As we return from Winter Break, I want to warmly welcome our students, staff, and families back and wish everyone a happy and healthy start to the new year. We are excited to begin Semester 2 and continue building on the growth, learning, and accomplishments we saw during the first half of the school year.

As we settle back into our routines, I want to encourage our students to start the semester with a positive mindset. Middle school is a time of growth, discovery, and learning—both academically and personally. Set goals, stay organized, ask for help when needed, and remember that effort and perseverance matter just as much as achievement. Treat others with kindness, make responsible choices, and take pride in your progress each day.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our teachers and staff for their continued dedication, professionalism, and care for our students. Their commitment and hard work create a supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to learn, grow, and succeed.

Thank you as well to our PTO for their ongoing partnership and support. Your involvement continues to strengthen our school community and enhance opportunities for students and staff alike.

As we move forward into the second semester, we look ahead with renewed energy, new goals, and a shared commitment to success. We appreciate the continued support and collaboration of our families as we work together to make Semester 2 a positive and productive experience for all.

Welcome back—we look forward to a great second half of the school year together.

Warm regards,
Nicole Reed
Principal

See the latest Athletics News from Athletic Director, Mr. Daly:

Come cheer on the Panther Basketball Teams at our home games!

Reminders for students attending home games:

Ticket cost is $5 per person.

Students are to remain in the gym during the games unless they are using the restrooms or making a purchase from the Concession Stand (no wandering the halls!) This includes student athletes!

Students are not to leave the building. Any student who leaves the building will not be permitted to re-enter unless they are accompanied by an adult. They will also be required to pay an additional $5 ticket fee.

Students must model respectful and appropriate behavior at all times, especially towards visiting teams. 

Check Out the Media Center News from Mrs. Reilly:

New books have arrived! Visit the Media Center to check out these new books:

Our next Book Fair is March 27-April 3! Parent and Family Night will be March 31st from 3pm-7pm!

Here are upcoming dates for Kona Ice Fridays!

Friday, January 9th

Friday, March 6th

Friday, April 3rd

Friday, May 1st

CTMS Spirit Night at IHOP! Wednesday, January 14th from 2pm-8pm

CTMS Spirit Night at Panera! Wednesday, January 21st from 8am-8pm

*Mention CTMS Before Ordering!*

Yearbooks are available for purchase for $30. The deadline to order is March 31st! Go to Yearbookordercenter.com and use our order number 14008.

For questions, contact Ms. Hall: brhall@k12.wv.us

A special Congratulations goes out to Charles Town Middle School 7th Grader, Eddie Erfurt!

Read more about Eddie's success:

CTMS 7th Grader Shines at Lego League Competition!

The Winter & Spring Activities Pep Rally will be held on Thursday, March 19th at 1pm! 

The Pep Rally Theme: USA!!

The Pep Rally will be hosted by the Pep Rally Prep Club!

Mark your calendars for that week's Spirit Days!

Take a look back at some of the December holiday festivities and events enjoyed by our CTMS family!

Charles Town Middle School staff and students geared up for winter break by celebrating with a “12 Days of Christmas” Holiday Spirit Week!

The Panthers got creative with spirit days that included “Over the River and Through the Woods Day” with camo gear, “Tree Topper Day” with Christmas hats, “Long Winters Nap Day” with their favorite holiday pajamas, "Christmas Movie Day" as favorite Christmas movie characters, and “Channel Your Flannel Day” with plaid attire.  

The holiday spirit was alive and well with the crew at CTMS!

The Charles Town Middle School FFA Chapter proudly represented the Panthers in the annual Charles Town Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6th. Kristin Friend, the CTMS Agriculture Teacher, has served as CTMS FFA Chapter Sponsor for the past 18 years. 

“The FFA chapter decides each year if they would like to participate in the parade,” says Friend. “The last time we were in the parade was in 2022.”  

Students took charge of all aspects of their parade float, including creating a budget for supplies and designing the float to fit in with the parade theme. 

Friend says that students worked after school and on the morning of the parade to get the float up and running. “The students always have fun with this event because they can show off their creativity.”

The Charles Town Middle School Band marched in the Charles Town Ranson Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6th. There, they debuted their brand new uniforms! Funds for the uniforms were collected from a generous donation from the Charles Town Rotary, The Peter Marsh Foundation Grant, and fundraising efforts of the students and parents.

The Jazz Band, Select Chorus and 8th grade chorus performed at Willow Tree nursing home on Thursday, December 11th. The residents and the groups were treated to cookies after the performance. 

Small groups of students performed some Holiday Music for the residents at the Shenandoah Center in Charles Town on Sunday, November 14th. Afterwards, the students visited with the residents and gave them cards made by preschool students at Asbury Preschool. 

The CTMS Science Fair was held on December 3, 2025. There were 35 entries. CTMS will have 20 entries representing us at the Jefferson County Science Fair on January 10, 2026.

Thank you to all participants for doing an outstanding job and good luck to those headed to county! 

