Hello Falcon Families (and students!),

Congratulations to all of you for making it to the last day of school, what a year it has been!  Parents and students alike deserve credit for making it through a year that we will never forget.

I am sorry this message is coming so late in the day.  It was my intention to send out this morning, especially for the students to see but due to my lacking technology skills (I'm with you parents!), I got held up.  Better late than never I hope.  8th graders will receive an additional email to follow.  

Below you will see a few end of year reminders and a link to a video for our students.  Please feel free to call the office with additional questions.  Monday and Tuesday are post-planning days for teachers but the office will be open normal hours.

1. Book returns: Books (text and media items) can be returned during school hours in the front foyer area.  Please place on the carts provided.
2. Laptop returns: Please return laptops and chargers to the front office.  These will be collected in the front office, do not leave in the foyer area.  Please knock and we will let you in.  Your name will be checked off and we will inspect for damages at a later time.
3. Student lockers:  Lockers will be cleaned out starting June 2nd.  Remember this is optional.  We will take care of all textbooks, school items that need to be returned. If you need personal items, please arrive before this time to ensure items are not misplaced. 
4. Yearbooks:  Unfortunately these are not ready, expected ship date is June 13th.  Our yearbook sponsor (Ms. Cook) will share more details about pick up closer to this time.  Thanks for your patience.

Hello Falcon Families,

I hope everyone had a nice weekend.  As we start another week of remote learning I wanted to share that Fort Clarke still has a limited number of laptops that can be checked out to students in need.  Please call the front office at 333-2800 and we will arrange a pick up time for you.  We are also working on other devices for check out.

I also wanted to make you aware that in addition to our teachers, our support staff in Guidance, Dean and Media departments are available to assist you in any way.  They are working on Google classroom that should be posted soon.  In the meantime, you can email them (https://www.sbac.edu/domain/7268) with any questions or concerns you may have.  

As always, please let me know of any questions or concerns you have as we work through this time together.  

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Dear Falcon Families,

I hope that everyone is staying healthy and doing well.  I’d like to thank you for your patience as we got up and running during week 1 of remote learning.  As we start week 2 I believe new norms will be established and things will smooth out for all of us.  All families with email addresses on file should have received an email from their child’s teacher last week.  For those without email, teachers and support staff began calling individual families to offer assistance.  This will continue this week and beyond.  Again, thanks for your patience.

I am aware there has been discussion and concerns about due dates and grading policies.  Again, your patience is appreciated as teachers are in the process of establishing new policies and procedures for remote learning in virtual and traditional formats.  Everyone at Fort Clarke understands that life as we know it is changing everyday.  We will be discussing this topic during our next virtual faculty meeting tomorrow.

Looking ahead to this week, I do have an important announcement regarding our front office.  Due to safety concerns for everyone, the front office will now be closed to visitor foot traffic.  Hard copies of assignments will be available in the breeze/entry way and signs will provide directions for picking up and returning assignments.  Please call ahead (333-2800) to save time and expedite the process.  The front office will still be open from 8 am - 4 pm.  Thank you for your understanding.  I am confident this will help minimize the risk for our staff members and visitors.  As always, feel free to call the front office with any questions or concerns.

The last announcement for this week addresses school laptop check-out to students.  Many schools will start this Monday.  Fort Clarke won’t be able to do this until Friday.  I apologize for the inconvenience.  Additional information will be sent as we get closer to that time.

Take care,

Mr. Taber

Hello Falcon Families,

Only one more week to go before Spring Break.  Please remember that this Friday is a teacher workday (no school for students).  The end of the 3rd 9 weeks is on Wednesday, 3/18.  Contact your child’s teacher if you have any specific concerns.

1. Sonny’s BBQ fundraiser night is Tuesday, 39th Ave. location. Dine in or take out, 25% is returned to Fort Clarke.  Bring this flyer. 
2. Student check out.  Starting Monday, 3/16, the latest you can check out your child is 3:15 p.m.  Please make note of this and remember to bring a picture ID.  Do not park in the bus circle in the front of the school. 

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Dear Falcon Families,

We had an exciting finish to the week as our Track team took first place in the District on Friday.  Congrats to Coach Carr, Ragukonis and our team! 

Looking to the week ahead, just a few items to announce:

1. Monday: PTA meeting at 6 pm, front office.  Both basketball teams play semi-final matches away, good luck to both teams.
2. Tuesday: SAC meeting, 5 pm, Media Center.  
3. Misc. items:  Hoodies and masks.  Parents, please help your child remember that hoods/hats are not allowed in the building.  We have been cooperative on cold days outside of the building but now that warmer weather is here, they are not allowed.  Surgical masks are not allowed either. The School Board and CDC have relayed information about keeping your child safe from sickness and viruses.  Frequent handwashing is best. Our custodial staff and school nurse work diligently to disinfect water fountains, door handles, etc. 
4. Final note, spring break starts March 23rd.  Please communicate with your child’s teacher if additional school days will be missed around this time.  

