Middle School Principal’s Letter
Dear Parents,
Thank you for reading this week’s edition of News and Views. It has been another week full of learning, exploring, and having fun.
We began the week with an ERD day dedicated to professional development. Teachers explored Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework aimed at helping students become purposeful and motivated, resourceful and knowledgeable, and strategic and goal-oriented. During the session, teachers engaged with the Science of Learning and examined how the brain works. This training is part of our ongoing journey to strengthen inclusive practices and support all learners in our community.
On Monday, we held our PEACE Day Assembly led by Mr. McCuaig, Ms. Shalaby, and Ms. Torky. The assembly served as an important reminder to both students and faculty that peace is everyone’s responsibility.
We also conducted our first emergency drill of the school year. On Tuesday, under the supervision of the Regional Security Officer from the embassy, we carried out a Fire Drill. Our students did an outstanding job evacuating the building quietly, quickly, and gathering safely on the MS lawn.
MAP Assessment Results & Parent Education Session From Dr. Theron J. Mott, Director of Teaching & Learning:
At CAC, we utilize a range of tools to monitor each child’s growth as a learner. One of these tools is the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment, given in Grades 3–9. MAP results provide a snapshot of your child’s current skills in reading, language usage, and math. Because they are compared to an international norm group, the results also show how your child’s progress relates to peers at the same grade level. While helpful, MAP scores are only one piece of the puzzle. Together with classroom work, teacher observations, and other assessments, they provide a more comprehensive picture of each student’s learning.
Your child’s MAP results will be available in Skyward by 8:00 am on Wednesday, October 1. To help you better understand the scores and how we use them, we invite you to an information session on Thursday, October 2, at 9:00 a.m. in MS 116, following the Elementary family picnic breakfast. During this session, we will walk through how to read and interpret the results and share how teachers use this information—alongside other evidence of learning—to support and guide student growth.
If you plan to attend, please sign up here so that we can ensure we have enough seating and snacks for everyone. Hope to see you there!
Food for thought:
What do you think is the most damaging lesson that we learn about emotions? According to Marc Brackett, the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. He said the most damaging is becoming a self-saboteur, engaging in self-defeating talk, and self-criticism: ‘I’m not good enough.‘ I’m not strong enough. I’m not smart enough. I’m not this enough. It metastasizes and really inhibits us from achieving almost everything that we want in life. Read more.
Thank you for your continuous support of the middle school.
In Partnership,
Courtney Bailey
The Middle School Principal
Announcements
Snaps from the MS Student Council Retreat Today!
Halloween Candy Donations – MS Advisory Competition 
Throughout the weeks leading up to the Halloween Social (Thursday, October 30),
we will be running an advisory candy donation competition to help make the Middle School Halloween Social as sweet and enjoyable as possible!
Bring in as much candy as you can each morning to your advisory teacher – please make sure:
• You bring candy that you enjoy eating.
• Please make sure that candy is individually wrapped.
• Halloween-themed candy is very much appreciated!
The advisory that brings in the most candy donations in each grade will receive Krispy Kreme donuts for advisory.
The last day to bring in candy donations is Thursday morning, October 30.
From Fresh & Co
CAC Talks is back!
What would you love to share, or learn about, together as a community?
Click here to share your ideas.
Click here to listen to past talks (requires log in).
From PTO
Join Us for Our First PTO Community Service Event of the Year!
We’re excited to kick off the year with a meaningful opportunity to give back.
Date: Monday, September 29
Details & Sign-up: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DvXyqsvd1aBCFv0E9JmUQk?mode=ems_wa_t
Whether you’re new to CAC or have been here for years, this is a wonderful chance to connect, give back, and be part of something special.
Let’s make a difference together!
Hello CAC Families!
We hope you’re all having a great week so far! Things are going really well around school, and it’s been amazing to see so much energy and community spirit.
We’ve got lots of exciting things coming up, and we’d love for more parents to jump in and get involved. Whether it’s brainstorming decoration ideas, lending a hand at events, or joining one of our committees, there’s a place for everyone. Even a little bit of your time makes a big difference!
Calling All Volunteers!
We’d love to have more volunteers join our Halloween Decorations Committee and Candy Committee this year!
– Decorations Committee: Brainstorm ideas, work on crafts, and help set up décor around the school.
– Candy Committee: Help gather, sort, and organize candy donations for our events.
Interested? Join us here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KeeAA4dQp6v6qc5fSi0oN3?mode=ems_copy_t
Call for Materials – Halloween Installation!
The Decorations Committee is also collecting cardboard boxes (all shapes and sizes) and plastic bottles for this year’s creative installation.
Items can be dropped off at the school front gate.
The Heart Run – October 17th in Palm Hills
Run the Race, Save a Heart
Mark your calendar for October 17th and join the Heart Run in Palm Hills to benefit the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation.
The run is your chance to put your best foot forward and make a difference.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a first-timer, heal hearts by taking part in the run, support a great cause and have fun with friends and family.
All proceeds from registration and donations go directly to support free heart surgeries. Run the Race, Save a Heart.
Link for registration: https://stamina-sports.com/heart-run
Promo code for 20% off: HART20
Spirit Café Update
The Booster Club loves seeing so many students enjoying the Spirit Café each week! We know the lines can get long (and hot!), so here are a few tips to help things move quickly:
– Please review the menu with your child ahead of time so they know what they’d like to order.
– Exact change is always a big help.
– The Spirit Café accepts EGP cash only (no cards).
– Our core menu stays the same, and we post weekly specials on the window—be sure to check them out!
Our full price list is below to make planning easier. Thanks for helping us keep the line moving so everyone can enjoy their Spirit Café treats!
Spirit Café Price List
Candy & Sweet Treats
– 5 EGP – Lollipop
– 30 EGP – Sour Straws
– 40 EGP – Skittles, Gushers, Candy Bracelets, Sour Patch Kids
– 50 EGP – Ring Pop, Fun Dip
– 60 EGP – Chocolate Bar, M&Ms
Snacks & Packaged Treats
– 10 EGP – Oreo Cookie Pack
– 20 EGP – Doritos, Raw Chips
– 30 EGP – Fitness Bar
– 40 EGP – Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich, Ice Pop
– 50 EGP – Baked Good, Granola Bar
Drinks
– 10 EGP – Cup of Ice Water
– 20 EGP – Pink Lemonade, Juice Box, Soda
– 40 EGP – Coffee, Hot tea, Hot chocolate
– 50 EGP – Nescafé Iced Can, Cappuccino, Latte
– 60 EGP – Latte with Syrup
Hot Foods & Savories
– 40 EGP – Noodles
– 70 EGP – Chips and Salsa
– 120 EGP – Hot Dog, Nachos with Cheese
– 150 EGP – Taco in a Bag, Nachos Grande
Three Cheers
Three Cheers to Dr. Mott for leading the PD session on Tuesday.
Three Cheers to Mr. Bassett, Mr. Said and Ms. Harouny for being sweepers during our fire drills.
Three Cheers to Ms. Torky and Genidy for organizing the STUCO retreat for the students.
Three Cheers to all teachers for implementing the UDL practice in their classrooms.