Clark Lane Connects

Clark Lane Connects

Clark Lane Middle School April 2026

Mark your calendars!

Thurs., April 2 - School Dance, Theme: Neon Glow Dance, 2:45-4:30 pm Fri., April 3 – School Holiday, No School

Mon., April 13 - Fri., April 17School Holiday, No School

Hello Parents and Guardians!

Happy Spring!! Wow - what a winter!!! We are so happy to have a number of fun and engaging events planned for your children in the next few months! Rec and Park is preparing our beautiful fields so students can get outside for PE, and our entire faculty and staff are excited for the dance, the Walkathon and many other celebrations! We are very proud of our students and the kindness they have shown on Career Day, at Trivia Night, during our school play Footloose, and on field trips such as Project Oceanology! Thank you all for your support and being there for Clark Lane!! Have a warm and wonderful Spring 2026!!

Most Sincerely,

James M. Sachs CLMS Principal

Clark Lane Middle School

860-443-2837

Main Office, Press 1

Report Absence, Press 2 Or email:

CLMS-Attend@waterfordschools.org

Nurse (Health Office), Press 3

School Counseling Office, Press 4

Assistant Principal, Press 5

To reach teachers by email: first initial, followed by last name @waterfordschools.org For example: arobarge@waterfordschools.org

To view Clark Lane’s staff directory:

As we begin to see the welcome signs of spring, it’s been wonderful to watch our students enjoy some fresh air and time outside during lunch again—it’s a great reset in the middle of the day! We’d also like to share a few friendly reminders. Recently, we’ve noticed an uptick in students bringing energy drinks to school. We appreciate your support in reminding students that these beverages are not permitted during the school day. In addition, attendance letters are automatically sent home when a student reaches 9, 15, and 20 absences. These letters are meant to keep families informed and to ensure that any needed supports are in place. When a student reaches 15 absences, we encourage families to partner with us for a conversation so we can work together to best support your child’s success. We’re looking forward to the many exciting activities that spring brings! Our students have been doing a great job showing respect toward one another, and we encourage you to continue those conversations at home about kindness and positive choices. Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support—we truly value being on this team together.

Best regards,

Kelly White, Interim Assistant Principal

Clark Lane Players

Connecting

on stage @ Clark Lane Middle School April 2026

Cut Loose, Clark Lane! Footloose:Youth Edition Is Here!

Mr. Barry shares, “On March 18, Clark Lane Players presented this year's theatre production of Footloose: Youth Edition. With over 30 students involved as performers and crew, the production showcased a range of talent from students in their first play ever to students with lots of experience. Audience members enjoyed famous hit songs from the original movie including "Holding out for a Hero," "Let's Hear It for the Boy," and "Almost Paradise." Starring Gavitt Dunham, Maria Pirruccello, John Robert Hughes, MaryKate Turner, Micheal Olokodana, and Alicia Hager, Footloose really raised the bar on theatre productions at Clark Lane.” Be sure to look for information about next year's show in early October. Till then, everybody cut loose!

Clark Lane Middle School…

Connecting with Parents

April 2026

Did you know…April is Arab American Heritage Month? This year’s theme is Many Voices, One Community. For resources or to find out more, click the code.

Drop off Procedures/Times

Parents may drop off students no sooner than 7:15am. Students wait in the cafeteria before proceeding to Homeroom.

Students who arrive after 8 am MUST be signed in at the Main Office (in the back of the building) by a parent/guardian. Please accompany your student into the building.

REMINDER for ALL STUDENTS!

Bring your school-issued device with you to school EVERY DAY!

Be sure to charge your device or bring your charger with you! Also, don’t forget to bring a refillable water bottle with you to school daily, especially as the weather gets warmer!!

Misplaced something? Think you left it at school? Check the LOST & FOUND table in Clark Lane’s cafeteria!

