The CHMS Post

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.

Dear Challenger Families,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 School Year!

We are thrilled to welcome you as part of our Charger Family. Our students have already shown tremendous energy, focus, and enthusiasm both inside and outside of the classroom. Thank you for your support in helping us establish strong routines and create a positive learning environment here at Challenger Middle.

We have officially completed our first round of progress monitoring assessments in both reading and math. These assessments provide us with valuable information to guide instruction and ensure students receive the support they need. You can view your child’s progress through your FOCUS Parent Portal account. If you need assistance setting up your account, please click HERE for more information. We encourage you to review your child’s progress and goals with them as we move forward together.

Our School Improvement Plan (SIP), which outlines our goals for the year, was presented to SAC/PTO last week and has been submitted to the state. We invite and encourage families to be part of the decision-making process at Challenger Middle by attending our SAC/PTO meetings. Meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month at 5:30 PM in the media center. The August presentation, along with meeting dates for the rest of the school year, can be found on our school website. Staying connected and involved is one of the best ways to support your child’s success. CHMS Website

This September, we are excited to launch our Attendance Incentive! Students with excellent attendance throughout the month will receive a special treat during their lunch shift at the end of the month. Do-nut miss this opportunity! Attendance is directly linked to achievement, and we are proud to celebrate our Chargers for showing up and giving their best each day.

As we continue this journey together, I want to thank you for being a partner in our work. Challenger Middle is not just a school—it is a community where families, teachers, and students work hand in hand to ensure success. Together, we can make this an incredible year of growth and achievement for every Charger.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and let’s keep making Challenger 1% better every day!

Respectfully,

Chris Drake

Principal

We are excited to invite local businesses to partner with us through our Banner Program, which helps support our school and students while giving your business valuable visibility in our community.

To learn more about the program and how to get involved, please visit the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TOX9GDFk1tFTkbFO7E_RIlXYIMGi57OE/view?usp=sharing

Current Banner Sponsors

Thank you to our community sponsors for supporting our Challenger Chargers. Your generosity helps fuel our mission and strengthen our community.

Blue Level Sponsor

• Schooner Bay Realty, Inc.
• Honc Marine Contracting
• The Renovation Couple
• Snowie Ice
• Life Synergy Wellness

Silver Level Sponsor

• Grande Aire Services

Each year the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools honors six amazing Lee County educators at the annual Golden Apple Recognition Banquet in the Spring. Please take a minute and use the form below to nominate an outstanding teacher who has impacted you or your child's life!

Instructions:

1. Click the button below to go to the website
2. Click "Register" in the top right corner
3. Create your profile
4. Click the dropdown and select "Golden Apple Nominations", then click "Create"
5. Complete the form with the correct information
6. Click "Submit as FINAL" to record your response

ALL NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BY SEPTEMBER 22, 2025

In 2024, over 100,000 educators from around the world participated in Rock Your School, impacting over 2,000,000 students!

That’s why we’re bringing back Rock Your School in 2024! Join us on Friday, October 3rd, and

Rock Your School!

Wicked Walk is a collaboration fundraiser between the School District of Lee County Arts Programs, Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, and the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center.

Wicked Walk creates an interactive, “haunted arts” tour through the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. Participants interact and experience the production of Lee County visual and performing arts students.

The overall performance/design is centered around a specific theme and allows students to explore movie, visual design, literature, musical theatre and other performing arts mediums.

EVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT IS REQUIRED TO GET A PHYSICAL DONE AND HAVE THE PHYSICAL FORM THAT IS LINKED BELOW COMPLETED BY A DOCTOR IN ORDER TO PLAY ANY SPORT. THE PHYSICAL HAS TO BE COMPLETED EVERY SCHOOL YEAR AND LAST FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE SPORT SEASON YOU INTEND ON PLAYING.

USE THE LINK BELOW TO PRINT OUT THE PHYSICAL FORM NEEDED. NO OTHER FORM WILL BE ACCEPTED, IT MUST BE THIS EXACT FORM!

IN ADDITION TO A PHYSICAL BEING COMPLETED, YOU WILL ALSO NEED BOTH THE INTRAMURAL AND ACTIVITY FORMS THAT ARE LINKED BELOW. YOU ONLY NEED ONE INTRAMURAL FORM COMPLETED PER YEAR, BUT YOU NEED ONE ACTIVITY FORM PER SPORT/ACTIVITY YOU INTEND ON PARTICIPATING IN.

CROSS COUNTRY (XC) SIGN-UPS BEGAN

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Students will meet in the gym at dismissal. On the first day of the sport, students will receive information about what is needed to continue. Intramural and insurance information must be signed and returned prior to practice. Along with the intramural form, students must also submit a current medical evaluation form and an after-school activity form. These forms will go home the first day of sign ups. The day of sign ups, please have a ride by 5:00 pm, or approval and registration to go to After Care.

BASKETBALL GAME INFORMATION:

PTO/SAC Meetings occur the last Thursday of every month. Our first meeting will take place on September 25, 2025.

PTO will start at 5:30 pm and run until 6:00 pm.

All PTO/SAC Meetings will be held in person at Challenger Middle School in the Media Center.

Below are a list of dates for when both interims and report cards will be available to both students and parents. 😊

1st Quarter

Interim – Sept. 10th

Report Card – Oct. 16th

2nd Quarter

Interim – Nov. 12th

Report Card – Dec. 19th

3rd Quarter

Interim – Feb. 4th

Report Card – Mar. 12th

4th Quarter

Interim – Apr. 22nd

Report Card – Jun. 8th

Florida State Statute 1012.42 recognizes that teachers at times must be assigned duties in a class outside the field in which the teacher is certified. The following teachers at Challenger Middle School are engaged in training to add the required endorsements and certifications to their teaching certificate:

Anthony Barbier – ESOL (Endorsement)

Jacqueline Gianelli – ESOL (Endorsement)

Mayelin Montero Garcia – Elementary Education K-6 and ESOL (Endorsement)

Tarah Willsher – ESOL (Endorsement)

Phyllis Zboril – ESOL (Endorsement)

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 school’s asbestos file can be supplied to you at a cost upon submittal of request.

Samuel Fisher, District 1 (Chair)

Jada Langford Fleming, District 6 (Vice Chair)

Melisa W. Giovannelli, District 2

William F. Ribble Jr., District 3

Debbie Jordan, District 4

Armor Persons, District 5

Vanessa M. Chaviano, District 7

Kathy Dupuy-Bruno, Esq., Board Attorney

Dr. Denise Carlin

Superintendent

Email: christophedd@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