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 Charger Families:

It is a privilege to serve as Challenger Middle School's principal, and I am really looking forward to the 2026-2027 school year. As you have undoubtedly seen, we are an A-rated school for the third year in a row, and our overall achievement percentage increased again last year. As I get to know this wonderful staff, I can say that I am already very proud of their hard work.

It has been a busy Summer: We had a great Band Camp, Meet the Principal was a wonderful evening, our 6th Grade Red Carpet Welcome was a positive experience, and now we are coming to the end of a busy and purposeful Teacher Pre-service Week.

At the time of this writing, we are there: Tomorrow is the first student day.

We are all so excited to welcome back our returning Chargers and to welcome for the first time our new Challenger Middle students. This first week, we will get to know each other, practice our new schedules, teach and review routines, and set up access to some of the resources that we will need.

You may have seen our 1% Better medallion on many of our communications. 1% Better does NOT refer exclusively to academics. As we start our 2026-2027 school year, I challenge students to find their very own 1% Better each day. It might be improving on a quiz or test, but it also might be improving attendance, increasing positive behavior, getting to class on time more often, improving a musical instrument practice schedule, or something else that I haven't mentioned here. The key to our motto is that we all learn, work together, and can grow every day.

Please enjoy this newsletter, and don't hesitate to reach out to our office with ideas and suggestions.

Respectfully,

Dr. Mason Clark

Principal

We are thrilled to announce that our school has once again earned an “A” grade by the Florida Department of Education!

This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our amazing students, teachers, staff, and community. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to excellence. Let us continue to challenge our minds and charge our spirits!

That's right! Get your camera faces ready because Picture Day is already around the corner.

Our Picture Day ID is: EVTRHDTW4

Picture Day will take place on Tuesday, August 25th!

Wednesday, September 2nd:

FAST PM1 - Reading

Wednesday, September 9th:

FAST PM1 - Math

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.

Silver Level Sponsor

• Grande Aire Services
• Premier Auto & Tire

Blue Level Sponsor

• Badger Boat Detail
• Fix Marine Supply
• Honc Marine Contracting
• Life Synergy Wellness
• N&D Restoration
• San Juan Pools & Spas
• Schooner Bay Realty, Inc.
• Snowie Ice
• Sports Clips
• Sunset Chicken
• The Renovation Couple
• Vista Orthodontics

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.

Art Club is a dedicated creative space where student artists collaborate, prepare for competitions, and bring community art events to life.

We meet after school from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM on Wednesdays to pitch sample ideas, present rough drafts, and receive constructive feedback from Mr. G to refine our work.

Students take full ownership of their creative process, managing project deadlines and mastering essential exhibition skills such as artwork framing and mounting. Throughout the year, members prepare and submit original pieces for a variety of prestigious community shows, regional galleries, and art contests.

Whether you are aiming to build a standout portfolio or showcase your talent locally, Art Club provides the structure and guidance to help you succeed.

The $10 club donation directly supports these student achievements by funding essential exhibition materials, including custom framing, mounting hardware, and display supplies needed to showcase their completed artwork professionally.

**Students MUST submit their Activity Permission form BEFORE the first meeting to attend**

For the month of August, Art Club will be meeting on these dates: 8/26

Time: 4:35 pm

Location: Mr. Giansante's Room (2-117)

The Challenger Youth Group is a welcoming space where any student can gather to explore Scripture and deepen their faith together. Through interactive Bible study, and music we help middle schoolers uncover timeless truths and learn how to apply God's Word to their daily lives. Guided by these teachings, our group puts faith into action by strengthening relationships in our homes, encouraging our schools, and serving our local community.

**Students MUST submit their Activity Permission form BEFORE the first meeting to attend**

Youth Group meets every other Friday starting August 28th.

For the month of August, Youth Group will be meeting on these dates: 8/28

Time: 8:30 am

Location: Mr. Szyrwiel's Room (1-242)

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.

Basketball and Cross Country will be our first sporting events.

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. Once teams are decided, practice will take place Monday-Wednesday from 4:00 pm - 5:45 pm (Occasionally, a Thursday or Friday practice will take place, and this will be communicated to parents/guardians)

All sports are free of charge, with buses provided for each event. 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 on the first day of sign-ups. On the day of sign-ups, please have a ride by 5:00 pm, or approval and registration to go to After Care.

BASKETBALL SIGN-UPS ARE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12TH

TRYOUTS BEGIN THE FOLLOWING DAY.

TEAMS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26TH

GAME SCHEDULE:

All Games Start @ 5:30pm

8/31 Challenger vs. Trafalgar @Trafalgar

9/2 Oasis Charter vs. Challenger @Challenger

9/9 Challenger vs Gulf @Gulf

9/14 Trafalgar vs Challenger @Challenger

9/16 Challenger vs. Oasis Charter @Oasis Charter

9/23 Gulf vs. Challenger @Challenger

CROSS COUNTRY (XC) SIGN-UPS BEGIN

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH

Please feel free to email for any questions or concerns.

Our very first PTO/SAC meeting will take place on

August 27, 2026.

The meeting 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. 16th

Report Card – Oct. 22nd

2nd Quarter

Interim – Nov. 12th

Report Card – Jan. 7th

3rd Quarter

Interim – Feb. 10th

Report Card – Apr. 1st

4th Quarter

Interim – Apr. 28th

Report Card – Jun. 3rd

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:

Jacqueline Gianelli – ESOL (Endorsement)

Tarah Willsher – ESOL (Endorsement)

Abby Wolfe – 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.

Armor Persons, District 5 (Chair)

William F. Ribble Jr., District 3 (Vice Chair)

Samuel Fisher, District 1

Melisa W. Giovannelli, District 2

Debbie Jordan, District 4

Jada Langford Fleming, District 6

Vanessa M. Chaviano, District 7

Kathy Dupuy-Bruno, Esq., Board Attorney

Dr. Denise Carlin

Superintendent

Email: masonmc@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

Instagram @ChallengerMSChargers