It’s been another outstanding week at CMHS—our students and staff continue to show what it means to be ALL IN!
📅 September is National Attendance Awareness Month
Strong attendance is key to student success. We want to thank our parents for the critical role you play in making sure students are here each day, ready to learn. Your support at home makes all the difference in helping our Eagles stay on track for graduation and their future goals.
📝 Important Upcoming Events
As we move into next week’s PLC Day, we encourage parents to review the information we’ve shared about two key items:
Horizons Testing – All 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will take this free ACT practice test to measure progress and prepare for the ACT.
Senior Meetings – Seniors will participate in VU scholarship celebrations, Homecoming planning, a college and career survey, and a Jostens meeting for graduation supplies.
Your partnership ensures our students are prepared and present for these important opportunities. Together, we are building Eagle Nation’s future!
Click for Full Newsletter:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14IWIbaLzJJ8GS-EedxsatIWb6JQcwPMk/view?usp=sharing
September is National Attendance Awareness Month! Let’s keep showing up and showing out, Eagles! 🦅
✨ Homecoming Information
Outside guest permission slips are available in the main office. Reminder: Students with 2 or more F’s, 5 or more unexcused absences, or major discipline (including fighting) will not be permitted to attend HOCO.
🍽️ Lunchline Reminder
When heading through the lunch line, have your Minga ID or student ID ready. Students without a digital or physical ID will be turned away. If you need help, please ask—we don’t want anyone missing lunch!
📚 After-School Tutoring
Monday–Thursday from 2:00–3:00 PM in the Library. No appointment needed! Starting next Monday, a late bus will be available—sign up daily by the end of 2nd lunch.
📱 Phones & Earbuds Reminder
Keep them put away during class. Stay focused, Eagles! 💪
🎶 Fight Song Friday
This week’s spotlight: Boys Golf Team! ⛳💥 Let’s cheer them on and keep the Eagle Spirit alive! 💜💛🦅
September is National Attendance Awareness Month! Let’s keep showing up and showing out, Eagles! 🦅
✨ Homecoming Information
Outside guest permission slips are available in the main office.
Reminder: Students with 2 or more F’s, 5 or more unexcused absences, or major discipline (including fighting) will not be permitted to attend HOCO.
🎲 Hard Work Pays Off Poker Chips
If Mr. Newell spots you working hard, you could earn a poker chip—redeemable for a free cookie or coffee from the café! 🍪☕
👩🏫 Teacher Reminder
Department Meetings are after school today in Department Chairs’ Rooms.
📚 After-School Tutoring
Monday–Thursday | 2:00–3:00 PM | Library
No appointment needed!
Starting next Monday, a late bus will be available (sign up daily by the end of 2nd lunch).
🎉 Homecoming Meeting
Don’t forget—HOCO meeting after school in Mrs. Wallace’s room today!
🎓 VU Awards Assembly
CMHS Seniors: Thursday is the final day for your parents to opt you into the VU Scholarships. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn your award amounts!
📱 Phones & Earbuds Reminder
Keep them put away during class. Stay focused, Eagles! 💪
🔍 Where’s Waldo?
Congrats to Hailey Govero! 🎉
Hailey is our 4th winner, finding Mr. Kalker. Her 1st Hour class (Ms. Parish) earns donuts! 🍩
🎶 Fight Song Friday
This week’s feature: Boys Golf Team ⛳💥
Let’s cheer them on and keep the Eagle Spirit alive! 💜💛🦅
Eagles, let’s show off our motivation and positive vibes tomorrow by rocking your favorite motivational or inspirational shirt! Whether it’s a quote, a message, or something that inspires you to dream big and work hard—wear it proudly!
Let’s fill CM with positivity and remind each other to always THINK BIG! 🙌✨
September is National Attendance Awareness Month! If your class has perfect attendance during the first week, please let Mr. Newell know so we can take a class picture!
💼 FBLA Meeting
FBLA will meet on Wednesday at 2:05 PM in Room 216. Both new and returning members are welcome!
🎭 Fall Production Auditions
Auditions for our fall play, Puffs, will be held today in the CMHS auditorium. No drama club experience is required! See Mrs. Neilson in Room 105 for more details.
📚 After-School Tutoring
Tutoring is available Monday–Thursday from 2:00–3:00 PM in the library. No appointment needed. Starting next Monday, a late bus will be available—but you must sign up daily by the end of 2nd lunch.
🎉 Homecoming Reminder
Don’t forget—there is a HOCO meeting after school in Mrs. Wallace’s room today!
