The CHMS Post
March 1, 2024
Challenger Middle School Mission
To provide an exemplary education that develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills which inspire our students to challenge their minds and charge their spirits.
Principal's Corner
Hello Charger Families!
We are rapidly approaching the end of Quarter 3 and Spring Break is near! There are only two weeks left in the quarter. With that said, we need to make sure all students finish strong. One way we can do that is by making attendance a priority. Please make sure your child is here each and every day so that they get the most instruction and have a chance to complete all assignments. Students should be diligently checking FOCUS for grades and keeping up to date with all assignments. Parents, please support this endeavor by checking FOCUS with your students. Challenger would like to see as many students as possible attend the Quarter 3 celebration!
Aside from academics, our final sports of the year - golf and tennis - will be starting towards the end of the month. Our theatre and dance department is presenting the musical Aladdin Jr as well this month, and we can't wait to see all the hard work that our Challenger theatre and dance students put into this event.
We are so very proud of the students at Challenger Middle and their academic growth. If you see that your student is underperforming please feel free to call the school to schedule an appointment with his/her teachers. Student success - emotionally, physically, and academically - are our first priority.
Kindly,
Stacia Winfree
Principal - Challenger Middle
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!
Report Cards
Q3 Report Cards will be finalized on March 15, 2024, and will be available to parents through Focus starting March 20, 2024.
Yearbooks on Sale!
Yearbooks are still on sale! From now until March 18th, you can get a year full of amazing middle school memories now for $40.
After March 18th, they will no longer be available for sale online.
To purchase a yearbook please visit: ybpay.lifetouch.com and enter our school code: 14294624
Round 2 Soccer Playoffs
Please join us for ROUND 2 of both the boys and girls soccer playoffs Monday, March 4th. The game will be against Mariner Middle and hosted at Mariner High School. The first game starts at 5:45 pm and tickets MUST be purchased online. Scan the QR code to purchase tickets.
Spring Break is Coming!
Spring Break will be the week of March 18th-22nd.
Relax and enjoy this time with your families!
We cannot wait to see you back and ready to learn
Monday, March 25th.
Upcoming Testing Dates:
Thursday, April 4th:
FAST - Writing
Thursday, May 9th:
6th Science (school-based testing)
7th Civics- PM3
8th Science- PM3
Tuesday, May 14th:
FAST PM3- Reading
Thursday, May 16th:
FAST PM3- Math
Upcoming Events...
All County Theatre
On April 3rd, 2024, 15 students from Challenger Middle School will be attending the All Country Theatre Event.
All County Theatre will take place at Lehigh Senior High School with a 9:00 am - 4:00 pm rehearsal and a 7:00 pm concert.
See Ms. Leonard for additional details.
Aladdin Jr.
Challenger Middle Schools' Drama department is proud to present Aladdin Jr. the Musical!
The production will be March 6-8 at 6:30 each night.
Tickets are $5 at the door!
Read Across America Week
Join us as we celebrate Read Across America Week the week of March 11th!
We will be having Seuss-themed dress up days in honor of Read Across America Week, please join in the festivities and dress for each occasion. School dress code still applies.
ποΈ Golf & Tennis πΎ
Golf & Tennis sign ups will take place on March 25th with tryouts beginning the following day.
Please feel free to email either Coach Szyrwiel (Golf) - AllenS@leeschools.net or Coach Thomas (Tennis) - CarmenTh@leeschools.net for any questions or concerns.
ALL OF THE FORMS LINKED BELOW NEED TO BE COMPLETED IN ORDER FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY SPORT. YOU MUST USE THESE SPECIFIC FORMS.
NO OTHER FORMS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Spelling Bee π
1st place - Logan Creamer (7th grade)
2nd place - Cailyn Harvey (6th grade)
3rd place - Zaira Tavarez (8th grade)
Logan Creamer and Cailyn Harvey will go on to represent Challenger at the District Spelling Bee held Thursday, March 7th @ Three Oaks Middle!!! We are so proud of all of our participants!
under construction
NJHS Induction Ceremony
On February 15th, 2024 our National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) inducted 36 new members into it's ranks! We are so proud of these students and their amazing academic achievements as well as their dedication to community service. The new 36 members inducted this year are listed below, please congratulate these students on this outstanding accomplishment.
