Cypress Lake Middle School
Parent Newsletter
Issue 2
Please congratulate
Sarah Laboda (6)
for becoming this
year’s school
GeoBee Champion
and Ricky Grasso (6)
for finishing second.
The face-off between
these two students
went 6 rounds!
Don't forget...
you can check
your child's
homework at clms.
oncoursesystems.
com and select
Cypress Lake Middle
as the school from
the drop down
menu in the upper
right corner
Literacy Support at Home
Reading and writing important in all areas of academics
by Lisanne Thomas, CLMS Reading Coach
Achievement in literacy is a critical facet in a student’s journey to success in all
academic areas. As a parent, you are the first and primary guide on this path. Evidence
and research support a direct correlation between home literacy support and student
proficiency levels (National Center for Education Statistics, 1996). By collaborating
with your child’s school and teachers, you can best ensure growth and development
in both reading and writing.
Literacy support in the home can take many forms.
1. Have a variety of literacy materials available. A student that may not pick
up a book may pick up a magazine or a graphic novel. Newspapers, newsletters,
biographies, how to manuals and comic books can also contribute to the assortment
of resources that might entice the reluctant reader.
2. Be certain there is always time for leisure reading for you and your child. By
modeling reading as a form of recreation and pleasure, you can encourage your child
to exhibit the same behavior. Readers who read for pleasure become exposed to a
wider range of topics and situations that broaden the knowledge base for future
books and articles.
3. Talk to your child about what he is reading. Read the same book at the same
time and participate in family literacy discussions. Share your thoughts on character
con't p.3
Off to State Competition
Cypress Lake Middle School
8901 Cypress Lake Drive
Ft. Myers, FL. 33919
Tel: 239-481-1533
Fax: 239-481-3121
www.leeschools.net/schools/cym
Angela Amos- editor
Issue 2 - Quarter 2
December 2014
Troupe 88864 takes first place for its play Stupid is
Just 4 2day sending them to the state competition
in Orlando in 2015. Congratulation to Mr. White and
Junior Thespian actors.
CLMS Cares
Cypress Lakes Middle
School- Kiwanis Builders
Club and 7th grade Civic
Department students
joined forces to “Trick or
Treat” for UNICEF raising
over one thousand dollars
to “Eliminate Maternal
and Neonatal Tetanus,” a
project reaching as far as
Africa and Southern and
East Asia.
see p.2 for full stories
of these events
Arts Department News
Theater by Mr. Keith White
November 22nd, CLMS Junior Thespians performed in a total of 23
Individual Event performances across the categories of Monologues, Duet
Acting, Ensemble Acting, Pantomime, Improvisation, Solo Musical, and
Costume Design. Out of those entries, 13 of our performances received ratings
of "Superior" and 6 received ratings of "Excellent".
The following CLMS students received ratings of "Superior":
Monologue
- A. Butler "Deck the Stage"
- J. Taylor "Look Me in the Eye"
- S. Williams "Body Body"
- M. Hanlon "The Audition"
Duet Acting
- B. Kingsley, L. Calderon "School Daze" PERFECT SCORE 90/90
- T. Brown, J. Taylor "Ten/Two"
- K. Beck, E. Saez "The Big Lie"
- T. Mixon, M. Hanlon "Among Friends and Clutter"
- B. Wright, R. Nolen "The Surprise"
Ensemble Acting
- K. Beck, S. O'Brien, T. Brown, E. Saez "The Talking Shopping Cart"
- T. Mixon, R. Howington, A. Orbe "Mmmbeth"
Solo Musical
- A. Orbe "Nothing" from A Chorus Line PERFECT SCORE 90/90
Improvisation
- R. Howington and C. Kearns
Finally the results for the one-act play competition from the previous
Saturday were announced during closing ceremonies. Our one-act play,
"Stupid is Just 4 2day", won the District 6 award for HIGHEST ACHIEVING ONEACT PLAY. All four judges rated the play as "Superior". We will be performing
"Stupid is Just 4 2day" and the ten highest scoring of our thirteen "Superior"
rated IE's at the Florida State Junior Thespian Festival on February 6th and 7th.
GO TROUPE 88864!!!
