"The Stinger" may 5, 2023

Good morning Stinger Families,

Thank you to our PTO for such a fun week! Thank you to all of the parents who took a minute to write up a Stinger Award for our staff. Those kind words mean so much to our staff. I really appreciate the effort and you truly have no idea how much it means to us!

As the weather warms up and clothes change we wanted to take a minute to remind students of the dress code. Please see the link to the dress code policy. Students in violation of the dress code will be asked to change into school-provided clothing items. At the end of the day the students will exchange the school item for their clothing item.

For planning purposes, please be sure to check out the finals testing schedule May 16, 17, and 18th (below). We are not offering opportunities for students to take their finals early, so please be sure you are aware of the schedule for the last week of school. Please help us to ensure that your students are here and ready to take their exams. Students will not be released during the class period during final exam week. Releasing students during testing causes a huge disruption to the testing environment. Thank you, in advance, for understanding.

We are so excited for next Friday where we celebrate our 7th and 8th graders in our final PBIS recognition assembly. Additionally, PTO will be hosting a lunch for our 8th graders as a final "good-bye and good luck"! Last, the graduating class of 2023 will be walking through our campus as their final good-bye to CCUSD! It certainly feels good to be a part of this amazing community.

7th grade parents- please scroll down to the bottom of the newsletter with information regarding the 8th grade field trip next year. Spaces are limited.

Together We Are One,

Jill Sarraino, Principal

2023-2024 8th grade field trip

A NOTE FROM MR. BOGGS (REPEAT)

Hello families,

I don’t know where or how to begin this week’s topic so I’m just going to start.

Vaping is a problem. Underage vaping in society is a problem and any problem in the larger world finds its way into what should be the sheltered and protected world of a school. Ours is no different.

In no way do I want to exaggerate the problem, but I want to be open and honest about it.

I know I have appealed to you all for assistance in the past, and have been so gratified by the quick response and outpouring of support, but I have to tell you that we cannot successfully address this current problem alone. Our challenge is essentially three fold. Vapes are easy to obtain, vapes are difficult to detect (even with vape alarms in the restrooms, students find ways to avoid detection) and students are very good at hiding them and/or passing them off.

Please believe that we take this seriously and are diligent in our efforts to stop it. Whole days have been spent in the search for vapes when we have received a tip or an alarm has gone off. That is a day not spent in the classrooms, a day not spent focusing on instruction and certainly a day not spent celebrating all the incredible students and staff we enjoy here.

I know the temptation is to say “not my kid”. Heck, that is even the name of an education/prevention program we make available to parents. And many or most of you are likely right in that belief. But some of you aren’t. That’s as plain as I can say it. Kids are vaping and they are SOMEONE’S children.

Please talk to your child about this. Please educate them and yourselves. Be on the lookout for fruity smells (I have a Kiwi Passionfruit, mint, guava, and grape flavored among others locked in my office right now). They hide them in their undergarments, socks, in pencil bags and in various other places on them or in their possessions. Monitor their social media. They are making plans with one another about where and how to get these things and they use social media to do that.

Working together I have no doubt that we can meet the challenge of vaping on this campus. Together is going to be the key.

Thank you as always for your support.

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

ATTENDANCE LINE PHONE NUMBER: 480-272-8604

*As a reminder, if you are checking your child out early, please be sure to bring you ID. We will ask for this every time. Thank you!

Important STMS numbers

Office Line: 480-272-8600

Health Office Line: 480-272-8602

Upcoming Dates

May 9: 6:00 Music Concert

May 10: ER PLC Schedule

May 12: 8th grade lunch celebration; CSHS high school seniors walk through STMS

May 12: PBIS assemblies for both grades

May 16-18: Finals for all 7th and 8th grade students- students may not take their finals prior to this week.

May 18: 8th grade Celebration (see below for more information)

May 18: Last day of school for students

Outstanding StAR Students