Early Dismissal Procedure

We ask that you make every attempt to NOT dismiss your student after 2:15 pm, unless a note was given in the morning. It is a disruption to the end of the school day and traffic management.

Thank you for your attention to this!

Clark Lane Middle School…

Connecting with Parents

April 2026

As a reminder and for you to review with your student(s), here is our PRIDE matrix. Let’s continue to have…

Thank you for your support!

Clark Lane Middle School…

Connecting with Parents

April 2026

Just a gentle reminder, the school strongly discourages families from scheduling vacations or extended travel while school is in session. Absences during instructional days disrupt learning and cannot be fully replicated outside the classroom. If an absence does occur, the following guidelines apply:

1. Prior to the absence, students and families should notify teachers of the dates and length of the absence and inquire about any work that may be available in advance. Please note that, in accordance with Board of Education policy, teachers are not required to prepare assignments or lessons ahead of time for students who miss school due to vacations or travel during scheduled school days.

2. During the absence, students are expected to regularly check Google Classroom and complete any posted assignments to the best of their ability.

3. Upon returning to school, students should meet with their teachers as soon as possible to establish a reasonable plan for completing missed work. This may include receiving missed assignments and/or attending after-school help sessions.

4. Families should understand that online materials and paper packets are not a substitute for in-person instruction. Classroom discussions, direct teaching, assessments, and collaborative learning experiences cannot be fully recreated outside of school.

Regular attendance is essential for student success, and families are encouraged to plan travel and vacations during scheduled school breaks whenever possible.

Thank you for your continued support!

Clark Lane Middle School…

Connecting with Parents

April 2026

While we welcome students to stay after school for games and competitions that take place at Clark Lane Middle School, there are rules in place that must be followed for the safety of all.

Students who stay after school:

● MUST REPORT to cafeteria and sign-in.

● MUST stay in the cafeteria until released to Fieldhouse or Old Gym.

● MUST stay in DESIGNATED GAME AREA during entire game/competition.

● Cannot leave and return to school (unless picked up by parent at parent pick-up).

● MUST LEAVE PROMPTLY AT THE END OF THE GAME.

There is NO WANDERING and students are not allowed to enter classrooms.

Students should also be following all directions of the chaperones/adults in charge. Violation of the above rules will result in disciplinary consequences.

Thank you for supporting our school rules and expectations!

Reminder to Parents

Wondering how your student is doing in his/her classes? Curious what grades your student has? Is your student coming to class prepared? Is your student missing assignments? Not completing assigned work? Be sure to check PowerSchool for comments. For many teachers, this is their means of daily, sometimes weekly communication. For help logging in to PowerSchool, check out the page on our website shared here:

LATE BUS INFO

Late buses typically run Monday through Wednesday, with the exception of the first Monday of the month due to faculty meetings. Students are encouraged to check with their teachers before staying after.

Thank you for your attention to this!

Clark Lane Middle School…

Connecting with Parents

April 2026

Did you know…April is Autism Acceptance Month? Autism Acceptance Month celebrates and honors the experiences and identities of Autistic individuals. It emphasizes understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness towards meaningful acceptance.

Reminder to Parents & Students:

After-school academic support is available for students on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Please note that this time is intended specifically for students who need extra academic help. We kindly ask families to keep in mind that these sessions are not intended as after-school supervision. To ensure the best use of time, students should attend with specific questions, assignments, or areas where they need help. Students must be working with a teacher or staff member while they are on campus after school.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support!

This

is a reminder

to students and parents.

After homeroom, only water is allowed outside the cafeteria. From page 13 in our Student Handbook, “Students cannot carry beverages and snacks throughout the building as spills cause problems with ants and mold. Students will be asked to throw away food or drink that is not finished by the end of homeroom (including coffees, specialty drinks and other items purchased outside of school).”

Please help us enforce this policy! When dropping off your student(s) late to school in the morning or throughout the day from an appointment, please do not send your student(s) into school with beverages other than water. We appreciate your understanding and support of this school expectation!

