Welcome to

5th Grade Family Information Night

Colchester Middle School

May 2026

Agenda

• Introductions
• A little about CMS from the Student Representative Committee
• School Counselors
• Student Panel
• Getting to know middle school students and CMS

Driver Education

A chance to turn and talk.

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Think back

How was being in Driver Education class like being the

parent of a middle school student?

A little about CMS before we get started

CMS School Counselors Core Beliefs:

• Our services are for all students.
• We provide education and guidance to students in the areas of academics, personal/social and career development.
• We collaborate with students, parents, families, faculty and outside resources to best meet the needs of our students.
• We develop programs based on the needs of our students and school community. These include:
• Self advocacy, growth mindset, conflict and more!

We wish…

Learning Targets

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• I understand that the Middle School years are a time of great change, challenge, and growth

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• I know CMS is founded on best practices to help students grow.

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• I have a better understanding of how a school day runs.

The Middle School Years

Ages 10 - 14 are a pivotal time of growth. Adolescent brains and bodies are changing more than any other time in their life except birth to three years.

• Physically
• Intellectually
• Socially
• Emotionally

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What is actually happening in your child's brain while they are with us for 3 years…. And beyond

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A real phenomenon where children, particularly those under 12, experience intense emotional meltdowns, tantrums, or exhaustion upon arriving home. It happens because they have spent the entire day using self-control and masking emotions at school, finally releasing their pent-up stress in their safe space.

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After School Restraint Collapse

Trust but verify

Approach with curiosity

Wait time

6th Grade Teams

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iD3AEppr01eZt_l__xFk6F_8QO6kDh5aj1dhye59GEM/edit?usp=sharing

• Two core teachers per team
• TA teacher (homeroom +)
• One Special Educator shares two teams
• One UA Teacher per team
• Each TA teacher has about 22 students
• One core teacher teaches Humanities
• One core teacher teaches Math/Science
• Support services: Two behavior specialists, BI running our planning room, School Psychologist, Para-educators, Behavior Interventionists, Two Howard Center school clinicians, One Howard center therapist

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Team Structure & School Resources

A Typical 6th Grade Day

Typography

Key Principles

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Physical Education

Health

World Languages

Music

Visual Art

S.T.E.A.M.

Library

CMS Unified Arts

What to Expect the First Weeks

• Set team norms/expectations
• Practice expectations
• Team community building ie:FUNN!
• Introduction to curriculum
• A field trip!

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What to Expect the First Weeks

• Safety presentation
• Bullying Presentation
• Social Emotional Curriculum
• Sports announcements
• Clubs announcements

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Additional Information to Know

• Arrival/Dismissal
• Bus and bus changes
• Breakfast/Lunch
• Recess
• After school activities
• Chromebooks
• Late arrival/illness/early dismissal
• Cell phones
• Website
• Parentsquare

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For information related to the following:

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• Google Classroom
• Chromebooks
• Powerschool Parent Portal
• Go Guardian

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please see the technology parent resource sheet linked here.

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Contact Ms. Sofferman if you have questions!

* All book summaries from Goodreads.com

For more information, click here

Audiobooks and/or read-alouds are fine!

• Reading over the summer helps to prevent learning loss.
• All students entering grades 6-8 are asked to read one book between now and the middle of September.
• CMS will provide a free summer reading book to each student that they get to keep!
• In fall, staff members will lead reading circle discussions with the students.

CMS PACT

Parents Advocating with Children & Teachers

Chair - Tracy Helfrich

Treasurer - Megan Gilbert

Secretary -

Communication-

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Plus LOTS of parents who attend meetings, help out behind the scenes, volunteer, donate, etc

• Created in 2020 to support the CMS Community
• What are PACT funds used for?
• Student Night Out Activities
• Employee Appreciation
• Year-End Spring Fling
• Ski & Ride Scholarship
• Additional student support (ie, bus for CMS Days, uniforms, sports needs, club fees,)

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WHO WE ARE

WHAT WE DO

HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED

FUNDRAISING

• Concession stand donations via Amazon Wish List
• Cookie Love Fundraiser
• Direct donations via Venmo
• Student Night Out donations

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VOLUNTEERING

• Student Night Out
• Spring Fling
• Setting up/Taking down events

PLANNING

• PACT meets the first Tuesday of every month in the CMS library from 6-7
• You do NOT have to attend meetings to be involved - come when you can!
• We value EVERYONE’s support!

Why Wait?

• Smartphones are changing childhood
• Smartphones are addictive
• Excessive Smartphone use is altering children’s brains
• Smartphones impair sleep
• Screen time impacts behavior
• Smartphones interfere with relationships
• Smartphones increase the risk for anxiety and depression
• Smartphones put your child at risk for cyber bullying
• Smartphones expose children to inappropriate content
• Smartphones are an academic distraction

Family Resources

• Let’s Talk About Purpose
• Let’s Talk About Phone Fundamentals
• Let’s Talk About Texting
• Wait Until 8th’s App Game Plan
• The Anxious Generation

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What you can do:

• Implement parental controls
• Set access limits (apps), time limits
• Monitor your child’s phone usage on a weekly basis
• Refrain from texting your child during the school day

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Burlington Free Press Article - Will VT Ban Cell Phones?

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16 Shetland Ln

Colchester, VT 05446

Developmental Designs

Student Achievement

Our students are achieving whey they are connected to school, fulfilling learning goals, developing critical social and academic skills, and are eager and able to contribute to the world.

Featuring actual parents and kids as well as industry-leading experts in child safety and development, this documentary dives into the real-life issues facing kids today — including cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation, and more.. A MUST WATCH

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Free on Youtube !

Characteristics of Middle School Students

Article