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber 

Dear Falcon Families,

Hope everyone had a nice weekend.  Just a few reminders for this week:

1. Basketball playoffs start Wednesday at Fort Clarke.  Both teams made it to the playoffs, congrats! Games start at 4 pm in the Fort Clarke gym.  Come and support the Falcons.
2. The 3rd cycle AIMS assessments start this week.  Contact your child’s teacher for details. These assessments provide feedback for teachers and students as we approach FSA testing this Spring.  Our teachers and staff appreciate your support.
3. Fort Clarke is supporting the March of Dimes, additional information will be sent home this week.
4. Parents of students in the ESE program. We would love to have your feedback on how our school and district are serving your child. Please use the link below to find the survey online. We appreciate the information it will provide to help us continually improve our ESE programs.  https://www.esesurvey.com/Login.php  
5. Is your child interested in tennis?  Aces in Motion sponsors a Fort Clarke team.  See link for details, starts March 16th at Westside Park.  http://www.gainesvilletennis.org/gacta-programs/middle-school-tennis/
6. Soccer season starts March 9th.

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Dear Falcon Families,

It certainly was a cold finish to the week!  Only in Florida can the temperature drop from the 80s to mid 40s in 24 hrs.!  Looks like more of the same for the week ahead. Please send your child with appropriate attire if they are in the bunker areas in the mornings before school.

Here are a few items for this week:

1. Our monthly ALICE (lockdown) drill will occur this week.
2. Basketball season is finishing up.  Both teams play away at Kanapaha on Monday, home vs. Lincoln on Wednesday.  Soccer season starts in March.
3. YEARBOOKS:  You can order a book at www.yearbookordercenter.com and enter the school code 1422 for Fort Clarke.  
4. See this flyer for an opportunity at the Performing Arts Center, high and middle school students can request free tickets at www.EvaUF.com.
5. Is your student looking for morning physical activity time?  Coach Carr and Ragukonis will host volleyball on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  Passes are available in grade level bunkers @ 8:45 am, first come first serve.  
6. Late buses.  A few of you have asked about late buses, notifications.  I will do my best to communicate via text message any late buses that I know about ahead of time so you are aware.

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Dear Falcon Families,

We finished the week off right with another Activity Day sponsored by the grade level teams.  I would like to thank all of you for your cooperation with my Valentine’s Day request. It made for a very smooth day in and outside of the classrooms.  

Here are a few reminders for the week ahead:

1.  Monday, no school.  President’s Day.
2. Tuesday, Sonny’s BBQ Fundraiser Night @ 39th Ave location.  Bring or show this flyer.
3. Thursday, progress reports go home with students.  Also on Skyward.

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Dear Falcon Families,

It certainly was an eventful end to the week on Friday!  Thankfully the power was restored in time for school to begin.  As a reminder, school closures will always be communicated to parents via the District office, usually by phone and email.  You can update any email/phone contacts via Skyward Parent link, 24/7. 

 Last week we also recognized our amazing school counselors Mrs. Scott and Gainey, for National School Counselor week, we are very lucky to have them.  

Looking to the week ahead:

1. Fort Clarke BB teams play at High Springs on Monday.  We host Kanapaha at home on Wednesday, games start at 4.  
2. PTA is Monday, 6 pm.
3. 8th grade parents/students are invited to attend the first annual College Board night on Tuesday in the Media Center.  This will assist parents in understanding college readiness. Starts at 6 pm.
4. Friday is Valentine’s Day.  The front office will not deliver candy, gifts, flowers, etc. to students.  Please do not bring (or send) them to the front office for delivery to students.  All will be turned away. 

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Dear Falcon Families,

We had a great week! All of the grade levels participated in their own version of “fresh air lunch” outside, eating with friends as a reward for good conduct and/or academic grades for the past grading period. Just a few reminders for the week ahead:

1. Basketball plays at home on Wednesday vs. Oak View.  Starts at 4 pm. Both teams are doing great, girls are undefeated!  Way to go!
2. 8th grade parents, please remember our College Night on 2/11 @ 6 pm.  A College Board representative will review PSAT scores in relation for high school and college readiness.
3. Want to advertise your child’s birthday on our marquee?  See link here.

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Hello Falcon Families,

I hope you had a nice weekend, looks like our winter temperatures may stick around for this week ahead.  Please remember that we have a lost and found in our cafeteria for any missing clothing items.

