Clearspring Middle School

This school has amazing students! This November is Gratitude Month at CMS, and what a treat that is. This morning I walked the halls and asked students if they had chosen gratitude today. In almost all cases, I was greeted with huge grins and a hearty yes. It seems our students really are engaged in building their character and their happiness by adopting an attitude of gratitude.

We closed off another successful chocolate sale, with profits designated to continuing to improve our playground play areas. We expect to see something get started this spring. Our profits from the sale will be around $13,000. One of the prizes we hand out is a pizza party to the top selling class from each neighbourhood. The winning classes were 8JK, 7SJ, 6AT, and 5SR. Thanks to all the students and families who support this fundraiser and help us reach our goal of improving the playground.

We were pleased to welcome parents to school for Parent Teacher conferences on November 2. We appreciate the opportunity to meet with parents to strengthen our partnership in helping our kids learn. We will be sending (or releasing to Parent Portal) report cards on December 1. To access your child's report card, please visit the HSD Parent Portal at http://powerschool.hsd.ca. If you have already created a Parent Portal account, login and access the report card on the date it becomes available. If you have not yet created an account, we encourage you to do so at the above-listed link. By creating a Parent Portal account, you will have access to an official digital copy of your child's report card, and other important school/student information. It is our strong preference that all parents sign up to access the report card via Parent Portal.

Our desire at Clearspring Middle School is to help each of our students be the best students they can be. We are interested in their learning in class, in their ability to think critically, to work with others, and in their character. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with parents in this most important work.

Thursday, November 9th - Grade 6 DARE Begins

Friday, November 10th - Remembrance Day Assembly @ 11:30 a.m

Monday, November 13th - Admin Day - NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, November 14th - Gr. 8 Immunizations in the a.m

Tuesday, November 14th - Mini Mac - Soups on p.m

Friday, December 1st - Term 1 Report Cards

Friday, December 1st - Gr. 8 Learning Trip

Thursday, December 7th - Band Concert

Wednesday, December 20th - Christmas Concert

Thursday, December 21st - Gr. 5 Swimming

Friday, December 22nd - BIG Show

December 23rd - January 7th - CHRISTMAS BREAK - Classes Resume January 8th

As we look ahead at November, we will be holding a Remembrance Day assembly on Friday, November 10 starting at 11:35. For this assembly, we ask students to enter quietly and to remain quiet for the duration of the assembly in order to honour those who have lost their lives in war, and to reflect on peace. We will have some seating for parents who wish to attend. Parking for this assembly will be permitted on the bus loop.

Date: Friday, November 10th

Time: 11:35am

Location: Town Square @ CMS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

by John McCrae, May 1915

As you know, traffic around the school is very busy. Some days, you will notice us out on the street, trying to help traffic move a little more quickly so that we can get our buses in and out on time. Here are a few tips for how you can help with traffic and safety.

1. Talk to your children about using public sidewalks and crosswalks only when they are walking to school. Encourage walking to school.

2. On those days when we get traffic jams and you see us out there in our high visibility gear (usually bad weather and special event days), continue to be as cooperative as you have been. Thank you!

3. If you are travelling NORTH on Hespeler when you leave the school, consider staying on Brighton Lane until you reach Lyndhurst (avoid Ashford Lane). Turn left and Lyndhurst, and then make a right onto Hespeler. You get to avoid the traffic jam at the 4-way stop, and it helps keep the traffic jam a little smaller. Check out the map below for reference.

The mini MAC team at CMS is hosting a Winter Clothing Drive for people within our school who do not have any winter gear or maybe are just needing a little extra.Mini MAC will be collecting any clothing that is winter related, including knitted or crocheted mitts, toques and scarves. Donations will be be accepted on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the rest of November!

Thank you in advance for your donations!

• ALWAYS use a crosswalk when crossing a road way!
• Students please stick to city sidewalks when walking to and from school!
• In Manitoba, motorists travelling in both directions, when a highway is not divided, must stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing
• If your child will not be in school please phone (204-346-9644) or email (cms@hsd.ca) the office prior to 8:30am. If you child is arriving late to school, please help remind them to stop by the office for a late slip!

With winter quickly approaching please remind students to come dressed appropriately for the weather - this includes winter boots, ski pants, hats, mitts, scarves etc. Grade 5/6's go out for morning and afternoon recess, as well as all gr. 5-8's for the lunch hour.

Please see the HSD Weather Policy Below:

Extreme Hazardous Weather

Schools will close when weather and road conditions in Hanover School Division are such that it is not advisable to transport students via school buses. If weather worsens after the school day has started (creating unsafe driving conditions that necessitate cancelling bus service for the return trip home), students will remain in school until other arrangements can be made. Buses will not be sent out early.

Extreme Cold Weather

Schools will be closed for cold weather reasons when it’s too cold for students to be exposed to the elements for even a short period of time.

Schools will close for cold weather reasons when the temperatures are:
-35 degrees Celsius or colder, WITH a windchill of -45 degrees Celsius or colder.
(Environment Canada – Kleefeld weather station, 6:00 a.m. data)

Consideration to close schools may also be given if either the temperature or the wind chill significantly surpasses these levels, or there are other extenuating circumstances as determined by the Superintendent and Director of Transportation.

Our theme day was once again a major success. Our grade 6's took home the title of Grand Champion with their "Escape Room" theme.

This course is designed to prepare adolescents 11 years of age and older for babysitting. Participants will learn important child care skills, safety tips for children of all ages, how to cope with common problems, how to make the children’s environment safe and enjoyable, some great games and what to do in case of an emergency. Students need to bring a doll or teddy bear, pencil, eraser, and a lunch. Students will need to be signed in and out by an adult.

Date: Saturday, December 9, 2017

Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Where: Red River College – Steinbach Campus

Tuition: $59.00

Please register in person or by phone minimum 5 business days prior. 204-320-2500.

Email: cms@hsd.ca
Website: cms.hsd.ca
Location: 1 Brighton Lane, Steinbach, MB, Canada
Phone: 204-346-9644