The Launch Pad
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Liftoff
May 10, 2024
Hello Christa McAuliffe Families,
Welcome back to another edition of "The Launch Pad." With another week in the books, please check out some of the new items in today's newsletter.
- Important Dates
- Very Important 8th Grade End of the Year Information
- End of Year Assessment Dates
- 7th Grade Civics Tutorial in Action
- Chromebooks, Library Books, Afterschool, Fees & Fines
- Yearbook Update
- May is Mental Health Month
- Any 8th Grader Interested In Park Vista Football
- New Volunteer Management System
- Park Vista T-Shirts For Sale
- Middle School Course Recovery (MSCR) - Edgenuity
- Chorus Flyer
- Park Vista Band Interest
- PTSA
- Advanced Ticket Purchasing for Athletic Events
- Donations Needed for PTSA
- Student Chromebook Protocols
- Student Fees and Fines
- Challenger Store Donations Needed
24/7 Tutoring -- Free for Students
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When we return to school on Monday, May 13th, it will be a Day 3, so students will start in their 3rd period class. Have a great day everyone and Challengers SOAR!!!!
Important Dates
Sunday, May 12th: HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!!
Monday, May 13th: Computer Fundamentals Final Exam for 8th Graders in that class.
Tuesday, May 14th: Regional Track Running Events at Garcia High School at 4:30pm.
Wednesday, May 15th: 8th Grade Science Test and 7th Grade Civics Test.
Wednesday, May 15th: Regional Track Field Events at Garcia High School at 4:30pm.
Friday, May 17th: 8th Grade Gradventure trip to Universal Studios in Orlando from 12pm to 3am.
Monday, May 20th: FAST Math PM3, Algebra 1 EOC, and Geometry EOC.
Tuesday, May 21st: Day 1 of Spanish 1 Final Exam for students in that class.
Tuesday, May 21st: Park Vista Graduation at the Fairgrounds at 8am.
Tuesday, May 21st: End of Year Band Concert at Park Vista at 7pm.
Wednesday, May 22nd: Day 2 of Spanish 1 Final Exam for students in that class.
Thursday, May 23rd: Day 1 of Physical Science Final Exam for students in that class.
Thursday, May 23rd: End of Year Chorus Concert at Park Vista at 7pm.
Friday, May 24th: Day 2 of Physical Science Final Exam for students in that class.
Monday, May 27th: Memorial Day (NO SCHOOL)
Tuesday, May 28th: 8th Grade Day for 8th Graders only (Instructions to Follow)
Wednesday, May 29th: Schoolwide Pajama Day (School Appropriate)
Wednesday, May 29th: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony at Park Vista in the Gymnasium at 6pm.
Thursday, May 30th: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
8th Grade End of the Year Information
End of Year Assessment Dates
7th Grade Civics Tutorial in Action
Special shout out to all students that participated in the Civics after school tutorial session on Tuesday. Also, we couldn't have done it without our amazing Civics Teachers: Ms. Svaighert, Ms. Fernandes, Mr. Lansberry, and Mr. Mazzatesta. Lastly, thank you Ms. Michel for supplying the yummy pizza for the students.
Chromebooks, Library Books, Afterschool, Fees & Fines
Please check fees and fines and try to settle amounts owed prior to the end of the year.
There will be no afterschool the last week of school
Laptops will be collected May 23. All laptops MUST be returned with a charger.
All library books are due by May 15.
Yearbook Update
May is Mental Health Month
Any 8th Grader Interested In Park Vista Football
New Volunteer Management System
The School District of Palm Beach County is excited to announce our new volunteer management system launched on March 25, 2024. As an existing volunteer in our schools, we wanted to share the new process with you first.
Please complete the new Volunteer Application at apps.raptortech.com to skip this step at the school when you arrive to volunteer.
The first time you arrive to volunteer at a school, you must present your government issued ID to the front office staff to be entered into the volunteer system. If you still need to complete the Volunteer Application, you must do so before you can volunteer.
After the front office has successfully scanned your government issued ID, you can use the volunteer Kiosk located in the school's front office to sign in and out.
Once you sign in using the Kiosk, you can present your photo ID to the office staff to retrieve your volunteer badge.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your school Volunteer Coordinator, Jennifer Gonzalez at 561-374-6600.
Park Vista T-Shirts
Middle School Course Recovery (MSCR) - Edgenuity
Chorus
Park Vista Band
PTSA
Advanced Ticket Purchasing for Athletic Events
Donations Needed for PTSA
The PTSA is seeking donations of items for our upcoming events at the school. Please click on the link to see what is needed. Thank you for your support!
Student Chromebook Protocols
Fees and Fines
Parents,
If you could please be so kind as to check the fees and fines for your students in their SIS account? The pathway on how to do this is below. Thank you very much.
Go to your student's SIS
Click on child info
Then click Fees and Fines
Challenger Store Donations Needed
Looking for Donations for our Challenger Store!!
Students earn Challenger (Hero) Points within their classes and anywhere on campus for Exemplifying SOARing Behavior. We would love to be able to stock our school store with items they can purchase with those points! We are looking for donations of the following items: Candy, Snacks, Small trinkets, and toys, etc.