🎓 VU Awards Assembly
CMHS Seniors: Thursday is the final day for your parents to opt you into the VU Scholarships. Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to find out your award amounts!
📱 Phones & Earbuds Reminder
Keep them put away during class. Stay focused, Eagles! 💪
🔍 Where’s Waldo?
This week—find Mr. Kalker 👓! The 1st-hour class that finds him wins a 🍩 Donut Party! 🎉
🎶 Fight Song Friday
This week we’re featuring the Boys Golf Team ⛳💥
Let’s cheer them on and keep the Eagle Spirit alive! 🦅💜💛
Announcements for September 2, 2025
👕 Class Shirts
Today is the LAST DAY to vote for your favorite class shirt for HOCO! 🏈🎉
🎓 CMHS Next Visits
📅 September 2 – SUE Edwardsville @ 12:30 PM
📅 September 9 – US Army during Lunch 🍔
🦅 Student Section at Newton
👏 Shoutout to the Juniors & Seniors who helped clean up the bleachers! 🗑️
That’s a true example of the I in RISE! 💪
📚 Faculty Reminder!
📍 Evaluation Meeting in the CMHS Library @ 2:05 PM
(for staff getting evaluated this year) 📝
💜💛 Purple & Gold Assembly 💛💜
Don’t forget our first Purple & Gold Assembly of the year! 🎉
Wear your school colors & cheer loud! 🦅
🏆 Spirit Day Trophy is up for grabs (Seniors won it last year as Juniors!)
📱 Phones & Earbuds Reminder 📱
Keep them put away during class. Stay focused, Eagles! 💪
🔍 Where’s Waldo? 🔍
This week, find Mr. Kalker! 👓
The 1st hour class that finds him = 🍩 Donut Party! 🎉
🎶 Fight Song Friday 🎶
This week we’re featuring the Volleyball Team 🏐💥
Let’s cheer them on & keep the Eagle Spirit alive! 🦅💜💛
Lunch Menu
Monday, Sept. 1. No School
Tuesday, Sept. 2: Cheesy French Bread
Wednesday, Sept. 3: Spaghetti
Thursday, Sept. 4: French Toast
Friday, Sept. 5: Cheeseburger
We have officially wrapped up our second full week of school, and what a great week it was! The participation and energy at our Purple and Gold Assembly were incredible—our students truly showed their Eagle pride, and we are so blessed to have such strong school spirit in our community. 💜💛
Just a reminder: There will be no school on Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.
Also, beginning Tuesday, all students must park in their assigned parking spots. Thank you for helping us keep things organized and safe in the lot.
Click For Full Newsletter
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This Friday, we’re kicking off the year with our first Purple & Gold Assembly! 🎉
We want to see our Eagles decked out from head to toe in PURPLE and GOLD 💜💛 Show your school spirit and let’s pack the gym with Eagle pride! 🦅🔥
#PurpleAndGold #EaglePride #CMFamily
Eagles, let’s show off our motivation and positive vibes tomorrow by rocking your favorite motivational or inspirational shirt! Whether it’s a quote, a message, or something that inspires you to dream big and work hard—wear it proudly!
Let’s fill CM with positivity and remind each other to always THINK BIG! 🙌✨
#ThinkBigThursday #CMEagles #HardWorkPaysOff
🏈👑 Homecoming Updates! 👑🏈
✨HOMECOMING VOTING: HOCO voting will take place during the first 10 minutes of the second period today.
✨ Homecoming Committee → Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 2:05 in Room 220. Seniors interested in planning the dance & ceremony are welcome! 🎉
Study Hall:
Please remember that we have a study hall today after the 3rd period. Students must complete the SAEBRS during this time. At 9:45 am, please send the Freshmen to the CMHS Commons for Freshmen Elections.
Student Council Meeting
Interested in joining the Student Council? Our first meeting is this Thursday in Room 215 after school.
📘 Yearbook Info
Forgot to order a 2025 yearbook? We have a limited supply of extras! 🎉
💲 $60 cash or check → Bring to Mrs. Sutton (Room 204).
⚠️ First-come, first-served → Once they’re gone, they’re gone!
🥪 Grab-N-Go Lunch 🥪
Fill out the survey sent to your email by 8:00 AM on Wednesday to reserve a Wednesday lunch.
⚖️ HOCO Eligibility & Discipline ⚖️
All outstanding consequences must be served by Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.
✅ 5 or fewer unexcused absences
✅ No more than 1 failing class
🚫 Students who fight or use illegal substances = Rule of 365 → no extracurriculars, Driver’s Ed, or parking for 1 year.
