Eagle's Eye News

Challenger Middle School Families,

Happy November 1st! I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween.

This Thursday night is our annual state of the schools address and PTSA General Meeting at 6:00 in the AV Room. We will also announce the Science Fair and Reflections winners. We hope you will join us.

CMS Veterans Day Celebration – THIS Friday, November 6

• Challenger Middle School invites all families to join us for our Veterans Day Program on Friday, November 6, at 9:00 AM, as we honor and recognize the brave men and women who have served our country!
• We also invite active military members and veterans to enjoy a special breakfast with their CMS student(s) at 8:30 AM in the CMS Library before the program.
• Active Military & Veterans Breakfast RSVP: Please RSVP by November 3 and include the names of the students attending with you @ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9o3gyMCNi-8IwgWjFt3hLhd4y_nsRv5z1meyUR0MiPGYZ-g/viewform?usp=header
• Submit Your Military & Veteran Photos! We would love to recognize our CMS military families during the program! Please submit photos of your active military members and veterans to be included in our Veterans Day presentation @ https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xiN7cfvcvpdVe69hebRlCvPSb5evhtIf?usp=sharing

Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve! We look forward to celebrating you!

PTA Reflections Art Competition – Entries Due TOMORROW, 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!

Spoiled Rotten Photography will be creating yearbook portraits at our school for all those who missed the original date on Friday, November 6. No forms will be distributed... ALL orders will be placed on-line. We will send you an email notification once yearbook photos are ready for viewing!

Basketball Spirit Wear - https://peasant-tshirt-shoppe.printavo.com/merch/challenger-baskeball-2026-27/

We offer free after school tutoring from 3:00-4:00 every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. There is no sign-up required. Students must report to Mr. Sivak's room right after school.

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

November

5 - PTSA General Meeting #2 and State of the Schools Address @ 6:00pm in the AV Room

6 - Make-Up Pictures

6 - Veterans Day Program at 9:00

April 12-15 - CMS ACAP

Teachers select each grade level’s student of the week. Students earn student of the week by making it to class on time, being prepared, completing all assignments, being respectful to their peers and adults, having at least a C average, and being kind and helpful to everyone. Our students of the week exhibit SOAR behavior – Show Respect, Own Your Actions, Arrive Ready, and Reach Higher.

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!

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