Charles Town Middle's History Bowl Team is set to compete at the county level on January 20th at Harpers Ferry Middle School. Students will face off against 8th graders from around the county on subjects such as the culture, history, and art of West Virginia. Parents are welcome to come and take photos of the matches.

We are fortunate to have two teams representing CTMS this year:

Team 1: Liam S., Lia G., Rena B.

Team 2: Madison H., Addison N., Brielle A., August O.

7th Grade Observers: Lucian R., Louise G., Duke F.

The team is advised by Mr Hoitt. 

Good Luck Panthers!!

Our 8th Graders were excited to participate in CPR Training on Wednesday, December 17th.  

Seven students from Charles Town Middle School were selected for the West Virginia All State Band! These students auditioned against other middle school students from all over the state of West Virginia and were selected based on their talents! They will travel to Charleston, WV in early March to rehearse and perform with students from all over the state.

Congratulations to the following students: Jay Kerrigan (Clarinet & Alto Sax), Remmy Kerrigan (Trombone), Tyson Stuntz (Trombone), Eclipse Cruz (French Horn), Lizzy Bowman (French Horn), Cael Young (Euphonium), and Diego Escalante (Euphonium).

Read the latest news from our amazing team in the Guidance Office!

We know that the transition from middle to high school can be overwhelming!  We wanted to share some upcoming dates/information that will help with that process:

CTMS 8th graders will be visiting/touring Washington High School on Tuesday, January 13th (snow date is 01/20/25). 

The WHS school counselors will be coming to CTMS to meet with all 8th graders and begin working on their high school schedules on Wednesday, January 21st. 

Also - Washington High School is hosting a Parent Information Night on Tuesday, January 27th at WHS at 6:00 pm.  Meeting will be held in the auditorium.

Below is a helpful resource for emergency support services for families with children experiencing emotional or behavioral crisis:

Children's Mobile Crisis Services Flyer

Contact a CTMS Guidance Counselor

Jen Mills (students with last names A-L): jennifer.mills@k12.wv.us

Jay Wilson (students with last names M-Z): jay.wilson@k12.wv.us

Did you know middle schoolers need 9–12 hours of sleep every night to feel and function their best? A full night’s rest helps your brain organize memories, strengthens your immune system, fuels your growth, and boosts your mood. While you sleep, your body is hard at work repairing muscles, building new pathways in the brain, and preparing you for a successful day at school.

To make the most of your nightly recharge, try putting your phone and other screens away at least one hour before bedtime. The blue light from devices can trick your brain into staying awake, but giving yourself tech-free time helps your body wind down naturally.

A healthy sleep routine means better focus, stronger learning, and more energy for all the awesome things you do every day. Sweet dreams! 

Thank You to TPF - True Performance Fitness

We extend our sincere thanks to True Performance Fitness (TPF) and its generous members for their incredible support during the holiday season. Through their donations, TPF helped provide holiday meals and generously “adopted” several CTMS students for holiday shopping. Their kindness and commitment made a meaningful difference for our students and their families, and we are truly grateful for their partnership and community spirit.

All students in West Virginia schools entering 7th grade must have one dose of the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) and one dose of the Meningococcal vaccine (MCV4).

All students, including JVA and homebound students are required to be in compliance with immunization requirements. Please be advised that West Virginia does recognize religious exemptions, however, the parent must apply for the exemption through the state and comply with necessary documentation for state religious exemptions prior to the start of 7th grade.

Noncompliance with immunizations will require your student to be removed from school with unexcused absences. Please submit completed shot records to the nurse, emailing the record is suggested.

Immunization records can be dropped off in the main office or emailed directly to Principal Reed - Nreed@k12.wv.us

Attendance is key: Let's STRIVE FOR LESS THAN FIVE ABSENCES per semester. Click here to submit an absence for your child. CTMS attendance guidelines are as follows:

We are so happy to get another great year started here at CTMS.  With that being said there are a few key things that we want all families to know about concerning your students’ attendance.  The attendance campaign for JCS is “Strive for Less Than 5 Absences a Semester.”  I want to encourage all families to track your student’s missed days this year.  An attendance tracker was already sent home with your child during the first week of school.  When thinking about absences the graphic below will help to put into perspective the loss of academic instruction for your student.   

When your student is absent from school, please complete the online absence form that can be found on the JCS website.  If submitting online you can attach an uploaded note from your camera roll for convenience.  You also have the option to send in a written note.  Please submit those to the basket at the attendance window located next to our front office.  

If your student is absent for any reason the automated attendance line will make contact starting around 10:30 AM, even if a note was submitted that day.  Contact home will be made when your child has 3 unexcused absences and again at 5 unexcused absences until someone is reached.  This is a good time to discuss the accuracies of your students’ absences and anything that we can do to assist in getting your child to school.  The JCS Attendance Office will also send a formal notice through the mail at 5 unexcused absences.  If your student passes 10 unexcused absences your child is considered to be truant per WV state law.  At JCS we know life gets hectic and emergencies happen, therefore we try to work with families to put in supports to assist in getting your students to school.  At this point we will reach out to set up an attendance intervention meeting with both you and your student along with some support staff at CTMS.  Please have absent notes submitted as soon as possible to prevent the above contacts.  

