Important reminders & Dates!

• November 4- School Picture Consent Forms DUE! (Extra copies available in front office or student services)
• November 6- Sixth grade students with permission slips will complete a Behavioral and Emotional Screening tool. Parents of sixth grade students received an email with detailed information on October 30. If you have any questions, please contact the guidance department.
• November 9 thru 22-ONLINE Book Fair! Order online and items are delivered to your home!
• November 10- After school Homework Hall, Academic Support, and HelpLine begins every Tuesday and Thursday until 4:00 PM.
• November 11- NO SCHOOL- Veteran's Day!
• November 12- School Picture Day! (Make up picture day is January 12.)
• Now-November 16- Holiday Food Drive! Details below.
• November 17-McDonald's Drive-Thru Family Night 4-7 PM Come out and join us!
• November 23-27- NO SCHOOL-Thanksgiving Break
• Students are asked to bring a clear water bottle to stay hydrated. For safety, we have closed communal water fountains, but students can refill their water bottles at the newly installed water hydration stations.
• Parents needing to drop off items during the school day are asked to call prior to arriving. We will be practicing social distancing in our lobby and we appreciate your patience as we limit the number of people entering at one time.
• If your child requires medication during school hours please call Mrs. Richie to make an appointment. Appointments are available from 7:00-8:45 Monday through Friday. 352-344-2244 Extension 4419/4420
• For safety, there will be NO bus notes to change buses this year.

School pictures- November 12

• A new process is in place for school pictures. All students must return a picture consent form to be photographed. Forms were sent home on October 26 through science classes and are due Wednesday, November 4. Extra forms are available in the front office or student services. Students without consent forms will not be photographed for the yearbook or receive a school ID badge.
• Citrus Virtual students are invited to come to be photographed on November 12 from 7:15-8:15 AM. Consent forms have been emailed to C.V.S. families and paper copies will also be available for C.V.S. parents to sign when students are brought to be photographed that day. If you have any questions, please call Theresa McMahan at 344-2244 ext. 4415.

After school Homework hall, Academic support, & helpline

Homework Hall, Academic Support, and Helpline will begin on November 10th every Tuesday and Thursday in the media center as well as via Zoom or phone if needed until 4:00 PM. Students who want to participate must have a permission form on file. Forms are available in the front office. If you have questions, call Ms. Jenkin 344-2244 ext. 4445.

Holiday food drive!

Our annual Holiday Food Drive for Falcon families is underway now through November 16th. Donation collection boxes are located in each hallway and a collection cart is located in the car line for parents.

• Canned Sweet Potatoes or Yams

• Stuffing Mix

• Box Mashed Potatoes

• Cranberry Sauce

• Rice

• Canned Veggies-Green Beans, Corn, or Carrots

• Canned Pumpkin Pie filling

• Gravy – Jar, Canned or Packaged

• Canned Fruit

• Applesauce

• Graham Cracker Crust

• Cream of Mushroom Soup

book fair! Novemeber 9-22

The media center will be hosting a virtual book fair November 9-22! Families can visit the online store, pay online, and items will be delivered directly to homes. Stay tuned for the link in your email next week!

Breakfast & Lunch is FREE for all students through December 18

Superintendent Himmel recently requested and received approval to allow the Summer Food Service Program to operate until December 18, 2020. Under this program, ALL children 18 years old and younger may receive FREE breakfast and lunch.

Citrus Virtual Student Families will continue to be allowed to pick up meals for their students on Mondays and Thursdays from 12:15-1:15 PM.

If you have any questions, please contact Food and Nutrition Services Department at 352-726-1931 ext. 2402

substitute teachers needed!

If you would be willing to be Falcon substitute teacher, please view the advertisement below and click here to complete a substitute application. We need more great subs to join our team!

Soaring Falcons

Soaring Falcon students are chosen monthly by the grade level teachers in recognition of consistent outstanding school performance and attitude.