📚 Academic Warning
Starting after Labor Day →
👉 Freshmen & Sophomores failing 1+ core class OR 2+ non-core classes = assigned to Eagle Lunch Study.
📧 Grade Alerts
Parents/Guardians will begin receiving weekly grade alerts after Labor Day. Stay on top of assignments, Eagles!
🚗 Parking Passes 🚗
Starting Tuesday, Sept. 2 → Students must park in their assigned purchased spot.
All Grades → Thurs, Aug 28 (Before & After School)
📱 Phones & Earbuds Reminder 📱
Keep phones & earbuds put away during class. Stay focused, Eagles!
🔍 Where’s Waldo? 🔍
Where's Waldo
Congrats to Brock for being our 3rd winner! He found Mr. Gruen → His 1st hour class wins donuts, and his teacher Mr. Kalker gets a gift card!
🎶 Fight Song Friday 🎶
This week, we’re featuring the Cross Country Team! 🏃♂️🏃♀️
Let’s cheer them on & keep the Eagle Spirit alive! 💜💛🦅
✨ No Campaigning → Campaigning for court through posters, social media, or other outlets is not allowed.
✨ Seniors → Check the list outside Room 220 (Mrs. Wallace’s room) by 2:45 today to confirm your name is correct for the Homecoming ballot.
✨ Freshmen, Sophomores, & Junior Girls → Check the list outside Room 220 (Mrs. Wallace’s room) by 2:45 today for ballot accuracy.
✨ Homecoming Committee → Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 2:05 in Room 220. Seniors interested in planning the dance & ceremony are welcome! 🎉
📘 Yearbook Info
Forgot to order a 2025 yearbook? We have a limited supply of extras! 🎉
💲 $60 cash or check → Bring to Mrs. Sutton (Room 204).
⚠️ First-come, first-served → Once they’re gone, they’re gone!
🎳 Unified Sports
We’re launching Unified Sports this year! An inclusive program through Special Olympics where students with & without disabilities play together. This year → Bowling! 🎳
Interested? Contact Mrs. Henrichs, Mrs. Kostyshock, Keagan Thomas, or Makenzie Zimmerman!
🍕 Casey’s Pizza Wednesdays! 🍕
FBLA is selling Casey’s Breakfast Pizza every Wednesday morning in the Commons.
💲 $3 = one slice | $4 = two slices → Don’t miss this Eagle tradition!
🥪 Grab-N-Go Lunch 🥪
Fill out the survey sent to your email by 8:00 AM Wednesday to reserve a Wednesday lunch.
⚖️ HOCO Eligibility & Discipline ⚖️
All outstanding consequences must be served by Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.
✅ 5 or fewer unexcused absences
✅ No more than 1 failing class
🚫 Students who fight or use illegal substances = Rule of 365 → no extracurriculars, Driver’s Ed, or parking for 1 year.
📚 Academic Warning
Starting after Labor Day →
👉 Freshmen & Sophomores failing 1+ core class OR 2+ non-core classes = assigned to Eagle Lunch Study.
📧 Grade Alerts
Parents/Guardians will begin receiving weekly grade alerts after Labor Day. Stay on top of assignments, Eagles!
🚗 Parking Passes 🚗
Starting Tuesday, Sept. 2 → Students must park in their assigned purchased spot.
📝 Parking apps must be filled out before choosing a spot.
💲 All previous fees must be paid before purchasing.
📅 Pick-Up Dates:
Juniors & Seniors → Tues, Aug 26 (Before & After School)
Juniors & Seniors → Wed, Aug 27 (Before & After School)
All Grades → Thurs, Aug 28 (Before & After School)
📱 Phones & Earbuds Reminder 📱
Keep phones & earbuds put away during class. Stay focused, Eagles!
🔍 Where’s Waldo? 🔍
Congrats to Brock for being our 3rd winner! He found Mr. Gruen → His 1st hour class wins donuts, and his teacher Mr. Kalker gets a gift card! 🎉
🎶 Fight Song Friday 🎶
This week we’re featuring the Cross Country Team! 🏃♂️🏃♀️
Let’s cheer them on & keep the Eagle Spirit alive! 💜💛🦅
🏈👑 Homecoming Updates! 👑🏈
With HOCO voting right around the corner, just a reminder: campaigning for court through posters, social media, or other outlets is not allowed.
✨ Seniors → Please check the list outside Room 220 (Mrs. Wallace’s room) by tomorrow at 2:45 to confirm that your name is correct. This list will be used for the Homecoming ballot.