Clark Lane Middle School…

Connecting with Parents

April 2026

How will you celebrate Earth Day?

The Earth Day 2026 theme is "Our Power, Our Planet," which emphasizes community-driven action, renewable energy, and individual responsibility to protect the environment. Celebrated on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, it focuses on strengthening local systems, advancing clean energy solutions, and resisting the rollback of environmental protections through collective action. For more information, click the code!

Did you know…April 19-25, 2026 is National Library Week, a time to highlight the valuable role libraries, librarians and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities? We, at Clark Lane Middle School, want to recognize and thank Ms. Goldberg for all her hard work in our school library! Thank you for all you do to help students and staff at Clark Lane!

Discover the world of Connecticut libraries with a Passport to Connecticut Libraries. Get a passport, visit libraries, and get it stamped this April! The Passport to Connecticut Libraries program encourages residents to visit participating libraries across the state during the month of April (and in celebration of National Library Week) to explore, collect stamps, and win prizes. Pick up a passport at your local library beginning April 1, visit other libraries, collect stamps, and get the chance to win a $200 Visa gift card by visiting at least 5 locations. There will be six statewide winners in total.

● When: The program runs for the entire month of April (April 1–30).

● Eligibility: Open to adults and children with a library card.

● Perks: Many libraries offer small tokens or gifts for visiting.

Have fun!

Clark Lane Middle School Celebrates National Assistant Principal Week

April 6-10th

Thank you, Mrs. White, Clark Lane’s Interim Assistant Principal !

National Assistant Principals Week, April 6–10, 2026, is week to recognize the vital role assistant principals play in supporting teachers, motivating students, and fostering a positive school environment.

Happy National Assistant Principal Week, Mrs. White!

On April 28, 2026, we want to say THANK YOU to all our school bus drivers, not only for School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, but for every single day they safely get our students to and from the Waterford Public Schools. Let’s take a moment on this day to think about the people who work tirelessly every day to make sure your kids can get to school safely and then bring them safely back home. Those who have to endure the screams, laughter, and general noises of dozens of children confined in a small space for hours on end, day in and day out…we thank you!

Help all of us at Clark Lane Middle School Say Thank You to all of our wonderful paraeducators!

Paraeducators work extremely hard every day to support students & teachers here at Clark Lane and we are so grateful for their dedication and service in our school!

Officially, National Paraeducator Day is celebrated on April 3, 2026; however, we celebrate our paras every day at Clark Lane Middle School!

Help us give thanks to the real heroes of our schools: our Administrative Professionals! Without them, we’d be lost!

Thank you to all of our Administrative Professionals at Clark Lane who help to manage the daily operations of our school every single day! This year, Administrative Professionals Day is celebrated on Wednesday, April 22 this year and is a day to recognize and celebrate the work of secretaries, administrative assistants and other office professionals for their contributions to the workplace. At Clark Lane Middle School, we appreciate all of our wonderful administrative assistants and the work they do to make the school run more smoothly!

Please help us thank them and show them our appreciation!

Thank you to Mrs. Rochester, Ms. Hietala and Ms. Thivierge for all you do for our school!

Clark Lane Middle School…

Connecting Community April 2026

Clark Lane Middle School…

Get Ready to Walk!

Ms. deCastro shares all the details of this upcoming event!

We are so excited to announce that our 6th Annual Walkathon is officially happening on Friday, May 22nd – and it’s going to be amazing!!

New this year: We’ve increased the number of incentive prizes, so there are more chances to win than ever before!

This one of our favorite traditions at Clark Lane, and this year, we’re making it bigger and better than ever! So, Clark Lane students, lace up those sneakers, bring your energy and get ready to make some memories with your classmates!

Date: Friday, May 22nd

Event: 6th Annual School-wide Walkathon

More details coming soon, so stay tuned! We can’t wait to walk with you!

