Clay Center Community Middle School

🎶✨ BIG CONGRATULATIONS, BENGALS! ✨🎶

We are SO proud of these talented Bengal musicians who have been selected for the NCKMEA Middle Level Honor Choir! 🎤🧡🖤

A huge congratulations to:

🎵 Leo Avalos — Bass
🎵 Janessa Bergsten — Alto
🎵 June Davis — Alto
🎵 Tayla Forslund — Soprano
🎵 Gabe Borgerding — Tenor
🎵 Luke Gibson — Bass
🎵 Michelle Obregon-Hernandez — Soprano
🎵 Elizabeth Paillet — Soprano
🎵 Brielle Wolf — Soprano

Being selected for an honor choir is a BIG accomplishment and a wonderful recognition of their hard work, dedication, and musical talent! 👏🎶

We are incredibly proud of you, Bengals! Keep using your talents, keep growing, and keep making that Bengal roar heard! 🐾🧡🖤

#BengalStrong #BengalPride #NCKMEA #HonorChoir #MusicMatters #WeAreSoProud #Bengals 🎶🐾

Mrs. Bergsten's 7th-grade choir visited Liberty Place on Friday to sing for the residents. #Celebrate379

🎶🐾 **BENGAL BAND SPOTLIGHT!** 🐾🎶 We are SO incredibly proud of these three Bengal band kiddos! 🧡🖤 Congratulations to **Holte Taddiken, Alexis Schurle, and Brielle Wolf** on auditioning their way into the **NCKMEA Middle Level Honor Band!** 🎉🎺🎶 These three talented musicians earned their spots in an **approximately 70-member honor band** made up of middle-level musicians from across the area. That is a BIG accomplishment and something to be proud of! They’ll come together with other outstanding young musicians for a special performance on **Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Junction City High School.** We are so excited to see these Bengals represent **CCCMS and the Bengal Band** on a bigger stage! 🐾🧡🖤 **Way to go, Holte, Alexis & Brielle! We are cheering you on all the way!** 🎶👏 **GO BENGALS!** 🐅🎺🧡🖤

🐾 BE THE STANDARD — CALL OF THE DAY! 🐾

Today we are celebrating Noah and Hunter Chillson for showing us what it looks like to truly SYNERGIZE! 🤝🧡🖤

While helping with football concessions, Noah and Hunter were friendly, helpful, and welcoming to customers. But their teamwork didn’t stop there! When it was time to clean up, these two were ready to work! 💪

They didn’t just finish one task and call it good—they kept asking, “What else can we do?” They wanted to make sure everything was taken care of and even checked with Ms. Kennison to make sure she no longer needed their help before they left.

THAT is Synergizing! Seeing what needs to be done, working together, helping others, and making the whole team better. 🙌

Noah and Hunter, we are SO proud of you for putting the 7 Habits into action and showing us what it means to #BeTheStandard! 🐾🧡🖤

Keep it up, Bengals! Lead by example. Help each other. Be the Standard. 👏

🧡🖤 BENGAL STRONG HABITS IN ACTION SPOTLIGHT: OUR AMAZING CUSTODIANS! 🖤🧡

Today is National School Custodian Appreciation Day, and we couldn’t let the day go by without giving a HUGE shoutout to the two people who work behind the scenes every single day to help keep our school running, clean, safe, and ready for our Bengal Family! 🐾✨

Our custodians do SO much more than empty trash cans and clean floors! They are here before many of us arrive and often still working after the building has quieted down. They clean classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, and common areas, tackle spills and messes, move furniture, help with events, fix the little things that need fixing, keep things stocked, and somehow manage to make the impossible disappear before anyone even notices it happened! 😂

And let’s be honest…in a middle school, there are A LOT of things that need disappearing! 🤣

But beyond the cleaning and maintenance, our custodians are an important part of our school family. They help create a place where our students can learn, our staff can work, and everyone can feel comfortable and cared for. They are often the first to notice when something needs attention—and they are always willing to jump in and help.

So today, we want our two AMAZING custodians to know just how much they are appreciated! ❤️

Thank you for the countless hours, the hard work, the patience, the behind-the-scenes hustle, and everything you do to make CCCMS a better place every single day. We see you. We appreciate you. And we are SO thankful you are part of our Bengal Family! 🐾🧡🖤

And now, instead of us telling you about them, we thought you should hear directly from the two people who keep our school moving behind the scenes—here are their own personal bios! 👇
Jeremy Lund has been wandering the halls of the middle school for 18 years. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring backroads in his classic Toyota pickup.

Michael Houchin has been here for over two years. He really enjoys working at CCCMS and being around the students. Grew up in Clay Center and graduated in 2012. In his spare time, he loves to watch movies and play video games.

🐾🧡 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!