ARCC

Central Cambria Middle School kicked off the school year’s ARCC (Atmosphere of Respect, Courtesy, and Courage) Program, a school-wide initiative to promote a positive school environment and anti-bullying efforts, on August 30^th with a presentation from Stephen and Other Dummies.  Stephen Brubaker engaged the student body with his humor and outrageous props, while emphasizing a message for students to treat each other respectfully. This school year, the middle school will be using the “7 Habits®,” based upon the “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” by Sean Covey, to encourage personal and school success, including taking personal responsibility, setting goals, building positive relationships, resolving conflicts, working collaboratively, and strengthening communication skills.  Please review the student planner for more information regarding the program.

Box Tops For Education - Round 1

The Middle School's Box Tops For Education collection has begun!  Last year, we were able to raise $2,500 through this program.  For those of you new to the program, here is how it works:

What you can do:  Cut out box tops labels from products that you buy and use.  Here is a list of participating products: 

http://www.boxtops4education.com/products/participating-products

Bring those box tops in to your first period class.  We will have a monthly competition between the classes.  The winning classes each month receive privileges in the cafeteria.  They will be able to get into the lunch line first without waiting for their table to be called.  We will have new winners during each round, so new classes may win during each round.  For each box top that is turned in, the school will receive money later in the year that we will be able to use to enhance our offerings for students.  Last year we devoted our Box Top money to purchasing new books for our Middle School library.  This is already paying off, as students have been flocking to our new offerings in the library.  We hope to continue this tradition this year with your help.  

For more information on the Box Tops program, please view this website: 

http://www.boxtops4education.com/homepageinterstitial

Mid-Term Progress Reports

This is a message for all parents.  Mid-term progress reports will be sent home with students this Friday, September 27th.  They will look just like a report card, with current grades for all classes listed.  On the back will be some information about the first month of school and upcoming events.  Please ask your child to see this when they get home on Friday.  If your child has a grade of 77% or below in a class, a detailed progress report from that specific teacher will also be included and sent home on Friday.

STEM Event for 5th & 6th Grade Girls

If you are a parent of a girl in 5th or 6th grade, please read the message below about an event promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM):

5th and 6th grade girls are invited...

To have fun, to meet women in STEM careers, and to learn how STEM could impact their futures!

The Johnstown Branch AAUW in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is providing a STEM event, “GIRLS TECH OVER!” for you!!

“GIRLS TECH OVER” will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

The schedule for the event is:

  9:00  AM         Registration

  9:30  AM       Kick-off Demonstration

                         10:15 AM         Session 1- Small group hands-on activities

                         11:15 AM         Session 2- Small group hands-on activities

                         12:15 PM         Session 3- Small group hands-on activities

                           1:15 PM         Lunch and Prizes Awarded

                           2:00 PM         Conclusion

 Each girl will participate in three, fun, hands-on Stem activities. Lunch will be provided. 

To register go to http://www.johnstownpa.com/aauw/.  There is a STEM 2013 link on the left side of the webpage.  Click on the link to take you to the registration form. There is also a link to a consent form that must be signed by your parent/guardian and brought to the event.

  

FREE

  

http://www.johnstownpa.com/aauw/

Science Olympiad

The Central Cambria Middle School will be offering a new learning opportunity for students this year.  It is the Science Olympiad, and it involves a series of events and competitions that students will prepare for and compete in during the school year.  There are regional competitions, a state competition, and a national contest that the team can qualify for based on their performance against other schools.  Any student who is interested may sign up and participate.  The team of 15 students that will compete in the regional competition will be comprised of those students who win our team competitions at school.  Sign-ups take place starting on Monday, September 16, and forms are due back by Friday, September 20, 2013.  

For more information on Science Olympiad, please visit their website:    http://www.soinc.org/

Girls' Cross Country Team Helps Out at 9/11 Flight 93 Memorial Service

Please read this great article about our middle school girls' cross country team helping out at the Flight 93 memorial service on Wednesday, September 11th:

http://pa.milesplit.com/articles/110919-central-cambria-middle-school-xc-team-assists-at-9-11-flight-93-national-memorial

Walk Now For Autism Speaks - October 19

A benefit walk to support autism awareness and research will be held on October 19, 2013 at People's Natural Gas Field in Altoona.  Check-in time is 11:00 a.m. and the walk begins at noon.  There is no set fee to register, but participants are encouraged to set a goal and raise money to be donated.  The team name is: Central Cambria.  The walk is fun for the whole family, and there will be games and activities throughout the day.  For more information, contact Ms. Keegan at 703-609-9697 or lkeegan@cencam.org.  You can also visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org.  

Picture Dates Reminder

Student pictures will take place Wednesday and Thursday of this week.  8th grade pictures will take place on Wednesday, September 11th.  6th and 7th grade students will have their pictures taken on Thursday, September 12th.  Please plan accordingly.

Week 1 Wrap-Up

Our first week of school began last Tuesday, when students received their schedules and locker assignments.  For 6th graders, learning to open their locker is always a challenge.  After the first few days they have improved tremendously.  The other area where we ran into some trouble was in getting all of our students through the lunch lines on the first two days of school.  We gave our 6th graders an extended lunch period as a result. By today, the 5th day of school, we seem to have the process down and all students were able to get through the lunch lines with plenty of time to spare.  The week ended with an assembly by Stephen and Other Dummies on Friday morning followed by a pep rally at the end of the day.  Our students helped to get the varsity football team fired up for their opening game of the season by cheering and clapping along with our high school marching band.  It was an exciting way to cap off our first week of school.  

Pictures

Student pictures will take place next week.  6th and 7th grade students will have their pictures taken on Thursday, September 12th.  8th grade pictures will take place on Wednesday, September 11th.  Please plan accordingly.