Connecting Community

Clark Lane Middle School…

Bluebird Nest Box Finds

New Home at Clark Lane Middle School

Thanks to the Connecticut Ornithology Association’s mini grants, awarded to Tom Baptist, and Mrs. Driscoll-Long, Clark Lane’s Building Substitute, Clark Lane Middle School is the proud owner of a brand new, hand crafted bluebird nesting box.

Mrs. Driscoll-Long shares, “Mr. Baptist salvaged the wood from what was left of the David Little Tavern in East Hartford, CT. The tavern, built at the time of the American Revolution, was demolished in 1990 by the State of Connecticut for ramp improvements to I-84.The original boards from the floors & walls of the tavern were saved and kept in a dilapidated trailer in the East Hartford Public Works yard until 2023. When the town decided to discard all the wood into a local landfill, some of the wood was saved for re-use, with permission of the town. Cut and removed from Connecticut’s old growth forests, the nest boxes are primarily constructed from white pine. In addition, each nest box has one or two pieces of native white oak and American Chestnut.”

Clark Lane Middle School is fortunate that this old growth wood will bring new life to our school’s bluebirds, raising their young in them from years to come.

Thank you to Mrs. Driscoll-Long for bringing this to Clark Lane!

April 2026

Did you know…founded in 1984, Connecticut Ornithological Association is an all-volunteer organization with the mission of promoting interest in Connecticut birds and collecting, preparing, and disseminating the best available scientific information on the status of Connecticut birds and their habitats? For more information, check out their website: https://www.ctbirding. org/

Connecting Community

Connecting Community

April 2026

Dr. Bill Healy Scholarship for Junior Sailing

The Niantic Bay Sailing Academy (NBSA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization at Niantic Bay Yacht Club in Niantic, CT. The Dr. Bill Healy Scholarship fund has been funded by generous donors who made contributions in memory of Dr. Bill Healy. Through this fund, sailing scholarships will be awarded to junior sailors within the Niantic Bay Yacht Club membership and youth within the community. We are especially seeking to support NBYC families who see the program fees as a challenge or barrier to enter their children in the program. Additionally, we seek local youth who may not have otherwise been exposed to sailing, a sport which offers camaraderie, fun, competition and the development of lifelong skills. We offer a 4 or 8 week summer program (June 22 – August 14) providing instruction for ages 7 – 17. All abilities are welcome - from beginner sailors to those who seek more competitive racing. Classes meet several times per week for several hours depending on ability. Participants must be able to swim and pass a swim test before they can begin sailing. Boats are provided. We also offer scholarship support to families who are seeking regatta fee reimbursement. Please see the form below for eligibility details. Equally important are the countless young men and women who have taken their experiences at NBYC and gone on to make sailing a lifelong passion, whether it be cruising, competitive racing, day sailing, or just enjoying the outdoors on the water. For more information about junior sailing on Niantic Bay (or to register without the scholarship) (or to register without the scholarship) go to www.NianticSailing.org.

Connecting Community

Connecting Community

Connecting with Clark Lane Middle School’s

School Counseling Office

April 2026

On March 27th, 7th grade students at Clark Lane Middle School participated in Career Day. We would like to take this opportunity to say Thank you to all our presenters from the community who shared information about their careers with our 7th grade students on that day! Without your participation and willingness to share your expertise with our students, this day would not be possible!

A special thank you to Grade 7 School Counselor, Ms. Dinatali, for all her hard work and for making this event possible for our seventh graders. What a great day!

School Counselors Help

Parents by . . .

● Exploring ways to help your child succeed

● Improving parent to child communications

● Supporting home to school connections

● Understanding your middle school child

● Navigating the middle school environment

We’re help to help!

Need to see your counselor?

Stop in the School

Counseling Office and set up an appointment with Ms. Hietala, the new Guidance & Attendance management Administrative Assistant.

