Final Friday Family Message from Interim Principal Kesel-June 27, 2025
Dear Camillus Middle School Families,
As this school year draws to a close, I am filled with immense gratitude for the dedication, passion, and resilience of our entire school community. Thank you to the teachers and staff whose unwavering commitment has fostered a safe, engaging, and supportive learning environment. To our wonderful students, your curiosity, creativity, and kindness have made this interim term truly unforgettable.
A quick reminder: final report cards will be available on SchoolTool after 3 PM on Friday, June 27, 2025. You’ll be able to log in to review your student’s progress. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
I’m also delighted to share some exciting news: effective July 1, 2025, we will welcome Mrs. Jasmine Mathis as our new principal. Over the next couple of weeks, Mrs. Mathis, Assistant Principal Joe Curtin, and I will spend valuable time together to ensure a smooth, collaborative transition.
As for me, I'll be retiring “again” on July 17, and I couldn’t be more honored to pass the baton to such capable and forward-thinking leaders.
Thank you all—teachers, staff, students, and families—for making this interim term so rewarding. Your support, kindness, and shared spirit of learning have been the heart of our success.
Wishing everyone a restful and joyous summer. Welcome aboard, Mrs. Mathis!
Warmly,
Brian Kesel, Camillus Middle School Interim Principal
Friday Family Message from Interim Principal Kesel-June 20, 2025
📅 Week of June 23 — Last Week of School Year!
Monday, June 23 & Tuesday, June 24
Full days of school. Please ensure students arrive on time and prepared for the final stretch!
Tuesday, June 24 — Grade 8 Amazing Race Celebration
Students should report to their WIN period. All event details and schedules will be shared then.
We will monitor the Heat Index. If necessary, the event will be moved indoors. Please make sure your children are prepared for either scenario (water, sunblock, hats, etc.)
Wednesday, June 25 — Grade 7 Chromebook & Charger Collection
During WIN, all 7th grade students must turn in both their Chromebook and charger.
Reminder to families: Charger return is mandatory.
Wednesday, June 25 & Thursday, June 26 — Half‑Days (10:15 AM Dismissal)
Dismissal time is 10:15 AM.
Please plan after‑school care or pickup accordingly.
Friday, June 27 — Report Cards Released
Available after 5:00 PM via School Tool.
Reminder: verify your login credentials before Friday to avoid any delays in accessing report cards. Reach out to our IT support team promptly if you encounter any issues.
✅ Action Items for Families
Ensure Chromebooks and chargers are returned with 7th graders on Wednesday.
Plan for early dismissal times on Wed/Thu.
Confirm School Tool login ahead of Friday to access report cards.
Thank you for all your support this school year! Let’s make this final week safe, joyful, and memorable for our students. 🎓
Friday Message to Camillus Middle School Families-June 13, 2025
Friday Update – Important End‑of‑Year Info
1. Algebra Regents Exam – Wednesday, June 18
Lunch & Reporting: All Algebra students will report for lunch at 11:55 AM, then move to the Gym at 12:25 PM.
Exam Time: The Regents exam begins shortly after 12:25 PM.
Testing Site Policy: All students must remain in the Gym/testing site until 2:00 PM.
Late Buses: Available after the testing window for student use.
2. Locker Clean-Out
Grade 7: Wednesday, June 18 during WIN.
Grade 8: Friday, June 20 during WIN.
Please send your child with bags or boxes to bring home their belongings.
3. Grade 8 Parents – “Amazing Race” Volunteer & Donation Request
We’re seeking volunteers and donations for the Amazing Race event. Please refer to the attached flyer with direct links for
sign-ups and contributions
. We appreciate your support!
4. Pick Up Student Medicine – Deadline Thursday, June 26
If your child has medication in the Health Office, please collect it by
Thursday, June 26
. Any unclaimed medication will be disposed of securely after that date. (See attached letter for additional information.)
5. Juneteenth – Thursday, June 19
School Closed
in observance of Juneteenth. There will be
no classes on Thursday, June 19
.
6. Chromebook Collection – Grade 7
All 7th graders must return their Chromebooks and chargers on
Wednesday, June 25 during WIN
. These devices will be replaced over the summer, so we must account for every unit.
7. June 25 and 26 are HALF-DAYS for students!
School dismisses
at 10:15
. Please plan accordingly.
8. Accessing SchoolTool & Report Cards
Please ensure you have SchoolTool access to monitor your child’s end-of-year performance.
