Clay Center Community Middle School

Mr. Eyermann and the 6th grade band were hard at work today preparing for their next concert, which will include touring the elementary schools in late April. They have made huge improvements from the beginning of the year until now! #celebrate379

🏀🧡Bengal Pride! 🧡🏀 Congratulations to our 7th Grade Boys Basketball team on an outstanding season and a 4th place finish at the NCKL League Championship game! The Bengals battled all season long, finishing with a strong 7–7 record and showing tremendous growth, grit, and teamwork every time they stepped on the court. A big thank you to Coaches Cam Beardsley and Thane Wildeman for their leadership, dedication, and commitment to developing these young athletes both on and off the floor. We are proud of the hard work, sportsmanship, and determination this team showed all season . The future is bright for Bengal Basketball! 🐾🏀 #BengalPride #HardWorkPaysOff #FutureIsBright

🎉 CCCMS Weekly Activities 🐾 Get ready, Bengals! It’s another action-packed week at CCCMS, full of fun, learning, and opportunities to shine! Check out what’s happening March 3rd–8th!

📅 Tuesday, March 3rd- 7th & 8th Grade Track Interest Meeting 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ – 8:15 AM in the CCCMS Commons

📅 Wednesday, March 4th- 8th Grade Field Trip to Strataca Underground Salt Museum 🧂
YLink Lunch & Learn: Drug Prevention Jeopardy 💡

📅 Thursday, March 5th- 6th–8th Grade Scholar’s Bowl @ Clifton-Clyde – 4:30 PM 🧠

📅 Friday, March 6th- Employee Appreciation Day 🙌

📅 Planning Ahead
End of Quarter 3 – 11:45 AM Dismissal on 3/13 ⏰
Spring Break – No School 3/16–3/22 🌴

Earlier this week, the Bengal Show Choir, consisting of 7th and 8th graders taught by Mrs. Bergsten, performed at CCMC and Presbyterian Manor. They were a big hit! #celebrate379

🏀 7th Grade Boys Basketball – NCKL Semifinals & Finals! 🏀

Clay Center Bengals are ready to bring the heat for the final tournaments of the season! 🔥 For the Semifinal round, our 7th-grade boys face Fort Riley at 4:30 PM in the Aux Gym—let’s pack the stands and cheer them on! 🧡🖤

📍 Location: Fort Riley Middle School – 4022 1st Division Rd., Fort Riley, KS 66442
🕓 Game Time: 4:30 PM (6-minute quarters, 10-minute halftime)
🛎 Parents Admitted: 4:10 PM
🎟 Admission: $4 Adults | $2 Students
⚠️ No artificial noise makers allowed

Seeding is based on overall win/loss percentage, so every basket counts! Come out and support our Bengals as they fight for the championship! 🏆

#BengalPride #7thGradeBasketball #NCKLChamps #FinalsHype

Mr. Walsh's 6th graders explored the engineering design process to build and test anemometers, wind vanes and bottle rockets as part of their weather and climate unit.

They tested their ideas in the lab, took them outside for a field test, made adjustments, and conducted a final test. Many of the bottle rockets flew much farther after improvements, and the anemometers read wind speed more accurately. The students used their wind vanes and anemometers to decide the best direction to launch their rocket. #celebrate379

🐅 A Day in the Life of a Bengal – Parent-Teacher Conferences! 📚
Parents & Families, join us today and tomorrow to see your student in action!

🗓 Wednesday, Feb. 25: 4:00–8:00 PM
🗓 Thursday, Feb. 26: 8:00 AM–2:00 PM & 4:00–8:00 PM
🚫 No School Thursday & Friday

📍 Location: Your student’s PAWS classroom and other classrooms around CCCMS

✨ What to Expect:
Review your student’s IPS (Individual Plan of Study) – hear about their high school, college, and career goals

Visit classrooms to see projects & work from this semester
Teachers will hand out “Thanks for Coming” tickets for prizes

🎟️ Student Prizes:
Earn 1 ticket per teacher visit
Tickets can be used to redeem prizes (see image for prize options) or enter raffles for big prizes

📝 Parent Survey Bonus:
Complete the 7 Habits & Leader in Me Parent Survey and be entered to win 1 of 2 Family 2026–2027 CCCMS Athletic Passes!

☎️ If your student’s PAWS teacher hasn’t reached out, call 785-632-3232 to schedule your conference.