Upcoming: State (SBA) testing will take place from May 5th - May 7th. We ask that you please do not schedule non-emergency appointments during this timeframe as students will then have to miss class time upon their return for make-ups!!!

Students are reminded to:

Get a good night’s sleep!

Eat a good breakfast!

Bring your charged Chromebook with you every day!

Thank you!

Connecting with

Effective School Solutions

Helping each child reach their greatest potential March 2026

Update on Learning Strategies Group

The Learning Strategies Group has begun during lunch on Wednesdays. There are spots for a few more students during each grade's lunch wave. This group is for any student at Clark Lane Middle School who could use extra support in organization, time management, navigating social situations and improving engagement in class. Please let Lisa Pionke, Clinician from ESS or your student's school counselor know if you'd like your student(s) to join.

Note from the Health Office

National Stress Awareness Month is observed in April. The month provides opportunities for open conversations about the impact of stress on daily lives and encourages sharing stories and resources Reasons for Stress in Middle Schoolers

● Academic pressure

● Social dynamics

● Extra curricular activities

● Home environment

Coping Strategies to Relieve Stress

● Physical activity- helps to improve mood

● Belly breathing helps reduce heart rate and reduces anxiety

● Journaling - helps to express feelings

● Unstructured time - schedule time for hobbies, art, playing outside

● Sleep routine 9-12 hours a night for children, 8-10 hours for teens

Did you know…April is Celebrate Diversity Month? It was initiated in 2004 to recognize and honor the diversity of the world around us. This year’s them is “Culture Connects Us All”.

ATTENTION

Nurse Erica shares, “Lyme Disease is highest from April through October.”

Be sure to wear long pants, keep your pants tucked into socks, use repellant and do tick checks after being outside!

directly contact the School Health Office, call: 860-437-6977 or email: emccaffrey@waterfordschools.org

Please keep your student home with a fever and DO NOT return to school until you are 24 hours fever free without meds.

6th grade students who have not had a physical this year will need one by the start of 7th grade. You will receive a notice if you are not compliant with this. Thank you!

News from IT

April 2026

especially for Clark Lane Middle School

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION:

Is there a fee to replace a lost or damaged charger?

Yes! The Student Device Protection Program does not cover lost chargers, so there is a fee. With or without Device Protection, the current replacement cost is $20. If your child loses a charger and needs to purchase a replacement, visit the Technology Store in MySchoolBucks to purchase one online. The new charger will be delivered to your student’s school!

DID

Students are REMINDED to bring their devices to school every day, preferably charged and ready to go! There is a limited number of Chromebooks for students to borrow throughout the day on a first come, first serve basis. Students who need to borrow a Chromebook should go to library after checking in at homeroom! For information about Waterford Public School’s One-to-One Device Program, click on the QR code here:

YOU

KNOW…

waterfordschools.org

your student’s school device is protected by Securly, helping keep them safe when they go online? What a great feature! With the Securly Home app (included with your district’s Securly partnership), parents can safeguard their child’s online activity when devices come home! Click the link to connect you to the WPS district website for more information!

REMINDER

Students are not allowed to put any stickers on the school Chromebooks. If the device stops working and it is sent in for repair, it is really difficult to remove the stickers. Thank you!

Connecting with Clark Lane Middle School’s

Art Department

April 2026

Clark Lane Students Showcase Artwork

Clark Lane Art teacher, Ms. Bonillo shares, "If you have a moment, please stop by the Waterford Library to see the recent art exhibit of works from students from both Clark Lane Middle School and Waterford High School. It is a wonderful show and the Clark Lane Middle School paintings are just beautiful.”

The following students from Clark Lane Middle School have works in the show: Anna Houppi, Lucas Nowland, Alondra Roman Bizaldi & Kyra Thomas

Congratulations to all our student artists!

