Matthew Steinecke
Principal
[email protected]
Doris De La Torre
AP Students M-Z
[email protected]
April Wong
AP Students A-L
Canyon Communiqué
A Legacy of Excellence
Canyon Middle School
19600 Cull Canyon Road, Castro Valley, CA 94552
(510) 538-8833 Fax (510) 247-9439
[email protected]
February 2015
Jason Whiteman
AP Students M-Z
AP Intervention
www.canyon.cv.k12.ca.us
Absence
Reporting
538-8833
option 1
Volume
6
[email protected]
Principal Message – February 2015
Dear Students and Parents/Guardians:
The second semester began on Monday, January 26th. We have completed a very successful first semester
and anticipate an equally successful rest of the year. First semester report card grades were scheduled to be sent
out on January 29th. Take the time to review the grades with your student(s) and establish academic goals for the
second semester. Our students have distinguished themselves in the classroom and continue to do so in music and
drama and athletics.
Canyon welcomes Mr. Matt Christiansen to our staff as a Physical Education teacher, taking the place of Mr.
Matt Croghan. Mr. Croghan has moved to an elementary school position and will be missed here at Canyon. We
also have Ms. Bethany Chan filling in on a long term opening and we are very happy to have her at Canyon. (On a
side note… both Bethany and Matt are Canyon alumni!!)
I hope you have been able to check out or new and improved school website! First, many thanks to Rob
Lefkowitz, who first created the Canyon website and has maintained it (on his own time) for MANY years. Next, our
thanks to Cathy Zen for getting the new website up and running. We hope you will find it useful and easy to access.
Please remember that the Daily Bulletin and Auto-dialer/email links are filled with up-to-date information on sports
and school happenings. Also, you can follow Canyon Middle School on Twitter @CanyonCondors for events and
happenings around campus.
We had a great turn-out at our January PTA meeting. Our special thanks to teachers: Cherie Banaga, Julie
Fikse, Megan Kalvass, Kate Shen and Megan Eberly from the district office for presenting information on our
Language Arts curriculum and the new testing demands of SBAC and Common Core State Standards. Great
information with an interactive presentation that highlighted the literary thinking in which our students are engaging.
We had a very successful Geography Bee in January, with 7th grade student, Lindsey Shak demonstrating
her expertise and winning Canyon’s competition. In addition, our students and staff have worked hard to prepare for
the CVUSD Spelling Bees coming up this month and we are very proud of them. The Castro Valley District Spelling
Bee Finals for 4th - 6th grades is February 5th and February 12th is for our district’s 7th-9th graders. Both competitions
will be held at Canyon in D-11 from 7-9 pm.
During the first weeks of February, Creekside Principal Walt Lewis and I will visit every Castro Valley Unified
School District elementary school to speak with the 5th graders about attending middle school next year. Enrollment
for all 5th grade students with 6th or 7th grade siblings currently in middle school will begin once we’ve visited
each school. Starting Saturday March 7th, all current CVUSD 5th grade students may enroll in middle school for
the 2015-16 school year.
I hope you will be able to attend the STUDENT vs. FACULTY basketball game on Thursday Feb 19th. The
first game will feature the female staff against the 8th grade girls at 6:00 pm. The 8th grade boys hope to repeat their
victory over the male faculty in the second game of the night. Snacks will be available at the game and raffle prizes
donated by the Warriors and other community businesses will take place between the games. This game is always
a popular event and a highlight of the year. Come cheer on the faculty – we need all the help they can get. This
event, along with Battle of the Valley, are major fundraisers for our athletics program. All athletics at Canyon are
supported by donations and fundraising. If you have or will participate in athletics, please help out by contributing or
fundraising. Also, we will have an Athletics Pancake Breakfast on March 14th at Knudsen Ice Creamery.
> > > > > continued on the next page > > > > >
Principal Message – February 2015
> > > continues
In the coming weeks, we should begin to see daffodils popping up around campus, planted by CJSF
students. As these bulbs are blooming into beautiful flowers, we additionally thank our CJSF students for clipping
and bundling our Box Tops for Education and for helping with tutoring at Canyon. Their volunteering hours truly
make a difference in the lives of others.
Thank you for your continued support of the staff and students at Canyon Middle School. We
cannot do what we do without you . . . Let’s S.O.A.R. together.
Respectfully,
Annual STAFF vs. STUDENTS Basketball Game: Feb. 21st - 6:00 pm
Canyon Gym
Matthew Steinecke
Have you ordered your YEARBOOK?
