The CHMS Post
November 1, 2023
Principal's Corner
Happy Fall Y'all!
I trust this message finds you in good health and high spirits as we continue to embark on the second quarter of this academic year. It is a pleasure to write to you, reflecting on the progress we have made and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
As we continue in this new quarter, I want to take a moment to commend our students for their hard work and dedication throughout the first quarter. Your commitment to learning, personal growth, and excellence has been truly inspiring. Let's carry this momentum forward and build on the successes and lessons of the past few months.
In the coming weeks, we have an exciting lineup of events, projects, and opportunities for students to engage in. These experiences are designed to not only enrich your education but also encourage personal growth, teamwork, and community involvement. Stay tuned for updates on our school website or Facebook and get ready to make the most of these opportunities.
I am excited about the possibilities and achievements that the second quarter will bring. Together, we will make it a period of growth, exploration, and accomplishment. Thank you for being part of our wonderful school community.
Kindly,
Stacia Winfree
Principal β Challenger Middle
Connect with LeeFree tutoring offered by the district with live educational experts. Connect with Lee will be offered Monday - Thursday from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM Both Teachers and Students can access this resource via the Connect with Lee app on their Launchpad! | Every Day Counts!Missing a day of school here and there may not seem like much, but absences add up! When a student misses 2 days a month... they end up missing 20 days a year, and will have missed over 1 year of learning by the time they graduate. For more information on our attendance policy, click here: https://chm.leeschools.net/our_school/attendance_policy | Interim ReportsInterim Reports will be posted on student FOCUS portal accounts on Wednesday, November 15th. Please take time to review your student's grades with them and reach out to their teachers if you have any questions. |
Connect with Lee
Free tutoring offered by the district with live educational experts.
Connect with Lee will be offered Monday - Thursday from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Both Teachers and Students can access this resource via the Connect with Lee app on their Launchpad!
Every Day Counts!
Missing a day of school here and there may not seem like much, but absences add up!
When a student misses 2 days a month... they end up missing 20 days a year, and will have missed over 1 year of learning by the time they graduate.
For more information on our attendance policy, click here: https://chm.leeschools.net/our_school/attendance_policy
Picture Day Retakes πΈ
Yearbook picture retakes will be on Wednesday, November 1st.
You can purchase pictures you've already taken easily online by going to mylifetouch.com and entering your portrait ID and access code which can be found in your Picture Day Packets!
If you haven't taken pictures yet and would like to purchase your retake photos, also visit mylifetouch.com and enter the Picture Day ID: EVTXGZFJP
All County Dance Auditions
All County Dance Auditions are on Tuesday, November 28th from 8:00 am - 9:15 am
Location: Ms. Leonard's room (2-116)
For the audition, advanced dancers that are proficient in the styles of ballet and jazz, need to come in movable clothing. Students will learn a jazz dance choreographed by Mrs. Leonard.
If selected, scheduled rehearsals are in the mornings on Tues/Thursdays from 8:00 am - 9:15 am starting Nov 30th, 2023, and ending Feb 13th, 2024.
The All County Dance Concert is scheduled for Thursday, February 15th.
December Movie Night π½οΈ

We will be hosting our first Movie Night of the year on Wednesday, December 13th from
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm in the Cafeteria!
Our movie night will be featuring "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".
Tickets are $10 and include 1 slice of pizza, a drink, and popcorn.
Students must have BOTH signed permission slips turned in BEFORE they can purchase a ticket. Forms will be available outside of Mrs. Wilke's room (1-325) starting November 27th!
Tickets will be on sale November 27th - December 8th.

IN ORDER FOR ANY STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLUB OR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY, THEY WILL NEED THIS FORM FILLED OUT AND SIGNED BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN.
Jr. Thespian District Individual Event Showcase
Parents of students competing in the District 6 Jr Thespian Festival are invited to come to Ms. Leonard's classroom and see our troupe's theatre individual events.
The Individual Event Showcase will take place on Friday, November 3rd
from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.
Location: Ms. Leonard's room (2-116)
Jr. Thespian One Act Festival
The Jr. Thespian One Act Festival will take place on Friday, November 10th at North Fort Myers Academy of the Arts.
Students from Challenger Middle will be critiqued at the district level in the one-act play festival. Contact Ms. Leonard for further details.
Thespys Individual Event Festival
Students from Challenger Middle School will be critiqued at the District 6 level in performing and technical theatre individual events.
The Thespys Individual Event Festival will take place on Saturday, November 11th
from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Location: North Fort Myers Academy of the Arts
Only students and chaperones registered may attend.
Jr. Thespian Theatre Fundraiser
Jr Thespian Annual Fundraiser! Theatre students are invited to attend theatre workshops taught by theatre professionals in the community.
The fundraiser will take place on Thursday, November 16th from 4:15 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Challenger Middle Gymnasium

