Thank-you for your interest in Fort Myers Christian School (FMCS)! It has been a blessing for me to be a part of this school since 1985. The greatest part of my career has been to see what God has been doing in the lives of our students, and see what our students do for God. It has been awesome to meet so many great teachers and parents who believe in and commit themselves to Christian education. And I am very thankful for First Assembly of God Ministries and the many ways they have supported this ministry.

It is our desire at FMCS to provide a strong academic and Christian program that will train young people to make a difference in our local community and the world. I am thankful that students have the freedom to pray and read the Bible on a daily basis. And teachers have the opportunity to teach from God’s word in every subject:

“Then (Jesus) opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45

There are many ways that you can get involved in our school, and we encourage you to let us know where your God-given talents can best be used for His work. The greatest way to get involved is to pray for our school! I have seen God work in so many incredible ways over the years – He is faithful!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the school at 239-939-4642, or email me at MMitchell@fmcs-fl.org

In Christ,

Mel Mitchell
Principal

PTF (Parent-teacher Fellowship) is now PARENT UNIVERSITY at FMCS! (Yes, the initials are “PU,” as in “that smells” – sometimes it “stinks” to be a parent, but the blessings are more than worth it.) Parent University will provide the chance for you to:

1. Become involved in your child’s education by volunteering! Research shows that such involvement causes children to behave better, earn higher grades, score better on tests and graduate at higher rates. (www.familyfun.com) Every responsibility is just as important as the next – no job is too small! We all work together to help this “body” become a strong Christian School. (I Corinthians 12:12)Our parents are instrumental in providing supplies and equipment for our students and teachers through fundraisers: Sally Foster, Christmas Store, Coin Drive, Box Tops, Used Uniform Store, and the annual golf tournament.
2. Have access to receive resources and information to help you stay in touch with your child’s education – grades and homework online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (At Parent University we call that “24-7”) that will help you stay in touch with your child’s progress; a website with resources on parenting (coming to www.fmcs-fl.com) – ways to help support your children and their teachers academically and spiritually.
3. Attend special parent nights and events that will help us all become better parents – the parents that God has called us to be! Fellowship: You can also build relationships with other parents – we are all in this together! Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

Parent University works because volunteering, fundraising, educating and supporting parents helps us “academically train and spiritually nurture students to become productive citizens in society and impact others for Jesus Christ.”

Introducing our Parent university Parent-Teacher Fellowship officers for 2009-10:
Rita Massaro- President; Catherine Coval – Vice President, Rita Lavorgna – Secretary; Teri Reynolds – Treasurer.

2009-2010 – Chairpersons for the Year: THANK YOU!

Accelerated Reader

Stacy Goguen
Kelly Nicolosi
Jennifer Reeves
Meredith Simmons

Box Tops/Entertainment Books
Cortney Wunderlich

Christmas Store
Sabrina Greene

Christmas Wrap Room
Susan Stockman

Class Baskets
Lourdes Aldana
Sheryl Hinton

Coffee Stand
Pete DiBella

Coin Drive
Denise McLaughlin

Dad’s Committee
Jarrod Harriott

Golf Tournament
Wendy Fulton
Anne Kearns

Holiday Cookie Exchange
Tina Williams

Silent/Live Auction
Traci Ames
Lisa Chlumsky
Aimee Kline

Used Uniforms Sales
Vicky Tyson
Lisa VanZanten

Welcome Committee
Nicole Gala

Looking to 2011-2012 – Job descriptions and questionarie for those insterested in considering leadership in the four officer positions:

Parent University Job Description – President

Parent University Job Description – Vice-President

Parent University Job Description – Treasurer

Parent University Job Description – Secretary

Parent University Executive Officer Questionnaire

Parent University’s Top Parent Resources

National Center for Biblical Parenting – http://www.biblicalparenting.org
All Pro Dad – great advice from Tony Dungy, NFL players, and other Christian role models  | Allprodad.com
Book: “Rock-Solid Kids: Giving Children a Biblical Foundation For Life” | Christianbook.com
Book: “Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions” by George Barna | Christianbook.com
Fun Stuff for kids and parents | Familyfun.com
Website for families | Myfamilyminute.com
Website for moms | imom.com
Sheridan House Family Ministries | shfm.org
Twelve Precepts of a Father’s Calling | shfm.org
Tips for school and home | Schoolfamily.com
Tips for parents regarding Facebook and kids

The Principal’s “90 Club”

Those who scored in the 90th percentile or above on the complete battery of the 2010 SATs, national percentile ranks for students in grades K through 8th grade). This is the third year of our club – 22 members! These students scored in the top 90% NATIONALLY compared to students who took the SAT at their grade level:

Kindergarten

Kyle Baxter - 96
Michael Carter - 92
Haven Harrington - 91
Jessica Purves - 95
Elyse Ranck - 93
Drew Zullo - 93

2^nd  
Laura Gequelin - 93
Erin Reeves - 91
Elizabeth Swiersz - 91

3^rd
Aiden Bennett - 92
Carsyn Baxter - 95
Alex Bryant - 95 

4^th
Ethan Liebetreu  - 90
Morgan Tyson - 90

5^th
Blair Colbert - 95
Rebecca Moran  - 90
Austin O’Grosky - 95

6th

Elijah Benzon - 91
Sarah Sweirsz  - 95
Victoria Weller - 91

^7th

Taylor Lowry - 94
Preston Miller - 95

 

Grade	09-10 Stanine Score * compared to students nationally	09-10 Grade Level Equivalent compared to students nationally
Kindergarten	7.0	1.7
1st	7.0	2.6
2nd	7.0	5.2
3rd	7.0	6.6
4th	7.0	7.5
5th	7.0	8.7
6th	7.0	9.7
7th	6.0	9.0
8th	6.0	10.5

*Stanine Score: Standard score with a mean of 5 and a standard deviation of 2. Stanines of 1,2,3 are below average; 4.5.6. are average; and 7, 8, and 9 are above average.