After Oct 1st, ALL pre-orders will be online and cash or check will no longer be accepted. To purchase a book
online:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Go to www.yearbookforever.com
Type in “Canyon” in the “School Name” box
Click the Canyon Middle School in Castro Valley link
Purchase your yearbook
Those who pre-order a book will get their books delivered to them before
the yearbook signing party, and will get a GREAT deal!
The Solar Company
20861 Wilbeam Ave, Suite 1
Castro Valley, CA 94546
510.888.9488
Canyon’s 6th Grade Outdoor School Fundraising Team would like to thank
The Solar Company for their generous support of Outdoor School!
If you know of a local business that would like to contribute to our fund,
please contact Ms. Stickel: [email protected]
VISITORS ON CAMPUS:
All visitors to the school campus MUST check in and sign in at the school
office and show their ID (California Driver’s License or CA ID card). . Visitors must check in to the main office
and obtain approval if they want to be anywhere on campus between 7:30 am – 3:30 pm. Visitors are only
allowed for educationally appropriate reasons. Visitors are not allowed to have lunch with students or
bring items to student’s classroom. All visitors must wear a Canyon visitor badge or District ID card. This
includes anyone using the track during school hours. A special “track pass” will be provided.
If you are volunteering in the Library / classroom or chaperoning on a field trip / school dance, you
must have completed the Megan’s Law form. This form was part of the online re-registration process. IF you
did not complete one at that time, additional forms are available in the main office and must be completed 48
hours before volunteering. This form must be completed at the start of each school year and is good through
September 30th of the following school year.
~Julie Fisher
6th Grade Counselor
~Doug Ferman
7th Grade Counselors
~Lucy Souza
8th Grade Counselor
Sixth Grade with Ms. Fisher
Hello 6th grade!
Since it’s the second semester of 6th grade, let’s talk about transition. The Middle School Years are a transition
between the dependence of the elementary school years and the independence of the high school years. These
are frequently called the “bridge years.” The primary goal for each student is to learn HOW to learn
independently. This is a good time to build and develop the necessary skills to be as successful as they can be in
high school and beyond. The amount of homework they will receive will increase throughout the years, so this is a
good time to make sure there are strategies and routines in place to make homework go smoothly. You may be
struggling with how much hand holding they still need, and that will be different for each student. Maybe you've
tried to back off more, and they haven't been as successful as you'd hoped. Maybe you've let them be more
independent, and they've impressed you with how well they've done. Again, it will be different for each child. Don't
worry if they still need some hand holding and daily checking-in about their school work, they might still need that
right now. And that's okay.
For some, Establishing Homework Routines is a key to success. By establishing daily routines for homework
completion, you will not only make homework go more smoothly, but you will also be fostering a sense of order
your child can apply to later life, including college and work.
1) Find a location in the house where homework will be done (away from distractions).
2) Set up a homework center (have all supplies needed and enough space).
3) Establish a homework time (the earlier the better).
4) Develop an incentive system (for those who are not motivated by grades- a short term incentive such as free
time when they finish their homework, a meal of their choice, TV time, playing a game together, etc. and a larger
long term incentive such as at the end of the quarter/semester, for attaining certain grades or meeting their goal).
Does your child need help with their homework and you're stuck and don't know how to help them? It's been a
while since you took Algebra and can't quite remember how to solve for x? You’re not alone! Check out the Khan
Academy, a website that features thousands of tutorials, lessons, and practice problems on many different
subjects. https://www.khanacademy.org/
Seventh Grade with Mr. Ferman
What is the biggest task of a seventh grader? Many people will have different perspectives. For me, it is mastering
social and emotional growth. Seventh graders have volatile emotions and controlling these emotions is especially
important for success in life. Nowhere is it more important to manage these feelings than on the internet. Please
discuss your expectations with your student. Saying or writing everything you are thinking is seldom a good idea—
especially if you haven’t thought about the long-term and short-term consequences of those words!
[email protected] or 510.538.8833 x.6133
Eighth Grade with Mrs. Souza
Greetings Canyon parents. We are starting a new program here at Canyon called Beyond Differences. This
program is working to reduce isolation, and the work is done by students. They will be leading lunch time activities
promoting inclusion. Our first project will be ‘No One Eats Alone’, which will be at lunch on the day before
Valentine’s Day, Feb 13th. The student leaders consist of both 7th and 8th graders. They are really excited to get
started! If you wish to learn more, visit the BeyondDifferences.org website. There are several districts in the Bay
Area that are participating, we are the newest to join.