24/7 Tutoring - Free for Students
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
This is a free service that we’re providing, so students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
To see Paper and the help it offers firsthand, we encourage you to login with your students. To get started, simply log into the district portal and click on the Paper icon. Here are some addition links to resources to further explore the Paper:
We’re thrilled to offer our students the unlimited, 24/7 support that Paper provides and we can’t wait to see what we’re able to accomplish together.
Business Partner Fence Banner Order Form
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Thank you to our Business Partners, MAV Paint Contractors, at mavpaint.com for the generous donation. We are extremely grateful for everything you did over the Winter Break
to make our Cafeteria POP!!!! Everyone loves the new look. Thanks again.
561-212-6606
Volunteer Opportunity
Volunteers Needed!!
As part of our positive behavior support program the students and teachers participate in a HERO points award system. The students earn points and may use those points to purchase prizes in the HERO store that will be set up in the cafeteria. We are in need of volunteers to run the HERO store during the lunches from 12:20pm-2:05pm. We are seeking to have the store open on Tuesdays each week and then increase to Tuesday and Thursday later in the school year. We would need 1-2 volunteers each Tuesday to run the store. Is that volunteer you? Please email cmms.challengers.ptsa@gmail.com if you are available and able to volunteer in the HERO store for us. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Thank you for your support!
SIS Gateway
Please check SIS Gateway to review your students' grades and verify your contact information is accurate (cellphone numbers, email addresses and additional contacts). Also, encourage your student to regularly check their grades and contact their teachers with questions. If you do not have your own log-in, you may go to https://www.palmbeachschools.org/ChristaMcAuliffeMiddle and click on the SIS Parent Gateway tile to register. If you would like to schedule a student/parent/teacher conference, please contact your child's guidance counselor.
IXL
Website and Twitter Information
SY24 Rotational District Calendar and Bell Schedule
Challengers S.O.A.R.
If you've been on our campus lately, you've noticed all the signs that say, "Challengers SOAR." WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
S.O.A.R. is an acronym. It's an attitude. It's a level of expectation that is high, attainable, and pervasive. It's a reminder to everyone on this campus, students and staff members alike, that Christa McAuliffe Middle School is OUR school, and we are very proud to be here!
What does it stand for?
S= Self-Management. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
O= Ownership. Take ownership of your grades and decisions.
A=Achievement. Do your best work at all times.
R=Respect. Show respect for yourself, others, and your school.
Dress Code
FortifyFL
Athletics
Middle School Sports Seasons
August - October: Baseball and Softball
October - November: Girls Volleyball and Boys Soccer
January - March: Boys & Girls Basketball and Girls Soccer
March - May: Boys Volleyball and Boys & Girls Track
From the desk of the ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Coach Kevin Williams
Hello Parents,
Athletics is moving forward in a positive and more efficient way.
The athletic packet is now online and has to be uploaded to
https://www.aktivate.com/
BEFORE you can try out, you must have downloaded and completed the
documents provided by Aktivate and uploaded them accordingly.
Click on the link below for assistance...
https://vimeo.com/724127848?mc_cid=d5f1b0f3d5&mc_eid=f6aa9c4650
Remember the physical, notarized documents, and e-signature must be
completed and uploaded to be approved for tryouts.
If you have any issues with registering your child please feel free to contact me
by email @ kevin.williams@palmbeachschools.org
Before School and After School Programs
Before School Program
- No admittance to the Before School Program after 8:30 am.
- The Before-school Program runs on all school days, Monday - Friday with drop-off beginning at 7:00 am
After School Program
- The After School Program runs on Monday - Thursday school days with parent pick-up by 5:45 pm. No After School Program on Fridays.
- No after-school program for the last week of school.
Late Pick-up Fees
- All students MUST be picked up by the end of the program. A late fee of $5 per each 15 minutes will be collected on the same day of occurrence. After 2 late pick-ups, the student will be dismissed from the program.
- Failure to pick up your child at the specified time may result in dismissal from the After School Program.
2023/24 Registration Information:
Fees are as follows:
See Below For updated Fee Schedule
The first monthly fee will appear on SchoolCashOnline starting August 3, 2023 and must be paid prior to the first day of school. Each additional monthly fee must be paid in advance by the 1st of the month.
Fees will be waived for parents who provide a copy of the 2023/24 Free/Reduced Lunch Qualification Letter. Although lunch is free to all student this year, the application must be completed, approved, and submitted to us to have Before/After School Program fees waived.
If you would like to apply to be qualified for free or at a reduced status, apply online. Please submit the letter to Christopher Simmons. It may take up to 10 working days for you to receive the qualification letter once an application is completed.
Click here to access the online Before/After School Program Registration Form
Early Dismissal
Early Dismissal From After-School Program
Parents will no longer go to Parent Services for early dismissal from the After-School Program. Please call 561-374-6630 when you arrive in the parking lot. We will send your child to you. Click here to sign your child out of the After-School Program
If you have questions about the Before/After School Program fees and all other questions, call Kelly Michel at 561-374-6630 or email kelly.michel@palmbeachschools.org
PTSA
Feel free to print out or pick up a blank in the Main Office.
