T O G E T H E R W E S O A R ! !T O G E T H E R W E S O A R ! !T O G E T H E R W E S O A R ! !T O G E T H E R W E S O A R ! !

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CMS FLYERFLYERFLYERFLYER

Brian Reeves, Principal

281-2535

Courtney Castelli, Asst. Principal

281-2536

Rosemary Leingang, Guidance Counselor

281-2524

Clare Rodenberg, Secretary

281-2523

Tracey Hayes, Secretary

281-2522

Bonnie Garner, Nurse

281-2526

CMS Contact Numbers

100 Eagle Drive Columbia IL 62236 phone: 618-281-4993 fax: 618-281-4964 www.chseagles.com

Students of the Month Congratulations to the following 1st semester Students of the Month:

September: Amanda Chace, Ethan Ernst, Chase DeQuasie, Brooklyn Oestrich, Dallas Forgy, Kylee McGuire, Rand Mathews, Ainsley Jacobus, Max Woelfel

October: Samantha Snow, Xander Heck, Brady Mathews, Paxton Reed, Blake Elie, Allison Fre-denberg, Connor Daley, Corinne Tullis, Chad Phelps

November: Colleen Jackson, Joli Barnett, Cole Gill-Kemper, Addison Miller, Alex Webb, Kami Steffenauer, Matthew Louis, Kylie Cleveland, Andrew Maulding

BETA Club News Beta Club members have been busy! Members held a “Fight the Hunger” food drive collecting over 1000 items that were donated to the Hope Food Pantry.

Thank you to everyone for making the 2016 Toy Drive a huge success! Words can not express how much your dona-tions are appreciated! A special thank you to parents and students for donating toys. This would not be possible each year without all of you!

Incoming CHS Freshman Information Freshmen Parent Orientation will be held at Columbia High School on TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017, at 6:30 pm. At that time, registration packets will be distributed and will include class descriptions and opportunities available for students at CHS. If you have any questions or can not attend, please contact the high school at 281-5001.

8th Grade Celebration The date for the 8th grade celebration ceremony has not been set at this time, however, stu-dents will be fitted for their celebration gowns on Friday, January 20th. All graduating stu-dents must wear a celebration gown. Gowns are $17.00, which most parents paid for at reg-istration. If you are not sure you already paid, or do not need a gown, please contact the CMS office.

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Fifth Grade Report

Sixth Grade Reports

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Sixth Grade Math classes are going to enter 2017 with a bang. We will start the New Year learning all about ra-tios and rates and how these topics are related to fractions. In this unit students will learn to use and under-stand ratios in real-world problem solving situations.

Parents please make sure your child is completing math homework each night. Homework completion is very important to your child’s success in the classroom. Students did an amaz-ing job the first semester completing homework. Keep up the great work.

As we hit the winter season, I under-stand that students will be absent due to illness. I encourage all parents to pick up their child’s homework at the end of the day. If this is not pos-sible please feel free to e-mail me and I can get their work to you through e-mail. This will help them to be caught up when they return.

The Magic School Bus has left the CMS

parking lot and landed back into the

Middle Ages. We will learn how the

dividing Roman Empire led to this

time period. After we explore the

people, places, and terms of the Mid-

dle Ages and the Renaissance, the stu-

dents will be involved with a large

project: Who shall become the vassals

to Lady Lafsalot? Stay tuned!

Sixth graders will soon start the clas-sic story, Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls. This is a wonderful story about a boy and his dogs. You may consider reading the novel along with your child. The story is enjoyable for all ages, and when you and your child discuss the story, it’s sure to have bene-fits for your child in the classroom. Pages read from the book can be used for the reading log.

