Posts in category: 2025-2026

Dear Pirate Family, 

Greetings! We had a great week back to school! See below for events next week:

Monday January 12th 

• 7 & 8 Girls Basketball vs. Austin at CMS, 6 PM
• 6, 7 & 8 Boys Basketball at Hazelwood, 5 PM

Tuesday January 13th – ILEARN Checkpoint #2 ELA

• Head Football Coach, Aaron Daniel, meeting with 8th graders during lunch
• 6 Boys Basketball vs. North Harrison at CMS, 6 PM
• 7 & 8 Boys Basketball at Silver Creek, 6 PM

Wednesday January 14th – ILEARN Checkpoint #2 Math

• Wrestling vs River Valley at Jeffersonville H. S., 6 PM
• Swim Team practice begins after school 3:15-4:30 PM
• 6:00 PTO Meeting

Thursday January 15th 

• 7 & 8 Boys Basketball vs Henryville at CMS, 6 PM

Friday January 16th 

PTO dates:

January 14

 February 4

March 4

April 1

May 6

Looking Ahead:

January 23    NJHS 6:00-8:00 Snowcoming Dance

Dear Pirate Family, 

Welcome to 2026! We hope you have enjoyed Winter Break with your families. Students will return on Tuesday, January 6th. See below for events this week:

Monday January 5th Professional Development Day – Staff Only

Tuesday January 6th – Students Return to school

• 6th grade Boys Basketball vs Corydon at CMS – 6 PM
• 7th & 8th grade Boys Basketball at Austin – 6 PM

Wednesday January 7th

• 7th & 8th grade Girls Basketball vs North Harrison at CMS – 6 PM

Thursday January 8th 

• 6th, 7th, & 8th grade Boys Basketball at River Valley – 5 PM

Friday January 9th 

8th Grade DC Trip Reminder – Final payment was due January 1st. Payments must be submitted to confirm bookings. 

THANK YOU to our families who linked their Kroger/Jay C card to CMS! We currently have 58 families who have linked us! If you haven’t yet, please consider! It is a quick and easy process, especially if you already have a Jay C card. 

To Use the Kroger Community Rewards Program:

Simply visit http://www.kroger.com

Once logged in to your Kroger account, you can search for Charlestown Middle School either by name or JC992 and then click Enroll.

New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.

*Customers must have a registered Kroger rewards card account to link to our school

*If a member does not yet have a Kroger rewards card, please let them know they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger

Dear Pirate Family, 

Greetings! We are looking forward to being back to school in person! See below for events this week:

Monday December 15th  

Tuesday December 16th  

6th grade Girls Basketball vs Parkview at Scribner (Clark/Floyd tournament) 5 PM

• 7th & 8th grade Boys Basketball vs Corydon at CMS – 6 PM
• PTO Candy Cane Sales at lunch $1.00

Wednesday December 17th  PTO Bubba’s Night Fundraiser

• 7th & 8th grade Girls Basketball at Corydon – 6 PM
• PTO Candy Cane Sales at lunch $1.00

Thursday December 18th   

• 6th grade Girls Basketball vs TBD at Scribner (C/F tourney) – 5 PM (if we win on Tues.)

Friday December 19th 

Last day of Quarter 2

Dear Pirate Family, 

Greetings! Please see below for our weekly events:

Monday December 8th – 

• Welcome Garrett Baumgarten!  He is our new paraprofessional. 
• 6, 7, & 8th Grade Girls Basketball at Parkview 5 PM

Tuesday December 9th

Wednesday December 10th

• 6, 7, & 8th Grade Girls Basketball vs Highland Hills at CMS 5 PM

Thursday December 11th

• 6th Grade Girls Basketball at New Washington 6 PM
• 7 & 8th Grade Boys Basketball at East Washington 6 PM 

Friday December 12th 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The National Junior Honor Society is excited to host a Children’s Shelter Donation Week to support some of our most vulnerable students who are currently placed in our local youth shelter. The shelter is in great need this holiday season—many of the items we use daily are things these students may go without.

To help meet these needs, we will be holding a donation drive next week. We are asking students to bring in specific items on the following days:

Monday – Hygiene Products

Deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, ChapStick

Tuesday – Hair Products

Brushes, hair ties, shampoo, conditioner

Wednesday – Nonperishable Food Items

Canned foods, pasta, graham crackers

Thursday – Clothing

New socks or new/slightly used hoodies, sweatpants, shirts

Friday – Miscellaneous Items

Pillows, pillowcases, blankets

Any donation—big or small—will make a meaningful difference. Please consider helping us support these students during the holiday season.

Thank you so much for your generosity and continued support.

Warm regards,

Melissa Pedigo

NJHS Sponsor

Charlestown Middle School

Don’t forget to add CMS for your Kroger/Jay C rewards! We currently have 58 families participating! 

Charlestown Middle School

Dear Pirate Family, 

Greetings! Thanksgiving break will be next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. School will not be in session. We are thankful for our students, families and staff at CMS. We hope you and your family have a wonderful break! 

