CMS Student Council @ Culver's

The Carroll Middle School Student Council will participate in a fundraiser at Culver’s on Monday, April 18th, from 5:00-8:00.


Culver’s will donate a portion of their proceeds to the CMS Student Council. Students will be responsible for opening doors for the customers, delivering food to the customers, and taking samples of
food to the customers.

We hope to see you there on Monday the 18th.  

Parent Letter on Math Acceleration

April 2016

Guardian/Parent(s) of 5th, 6th, & 7th Graders:

Our team of 6-8 math teachers has been participating in math professional development since February 2015.  The teachers have been working as a team to learn more about the Iowa Core Mathematics, to review best math practices, and to evaluate math textbooks.  As part of the professional development, the team also reviewed the acceleration process at Carroll Middle School.  

Throughout our conversations it was evident we believe it is important to accelerate and provide differentiation opportunities for those students whose data qualify them for acceleration.  

We have identified several components that are important as we make decisions on whether or not students accelerate in the area of math:  

1. Make it data-driven.
2. Work as a team when looking at the data so more conversations can take place when making these decisions.
3. Add another layer of testing criteria that is more aligned to the Iowa Core (adding a benchmark test).

We have agreed upon the following assessments along with the criteria that students will need to demonstrate to accelerate in the area of math.

*Students must meet all 3 indicators to determine acceleration

Grade	Iowa Assessments (begin April 11th)	NWEA (use spring score); take in a few weeks	Benchmark Test (take in May)
5th	95% or higher	93% or higher	85% or higher
6th	95% or higher	93% or higher	85% or higher
7th	95% or higher	93% or higher	85% or higher

• All 5th graders take 6th grade Benchmark Test in May.
• All 6th graders take 7th grade Benchmark Test in May.
• 7th graders not taking Algebra this year would take 8th grade Benchmark Test in May to determine it they should take Algebra next year.
• All 7th graders taking Algebra this current school year take Geometry Placement test (determine if they take Geometry at the high school).  
• Students who have been identified with a math goal through the Special Education program would not take the Math Benchmark Test unless parent wishes their child to do so--please contact us if you would like your child to take the Math Benchmark Test.

If students do not demonstrate the above criteria to accelerate for the start of the next school year, they have the opportunity to accelerate at some later point during the year if a teacher thinks s/he shows signs of possibly accelerating by performing well in NWEA Fall and Winter testing windows.  

We believe our Math Professional Development has allowed us to take steps to improve the acceleration process at Carroll Middle School.  We believe our work will benefit our students by identifying students who meet the criteria to accelerate using a more detailed, thorough process.

If you have any questions, concerns or comments, feel free to contact me by email at cheiman@carrolltigers.org or by phone at 712-792-8020.

Thank you.

Cory J. Heiman

CMS Dean of Students

Tech Week @ Carroll Public Library

Students in grades 5-8 are invited to attend Teen Tech Week at the Carroll Public Library.  It is free to attend any day.  No sign up required.  Just show up and CREATE!!

Monday, March 7th (4-6pm)

Learn to Code

Tuesday, March 8th (4-6pm)

Learn to use Conductive Thread

Wednesday, March 9th (4-6pm)

Day of Robots

Thursday, March 10th (4-6pm) 

Green Screen Video Production

It sounds like a great opportunity for students to learn some 21st Century Skills.  Please check it out!  

Internet Safety

February 2016

Dear Guardian/Parent(s):

Education and student safety are among top priorities at Carroll Community School District.  In pursuit of these values, Carroll Middle School will offer informational sessions about Internet safety for 7th and 8th grade students.  This idea originated as we recognize the increased presence and use of social media.  Popular sites among our students are Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.  We want to ensure that our students know how to conduct themselves respectfully and appropriately, especially if/when difficult situations arise.

Educational sessions will be led by Gary Bellinghausen of the Carroll Police Department, whom also leads our 6th grade DARE program.  He will utilize NetSmartz (http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents) to guide curriculum and ensure that the most relevant information is being shared.  Some content will address Internet safety, sexting, gaming, and cyber-bullying.  

