Chippewa Falls Middle School
|
Dear CFMS Families,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits as we embrace the wonderful month of October. I am incredibly proud of our students and staff for the remarkable beginning to the school year we have experienced. It is evident that our commitment to "inspire, support, and learn" is at the heart of everything we do, and it shows in the bright faces and eager minds of our students.
The transition from summer vacation to the structured routine of school can be a challenging one for children, and adults. However, it is in these routines that we find comfort, stability, and the ideal environment for growth. Establishing a consistent daily routine at home can have a profound impact on your child's academic success. Simple practices like setting a designated time for homework, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and encouraging balanced nutrition can make a world of difference in their overall well-being.
Thank you for your continued support, trust, and partnership in your child's educational journey. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our school if you have any questions or if there is anything we can do to further support your child's success.
Wishing you and your family a fantastic October!
In Partnership With You,
Derrick Kunsman
Principal
|
Family/Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 22, and Tuesday, October 27, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Please look for a message from your child's team this week with more information regarding our fall family/teacher conferences.
Encore Open House
All of our encore teachers (physical education, technology education, family and consumer sciences, music, art, agriculture, and world languages) will be available in an open house format on the nights of conferences. Please stop in, chat with those teachers, and check out those areas. Encore teachers will be taking a 30 minute dinner break at some point between 5:00 - 6:30 PM. If you are requesting an individual conference with any of these teachers, please contact them.
|
|
Help Chippewa Falls Middle School raise money in a sweet way with Olson’s Ice Cream! 10% of proceeds from 4:00 PM - CLOSE on Thursday, October 22nd, will be donated to CFMS to help offset the cost of field trips for our students. |
The Book Fair is coming to the middle school library. Students can purchase books during Parent/Teacher Conferences on October 22 or October 27 from 4-8pm.
If an item does sell out at the fair, please tell us and we can order a copy for you. Students will also have a chance to purchase during the school day at a designated date/time. If you do not want to send money to school with your student, you can use the eWallet.
Databases your students have access to are on my web site. These include….
-
Destiny (Library Card Catalog)
-
Novelist (On Badgerlink, provides ideas for new books)
-
Britannica (Encyclopedia)
-
FactCite (great for research) Username: cfms Password: cards
-
Gale (great for research) Log in with Google or the password is: school
- SORA Overdrive ebooklink
|
Cardinals in Action, the middle school family and teacher organization, is organizing desserts for the staff on conference nights. Please Sign up Here to let us know you can help with cookies, cupcakes, cakes, fruit, candy, anything sweet! Drop off treats in the front office by the end of the school day Thursday, October 22, or Tuesday, October 27. |
We're thrilled to share that our student-run Middle School Store, "The Nest," will be open during conferences! This is a fantastic chance for families to check out our selection of school spirit items, and we will also have slushies available. Whether you want to show your school pride or just need a pick-me-up during the conferences, we've got you covered! |
Free Influenza Vaccines for Students!
Chippewa Falls Middle School is partnering with Chippewa County Public Health again this year to provide free influenza vaccines to students during the parent/teacher conferences on October 22nd from 4-8PM.
Please look for signs while at conferences for directions to where vaccines are being administered.
|
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 is PICTURE RETAKE DAY! If your child was NOT photographed on the original picture day OR you do not like the picture that was taken on the original picture day, your child may take a retake at no additional charge to you!
• If you want to order pictures of the retake picture, you may do so for FREE shipping by going to Strawbridge.net and using the school ordering code FM502225 in the “order now” box. This option is pre-pay ordering, so you will not be able to view your child’s image and is valid for free shipping until 10/26/2026 . If you wish to wait to view the image first, you will need to wait until your child’s personalized ordering code is issued, and a $7 shipping fee will incur. (After 10/26/2026, you will have to wait until the personalized codes are issued).
• If you already ordered a package, but wish to take a new picture, we will print a new package at no additional cost. Please send the package with your child to school so we may see what needs to be changed and improved upon when we photograph the retake picture. You may also send a note if you wish.
• If you still need to order a picture from the original picture day, please use the personalized ordering code that was issued to you with your package or proof. If you do not have your personalized ordering code, please reach out to your school to obtain your code.
• If you have additional questions or concerns, the best way to reach customer service is by using the chat feature on Strawbridge.net or you may contact your local representative at Tracy.cochran@strawbridge.net
|
Parents are required to notify the school when their child is absent. Notification should occur no later than the end of the day on the day of the absence and must include the reason for the absence.
If your child is absent and we have not received notification, you will receive an automated voice message and/or e-mail referencing the absence. If for some reason, parents are unable to call school, the student must bring a note of explanation upon returning.
STUDENTS ARRIVING LATE
Students who arrive late need to report to the main office area (door 2 which is the flagpole door) to obtain an entry pass to class. Parents must notify the school whenever their child will arrive later than 8:21 a.m. Notification on the attendance line should include estimated arrival time and the reason for the late arrival.
STUDENTS LEAVING EARLY
Students who need to leave school during the school day need an Off-Campus Pass. Notification on the attendance line should include the time your child needs to leave school, the time that they will return, and the reason they will be gone.