Welcome back and hope you had a wonderful holiday break. During the second semester we are leaving our Life Science units behind and begin-ning the study of Earth Science (Geology). In this unit we will be asking ourselves TWO major driving questions. The first will be “How have GEOSCIENCE processes changed Earth’s surface?” and our second will be “What scientific evi-dence do scientists use to organize Earth’s 4.6 billion year old his-tory?” A few of the key concepts will be a review of weathering and ero-sion, and understanding of both evi-dence for and results of plate tecton-ics, the law of superposition (rock layering) and the fossil record and the Geologic Time Scale - which re-cords major events in Earth’s history.

The 5th grade team would like to say, “Thank You, Parents!” for supporting your child through his or her first semester of middle school. We have successfully completed two quarters and are excited to begin the 2nd semester with cleared minds and refreshed thoughts. This year’s success could not have been reached without you. Happy New Year!

Upon returning to school, your child will participate in the D.A.R.E. program with Columbia Police Sergeant Michelle Sim-mons. Sergeant Simmons will meet with our 5th grade students for approximately ten weeks with a culminating activity in April. Throughout this time, the students will learn about drug awarness and peer pressure. Please talk to your child about Sergeant Simmons’ lessons to help reinforce their important message. Also, your child will resume with the 2nd Step Pro-gram, with Mrs. Leingang and Ms. Randle.

The CMS 6th graders went caroling throughout Columbia on December 15, and raised $1,558 in donations from the community. All money donated was given to the Columbia Family Assistance Fund to help purchase gifts for those less fortunate. A special “Thank You” to those in the community who donated and helped our carolers with this annual event!

Caroling We Will Go!

Seventh Grade Reports

Eighth Grade Reports

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Congratulations to the 3rd hour Sci-ence Class for winning the water filtration contest. They will get their prize ( a pizza party in early Janu-ary).

We will be starting our cell and plant unit in January.

Our eighth grade writers finished

their argument research papers, not

an easy task, right before the semes-

ter break. Way to go! Reading logs

will be collected on January 3rd.

We will start second semester with

compliment-writing, euphemisms,

and puns. Students will be choosing

their own novels to read for the

month of January.

Happy 2017!

Ready, Set, Go! The 8th grade sci-ence classes are racing into 2nd se-mester physics. We will be measur-ing, modeling, and manipulating the variables associated with potential energy, kinetic energy, gravity, mass and speed. Please ask your 8th grader about the details of our in-class activities and experiments.

The 8th grade math classes will con-tinue to learn about solving systems of linear equations using multiple meth-ods. Examples of different methods are elimination, substitution, and graphing. We will then move on to unit 6 to begin algebraic functions.

After final exams and winter break 8th

grade social studies students will be-

gin talking about events leading up to

the American Civil War. This leads

into the Civil War Unit.

Welcome back! Math students will start the semester with a practical unit on ratios and proportional relation-ships. We will learn about rates and unit rates as we analyze them in graphs, tables and equations to deter-mine proportionality. We will also explore slope of lines and how to cal-culate it from a graph. As always, please continue to monitor your stu-dent's weekly quick check and home-work scores to help them prepare for the unit assessments.

Ethos, Logos, Pathos, huh? Did you know that Aristotle came up with the forms of persuasive? That's right, ethos, logos, and pathos are three ways that are used in persuasion and they date back as far as Aris-totle. Students will be learning and using these methods when creating their first writing piece of the new semester, a persuasive speech.

In literature, students will also dis-cover the different types of irony, verbal, situational, and dramatic and how authors use these devices to create interesting stories. In addition to reading a few short stories, we will also begin our third novel of the year, The Giver, by Lois Lowry.

Mr. Wehrenberg's Geography classes are wrapping up their unit on pro-tecting our environment. Students did an in depth study on elements affecting our environment and what we can do to make changes. Students studied political cartoons, articles, and did research to find informa-tion. The final product was a re-search paper detailing their findings on global warming. Second semester students will be studying different countries of the world and then plan-ning an extensive two week trip to that county.

We will be spending more time in the greenhouse during the coming months. We will also be studying food technology.

