Eagles' Landing - Summer Scoop

I hope you all enjoyed some family time this week while celebrating the birth of our country and the freedom that we enjoy! What an incredible gift it is. One of these freedoms is to teach our children Christian beliefs. Fort Myers Christian School is a place where you can feel safe in the knowledge that your children are being taught about Jesus and loved like Jesus loves.

Thank you for trusting us with your children!

Diane Winningham

Head of School

JULY

Important Upcoming Events – New Families

JULY

13 - Used Uniform Sale 8am-12pm FMCS Middle School Cafe' doors

22-26 Volleyball Camp 8am-12pm (Girls entering 5-8th Grade)

AUGUST

2 New Family Sip & See - FMCS Colonial Chapel 10am

5 MS Orientation 6-8pm FMCS Colonial Chapel

6 Elementary Orientation/Parent Meeting - Auditorium- 9:30am

-VPK Orientation/Parent Meeting - In Auditorium- 9:30am

-Elementary Classroom Sessions - 3 Sessions- 10:15am, 10:40am, & 11:05am

-VPK Classroom Session - 10:40am

7 First Day of School 1/2 Day - Food Truck Social after school

8 Middle School Retreat- Off Campus

15-16 Fall Sports Tryouts (Boys Soccer & Girls Volleyball - incoming 5-8th graders) 3:15-5pm

19 Boys Soccer Orientation 3:15-4pm

20 Girls Volleyball Orientation 3:15-4pm

19-29 Fall MAP Testing (K-8)

30 Teacher In-Service-No School (childcare provided)

• Middle School Orientation – FMCS Middle School Campus – (Monday, August 5th, 6-8pm)

Middle School Orientation will begin in the Colonial Chapel for a whole MS Meeting at 6pm. After this meeting, there will be an opportunity for the students and parents to visit all the classrooms and meet teachers.




• VPK and Elementary Orientation – FMCS Campus – (Tuesday, August 6th, 9:30am)

VPK-5th graders will take part in our traditional orientation. We will begin with a VPK and an Elementary meeting in the First Assembly Auditorium at 9:30. Then VPK will stay in the auditorium for an orientation meeting with our new VPK Director, Lindsey Hussey. The rest of the families will move to the Elementary classrooms to meet your student’s new teacher and see their classroom before school starts! Three “rotations” will take place beginning at 10:15am., 10:40am, and 11:05am. The VPK Classroom visit will happen at 10:40am. Car tags will be presented to you in the classroom of your youngest student. Each family will receive two color-coded pick-up tags. These are required for parent pick-up after school daily.




Families who have multiple students will have three opportunities to visit and meet their child's teacher; however, parents may need to divide if you have multiple children in your family. If you miss the start of a session, we ask that you wait outside the classroom until the next session begins to avoid interruptions and ensure that you receive all the information being presented.





There will be many staff members stationed outside and inside in order to assist you on this very important day.

First Day of School **Half-Day Dismissal**

Elementary - 8:15am -11:45am

Middle School - 8am - 12am

Followed by FMCS Family Food Truck celebration at noon.

Normal Arrival/Dismissal - M, T, Th, F

Elementary - 8:00am-3:00pm - (School hours 8:15am-2:40pm)

Middle School - 7:45am-3:15pm - (School hours 8:00am-3:00pm)

Normal Late Start Wednesday Arrival/Dismissal

Elementary - 8:45am-3:00pm - (School hours 9:00am-2:40pm)

Middle School - 8:45am-3:15pm - (School hours 9:00am-3pm)

The first day of school is scheduled as a half-day to help students and families acclimate to returning to school. Half-day Aftercare is available for pre-registered families who cannot pick-up their child early. Registration can be made at the New Family Sip-N-See, Orientation or email Amy Feliciano at afeliciano@fmcs-fl.com.

For students who are not in Aftercare, dismissal will take place 11:45am.-12pm on this day, followed by a Family Food Truck Social, celebrating our return to school! All families are encouraged to join our faculty and staff at the back of the Elementary School for a food truck luncheon. Bring $$ for lunch, lawn chairs or towels to sit on, and enjoy some fellowship with the FMCS family as we kick off the beginning of the 24-25 school year.

