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

Hello Falcon Families,

It was a great week returning from our break.  I hope all of you were able to travel safely and enjoy the time with friends and family. 

 Just a few reminders and announcements as we look ahead to next week:

1. Student supervision. Early supervision is provided at 7 am in the cafeteria only.  Afternoon supervision ends at 4 pm. 
2. PTA meeting Monday, 6 pm.
3. Special thanks to Coach Carr and Ragukonis for early morning count time on Tuesday and Thursdays.  Great way for our students to get some exercise before the school day starts.
4. Good luck to Ms. Hill and our Robotics Team.  District competition on Tuesday @ Lincoln Middle School.
5. 6th grade parents.  You should have received information on Wednesday for the Orlando Space Center.  Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher with questions.
6. Cereal box donations end soon.  Please bring in your donations so we can assist with the District food drive and help needy families.  
7. Fort Clarke has a new nurse.  I would like to welcome Ms. Ruth Paletti to Fort Clarke.  Please feel free to contact her with any questions.
8. See flyer for Holiday Concert info. to support homeless children in our schools.

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Hello Falcon Families,

Just a reminder, no school Monday or Tuesday of this week.  

The faculty and staff of Fort Clarke wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels.

 See everyone on Monday 12/2.

Mr. Taber

Hello Falcon Families,

Hope you have ordered your Turkey or Ham, Thanksgiving is right around the corner!  As we approach our last week, here are a few reminders:

1. Monday, 11/18 is our first PDQ Fundraising night.  Show up after 4 pm and tell them you would like to support Fort Clarke and they will donate a proceed of your purchase.  Thanks PDQ!
2. Progress reports go home on Thursday, 11/21. 
3. Box Top fundraising has gone digital.  Please see link. Thanks to Mrs. Walton and the PTA for making this happen!
4. Lunch with friends, every Friday!  For 15 Falcon Eyes your child can pick a friend and eat outside with Mr. Taber.  The past 2 weeks have been great, look forward to many more!.
5. No school Monday, 11/25 and Tuesday, 11/26.

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Falcon Flyer

Hello Falcon Families,

Just a few announcements for the week ahead.

1. On behalf of the faculty and staff at Fort Clarke, a sincere “thank you” to all of our Veterans as we celebrate on Monday.  
2. Sonny’s Night is Tuesday, 11/12.  39th Ave location. Funds support Positive Behavior  and technology upgrades. Flyers will go out on Tuesday.
3. We welcome Eastside High School’s IB program on Wednesday during 8th grade lunch.  All interested students are welcome to attend. 
4. Parent Workshop link

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Falcon Flyer

Hello Falcon Families,

Finally, a little cooler weather!  Hard to believe Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. Remember, the 25th and the 26th are student holidays, no school. 

Big congrats to our Teacher of the Year, Ms. Tracy Scott!  We are very fortunate to have Ms. Scott on our guidance team, she can do it all! 

Another congrats to all of our students that made A/B Honor roll this quarter. Starting the year off on the right foot!  Another opportunity will be available 2nd 9 weeks. Remember, if you feel that your child is having academic difficulties, contact your child’s teacher for the most useful feedback.  Regular monitoring of Skyward Parent access is a suggestion as well, the app works on most all smartphones.

One more congrats to our Volleyball teams, District Champs!!  Boys are a three-peat and our girls reclaimed the title from KMS who won the past 3.  Great job players and coach Perry. 

Upcoming this week:

1. Basketball tryouts are Monday 11/4 (6 pm) for girls and Tuesday 6/7th grade boys  11/5 (4pm), 8th 11/6 (4pm).  
2. ALICE drill will occur.
3. 8th grade parents, high school informational night is Thursday, 11/7 @ 6 pm.
4. We welcome Gainesville High School, Cambridge program. Will meet with interested 8th graders on Wednesday 11/6 at lunch.

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Falcon Flyer

Hello Falcon Families,

Congratulations to our volleyball teams!  Both are playing in the District finals on Monday, October 28th @ Eastside High School.  4 pm start time for the boys, girls after trophy presentations. $3 admission. Football has a bye this week.

Is your child interested in Math?  Our Math Olympiad team starts this Wednesday with Ms. Perry.  Meets every Wednesday until 4:30 pm. Come and see how math can be challenging and fun!

Please remember to review the dress code.  All shorts, skirts, and dresses must be at fingertip length.  Rips and holes in clothing must be at fingertip length. No midriff may show.

No head coverings--hoodies, hats or bandanas. Head bands only.

