Community Howler Hub
August 28, 2026
26-27 School Year Theme
Our theme for the 2026–2027 school year is Elevating the Pack: Reaching New Heights! Last year, Cypress Creek Middle School reached an incredible milestone by earning an “A” school grade for the first time in school history. This year, our focus is not simply on maintaining that success, we are committed to building upon it and reaching even greater heights together.
Our mission, vision, core values, instructional priorities, and schoolwide systems are aligned to four School Improvement Goals that will guide our work throughout the 2026–2027 school year:
Goal 1: Academic Achievement
By May 2027, we will increase:
ELA Achievement from 63% to 68%
Mathematics Achievement from 72% to 76%
Civics Achievement from 92% to 93%
Middle School Acceleration from 83% to 86%
Progress will be measured through FAST PM3, the Civics EOC, Algebra 1 EOC, and Geometry EOC.
Goal 2: Learning Gains
By May 2027, we will increase:
ELA Learning Gains from 64% to 69%
ELA Lowest 25% Learning Gains from 64% to 69%
Mathematics Learning Gains from 65% to 70%
Mathematics Lowest 25% Learning Gains from 68% to 72%
Progress will be measured through FAST PM3, the Algebra 1 EOC, and Geometry EOC.
Goal 3: Grade 8 Science Achievement
By May 2027, Grade 8 Science Achievement will increase from 45% to 65%, as measured by the Statewide Science Assessment.
Goal 4: Student Success & On-Track Progress
By May 2027, we will:
Reduce the percentage of students with attendance rates below 90% from 22.0% to 15.0%.
Reduce the percentage of students with two or more Early Warning System (EWS) indicators from 11.5% to 7.0% or fewer.
Increase the percentage of students earning On-Track status from the Quarter 1 baseline to at least 80%.
Ensure students identified as At-Risk or Off-Track demonstrate continued progress, with at least 75% moving toward or achieving On-Track status.
These goals represent our commitment to ensuring every Coyote grows, achieves, and remains on track for success. By working together as students, staff, families, and community partners, we will continue to Elevate the Pack and Reach New Heights!
26-27 Bell Schedule
Volunteers Needed
Cypress Creek Middle School invites its community members to volunteer. In order to support the school, we ask that you first complete the District's Volunteer form here, and then click on the button below to indicate your availability and how you would prefer to spend your time volunteering at Cypress Creek Middle School.
Cypress Creek Middle School's Spirit Store
Proud CCMS Sponsors
Students of the Week
Nigeer Wallace
Hudson Kreinbrink
Geremiah Ross
Emily Mihalov
Aubrey Trice
Staff of the Week
Kelley Lasiewicz
James Mills
Amir Gaskins
Lauri Allen
Tami Milner
This Week at the Creek
Week of August 31st
Monday, August 31st - Algebra 1 & Science Make-Ups
- 2:40 PM to 4:30 PM - Volleyball Practice - Gym
- 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Football Practice - PE Field
Tuesday, September 1st - PLC's CANCELLED
- 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM - SAC - Room 1-127
- 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Football vs. PVMS - Cypress Creek High School Stadium
Wednesday, September 2nd
- 2:40 PM to 3:40 PM - Free NJHS Tutoring - Media Center
- 2:40 PM to 4:30 PM - Volleyball Practice - Gym
- 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Football Practice - PE Field
- 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Rock Band Rehearsal
Thursday, September 3rd - Tim off campus at Principal's Meeting
- 2:40 PM to 4:30 PM - Volleyball Practice - Gym
- 2:40 PM to 4:00 PM - Jr. Thespian Meeting
- 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Football Practice - PE Field
Friday, September 4th
- 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Football Practice - PE Field
Saturday, September 5th
- 10 AM to 1 PM - Addams Family Build Day - Black Box
Two-Week Outlook
Week of September 7th
Monday, September 7th - Labor Day - No School
Tuesday, September 8th
- 2:40 PM to 4:30 PM - Volleyball Practice - Gym
- 2:40 PM to 4:00 PM - Addams Family Rehearsals - Black Box
- 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Football Practice - PE Field
Wednesday, September 9th
- 2:40 PM to 4:00 PM - Addams Family Rehearsals - Black Box
- 2:40 PM to 3:40 PM - NJHS Free Tutoring - Media Center
- 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Volleyball vs. Rushe MS - Gym
- 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Football vs. Centennial MS - CCHS Stadium
Thursday, September 10th
- 2:40 PM to 4:00 PM - Jr. Thespian Meeting - Black Box
- 2:40 PM to 4:30 PM - Volleyball Practice - Gym
- 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Football Practice - PE Field
Friday, September 11th - Patriot's Day
- All Day - Heroes Required Instruction - All Social Studies Classes
- 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Football Practice - PE Field
Saturday, September 12th
- 10 AM to 1:00 PM - Addams Family Set Building - Black Box
Around the Pack
Testing Schedule Update
Dear Families,
We apologize for the short notice, but we wanted to share an important update regarding our PM 1 testing schedule.