Report cards
will be published in SchoolTool on
Friday, June 27 after 5:00 PM
Thank you for staying involved as we wrap up a fantastic school year!
Friday Message to Camillus Middle School Families-May 30, 2025
Dear CMS Families,
As we approach the final stretch of the school year, I want to thank you for your continued partnership and support. Here are a few important updates as we head into next week:
🎶Spring Concert Season Continues! We are proud to showcase our talented student musicians next week at the West Genesee High School Auditorium:
Grade 7 Band, Orchestra, and Chorus Concert – Monday, June 9 at 7:00 PM
Grade 8 Band, Orchestra, and Chorus Concert – Tuesday, June 10 at 7:00 PM
We look forward to celebrating their hard work and musical accomplishments with you!
🎒 CMS Parent Night for Incoming 7th Graders
On Wednesday, June 11 at 6:00 PM in the CMS Cafeteria, we will host a Parent Information Night for families of incoming 7th grade students (current 6th graders). Our staff will share details about the daily schedule, course information, extra-curricular opportunities, and other important information to help ease the transition to middle school
🥁 Wildcat Marching Band Kick-Off Meeting – June 11 Students and Families interested in joining the thirty-three time NYS Champion West Genesee Wildcat Marching Band are invited to an information meeting on Wednesday, June 11 at 7:00 PM in the West Genesee High School Auditorium . You do not need to be in band or have prior experience to join—marching band is open to all high school students , so any interested 8th grader should attend. For questions, please contact Mrs. McConnell at emcconnell@westgenesee.org.
🚌 Transportation Reminder
Please note that Interaction Time (IT) buses do not run in June. However, after school activities—like the Wildcat Guard Spin Session on Tuesday, June 10—are still happening. Students attending after school activities will need to arrange their own transportation home.
🎉 Support Our 8th Graders – Amazing Race on June 24!
We’re looking forward to celebrating our 8th graders with a fun and memorable Amazing Race event on Monday, June 24. Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered or donated—your support helps us send our students off in style!
📊 SchoolTool Reminders
Please continue to keep an eye on SchoolTool as we wrap up the academic year. Encourage your child to use WIN time purposefully to complete assignments, seek extra help, and finish the year strong. Now is also a good time to ensure that you have access to your SchoolTool parent account so you can view final report cards, which will be available later this month.
Thank you again for being such a vital part of our CMS community. Have a restful weekend!
Better Together,
Brian Kesel
Interim Principal
Camillus Middle School
Friday Message to Camillus Middle School Families-May 30, 2025
📅 Important School Update for Tuesday, June 3
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We want to inform you about a special schedule and important assessments taking place on Tuesday, June 3.
🕢 Schedule for the Day
Arrival Time: Students and staff should arrive at school at the regular time.
Modified Schedule: The school day will follow a two-hour delay schedule, starting at 7:35 AM.
🧪 7th Grade Science Investigation
Our 7th-grade students will engage in Part 2 of the science lab investigation titled “It's Alive.”
🌍 8th Grade Assessment: World Languages Checkpoint A Exam
Our 8th-grade students will take the World Languages Checkpoint A Examination, their first state-level assessment in a world language.
Why is the World Language Exam important?
Graduation Requirement: In New York State, students must earn at least one unit of credit in a world language other than English to fulfill graduation requirements .
Preparation: Our Spanish and French teachers have been diligently preparing students over the past two years for this exam.
✅ How You Can Support Your Child for CheckPoint A
To ensure your child is ready:
Charge Devices: Please have your child charge their Chromebook overnight on Monday, as the exam is administered electronically.
Punctuality: Ensure your child arrives at school on time to provide them with the full opportunity to succeed.
High School Academic Eligibility - Reminder for Parents of 8th Graders
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to remind families that students entering 9th grade must meet academic eligibility requirements in order to participate in interscholastic athletics, marching band, drama activities,and clubs in the fall.
Eligibility for incoming freshmen is determined based on Grade 8, Marking Period 4 report card grades. To be eligible, students must:
Have a vertical average of 70% or higher, and
Not be failing two or more subjects.
We strongly encourage students to take full advantage of WIN and after school academic support to maintain or improve their performance and ensure eligibility. Parents, continue to log into SchoolTool to track your children’s progress.
Thank you for your continued support in helping our students start high school strong!
Be sure to look for Mr. Curtin’s post about The Amazing Race and our Grade 8 celebration, sponsored by our PTO. There are lots of opportunities for families to help make the day memorable for our students!
Have a great weekend,
Brian Kesel
Principal
Camillus Middle School