Updates for the week of 09.07.26

7th graders engaged in a poetry slam that was judged by staff and select 8th graders!!

Here are the updates and information for this week:

1.  Day colors this week - Below is each day's color for this week!

2.  Gifted services at CMS - Please see this newsletter to learn more about how gifted services are provided at CMS!!

3.  Athletics at CMS - It was great to see so many students and families supporting our volleyball team last week. Let’s keep that going this week as we have a home volleyball game on Wednesday and a home football game on Saturday!

Home Game Ticketing Information for Volleyball/Basketball

• CMS Students: Free admission! Students can pick up a free ticket at lunch on the day of the game.

• Adults (18–64): $4

• Non-CMS Students: $3

• Children 10 & under / Adults 65 & older: Free

All tickets (excluding free CMS student tickets) must be purchased online using GoFan. CMS will not accept any cash for tickets. 

Important Security Policy: CMS enforces a strict Clear Bag Policy for all athletic events. Any non-clear bags will not be permitted inside the gym, and guests will be asked to return them to their vehicles prior to entry.

Student Supervision & Entry Schedule

• Standard Game Days: Doors open 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game start time. Parents/guardians must arrange for off-campus supervision until doors open, as early drop-offs will not be allowed inside the building.

• Friday's Game Special Schedule: Because Friday's game begins shortly after dismissal, students are permitted to remain on campus and wait after school, as the doors will open 15 minutes after the final bell.

Please ensure any necessary pickup or supervision plans are arranged in advance based on these entry times.

Games this week:

Basketball Conditionings

• The first basketball conditioning will start on September 29th from 3:30-4:45pm in the gym. Check out this flyer about other upcoming basketball conditionings. Any athlete coming to conditionings must have a completed VHSL physical on file. More announcements about basketball can be seen on our CMS athletic website.  

For more information on athletics for the season, check out our CMS Athletic Webpage that is updated weekly with upcoming games/tickets/and upcoming sports.

4.  Upcoming lockdown drill - We will have our first lockdown drill of the year on R 09.10.26.

5.  Voices of Democracy contest - The Center for Community Partnerships and the Digital Technology for Democracy Lab at UVA invite local students to share their vision for the future of American democracy.

Who: Students in grades 6–12 in Charlottesville City and Albemarle County
What: Write 150–300 words answering: What should democracy look like 250 years from now? How might young people and emerging technologies shape what comes next?
Deadline: September 30, 2026
Prizes: Winners can earn up to $500

Learn more and enter the contest here: https://communitypartnerships.virginia.edu/2026-voices-democracy-student-writing-contest

6.  Virtual PTO kick-off meeting (repeat) - Join the CMS PTO and principal to learn what the PTO has been/will be up to and ways that you can get involved!  School updates will also be provided by me (Dr. Thompson), followed by an open Q&A!  Join us on W 09.09.26 at 7pm via this Zoom link!  (If you can’t make it, never fear, I’ll record the meeting and send it out in the next Sunday family update.) 

7.  Information from community partners - 

• CAYIP internship program (repeat)

• Central Little League Baseball and Softball (repeat)

• Cville Bricks LEGO Showcase (repeat)

• City of Charlottesville “Connect” Sites for after school (repeat)

• YMCA after school program for middle schoolers (repeat)

Much love,

Summer Thompson

Principal

UPCOMING EVENTS M 09.07.26 - Labor Day (school division closed) T 09.08.26 - ORANGE Day W 09.09.26 - Virtual PTO meeting (link here) R 09.10.26 - Lockdown drill T 09.15.26 - 7th grade hearing screenings F 09.18.26 - Mental Wellness Day (school division closed)