Chatham Middle School

Mr. Hrdina’s Souper Bowl Scores Big Once Again! The results are in! This year, Mr. Hrdina’s students collected an impressive 6,267 non-perishable food items, surpassing last year’s record of 6,134. Each year, Mr. Hrdina calls on the generosity of his approximately 100 students and their families to help restock the Chatham United Methodist Food Bank after the holiday season. As always, CMS families win big when it comes to supporting a great cause. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year’s Souper Bowl another tremendous success!

Spreading all the love! CMS Student Council got together to make Valentine’s Day cards for residents at Garden Terrace Nursing home. Happy Valentine's Day!

CMS sixth graders attended a meaningful presentation by Maud Dahme, a Holocaust survivor and educator. One of only about 100,000 Jewish children to survive the Holocaust, Ms. Dahme shared her experience as a hidden child in the Netherlands. Her story offered powerful lessons in courage, hope, and resilience.

Thank you to Ms. Calamari and Ms. Quintero, CMS 6th grade ELA teachers, for bringing Ms. Dahme to CMS.

Today’s 6th Grade Math lesson in Mr. Hrdina’s class was all about percentages! Students demonstrated their understanding by “shopping” at Hrdina’s Department Store—because there’s nothing like a good bargain to make learning math fun.

We are excited to kick off our 2026 Year of the Horse Celebration! Please mark your calendar and save the date for this spectacular event showcasing our students’ language learning and cultural talents.

The celebration will feature dinner and a show on Friday, February 20, from 5:30–8:45 PM. In addition, snacks will be available for purchase (cash only).

Please see the ticketing information below and be sure to reserve your tickets in advance. We hope you can join us for this wonderful evening—we look forward to seeing you there!

Ticket reservation link: https://gofan.co/event/5866923?schoolId=NJ20092_2

Today marked the first meet-up between CMS 8th graders and Milton Avenue preschoolers as they kicked off another year of the cherished CMS–Milton Bridge program. Celebrating its 9th year, the program continues to foster meaningful connections, allowing students of all ages to learn and grow together.

Dr. Sortino and Mrs. Puja Swamy, President of the Chatham Education Foundation, proudly showcase the newly redesigned Chatham Middle School Library Media Center. The transformation was made possible through the Chatham Education Foundation’s largest grant of 2025. Thank you, CEF, for your incredible support of our students and schools!

SDOC is currently hiring for a Human Resources Assistant, Teacher of ESL, Coaches, and Substitute Teacher/Nurses. To apply or learn more information, please visit our website at https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/chatham

Kick off the holiday week with the CMS 6–8 Bands tonight! 🎺🎄 Our talented middle school musicians always put on a fantastic performance.

🏐 Volleython for a Cause!
Join the PRO Student Leaders on Thursday, 12/18 in the CMS Upper Gym as 7th & 8th graders play volleyball to raise awareness for suicide prevention. Proceeds from the event and bake sale support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Come watch our 7th & 8th graders bump, set, & spike to raise awareness for suicide prevention!

🤖🏆 Congratulations, Team Tacocat!
This weekend, Team Tacocat competed at the Regional Championships—an invitation-only event for the top 25% of teams in the region.
They placed 8th out of 80 teams in the robot competition (top 2.5% in NJ!) and earned the Judges Award for impressing the judges in a truly unique way.
CMS couldn’t be more proud of their hard work, creativity, and dedication! 👏🎉

Do you hear what I hear? 🎶
Chatham Middle School’s 5th graders filled the morning with holiday melodies—such a wonderful way to start the day!

🎷❄️ The CMS 5th Grade Winter Wonderland Jazz Band braved the cold on Friday to spread some holiday cheer throughout Chatham! They lit up the Reasoner Park Tree Lighting with performances of “Winter Wonderland” and “Jingle Cowbells.” 🎄🔔

Missed it? Don’t worry! You can catch “Jingle Cowbells” again at the 5th Grade Concert on Wednesday, 12/10 at 10 AM in the CMS Upper Gym. 🎶✨

What a magical way to kick off the holiday season! The memories these young musicians make—and the confidence they build—while performing are truly priceless.

👏🎉 Way to go, 5th Grade Band!

🎶🏒 The Chatham Middle and High School Bands showcased their talents at the Prudential Center earlier this week during a New Jersey Devils game! Such an amazing experience — fun was had by all!
📸 Photo Credit: M. Dangler

Looking for something festive to do this Friday evening December 5? Head over to Reasoner Park at 5:30 PM for the CMS 5th Grade Winter Wonderland Jazz Band performance during the annual Tree Lighting!
Come support our talented students, celebrate their hard work, and kick off the holiday season in style! 🎄✨

On Monday, November 24, the Chatham Middle School Woodwind Ensemble will be performing at the Library of the Chathams. The community is invited to stop by and enjoy their beautiful music!

CMS is proud to celebrate Lila Andreuccetti and our Student Council for leading a tremendously successful board-book drive to benefit Moms Helping Moms! With the guidance of advisors Mrs. Dangler and Coach Guerriero, students joined forces to collect and donate books that will help bring the joy of reading to families across New Jersey.

A wonderful display of teamwork, leadership, and compassion from our CMS community!

Chatham Middle School students collected over 85 costumes and accessories for Jersey Cares! 🎃 Thanks to the CMS Student Council, Mrs. Dangler, and Coach Guerriero for leading a drive that brought the school community together to spread Halloween cheer.
Pictured: Co-Presidents Owen Miller and Max Arent, who helped make it happen!

Earlier this month, Mrs. Dangler’s 6th Grade Astronomers turned their classroom into a cosmic gallery! Students presented models and data comparing the inner and outer planets. Mr. Yamamoto and Ms. Zambolla stopped by to see their out-of-this-world work! Photo credit: Mrs. Dangler