Bio

tech

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Citizenship Cooperation Empathy Honesty Integrity Perseverance Positive Attitude Respect Responsibility

Visual Arts

Fifth Grade Art: As a child of the Native American Tewa tribe, Maria Martinez was interested in the world’s oldest art

form: pottery making. By the time she married Julian Martinez, Maria was a respected potter and had exhibited her

work at the 1904 World's Fair right here in St. Louis! Trimester 2 students are taking some tips from Martinez and

creating their own unique coil pottery using earthenware clay. This is a long process of hand-building, drying and fir-

ing in a kiln.

Sixth Grade Art: Welcome Semester 2 students! Former technology students will begin the semester by learning about

using line and value in their drawings to create the illusion of depth. This is the key to realistic drawing!

Art A: Since the first piece of clay fell into a fire and was transformed into a glasslike material, people have

used clay to make a variety of useful and decorative items. Art A students have the challenge of making a slab

clay project that is applied art because it can be used: cookie jars, candle-holders, mugs, boxes and more are

being produced! Later these pieces will be glazed and fired to a shiny finish.

Art B: Art B is wrapping up a unit on value and composition. We have been drawing from observation. To start the new year, we

will switch gears and create some additive sculptures using earthenware clay.

Spanish ¡Mil gracias este semestre! It has been wonderful getting to know new students and continuing to work with students from last year.

8th grade parents of Spanish A and B students : Student recommendations for CHS will be made early in second semes-ter. All 8th graders in Spanish A will be required to complete the full year of Spanish I in high school. Students who did not take any foreign language at CMS will also be required to start in the Spanish I class. Spanish B students may be recom-mended for Spanish I OR Spanish II depending on their body of work in Spanish A and B. If your child plans on attending a high school other than CHS, you might ask if a placement exam at that school exists, since the CMS Spanish classes do not count for HS credit. This doesn't guarantee that your child will test out of the first year, but it may be a helpful tool for your child to be placed in the correct class. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's placement, please don't hesi-tate to contact me at ottwell.carleigh@columbia4.org.

Technology

5th Grade

5th grade students have been focusing on keyboarding and coding the past few weeks. After Christmas break, students will

explore PowerPoint to create a presentation that emphasizes good design guidelines. Be sure to ask your 5th

grader what makes a well-designed presentation.

6th Grade

6th grade students will be moving to their second semester classes. Students starting the semester in com-

puter applications will need a 2-pocket folder. We will begin the semester in Microsoft Word, Google Docs,

and keyboarding.

Media A

Students in Media A will continue to learn about audio podcasting at the beginning of quarter 3. Students will

explore podcasts on iTunes, and they will work in groups to learn how to edit podcasts using Audacity. Media

A students have also been trying their hand at programming using code.org and codecademy.com.

Media B

Students have been using the Codecademy site to learn the basics of HTML/CSS, Java, and Python coding. In addition, stu-

dents have begun their Scratch programming unit. Be sure to ask your student if you can play the game they will be creat-

ing in Scratch at the beginning of quarter 3.

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Student Organization Tips Developing good organizational skills is a key ingredient for success in school and in life. Although some students, by nature, are more organized than others, anyone can put routines and systems in place to help a child “get it together.” The following is a list of helpful strategies you can use to help your child get - and keep - his/her life under control.

Use checklists: Help your child get into the habit of keeping a “to-do” list. Use checklists to post assignments, household chores, and reminders about what materials to bring to class. Your child should use their planner which is dedicated to listing homework assignments. Crossing completed items off will give them a sense of accomplishment.

Organize homework assignments: Before beginning a homework session, encourage your child to number assignments in the order in which they should be completed. Then, he/she should begin with assignments that are not too long or difficult. Avoid saving the longest or hardest assignments for last.

Designate a study space: Your child should study in the same place every night. This doesn’t have to be a bedroom, but it should be a quiet place with few distractions. All school supplies and materials should be nearby. If your child wants to study with you nearby, you’ll be better able to monitor their progress and encourage good study habits.