To better meet the needs of our students and minimize disruptions to instruction, we have received approval to make adjustments to our testing calendar. These changes will allow us to reduce the number of students displaced during testing and maximize learning time throughout the testing window.
At this time, we can confirm that all 6th grade students will take their ELA PM 1 assessment on Tuesday. ELA testing for 7th grade and 8th grade students will follow on subsequent days.
Our administrative team is finalizing the complete testing schedule, including both ELA and Math PM 1 assessments. The updated calendar will be shared with all families on Monday.
We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we make these adjustments to create the best possible testing experience for our students while preserving valuable instructional time.
Thank you for your continued support of Cypress Creek Middle School.
Tim Light
Principal, Cypress Creek Middle School
Attendance Notifications During Testing
As we begin our first round of PM 1 testing this week, we want to make families aware of an important attendance-related issue that may occur.
During state assessments and progress monitoring exams, students are often assigned to testing locations outside of their regular classrooms. As a result, parents may receive automated absence notifications indicating that their child is missing from Periods 1, 2, or 3. In most cases, your child is not absent. These notifications are generated because attendance has not yet been updated from the testing location.
Our staff works diligently to collect attendance rosters from all testing rooms and update records as quickly as possible. However, with hundreds of students testing, it can take some time for attendance to be entered and reconciled.
Please be aware that you may receive one of these notifications on your child's testing day. We encourage families to refer to the updated testing calendar that will be shared on Monday so you know when your child is scheduled to test.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure a smooth and efficient testing experience for all students.
School Advisory Council Meeting 9/1/26
We will host our first School Advisory Council Meeting (SAC) this Tuesday at 3 PM. It is still not too late to join our SAC team. If you would like to participate, please check-in at the front office on Tuesday afternoon and the front office staff will bring to our meeting location.
CCMS Football Tshirt Sale
Want to support our football team and show school spirit?
Purchase a CCMS Football T-Shirt and wear it on Tuesdays for game days!
Purchase through PascoONE on Rycor or bring this flyer with cash to the front office!
Media Center Passes
Starting August 31st, students will be able to visit the media center in the morning, prior to the start of the school, to check out books. Students who would like to visit the media center during their lunch period can see Mr. Bartus, our Resource Management Associate who operates our Media Center, in the morning to receive a special media pass that they can use, after they finish their food, to go to the media center to check out a book.
Cypress Creek Middle School PTSA
Howling Coyote Auction
Our first fundraiser of the year is now live!
Join Our PTSA
See the flyer below to join our PTSA and to discover what you can do to support our school!
26-27 8th Grade Information
26-27 Policies and Procedures
Morning Drop Off & Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures
Please see the attached map below for our student drop-off and pick-up procedures.
Morning Drop-Off
During the first seven days of school (August 13–21), students will be permitted to enter campus beginning at 7:50 AM. This temporary adjustment is intended to help alleviate traffic congestion and prevent vehicles from backing up onto Old Pasco Road.
Beginning the week of August 24, student drop-off will begin no earlier than 8:00 AM.
Afternoon Pick-Up
For afternoon pick-up, please carefully follow the green traffic pattern shown on the attached map. Vehicles should follow this route through the parking lot and form two lanes of traffic along the designated pattern. Utilizing both lanes is essential to maximizing our available space and preventing traffic from backing up onto Old Pasco Road.
Important Pick-Up Reminder
Drivers may NOT park along the traffic circle or in the stadium parking lot as a way to bypass the afternoon pick-up line.
Vehicles found waiting in these unauthorized areas will be directed to enter the designated pick-up line. Likewise, students will not be permitted to walk to vehicles parked in unauthorized areas and will be redirected to the appropriate student pick-up location.
Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and commitment to following these procedures. When everyone follows the established traffic pattern, we can move vehicles through campus more safely and efficiently while minimizing the impact on Old Pasco Road.
Wireless Communication Device (WCD) Policy
Click on the picture to view this year's WCD policy.
Discipline Plan/Behavior Flow Chart
Pictured is our Behavior Flowchart. The left side of the flow chart is our Classroom Discipline Plan. Per our discipline plan, teachers are to assign THREE minor infractions prior to writing an office referral (Step 4) for repetitive disruptive behaviors that do not warrant immediate office/administrative support.
For those offenses that warrant immediate office support, the right side of the flow chart outlines the steps administration, or one of the grade level discipline assistants, would follow for such incidents.
Collective Commitment Posters
Every classroom is required to post CCMS Collective Commitment poster (pictured). For continuity and consistency across each grade level, each grade level team of teachers will determine what the H.O.W.L. commitments look like for that grade level.
Each teacher's Steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 will follow the Teacher Managed Behaviors found in the Discipline Plan / Behavior Flow Chart found above.
Pasco County School District Information
Click on any of the buttons below to access specific information pertaining to that button.
Staff Member of the Week
Is there a staff member who you would like to formally recognize for a job well done or for making an impact? If so, click here and the person you selected will receive the words that you have expressed and will be formally recognized in next week's edition.
Fortify Florida
Please click here to report a threat towards any Florida school.