The release time will be entered in Infinite Campus, which will assist teachers with knowing that a call has been received and the student needs to be dismissed during that class period. Upon their return, students need to report to the main office to check in with an office secretary, so they can be issued a pass to class. Please be assured if you have contacted the school, your child will be notified.
|
Absent? Need to Request Homework?
Make-up work is the responsibility of the student. Upon returning to school, students must contact teachers for make-up work. In typical situations, the number of days given to make up the work is equal to the number of days absent.
Students should refer to the Weekly Teacher Lesson Plans document and Google Classroom until reaching the three day threshold required to request homework be gathered for them.
When an absence does reach three consecutive days, guardians may contact Mrs. Bowe in the Grade Level Office to request assignments be gathered for the student to do at home. If the student is going out of town for an extended period of time, the student is responsible for requesting homework from their teachers prior. Guardians must notify the Grade Level Office at least 2 days in advance of the future absence to ensure teachers have adequate time to provide homework to the student.
Mrs. Bowe can be reached at boweaj@chipfalls.org or 715-726-2400 ex. 2249 to request homework.
|
SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
Please make sure that Infinite Campus information is up to date and includes a list of people to contact in case a child needs to be picked up during the school day.
The Chippewa Falls Middle School primarily communicates with parents and/or guardians electronically. All parents and guardians who receive school information electronically must have their parent portal in Infinite Campus set up in order to access report cards, schedules, homework assignments, grades, attendance, fee statements, etc. We are pleased to offer parents this opportunity to be more active in their child’s education.
If you do not have your parent portal account setup, please follow the guidelines below to setup your account. We discourage the use of your child’s account as you won’t have access to the necessary information you may need or want.
Please make sure that your e-mail address is kept current at all times on the parent portal. You may update your email address at any time by selecting Contact Preferences on the parent portal menu. If at any time during the school year you lose the ability to access the internet, please notify the appropriate grade level office immediately so that we can make the necessary adjustments to our database.
You can also make lunch account, school and athletic fee payments in the Infinite Campus Portal. There will be no convenience fees added. If you need help, call our help desk at 715-726-2413 for assistance.
|
|
The Cardinal Market is a convenient spot in our building where students can grab food items that your family may need for the week. Students will be provided a form to fill out weekly to shop.
We hope your student and your family can benefit from this convenient resource this year! The Cardinal Market will officially open the week of September 17th.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please email Teresa Wahl (wahltm@chipfalls.org) or call 715-726-2400 x3549.
|
Are you a parent, guardian, teacher or staff member interested in getting involved? Join the Cardinals in Action group at their next meeting!
October 13th @ 6:30pm
CFMS Library - Enter Door 1
|
October 7th is National Walk to School Day! Consider dropping off at designated and agreed upon location and letting your child walk with friends to school! Staff will be located along the route to ensure their safety while they travel to school!
Bikes, roller blades, and scooters are also welcome!
|
Hello, CFMS Families!
Student Connection Groups Begin In October!
Middle school is a time of growth, change, and new experiences. Sometimes, having a welcoming place to connect with others can make all the difference.
Student Connection Groups at Chippewa Falls Middle School begin the week of October 5. These groups are free and take place during the school day, providing students with an opportunity to connect with peers, build friendships, develop confidence, and strengthen skills that support their social-emotional well-being and success in school.
Groups focus on a variety of topics and interests and offer students a safe, supportive space to talk, listen, share, learn, and simply be themselves. Students do not need to be experiencing a problem to participate—everyone can benefit from positive relationships and a sense of belonging.
We believe that when students feel connected, supported, and valued, they are better able to learn and thrive.
|
Discover the Voyagers After-School Program!
Looking for something fun, engaging, and meaningful for your middle schooler after the final bell? Voyagers After-School has plenty of exciting opportunities waiting for CFMS students on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
Voyagers offers a variety of hands-on classes designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, develop new skills, and help students connect with friends who share their interests. Whether your student loves technology and robotics, creativity, games, fitness, cooking, or trying something completely new, there’s something for everyone! Homework help is also available!
And the best part? There are still plenty of class openings!
Voyagers is a great way for students to spend their after-school hours in a safe, supervised, and positive environment while exploring interests and making connections. Encourage your student to try something new—you might be surprised by what they discover!
|
Mentor Chippewa is proud to partner with the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District for the 2026-2027 school year and bring our school-based mentoring program to their students!
You don’t have to have all the answers — just the time to listen.
Mentor Chippewa is calling on everyday people to do something extraordinary:
- Show up once a week
- During the school day
- For just 30 minutes
- To support one local student
- Retired? Share your wisdom.
- Working? Ask your employer about volunteering during your lunch break.
- New to the community? This is how you connect.
- Never mentored before? We’ll support you every step of the way.
You can change a student’s life — and it might just change yours too!
One student. One day a week. 30 minutes. That’s all it takes.
Now accepting mentors for the 2026-27 school year!
Tag someone who’d make a great mentor!
@MentorChippewa
#MentorChippewa #BeThatSomeone #SmallMomentsBigMomentum #MentoringMatters #BeTheDifference
|
FAQs for Parents & Guardians guide from Parent Square - requires Parent Square sign in, applicable for parents who are already using Parent Square but may have questions about notifications or more specific things
|
Chippewa Falls Middle School
|
|
|
|