SPORTS UPDATE!
ATTENTION!
Starting this school year (2023-2024), all middle school students participating in any sport are required to receive a health exam (also known as a physical) from their healthcare provider and submit a completed medical evaluation form to the school before the tryouts of whichever sport they are participating in.
Click the link below for the form you will need to have completed. YOU MUST USE THIS SPECIFIC FORM. NO OTHER FORM WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Volleyball π


BOTH OF THE FORMS LINKED BELOW NEED TO BE COMPLETED IN ORDER FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY SPORT.

Students in Mr. Preston's culinary class making Lo Mein noodles! Looks delicious! | A student in Mr. Moser's history class was giving a presentation on his trip to Boston and everything he learned while there! | Student's in Ms. Hayes' science class doing lab work! |


Class Pet of the Month
Milk the Guinea Pig
Milk the Guinea Pig resides in Mr. Ernst's science classroom. He is 1 and a half years old and spends most of his day chilling, moving his house around, and watching the students work. His diet consists mostly of fruit, veggies, and hay! Milk also has a brother and a sister - named French Toast and Waffle. Students love getting to see Milk every day in class.
New Teacher Shout Out!
Ms. Otero
Ms. Otero has joined Challenger Middle this year as a 7th & 8th-grade Global Perspectives teacher. Ms. Otero may be new to Challenger, but she has been teaching for 5 years. She said that her favorite thing to do for fun or to relax is to go to the beach with her family. When asked what her favorite part about teaching is, she said she loves getting to know the student's interests outside of school.
PTO/SAC Meeting
PTO will start at 5:30 pm and run until 6:00 pm.
SAC will then begin at 6:00 pm and go until 6:30 pm.
All PTO/SAC Meetings will be held in person at Challenger Middle School in the Media Center.
Important Dates
Below are a list of dates for when both interims and report cards will be available to both students and parents. π
1st Quarter
Interim β Sept. 13th
Report Card β Oct. 19th
2nd Quarter
Interim β Nov. 15th
Report Card β Jan. 1st
3rd Quarter
Interim β Feb. 7th
Report Card β Mar. 20th
4th Quarter
Interim β Apr. 24th
Report Card β Jun. 7th

Out of Field Teachers
Subject Area:
Heather D'Archangel - ELA
Katrina Duys - History
Alejandra Matos - Science
Fortify FL
FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and schools.
To visit this website go to getfortifyfl.com
Per the Code of Federal Regulation we are required to put a notice out to students and parents stating the following:
EPA 40 CFR 763
This school has been recently inspected and certain asbestos-containing materials or assumed to be asbestos-containing materials such as: fire doors or roofing materials that are tested prior to repairs or removal as needed, have been located in the school buildings. Please be aware that the School District of Lee County has an active management plan designed to ensure that the building is maintained safely for all occupants. These materials are being controlled in accordance with the Asbestos Management Program for the School and following the limitations and procedures of the policies and requirements of the Asbestos O&M Program. The report lists the location, quantity, and condition of all known materials and contains the details of the control procedures, and is available at the school office for your inspection during normal school hours. Copies of the schoolβs asbestos file can be supplied to you at a cost upon submittal of request.
Challenger Middle School
Lee County School Board
Armor Persons, District 5 (Chair)
Samuel Fisher, District 1 (Vice Chair)
Melisa W. Giovannelli, District 2
Chris N. Patricca, District 3
Debbie Jordan, District 4
Jada Langford-Fleming, District 6
Cathleen O'Daniel Morgan, District 7
Kathy Dupuy-Bruno, Esq., Board Attorney
Dr. Christopher Bernier
Superintendent