Welcome to Chatham Middle School

Class of 2026

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CMS PLEDGE

We, the students of Chatham Middle School, believe that everybody has the right to live in a community where theyfeel safe, included, valued and accepted regardless of differences.

We pledge to be respectful of others and stand up against bullying whenever and wherever we see it.

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Names to Know…Principal: Jill GihorskiAssistant Principals: Peter Trebour

Anthony GiaconiaMain Office Secretaries: Katrina Conley-Ross

Deborah ConnonMarylynn MacLeod

Attendance Secretary: Connie RydenCounselors: Stephanie Montefinese

Lindsay RubinFrank Benimeo

Student Assistance Counselor: Alex MandalaTeacher Leaders: Grade 6: Dave Fowler

Grade 7: Lara GolombuskiGrade 8: Andrea Lacey

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REGULAR SCHEDULEDoors Open: 7:45Homeroom/Block 1: 7:55-8:52Block 2: 8:55-9:44Block 3: 9:47-10:36Lunch: 10:39-11:12Block 4: 11:15-12:04Block 5: 12:07-12:56Block 6: 12:59-1:48Block 7: 1:51-2:40

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REGULAR SCHEDULE

● A-H days● Rotating 8 classes● Drop 1 class each day● 3 Minute Passing time between classes● Please view the link below to become familiar with the

rotating schedule. Each day (A-H) has a different order of classes.

https://www.chatham-nj.org/Page/2034

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House A, B, and C● Chatham Middle School breaks students into three houses per

grade level

● House A, B and C

● Each house has the same Math, English, Social Studies, Science, and Special Education teacher

● Each house has ONE school counselorStephanie Montefinese- House ALindsay Rubin- House BFrank Benimeo- House C

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Core ClassesMathScienceEnglishSocial StudiesWorld LanguagePhysical Education

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World Language● Spanish

● Chinese

● French

● German● American Sign

Language

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CYCLES

● Art● CMS Top Chef● Robotics● Music Technology● Required Cycle

● iSTEM● English Cycles

● Argument and Debate● Graphic Novels

1 cycle each marking period4 cycles each school year

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Electives

● Studio Art (1 credits)● Band (2 credits)● Orchestra (2 credits)● Chorus (2 credits)● Theater Arts (1 credit)● MAP (must be recommended) (2 credits)● EXCEL (must be recommended) (2 credits)● Study Hall (1, 2, 3, or 4 credits)

4 credits

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Transitions● 5th Grade Student Orientation in June during school

● Students will meet the administrative and counseling staff

● Students will be taken on a tour of the building by our CMS Pro-Leader Students

● Students can view their schedules at the end of the summer on the Genesis Parent Portal

● The Middle School will have Open House hours over the summer where students can come and become comfortable with the building and where their classes are

Tuesday, August 2oth 1-3PMWednesday, August 28th 5-7PM

https://www.chatham-nj.org/Page/8926 11

Lockers● Students in the middle school will receive lockers for their belongings and PE lockers. Each has a dial combination lock.

● This is something that some people struggle with ifthey have not had prior experience with it.

● If you have the ability to practice with one of these before 6th grade starts, it may lessen the worry that some students have with this transition. 12

SuppliesThe Chatham Middle School website provides families with a list of supplies that students need for each class. Please view this list prior to school starting so that students are prepared at the start of school. The link is below. If supplies are needed for multiple classes, they can be used across classes and do not need to be doubled.

https://www.chatham-nj.org/Page/11998

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What Can I Get Involved in?● Academic Bowl● Acceptance Alliance● WAAG “We’re All Animal

Guardians”● All School Production● Battle of the Books● Builders Club● Jazz Band● CMS in the AM● Pop Orchestra● Continental Math League● Debate

● Environmental Club● Robotics● Games Club● Jr. Model UN● Glee Club● Math Counts● Nothing But Nets● Open Gym● Science Club● Student Council● Yearbook

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COMMUNICATION with staff

Google Classroom (Students and Parents)Email (Students and Parents)Genesis Parent Portal(Students and Parents)Parent Meetings (Parents)Phone Conferences (Parents)Morning Help (Students)

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Chromebooks● All 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders will receive Dell Chromebooks

● Students are expected to bring their fully charged device to school every single day.

● If students charge the device fully before school each day, as they are expected to do, the battery will last throughout the entire day.

● Students will have these devices for the duration of their enrollment at that school.