Health Requirements
Immunizations
Parents may contact the following locations that provide immunization services.
Florida Department of Health, Palm Beach County
Appointment Line: (561) 625-5180
Locations:
Lantana Health Center - 1250 Southwinds Dr., Lantana, FL 33462
West Palm Beach Health Center - 1150 45th St., West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Delray Beach Health Center - 225 S. Congress Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33445
Belle Glade Health Center - 38754 State Road 80, Belle Glade, FL 33430Foundcare
Immunization Services and School Physical
561-432-5849 (Appointment line)Mission Clinic - 561-460-3555
School Physical Only
4949 S. Congress Ave. Suite B
Palm Springs, FL 33461Genesis Community Health
Immunization Services and School Physical
Boynton Beach: 561-430-3629, 561-235-5477
Boca Raton: 561-735-6553, 561-810-8790C L Brumback Primary Care Clinics
Appointment Line: (561) 642-1000
Locations:
Belle Glade Clinic - 39200 Hooker Highway, Belle Glade, FL 33430
Lantana Clinic - 1250 Southwinds Drive, Lantana, FL 33462
West Palm Beach Clinic - 1150 45 th Street, WPB, FL 33407Florida Community Health Centers, Inc
Locations:
Pahokee Center - 170 S. Barfield Highway, Suite 101 Pahokee, Florida 33476 Ph: (561) 924-6100
West Palm Beach - 5827 Corporate Way Suite 135, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407 Ph: (561) 612-6524
Belle Glade - 941 SE 1st Street, Belle Glade, Florida 33430 Ph: (561)-518-7001The Immunization Van provides immunization services at the Welcome Center. Please visit the Immunization Van Schedule page for additional information.
It is important for parents/guardians to know that sign-in begins at 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Limited Space Available). The immunization services will begin at 10:00 AM.
All students registering for school in Palm Beach County will need to follow the following physical examination and immunization (vaccination) health requirements. The Florida Department of Health monitors and reviews immunization requirements and advises schools about compliance.
Physical Examinations
P-5.06 (A) and F.S. 1003.22(1)
A school entry health exam is required for all students new to the District and those in Pre-K, kindergarten, and seventh grade, who are not claiming an exemption. Physical exams should be on the State of Florida School Entry Health Exam Form DH 3040, be completed within 12 months prior to the date of entry into the District, Pre-K, kindergarten, or seventh grade, and provided to the school within 30 days of entry.
Out of state health exams may be accepted as long as they meet the same assessment requirements in Form DH3040 and have the physician's signature and office stamp. If presenting an out-of-state physical exam, the parent/guardian must also complete and sign Part I of the State of Florida (DH 3040).
Required Immunizations
P-5.06 (B) and F.S. 1003.22 (4)
Students entering kindergarten, seventh grade, or registering for school in Palm Beach County for the first time must receive vaccinations and provide a Florida SHOTS Certification of Immunization Form (DH 680) to the school upon registration. A Florida SHOTS Certification of Immunization Form DH 680 indicating compliance with the current required schedule of immunizations must be presented prior to admittance and/or attendance at school.
A Certificate of Religious Exemption form DH 681 can only be obtained from the Florida Department of Health (Palm Beach County Health Department) and can be presented to the school if the student is seeking exemption on religious grounds. Students who are homeless, transfers, or entering juvenile justice may be eligible for a 30-day exemption. See FAC64D-3.046(4).
Vaccinations for students entering kindergarten or any grade as a new student in the County:
- Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (DTaP/DT Series) – Four of five doses. If the fourth dose is prior to the fourth birthday, a fifth dose of DTaP/DT vaccine is required.
- Hepatitis B (Hep B Series) – Two-dose (age 11-15) or a three-dose series.
- Polio (OPV or IPV) – Four doses (the last one after age 4). If the fourth dose is prior to the fourth birthday, a fifth dose of OPV or IPV vaccine is required for entry into kindergarten.
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) – Two doses.
- Varicella – Two doses or a provider verification of Chickenpox/Varicella disease history Form DH680.
In addition to the K-12 vaccines, students entering seventh grade must have:
- Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis booster (Tdap) – One Dose
If a student is currently enrolled in Palm Beach County schools and entering the seventh grade, an updated DH 680 form must be provided prior to the start of school.
Vaccinations and the DH 680 form are available through local medical providers, local physicians, or the Florida Department of Health (Palm Beach County Health Centers).
Vaccinations are also available through the Florida Department of Health Palm Beach County Immunization Van. For a list of dates and times for the van, call (561) 840-4568. Be sure to bring your child’s current immunization records when receiving vaccines
Complete list of exemptions allowed per Fla. Stat. 1003.22:
- Children with a temporary or permanent medical exemption (requires a completed DH Form 680 from a medical provider).
- Children with a religious exemption (requires a completed DH Form 681).
- Homeless children.
- Children in Foster Care.
- Children entering a juvenile justice program.
- Children transferring into the County.
- Children of military families as defined by Fla. Stat. 1000.36
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