Middle School Principal’s Letter
Dear Parents,
I want to take this time to welcome you back for the start of another school year. I trust that you had a fun and relaxing summer, and I am excited to welcome all the new families joining our caring CAC community this year.
Our teachers are well rested and eager to welcome the new and returning students.
Every year we start the year with new teachers, and I am proud to introduce you to this year’s new teachers:
Ms. Jenny Kremer – LA/SS – joining us from Beirut
Ms. Kristi Godfrey – Math – joining us from Malaysia
Ms. Ruth Colado Cabo – Spanish – joining us from Brussels
Mr. Jorge Villafuerte – PE/Financial Literacy – joining us from Beirut
Mr. Hank Vogel – Science – joining us from Colorado
Ms. Margaret Fisher – Community Service – joining us from the Elementary School
Ms. Dolly Shalaby – Drama – joining us from the Elementary School
Returning to school after a nice long summer break can be slightly overwhelming so here are a few tips to help you and your child ease into the school mindset:
Remember to keep the supplies minimal and straightforward. Fancy folders and notebooks are bulky and complicated for students to use. Help your children look forward to the new school year by having each person (including you) share at least two goals for the new school year: one academic goal and one “fun” goal.
First Week of School: Week of Routines
Have a “Saturday Night Meeting” every week! Each family member should grab their planners/calendars for a 10-15 minute “meeting.” Ask your children what they have scheduled for the week (such as sports practices), and share your plans for the week (children like to know what to expect, so tell them if you will have a late night at the office or will have to attend a meeting at school), arrange rides home from after-school activities, etc. Your week will be much less chaotic because everyone will be on the same page!
- Establish a routine for papers that need attention. Purchase magnetic clips for each child and post them on the refrigerator. Have your children clip papers you must fill out, sign, etc.
- Get ready for school at night before you go to bed. Avoid chaotic mornings and forgotten school supplies by having everyone pack their homework, book bags, and lunch/lunch money before bed.
- They should also set out their clothes, shoes, and jacket at night.
Is everyone using their school planners? All students need to use a homework planner! Check planners every night until they are part of everyone’s routine. - Clean out bookbags once a week. Cluttered book-bags are the root cause of lost assignments and must be cleaned out regularly. (The Saturday Night Meeting is another good time to do this).
- Give each child a choice about something today. The more you can give your children choices, the more cooperation you will get when doing homework. Some choices may include providing two options for dinner or two different times. When you give choices, your children feel empowered, and they will be more cooperative.
- Catch your children being good today! Improve cooperation by giving compliments to your children. Keep them specific and succinct (most children are embarrassed by mushy-gushy compliments). For example, “Thank you, Adam, for coming home and starting your homework immediately. I appreciate that.” Positive praise works wonders!
- Finally, give yourself a break! Congratulations, you have survived the first two weeks of school and are on your way to a happy, productive school year. Celebrate by scheduling some time for yourself. You deserve it!
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and we are looking forward to working with you to strengthen the home-school partnership.
In Partnership,
Courtney Bailey
The Middle School Principal
Announcements
Spirit Store Opening Hours
Spirit Store hours for the rest of the year starting Sunday, August 21st will be as follows: weekdays, 8:00am – 10:00am and 2:30pm – 4:00pm.
Note From The Health Office
Please note that if your child is in grades 3, 6 or 9, a student physical examination must be completed by a physician.
The form is available on the CAC home page under Admissions->Apply Now-> Health Office/Student Medical Examination Form.
Forms are to be handed in to the health office.
Student Medical Examination Form
If you have any questions or concern, please call 2755-5532 or 2755-5533
cgallagher@cacegypt.org
nosama@cacegypt.org
Claire and Nagla.
Parenting Together With Positive Discipline – October 18 (Tweens & Teens)
Join Carey Harris for a parenting course designed for CAC parents!
The 8-week long course meets weekly to…
-address real issues for parents of today’s tweens & teens
-learn over 50 long-term, take-away tools for parenting during the adolescent years
-create a support network for parents of the Cairo American College community
Space is limited! Save your spot – register here!
To learn more about the course visit: https://parentingtogether.edublogs.org/
An Important Update From The Tech Department
Over the summer, we have switched our authentication server to our Google Apps. What does this mean?
Skyward & Library systems are now accepting login with the SSO, you just need to go to the dashboard and click on the icon to directly go into Skyward.
*Please delete your saved Skyward and library bookmarks from last year and log in using the dashboard.
From the MS/HS Library
It’s time to return your summer books!
You will not be able to check out any new books until you have returned any books you have checked out from the summer or last year. If you have lost a book, please come to the MHS Library to receive a form to pay for it.
We’ve got new books!
Our new book shipments have arrived! Come checkout what’s new!
MS Activities & Sports
MS After School Activities will begin the week of September 4th!
Stay tuned to the morning announcements for sign up sheets. Please come see Ms. Ennis in the MHS Library is you have any questions.
Register for the CAC Cross Country Team!
Maybe you were born to run, maybe you are just looking to get into shape. Either way, grades 6, 7 and 8’s are welcome to join the school cross country team. The practice schedule for middle school students is flexible. Train every day, or just come twice per week. Your call! Use this registration form to sign up!
Three Cheers
Three Cheers to all our returning families.
Three Cheers to all our new families.
Three Cheers to Ms. Fahmy, Ms. Urbiztondo, and Ms. Spencer for their support of new families with questions.
Three Cheers to The team leaders, Ms. Torky, Ms. Harouny, and Mr. Miller, for their support of new teachers.
Three Cheers to Ms. Nibal and the custodians for their effort to prepare the campus for opening day.
Three Cheers to our security guards for keeping the campus safe.