Art by Mrs. Joy Williams
Eco Club and Art classes have Keep Lee County Beautiful calendars
available for only $3. Middle school art is featured in June, July and August.
CLMS’s own Coby Claypool won top honors this year.
Chorus by Mrs. Melissa Crouse
Congratulations to the follow tudents representing CLMS at All County
Chorus:
Esther Darling
Bailey Davisdon
Prenness Harrs
Taylor Jesus
Catherine Mayorga
Amber Olderborg
Issue 2- Quarter 2
Spotlight:
Builders Club
by Mrs. Karen Kuzer
Builders Club is an international studentled organization providing members with
opportunities to perform service build character
and develop leadership.
Builders Club members have been very busy
in regards to service projects since the beginning
of the year. Our student officers Azzaria
Armstrong, Olyvia Gibbs, and Abbi Acevedo
have been presented with several service project
ideas from our members, many which have been
adopted demonstrating commitment to service
both in and out of our school,
Members collaborated together to donate
100 bookmarks to our PBS school program.
These bookmarks will serve as awards for
positive student behavior. Students sold
sweatshirts to raise money for our school
technology fund.
Builders Club members worked with our
7th grade Civic department to “Trick or Treat”
to Eliminate Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus
resulting in students raising over $1000 that has
been donated to UNICEF and helped to save the
lives of over 500 babies and their mothers.
A collection of new children’s book was just
completed and all books have been donated to
the All Children’s Outpatient Care of Fort Myers.
Operation Christmas Child: Member’s filled 3
shoeboxes, which have been shipped to children
in other countries who have never celebrated
the holidays.
Golisano Children’s Hospital: Partnership
with National Junior Honor Society, Car Wash
fund raiser to raise $500 for the new children’s
hospital and have a Cypress Lake Middle School
paver on the Hero’s entrance to the hospital.
Holidays Without Hunger: December 24.
2014, Builders Club members, families and CLMS
staff will be helping Meals of Hope package
more than 500,000 meals at the Harborside
Event Center. Builders Club members have
donated 500 meals.
New members are always welcomed.
Meetings are held the first and third Wednesday
of each month in room 813.
con't from p.1
and motivation. Encourage your child to participate in book clubs with
his friends.
4. Consider sharing a book with your child through read-aloud. This
can be an instance in which you read to her, she reads to you, you take
turns, or you both listen to the audio book. Even though your child is in
middle school, she will enjoy the time spent together over a good story.
This can offer many opportunities for discussion on a myriad of themes.
5. Write to your child, and have your child respond in writing. This
need not be a lengthy dialogue but encourages writing as a means of
communication.
6. Visit your local library often and be certain all-family members
maintain library membership. The Lee County Library System is well
stocked with classics and the latest releases. Audio downloads are also
available.
7. Monitor television-viewing habits and screen time. Studies have
shown a relationship between increased television time and lower
reading scores (National Center for Education Statistics, 1996). Often
television viewing supplants literacy activities at home. It is important
to strike a balance between television and reading.
Remember your child’s English Language Arts and Reading teacher
is also a resource. Communicate your accomplishments and concerns
with her. Work together to create an environment that best fosters
literacy in your child’s education and life.
Winter Show
Florida Standards Assessment (FSA)
Testing Dates
March 3: FSA Writing gr 6-8 (8th grade CBT)
March 4: FSA Writing gr 6-8 makeup testing
April 13-17: FSA Science gr 8 – specific date to be
determined.
April 13 -24: FSA Reading gr 6-8 (CBT & PBT)
April 19-May 1: FSA Math gr 6-8 (CBT & PBT)
April 27-May 1: FSA Algebra
CBT = computer based-testing
PBT = paper based testing
CLMS Parent News
Student Portfolio Night
and Silent Auction
March 19th, 2015
5:00 - 8:00 pm
Come celebrate your child's academic success
Pizza dinner, silent auction begin at 5:30
Auction items are still being accepted. Please contact Mrs. Cindy Stirns if you'd like to support our school
Cypress Lake Middle School
The School District of Lee County
2855 Colonial Boulevard
Fort Myers, Fl 33966-1012
Non-profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Fort Myers, FL
Permit #321