Clay Center Community Middle School

🐾🧡 WHAT. A. PEP RALLY! 🖤🐾

Our FIRST PEP RALLY OF THE YEAR was AMAZING! 🎉📣 We kicked things off by celebrating and recognizing our incredible Fall Sports teams and all the hard work they’ve put in this season. We are so proud of our Bengals! 🐾🧡

And then… things got INTENSE! 👀🔥

Our 6th, 7th & 8th grade boys and girls faced off in a seriously exciting volleyball showdown! 🏐 The crowd was LOUD and definitely pulling for the boys as they battled to take the win. They came so close to pulling it off…

BUT the girls had other plans! 😂🏐

The girls came out on top with a 15–11 victory! 👏🎉

What a FUN way to kick off our pep rally season! The energy, the cheering, the competition, and those Bengal vibes were EVERYTHING! 🧡🖤

GOOD LUCK TODAY, BENGALS! Go show Fort Riley what Bengal Strong looks like! 🐾📣

#BengalStrong #BeTheStandard #BengalPride #CCCMS #PepRally #BengalFamily

🐯🏐🏈 BENGAL SPORTS — TODAY! 🏈🏐🐯

⚠️ UPDATED START TIMES! BOTH FOOTBALL & VOLLEYBALL HAVE BEEN MOVED UP!

It’s a busy day for our Bengals as both Football AND Volleyball head to Fort Riley! 🧡🖤

📍 Fort Riley Middle School
4022 1st Division Rd.
Fort Riley, KS 66442

🏈 BENGAL FOOTBALL
⏰ 7th Grade — 3:30 PM
➡️ 8th Grade will follow with a 3-minute warm-up

⏱️ Both games will have a 10-minute halftime.

🏐 BENGAL VOLLEYBALL
⏰ 4:00 PM — Team A Match 1
➡️ Immediately Following: Team B Match 1
➡️ Immediately Following: Team A Match 2

🏐 Matches are best of three with rally scoring.
• Third game is played to 15
• Team A warm-up: 20 minutes
• Team B warm-up: 10 minutes
• Additional warm-up after the first match may be held at the coach/officials' discretion.

7th Grade: Concession Side
8th Grade: Locker Room Side

🎟️ Admission: Adults $5 | Children $3

🧡🖤 Come support our Bengals on the road! Bring your Bengal pride, cheer loud, and let's have a GREAT day! 🐯🔥

LET'S GO, BENGALS! 🐯🏐🏈

#BengalStrong #BeTheStandard #BengalPride #CCCMSAthletics

🌎🦋 Ecomeet Results! 🐛🌿

It was a great (and VERY wet!) day for our Clay Center Ecomeet teams! 🌧️💦 Our Bengals showed up ready to compete, learn, and tackle some challenging events!

🏆 Team B — 2nd Place Overall! 🎉

👏 Individual & Event Highlights:
🦎 Jase Kloft — 2nd Place in the Invertebrate Test
🎭 Interpretive Skit
• Team A — 4th Place
• Team B — 5th Place
🔎 Scavenger Hunt
• Team B competed in this event!

We are proud of all of our Ecomeet competitors for putting in the work and representing Clay Center! Even the rain couldn't dampen their Bengal spirit! 🐾🧡🖤

Great job, Bengals! 🌎🐾

🌧️📚 RAIN OR SHINE, THE BOOK FAIR IS STILL HAPPENING! 📚🌧️

We may have had MORE than our fair share of soggy weather lately, but don’t let the rain stop you from getting your book shopping on! ☔️😂

The Scholastic Book Fair is still OPEN and safely tucked away in the nice, DRY Bengal Library! 🐯📚

We’re here through THIS FRIDAY, October 2, with plenty of great books waiting to go home with our Bengals! ❤️📖

So grab your umbrella, dodge those puddles, and come get yourself a new book! ☔️➡️📚

💳 Don’t forget about eWallet! Kids can shop cash-free, worry-free, and independently!

👀 Want to see what we have? Check out the Scholastic book trailers for a sneak peek at some of the books available at the Fair! https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/claycentercommmiddleschool

📚 Book Fair ends THIS FRIDAY!
📍 Bengal Library
⏰ 7:50 AM–3:40 PM

Come on in out of the rain and GET YOUR READ ON! 🐯📚

#ScholasticBookFairs #BengalLibrary #BengalStrong #GetYourReadOn

🚨🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ CROSS COUNTRY RACE UPDATE! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🚨

We have an update for today’s Rock Creek Invitational! After speaking with the timing company, the race format has been adjusted:

🧡 7th Grade Boys + Girls will run together in one combined race.
🖤 8th Grade Boys + Girls will run together in one combined race.