Here are a few announcements for this week:

1. Monday (1/27) night, PDQ fundraiser for Fort Clarke, after 4:30 pm.  Please share with friends and family, drive thru or take out. All proceeds benefit technology needs and refurbishment.  Special thanks to PDQ restaurant, we appreciate them as a business partner! 
2. Monday (1/27)Home basketball game vs. Howard Bishop, girls start at 4 pm.  Both teams play away at Hawthorne on Wednesday.
3. Tuesday, 6th grade field trip to Orlando Science Center.
4. Attention 8th grade parents.  PSAT scores will be sent home on Monday (1/27) with homeroom teachers.  Please remember to mark your calendars for February 11th @ 6 pm for our first College Board night.  This event will help you understand your child’s progress in preparation for college readiness in high school.
5. Reminder, afternoon supervision ends at 4 pm.  Please ensure transportation for your child afterschool.  

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber 

Hello Falcon Families,

I hope your child had a great start for the second 9 weeks.  We had a few that were struggling to find new classrooms but after the first few days everything was back to normal.  We completed our ALICE lockdown drill for the month of January, students and teachers did a great job. Next one will be mid-February.  

Basketball season is up and running.  Girls won both games while the boys dropped a heartbreaker to Westwood losing by 1 point on Monday.  Both teams will play at Westwood Middle on Wednesday, girls starting at 4 pm. 

Here are a few reminders for the week ahead:

1.  No school Monday, 1/20, MLK day.
2.  Report cards go home Thursday, 1/23.
3. 8th grade social, 6-9 pm, Friday 1/24.

The PTA would like to remind you to utilize Amazon Smile whenever possible.  Select Fort Clarke PTA to assist in their efforts, thank you!

If you are a parent of children that could benefit from assistive technologies, please see attached flyer, here.  

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Hello Falcon Families,

We had a great week back to finish off the first semester.  Hard to believe the school year is half-way over! Next Friday (1/17) is a teacher workday (no school), please communicate with your child’s teacher if you have any concerns.  Remember, Skyward Parent access is very useful, just contact the front office to set it up.  

Here are a few other reminders for this week:

1. Basketball starts on Monday vs. Westwood.  Girls start at 4 pm, $2 admission.
2. Soccer and baseball tryouts start this week.
3. Come support Fort Clarke’s technology efforts on Tuesday (1/14) at Sonny’s BBQ, 39th Ave. location.  Bring this flyer.
4. Please be advised, we are required to have another ALICE drill this week.  
5. If you own a rental/event company please let me know.  Fort Clarke needs to rent some chairs from you.
6. Reminder, no school on Monday, 1/20, Martin Luther King Day.

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Dear Falcon Families,

On behalf of the faculty and staff at Fort Clarke, we wish you a happy holiday season!  School will continue on January 7th, 2020.

We had a great week, our PBIS luncheon was a huge success!  The weather was great, so was the food and camaraderie, we served over 500 students!  

I’d like to thank the Brooks family for the hamburger donations, Sonic for donating over 500 slushies, Fort Clarke food service and the Fort Clarke PTA for their donations as well.  Kiss 105.3 radio station provided the music for students to enjoy too. It was great to see teachers and students working side by side to make this happen! We are already planning another event in the spring.  If you are a business owner and would like to assist Fort Clarke, please contact me at anytime. We always have needs throughout the year.

The boys basketball team would like to thank Davis Gainesville Chevrolet for their sponsorship of the team this year.  Boys and girls basketball kicks off Monday, January 13th.

Have a great break,

Mr. Taber

Hello Falcon Families,

Here are a few reminders for our last week before the holiday break:

1. Tuesday (17th) is the last day for our canned food and toy drive.  Food items are collected in Homeroom classes, toys (new, unwrapped) in the front office.
2. Spelling Bee is Wednesday, 18th.  Good luck to all of our contestants. 
3. PDQ fundraiser night is Wednesday, 18th starting at 4 pm.   Dine or or drive thru. Please be sure to mention Fort Clarke Middle School, share with your friends and family too!
4. Our first PBIS (Positive Behavior) luncheon is Thursday.  Students were able to purchase tickets for 25 Falcon Eyes last week.  Tuesday is the last day to purchase during lunch. The Alachua County Sheriff’s office is cooking hamburgers and hotdogs, Sonic is donating slushies and Kiss 105 is playing music,  and PTA is sponsoring the rest, it is going to be a great time!
5. ALICE lockdown drill will occur this week.  
6. Please reinforce hand washing/sanitation with your child, we want everyone to be healthy over the winter break!

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber