Colonia Middle School

CMS Message from Principal Short - 2.1.24: Colonia Middle School Families, As we begin our second semester today, I wanted to express my appreciation to our entire school community. I continue to live by my professional motto, “It is a PRIVILEGE to work at this school.” The meaning is very simple: -It is a PRIVILEGE to work with your children. -It is a PRIVILEGE to work with our families. -It is a PRIVILEGE to work with our dedicated staff. -It is a PRIVILEGE to work with our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). -It is a PRIVILEGE to work with our stakeholders in the community. I am very proud of what our students have accomplished so far this year and we will continue to work in providing the best possible middle school experience. Here are a few reminders: -Monday, February 5th – Marking Period 2 Report Cards available on Parent Access at 8 AM. -We are participating in the township-wide “Have-A-Heart” food drive to support our local food banks. We are encouraging students to bring in non-perishable food items to their Period 1 Classes up until 2/16/24. Thank you and enjoy your evening. Joseph A. Short Principal, Colonia Middle School

Colonia Middle School Families: We are participating in the township-wide "Have-A-Heart" food drive to support our local food banks. We are encouraging students to bring in non-perishable food items to their Period 1 class up until Friday, February 16, 2024. See flyer for more details: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gUA7jYMdNzkt_gVJaQYLeAK-2-IduKBNksTSddjvitQ/edit?usp=sharing Thank you in advance. Joseph A. Short, Principal, Colonia Middle School

CMS Families, 1.) Our students continue to work hard and achieve at the highest level. 78% of our students made the Honor Roll for Marking Period 1. 2.) Our Boys and Girls Basketball Teams have secured the #1 seed and will play for the district championship. The Boys Team will play on Wednesday, January 10th at 6:00 PM in the Woodbridge High School Gymnasium. The Girls Team play immediately after, at approximately 7:30 PM. Please come out to support Colonia Middle School. 3.) We wish all of our families a Happy Holiday Season and a Joyous New Year. Please enjoy our CMS Holiday Video Card using the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6yniVjYmFo Warmest regards, Joseph A. Short Principal, Colonia Middle School

Please see the following letter and flyer regarding our new Vehicle Idling Informational Program: https://5il.co/2bbu8 https://5il.co/2bbhv

Please note: Sports physicals for the CMS Bowling team are due by January 8, 2024 and physicals for all Spring sports are due by March 11, 2024.

Check out our 1st quarterly CMS Newsletter! https://5il.co/295rb

Click here to see what is happening in our schools for American Education Week https://5il.co/28tti

Colonia Middle School Families, On behalf of our entire staff, we would like to wish our families a safe and enjoyable Fall Break. The students have had an outstanding first two months and we hope they enjoy their time off. School resumes on Monday, November 13, 2023. Marking Period 1 Report Cards will be available on the Genesis Parent Access at 8:00 am on Friday, November 17, 2023. Best regards, Joseph A. Short Principal, Colonia Middle School

CMS 8th Grade Families, Our PTO will be purchasing a yearbook for all 8th grade students this year.  A very special THANK YOU to our PTO for this generous donation. Best regards, Joseph A. Short Principal, Colonia Middle School

No school for Woodbridge Township School District students on Monday, October 9, 2023 (Employee In-Service day). Classes will resume on Tuesday, October 10th. Please see the district calendar here: https://5il.co/14jxz

CMS Families, Our students had a great week with a focus on Respect and Inclusion. Reminder to students interested in trying out for a sport, be sure to turn in your physicals. Reminder there is no school for students on Monday, October 9, 2023.  This is an employee in-service day. Last year's NJSLA test results for CMS students will be distributed in an afternoon homeroom on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.  Each student will receive their Individual Score Report. Your child's guidance counselor is available to assist you with any questions. Thank you and have a great weekend. Joseph A. Short Principal, Colonia Middle School

CMS Updates, 9/21/23: 1.) Reminder that Picture Day is Friday, 9/22. 2.) See attached letter regarding the Free/Reduced lunch program application process https://5il.co/25ekt

CMS Families, 1.) Thank you for an outstanding opening week of school, we are very proud of our students. 2.) All CMS students are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue on Monday (9/11/23), in recognition of Patriot Day. Enjoy your weekend. Joseph A. Short Principal, Colonia Middle School

