Eagle's Eye News

Challenger Middle School Families,

I hope you all had a wonderful Fall Break. We are excited to welcome the students back tomorrow.

1st 9 Weeks Report Cards will go home on Friday.

CMS Fall Festival - THIS Friday, October 16

Get ready for a night of family fun! Our first ever CMS Fall Festival is coming up, and we hope you’ll join us!

Friday, October 16 from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Challenger Middle School

We’ll have games, inflatables, haunted hallway, a dunk tank, food trucks, a silent auction, and MUCH more!

• Pre-Sale Wristbands – $20
• Includes unlimited games and activities!
• At the Festival:
• Unlimited Wristband – $25
• Individual Tickets – $1 each (1 ticket = 1 game/activity)
• Purchase your $20 pre-sale wristbands @ https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-cms-fall-festival-wristbands

The entire community is invited! You do not have to be a CMS family to attend, so please share with your friends, family, and neighbors and bring them along for the fun!

We can’t wait to see everyone at the CMS Fall Festival

Volunteer to help with the Fall Festival - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054EA4A72FA2FC1-66309708-challenger

PTA Reflections Art Competition – Entries Due November 2!

• Calling all CMS student artists! This year's PTA Reflections theme is “What My Culture Means to Me.” Students are encouraged to express their creativity and share their stories through six categories: Dance Choreography, Literature, Film Production, Photography, Music Composition, and Visual Arts.
• Students may submit one original entry in each category. Each entry must include a completed entry form, title, and artist statement. Find entry forms and information @ https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jcNqK3BKP3n6m28rf1MmzSyXbR9iQqiH?usp=sharing
• Entries are due to the CMS front office by Monday, November 2. Awards will be presented in each category at the PTSA meeting on Thursday, November 5.
• See the flyer for entry forms and competition requirements. We can't wait to see our Eagles' creativity!

Please consider joining our PTSA as our students can greatly benefit from your involvement and contributions. Outreach and recruitment of parent and community volunteers are vital to the success of our school.

https://cmsptsa.givebacks.com/shop?category=9257

Students will take the Practice ACAP next week. Please ensure students are at school and on time that week.

• Mon, Oct 19 - Math
• Tues, Oct 20 - ELA Part 1
• Wed, Oct 21 - ELA Part 2
• Thurs, Oct 22 - Science - 6th and 8th Grade only

Every Sunday afternoon I will send out a Smore Newsletter, like this one, with vital information for the week. I encourage you to read through it and talk with your child about the happenings at Challenger Middle School.

2026-2027 #WingsUp #EagleUp #ExcellenceTogether

Sincerely,

Bo Coln

Principal

Challenger Middle School

james.coln@hsv-k12.org

October

12 - Parent Title 1 Budget Meeting via Google Meet at 11:00am

13 - Steak-Out Spirit Night. Be sure to say money for Challenger Middle School.

14 - Title 1 Parent Meeting at 8:15am in the Library

16 - Report Cards go home

16 - Fall Festival @ CMS from 5:00-8:00pm

19 - Practice ACAP Math

20 - Practice ACAP ELA Part 1

21 - Practice ACAP ELA Part 2

22 - Practice ACAP - Science - 6th and 8th Grade

26-30 - Book Fair

April 12-15 - CMS ACAP

Parent Portal accounts are created by the District for custodial contacts who have a valid email address that is not associated with any other contact in our Student Information System (SIS). Each student associated with a custodial contact will be linked to the custodial contact’s account. By default, the Parent Account username is the custodial contact’s email address. An email with the temporary password is sent when the parent account is created. If a custodial contact did not receive the email or did not create their own password, they may use the Forgot Password link to reset the password. For assistance with accessing your Parent Portal account, please call the HCS Enrollment Support Center at 256-428-6911 extension 1.

CMS Family - Joining the PTSA is the single easiest way to support our school community—and there is zero volunteer obligation required!

Your membership directly funds monthly positive behavior celebrations, STEM events, teacher treats, the Care Closet, school dances, and student showcases like Reflections and the Talent Show. Our goal this year is 100% membership, and every single join gets us closer!

Grab a Family Membership: Cover everyone in your household in one go, or grab those extra memberships as donations.

Sponsor a Membership: Consider donating a membership for a local family or purchasing one for a teacher so everyone can be included.

Check out this link for membership options, and be a part of making this school year CMS’s best year yet!

