PTA News and Announcements

If you need this communication translated or made more accessible for you, then please contact us at cms_pta@westportps.org 

CMS PTA Weekly Update 

September 24th, 2023

If you ever have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at cms_pta@westportps.org.

JOIN CMS PTA - Click here

DONATE TO OUR ANNUAL APPEAL – CLICK here

IMPORTANT DATES – dates in bold happening THIS WEEK

 

Date	Time	Event
Sept. 25	All Day	Yom Kippur – NO SCHOOL
Sept 26-30	Details Below	Camerata Auditions
Oct. 10	School Hours	Picture Day – All Grades – ORDER LINK
Oct. 11	EARLY RELEASE 1pm	Early Release – All Grades – Staff Development
Oct. 19	7:00 PM	Board of Education Meeting – Staples High School
Oct. 19	10:00 AM	SpEd Sip N Chat – Westport Public Library, Room 210
Oct. 24	10:00 – 11:00 AM	CMS PTA General Meeting – CMS Library
Oct. 27	7:00-9:00 PM	CMS Monster Mash – CMS Cafeteria ***PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE***

 

SHOUT OUTS!

• Bernadette Lee and Allison El-Gamal for working on our annual appeal.
• Julie Fried and Todd Freemon for welcoming our new families at Wakeman Town Farm.
• Thank you to all who have joined the CMS PTA and / or donated to our fall appeal. We cannot do all we plan to do without your generous donations. 

 

 PTA NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dismissal Parking Procedures

Please note that there is no parking permitted on North Avenue on the side opposite CMS.  Please plan to drive through the loop or park on the west side of North Avenue while waiting for your student. 

PTA ANNUAL APPEAL

Thank you to all who donated to our 2023 – 2024 Annual Appeal. Our programming depends on you.  This is the only time we will ask for direct donations. Click here to view our appeal letter and to donate. 

PTA Membership

All parents, teachers and staff are welcome to become members of the CMS PTA.

Click here to join.

Click here for the Membership Toolkit instructions.

Contact cms_pta_membership@westportps.org with any questions.

Picture Day

Picture Day will be October 10.  Click here to order photo packages.  

Join us for our first General PTA Meeting – 10/24 10:00, CMS Library

Loren Hession Rubino, Westport mom of three teenage daughters, MAATC, LPCA, ATRP, ACCELERATED RESOLUTION THERAPIST who works as an art therapist and professional counselor at Sasco River Center, will be our guest speaker. 

THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON TWEENS AND TEENS – Despite having more ways to connect with one another than any time in human history, we are experiencing epidemic rises in depression, anxiety, disconnection, and non-belonging.  Parents everywhere are making complicated tradeoffs when it comes to screen time, gaming, and access to social media.  There is no single strategy that works for all adolescents.  This presentation is designed to address the pros and cons of social media use, and to help parents find ways to connect to their children with curiosity and compassion. 

Our girls are growing up surrounded by mixed messages through marketers and social media about body image unaware that they are being exploited by the tech industry. Boys are growing up exposed to violent video games, gambling on sports and other adult content.

Let’s take a deep dive into the pros, cons, and dangers that our adolescents experience daily and discuss how to connect and guide them. 

Monster Mash

Tickets for Monster Mash will go on sale soon.  Monster Mash will be Friday, October 27 from 7:00 – 9:00.  A Sign Up Genius will also follow to chaperone this fun event.  Please note – only parents who sign up to volunteer will be admitted to the event.  This is a drop off event and no student will be permitted to leave before dismissal without a responsible adult coming to the school to pick them up.   

Camerata Auditions

Camerata is our auditioned choral ensemble at CMS. It is open to all CMS students involved with chorus, band or orchestra. The ensemble meets Tuesdays and Thursdays before school starting from 7:35 - 8:20am. Auditions will be held the week of September 26th-30th before, after school and during lunch/recess. Students will be required to bring with them a Camerata Packet and Permission slip found here - Please review this and email Mr. Phillips if you have any questions or concerns. Students can sign up for a time on the choral board outside of 240C. Students who were a part of Camerata in the past are expected to re-audition.

SpEd Sip N Chat

Thursday, October 19 10:00 AM – Westport Library, Room 210

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the incredibly diverse, rich cultures and important contributions of the Hispanic community in the United States.  According to the Oxford Dictionary, Hispanic refers to “relating to Spain or to Spanish-speaking countries, especially those of Latin America (adj) or a Spanish-speaking person living in the US, especially one of Latin American descent (noun).” Watch this video of one such Hispanic American, actress America Ferrera describing her journey in which she overcomes adversity to make it as an actress in Hollywood.

We invite you to consider joining our passionate group of parents dedicated to exploring and sharing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) topics within our district and beyond. This fall, we'll be hosting a gathering, and we'd love for you to be a part of it! Reach out to us at cmsdei2021@gmail.com to express your interest.