📍 Rock Creek Invitational
🕓 4:00 PM
📌 9357 Flush Road, St. George, KS

Coaches will have a meeting around 3:30 PM to communicate the updated race information.

Rain or shine, our Bengals are ready to RUN! 🐾🧡🖤

ONE TEAM. ONE FAMILY. BENGAL STRONG. 🐅🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Did you know that Kansas tried four separate times to officially become a state? Mrs. Mellies is having her 7th-grade social studies students learn about the early stages of this process. Today, they read with a partner and answered questions from their textbook. #Celebrate379

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ MEET DAY, BENGALS! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Our Bengal Cross Country runners are hitting the course TODAY at the Rock Creek Invitational! 🌧️💨

⏰ Race Time: 4:00 PM
📍 Rock Creek

And yes… it looks like we’re going to be running in the rain! 🌧️😎 While these may not be the ideal conditions, this is our best option to allow all of the schools to attend and get our runners out on the course. The current forecast calls for rain in the Rock Creek area, with no thunderstorms expected during the meet timeframe.

So, Bengals… lace up, embrace the mud, and show them what that Bengal Strong spirit looks like! 🐅🔥

Rain or shine, our runners are ready to RUN, COMPETE, and LEAVE IT ALL ON THE COURSE! 💪🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

🧡🖤 LET’S GO, BENGALS! 🖤🧡
#BengalStrong #CrossCountry #MeetDay #RockCreekInvitational #RunBengalsRun #BeTheStandard

🏐🖤🧡 IT’S VOLLEYBALL GAME DAY, BENGALS! 🧡🖤🏐

Our 7th & 8th Grade Bengals are back on the court today and ready to SERVE up some volleyball! 🔥🏐

Both teams will take on Fort Riley AND Concordia with matches starting at 4:30 PM!

🏐 7TH GRADE — HOME! 🏠
📍 District Gym & CCCMS Gym
⏰ 4:30 PM
Come fill the gyms and cheer on our 7th Grade Bengals as they battle it out right here at home!

🏐 8TH GRADE — ON THE ROAD! 🚌
📍 Concordia
⏰ 4:30 PM
Our 8th Grade Bengals are heading to Concordia to take on Fort Riley and Concordia!

🧡🖤 Two teams. Two locations. One BENGAL FAMILY! 🖤🧡

Bring the Bengal pride, bring the energy, and LET’S GO, BENGALS! 📣🔥🏐

#BengalStrong #BeTheStandard #CCCMS #BengalVolleyball #GameDay #GoBengals

📣🐯 THIS WEEK’S BENGAL ACTIVITIES! 🐯📣

It’s another busy week in the Bengal Den! 🧡🖤 Check out what’s happening around CCCMS this week!

📅 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
🚫 NO SCHOOL — Teacher In-Service/Work Day
🏐 7th Grade Volleyball vs. Fort Riley/Concordia — HOME | 4:30 PM
🏐 8th Grade Volleyball vs. Fort Riley/Concordia — @ Concordia | 4:30 PM

📅 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
🏃‍♀️🏃 7th & 8th Grade Cross Country — Rock Creek Invitational | 4:00 PM
💙 YLINK Suicide Prevention Table during lunch

📅 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
✨ No activities listed — enjoy the quiet before Thursday gets busy! 😉

📅 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1
📣 PEP RALLY during PAWS!
🏈 7th & 8th Grade Football — @ Fort Riley | 4:30 PM
🏐 7th & 8th Grade Volleyball — @ Fort Riley | 4:30 PM

📅 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
🧹 National School Custodian Appreciation Day! 🧡
📚 BOOK FAIR ENDS! — Last chance to shop!

🐯 Bengal families, mark those calendars, come cheer on our Bengals, and let's make it another GREAT week to #BeTheStandard!

🧡🖤 #BengalStrong #BeTheStandard #CCCMSBengals 🖤🧡

Planning Ahead:
📌 10/16 — End of 1st Quarter | 11:45 Dismissal
📌 10/21— Parent-Teacher Conferences 4-8 PM
📌 10/22 — Parent-Teacher Conferences 8 AM-8 PM

Mr. Kindel is student teaching under social studies teacher Mr. Lane. He has been teaching the 8th graders about the writing of the constitution, the three branches of government, and the protections under the bill of rights.

As a final project, he had the students create a model of one of the three branches of government to explain and demonstrate their understanding of the division of powers. Students were very creative and came up with a variety of ways to show their understanding. Students participated in a gallery walk to view all the project submissions. Students selected their top five best in show for creativity and their top five for accuracy and authenticity. Great job, Mr. Kindel! #Celebrate379

🐾🧡 BENGAL FAMILY REMINDER! 🧡🐾

Just a little heads-up before the weekend sneaks up on us… 👀

📚 There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 28!
Our teachers and staff will be putting in some work of their own during a Teacher In-Service/Work Day. 📝💻

So, Bengals… enjoy that extra day! Sleep in a little, relax, recharge, and maybe even do something fun! 😴🎮⚾🎨

We’ll see everyone back at school on Tuesday, September 29! 🐯🧡

Have a great long weekend, Bengal Family! 🖤🧡
Be safe. Be kind. Be Bengal Strong! 🐾

🍎🧡🖤 BENGAL STRONG HABITS IN ACTION SPOTLIGHT! 🖤🧡🍎

Today we are shining a BIG, well-deserved spotlight on our AMAZING CCCMS FOOD SERVICE TEAM! 👏👏

Today is National Food Service Worker Day, and we couldn't think of a better day to celebrate the incredible team of two who work hard every day to keep our Bengals fed, fueled, energized, and ready to learn! 🐯💪

Now, we know School Lunch Hero Day is celebrated on the first Friday in May... BUT MAY?! 😳😂

We can't possibly make our amazing food service crew wait THAT long for their Bengal Strong spotlight! These two deserve to be celebrated TODAY AND in May! Because let's be honest... they're THAT amazing! 🦸‍♀️🦸🏾‍♂️🍎

And their work starts BEFORE lunch! They help fuel our Bengals from the very beginning of the school day by serving BREAKFAST AND LUNCH to our students! 🥞🍎🥛🍽️

Every school day, our Food Service team is doing so much more than putting food on a tray. They are:

🥞 Fueling our mornings with breakfast so students can start their day ready to learn
🍽️ Keeping our Bengals fueled at lunch so they have the energy to finish the day strong
💪 Providing the nourishment our students need to learn, grow, practice, play, and participate
😊 Creating a welcoming place where students can grab a meal and a little kindness
❤️ Taking care of our Bengal Family, one breakfast and lunch at a time
🐯 Helping our students stay ready to BE THE STANDARD!

A good breakfast can help a student start the day with the fuel they need, and a good lunch gives them another chance to recharge and power through the afternoon. Our Food Service team helps keep our Bengals going from the first meal of the day to the last! 🧡🖤

So today, CCCMS, let's give our Food Service team the recognition they deserve! 🥳

THANK YOU for serving breakfast.
THANK YOU for serving lunch.
THANK YOU for keeping our Bengals fueled.
THANK YOU for the smiles, the hard work, and the care you give our students every single day.

We are incredibly lucky to have YOU TWO as part of our Bengal Family! 🧡🖤

Here is a small look into their world outside of our Bengal Commons Area: Charles McDonald is originally from Kansas City but graduated from Clay Center. About five years ago he moved back to the area and has a daughter who is three and a half. His hobbies include going to sporting events including football, basketball, and baseball.

Kathy Burger is always ready with a smile for our students! She is the proud mom of two grown daughters and has been part of the USD 379 Food Service Department for many years. This year, she brings her strong people skills and amazing culinary talent to CCCMS, where she’s already making a positive impact every day.


#BengalStrong #HabitsInAction #BengalFamily #NationalFoodServiceWorkerDay #SchoolLunchHeroes

A big thank you goes out to Mr. Lane's Game Day & Concession Stand Crew (one of many CCCMS Action Teams) for setting up the MAC and CCCMS for today’s games. Students wanted to create an Action Team to help set up for athletic events, stock concession stands, and serve as liaisons for visiting teams if needed. Leadership in action! #Celebrate379

🏈🔥 BENGAL STRONG HABITS IN ACTION SPOTLIGHT! 🔥🏈

Today, we are putting the spotlight on our 7TH GRADE FOOTBALL TEAM! 🐾💪

These Bengals are showing us what it means to BE THE STANDARD—on the field, in the classroom, and as teammates. Football is more than touchdowns, tackles, blocks, and big plays. It’s about discipline, teamwork, preparation, perseverance, accountability, and having each other’s backs. 💯

Every practice, every play, every snap, and every hard-fought yard is an opportunity to get better. These guys are learning that you don’t win the game on one play—you build success by doing the little things, trusting your teammates, staying focused, and refusing to quit when things get tough. 🏈💥

With Coach Roberts, Coach Last, Coach Pigorsch, and Coach Beardsley leading the way, this team is putting in the work, learning the game, and building something special together. 💪🏈

From the first whistle to the final play, we want to see that Bengal grit! HIT. BLOCK. TACKLE. DRIVE. FINISH. 🐾🔥

🏈 IT'S GAME DAY, BENGALS! 🏈

📍 The MAC
⏰ 4:30 PM TODAY

Come get loud, bring the energy, and cheer on our 7th Grade Bengals as they put those Bengal Strong Habits into action! 📣🧡🖤

LET'S GO, BENGALS! 🐾🏈🔥
ONE TEAM. ONE STANDARD. BENGAL STRONG!

🏆🧡 BENGAL GAME DAY! 🖤🏆

It’s a BIG Thursday for our Bengals! We’ve got Cross Country, Volleyball AND Football all in action today! 🔥🐾

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ CROSS COUNTRY
📍 Republic County Invitational — Belleville
⏰ 4:00 PM

🏐 VOLLEYBALL
🆚 Wamego — AT HOME!
⏰ 4:30 PM
📍 7th Grade — District Gym
📍 8th Grade — CCCMS Gym

🏈 FOOTBALL
🆚 Wamego — AT HOME!
⏰ 4:30 PM — 7th Grade
➡️ 8th Grade follows

Come out, fill the stands, and show our Bengals some love! 🧡🖤 Let’s bring the energy and support our athletes as they compete today!

🐾 ONE TEAM. ONE FAMILY. BENGAL STRONG. 🐾

#BengalStrong #GameDay #OneTeamOneFamily #GoBengals #CCCMSBengals

📸 SMILE, BENGALS! TOMORROW IS SCHOOL PICTURE DAY! 🐯🧡🖤

Tomorrow is the day to bring those smiles, Bengal pride, and maybe even your best “school picture” pose! 😁📸

📅 Thursday, September 24
👔 Dress your best (or as fancy as you want to get!)
📸 Every student will have their school picture taken!

We can’t wait to see all those Bengal smiles tomorrow! 🐯🧡🖤

SMILE BIG, BENGALS! 📸✨

Did you know that zebra mussels originated in Poland? 7th grade students learned that and more in Mr. Kalivoda's science classes today! #Celebrate379

🐾🧡 BE THE STANDARD: CALL OF THE DAY! 🧡🐾

Today we are celebrating LAIRYN PYLE! 🎉👏

During Study Lab, Lairyn went above and beyond to teach, tutor, and mentor her peers—and she did it with such kindness and patience! 📚✨

She didn’t just give her classmates the answers. She took the time to explain, answer questions, and help her peers truly understand the work. That is what leadership looks like! 🙌

Lairyn is showing us that being a leader isn’t always about being in charge. Sometimes, it’s simply about helping someone else succeed and making sure they feel supported along the way. 💪🐾

This is what it means to LIVE THE 7 HABITS—being proactive, thinking win-win, seeking first to understand, and putting the success of others right alongside your own! 🧡🖤

🌟 WAY TO GO, LAIRYN! 🌟
Thank you for being an incredible example of what it means to BE THE STANDARD!

#BeTheStandard #CallOfTheDay #BengalStrong #7Habits #StudentLeadership #BengalPride 🐾🧡🖤

🧡🖤 BE THE STANDARD: CALL OF THE DAY! 🖤🧡

Today we are giving a BIG Bengal shoutout to SKYLAR HOLTE! 🐾👏

Skylar noticed that a new member of the band needed help learning how to assemble her instrument, and she immediately stepped in to help. She patiently walked her peer through the process step by step, making sure she understood what to do along the way. 🎶

What makes this even more special is how Skylar helped—with kindness, patience, and encouragement. She didn’t just show her how to do it and walk away. She took the time to help her fellow band member feel confident and supported. 💕🎺

THIS is what it means to BE THE STANDARD! Skylar was proactive; she synergized with a peer, and she showed that helping others and treating people with kindness can make a BIG difference. She saw someone who needed help and simply stepped up and helped. No asking required. That’s the kind of leadership we LOVE to see! 👏👏👏

🌟 WAY TO GO, SKYLAR! 🌟
Thank you for being the kind of Bengal who looks out for others and helps those around you succeed. You are absolutely BEING THE STANDARD! 🐾🧡🖤

And while we’re talking about the band—what a fantastic job they did marching in Friday’s Homecoming Parade! 🎺🥁 We can’t wait to cheer them on Saturday at 11:00 AM in the Piotique Parade!

Keep leading by example, Skylar! We are proud of you! 🧡🖤🐾

#BeTheStandard #CallOfTheDay #BengalStrong #7Habits #BengalPride