6th Grade

Daelyn Robbins

Nick Schenk

7TH GRADE

Harley Avera

Ryan Lower

8TH GRADE

Isabella Bollin

Sean Martin

Sports Schedules

TO PURCHASE SINGLE-GAME TICKETS:

• Visit our district website www.citrusschools.org.

• Click on the button in the middle of the homepage marked “Athletic Event Tickets”. This button will redirect you to our box office.

• From there you will choose the corresponding school you will be purchasing tickets from.

• Once you have purchased the online ticket you can either print the ticket and present it at the gate, or you can download the e-ticket to your phone or other electronic device and have it scanned upon your arrival.

Please note that senior citizen passes, walk-up tickets or any FHSAA passes, will not be available or honored this season due to these new protocols.

SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES:

In past seasons, all employees were allowed free admission to all regular season athletic contests with their school board identification badge. This is no longer an option for our Fall athletic season due to use being at limited venue capacity. ALL faculty and staff must purchase a ticket so venue attendance numbers can be accurately counted and managed. There are NO exceptions to this rule.

MASKS:

Masks are mandatory for all spectators for all indoor & outdoor events. Fans are also asked to self-assess if they are sick before attending a game. If any fan is not feeling well and/or have COVID-19 symptoms, please stay at home. If any fan is caught not wearing his/her mask, they will be asked to leave the game.

CONCESSIONS:

Pre-packaged items will be available for sale during games. Cash only.

Canvas for parents

If you haven't downloaded the Canvas app for parents or signed up for Canvas on your computer, visit the link below to find out how to set that up and pair it with your students accounts. This link is also available on our school website under the Parent Links tab. This platform will be your resource for student assignments, communication, and course information throughout the year.

EARLY DISMISSAL

No dismissal changes may be made AFTER 1:45.

Car Line Pick up and Drop off PROCEDURES

• Student drop off is between 7:20-7:50. Vehicles MAY NOT enter the middle school parking lot to drop off students. Please drive slowly. Please do not talk on your cellphone during drop-off.
• If it’s possible to delay your students arrival until 7:30 that would help us greatly.
• Students that arrive between 7:20-7:30 will be sent to the cafeteria until they can report to home room at 7:30.
• Please follow the drop off route so we can keep everyone safe.
• Students that arrive after 7:50 will be marked tardy.

Pick up: Dismissal begins at 2:20 pm. Vehicles MUST use the car line to pick up their student. Vehicles MAY NOT enter the middle school parking lot to pick up students. Please drive slowly. Please do not talk on your cellphone during pick up.

*We are no longer allowing students to cross over to be picked up from the parking lot.

SAC Meetings

If you are interested in being a part of the School Advisory Council, please email Rachel Bender benderr@citrusschools.org

Meetings will be held 3:00 pm via ZOOM invitations sent out to the interested participants.

• November 9, 2020
• January 11, 2021
• March 8, 2021
• May 10, 2021

Follow us on Facebook!

Follow Citrus Springs Middle on Facebook for updates and pictures!

If you have not had a chance to check out all of the resources on our website-- check it out!

Science Fair window is open for 2020-2021

There are no Tri Fold Boards being used this year. ALL projects are being presented using Google Slides or Powerpoint.

CSMS School Fair- Virtual

December 7-11… A link to a Google Drive Folder filled with student presentations will be handed out and parents and students can follow it to see the entries. Science teachers will judge entries this way as well and will choose which will move on to Regional Fair (also virtual).

We are limited to choosing only three projects per category this year to participate in the Regional Fair.

Virtual Regional Science Fair

All paperwork must be in for Regionals by December 18th. This includes forms and Abstracts. Abstracts will be written after students have been chosen for the Regional Fair.

The Regional Fair will be held virtually the week of February 3rd. More information to come for participants with specific days and times.

Regional Science Fair Awards Curtis Peterson Auditorium in Lecanto (unknown if allowed)

February 8th at 6 PM if allowed to occur in person OTHERWISE awards will be delivered to school sites. Information is forthcoming about the awards ceremony.

Virtual State Science Fair in Lakeland, FL (students chosen from Regionals)

March 30- April 2nd and it will be held virtually at this point.