A note to 8th grade parents, Castro Valley High School is having their parent night for incoming freshman parents
on February 26th, mark your calendars!
> > > > > continued on next page > > > > >
continues…
California Junior Scholarship Federation – CJSF
If your 7th grader hasn’t joined CJSF as of yet, there is still time. Usually we look for grades of around 3.8, but
I will review all applications. These rules are set by the CJSF central committee and we are conforming to
chapter guidelines.
We will have several unique opportunities for both 7th and 8th graders this year. We have an 8th grade award,
a 7th grade award, along with a writing award. The winners will receive a plaque for their efforts. The purpose
of these contests is to prepare our students for future scholarships. The world is getting more and more
competitive and we want our students to be ready!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me [email protected]
~By Douglas Ferman, CJSF Advisor
Grade Reporting Schedule
Below is the schedule of when Progress Reports and Report Cards will be mailed home by quarter.
Please note that Progress Reports are not sent to all students, only those with grades raising concern.
Please remember that that you may check your child’s progress through the Parent Portal.
3rd Quarter
Progress Reports mailed on 3/5/15
3rd Quarter
Report Cards mailed on 4/02/15
4th Quarter
Progress Reports mailed on 5/14/15
4th Quarter
Report Cards mailed on 6/24/15
LOST AND FOUND: Please have your child check the Lost and Foundin the Cafeteria
(and locker rooms) for missing clothing, shoes, etc. Smaller items like keys, glasses,
and jewelry can be found in the front office.
Castro Valley Unified School District
2014-2015 Schedule of Board of Education Meetings
February 12 and 26, 2015
March 12 and 26, 2015
April 23, 2015
May 14 and 28, 2015
June 11 and 25, 2015
Meetings are held in the Board Room at the District Office: 4400 Alma Ave, Castro Valley and start at 7:00
pm. Agendas & Board Materials on the District website (www.cv.k12.ca.us) under Board of Education.
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION: Canyon Middle School participates in the General Mills BOX
TOPS FOR EDUCATION program. There is a container on the main office counter for Box Tops. Each Box
Top is worth one dime… and they add up quickly. Your support of our school is greatly appreciated!
Special thanks to our CJSF students who trim and bundle the box tops to be submitted.
Canyon Middle School appreciates the dedication of our School Board Trustee Members:
Charmaine Banther, John Barbieri, Gary Howard, Jo A. S. Loss, & Dot Theodore
Superintendent, Jim Negri
Upcoming meetings: February 12th and 26th – 7:00 PM, District Office
I-Search 2015 time has arrived for 8th graders!
The fabulous and famous I-Search is a research project on a topic of interest or one that poses a problem
that also tells the story of the students’ experiences during their search for information. This 7-week unit
covers many skills that will prepare students for success in high school and college.
The majority of 8th grade English classes will be working on the I-Search in and outside of class from the end
of January through mid-March, and the final product will be worth the majority of the third quarter English
grade!
Some important information to remember:
 8th grade English teachers will be available at the Castro Valley Public Library to help
students with their research or to answer questions on Sunday, February 8 (1:00-3:00pm) and
at the Canyon Middle School Library on Thursday, February 5 (3;00-4:30pm), Tuesday,
February 10 (3:00-4:30pm) and Tuesday, February 24 (3:00-4:30pm).
 To help students understand the severity of academic dishonesty and plagiarism, we will be
doing several lessons illustrating and practicing the skills of reading reference material, taking
notes, paraphrasing the information, and creating a final product that is original.
 Students will have an I-Search packet complete with all the information they need to know to
be successful. Some of the most important due dates are as follows:
 Mid-Journal Check (Half of RJs) DUE 2/4-5
 Final Journal Check & Source Cards DUE 2/11-12
 Final Draft of I-Search Paper DUE 3/10
 For the other due dates, see the Time Log Calendar in the
I-Search packet.
Please be aware that, because of the amount of due dates for this project, the no late work policy will be in
effect. Students should do their best to stay on track with their assignments. If a student knows he/she is
going to be absent on a due date, please make arrangements to have the work turned in early or by a fellow
student.
Please contact your student’s 8th grade English teacher with any questions.
Thank you, in advance, for your support and cooperation!
GOOD LUCK, 8th GRADERS!
S.O.A.R.
Safety – Organization - Achieving Goals – Respect
Students: Don’t forget to turn in your S.O.A.R. tickets.
Boxes are located in the Library and in Ms. Hsu’s room, F-10.