The Eaglets Enrichment program is designed to provide a taste of extracurricular activities and to provide students an opportunity to learn new skills, discover new interests, make new friends, as well as reinforcing the values that they are learning in the classroom and at home. A variety of enrichment clubs will be offered each quarter after school and taught by qualified leadership. Potential club opportunities may include musical talents, soccer, basketball, book club, lego club, chess club, gardening, arts and crafts, technology, creative writing, home economics, photography, and many more. We will be looking for teachers and staff, as well as parents who may be interested in leading clubs throughout the school year. Students will pay a fee to participate in 5 week long enrichment clubs each quarter, one day per week. This will ensure that club leaders will receive compensation for each club that they lead. If you are interested in leading a club for a quarter or more during the school year, please fill out the form below. This form does not commit you to leading a club, but will help us determine interest. If you have any questions or are interested in helping with a club, please contact Mrs. JJ -- jwinningham@fmcs-fl.com

Full-day VPK students (half-day VPK is exempt)

VPK parents will need to purchase a supply kit from the school. Kits include a mat for rest time. Kits can be purchased in-person at our New Family Sip N See and at the Elementary School Front Desk during Orientation. Your child will also need a full-sized backpack, reusable water bottle and a lunch box.

Students in grades K5-5th grade

Good new parents - almost everything that your student will need is included in the cost of tuition and will be provided for your student by your child’s teacher.

All you need to shop for is a full-sized backpack, reusable water bottle and a lunch box. Your teacher also may have a wish-list of additional items that they could use in their classroom and we appreciate any items you chose to provide.

Middle School supplies (This list is below as an attachment so you can print and take with you)

6 plastic folders (with 3 holes to fit in a 3-ringed binder) in these colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Black

· 2 three ringed binders 1 ½” or 2” to hold the plastic folders (the length can be no longer than 11” to properly fit in the lockers. The height should be standard)

· One 3-Subject Spiral Notebook (Yellow) for Social Studies

· One 3-Subject Spiral Notebook (Blue) for Math

· One 3-Subject Spiral Notebook (Orange) for Bible

· 24-pack of pencils

· Small pencil sharpener

· 24-pack colored pencils (6th grade ONLY)

· Pens – Black, Blue, Red

· 3 large erasers and/or a pack of cap erasers

· Highlighters (any color)

· 3 glue sticks

· 2 packs of college ruled paper

· 3 Kleenex boxes

· 1 container of Clorox Wipes

· Pencil Pouch

· Inexpensive pair of wired earbuds

· Bible: NIV version

For elementary students (K-5th grades), our school day is 8:15am-2:40pm, with the exception of Wednesday, which is 9am-2:40pm. Drop off begins at 8am (M, T, Th, F) or 8:45am (Wed.), and all students must be in their seats by 8:15/9am to start the school day. Any student that arrives after 8:15am (M, T, Th, F) or 9am (Wed.), will need to check-in at our front desk to receive a tardy slip. Dismissal begins at 2:40pm and ends at 3pm. Any student that is not picked-up by 3pm will be dismissed to after-care, and families will be charged $3 per hour for after-care services. We also offer before school care that begins at 7am. The cost is $3 per hour per day.

Half Day PK4 students are in school from 8:15am-11:45am Monday through Friday. Full Day PK4 students are in school from 8:15am-2:40pm Monday through Friday. PK4 does not have a late start on Wednesdays.

Middle School students’ school day is 8am-3pm (M, T, Th, F) and 9am-3pm (Wed.). Middle School drop off time begins at 7:45am (M, T, Th, F) and 8:45am (Wed.). Students need to be seated in their classrooms by 8am (M, T, Th, F) and 9am (Wed.). Dismissal begins at 3pm for Middle School and ends by 3:15pm. Before care and after care options are the same as elementary.

Welcome FMCS Families to the 2024-2025 school year! My name is Amy Feliciano I am the new Aftercare Director here at Fort Myers Christian School this year.