✨ Freshmen, Sophomores, and Junior Girls → Please also check the list outside Room 220 (Mrs. Wallace’s room) by tomorrow at 2:45 to make sure your name is correct for the Homecoming ballot.
✨ There will be a Homecoming Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 2 at 2:05 in Mrs. Wallace’s room (220). Any Senior interested in helping plan the dance and ceremony is welcome to join! 🎉
🍕 Casey’s Pizza on Wednesday’s PLC Day 🍕
FBLA will be selling Casey’s Breakfast Pizza every Wednesday morning before school in the Commons! Cost is just $3 for one or $4 for two—don’t miss out on this delicious Eagle tradition!
🥪 Grab-N-Go Lunch 🥪
Students who want a Wednesday lunch must complete the survey sent to their email by 8:00 AM on Wednesday.
⚖️ Outstanding Discipline & HOCO Info ⚖️
All outstanding consequences must be served by Friday, October 3, 2025.
To attend HOCO, you must also:
✅ Have 5 or fewer unexcused absences
✅ Have no more than one failing class
🚫 Students who fight or use illegal substances will not be allowed to attend extracurriculars, Drivers Ed, or park on campus for 365 days (Rule of 365).
📚 Academic Warning 📚
Starting after Labor Day → Freshmen & Sophomores who are failing 1 core class or 2+ non-core classes will be assigned to Eagle Lunch Study to get back on track.
📧 Grade Alerts 📧
Also after Labor Day → Parents/Guardians will begin receiving weekly grade alerts. Stay on top of those assignments, Eagles!
🚗 Parking Passes 🚗
Beginning Tuesday, September 2, students must park in their assigned purchased spot.
Parking apps must be filled out before choosing a spot.
All previous school fees must be paid.
Do not bring this year’s payment until it’s posted in MySchoolBucks.
🗓️ Parking Spot Pick-Up Dates:
Seniors → Monday, Aug 25 (Before & After School)
Juniors & Seniors → Tuesday, Aug 26 (Before & After School)
Juniors & Seniors → Wednesday, Aug 27 (Before & After School)
All Grades → Thursday, Aug 28 (Before & After School)
🎲 Strategy Club 🎲
Love Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, or board games? Then the Strategy Club is for you! First meeting is Monday, August 25th, after school in Room 203 (Mr. C’s English Hallway).
📱 Phones & Earbuds Reminder 📱
Keep phones and earbuds put away during class. Stay focused, Eagles!
🔍 Where’s Waldo? 🔍
This week’s feature teacher is Mr. Gruen! Find him → Your 1st hour class wins donuts 🍩 and your teacher scores a 🎁 gift card!
🎶 Fight Song Friday 🎶
This week, we’re featuring the Cross Country team! Let’s cheer them on and keep the Eagle spirit alive! 💜💛🦅
Staff and students are encouraged to wear a shirt representing a college, trade school, or the military. Let’s show off all the different pathways our Eagles are preparing for in their CM NEXT! 💜🦅💛
CMHS Friends,
Our first spirit day of the year was a huge success at Civic! 💜💛 We loved seeing the hallways filled with purple and gold, and the excitement carried right into the Purple and Gold Games. Thank you to everyone who showed up and showed out—our Eagle pride is strong!
The spirit continues this week with our first assembly of the year, where we’ll celebrate together as a school community. Parents, don’t forget—during the assembly, we’ll also be announcing our 2025 Homecoming Court! 🦅✨
Hard Work - Pays Off, Mr. Newell
Click To View The Weekly Newsletter
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With HOCO voting right around the corner, this is a reminder not to campaign to be on the court through posters, social media, and other outlets.
Parking Passes:
Students must purchase a parking pass by Friday, August 30, 2025. On Tuesday, September 2, students must park in their purchased assigned parking spot. Parking applications must be filled out before students can select a parking spot. All fees from the previous school years must be paid. Please do not bring payment for this year's parking pass until they are posted in MySchoolBucks.
If the parking lot application has been filled out above, students can pick out their parking lot spot on the following days.
Seniors - Monday - August 25 - Before and After School
Juniors and Seniors - Tuesday - August 26 - Before and After School
Juniors and Seniors - Wednesday - August 27 - Before and After School
All Grades - Thursday - August 28 - Before and After School
Strategy Club
Do you like Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, or board games of all kinds? Then come be a part of Strategy Club! Our first meeting will be on Monday, August 25th, after school in Mr. C’s Room – Room 203 in the English Hallway.
