Text Alerts

Sauk Valley Newpapers is offering a free text messaging service called txtAlert that the District will be using to send out text messages on school closing, late start and early out due to severe weather. This service is in addition to the Alert-now telephone broadcast that the District will use for those occasions. This service is free. If a parent or student would like to receive these messages, they must go to the Sauk Valley newspaper website and click on the txtAlert link at the top right hand corner of the homepage to sign up for this. Sterling Schools is in no way promoting the use or purchase of Sauk Valley newspapers, but is only informing you of a text messaging service that the District will be using for severe weather situations.

Explore Test Results

Eighth Grade students will receive their EXPLORE test results in December through an informational session with Mrs. Noble. Each student will also receive a booklet entitled "Using Your EXPLORE Results." This booklet can help students and parents better understand test scores and the results of the Interest Inventory as they begin planning together for high school and beyond. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Noble at (815) 626-3300, ext. 2346.

ISAT Testing

The ISAT tests will be administered March 2-13. We ask that you not schedule any doctor or dental appointments during this time or schedule any vacations. It is very important that students are in attendance those testing days. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

 

Teen Reach

Teen Reach is an after school program for CMS students which will be held from 3:00-6:00 Monday - Thursday. The program components include: Sports, Recreation, Life Skills, Academics, Snack and Mentoring and will begin on November 3. All CMS students will be given a flyer with information about the program and a participation permission form. Look for the flyer and if your child is interested, return the permission form (first back = first in!).

Dawn Weeks will coordinate the program. Dawn has a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching and Leadership and currently works as a Kindergarten Enrichment Supervisor for Franklin and Jefferson Schools through Woodlawn Arts Academy. Activities Director will be Toby Johnson. Toby is currently the Teen Leadership Council Coordinator at the Sterling/Rock Falls YMCA. In addition, he teaches physical education at Christ Lutheran School in Sterling. For more information regarding the Teen Reach program, contact Cindy Frank CMS Counselor, Dawn Weeks or Toby Johnson.

Homework Help

In order to help students strengthen their study skills and complete their homework on time, students may work in the CMS Library from 7:00 - 7:45 a.m. and from 2:45 - 4:00 p.m. Please encourage your child to use these times to complete homework. There is also a Homework Club that meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 - 4:00. For more information contact Cindy Frank.

 

Promotion Criteria

In order to be promoted to the next grade, all Challand students must:

  • Earn a minimum of 13 credits (no more than 6 failing quarter grades per year)
  • Fail no more than 3 quarters in any one subject

Each class at Challand is worth .5 credit per quarter. With 8 classes per quarter, students are able to earn 16 credits for the school year by passing all classes.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a change from past years. Students who do not meet the promotion criteria risk retention or mandatory summer school.

Attendance

Our attendance goal this year is 97%. Attendance is directly linked to achievement. In order to do well in school, students need to be in attendance every day. If your child is sick or otherwise unable to attend school for excusable reasons, please call the CMS office by 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the absence.