Connecting with

Family & Consumer Science

@ Clark Lane Middle School April 2026

Culinary News

Mrs. Loguidice reports, “As Trimester 2 came to an end, Introduction to Culinary Skills students were busy preparing eggs, and prepping and serving a spaghetti dinner buffet meal…all while developing confidence when working in the kitchen. Advanced Culinary Skills students explored how yeast works to make dough rise, then prepared some tasty pizza and pretzel bites.” Bravo!

A Note from the Music Department!

Twenty students from Clark Lane Middle School earned the honor of being selected to perform in the Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) Eastern Region Festival. After a competitive audition process, these talented musicians were chosen to join top student performers from across the region.

The festival took place on Friday, March 20th, with a full day of rehearsals, followed by a culminating concert on Saturday, March 21st. This experience provided students with the opportunity to collaborate with peers, work under the direction of distinguished conductors, and showcase their musical achievements at a high level.

Congratulations to all participating students for their dedication, hard work, and outstanding representation of Clark Lane Middle School.

Please join us in celebrating this incredible achievement and congratulating these students (listed below, in no particular order) on their success!

Warm regards, The Music Department

Natalie Sogard Paige Freeto

Corey Jones Zoe Palazzo

Jubilee Stewart Cecilia Balarezo

Cindy Liam Marykate Turner

Steven Licare Conor Haines

Gia Moser Brayden Cacace

Maria Pirruccello

Opal Fries

Cooper Koczajowski

Luca Neyarapally

Hope Fagan

Erin Kane

Henry Nazarian Katherine Koehler

Connecting with

Theatre

@

Clark Lane Middle School April 2026

Theater Elective Takes the Stage!

Mr. Barry's Theatre 8 students presented this year's edition of The Justice Plays in the library on Wednesday, March 18, for eighth grade Language Arts students. Their three plays--written, directed, and performed by students--were each inspired by a US Supreme Court case related to the rights of students in public schools. Following each play, the students presented further information about the original court case. Mr. Barry shares, “Students in the invited Language Arts classes then had the opportunity to ask questions about the writing process including how each group selected their case, developed their play and rehearsed.”

We look forward to next year's Theatre 8 presentations. If you will be a student in eighth grade next year, see your counselor about enrolling in this elective.

Connecting with Clark Lane Middle School’s

Physical Education Department

April 2026

BADMINTON TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS

Students in PE participated in a two day badminton tournament! Here are the 7th and 8th grade class champs!

ClarkLane MiddleSchool’s

WORLD LANGUAGE NEWS

Connecting our corner of the globe to yours April 2026

Dans la classe de français

6th graders have already learned so much in our short time together! We’ve reviewed cognates like: la tomate, le professeur, l'éléphant & la famille. We’ve read two stories completely in French! We’ve learned how to pronounce the letters of the French alphabet, which will help the students with pronunciation. We’re just learning greetings and practicing dialogues, which will be included on our first quiz! We’ve recently also discussed some interesting facts about France and the French people! Ask them what they know about the French president, for instance! And, ask them where croissants are from! Surprisingly, it’s not France! 7th graders are working in Unit 3, talking about their families and where they live. They’ll soon be drawing and describing the their rooms shortly using prepositions of location…all in French! They’ve really learned a ton of vocabulary and are still going!

8th graders are still focusing on “big four” irregular verbs: avoir, être, aller and faire and are practicing vocabulary and grammatical structures they will use and need next year in French if they attend WHS! We move into Unit 9 very soon!

A classe linguae latinae

6th graders will begin the trimester by looking at Latin root words and cognates, to recognize how much Latin they already know! They will soon begin learning some geography of Ancient Rome, and about Mt. Vesuvius.

7th graders are working on their Hercules unit. They are learning the true mythology behind Hercules and his 12 labors that the Romans and Greeks believed, and will create a project that showcases a few of them. The culminating assignment of the unit is where students compare and contrast the mythology with the Disney movie and then write a persuasive paper to give Disney a grade based on the accuracy of their portrayal of the myth.