● Click on the link below for the District Technology Handbook and the answer to many questions

● Contact Sue Braviak (sbraviak@chatham-nj.org) with questions

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oF5e0iNwgHCVO6zRjhZZqJ3LR8NJUPFpEIujjkiZQc4/edit#bookmark=id.283wvj4e5ek6 16

AGENDA BOOKS● We will provide students with a CMS agenda● Has the student handbook inside (policies)● Has schedule inside● Bring it to each class● Keeps students organized● Use it everyday

https://www.chatham-nj.org/cms/lib/NJ01000518/Centricity/Domain/261/Agenda%202013-14-Word%202.pdf

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Grading● You can keep track of grades on the Genesis Parent Portal.

● The teacher enters grades for assignments and assessments once grading is completed.

● Grading Structure: A+: 96.5-100, A: 92.5-96.4, A-:89.5-92.4 B+: 86.5-89.4, B: 82.5-86.4, B-:79.5-82.4 C+: 76.5-79.4, C: 72.5-76.4, C-: 69.5-72.4 D+: 66.5-69.4, D: 62.5-66.4, D-: 59.5-62.4 F: 59.4 and below

https://parents.chatham-nj.org/genesis/parents?gohome=true 18

Attendance● In compliance with the Board of Education and state attendance

requirements, all students should attend school in a punctual fashion every day.

● If a student is absent, it is up to them to reach out to the teachers the next day to get any missed work or assignments

● The school must be notified of a student’s absence before 8:00am. Parents must always state the reason for absence. For your convenience, please call 973-457-2506, and select option #1 to report a student’s absence/tardiness.

● Genesis Parent Portal also allows an online option for you to input an absence or tardiness.

● Students absent for more than two consecutive days may request homework. You can email your child’s teachers directly for homework assignments.

● Students need prior approval for an early dismissal. The student must present a note signed by a parent outlining the request to the attendance office first thing in the morning

● By 9:15am a message will be sent using our Instant Alert System. If you receive this message, it means that your child was not marked present in homeroom

https://www.chatham-nj.org/cms/lib/NJ01000518/Centricity/Domain/261/Agenda%202013-14-Word%202.pdf 19

Great Things About 6th Grade

● Many teachers, many styles● Lockers/Birthdays● Freedom and independence ● A year of growth ● Clubs and after school activities● Seeing friends at lunch● Halloween Happenings● Fun in the Sun

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Hurdles of 6th Grade

● Organization● Distractions/Procrastination● Knowing when to ask for help● Using my lock● Time management ● Getting enough sleep

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Sixth grade one-liners…..

September……

- “I can’t fit all my stuff in my locker!”

- “It is impossible to get to class on time.”

-“There is no time to write down homework.”

-“I have too much homework.”

- “The teacher never told me that.”

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October……“I’ve organized my books for morning and afternoon classes.

- “I drop my books off in Mr. Fowler’s class before lunch.”

- “I don’t need to use my agenda!”

-“I don’t need to study for the test. It’s not until Friday.”

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May…….-“If you’re worried about getting to class on time, set a timer at home to see how much you can do in 3 minutes.”

-“Let me tell you, it’s perfectly fine to be nervous and once you are here for a little while, everything will be easier and normal.”

-“Showers are good to help you wake up.”

-“…and most important, ASK QUESTIONS!

-“The more questions you ask, the more it makes sense here.”

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FAQ ● How do I get a Genesis login for Parent Portal?

This will be sent to you during the summer. If you have a question, you can contact Sally Moreno at smoreno@chatham-nj.org or (973) 457-2560.

● How do we choose cycles/electives for the next academic school year?You will be notified to log onto the Parent Portal to choose students’ electives and cycles. They are filled at a first-come, first-served basis.

● Are there parent/teacher conferences at CMS?We do not have scheduled parent/teacher conferences. We accommodate throughout the year as needed. Each team meets multiple times throughout the week which could be used as conference times. You can contact the grade-level leader to schedule a conference if needed.

● Can I drop or add electives once the school year has begun?There is a two week drop/add period at the beginning of the semester. A note from the child’s guardian is needed to drop courses. Only electives can be dropped.

● What if I have a concern about a specific subject area for my child?We always recommend contacting the teacher first to discuss the concern.

● If I am going through a family issue, should I let my child’s counselor know?Yes. Please do contact us. We are here to support your child in school and offer resources as needed.

● How can my child access the school counselor during the school day?Emailing the school counselor is one of the easiest way to make contact with the counselor. Students can ask their teacher to go to the counseling office if it is urgent. If not urgent, they can come down between classes, during cycles, physical education, electives, or lunch to talk or to make an appointment.

https://www.chatham-nj.org/Domain/1255

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We look forward to getting to know you and being a part of

your middle school experience!

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Any questions……..?

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