This is my second full year back at FMCS. I was born and raised in Springfield, Ma, but I have been in Florida for over twenty years, and officially feel like a native. I have two children, a 17 year old who is embarking on his senior year at Lely High School this year and my daughter who is 8 years old and on her fifth year at FMCS.

Over the summer, the Lord opened an opportunity for me to embark on my first mission’s trip and be the hand and feet of Jesus in the lower poverty areas of Belgrade, Serbia. I can’t wait to bring back the overflow of what God is doing in me and through me to Fort Myers Christian School.

In my free time, I’m usually found at a park or a trail spending time with my kids or going on a prayer walk. I also love to journal, read, listen to music and serve at my local church. I look forward to the new adventures and families that FMCS has to offer this year, and I am so expectant to see what God will do.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me.

afeliciano@fmcs-fl.com

Ms. Amy Feliciano

Hello Middle School Family,

Summer is here, and it is time to relax, but never stop reading! This summer, I have created a reading list for all of middle school, including honors classes. You will need to purchase these books, because you will be annotating each chapter (see attached Close Reading Marks for annotating symbols). When you annotate, you are writing directly in the book, responding and actually giving the story feedback. What did you like? What surprised you? What confused you? What did this remind you of? What was important? Using the symbols or special marks helps to keep your reading going at a comfortable pace. The marks also allow you to return to the book and see where you found something interesting or noteworthy.

You will be bringing your book to class for the first day of school where we will be discussing the main text. I will also be giving you a grade for the quality of your annotations. Please note, you may have more annotations at the beginning of the story than as the story develops. You are not required to have a note on each page. Only respond when you really see something that you noticed.

If you have any questions, please email me at mperez@fmcs-fl.com. Enjoy your summer and your summer reading! Make wonderful memories and stay safe.

Blessings,

Mrs. Perez

6th Grade – Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

7th Grade –A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

7th Grade Honors – The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

8th Grade – The Lighting Thief by Rick Riordan

8th Grade Honors – The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Last year, FMCS joined the Sun Coast Athletic Conference and had the opportunity to play against some new, tougher opponents. Despite it being our first year, our athletics were able to overcome some early growing pains and find success down the stretch with our Boys Flag Football team winning their first playoff game against St. Andrews! FMCS will remain a part of this growing conference, facing off against St. Francis, St. Michael, St. Andrew, and our newest opponent, Athenian Academy. We will also be competing in some out-of-conference matchups against Mid- Cape Global, Gunnery Baptist, Cape Christian, and Crestwell just to name a few.

In the fall, we will play boys soccer, and girls volleyball. This season will run from August through October.

In the winter, we will play boys and girls basketball. This season will run from October through February.

And finally, in the Spring, we will play girls soccer and boys flag football. This season will run from February through May.

Volleyball Camp is being offered at Fort Myers Christian School from July 22 through the 26th from 8am until noon. This is directed by our own Renae Harrington, Head coach of the FMCS volleyball team. Volleyball experience is NOT a requirement to attend camp. This is a great opportunity for those exploring the sport or wanting to gain or improve their skill set to come do just that. This also provides new students the opportunity to make connections before the school year starts.

Mrs. Harrington says this, “Hey, I’m Mrs. Renae! I started playing volleyball when I was in 6th grade. I have been involved in several summer sports programs and played travel volleyball for four years of high school. While in high school, I got the privilege to help coach my school’s middle school team, and after I graduated was the assistant coach for JV and Varsity. I coached the FMCS Eagles last year and I am so excited to start this season! Go Eagles!”

Register by going to the brushfire link below. We'd love to see you in July.

FMCS is contracted with Schooleatery, a company that utilizes our local restaurants for delivery of hot lunches to our campus each day. If you choose to order a hot lunch, you can do that via our FMCS website under the ‘Current Families’ tab.

The School Eatery team is working to get menus ready and posted for ordering. You will be notified once menus are available. They will be working to provide healthy and exciting meal choices that include Pizza Day, Mexican, Italian and more.

Please sign up at https://se.ahotlunch.com/login and choose PARENTS CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP. You will receive an email to activate your account and will need a school code to add your children. Your school code for the new software is FMCS (all caps).