Givebackscmsptsa.givebacks.com

If you DO want to plug in, get involved, and get to know parents, teachers, and administration - we would always love your help. Let us know here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNb-loLxobjW8ccBK6RhcVOiIab1e-76CrMVs5RodtD5IXVw/viewform

How to View Your Student's Bus Assignment

• Log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

• Bus route information will be available in your student's account.

• Parents will also receive an email with their student's bus assignment at the primary email address the district has on file in PowerSchool.

Need Help?

If you have questions about your student's bus route or route placement, please contact the Transportation Call Center at: 256-428-6911

Where to Find Transportation Information

Visit the Huntsville City Schools website and navigate to:

Parent Info → Transportation & Buses

From there, you can access transportation information and the link to the PowerSchool Parent/Student Portal.

Thank you for partnering with Huntsville City Schools to help ensure a smooth start to the 2026–2027 school year!

Hello Families,

This week all students will be participating in the Bullying Prevention unit of P.A.T.H. (Prevention and Awareness for Total Health). Each lesson is built around short videos, guided notes and reflection handouts, and an optional class discussion. In this unit, students learn to define bullying and recognize its forms, including how it shows up at their grade level and online, in group chats and on social media. They learn to spot the warning signs, what to do when they see it, and how to reach out to a trusted adult. Kindness, empathy, and belonging run through every lesson, because students who feel connected are safer, and students who know how to help can change what happens next.

You play the most important role in helping your student thrive. A few questions to open the door at home:

• Have you seen anything like that at your school?

• Who would you go to if it happened to you, or to a friend?

Then let them know they can always come to you, and please know that you can always talk to me. If you are concerned that your student may be experiencing bullying, please reach out to me or to our school office. If you would like to see what your child is learning I can email you a secure link to view the student-facing materials for each lesson your student is learning: videos, handouts, and optional activities. The link stays open for 24 hours, and I can resend it anytime you need more time. To request access or ask a question email me at megan.moak@hsv-k12.org

Megan Moak

Challenger Middle School Counselor

megan.moak@hsv-k12.org

Tanisha Boyd

Curriculum Specialist

tanisha.boyd@hsv-k12.org

Parent Coordinator

Jill Sneed

jill.sneed@hsv-k12.org

Bus Riders - exit the bus, enter through the main lobby doors, and go to the cafeteria or sit in their designated grade-level hallway

Walkers/Car Riders - enter through the main lobby doors, and go to the cafeteria or sit in their designated grade-level hallway

Breakfast is served in the cafeteria from 7:30-8:00. Students that choose to eat school breakfast will remain in the cafeteria until dismissed to homeroom. Students that do not wish to eat school breakfast will report to the designated grade-level hallway. Students that report to the hallways will remain in the hallways until released to homeroom.

Students are not allowed to enter the building with outside food. Any outside food needs to be thrown away before entering the building. Example - Students will not be allowed to bring in Starbucks and Chick-Fil-A food and drink.

For the first week of school the homeroom classes with teacher names and room numbers will be posted in the hallways and cafeteria. We will have many teachers available to help students find their homeroom.

All students are dismissed at 3:00.

• Bus riders will report to the cafeteria.
• Walkers will exit out the band/choir doors (South exit)
• Car Riders will exit through the main lobby doors.

Unless students are involved in a school sponsored after school event, all students need to leave campus at 3:00.

• Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school. Only water is allowed in the water bottles.
• Restrooms usage will be limited during transition times. Students will use the E-Hall Pass when leaving class and/or visiting the restroom during class time.
• Transitions time for students is 3 minutes between class periods. Students can visit their locker between classes. We expect all students to get to class on time.
• Student lockers are available upon request for $10. Students can purchase a locker during homeroom starting Wednesday, August 5. We will take cash or check. Checks should be made out to Challenger Middle School. Lockers will be assigned when students pay their homeroom teacher for their locker.
• Parents cannot bring in outside food for an entire class unless organized and initiated by the teacher.
• Students are not allowed to order food to be delivered to the school.
• Parents/Guardians must check out their child to eat any restaurant food brought into the school.
• Enjoying school or homemade lunch in the cafeteria with your child is welcomed!
• Outside drinks (Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A, Sonic, etc.) should be thrown away before entering the building. This applies when school doors open at 7:30am.

• All tops must completely cover the torso (front and back) when sitting, standing, or when arms are raised. Undergarments must be completely covered at all times.
• All pants, shorts, bottoms, and dresses must cover the student’s undergarments and bottom at all times, including when sitting, standing, or when arms are raised.
• Pants or jeans with holes may not reveal the student’s hips, bottom, or undergarments.
• No hats, visors, and other head coverings (including sunglasses).
• No pajama pants; No house slippers.
• No hoods will be worn in the building.
• All undergarments must be completely covered.

