China Spring Middle School

CSMS Newsletter

Parent & Student

Week of February 03 - February 06

FROM MR. ELLIS

• david.ellis@chinaspringisd.net.

• Parents! Thanks for being the unsung heroes of school life: Whether it's helping with homework (even though Google sometimes gets more action than we’d like to admit), or just making sure the "right" snacks are packed, your involvement is what keeps our CSMS students going. You deserve a gold medal—or at least a really good coffee. Thank you for partnering with us!

• Benchmark Testing this Week and in the coming weeks at CSMS (ipads MUST be charged for these tests! These are just like the STAAR assessments.)

  • Reading Benchmark for 7th and 8th Grade students - February 4th

  • Science and Social Studies Benchmark for 8th Grade students only - February 5th

  • Math Benchmark for 7th and 8th Grade students - February 11th

• This week, we celebrate School Counselor Appreciation Week, and we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible work of Mrs. McAdams!  School counselors play a vital role in supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being. They help with everything from goal setting and academic planning to conflict resolution and emotional support. They also provide guidance on career exploration, assist with mental health resources, and ensure that every child feels safe and supported at school.  Here at China Spring Middle School, Mrs. McAdams goes above and beyond every day to make a difference in the lives of our students. Whether she’s leading small group counseling sessions, offering one-on-one support, or simply being a trusted listener, she plays a crucial role in creating a positive and caring school environment.  Please join me in thanking Mrs. McAdams for her dedication, compassion, and hard work! If you’d like to send her a note of appreciation, feel free to email or drop one off at the front office.

• Progress Reports will be updated on Parent Portal on Wednesday, February 5th. Please reach out to your child’s teacher(s) with any questions.

• Attention MS students who want to try out for MS cheer: Both the student and a parent/guardian MUST attend the mandatory meeting on Thursday, February 27th, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Middle School Cafeteria and should last about 30 minutes.

• There will be a mandatory parent meeting for any athlete trying out for HIGH SCHOOL cheer or mascot on February 3rd at 6pm in the high school library. This is where the coaches will give you all the information prior to tryouts on February 21st. 

• Parents, please remind your children that blankets and pajama pants are both against the district’s dress code.

• CSMS is ALL about teaching and learning. Please make sure your student is coming to school prepared with necessary materials, including their iPad. Please reach out to your child’s teacher(s) should you have any questions. 

• Attention Parents: Students who attend a MS extracurricular event must not be roaming the school during the event. All students wanting to attend can remain in the gym or at the stadium but must not wander through CSISD facilities or the school campus. Students not obeying this rule will be sent home. This is for the safety of all students and spectators who attend CSISD sporting and/or extracurricular events. Parents, please understand that students should not be completely without parental supervision at games in the stands and bleachers. If students violate the code of conduct during an extracurricular activity, it might necessitate you taking them home from the game. If you drop your student off, please be available to take a call from an administrator should we need to get a hold of you due to circumstances that happen in the stands or bleachers. 

• NO THIRD PARTY DELIVERIES ACCEPTED ON CAMPUS i.e. (DoorDash, UberEats).  Parents, we appreciate your cooperation because it has helped us create a much safer environment for students at school.

• CELL PHONES PROHIBITED at CSMS.  Student cell phones must be off and stored in a backpack or purse.  Should a student need to communicate with a parent/guardian via their personal cell phone, he or she should ask for permission to go to the office to call or text his/her parent. Cell phones distract from the teaching and learning that must take place each day. Thank you for keeping your cell phone put away.

• Please remind your student to charge their iPad every night and bring it to school fully charged and ready to go. 

• Dress Code Reminders - The full copy of the CSMS Dress Code can be found at chinaspringisd.net by going to the middle school page and looking under the Handbook link.  Some of our most common dress code violations are wearing shorts that are too short, wearing pajamas to school, changing hair color to an unnatural color (like green or blue or Ferrari red).  Please ensure that your child is coming to school in school-appropriate attire each and every day to avoid being dress-coded.  If a student is in violation of the dress code, they will be given an opportunity to correct the issue.  If this is not done in a timely manner, he or she will remain in ISS until the dress code issue is resolved.  Thank you for your cooperation.

INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS: Benchmark Testing: A Vital Step in Supporting Your Child’s Success

Mrs. Ghazzagh, Instructional Coach, sghazzagh@chinaspringisd.net

As part of our ongoing commitment to your child’s academic growth and success, we have been conducting benchmark assessments. These assessments are a critical tool that helps us measure students' progress and identify their strengths as well as areas where additional support is needed.

Benchmark testing is not just about evaluating performance; it is a way for us to gather valuable insights into how we can better serve your child. The data from these assessments will allow our teachers to:

• Tailor instruction to meet the unique needs of each student.

• Monitor progress over time to ensure your child stays on track.

• Identify trends across the school to guide enrichment and intervention efforts.

We want to emphasize that these tests are not for grades or report cards but are designed to help us refine our teaching strategies and provide every student with the best possible learning experience.

Your support plays a vital role in this process. You can help by ensuring your child gets quality sleep, eats nutrient-rich foods, and approaches tests with a positive mindset. Together, we can create an environment that fosters growth and achievement.

If you have any questions about the benchmark assessments or how we use the data to enhance instruction, please do not hesitate to reach out. We value your partnership in your child’s education and appreciate your support.

Thank you for being an integral part of our school community.

FROM MRS. BARTEE

• sbartee@chinaspringisd.net

• Lunch/Cafeteria Expectations

  • All students are expected to enter the cafeteria and be seated.

  • Coach Earp or another cafeteria monitor will release tables to get in line or go to the microwaves.  Students must stay seated until their table is released.

  • E-hallpass must be used to request a restroom pass.  Monitoring the restrooms ensures student safety.

  • Lunch monitors bring trash cans around for students to throw trash away.  There is no need for a student to get up to throw trash away.  If a student needs to throw something away after a trash can has already been brought by, they may throw their trash away when the bell rings.

  • Students are expected to stay seated unless they have permission to get up.

  • Students not complying with cafeteria rules will be escorted to a lunch detention classroom to serve out the remainder of their lunch period with Mrs. Bartee or another lunch detention teacher.

  • Students who are repeatedly assigned to lunch detention will be eligible for in-school suspension.

  • Please encourage your child to comply with lunchroom expectations.

• PLEASE NOTE:  Several CSISD campuses have different start times due to transportation needs.

  • Primary Campus Start Time – 7:50am

  • Elementary Campus Start Time – 8:00am

  • Intermediate Campus Start Time – 8:00am

  • Middle Campus Start Time – 7:55am

  • High Campus Start Time – 7:55am

• Attendance

  • Attendance is taken every day during every class period.

  • School starts at 7:55am.  If a student is more than 20 minutes late to school, he/she will be marked absent for first period.

  • When you know your child will be absent, please call the school office AND email Mrs. Palmer (spalmer@chinaspringisd.net) to notify us of his or her absence.  This will keep you off of our call list for that day when we call absent students.

  • Every absence needs to be documented in writing with the front office within  (3) school days of the student returning to school.

  • Attendance warning letters will be sent home once a student reaches three (3) unexcused absences.  Additional warning letters will be sent home after five (5) unexcused absences.  Once a student reaches seven (7) unexcused absences, Mrs. Bartee and Chief Wachsmann or Officer Rocha will require parents to meet with them at the middle school in person to discuss truancy prevention measures and to make a plan for improving school attendance.  After ten (10) unexcused absences, truancy charges will be filed against the parent, and Judge Richardson will contact the parent to schedule a court hearing.

• Weekly Attendance Update – It is our goal at China Spring Middle School for our average daily attendance rate to be at or above 97%.  This past week, we fell short of our goal with an average daily attendance rate of 92.70%.  Please keep coming to school every day for every class period.  Please make healthy choices and get well soon if you are ill.