Monday, November 24th 

Tuesday, November 25th 

Please help us! 

Many of our Charlestown families already shop at Jay C or Kroger. You can help CMS by linking your card to our school to receive Community Rewards! 

To Use the Kroger Community Rewards Program:

Simply visit http://www.kroger.com

Once logged in to your Kroger account, you can search for Charlestown Middle School either by name or JC992 and then click Enroll.

New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.

*Customers must have a registered Kroger rewards or Jay C card account to link to our school

*If a member does not yet have a Kroger rewards card, please let them know they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger

Participants must swipe their registered Kroger rewards card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger rewards card when shopping for each purchase to count.

Light Up Charlestown – Kick off Charlestown Christmas City on Friday, Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. in Greenway Park

Chris Cakes – Pancake breakfast with an attitude on Sunday, Nov. 30 from 8-11 a.m. at the Arts & Enrichment Center

Dear Pirate Family, 

Greetings! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! See below for our events this week:

Monday November 17th 

• Student Council Meeting- 3:30-4:00 PM in Ms. Brafford’s Room
• 6, 7 & 8 Girls Basketball vs. River Valley at CMS 5 PM

Tuesday November 18th

Wednesday November 19th

• 6 Girls Basketball vs Austin at CMS 6 PM
• 7 & 8 Girls Basketball @ Henryville 6 PM

Thursday November 20th- 

• 6, 7 & 8 Girls Basketball vs Scottsburg at CMS 5 PM 

Friday November 21st

Dear Pirate Family, 

Greetings! Special thanks to our families who attended Parent Teacher conferences this week. We appreciate you! In addition, our PTO provided a wonderful brunch for staff from Panera Bread. We are very thankful for our PTO!

  Please see below for upcoming events:

Monday November 10th

Tuesday November 11th

• 6, 7, 8 Girls Basketball at Hazelwood 5 PM

Wednesday November 12th

• 6:00 PTO meeting
• 6, 7, & 8 Girls Basketball at Scribner 5 PM 

Thursday November 13th

Friday November 14th 

• 3:30-5:00 PTO dance after school – Theme: Hawaiian Luau 💃

November 14th PTO dance after school -Permission slips were distributed at lunch. Students will be allowed to turn in permission slips and money on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday only to attend. We have to stock concessions and drinks for the dance and this is based off the number of students planning to attend. 

Please include $5 by Nov. 12th for your child to participate. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. Please note, no child will be turned away for inability to pay. Please turn in permission slip regardless. If you would like to sponsor a middle-schooler anonymously, please include any additional donation. Dismissal will be like school pickup. We appreciate your patience. All proceeds benefit students, teachers, and staff.

If you are interested in joining the CMS Robotics Team, applications will be available at lunch. Please turn in your application to Mrs. Riley by next Friday, November 14th. 

Wrestling Conditioning will begin next week on Tuesday and Thursday from 6-7 PM at the High School Wrestling room.

Dear Pirate Family, 

Greetings! We would like to remind you that Tuesday, November 4th is Parent/Teacher Conference Day. School will not be in session for students to allow time for conferences. In addition, we are adding some training sessions for parents to help with assessment reports. The Indiana Assessment Family Portal is a secure online tool where you can view your child’s ILEARN, IREAD, or IAM results. It helps you understand your child’s strengths, areas for growth, and how they’re performing compared to grade-level expectations.Parents must have an access code and register for the system. Access codes will be distributed at Parent-Teacher Conference Day on November 4th. Please plan to attend for in-person instructions and guidance. If you cannot attend, codes will be mailed home after the conference.
Parent ILearn Access Informational Meetings November 4, 2026 in professional development room next to the media center:

 12:00

  1:00

  2:00

  4:00

  5:00

  6:00 

We want to wish the CMS cheerleaders good luck this weekend as they take the mat at HCCA State Championship at Greenfield Central High. Good luck and we hope our cheerleaders bring home a state title!

Monday November 3rd 

• Welcome Mr. Cody Johnson (8th Grade Social Studies) and Mrs. Josie Johnson (8th Language Arts)!  

Tuesday November 4th

• Teacher only day
• Parent – Teacher Conferences
  • 11:30 – 7:00
  • Parent Portal Training: 12, 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 o’clock in PD room 

Wednesday November 5th

Thursday November 6th

• 6th Grade Girls Basketball vs Silver Creek at CMS 6 PM

Friday November 7th 

As a reminder, all families are encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application, even if you have done so in a previous year. Completing this form helps ensure that your child—and our school—receives access to important benefits and funding.

If your household’s financial situation has changed at any time during the school year, you are welcome to submit a new application.

You can complete or update your application online at [https://www.nlappscloud.com/] or contact Aramark (812-283-0701) for assistance.

Thank you for taking a few moments to complete this important step to support our students and community.

November 14th PTO dance after school -Permission slips will be distributed at lunch.

