PHOTO PROVIDED Students from Central Mountain Middle School participated in a presentation on Thursday, which provided the school board with an update on its activities and programs.

MILL HALL — Central Mountain Middle School took center stage during the presentation portion of the Keystone Central School District Board of Directors meeting this week.

The board heard from multiple students, first hand, about what programs and activities were taking place at the middle school at its work session Thursday night.

Christina Onuskanich, an enrichment instructor at CMMS, brought over a dozen students to the meeting, who spoke throughout a slideshow.

Onuskanich told the board the middle school offers a variety of leadership clubs and said participation in these is great.

“As you can see, they definitely line up and want to take part and do all of the things we ask them to do, with a lot of pride in their hearts,” she said. “It’s a real pleasure to be sharing just highlights of what we’re doing at the middle school that we’re really proud of.”

Onuskanich said it was a journey to implement the various programs and activities but said the students put in a lot of work in making them happen.

“They’re middle school students rocking it every day they are there and we’re all really proud of the work they’re putting in,” she concluded.

According to the presentation, CMMS and its “staffulty” and students have been working to improve the building’s culture and climate.

“CMMS is a place where we can all create moments that matter,” one student said. “We can’t hide our wildcat pride.”

Another student told the board Principals David Romanyshyn and Ryan Carty “are always visible in our building and constantly interacting with our community in a meaningful way.”

Other students spoke on the programs in place, that include incentives to ensure perfect or near-perfect attendance.

“This year, our entire building is focused on attendance and being present. Every day we are here, we are one step closer to graduation, which is the ultimate goal for our students,” one student said.

It was noted that, on Friday, students who had perfect attendance had the opportunity to go outside and kick a field goal with Romanyshyn and Carty.

“There will be a different award each month to recognize the efforts of our students. Fridays are a lot of fun at Central Mountain Middle School, which motivates students to come to school,” the student told the board.

It was noted by another student presenter that staff in the front office at the school are very kind and considerate when a student comes to school later.

“When we arrive at school and check in the office, we are greeted with kindness and a note to take to our class,” the student said. “We all have a responsibility to be in school and sometimes getting there is a big responsibility. This kind gesture really helps our students feel appreciated.”

In its continued efforts to highlight attendance, it was noted the entire seventh grade class — after having perfect attendance for a week — received an ice cream treat.

The presentation highlighted initiatives taken on by students and staff to ensure a connection to the community.

“We plan various service projects throughout the year to show our appreciation and respect to people in our building who are some of the unsung heroes of the community,” one student said. “This year, our life skills class attended the first-ever Lacy Day Camp, which is a modified version of Camp Cade. Students are given a lot of opportunities to show respect in our school and communities.”

Other community-based initiatives include the annual Mini-Thon which kicked off recently with an assembly. According to one student presenter, Mini-Thon members taught students a line dance, shared information about Four Diamonds and taught an interactive music therapy activity to showcase the programs made possible for childhood cancer patients through the fundraiser.

The presentation also touched on the PBIS positive behavior program and various initiatives to encourage students to be kind, respectful and a positive force in the community.

“When students demonstrate being present, responsible, respectful, safe and kind they earn PBIS points,” one student explained.

This student explained to the board that points could be used to purchase items from teachers’ classroom stores, snacks, lunch bunches with friends and attend quarterly school-wide assemblies.

“We are currently planning our first student reward which will be a fun tailgate with lots of team building games for students and staffulty to enjoy,” another student added.

CMMS staff each month also select a Wildcat of the Month who is the “leader of the pack” to encourage students to showcase PBIS behavior.

Following the presentation, Board member Elisabeth Lynch commended staff for their work at the middle school.

“We’re school board members and we’re on the back end. You’re on the front lines and the school is successful depending on you folks. I’m really proud of you,” Lynch said. “I’ve been here almost five years and I want to say I’m proud of everything that’s developed.”

CMMS was also showcased through its student government, where representative Katie Owens spoke about the club’s work.

Owens told the board, CMMS held a slogan contest based on its goal to ensure perfect attendance. She said each grade levels color groups came up with slogans, which were voted on by faculty. From there, families voted on their favorite to narrow it down to one per grade level. The following slogans were selected:

— “Wildcats run on being present” won in fifth grade.

— “Eat, sleep, school, repeat” won in sixth grade.

— “Arrive, thrive and show your wildcat pride” won in seventh grade.

— “Wildcats are tight when attendance is right” won in eighth grade.

Owens said the slogan contest wasn’t the end of the positive attendance initiative. Each grade level’s color teams are participating in a sports-themed challenge where they earn yards to score touchdowns.

“Yards are earned by having the best attendance, having the most PBIS present points among a few other things,” she said. “For every touchdown your team scores there’s a reward.”

In terms of student government, Owens told the board the club saw some changes — the number of students participating and the election process.

“Instead of teachers selecting officers directly, like last year, students had the chance to vote,” Owens said.

The make-up of student government also saw an increase through the selection of two additional students to serve in “congress” along with a student representative from each grade level.

“This gives our student government a total of 12 members,” Owens said.