coakley Middle School nurses and guidance counselors will be conducting SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment) screening for all 7th graders. This screening is required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 71, Section 97.

The purpose of SBIRT screening is to offer conversation and information to help prevent students from starting to use alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, marijuana or other drugs, or to intervene early in substance use. Student screening sessions will be brief, approximately 5 minutes, and conducted confidentially and privately in a one-to-one meeting with a school nurse or guidance counselor. Students who are not using substances will have their healthy choices reinforced. The nurse or guidance counselor will provide feedback or referral for further evaluation to students who report using substances, or are at risk for future substance use. All students will be asked to complete an anonymous evaluation of the screening, and will receive some educational material and a resource list at the time of the screening.

Results of the SBIRT screening will not be included in your student’s school record. Nor will screening information be shared with any staff without student and parent written permission. As with any school screening you have the right to opt your child out of this screening. The request to opt out must be in writing. Please contact Tova Sperber, RN via e-mail tsperber@norwood.k12.ma.us if you wish to exclude your child from this screening. Additionally, screening is voluntary and students may choose not to answer any or all of the screening questions.

One way to prevent youth substance use is to talk with your child about your family’s thoughts and expectations regarding substance use. Research shows that parent influence is the #1 reason young people decide not to drink alcohol. Some resources that can help parents start these discussions can be found at:

• https://drugfree.org/

• https://helplinema.org/for -parents/

• https://handholdma.org/

Together, schools and parents CAN make a difference for the youth in Norwood.

Sincerely,

Jill Driscoll, MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN

Nurse Leader, Norwood Public Schools

jdriscoll@norwood.k12.ma.us

Over the past few years, CMS has aided Wellesley College in their study of children and social media use. the next survey will be on November 30th. This survey is voluntary and opt out forms are attached and will also be sent home after break.

Overview of the Study

Researchers from the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College are doing a longitudinal study on the use of social media among young teens, the social context around social media use, and its relation to students’ health and behaviors. Surveys will ask about social media use (or non-use), and family involvement in it. While the majority of the questions will focus on social media, phone, and internet use, there will also be some questions on student’s demographics, psychosocial health (loneliness, anxiety, etc.), and health behaviors (sleeping, dating/sexual debut, friendships, physical activity, substance use, body image, etc.).

During the survey, we will ask your child if they are interested in participating in any future follow-up studies or free social media workshops that will require your phone number and/or email address to obtain your permission. If they are not interested, they can opt out to provide contact information. In these short-term follow-up studies, students would be compensated for their time.

Hello parents and guardians,

The yearbook club would greatly appreciate it if you could help us out by sending us a cute, fun, or embarrassing baby picture of your 8th grader. Please be sure to include your child's first and last name, as well as their team in the email. You can send your pictures to cmsyearbook@norwood.k12.ma.us. The deadline for submitting a baby photo is Friday December 1st.

Thank you for helping us!

Your 8th grade Yearbook Club

One of the PTO's most successful fundraisers is the Winner Wheel- purchase a raffle ticket, spin the wheel, (hopefully) win a prize! Even if you're not the winner, you're donating money for enrichment and events at Coakley. Past items have included Apple Watch, Air Pods, and a TV.

WE NEED YOU- do you have an item that would be perfect for the Winner Wheel- tickets to an event? gift card to a friend/family owned restaurant? Are you willing to purchase an item that could be used for the Winner Wheel? Please contact the PTO at coakleynorwoodpto@gmail.com to make a donation or with any questions.

November 22nd - Early release at 12:30pm Thanksgiving

November 23rd and 24th - No School Thanksgiving

Coakley PTO

The PTO is a parent/teacher organization that helps fund a variety of activities at CMS from assemblies, to field trips, to classroom projects and more. We would love for everyone to be a part of the PTO!

PTO meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm both virtually and in person. The dates are listed below a link to the meeting online is sent out the day of the meeting.

Next Meeting: November 28th at 7:00pm

December 19th (adjusted for winter break)
January 23rd
February 27th
March 26th
April 23rd
May 28th
June 18th

Please email coakleynorwoodPTO@gmail.com or mfraczek@norwood.k12.ma.us if you are interested in volunteering or being a part of the PTO!

Email: mfraczek@norwood.k12.ma.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/norwood.k12.ma.us/cms-principal/home
Phone: 781-762-7880
Facebook: facebook.com/CoakleyMIddleSchoolPTO
Twitter: @mfraczek