8th graders students are about half way through reading the famous epic, the “Aeneid”. Students follow Aeneas, the main character, as he faces obstacles and monsters of mythology to found what will become Rome. Students are continuing to see the imperfect and perfect tenses used in the context of the story, as well as various personal pronouns in Latin.

En la clase de español

6th graders have been learning how to use greeting, introduction and farewell expressions in Spanish. Our next topic is the alphabet! They will learn to spell out their name and other words using the Spanish alphabet. After that, 6th graders will choose a Spanish speaking country to research. They will use this information to create an infographic about the country and share it with their class.

7th graders are using regular -ar verbs to describe the activities they do in each class. In this unit, students will explore schools in Spain, Mexico, Guatemala, and other Spanish-speaking countries. They will compare schedules, types of classes, and extracurricular activities across these cultures. In our upcoming unit, students will learn how to use prepositions to describe the locations of objects within the classroom.

8th graders have been learning how to use the verb ir (“to go”) to describe places they visit and activities they do there. They are also learning how to use interrogative words to ask questions in Spanish. Next, we will be transitioning into a fun new unit focused on sports!

Clark Lane Middle School Celebrates World Language Week

All eighth grade World Language students participated in the yearly poster contest. This year’s theme: Learning Languages: A Prescription for Healing Misunderstandings. Seventh grade students created word walls with their favorite word in French, Latin or Spanish. Sixth grade students shared their opinions about the importance of learning another language! We are proud of all our language students for their participation!

Congratulations to Mrs. Morosky’s 7th grade homeroom for winning World Language Week trivia. They were rewarded with doughnuts in homeroom! Congratulations!

courtesy of WL Department

Clark Lane Middle School Celebrates World Language Week

Congratulations to the 8th grade poster contest winners!

1st place: Angelina Rowe

2nd place: Kayla Hogan

3rd place: Paige Freeto

Honorable Mention: Gabriela E. Ortiz

Attention 6th Grade Parents

Helping your 6th grader choose a language

Prepared for you by the CLMS World Language Teachers

6th grade students

in the Waterford District are fortunate to have the opportunity to try three different languages in their first year of middle school. This gives them a unique opportunity to not only meet the teachers that they will potentially have for the next two years, but also to explore and discover new vocabulary and new cultural experiences.

HOWITWORKS

6th grade students will soon be choosing their World Language class for the next two years. This means that whatever language they choose for 7th grade, will be the same language they will study in 8th grade and they cannot change their choice once 7th grade has begun.

This is a very important and personal decision!

While we encourage parents to discuss the options with their sixth graders, we kindly remind parents to please honor the decision of your student as they have had the experience of learning each of the languages this year, interacting with the teachers, and following class dynamics that will be similar in the next two years.

At this early stage of language learning, we find that students who actually choose the language they enjoyed the most in 6th grade bring a positive attitude with them to class and tend to perform better.

Junior Honor Societies

What you need to know

There are currently three World Language Junior Honor Societies open to students in 8th grade at Clark Lane Middle School. Students are selected at the end of Trimester 2 based on their current overall grade in French, Latin or Spanish. In fact, potentially eligible students are invited by their teachers at the end of seventh grade to participate in the club associated with their language of choice for eighth grade.

The French Junior Honor Society (Jeunes Amis du Français), the Latin Junior Honor Society (National Junior Classical League) and the Spanish Junior Honor Society (La Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad) are honorary clubs that take part in special projects and/or events that promote interest in the study of French, Latin and Spanish and create enthusiasm for the respective language and culture in the school community and community at large.

To be eligible for membership in each individual honor society, candidates must:

● Be a current eighth grade student who is enrolled in a full academic year of French/Latin/Spanish

● Have completed two full trimesters of French/Latin/Spanish in middle school

● Have an A- or higher in all trimesters in French/Latin/Spanish (including in 7th grade)

● Exemplify good citizenship and maintain a record free from serious behavioral offenses, such as cheating and offensive language or actions.