 

AROUND TOWN

Ms.  President US – A Girls’ Civic Leadership Program

Register Today! Girls in 4^th - 8^th grades can enroll.  Topics include civic leadership / public service, self-confidence and leadership, public speaking, campaigns, and Elections as well as meeting local, state, and federal leaders. MS. President US motivates and prepares girls to become future civic leaders. It is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civic leadership program.

To enroll, visit MsPresidentUS.org

• Select Enroll
• Sessions are 1.5 hours each.
• Registration fee is $250.
• Scholarships are available.
• Meetings are at the Comstock Center.
• Includes a field trip to Ct. Capitol.

 

IvyMath

Is Your Child on Track in Math?

IvyMath is providing all Coleytown families with a free online math tutoring session and an in-depth parent conference to discuss your child's strengths and weaknesses and how they compare to grade level.

IvyMath will also create a custom learning plan that maps out the exact areas your child should be focusing on in math. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions and understand what your child needs to feel confident and stay on track in math this year.

The IvyMath tutoring session, parent conference, and learning plan are free for all Coleytown families. Popular times fill up, so please register quickly! Signup now at: IvyMath.com/Boost

Smart Walk for Smart Kids

Our 4th Annual Smart Walk for Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities is Sunday, October 1st at Sherwood Island State Park. It's a great family event with tons of activities, including color powder stations along the route. We thought your parent communities might be interested. I'm attaching a graphic in case you'd like to include it in your newsletter or share with others. Here is our event website for your reference.

Toquet Hall Middle School Events

• Thursdays after school at 3:30pm-5pm Toquet Hall will host a Game Club! Each week we will pick a different game to play. All types of gaming will be introduced and played. Members can vote on what games they'd like to see in the future.
• Every Monday from 5pm-6:30pm Kids in Crisis Lighthouse meets at Toquet Hall. A Confidential Youth social support group for LGBTQ+ teens in middle and high school to share feelings, explore their identity, socialize and play games in a safe and accepting environment. No bullying is ever allowed, and everyone is given a chance to be heard.   Free food always available.
• Each month Lighthouse and Toquet Hall team up to host a special event. Hocus Pocus Spooktacular will be happening on Oct. 30th. We will watching the Hocus Pocus movie while doing some fun crafts. Dinner will be served. Costumes are encouraged but not required to join in on the fun!
• LIVEGIRL IS BACK! Starting this October LiveGirl's Confidence Club for grades 5^th to 8^th is back in action at Toquet Hall! You do NOT want to miss out on what is happening this Fall! New curriculum and activities while keeping the same utmost professional Confidence Coaches (or mentors). New activities will be covering topics such as self-esteem, mental wellness, kindness, accountability, empathy, community asset mapping and MORE! These ladies will thrive while they navigate their journey through girlhood! The mission of LiveGirl has been and always will be to raise brave, confident, and inclusive leaders. Help build confidence and life skills FREE OF CHARGE! 
• Sign up here: https://golivegirl.org/confidence-club
• Please note - Confidence Club does not run on the week of Thanksgiving or when there is early dismissal.
• Oct 11th 3pm-4:30pm: Halloween Craft Night! Since school ends a little early why not come hang out at Toquet Hall. We will be painting pumpkins while watching A Nightmare Before Christmas on the big screen! Entry is free and there will be special snacks for sale at snack bar. All participates must register ahead of time to ensure a pumpkin to be provided. 
• Oct 31st 5:30-7:30pm: Halloween Bash here at Toquet Hall! A fun night of treats but no tricks! Games to be played, prized to be won, crafts to be done and more! Come in costume there will be a contest!  Special themed snacks for sale at the snack bar. Register online ahead of time, space is limited! 

HELPFUL LINKS

• My School Bucks
• Powerschool
• CMS Website
• PTA Council Links – This is where you can find the links to PTA Council Sites such as ArtSmart, Authors Series, Cultural Arts, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Health, Wellness & Positive Youth Development, Special Education, Workshop, and the Community Bulletin Board (CBB).

 

Your CMS PTA Co-Presidents,

Lori Freemon and Marisa Timperman

cms_pta@westportps.org

CONTACT THE WEEKLY COURIER: If you'd like your announcement or event to be included in a future edition of The CMS PTA Courier, email Lori Freemon at lori_koniski@hotmaill.com by Friday afternoon to request submission in the following week's bulletin.  (Flyers or attachments need to be approved by PTA C0-Presidents Lori Freemon and Marisa Timperman: cms_pta@westportps.org).

SHOUT OUTS!

·  Steph Bulkeley and Melissa Dombrow for helping with our Back to School Nights

·  Marisa Timperman for planning and delivering our Back to School night dinners for our staff

·  Our teachers and administrators for two wonderfully informative Back To School nights.

 PTA NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Join the Monster Mash Committee

The CMS Monster Mash is the highly popular all-school Halloween bash that every student looks forward to.  Join the PTA Planning Committee that produces this spookiest social event of the year! Come have some creative fun and meet other parents from the CMS community.  Please contact Ariane Trimuschat at arianetrim@gmail.com to join the fun. Monster Mash will be held Friday, October 27 from 7:00 – 9:00. PLEASE NOTE THE NEW DATE!!