Set a designated study time: Your child should know that a certain time every day is reserved for studying and doing homework. The best time is usually not right after school - most children benefit from time to unwind first. Include your child in making this deci-sion. Even if he/she doesn’t have homework, the reserved time should be used to review the day’s lessons, read for pleasure, or work on an upcoming project.

Keep organized notebooks: Help your child keep track of papers by organizing them in a binder or notebook. This will help him/her review the material for each day’s classes and to organize the material later to prepare for tests and quizzes. Use dividers to sepa-rate class notes, or color-code notebooks. Separate “to do” and “done” folders help organize worksheets, notices, and items to be signed by parents, as well as provide a central place to store completed assignments.

Conduct a weekly clean-up: Encourage your child to sort through book bags and notebooks on a weekly basis. Old tests and papers should be organized and kept in a separate folder.

Create a household schedule: Try to establish and stick to a regular dinnertime and a regular bedtime. This will help your child fall into a pattern at home. Children with a regular bedtime go to school well-rested. Try to limit television watching and com-puter play to a specific period of time during the day.

Keep a master calendar: Keep a large, wall-sized calendar for the household that lists the family’s commitments, sched-ules for extracurricular activities, days off from school, and major events at home and at school. Note dates when your child has big exams or due dates for projects. This will help family members keep track of each other’s activi-ties and avoid scheduling conflicts.

Prepare for the day ahead: Before your child goes to bed, he/she should pack schoolwork and books in a book bag. The next day’s clothes should be laid out with shoes, socks, and accessories. This will cut down on morning confusion and allow your child to pre-pare quickly for the day ahead.

Provide needed support while your child is learning to become more organized. Help your child develop organizational skills by copy-ing checklists and schedules and taping them to the refrigerator. Remind him/her about filling in calendar dates and keeping papers and materials organized. Most importantly, set a good example.

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Mark Your Calendar

January 03: School Resumes

January 04: Sports Booster Meeting, 7:00 pm

January 06: Semester 1 grades posted in Skyward

January 09: Music Booster Meeting, 7:00 pm

January 10: Cyber Safety Parent Night, 7:00 pm

January 16: No School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

January 19: Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 pm

January 21: Music Booster Trivia Night, Turner Hall, 7:00 pm

January 23: Bald Eagles vs. 8th grade basketball teams, 6:30 pm

January 24: Freshman Parent Orientation Night, CHS Gym, 6:30pm

January 24: PTA Meeting, Parkview Library, 7:00 pm

January 27: Snowflake Dance, CMS Café, 7:00 pm

Helpful Hints from Nurse Garner Flu season is here! To minimize the spread of the flu and other diseases, please remember we all need to follow some simple guidelines – the three C’s.

• CLEAN – Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose!! Soap and water are the best, but hand sanitizer should be used until soap and water are available.

• COVER – Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. Use a tissue, dispose of the tissue immedi-

ately, and wash your hands with soap and water. Avoid touching your hands to your nose, eyes or mouth.

• CONTAIN – IF YOU ARE SICK, STAY HOME!!! The best way to prevent the spread of disease is to avoid contact with sick individuals. Please follow school guidelines for returning to school, which means staying home until fever-free for 24 hours WITHOUT the use of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol or Motrin.

Following these simple guidelines can help us keep our school healthy!! Flu shots are also recommended.

Library News from Mrs. Likens Welcome Back CMS readers. We hope you had a wonderful Winter Break and enjoyed some extra reading time!

Congratulations to our 6 winners in the Library Holiday Gift Giveaway.

7th grade - Owen Brewer & Anna Rehmer

6th grade - Megan Elliot

5th grade - William Goodrich, Eden Ralph, Paige White

It’s not too late to enter our Rebecca Caudill Reading Contest! Read three books to be eligible to enter the drawing for a $25.00 gift card to Barnes & Noble. This contest ends Feb.13th

Spring Book Fairs are Feb. 27-Mar. 3. Parents interested in volunteering, please contact Mrs. Likens likens.cathy@columbia4.org / 618-281-2527.