Save the date! The Camden Middle School Scripps Spelling Bee finals will be held on Wednesday, January 28th at 6:00 PM in the CMS Auditorium! We've had some incredible drama the last few years when the competition comes down to the wire, so be sure to join us to see what happens this year!
The Camden High School Chapter of the National Honor Society had a quartet of special guests yesterday to discuss opportunities for volunteerism in Camden and the surrounding areas! Thanks to Mary and Jim from the Camden Lions Club, and Leslie and Julia from the Leslie's Laundry Foundation for coming to speak with our students about how they can make a difference in our communities!
Any questions? Call Val at 315-271-8780!
The Early Registration window for Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten is open now for the 2026-27 school year!
More Info: https://www.camdenschools.org/article/2626632
Between matches of a junior varsity/varsity doubleheader against Tri-Valley League opponent Whitesboro, a formal dedication ceremony was held in recognition of the Morgan’s Message Club mission, and in memory of the organization’s namesake: Duke University women’s lacrosse student-athlete Morgan Rodgers.
Rodgers died by suicide in July 2019 after years of mental health difficulties. The Morgan’s Message organization was created to honor her legacy and provide a framework for student-athletes to take a proactive approach to their mental health. It empowers student-athletes to support one another through their challenges, cultivate a supportive environment where needed support can be sought rather than stigmatized, and take ownership of the narrative surrounding mental health in athletics.
As part of the ceremony, Morgan’s Message Student-Athlete Ambassadors Kamryn Gloude and Aubrey Mitchell each spoke about the organization and its goals. Current volleyball student-athlete Lynzee Szczesniak delivered a powerful and courageous keynote address where she detailed her own challenges - a poignant reminder to all in attendance that they are never alone.
A resource table and message wall were also provided by the club for the evening, and the home team wore specially designed t-shirts for warmup activities. Those t-shirts will become a wearable reminder of the spirit of Morgan’s Message in the Camden High School hallways throughout the year.
To get ready, students are performing a memorization activity where they break into pairs and perform for each other, over and over again. While getting vitally important repetitions with the material, the students are also sharing notes and feedback with each other. In addition, students are supplied with expert feedback from Camden’s resident Shakespeare aficionado - retired ELA teacher Robin Edkin. Edkin brought the Shakespeare Competition to Camden over 30 years ago, and continues to offer guidance to students in her retirement years.
The finals of this year’s Camden High School Shakespeare Competition will take place on Wednesday, January 28th.
Reminder: An updated District Safety Plan for the 2025-26 School Year, which includes updates for compliance with the new Desha's Law, is available for review through the following link:
https://www.camdenschools.org/article/2590641
The new law mandates all school districts to establish a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP). This update is now included on page 22: Cardiac Emergency Response Plan.
The comment period opened in December, and runs until Tuesday, January 13th, when it goes up for adoption at that evening's regular Board of Education meeting. Comments can be directed to Assistant Superintendent for Business Karen Jones at kjones2@camdencsd.org.
This month's meeting of the "Look At Me, I'm Three" program is set for Wednesday, January 14th at 5:30 PM!
This program is a free monthly Pre-K prep program for students eligible to enroll in Pre-K for the 2026-2027 school year. To participate, a child must have reached the age of three years old on or before December 1st, 2025.
The program runs for approximately 45 minutes , and includes a reading activity, craft activity, snack, and more.
Contact our Family School Navigator and program director, Patti Ferretti, to reserve your spot for January's program. You can also contact her with questions at (315) 245-2616, Ext. 5200, or pferretti@camdencsd.org.
These opportunities are presented in partnership with Family School Navigation, formerly known as Ready 4 Kindergarten!
Even when the winter weather is wild, it's always sunny in the CMS Greenhouse! Greenhouse Management students are working hard on their latest batch of aeroponic crops. They're growing a variety that includes peas, lettuce, tomatoes, and strawberries. Through this hands on opportunity, students gain experiential knowledge of crop needs, pH levels, propagation techniques, and nutrient deficiencies.
We're looking forward to seeing the results!
Offered in partnership with Family School Navigation (Formerly Ready 4 Kindergarten), the “Let’s Play” program is a free monthly program for two-year-olds and their families. It consists of a monthly one-hour block of play-based learning and socialization with parent/guardian involvement. It is offered with the aim of progressing into the “Look at Me, I’m Three!” program for the following year, and creating a two year skill development on-ramp into Pre-K programming.
To be eligible for this program, a student must reside in the Camden Central School District, and must have reached the age of two on or before December 1st, 2025.
RSVPs are required each month. Spots are limited, and will be on a first-contact, first-serve basis. Early RSVPs are also more likely to get their preferred day to attend. To reserve your spot, or if you have questions, contact our Family School Navigator, Patti Ferretti, at 315-245-2616, extension 5200, or at pferretti@camdencsd.org.
Happy New Year! We wish you all a happy and healthy 2026, and a fantastic celebration this evening.
As a friendly reminder, classes are scheduled to resume on Monday, January 5th, 2026.
The therapy dog team of CMS could not miss out on pajama day this past week! Oaklyn and Ozzy were ready to spread some cheer on their last day before they miss their kids for 2 weeks!
Students utilized the atomic absorption spectrophotometer testing standard solution samples and an unknown silver solution to determine the percent silver in a sample. In addition, students had the opportunity to tie dye a lab coat. They also saw demonstrations with very strong magnets, looked at biochemistry specimens, and more.
A very special thank you to MVCC for hosting our students, particularly the three science faculty members who took time out of their day to work with our group. We have an amazing partnership with MVCC - a partnership that we are constantly looking to strengthen here in the Camden Central School District.
The holiday cheer almost went through the roof today at today's Camden Elementary School Holiday Assembly! The school community gathered for an amazing interactive reading of The Polar Express, including receiving their very own bell like in the book and accompanying film! They also received a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, sang some carols, and received a free T-Shirt with some help from Santa and our amazing Camden Elementary School PTO!