  • Monday, January 27

    • 7th grade – 95.63%

    • 8th grade – 90.08%

  • Tuesday, January 28

    • 7th grade – 94.30%

    • 8th grade – 90.44%

  • Wednesday, January 29

    • 7th grade – 93.86%

    • 8th grade – 93.23%

  • Thursday, January 30

    • 7th grade – 91.67%

    • 8th grade – 92.83%

  • Weekly Average

    • 7th grade – 93.87%

    • 8th grade – 91.64%

    • Campus – 92.70%

FROM OUR PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We wanted to communicate  all the plans for the 2024-2025 school year so you can plan accordingly. Please see the dates and additional info below.

• Catered Teacher Appreciation Lunch 5/8/25

Randomly throughout the year we will ask for monetary donations to stock popcorn, sodas, and water all year for the teachers and staff.
If you want to donate $75 now you will be done for the year. You can drop cash or check (CSMS) at the front office or Venmo, Kristin-Clements-4. Otherwise, we will send emails leading up to the event and you can donate then, if you can!

Thank you all so much for helping to make these events possible for our students and teachers! 

Amanda Talbert, parent volunteer

Kristin Clements, parent volunteer

FROM MRS. MCADAMS, School Counselor

• amcadams@chinaspringisd.net

• If you have any questions about Section 504, please contact Mrs. McAdams.  Section 504 of IDEA was created to provide students with disabilities equal access to the general education curriculum and to prevent discrimination in the school environment.

• Please contact me if your child has any counseling needs. 

• Bullying can be verbal, physical, through social exclusion, or via digital sources.

• If you are being bullied or someone you know is getting bullied please report it to Mrs. Bartee or Mrs. McAdams.

• I will be off campus Monday and Tuesday for a Counselor’s Conference.

• NJHS News:

  • Valentine’s Candy Bouquet Fundraiser coming up starting Feb. 3rd

FROM NURSE NIXON,  School Nurse

• lnixon@chinaspringisd.net

• If you wish for your child to take medication at school, there is a medication form located on the CSISD Health Services website.  Parent and doctor signatures are required.

Consistent school attendance is essential for your child’s academic success, social development, and overall well-being. When students are in school every day, they have the best opportunity to learn, build friendships, and develop healthy routines.

To help your child stay healthy and ready to learn, consider these tips:
✔️ Encourage good hygiene – Regular handwashing and covering coughs/sneezes can prevent the spread of germs.
✔️ Prioritize sleep – A well-rested child is more alert and focused in class.
✔️ Eat nutritious meals – A balanced diet fuels the brain and body for a productive school day.
✔️ Stay active – Daily physical activity supports both physical and mental health.

As the school nurse, I am here to support your child’s health and well-being. If your child isn’t feeling well at school, I can assess their symptoms and determine if they need rest, hydration, or further care. If they’re experiencing minor discomfort, I can help them get back to class safely. For more serious concerns, I will contact you to discuss the best next steps.

Together, we can keep our students healthy and learning every day! Please reach out if you have any questions or health concerns regarding your child.

FROM MRS. PALMER,  Registrar/Attendance Clerk

• spalmer@chinaspringisd.net

• DUES: Class Dues are $20 - we accept Cash or Check made out to CSMS or you may pay online through Myschoolbucks.com - Store, Browse All, Class Dues.

• If you have an absence excuse note for your student, you may email Mrs. Palmer or bring the note to the front office.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• 02.03.2025 - 02.06.2025 - NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK

• 02.03.2025 - MS Girls’ Basketball @ Connally

• 02.04.2025 - Reading Benchmark Exam - Campus will run like we are STAAR testing.

• 02.05.20025 - 8th grade Science & Social Studies Benchmark Exams - Campus will run like we are STAAR testing. - Some 7th grade classrooms will have alternate meeting locations.

• 02.05.2025 - Wednesday, February 5 - 5:30pm -  High School Cafeteria - Current 8th Grader/Incoming Freshman PARENT MEETING

• 02.06.2025 - MS Boys’ Basketball vs. Connally

• 02.22.2025 - Saturday School - 8:00am-12:00pm

BELL SCHEDULE