Medication Reminders for Families

As we prepare for a safe and healthy school year, please remember that all medications brought to school must be delivered directly to the school nurse. Students should not transport medication to or from school unless they have been approved to self-carry a medication in accordance with district policy.

Before any medication can be administered at school, a completed and signed Prescriber/Parent Authorization (PPA) form is required for each medication. Please ensure all required forms are completed before bringing medication to school.

When bringing medication to school:

• Prescription medications must be in the current pharmacy-labeled prescription container.

• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications must be in their original, unopened (sealed), manufacturer-labeled container, with the student's name clearly written on the package in permanent ink.

• A parent/guardian must deliver the medication to the school nurse.

When medication is received, the parent/guardian and the school nurse will verify and document the amount of medication received.

If you have questions about medication requirements, obtaining or completing a Prescriber/Parent Authorization (PPA) form, or your child's medication needs at school, please contact your school nurse before sending any medication to campus. Nurses will be on campus July 29th, July 30th, and August 4th. Please call ahead to ensure availability.

Thank you for helping us ensure medications are handled safely and in accordance with district policy.

Welcome to Challenger Middle School Athletics! We are so excited that you decided to jump on board and allow your son/daughter to participate in our sports teams here at Challenger. Below is some information and forms you will need in order for your child to participate.

First, the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) allows for any student to participate in recognized school athletics beginning in 7th grade. Our district and school has the following recognized school sports for middle schools:

Fall Sports

• Football
• Volleyball
• Cheer

Winter Sports

• Boys Basketball
• Girls Basketball
• Cheer
• Boys Soccer
• Girls Soccer

Spring Sports

• Boys Track
• Girls Track

Additional sports not listed above are available at the high school level. Students in middle school are allowed to participate in those sports at their feeder high school (Grissom High School for us). If interested in this option, please reach out to the Athletic Director for Challenger, Coach Neeley via email at william.neeley@hsv-k12.org , for more information.

Next, the AHSAA requires ALL student-athletes to have certain paperwork completed by either a doctor/physician or a parent, depending on the form. As a way of keeping up with these forms, the AHSAA has partnered with DragonFly, a web-based company that allows for the upload or completion and storage of the required paperwork. Attached is a flyer on how to create an account for your child and yourself. Below is a list of required paperwork/documents needed in order to participate on a school team sport.

- Up to Date Physical Form (Back side must be completed and signed by a Doctor/Physician. IT CANNOT BE COMPLETED BY A NURSE PRACTITIONER!)

- Parent Release Form

- Concussion Form

- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Form

- Copy of Birth Certificate

- Sportsmanship Course Certificate (Course completed through nfhslearn.com)

Finally, below is a list of our Athletic Coaching Staff and their email addresses so that you can contact them with questions you may have relating to their sports. Please keep in mind that these coaches are teachers in addition to their coaching duties, so they can be very busy. They will make every effort to respond in a timely manner, but sometimes it may be a little longer, especially during their given season.

- Athletic Director- William Neeley (william.neeley@hsv-k12.org)

- Head Football Coach- Curtis Graves (curtis.graves@hsv-k12.org)

- Head Volleyball Coach- Amelia Daniels (amelia.daniels@hsv-k12.org)

- Head Cheer Coach- Makenzie Hill (makenzie.hill@hsv-k12.org)

- Head Boys Basketball Coach- Jeffrey Haley (jeffrey.haley@hsv-k12.org)

- Head Girls Basketball Coach- Rich Goodson (richard.goodson@hsv-k12.org)

-Head Boys Track Coach-

- Head Girls Track Coach-

- Head Boys Soccer Coach- Patrick Greene (Patrick.Greene@hsv-k12.org)

- Head Girls Soccer Coach- Linton Beavers (Linton.Beavers@hsv-k12.org)

Support Challenger Middle School Athletics!

Help us make sure every Eagle has the opportunity to play!

The Challenger Middle School Athletic Booster Club is raising funds to provide sports scholarships for students and support our athletic programs with the resources they need to succeed.

As a thank you, every donation of $5 or more will receive a FREE CMS Sports Magnet or Vinyl Decal! Show your Eagle pride while making a difference for our student athletes!

Every dollar helps ensure that no student is left on the sidelines because of financial hardship.

Donate today @ https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-cms-athletic-booster-club

Thank you for helping us build stronger teams, stronger students, and a stronger Challenger community!

Location: 13555 Chaney Thompson Road

Huntsville, AL 35803
Phone: 256-428-7620