Purple and Gold Friday
Don’t forget that we have our first purple and gold day this Friday. The first hour that is the most spirited wins donuts for breakfast!
Debate Club:
There is a Debate Club meeting today after school!
Phones and Earbuds:
Please remember to keep phones and earbuds put away.
Club Fair
Student Council is hosting a club fair on Friday, 8/22, during lunch hours in the auxiliary gym hallway. If you are looking for a new activity, want to get involved in high school, and would like to meet new people, then joining a club is a great choice! Stop by during lunch and learn about the many exciting clubs offered.
🔍 Where’s Waldo?
This week’s feature teacher is Ms. Schwartz! If you find her, your 1st hour class wins 🍩 donuts, and your teacher gets a 🎁 gift card!
Kaylee Stacy found Waldo!
🎶 Fight Song Friday
Fight Song Friday this week is the football team! 💜💛🦅
We invite you to attend the CMHS Open House/Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
This event will occur in the CMHS Commons from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. On this night, you will have the opportunity to meet your child's teachers.
At 5:45 p.m. in the auditorium, CMHS counselors will present to the parents or guardians of 11th and 12th-grade students on how they can support their students as they prepare for post-secondary readiness.
Open House – Tonight!
Don’t forget, our Open House is tonight from 5:30–6:30 PM. If you need babysitting, please let me know—we have some amazing sitters ready to help!
Campaigning Reminder
With HOCO voting just around the corner, please remember that campaigning for court (via posters, social media, or other outlets) is not allowed.
Strategy Club
Love Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, or board games of all kinds? Join Strategy Club!
📅 Monday, August 25th
📍 Mr. C’s Room 203 (English Hallway)
Purple & Gold Friday
Show your Eagle spirit this Friday by wearing purple and gold! The 1st hour class with the most spirit wins donuts for breakfast. 💜💛
Debate Club
Do you like to argue—but prefer winning? Come sharpen your skills at the first Debate Club meeting!
📅 Friday, after school
📍 Mr. Kalker’s Room 237
Phones & Earbuds
Reminder: phones and earbuds should be put away during class.
Freshman Class Officers
Interested in running for Freshman Class Officer? Applications are on the bulletin board outside Room 215 and are due Friday, 8/22. Questions? See Mrs. Hawkins in Room 215.
Club Fair
Looking to get involved, meet new people, or try something new? Stop by the Club Fair hosted by Student Council!
📅 Friday, 8/22 (during lunch)
📍 Auxiliary Gym Hallway
HOCO T-Shirts
Have a creative idea for your HOCO Class Color Day t-shirt? Submit your ideas this week!
👉 Freshmen: email Mrs. Hawkins at jhawkins@bethalto.org
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🔍 Where’s Waldo?
This week’s feature teacher is Ms. Schwartz! Find her and your 1st hour class wins 🍩 donuts, plus your teacher gets a 🎁 gift card. Congrats to Kaylee Stacy for finding Waldo last week!
🎶 Fight Song Friday
This week’s Fight Song Friday features our football team! Go Eagles! 💜💛🦅
Subject: Exciting Scholarship Opportunities for CMHS Students!
Dear Families,
We are excited to share an incredible opportunity for our students at Civic Memorial High School! Once again, we are partnering with VU Scholarships, a program designed to connect students’ academic accomplishments with real scholarship opportunities from colleges, universities, and post-secondary institutions across the country.
The VU Scholarships Program helps students discover scholarships they may qualify for—sometimes from schools they had never even considered! From there, it’s up to each student to decide if they’d like to take the next step and apply to a partner institution.
Here’s how it works:
With your consent, CMHS will securely provide student data (such as GPA and ACT scores) to VU Scholarships.
Students will then receive a personalized letter explaining how the program works.
Each letter contains a unique QR code that links directly to the scholarships and schools matched to your student’s academic profile.
You and your student can explore these opportunities together and discuss which options may be the best fit.
Why this matters:
VU Scholarships gives students access to opportunities that may not have been on their radar.
It empowers students to make informed decisions about their future after high school.
It provides a head start in navigating scholarships, admissions, and financial aid.
Please note: these are not direct scholarship awards. Students will still need to meet deadlines and requirements for each institution—but this program makes it much easier to know what’s possible.
We are thrilled for our Eagles to explore what’s out there and take the next step toward building their future! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. To learn more, visit the VU Scholarships parent page at www.vuscholarships.com/parent.
Let’s get excited about the doors this partnership will open for our students!
Hard Work - Pays Off,
Mr. Newell Newell
CLICK HERE TO OPT-IN VU SCHOLARSHIPS