PTA Membership

All parents, teachers and staff are welcome to become members of the CMS PTA. Your membership helps to fund our PTA initiatives and give you access to our membership directory. 

Click here to join.

Click here for the Membership Toolkit instructions.

Contact cms_pta_membership@westportps.org with any questions.

Camerata Auditions

Camerata is our auditioned choral ensemble at CMS. It is open to all CMS students involved with chorus, band or orchestra. The ensemble meets Tuesdays and Thursdays before school starting from 7:35 - 8:20am. Auditions will be held the week of September 26th-30th before and after school and during lunch/recess. Students will be required to bring with them a Camerata Packet and Permission slip found here - Please review this and email Mr. Phillips if you have any questions or concerns. Students can sign up for a time on the choral board outside of 240C. Students who were a part of Camerata in the past are expected to re-audition.

Do you love school SPIRIT? Interested in being a LEADER? 

Then join "CSB", CMS' Spirit and Leadership club! 

This club is open to ALL students who want to work together to help CMS make connections within our school and greater community through fundraising, donation drives and spirited competitions (spirit days, door decorating contests etc.).

Who? ALL students are welcome to join. We are excited to have JUNIOR TEAM LEADERS this year and hope to have representation from each homeroom!

Where? Mrs. Beggs' Art Room (231)

When? Meetings take place the FIRST WEDNESDAY* of the month from 7:45-8:25 AM *Additional meetings are possible based on events.

How? Come to our first meeting on Wednesday, September 20th (7:45 am in room 231). If you are unable to attend, you may email either abeggs@westportps.org or swebster@westportps.org to be added to the Google Classroom club page for upcoming meetings and events.

SpEd Sip N Chat – Westport SpEd Parents – A confidential community gathering

Thursday, September 21 10:00-11:30 AM – Compo Beach Pavilion (Next to Hook’d) Connect with other special education parents in the district. Learn about emerging policies that directly affect your child’s education and services in an open forum to discuss successes and difficulties.  You are not alone! Meet your reps and learn about events, classes and services that are available.  Contact westportspedpta@westportps.org

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the incredibly diverse, rich cultures and important contributions of the Hispanic community in the United States.  According to the Oxford Dictionary, Hispanic refers to “relating to Spain or to Spanish-speaking countries, especially those of Latin America (adj) or a Spanish-speaking person living in the US, especially one of Latin American descent (noun).” Watch this video of one such Hispanic American, actress America Ferrera describing her journey in which she overcomes adversity to make it as an actress in Hollywood.

We invite you to consider joining our passionate group of parents dedicated to exploring and sharing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) topics within our district and beyond. This fall, we'll be hosting a gathering, and we'd love for you to be a part of it! Reach out to us at cmsdei2021@gmail.com to express your interest.

AROUND TOWN

Smart Walk for Smart Kids

Our 4th Annual Smart Walk for Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities is Sunday, October 1st at Sherwood Island State Park. It's a great family event with tons of activities, including color powder stations along the route. Here is the event website for your reference.

Toquet Hall Middle School Events

·  Thursdays after school at 3:30pm-5pm Toquet Hall will host a Game Club! Each week we will pick a different game to play. All types of gaming will be introduced and played. Members can vote on what games they'd like to see in the future.

·  LIVEGIRL IS BACK! Starting this October, LiveGirl's Confidence Club for grades 5^th to 8^th is back in action at Toquet Hall! You do NOT want to miss out on what is happening this Fall! New curriculum and activities while keeping the same utmost professional Confidence Coaches (or mentors). New activities will be covering topics such as self-esteem, mental wellness, kindness, accountability, empathy, community asset mapping and MORE! These ladies will thrive while they navigate their journey through girlhood! The mission of LiveGirl has been and always will be to raise brave, confident and inclusive leaders. Help build confidence and life skills FREE OF CHARGE! 

·  Sign up here: https://golivegirl.org/confidence-club

Please note - Confidence Club does not run on the week of Thanksgiving or when there is early dismissal.

HELPFUL LINKS

·  My School Bucks

·  Powerschool

·  CMS Website

·  PTA Council Links – This is where you can find the links to PTA Council Sites such as ArtSmart, Authors Series, Cultural Arts, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Health, Wellness & Positive Youth Development, Special Education, Workshop, and the Community Bulletin Board (CBB).

 

Your CMS PTA Co-Presidents,

Lori Freemon and Marisa Timperman

cms_pta@westportps.org

CONTACT THE WEEKLY COURIER: If you'd like your announcement or event to be included in a future edition of The CMS PTA Courier, email Lori Freemon at lori_koniski@hotmaill.com by Friday afternoon to request submission in the following week's bulletin.  (Flyers or attachments need to be approved by PTA Co-Presidents Lori Freemon and Marisa Timperman: cms_pta@westportps.org).