Hello Wildcats,

Quarter 2 is well under way; our month of PEACE is complete; and we have entered the month of Giving Thanks.

Students I hope you are proud of the work ethic you had during Quarter 1 and the grades you earned as a result. If so, keep it going and push yourself a tiny bit more. If not, decide in which subjects you will begin to make a positive change. Your grades –the output-- are completely up to you and your level of work ethic –the input. Focus on your time management—school, homework, play, household chores, eating, and sleeping. You can be successful in each of these areas…if YOU choose to.

We have completed our 6th Annual PEACE campaign. Over the years we have given 10% of our raised funds to a charity chosen by the students. We did not give during our first year, but at that time we decided we would give 10% during all future PEACE events. The charities we have given to are the Cape Coral Caring Center (twice), American Cancer Society, St. Jude’s, and this year to Gulf Coast Humane Society. I am so proud of the efforts you made to make our school fundraiser a success. We collected just under $12,000, and so gave a check to the humane society for $1,200. The remainder of the money will be spent on next year’s motivational speaker and schoolwide campus and student improvements.

As you know, it is vital to be in school every day. Our school hours are 9:37 – 4:00. Be sure you are on time so you can take advantage of every minute of teaching and learning. Your education is important to your lives. I recently read two quotes credited to Vincent Van Gogh, “Success is sometimes the outcome of a whole string of failures,” and “What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything.” If we think about and reflect on what these two quotes mean, I think we would be courageous enough to attempt success no matter the failures along the way.

November is the month of giving thanks. Although we want to be, and should be, thankful all year, November is truly about being thankful. Students, please take a few minutes every day to thank your parents and families for everything they do for you. You are becoming the person you will be because of their influence. Parents, although friends will influence your children, it is you who will have the longest lasting impact on their lives. They will always remember the little things you have told them. As they grow, you will be thankful for the time you take now to help them mature into the adults you want them to be. Students, I challenge you to begin making a list of people and things in your life for which you are thankful. You can start with these and keep adding throughout the month… your family, your friends, your teachers, the sunshine, the beautiful Florida weather, your clothes, your smile…

Let’s make November a month in which we all say thankful and thoughtful words to each other. I am thankful that I get to work at Diplomat Middle and am a part of your world. I am thankful for the influence you each have on me. I am thankful for our beautiful school campus.

Thank you for being here at Diplomat.

Proud to be in the Pride,

Maura Bennington, Principal

November 1st- December 15th Band/Music Department

Poinsettia Sale Fundraiser

November 3rd- Band All County Auditions 3:00PM-8:30PM

Cypress Lake High School

November 3rd- Orchestra after school practice 4:00PM

November 3rd- Volleyball Match #1 Mariner Middle School vs Diplomat 5:30PM

at Diplomat Middle School

November 4th- Orchestra after school practice

November 4th- Pelican Spirit Night 5PM-8PM

4150 Hancock Bridge PKWY Unit 32

November 6th- Orchestra District 18 Solo & Ensemble MPA (ALL DAY)

Florida Gulf Coast University

November 6th- Solo and Ensemble Music Performance Assessments- Closed Event

Florida Gulf Coast University

November 8th- Volleyball Diplomat vs North Fort Myers Academy

at North Fort Myers Academy

November 9th- Orchestra After School Practice 4PM

November 10th- Cross County Final

At Kelly Road

November 10th- Orchestra After School Practice

November 12th- Straight A Cafe 9:45AM- 10:30AM

Students only

November 15th & 16th- CHOIR DISTRICT 18 SOLO AND ENSEMBLE MPA 3PM-8PM

North Fort Myers Academy for The Arts

November 15th- Volleyball Diplomat vs Caloosa Middle

at Caloosa Middle School

November 15th- Orchestra after school practice 4PM

November 16th- Spirit Night at Chick Fil-A

1790 NE Pine Island Road

Be sure to mention you are supporting Diplomat Middle School

Get a bracelet for a homework pass and special treat at lunch!

November 17th- Volleyball Diplomat vs Oasis Charter Middle 5:30-6:30PM

At Oasis Charter Middle

November 18th and 19th TALENT SHOW AUDITIONS

In the Band Room at Lunch

November 18th- Elective Fundraiser Night 4-7PM

At Diplomat Middle School

ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE ENDS NOVEMBER 18TH

WaWa (Pine Island Road)***Iguana Mia (Cape Coral Pkwy)***7-Eleven (Andalusia & Diplomat)***Super Target (Pine Island Road)***Two Meatballs in the Kitchen (Cape Coral Pkwy)***SAMs Club (Pine Island Road)***BJs Wholesale Club (Pine Island Road)***Stuff a Bagel (Pine Island & Skyline)***Staple's (Del Prado Blvd)***Jason's Deli (Santa Barbara Blvd)***Pelican's ( Hancock Bridge Pkwy)***Chic-Fil-A (Pine Island Road)