You can also download our app (currently only available for Apple iPhone), please search for the hotlunch app and enter se (all lowercase and no spaces) as your domain.

Lunches must be ordered by noon the day prior for guaranteed delivery the following school day.

Once logged in, if you have any questions or need assistance, click on the Software Support option on the bottom left of your navigation panel or contact us by clicking the link to Chat with us.

FMCS will also provide opportunities for our Middle Schooler students to purchase healthy snacks multiple times each day. Microwaves are also available for use for our Middle School students.

The date of the last used uniform sale of the summer is Saturday July 13th, from 8am – 12:00.

Each year FMCS has a used uniform sale where you may purchase pre-owned FMCS school uniforms for your student. These uniforms have been laundered by a parent volunteer, Eunice Usher who has taken on the role as Used Uniform Store Coordinator. She is still collecting uniforms. If you have uniforms that your student has outgrown and would like to donate them for the upcoming sale, there is a box in the elementary school reception area where you may drop them off. There will be someone in the school office Monday-Thursday from 9:00 until 2:30 throughout the summer months.

Please remember that ALL student attending FMCS will be required to wear uniforms, including our Pre-K students.

The uniform company, Schoolbelles, is available on our website under "Current Families." The FMCS school code is S3072. Orders will be placed using the link on the FMCS website, or at this website Schoolbelles - School Uniforms and Accessories and the uniform clothing options will be delivered to your home. Order early!

Shirts may be red, navy, white or gray with the FMCS logo. Green shirts may not be worn this year. All students are required to wear school uniforms, including Pre-K. Polo dresses, available on the web site, may be worn by Pre-K through 3rd grade students.

Classrooms can get chilly. Only FMCS school jackets or FMCS Spirit wear hoodies/sweatshirts may be worn in the classroom. Spirit Wear can be purchased at either MS or Elementary front offices. Jackets and sweaters may be purchased through Schoolbelles. Please put your student's name inside their jackets so if and when they leave them behind, we can help them find their rightful owner again.

Uniform size samples are available at the school for your child/children to try on if you are unsure of what size to order. Contact the school and ask for Gayle at ext. 242. She will be happy to let your student try on our samples for sizing or stop by the elementary reception area, and our receptionist will be able to assist you as well. The school is open Monday through Thursday until 2:30 during the summer.

Casual Spirit Wear, as well as our school’s annual Walk-a-Thon Fundraiser T-Shirts (“All In” Heb. 12:1-3) can be purchased in our school’s Spirit Shop in the schools' Front Offices. Spirit Wear can be worn on designated Spirit Days. "All In" Walk-a-thon t-shirts can be worn every FRIDAY with approved uniform bottoms. Spirit Wear T-Shirts are $15. Walk-a-Thon t-shirts, part of our annual fundraiser are $50 each. This year's funds are dedicated to our Science and Technology departments.

Spirit Wear T-Shirts and sweatshirts/hoodies can be purchased at the reception areas of both the elementary and middle school buildings. These can be worn on any "Spirit Day". Our goal is to have at least one "Spirit Day" per month. Hoodies/Sweatshirts can be worn in the classroom every day (no hoods on indoors). The classrooms can get cool. Only FMCS sweaters, sweatshirts or jackets can be worn inside the classrooms. A reminder, when you purchase these, please put your students name inside them ASAP. It helps items in our lost and found pile find their way home quicker.

"All In" Walk-A-Thon T Shirts can be purchased at the reception areas of both schools. These can be worn EVERY FRIDAY through our 2025 Walk-A-Thon in May. These shirts are $50. The reason for this price, is that students earned these shirts by raising $50 for our Walk-a-Thon and are a part of our fundraiser. This year these funds are going towards Science and Technology, Project Lead the Way and our new Water Bottle Refill stations.

As summer continues, we all want our students to stay sharp. Reading is one of the best ways to do this. Below is a recommended book reading list for your students by grade level.