S.O.A.R. tickets are distibuted to students who demonstrate Canyon’s SOAR qualites!
Castro Valley
ZOO @ Canyon
Have you visited the Castro Valley ZOO in Room I-5 on the Canyon campus? There are over 20 animals to
view and some to handle. The “ZOO” is open on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8 to 8:45 am or by
appointment. Please visit our new website to see how you can help keep this valuable and enjoyable
resource available for our students and staff. Check out: www.canyon.cv.k12.ca.us and look for the Castro
Valley Zoo link under Activities.
 Student Activities 
February is African American/Black History Month!
To get the most current updates on or around campus, please LIKE us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on
Instagram at Canyon Student Activities! You can listen to the Daily Bulletin or check the calendar at the
entryway to school and on the Student Activities link on the Canyon website to get updates as well.
2nd Semester Spirit Week: Let’s kick-off a brand-new semester with a 2nd Semester Spirit Week! We will be
having activities all week long (February 17-February 20) including daily dress-up days and advisory
competitions. We encourage all students to participate and show your continued Canyon Spirit!
Spelling Bee: Thank you to all students who participated in the preliminary rounds of our Canyon Spelling
Bee. Winners from Grades 4-6 will compete in their Castro Valley Unified District Bee on February 5th.
Winners from Grades 7-9 will compete in their Castro Valley Unified District Bee on February 12th. Both
events will take place from 7:00-9:00pm in Room D-11 on our very own Canyon campus. Everyone is
welcome to come watch and our winners would love your support! Winners may go on to compete at the
Alameda County Spelling Bee or qualify for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
College Day: The second Friday of each month is College Day at Canyon! Students and staff can wear their
favorite college apparel and showcase the collegiate aspirations of all of our condors.
Student vs. Staff Basketball Games: It’s that time again to watch your classmates and teachers shoot
some hoops! The Annual Student vs. Staff Basketball Games will be on Thursday, February 19th in the
Canyon Gym. The 8th grade Girls Team will face-off against the Female Faculty at ~6:00pm and the 8th
Grade Boys Team will take-on the Male Faculty at ~7:15pm. Pre-sale tickets (watch the Daily Bulletin for
details) will be available so mark your calendars now! Don’t miss two of the biggest basketball matches of the
year!
As the semester changes, so does our class of Leadership students! Please refer to the Daily Bulletin,
available at the Canyon website www.canyon.cv.k12.ca.us, to see what fun activities they will be thinking up!
-Ms. Shen and Ms. Hsu, Activities Directors
FEBRuary LIBRARY NEWS
We received wonderful news in January that our Castro Valley Education Foundation (CVEF) mini-grant was
funded. We will be receiving 86 new books for the Canyon Library. The focus this year was on careers and
vocational training. We chose this topic because many 8th graders last year did their “I Search” on careers
and we noticed we lacked books in this area. Again, THANK YOU CVEF. If you are ever looking for an
organization to donate time or money too, this is a great organization that supports our schools.
The halfway point of school is here, so please help your student keep their book accounts up-to-date. If they
have a missing library book(s) or a missing textbook(s) from Canyon or their elementary school, they will not
be allowed to go to school dances or the end of the year activities. Encourage your student to come in and
talk to the library staff if they have a problem with their library account.
Karen Sakamoto and Jennifer Bremer - Library Aides ext 6129
[email protected] OR [email protected]
BE COOL, GET TO SCHOOL ON TIME!
NO TARDIES!
8th Grade Parent Night @ CVHS
Thursday, February 26th, 2015
Please visit the Castro Valley High School website for more information on their 8 th Grade Parent Night
scheduled for Thursday, February 26th. This event is for the parents/guardians of current Canyon and
Creekside 8th grade students. You must complete the Statement of Residency and provide original
documents. You may attend the 8th Grade Parent Night and complete your proof of residency that
afternoon… or during one of the additional times listed below.
Thurs. Feb. 26
Thurs. March 12
Thurs. March 26
Tues. April 14
Sat. May 2
Tues. May 19
4:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (Residency and 8th Grade Parent Night).
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
http://castrovalleyhigh.org/
Attention Parents/Guardians of 6th grade students:
California law (AB354) requires all students entering into the 7th grade to have
proof of a Tdap booster before starting school in the Fall of 2015. Please call your
health care provider and check to see if your current 6th grade student has had this
vaccine and if not, schedule a visit.
