It's no longer the beginning of the year: We've already had homework, state testing, back to school night, field trips and assemblies; chorus, band, clubs, and sports are all active; our character counts banners are filling up; and new students and new staff know their way around the building and know names and faces. There are currently several ways to keep up on the goings on: this newsletter, the news feed and live feed at the bottom of our main webpage, our events calendar, the WIPs, our Facebook page (our Instagram has a technical problem at the moment), and various messages sent from the office and grade level teams. We're conscious that this is a lot to keep track of, and we will be looking across the year for opportunities to streamline. In the meantime, know that we want you to be fully informed and that we welcome feedback to jacob.giessman@fivetowns.net.
Camden-Rockport Middle School
In the Swing of Things
Homework Club Reminder
Homework Club began on Tuesday, September 30. All teachers and ed techs have open doors from 3:15 to 3:45 every Tuesday and Thursday. Students can access or might be invited for extra support or time for academic work. It's a great time to revise work, get homework done before home, or ask questions about challenging tasks.
After School Clubs
All clubs meet from 3:20-4:20pm
Mondays: Student Council; Robotics (Returning); Chess; Environmental; Colors club
Tuesdays: Student Council
Wednesdays: Robotics (New)
Thursdays: Yearbook
Families will be e-mailed by the club leader with start/stop dates, changes and cancellations.
Late Bus Reminder
Students sign up in the office each day by the end of morning break if they want to take the 4:30pm late bus.
IMPORTANT DATES
October 1-3 - 7th Grade @ Chewonki
October 6 & 7 - CRMS Dental Clinic
October 10 - Teacher Workshop day - No School
October 13 - Indigenous Peoples Day - No School
October 17 - School Picture Day
October 21 - Bike & Walk to School Day
October 22 - Early Dismissal at 1pm
October 23 & 24 - Student Led Conferences
October 24 - No School (student led conferences)
October 30 - Pumpkin Carving Contest
October 30 & 31 - 8th grade Field trips
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ART NEWS.....
CRMS Art Club
Meets on Fridays and is divided into five mini-sessions, each highlighting a different art medium.
The first session, Needle-Felted Monster Plants, begins October 10.
Interested students should contact art teacher Kristen Andersen at kristen.andersen@fivetowns.net to join the Art Club email list.
Due to the popularity of the club, students may sign up for a maximum of three mini-sessions per year. Open to all grades.
Art Club is open to all grades but is limited to 24 students per mini session. Students must sign up with Mrs Andersen prior to session and commit to attending the full session.
CRMS Horizons Arts
Grade level specific after school extension opportunity for passionate artists. Check WIP and announcements for more information closer to residency.
5th grade- Mini Art Museum with guest artist Tara Morin (March)
6th grade- Gelatin Printmaking with guest artist Catherine Worthington (April)
7th grade- Nature Drawings with guest artist Whitney River (October/November)
8th grade- Encaustic (wax) painting with guest artist Helene Ferrar (January/February)
Please note *
Horizons Arts is grade level specific and those interested must have a 3 or higher in art HOWLs and complete an application.
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There is still time to order your CRMS Spirit Wear!
SIXTH GRADE NEWS...On the early release day in September the 6th grade climbed the nearby landmark, Mount Battie, to reach the top and its famous tower.. The eager group hiked to the tower, enjoyed spectacular clear views, ate snacks with friends, and then descended to the bottom. At the bottom the group had lunch and played a variety of games. It was a fun day for the teachers as well as they were getting to know the new students in the 6th grade. A great time was had by all!!
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Giddy Up!
The sixth-grade Westward Expansion unit, Go For The Gold has begun in the library. Students are riding through seven stations from mapping the Old West to Pony Express to improve their mapping, note taking, and research skills. In this social studies and library collaboration students earn gold nuggets for each completed station while teamwork, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and focus are rewarded with beaver pelts. Gold and pelts can be used at the Elster General Store to stock family wagons for the journey west. The last week of October will find students in a two-day live-action Oregon Trail style simulation. Who will shepherd their family safely out west, and who will fall ill to mudslides, hunger, or dysentery? Fortune favors the prepared!
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8TH GRADE CLASS TRIP TO QUEBEC CITY
Let's take an international trip!
We are quite fortunate to live in Maine and only be a 5 hour drive from the most European style city this side of the Atlantic - Quebec City!
Many more details will be available at an informational parent meeting at 6pm on Tuesday, October 28 at CRMS.
Please join us on the 28th for much more information and for a chance to ask us questions about the trip!
•June 15, 16, 17, 2026
•Quebec City, Canada
•$50 cost to families (scholarships available)
•10 school staff (including medical staff) as chaperones
•2 full time professional tour guides in the city
•2 coach buses depart from and arrive back to CRMS
•assistance with passports or other border crossing documents
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Maine School Management Association Student Insurance plan offers $25,000 for Student Accident Medical Insurance protection through AXIS and administered by ALIVE Risk.
Coverage options include:
24 Hour Accident Coverage - $52.00
School Time Coverage (includes interscholastic sports – NOT including football) - $12.00
Optional Dental - $9.00
Click here to learn more.
From the Nurse...
Wondering whether or not to keep your student home? For respiratory viruses including COVID-19:
Stay home and away from others if you have respiratory virus symptoms including chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, headache, and fever, among others.
Rest, drink plenty of fluids, take fever reducing medications as needed.
Return to school and to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, all of these are true:
Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
You have not had a fever, and
And you are not taking fever-reducing medications
When you go back to normal activities, if you have any lingering symptoms, take added precautions over the next 5 days
Practice good hygiene
Physical distancing
Masking
Testing
LAST CALL FOR OUR SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC
To register your child, please click here: SCHOOL DENTAL CONSENT FORM
Maine Oral Health & Wellness is excited to bring our mobile dental clinic to Camden Rockport Middle School on October 6th and 7th.
Services may include:
Comprehensive dental screenings
Cleanings and preventive care
Fluoride treatments and sealants
X-rays, as needed
Education on oral health habits
Why sign up?
Care is provided during the school day—no need to take time off.
We participate with MaineCare, Northeast Delta Dental and accept most dental insurances.
Students receive high-quality, compassionate care from licensed dental professionals including our experienced registered dental hygienists.
The Nurse's office is in search of: Gently used clean clothing for CRMS students - current needs are: size medium to large stretchy pants (sweatpants/athletic wear) and size medium to large T-shirts (think middle school appropriate).
Please bring items to the main office to be delivered to the Nurse. Thank you very much!
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CRSA (CAMDEN ROCKPORT SCHOOLS ALLIANCE) MEETINGS
10/6 at 5:30 at CRES: Link to Zoom meeting
11/3 at 530 at CRMS, link will be sent in the November newsletter
All are Welcome to attend!
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CRMS CROSS COUNTRY
The 2025 Cross Country season has had a strong start! The Boys and Girls teams have 85 enthusiastic, energetic, and talented athletes participating. A huge thanks to the coaches, and the parents that have volunteered, for making this season a possibility. And good luck in October at championships and the Airline Invitational.
Community Notices
OCTOBER RIDES ON RAGGED MOUNTAIN
$15 - (5 & under free) Fall Chairlift Rides begin October 5th at the Camden Snow Bowl! The chairlift runs from 10-2pm every Sunday in October. Breakfast and lunch available to support the Ragged Mountain Ski Patrol.
Sail on!