🐾 Come see a day in the life of your Bengal!

🐾✨ Bengal Strong Habits in Action Spotlight: Mr. Sleichter’s PAWS ✨🐾

Our next Spotlight PAWS, we are recognizing Mr. Sleichter’s class! This is a great group of kids who bring positive energy and strong opinions to every morning. 💬👏

They say their favorite PAWS activities are playing Silent Ball and competing in weekly PAWS Family Challenges — and the friendly competition is always strong! 🏐🏆

Leader in Me lessons are discussed three days a week, helping students grow as leaders, communicators, and teammates. Academics are also a big source of pride in this group. They stay on top of grades and push each other to do their best. 📚✨

And as the weather warms up, you can find Mr. Sleichter’s PAWS heading outside to practice sports skills and enjoy some fresh air together. ☀️🐅

Strong habits. Strong leadership. Strong Bengals.
Way to represent, Mr. Sleichter’s PAWS! 🧡🖤

🏃‍♂️🔥 CLAY CENTER TRACK & FIELD TEAM STORE IS OPEN! 🔥🏃‍♀️

Bengal Nation — it’s time to gear up for an electrifying track & field season! 🐾💨
Show your pride and support our athletes with official team apparel before the first meets of the year!

🛍️ Store is OPEN NOW
⏰ Closes: Sunday, March 8
🚫 No late orders will be accepted
📦 Orders will be printed and delivered in time for the season opener!

Don’t miss your chance to rep Clay Center Track & Field in style all season long!
🔗 Shop here: https://cctrack26.itemorder.com/shop/sale/

Let’s pack the stands, wear the gear, and sprint into the season with Bengal pride! 🐅🧡🖤

📚🐾 SCHOLAR BOWL SHOWDOWN DAY! 🐾📚

Our brilliant 6th–8th grade Bengal Scholars Bowl teams are putting their intellect to the test today as they travel to Fort Riley for a 4:30 PM competition! 🧠⚡️

These academic all-stars will dismiss at 2:45 PM and depart at 3:00 PM, ready to engage in fierce feats of knowledge, quick recall, and scholarly strategy. From literature to logic, science to social studies, our Bengals are prepared to showcase their academic excellence and mental agility on the buzzer battlefield!

Let’s send them off with powerful, positive vibes as they represent our school with wisdom, wit, and Bengal pride. Think big, answer boldly, and dominate that Scholars Bowl, Bengals! 🐅📖✨

🏀🔥 IT’S TOURNAMENT TIME, BENGALS! 🔥🏀

The first round of the NCKL Basketball Tournament tips off TONIGHT and our boys are ready to bring the HEAT! 💪🐾

🗓 Monday, February 23
⏰ 4:30 PM
🏀 8th Grade Boys travel to Abilene for their first-round matchup
🏀 7th Grade Boys HOST at HOME vs. Chapman — let’s PACK THE GYM!

🎉 HOME GAME EXTRAS 🎉
🌭 First 25 students through the CCCMS gym doors get a coupon for a FREE HOT DOG!
🎯 $1.00 Free Throw Halftime Shootout — bring your best stroke!
💵 Admission: $5 Adults | $3 Students

It’s survive and advance time… defense locked in, shots falling, and energy through the roof! Let’s bring the noise, wear the orange & black, and make our house LOUD! 🐅💥

#BengalBasketball #NCKL #TournamentTime #PackTheGym

🐾🎉 BENGAL STRONG HABITS IN ACTION SPOTLIGHT: MRS. BROWNELL’S PAWS 🎉🐾
Mrs. Brownell’s PAWS are anything but quiet. The moment you step into the classroom, you’re greeted by a whirlwind of noise, laughter, and chatter. Voices overlap in every corner—someone is excitedly sharing a story, another is calling across the room, and a group in the back bursts into sudden giggles. It’s the kind of loud that feels alive, buzzing with energy from wall to wall.
Yet beneath the noise, there’s a spark of curiosity and excitement. Mrs. Brownell’s PAWS may be loud, and the classroom may feel chaotic, but it’s also a place brimming with big personalities, bold ideas, and unstoppable energy. Way to show those Bengal Strong Habits in action! 🧡🖤

🏀🔥 IT’S GAME DAY, BENGALS! 🔥🏀

Our 7th & 8th grade boys are lacing up and hitting the road for their FINAL regular season matchup before NCKL tips off Monday! 🐅💪 It’s time to lock in on defense, push the pace, crash the boards, and finish strong as they take on Concordia with a 4:30 tip-off. Let’s bring the intensity, knock down those shots, and play Bengal basketball from the opening whistle to the final buzzer!