Please bring a copy of the updated vaccine records to the health office at
your student’s middle school. The California Department of Public Health
recommends all children over the age of 10 years receive a pertussis booster. Under
California law, all schools must deny a student’s attendance at school in the 20152016 school year until a student provides proof of a Tdap/DTaP booster.
Whooping cough is a bacterial disease, associated with little or no fever causes
severe coughing spells that may result in vomiting or gagging. Pertussis may not be
suspected in teens and adults because their symptoms often look like a cold with a
nagging cough.
Thank you for your early attention to this matter. With the large number of
students we serve, having the updated vaccine records slowly appear in our health
office is much more manageable than waiting until 7th grade registration.
Respectfully,
Nora Crans RN,PHN,MS
Sandee Velasquez RN,FNP,MN
Credentialed School Nurses
Castro Valley Unified School District
Parent Information Night
for Incoming 6th Grade Parents
Creekside Middle School
Monday- March 2, 2015
in the Creekside Gymnasium
Canyon Middle School
Wednesday- March 4, 2015
in the Canyon Cafeteria
6:30 pm – Self Guided Campus Tour
7:00 pm – Presentation
Attend either or both of these presentations to learn about
the exciting programs at each Middle School
Due to limited seating, we kindly request that only parents/guardians attend.
Fifth grade students have been visited by both
middle school principals at their elementary school.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Questions? Please call:
Creekside 247-0665
or Canyon 538-8833 x6009
CANYON MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOSTERS CLUB NEWS
Dear Friends of Canyon Athletics:
It’s no secret that funding by the school district for middle school athletics has been cut over the past
several years and outside fundraising is required to meet athletic budgets. The responsibility of the
fundraising needed to bridge the budget shortfall generally falls on the team and booster club. The
student contributions are at an all time low this year; while coaches’ stipends are at an all time high.
The Fall season ended with a $10,000 deficit and our Winter season is expected to suffer a
greater deficit. This letter is an appeal to you to invest in the young athletes that will make up the
CMS Athletic Program in any way you can to help bridge the budget shortfall.
Each year there are several items that need to be purchased or replaced. Your tax deductible
donation would help defray such costs as game uniforms, practice and game equipment, related
costs of competition, promotional items and improvement projects. In addition, there are CMS staff
coaches’ stipends estimated to exceed $50,000 for the 2014-15 school year. Many qualified
volunteer head coaches have been replaced by qualified Canyon staff members over the past few
years making it impossible for Boosters to fund the sports program with the $75 suggested
contribution. All of these areas need funding and we are hoping that you might find a way to help
save the CMS Athletic Program with a monetary donation that is comfortable for you.
No amount is too large or small of an investment. CMS Booster memberships start at just $25.
Contact Boosters for Club Level memberships with benefits. When you invest in an athletic program,
you’re investing in the community, the school and most importantly, the student athletes. Fielding a
competitive team fosters school spirit, a sense of pride in the community, and develops confidence in
the young athletes. Some of these kids will go on to play in high school at some level. Some will not.
All will have, however, the memories and develop friendships and lifelong team and leadership skills
that they will be able to draw upon later in life. By building as strong of a program as possible at
Canyon, we’re trying to develop a solid foundation for these life lessons while providing a quality
athletic and competitive environment. I hope you can help. Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
Wina Burnama and the Canyon Middle School Boosters Club Board
Please note: There will be open board positions for the 2015-16 school year as members move on to
high school. Please email Canyon Boosters for details.
We accept donations in the form of cash, credit cards, and checks (make out to CMS Boosters).
[email protected]
Please continue scrolling for the February calendar
and fliers with special events.
February 2015
Sun
1
Mon
2
Tue
3
Wed
4
Thu
5
Fri
Sat
6
7
13 College Day
14
(Wear your favorite
college apparel to
school!)
Valentine’s Day
20 Spirit Week
21
27
28
African America Alliance
Network Meeting 6:30 pm, Library
CVUSD Spelling Bee
Grades 4-6
8
9
10
11
12
NO SCHOOL
for students
CVUSD Spelling Bee
Grades 7-9
in D-11 @ 7:00 pm
Staff Development
CVUSD Board Meeting
District Office - 7:00 pm
15
16
17 Spirit Week
NO SCHOOL
Presidents’ Day
18
Spirit Week
(Check the Daily Bulletin
online for details!)
19 Spirit Week
Student/Faculty
Basketball Game
Women/Girls @ 6:30 PM
Men/Boys @ 7:45 PM
22
23
24
25
26
SSC Meeting 3:15 pm
CVUSD Board Meeting
District Office - 7:00 pm