Title 1

If you have any questions concerning Title l please call: Rene’ Johnson (Title l Coordinator) @ 352-726-1931

A.V.I.D.

advancement via individual determination

Welcome to the AVID center!

ALL parents are encouraged to read this section to receive information that will help you and your child prepare for the future-- the where and what to do next for your child’s education.

We are looking for a professional to zoom with the AVID classes about their Career. If you are interested please email garciate@citrus.k12.fl.us or siegendorfm@citrus.k12.fl.us or call 344-2244 ext. 4447

Cookie Dough fundraiser was a huge success. $107,500 will be given in scholarship money and 670 tubs of cookie dough were sold. Thanks for all the hard work and support.

Top 5 Sellers:

1. Mckenzie Fisher

2. Christopher Kosenko

3. Isabella Patkus

4. Martha Marquez

5. Myra Garrido

Calendar of events for AVID in November:

November 10th- AVID Dress Up day- Students must wear nicer clothes (meaning not jeans or shorts and t-shirts) on that day to practice or model interview first impressions.

November 11th- No school Veteran’s Day

November 20th- Guest speaker through zoom.

November 21st -29th - Thanksgiving Break

December 8th- AVID Dress up Day-- Students must wear nicer clothes (meaning not jeans or shorts and t-shirts) on that day to practice or model interview first impressions.

Your Child’s Future Planning:

9th grade-Fall Semester-Get to know the guidance counselor to make sure your child is on the right path. Start taking Career Interest Survey’s. These help your child determine a career that matches their personality. As soon as you hit 9th grade students really need to focus on getting good grades. College applications are usually done in October of their Senior year so the grades they have Freshmen, Sophomore and Junior year are very IMPORTANT. Spring of 9th grade start looking at what extra-curricular activities that your child can be part of.

Reminder: When your child starts High School download My Career Shines to get started building a resume. Write every accomplishment, sport, academic club, grades and/or rewards that your child gets in High School. This could be the difference between your child and another getting into college or trade school. Remember to encourage students to stay positive on social media-colleges are also looking at what students’ post.

Financial aid: It is never too late to be thinking about Financial aid, scholarships, saving money, and student loans.

National Jr. Honor Society update

Due to the current situation with COVID 19 and the limited participation opportunities, NJHS will not be active during the fall semester. It is possible that in January we will be able to hold the induction ceremony and resume NJHS activities. We will reevaluate for second semester and let you know at that time. Thanks for all you do to help our students succeed!

NJHS Sponsors: Abramowich, Fowler, Jolly

Teachers working out-of-Field

Citrus Springs Middle School is proud that all 45 teachers and administrators who work with our students are certified by the State of Florida or other governing board. We appreciate the following teacher who has volunteered to teach a subject outside of her primary certification and is currently taking classes to obtain certification in the area she is teaching out-of-field.

Teacher: Lori Biggs Course: Reading

This teacher has both experience and coursework in the area she is teaching. She is an excellent teacher, and we appreciate the extra effort she is putting forth on behalf of our students.

#itsnojoke

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice has announced a new awareness campaign aimed at addressing school threats by students in Florida. Learn more about DJJ’s #ItsNoJoke campaign here.

Guidance Resources & information

Our guidance department is here to serve you and your student. You are welcome to call and set up a phone or Zoom conference with your student's teachers or speak with a guidance counselor about any concerns you may have.

Mrs. Brendel – Guidance Secretary, ext. 4411 email- brendelC@citrusschools.org

Mrs. Hum – Registrar, ext. 4412 email-humb@citrusschools.org

Mrs. Pastorello – School Counselor assisting students with last names A-L, ext. 4407 email- pastorelloa@citrusschools.org

Ms. Pettit -School Counselor assisting students with the last names M-Z, ext. 4408 email- pettitt@citrusschools.org

Mr. Smith- School Social Worker, (352) 400-0886 email- smithm@citrusschools.org

School Financial Report

A copy of the most recent school financial report is located on our school website.