● Participate in two language-related activities over the course of this academic year promoting the aims of the JAF, JCL or SHA: stimulating interest in French, Latin or Spanish and creating enthusiasm for and an understanding of Francophone culture, the Classical World and/or Hispanic culture AND attend more than 50% of the meetings prior to the induction.

● Submit the completed application to the World Language teacher by the deadline

● Be recommended by the French/Latin/Spanish teacher

If your student is eligible, s/he will receive a letter by the end of March with an application and instructions for applying. Application requirements must also be met in order to be considered. There is a formal ceremony, which takes place in the spring.

NOTE: The formal induction ceremony is in late April or May. Rehearsal for the ceremony can be after school or during the school day. If students miss class to attend the rehearsal, they are responsible for missed work. Rehearsal is mandatory.

This is an extraordinary honor reserved for the highest achieving students. We encourage all eligible students to participate.

For more information, please contact your child’s World Language teacher.

CONNECTIONS CLUBS

After School Clubs

@ Clark Lane Middle School April 2026

The Connections Program offers a variety of afterschool clubs for students here at Clark Lane Middle School. These clubs offer students the ability to get involved in activities they enjoy after school and to meet new people and connect with the school. Clubs are generally offered for twelve weeks, so in the spring, there may also be new club offerings, while some clubs run the entire school year. Generally, club meeting days & times are announced over the morning announcements; however, there is also a bulletin board outside of the Assistant Principal’s office where staff members post club flyers! Students: be sure to check this out!

Get involved!

The Astronomy Club meets weekly after school on Tuesdays. Mr. Rocha shared, “We recently had a telescope viewing night where students observed the moon, Jupiter and the Orion Nebula. We also had out first club movie outing where students and parents came out to see Project Hail Mary at Regal Waterford cinemas this past Sunday.”

See Mr. Rocha in S109 for more information!

LATE BUS INFORMATION

Late buses run Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays unless there is a faculty meeting, on the first Monday of the month. If late buses are not running on a particular day, it will be announced. Students take the late bus that goes to their area of town. Students will be issued a bus pass from the adult they are staying after school with, or they can get picked up in lieu of taking a bus. Late buses arrive at school at 3:40 pm.

CONNECTIONS CLUBS

Clark Lane’s StressFreeClub meets on Tuesdays after school with Ms. Todd! Listen for announcements for the location and be sure to sign up outside the AP office!

The Craft Club has ended for this school year. Check back in the fall to join this club! Thank you to all participants!

The Perler Bead Club has only three more meeting dates this trimester! Be sure to sign up on the list outside the AP Office or see Ms. Driscoll-Long.

Math Counts meets after school with Mrs. Joyner on most Tuesdays in S105!

Latin Club meets on Wednesdays in L202. See Magistra Garrison for more details!

The bus that takes kids from Clark Lane Middle School to the Community Center will NO LONGER be bus 46. Instead, students should board bus 39. They also ask that Community Center riders board after all the regular bus students, please.

What’s Cooking?

in Clark Lane Middle School’s cafeteria

April 2026

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Please remind your student that if they want hot lunch they need to let their homeroom teachers know in the morning. Thank you!

REMINDER

Students riding the bus who want breakfast in the morning should report to the cafeteria after checking in to Homeroom for attendance.

If your student is a parent drop-off in the morning, those students wait in the cafeteria until the bell and can get breakfast there as they come in before Homeroom.

ParentTeacherO

Get all your Clark Lane Gear!

SPIRIT WEAR

STILL ON SALE

Click the QR code below and order your Spirit Wear, especially for Clark Lane Middle School, NOW! Purchase spirit wear and help us fund student activities and supplies. Get yours today!

Our next meeting date is: Monday, April 6th 5:30 pm in the CLMS Library or on Zoom (link to be shared) Come

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