Students will be able to turn in permission slips and $5 November 10th, 11th and 12th. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Please note, no child will be turned away for inability to pay. Please turn in permission slip regardless. If you would like to sponsor a middle-schooler anonymously, please include any additional donation. All proceeds benefit students, teachers, and staff.

Dear Pirate Family, 

Greetings! Be sure to see The Epic Quest of the Damsels in Distress this weekend! Showtimes are Friday night at 7 pm, Saturday at 2pm and 7pm. We have a great cast and crew! 

Monday October 20th 

Tuesday October 21st

• Picture Retake Day- If you ordered pictures and are having retakes done, bring your picture package with you on Tuesday to give back to the company.

Wednesday October 22nd

Thursday October 23rd

Friday October 24th

• Book Fair begins! (October 24th – 31st)
• Shout out to our Greater Clark Educational Foundation for providing our Teacher Supply Bus Visit!  

Saturday October 25th

Please be kind and respectful in the car rider line to other cars.  We have done a great job most of the year of alternating cars coming around the curve. 

Looking Ahead:

Red Ribbon Week 

10/27- Pair up against drugs!  Twin Day

10/28- Be bright!  Be drug-free!  Neo

10/29- Are you Red-y to be drug free? Wear Red

10/30- Put drugs to sleep! PJ Day

10/31- Scare drugs away!  Costume allowed but must follow guidelines listed below. 

November 4th 11:30-7:00 Conferences 

November 14th PTO dance after school 

Costumes- dress code must be followed: 

 No short skirts/shorts/tutus, no bare midriffs, no bare shoulders. 

 Nothing that promotes the use of illegal substances or activities that are derogatory, disrespectful or depict violence.   

Hats may be worn as part of a costume.   

ALL costume preparations to be completed at home.  (No dressing or applying of make-up or colored hairspray once students arrive at school). 

 No masks, weapons (nunchucks/sickles/swords/knives/guns, etc) or props.

  Students or parents who have questions about the acceptability of their costume should check with their team of teachers prior to wearing the costume to school. 

 Students wearing inappropriate costumes will need to call home to have a change of clothes brought up to them. 

PARENTS:  Please help support an appropriate, distraction-free learning environment for all students by ensuring that your student adheres to these guidelines. 

GCCS Holiday Craft Fair and Student Entertainment

October 18th 

9:00am-2:00pm at River Valley Middle School

🎉 Fun & Festive
🎶 Live music by our talented students!
🎨 Face painting for all ages! ($5 cash)
🧒 BINGO adventure for the little ones!
🍔 Delicious concessions, holiday décor, jewelry, and so much more!

The music schedule is: (just in case you want to know)

Noon – NWES

12:30 – NWMHS

1:00 – RVMS

1:30 – Jeff High Devils Advocates

Dear Pirate Family, 

Greetings! Hope you had a wonderful break! We will be back in session tomorrow, October 13th. 

We are excited to welcome Ronda Hostetler to our staff! Ms. Hostetler will be our 8th grade collaboration teacher. Many of our families already know Ms. Hostetler from JJ. She will be a wonderful addition to our school. We are also in the process of finding an 8th grade English Language Arts teacher for Mrs. French who transitioned to CHS.  In addition, a seventh grade Social Studies teacher for Mrs. Mahnesmith who transitioned to online learning. 

See below for events this week:

Monday October 13th  

Return to School

• 6th grade girls basketball practice begins 3:30-5:00

Tuesday October 14th 

Wednesday October 15th 

• 3:30-5:00  Tryouts for the 7th & 8th Grade Girls Basketball
• CMS Football Banquet 6:00 

October 16th

• 6th Grade Basketball Tryouts from 3:30-5:00
• 3:30-5:00  Tryouts for the 7th & 8th Grade Girls Basketball

Friday October 17th

• 7:00 CMS Theatre Performance

Saturday October 18th

• 2:00 & 7:00 CMS Theatre Performance

Attention any 7th and 8th Grade Girl: It’s go time! Tryouts for the 7th & 8th Grade Girls Basketball are Wednesday, Oct. 15th & Thursday, Oct. 16th from 3:30–5:00 PM. Don’t be sus- You must have an updated physical. Pull up in proper basketball gear — no slides, no street clothes, no excuses! Come ready to show your rizz, flex energy, and slay leaving it all on the court. Let’s see who, no cap, has that pirate in ‘em 🏴‍☠️🔥

Looking Ahead:

Oct. 21 – Picture retake day

Oct 24 – 31 Book Fair

   Red Ribbon Week 

10/27- Pair up against drugs!  Twin Day

10/28- Be bright!  Be drug free!  Neon

10/29- Are you Red-y to be drug free? Red

10/30- Put drugs to sleep! PJ Day

10/31- Scare drugs away!  Costumes

November 14th PTO dance after school 

Pirate Run Club

Dear Pirate Family, 

Pirate Run Club begins today! 

https://www.piraterunclub.com/

Practice starts at 5:30 pm at Silver Creek Township Park.