K The Kiss box by Bonnie Verburg and Henry Cole

I Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni

N The Wapping House by Audrey Wood

D Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff

E The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper

R The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

G Good Night Moon by Margret Wise Brown

A Annie the Amazing Alligator by Cassie Adkins

R The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

T The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

E Everybody Cooks Rice by Norah Dooley

N Noah’s Ark by Peter Spier

F Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel

M Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

C Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

S Stone Soup by Marcia Brown

First Grade:

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears: A West African Tale, Aardema, Verna
Miss Nelson is Missing, Allard, Harry
Madeline, Bemelmans, Ludwig
The Velveteen Rabbit, Bianco, Margery Williams
Clifford Series, Bridwell, Norman
Magic Tree House Series
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Carle, Eric
The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Cleary, Beverly
Danny and the Dinosaur, Hoff, Syd
The Snowy Day, Keats, Ezra Jack
Frog and Toad Are Friends, Lobel, Arnold
Junie B. Jones Series, Park, Barbara
Nate the Great, Sharmat, Marjorie W.
Harry, the Dirty Dog, Zion, Gene
Math in Picture Books
How Much Is a Million?, Schwartz, David

Second grade:
Cam Jansen Series, Adler, David
Miss Nelson Is Missing, Allard, Jane
Cul-de-Sac Kids Series, Lewis, Beverly
Amazing Grace, Binch, Caroline
The Josefina Quilt Story, Coerr, Eleanor
Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs, DePaola, Tomi
Frog and Toad Series, Lobel, Arnold
If You Give a Moose a Muffin (any books by) Numeroff, Laura
Amelia Bedelia Series, Parish, Peggy
Henry and Mudge Series, Rylant, Cynthia
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, Viorst, Judith
Sara Morton’s Day, Waters, Kate
Stuart Little, White, E. B.
Harry the Dirty Dog Series, Zion, Gene

Third Grade:

Caddie Woodlawn-Carol Ryrie Brink
Thank you Mr. Falker, Patricia Polacco
Kittens in the Kitchen, Ben Baglio
No Dogs Allowed, Sonia Manzano
Where the Sidewalk Ends, Shel Silverstein
Judy Moody, Megan McDonald
Upstairs Mouse, Downstairs Mole, Wong Herbert Yee
The Giving Tree, Shei Silverstein
The Velveteen Rabbit, Margery Williams
Geronimo Stilton, G. Stilton
Box Car Children, Getrdue Warner
Little House, Laura Wilder
A New Coat For Anna, Harriet Ziefort
Gigi Books, Walsh
Adele& Simon, Barbara McClintock
Magic Treehouse Series
Puppy Place, Ellen Miles

Fourth Grade:

Love, Ruby Lavender - Deborah Wiles
James and the Giant Peach Roald Dahl
The Tale of Despereaux - Kate Di Camillio
Unfortunate Events Series- Lemony Snicket
My Side of the Mountain - Jean Craighead George
Superfudge(and other Fudge Books) Judy Blume
Left Behind Series for Kids
Sign of the Beaver – Speare
Report Card- Andrew Clement
Little House in the Big Woods - Laura Ingal Wilder
How to Eat Fried Worms - Rockwell
Ramona and Beezus – Beverly Cleary (and other Beverly Cleary books)
Poppy Avi (and other books by Avi)

Fifth Grade:

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

The Horse and His Boy (Chronicles of Narnia) by C.S. Lewis

Crispin: Cross of Lead by Avi
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Redwall by Brian Jacques
Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E.L. Konisburg
The Maze of Bones (39 Clues Series) by Rick Riordan
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth Speare
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingles Wilder
Shiloh by Phyllis Naylor

The Bad Beginning by Snickett, Lemony

Some additional wholesome chapter books series for kids that may interest you -

All-of-a-Kind-Family

Little Britches

Grandma's Attic

Imagination Station

Cul-de-Sac Kids

Rod and Staff Chapter Books

Sugar Creek Gang

Sisters in Time

Christian Heroes Then and Now

The Kingdom Series

Email: dwinningham@fmcs-fl.com
Website: https://www.fortmyerschristianschool.org
Location: 1550 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL, USA