6th Grade:
Jackson Boucher
Lena Botty
David Chapman
Helen Enriquez
Matthew Fisher
Cailyn Harvey
Emily Kazlauskas
Luca Rodeghero
Alexa Shelton
Jexton Taveras
Mariah Valbrun
7th Grade:
Josie Betterman
Leslie Carrillo Cardenas
Amanda Casanellas
Yeziani Cruz
Aidan Devitt
Lissiane Diaz
Aaliyah Fernandez
James Howard
Hayden Huizenga
Kylee Hutchins
Laura Medina Dorta
Anthony Perfeito Almeida
Natalie Pim
Bentley Shriver
Isabella Thomas
Bryan Torres
Nevaeh Turner
8th Grade:
Dominic Chapman
Amanda Gosney
Norah Huizenga
Ella Langjahr
Patrick Nadejde
Addison Ramos
Taleah Walters
Class Pet of the Month
Timmy the Turtle
Timmy the "Turtle" is a Russian Spur Thighed Tortoise that resides in Ms. Rodeghero's science classroom. He is 10 years old and enjoys a diet of spring mix lettuce. He's mostly chill and enjoys digging in his tank along with taking naps or watching students complete their work. He also has a brother named Albert who is a bearded dragon and also resides in Ms. Rodeghero's classroom. Timmy seems to enjoy his simple life at Challenger Middle School, and the students definitely love him.
New Teacher Shout Out!
Ms. Boyce
Ms. Boyce is our Gifted Language Arts teacher and new to Challenger Middle School this year! Although this is her first year with us, she has been teaching for 9 years. In her free time she enjoys playing Animal Crossing and Zelda on her Nintendo Switch and reading at the beach. When asked what her favorite part of teaching is, she told us that she loves to see when students finally understand something they've been struggling with. Mrs. Boyce has been such a great addition to the Challenger team. We are so thankful and happy to have a teacher like Ms. Boyce at Challenger!
All County Jazz Band
The week of 2/19 - 2/23, Lee County had over 200 middle school students prepare a rigorous audition to be part of a select 18-member Jazz Band.
This year we had 4 students who earned the privilege of representing Challenger Middle School.
Please help us congratulate the following students:
Aiden Craft - 8th grade
Aidan Devitt - 7th grade
Adrian Xiao - 7th grade
Peyton Law - 7th grade
We are so proud of your accomplishments! Congratulations to these four students!
Congratulations Amanda!
Aspiring Authors
The Aspiring Authors Contest is open to all Lee County based schools, grades K-12, with each grade judged separately. Challenger is proud to announce that we have a FIRST PLACE 7th grade Aspiring Authors Contest winner - Amanda Casanellas with her story "Bring Home to Here"! Amanda will be recognized at the Reading Festival in downtown Fort Myers this Saturday, March 2nd. We are so incredibly proud of Amanda and this incredible accomplishment!
Teachers of Distinction
Every year the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools conducts a search for inspirational educators, with the end honor of being named a Golden Apple Teacher. This year, the Foundation received over 4,300 nominations representing 1,600 educators in Lee County for the prestigious Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Awards. THREE teachers at our school were chosen in the top 100 and were named Golden Apple Teachers of Distinction! Ms. Jessica Heckler is a 6th-7th Global Perspectives teacher, and on her 21st year of teaching! Mr. Todd Maurer is a 6th-8th grade Civics and History teacher, and is in his 3rd year of teaching! Ms. Jennifer Peppe is a 7th-grade Language Arts teacher and Department Head for ELA, and is in her 17th year of teaching! We are so excited and proud to have the honor of having these three educators be named a Teacher of Distinction! Thank you so much to the Foundation for Lee County Schools for acknowledging these amazing educators!
Ms. Heckler
"When I heard the news that I am a Teacher of Distinction I felt very honored and thankful to receive this award because there are so many amazing and outstanding teachers in the School District of Lee County!"
Mr. Maurer
"When I was told about the recognition, I felt grateful. I really love what I do every day and feel lucky to be able to show up and make a difference. I am also extremely fortunate to work at Challenger where I am surrounded by amazing and supportive peers and leaders."
Ms. Peppe
"I am thrilled to have been chosen as a Teacher of Distinction again. I am beyond humbled."
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. 11th
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
Email: staciaaw@leeschools.net
Website: https://chm.leeschools.net/
Location: 624 Trafalgar Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL, USA
Phone: (239) 242-4341
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChallengerMS
Twitter: @ChallengerLCSD
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