In order to adequately prepare, we will talk to students prior to Officer Bellinghausen’s visit.  A Google Survey will also be shared with students, which will create an opportunity for them to offer questions or comments about the presentation.  The survey’s responses will help Officer Bellinghausen to create a relevant, helpful, and timely presentation.

Sessions will occur on Wednesday, February 10 (7th grade) and Thursday, February 11 (8th grade) during regularly scheduled social studies/geography classes.  If your child does not have social studies/geography, s/he will have an adjusted schedule so s/he can attend the session.  You are welcomed to attend this session during your child’s assigned class period.  You may check the time of their assigned class on Infinite Campus.

If you do not want your child to participate, please contact me by phone at 712-792-8020 or email at cheiman@carrolltigers.org.  An alternative activity will then be provided.  There is no penalty for not participating.  

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, again, please contact me.  

Thank you.

Cory J. Heiman
CMS Dean of Students

McGraw-Hill Math Pilot

Our team of 6-8 math teachers has been participating in math professional development since last February.  They have been working as a team to learn more about the Iowa Core Mathematics and to review best math practices.  As part of the professional development, the team is looking at new curriculum materials that are more closely aligned to the Iowa Core Mathematics, allowing for greater opportunity for students to think at higher levels.

Our math team of teachers is currently looking at new math materials for next year.  The 6-8 math teachers will participate in our second math pilot in which they will implement the math curriculum materials McGraw-Hill for a short time.  The purpose of the pilot is for our teachers to familiarize themselves with the variety of resources within the math series, to determine the curriculum materials’ impact on student learning, and to see how the students respond to the materials.

The math team has come up with a few guidelines during the implementation of the McGraw-Hill pilot:

1. Teachers will pilot the materials after Thanksgiving break up until Winter break and possibly into the first week in January.
2. Students will have access to the textbook online.
3. Students may be sent home materials such as workbooks/handouts from the new materials.
4. Homework will consist of basic math assignments of concepts from the materials.
5. Grades collected during this time will consist of work completion grades (students putting forth best effort on assigned tasks), certain assignments and assessments from new materials, and IXL assignments.

We are anxious to get the pilot underway with the hopes of introducing materials to the teachers and students that will increase the depth of learning for our students.

We ask students to do their best with the new materials as the materials may ask students to think about math in new ways.  

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.  If you have any questions, concerns or comments, contact me by email at cheiman@carrolltigers.org or by phone at 712-792-8020.    

Big Ideas Math Pilot

6-8 Parent/Guardian(s):

Our team of 6-8 math teachers has been participating in math professional development since last February. They have been working as a team to learn more about the Iowa Core Mathematics and to review best math practices.  As part of the professional development, the team is looking at new curriculum materials that are more closely aligned to the Iowa Core Mathematics, allowing for greater opportunity for students to think at higher levels.

The 6-8 math teachers will participate in a math pilot in which they will implement the math curriculum materials Big Ideas Math for a short time.  The purpose of the pilot is for our teachers to familiarize themselves with the variety of resources within the math series, to determine the curriculum materials’ impact on student learning, and to see how the students respond to the materials.

The math team has come up with a few guidelines during the implementation of the Big Ideas Math pilot:

1. Teachers will pilot the materials from October 26 - November 20.
2. Textbooks will stay here at school during the pilot--will not be sent home with students.
3. Students may be sent home materials such as handouts from the new materials.
4. Students will have online access to the textbook during the pilot.
5. Homework will consist of basic math assignments of concepts from the materials.
6. Grades collected during this time will consist of work completion grades (students putting forth best effort on assigned tasks), certain assignments and assessments from new materials, and IXL assignments.

We are anxious to get the pilot underway with the hopes of introducing materials to the teachers and students that will increase the depth of learning for our students.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.  If you have any questions, concerns or comments, contact me by email at cheiman@carrolltigers.org or by phone at 712-792-8020.    

Infinite Campus App

Guardian/Parent(s):

Did you know you can keep up-to-date on your child's progress, track his/her attendance, view his/her account balance, and be notified when teachers enter grades or assignments from your smartphone? 

Download the Infinite Campus app, enter the District ID: XPLDCS and your username and password.

http://media.infinitecampus.com/public/html/mobile/