Please click on link below for a Welcome Letter from Mr. Short: https://5il.co/23hgh

CMS Families, As a reminder, if your child is planning on or even not sure they are going to try out for a sport (cheer included), they will need an approved sports physical before try outs. That means that it will need to be handed into the nurse 3-4 weeks before try outs to be sent to the township doctor for approval. If it is flagged for further evaluations (cardiac clearance, vision, etc.) it may take longer. Please make sure all pages are filled out with parent and athlete signatures. The "Athlete with special needs" page must be filled out by everyone, even if you don't have needs. Just mark yes/no and sign the bottom. All the forms can be found on my site under the "Athletic Forms". Forms required are: -History Form (parent fills out - please Explain all "yes" answers on bottom right side-it will save a phone call to you asking about it). -Physical Exam Form (Doctor completes)- Bring your glasses if you wear them. -Clearance Form (Doctor completes) - must have Dr. stamp on it. - Athlete with special needs form (parent completes). -Concussion forms (parent and athlete). - Sudden cardiac death sign off (parent and athlete) - pamphlet is on my site to read. - Health history update (parent completes if physical exam date more than 90 days). There are sports physical packets available for pick up in the main office as well. You can drop off completed Sports Physicals in the main office or email to me during the summer. Please make sure the email copy is legible (not blurry or cut off). The originals will need to be handed in in September but I will try to save you a trip. Excel Urgent Care in Iselin is offering FREE sports physicals, see my site for info. My site can be found at https://sites.google.com/wtsdnj.com/staceycacchionern/home Have a healthy and safe Summer! Mrs. Stacey Cacchione BSN, RN, CSN School Nurse Colonia Middle School 732-396-7010 stacey.cacchione@woodbridge.k12.nj.us

CMS Families, Thank you for an outstanding year! Enjoy your summer and remember to read. The link below provides information on a district summer book club for students: https://sites.google.com/wtsdnj.com/wtsdlibrarymediaprogram/book-club?authuser=0 Best of luck to our 8th grade class in high school. Best wishes, Joseph A. Short Principal, Colonia Middle School

The end of the school year is quickly approaching! The following schedule will be in place for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year: 6/14 - 6/21 is early dismissal for all schools. All schools will be closed on 6/19. EARLY DISMISSAL: Grades K-5 @ 1:10 pm; Grades 6-8 @ 12:45 pm; Grades 9-12 @ 12:10 pm

SCHOOL MEAL APPLICATION DEADLINE If your child(ren) are not signed up for free or reduced price school meals, you will have until 6/23/23 to submit an application to your school or to verify your information on file to be eligible for Summer 2023. Click here https://5il.co/1vn2w

CMS Families,  The “Fun Day” we have all been waiting for is almost here! The CMS PTO and PBIS Committee will be hosting our end of the year “Fun Day” on Thursday, June 8th (Rain date #1- Monday, June 12th, Rain date #2- Tuesday, June 13th).  This will be a full day event that will involve indoor and outdoor activities including inflatables, dunk tank, relay races, pep rally and more! The Woodbridge Township Police Department will also be competing against students in grade level kickball games! Lunch and drinks will be provided by The Clark Bistro as well as ice cream provided by the PTO.  The purpose of this “Fun Day” is to celebrate the accomplishments of the PBIS program that CMS implements in order to increase positive behavior throughout the building. CMS wants to acknowledge the positive behaviors exhibited by our students throughout the course of this school year. This event is free of charge.

CMS Families, On this Monday, May 15th we will be hosting our Spring Festival of the Arts.  The Art Show will be available for viewing in the Gym beginning at 5:30 PM.  The Band, Chorus, and Dance performances will begin promptly at 6:15 PM in the Cafeteria.  Please enter Door #11. With the arrival of warm weather, we will be reviewing the District Student Dress Code Policy #5132 with all students in homeroom on Monday, May 15th.  Please reinforce at home that, “Students may not wear short-shorts.  Shorts and skirts shall be mid thigh or longer in length.” Thank you for your continued support and have a very Happy Mother’s Day weekend. Joseph A. Short Principal, Colonia Middle School