From our PTA members:  

1.  1. A big thank you to the families, administration & staff that made our first year with Charleston Wrap a success! We exceeded last year’s record high profit from cookie dough sales.  
2. All students that qualified for prizes should have received them by now with the exception of the pizza party this Friday.  
3. The school will continue to receive credit if you’d like to shop online at the Charleston Wrap store through the remainder of the year.  Please remember to use the school code, 16426.
4. If there are any problems with your order, please go to charlestonwrapstore.com/fixit & enter the ticket number found on the box label under the barcode.  Charleston Wrap is committed to resolving any issues directly with the customer in a timely manner.

Thank you again for your support! 

On a final note, I’d like to thank all of you for your support during my first few months at Fort Clarke.  I value your input and feedback immensely and welcome it at any time. Don’t ever hesitate to visit the school if you have any concerns.  The faculty, staff and students have been amazing too, Fort Clarke is a great place to be!  

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Falcon Flyer

Hello Falcon Families, 

We had 2 successful field trips last week, thanks to all of our parent volunteers!

Hard to believe but the end of the 1st grading period is over, report cards will come home on Thursday, 10/24.  If you don’t have Skyward parent access please contact the front office. Remember, this is the most efficient way to view student progress and update important emergency information.

Sonny’s fundraiser night is Tuesday, 10/22.  39th Ave. location, dine in or take out. Flyers will be sent home with students.

Picture retakes are Friday, 10/25.

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Hello Falcon Families,

I hope everyone had a nice weekend; hard to believe the first grading period is almost over!  Hopefully some cooler weather isn’t too far away.  

As we enter week 9 here are a few reminders for the week ahead:

1.  FTE week starts on Monday.  In short, this is a critical time that determines local school funding from the State.  Please do everything you can to ensure your child is in school as much as possible this week.
2. AIMS testing starts Monday.  Don’t worry, this isn’t another mandated FSA exam.  Rather, AIMS are “mini assessments” that teachers use county-wide to determine how students are progressing towards benchmarks.  They are only given in FSA tested subject areas and provide great feedback for teachers and students.  
3. Volleyball plays Kanapaha Monday, both teams are undefeated, come out and support the Falcons! $2 admission for adults, bring a few extra bucks, Snowie-Ice will be there too!  Portion of proceeds go to FCMS.
4. Football plays Santa Fe on Thursday, 7:15 pm
5. Flu shots are offered on Thursday, 10/10.  Please remember to turn in the consent form.
6. PTA meets Monday at 6 pm.
7. Thanks for your cooperation in the parking lots.  We are scheduled to have some work done soon that should help with traffic flow in the student pickup lot.  Please remember that for safety reasons, the front lot is for buses only.   

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Hello Falcon Families,

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

1. Volleyball plays Oak View on Monday 9/30, away at High Springs on Wednesday, 10/2.
2. Football plays Thursday @ 7:15 pm (@ Boys Club).
3. No school this Friday 10/4, UF Homecoming.
4. Only 2 more weeks in grading period 1.  Please continue to check Skyward for your child’s academic progress.  If you have any concerns, please contact your child’s teacher. Now is the time, do not wait until report cards are issued.  If you still need access, please call or come to the front office.

Thanks,

Mr. Taber

Hello Falcon Families, 

We had a great Open House last week. Thanks for making the time to visit our campus and learn more about Fort Clarke.  Your support is vital to your child’s success in school, thank you!

This week we celebrate “Start with Hello,” a nationwide initiative that supports positive school climate and community building.  Each grade level will attend a short presentation with classroom discussions to follow.

On the sports front, Volleyball is away on Monday and has a bye on Wednesday.  Both teams are undefeated! Next home game is Monday 9/30 vs. Oak View, will be a good one!  Football plays Westwood Middle on Thursday, 7:15 pm at the Boys Club. Go Falcons!

Have a great week,

Mr. Taber

Hello Falcon Families,

Hope you had a great week.  I know everyone is pleased that Dorian decided to take a turn away from our area.  Glad we only lost one school day.

Please be on the lookout for the PTA fundraiser info., deadline is September 17th.

We are also in need of additional donations for our student planners.  We never cover the total cost but we do rely on this money for future school years.  See link for additional details.  

Does your child have a birthday soon?  Advertise on our marquee! See link.

Come support Fort Clarke Volleyball, first game is Monday (9/9) vs. Lincoln Middle School.  Boys start at 4 pm, girls after that.

Thank you,

Mr. Taber