Finish the regular season strong, boys — full-court pressure, smart passes, strong takes to the rim, and nothing but net! 🏀🖤🧡
#BengalStrong #RoadWarriors #LockIn #NothingButNet

🎉🐾 BENGAL STRONG HABITS IN ACTION SPOTLIGHT: ENCORE TEACHERS 🐾🎉

This week, we are shining the spotlight on our incredible Encore Department — a dynamic group of educators who bring energy, creativity, and real-world learning to our Bengals every single day! From the gym to the art room, the computer lab to the kitchen, and the shop to the ag classroom, these teachers help students discover their passions while building confidence and life skills that go far beyond the classroom. Our PE teacher keeps students active and motivated, our Art teacher sparks creativity and self-expression, and our Computer teacher prepares students with essential technology skills for the future. In Family & Consumer Science, students gain practical life knowledge, while our Woods, Construction Tech, and Welding programs give hands-on experiences that build problem solvers and future craftsmen. Our Ag program continues to grow leaders and innovators who are ready to make an impact in our community and beyond. Together, this team helps shape well-rounded Bengals who are ready to learn, lead, and succeed. Below is a look into their life outside of school.
Traci McDonald is in her ninth year at CCCMS and her eighteenth year in education. During her time at CCCMS, she has taught special education, physical education, and Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS). She, along with her husband and their three children, moved to Clay Center 19 years ago, and they truly appreciate the small-town atmosphere, as well as the convenient access to larger communities nearby. She absolutely loves what she does and cannot imagine working in any other profession!

Marsha Argo has taught at Lincoln, Longford, Wakefield, Garfield, and CCCMS in her 36 years in education. She grew up in Clay Center, and most of her family still resides here. She is married to Mike and they have two sons, Devin and Aiden. She is a big K-State fan and loves to spend time with family and friends. She also loves to travel, draw, and cook.

Ian Lane is in his 3rd year of teaching Technology at CCCMS. Previously, he taught at Garfield and Wakefield. He grew up in Clay Center and moved back home after getting married to his wife, Stefanie. She is currently the Principal at Lincoln Elementary School. They have two daughters, Norah and Addy. He loves K-State and enjoys playing golf and building LEGO sets in his free time. In the spring, he coaches the throwers for the Tigers track and field team.

Aly Schooley has taught middle school and high school math in Clay Center from 2014 to 2018. Then, she started writing a math curriculum remotely for Great Minds. She is now back in the classroom as the Architecture and Design teacher at the high school. Mr. Schooley is her husband, and they have 2 boys, Asher and Kyson.

Brandon Pfizenmaier grew up here in Clay County, graduated from high school here, and then went to the University of Nebraska Kearney, wherehe wrestled and graduated with a Bachelor's in Construction Management. He then moved back to Clay County and got married, had 4 awesome kids, and continued life. He has been teaching Construction Technology here now for 5 years and has the privilege of teaching students how to build a house.

Travis Smith serves as the PE teacher, Assistant Principal, and Athletic Director at CCCMS. He is dedicated to keeping students active, building strong character, and supporting Bengal athletics both on and off the field.

Garrett Craig teaches Agriculture and Welding at CCCMS, providing hands-on learning experiences that develop practical skills, work ethic, and a passion for careers in ag and the skilled trades.

We are extremely lucky to have such an amazing group of Encore Teachers!

Mr. Last's 7th grade ELA classes are working on a unit on space exploration. Today, after reading a passage in their books, they got into small groups and created a fictional podcast about what it would be like to step onto Mars for the first time. There were lots of creative ideas that they will put together and share with their classmates when the podcast is finished. #celebrate379

Yesterday, Garfield and CCCMS welcomed Kevin Olson to speak to the students. Mr. Olson, a family friend of GES counselor Mrs. Cott, became paralyzed at age 19. He has since achieved personal and professional success as a motivational speaker and the author of “Learning to Live With It", a book about his journey through the aftermath of the accident. He shared a message of perseverance and hope!

"Do what you can, with what you have, right where you are." #celebrate379