When your student is absent, please send a note.  If you are sending in a parent verified illness note, there is a limit of 10.  After your 10th parent note they will be unexcused.  Any notes that are provided by a doctor are considered excused. If there is an excess amount of doctor’s notes a chronic medical condition form is something that we may need to consider.  Please reach out to the administration to discuss this further.   

This year we will also be taking a close look at students who are consistently tardy and/or leave school early.  Mr. Sarina, our Truancy Diversion Specialist and I will have conversations with students to help support and curb these issues.   

Just a reminder that there is no longer the Leave of Educational value for vacations.   

As always, we welcome the support and open communication with our CTMS parents and care givers.  Please do not hesitate to contact me concerning attendance questions and concerns. 

When coming in late and/or picking your student up early please reference the times below to minimize the time that your child is out of the learning environment. 

Doors open at 7:35 and the tardy bell for 1st period rings at 7:50. School ends at 2:47.

Late Arrival Times

If you arrive by 9:38 am and stay the entire day you are considered present for the whole day.

If you arrive by 11:19 am and stay the entire day you are considered half day present. 

Early Dismissal Times

If you arrive on time at school (by 7:50) and stay until 11:19, you will be considered present for half of the day.

If you arrive on time at school (by 7:50) and stay until 12:59, you will be considered present for a full day, and it will be coded as an early release.

January 8 - Boys Basketball vs. Harpers Ferry 6pm (Girls Away)

January 13 - CTMS 8th Grade Trip to WHS

January 13 - Girls Basketball vs. Hedgesville 6pm (Boys Away)

January 14-16 - Benchmark Testing (1st Period)

January 14 - CTMS Spirit Night at IHOP 2:00pm-8:00pm (Mention CTMS before ordering)

January 15- Girls Basketball vs. Wildwood 6pm (Boys Away)

January 19 - No School - MLK Jr. Day

January 21 - WHS Counselors Visit CTMS 8th Grade

January 21 - CTMS Spirit Night at Panera 8:00am-8:00pm (Mention CTMS before ordering)

January 21 - Girls Basketball vs. South 6pm (Boys Away)

January 26 - Boys Basketball vs. Musselman 6pm (Girls Away)

January 27 - Middle School Math Field Day

January 28 - Girls Basketball vs. Shepherdstown 6pm (Boys Away)

January 29 - Boys Basketball vs. Spring Mills 6pm (Girls Away)

February 2 - Girls Basketball vs. North 6pm (Boys Away)

February 3 - Middle School Math Field Day Snow Date

February 4 - Boys Basketball vs. Mountain Ridge 6pm (Girls Away)

February 5 – 7 – WVACDA

February 9 - Girls Basketball vs. Harpers Ferry 6pm (Boys Away)

February 10 - Boys Basketball vs. Hedgesville 6pm (Girls Away)

February 12 - Boys Basketball vs. Wildwood 6pm (Girls Away)

February 13 – All-County Chorus at Washington High School

February 13 - Early Dismissal - Faculty Senate

February 16 - No School for Students - Professional Learning Day

February 23 - Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00 -7:00 PM

February 28 - Eastern Regional Jazz Festival at JHS (morning)

March 6 - Spring Pictures (Buyers Only)

March 4-8 - All State Band/Choir WVMEA Conference - Charleston, WV

March 12 - Golden Horseshoe Testing

March 13 - No School for Students - Professional Learning Day

March 13 - End of 3rd Quarter

March 16-20 - Pep Rally Spirit Week

March 19 - Winter & Spring Activities Pep Rally at 1pm

March 26 - Concert Band Festival at Musselman High School

March 30-31 - 8th Grade Get A Life Program

April 2 - Early Dismissal - Faculty Senate

April 3-10 - Spring Break - No School

April 17 - Spring Jazz Concert, Wright Denny 7:00 PM

April 28 – Spring Chorus Concert at Wright Denny

April 29 – Spring Band Concert at Wright Denny 7:00 PM

May 12 - Election Day - No School

May 13-22 - CTMS WV GSA Testing Window

May 20 - Kiwanis JCS Top 8th Grade Ceremony

May 25 - Memorial Day - No School

May 27 - 8th Grade Awards Ceremony 9:00 AM

May 27 - Senior Parade Walk 1:30 PM

May 28 - 6th Grade Awards Ceremony 9:00 AM

May 28 - 7th Grade Awards Ceremony 10:30 AM

May 29 - (tentative) Last Day of School - Early Dismissal

May 29 - End of 4th Quarter / Semester 2

Charles Town Middle School Website

Jefferson County Schools Website

Contact the CTMS School Communicator: vanessa.walters@k12.wv.us