Each year, financial aid is available to help families meet the costs of tuition for their children. Applicants should request a Financial Assistance Packet.

NEW: The David Benton Scholarship Program has now been established at FMCS. The 1987 FMCS yearbook was dedicated to the memory of David M. Benton. David passed away during the summer before his junior year in high school. This is an excerpt from that yearbook: “He was a treasured gift to us and our school. He was a member of the National Honor Society, starter for the varsity basketball team, had a love for baseball, and scored very high in his academics. But of the many things for which he is remembered, his love for Jesus is the one thing he would want us to look back on the most. David was a very special person with an overwhelming love for God – and it showed! He will always be a precious memory in our hearts and will constantly be thought of for who he was – ‘a priceless child of God’. David was a student who tried to set a positive example in his life spiritually, academically and athletically – this is the type of student we are looking for at FMCS! (see the video, click here: The David Benton Scholarship Program at Ft. Myers Christian School)

Because assistance is based on need, we utilize the Family Financial Needs Assessment company to help with evaluation. There is a non-refundable fee required for this service. FFNA assists Christian schools with their tuition aid programs providing third party objectivity, confidentiality, proven methodology, and a responsive economical process. FFNA serves Christian families by encouraging Christian schools to provide Christian education for families that may not be able to afford it. FFNA will furnish confidential family financial need assessment. Website: http://www.ffna1.com

NOTE: Families seeking Financial Assistance cannot sign their Financial Agreement until their Financial Aid has been fully processed.

For further information, and the steps to follow to receive assistance, click here to print out the David Benton Scholarship Brochure.

For those of you new to our school and coming from the public school system, we encourage you to look into these two opportunities:

Florida Pride: Florida P.R.I.D.E. serves 23 counties including west and south Florida. The scholarships offer an educational opportunity to low-income families by providing children with educational scholarships so they can attend a private or public school of their choice. Under this program, disadvantaged students receive scholarships of up to $3950 to attend an eligible private school that best fits their educational needs. Scholarships are awarded to students who successfully complete the application process documenting eligibility. Go to: www.floridapride.org.

McKay Scholarships: The McKay Scholarship for Students with Disabilities expands statewide the school choice program originally created in 1999 as a pilot program. The scholarships are available for eligible students with disabilities to attend an eligible public or private school of their choice. For more information on eligibility go to: www.floridaschoolchoice.org

Since 1987, FMCS has been a FULLY ACCREDITED PK3-8th grade school through the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), and the Florida Kindergarten Council (FKC), (www.fkconline.org) (The only other school in Fort Myers accredited with FCIS is The Canterbury School; in Naples, The Community School of Naples, Seacrest Country Day School, and Royal Pam Academy).

Today, FCIS evaluates and accredits independent schools throughout Florida. As one of the nation’s largest organizations of independent schools, it represents 73,000 students in 159 member schools. The Council assures that each school maintains high standards and independence of character without political, financial, or bureaucratic pressures. (From www.fcis.org )

In March of 2007, an accreditation team conducted their five year re-accreditation review. We are happy to announce that our school has passed and will continue accreditation through 2012!

We are also members of Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), (www.acsi.org). Currently ACSI serves over 5,300 member schools in approximately 100 countries with an enrollment of nearly 1.2 million students.

 THANK YOU GRANDPARENTS! Update, 2-12-10 – We had a great day with over 200 grandparents! Thank you for coming, and for all of you out there, thank you for your generosity. As of 2-12-09, we have the following results for the Grandparent’s Club:

  

 

 

- Pledges – $3190
- Cash, checks, credit cards – $4193

- Total: $7383

The list of members for 2010 (as of 2/26/10)– Grandparents Club 2-26

THANK YOU!

GRANDPARENT’S CLUB: Our Grandparent’s Club started in 2006 to provide a tangible opportunity for grandparents to contribute to our financial aide program. What a great investment - blessing more and more grandchildren with the opportunity for a Christian school education! Proverbs 17:6 states “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

We are thankful for over $26,365 that has been contributed 2006 – 2009: 
- 2006: $6694
- 2007: $7461
- 2008: $5926
- 2009: $6284

If you would like to become a member of the Grandparent’s Club, please send your donation to this address, place your grandchild’s name in the memo and add “grandparent’s club” (all checks payable to FMCS):

Ft. Myers Christian School
Attn: Grandparent’s Club
1550 Colonial Blvd
Ft. Myers, Fl  33907

Ways that your donations can benefit students at FMCS:

Annual Fund 2009
Check out the report on the October 9, 2009 Banquet and Auction celebrating 30 years of FMCS, click here.

David Benton Scholarship Fund
Did you know? FMCS has financial assistance available based on need and resources. There are also scholarships available through the state of Florida. Each family that requests financial assistance participates in a financial needs evaluation process through an outside organization. If you are in need of financial help, click here.If you are a donor, your donations become a blessing to family in need. Make a donation online now, click here.  Make a donation, click here.

Grandma Betty Scholarship
Elizabeth Defebio was the grandmother of two former FMCS students, Audrey and Kelly Reese. Both of these students were very active in sports and music at FMCS. Their Grandma Betty passed away in October of 1998. She was also very active at FMCS with her consistent attendance at the girls sporting and music events. She touched people from all walks of life, and her memory will live on as one middle school student receives this scholarship award of $1200 every year. The student will be selected by the FMCS teachers and administration. Their decision is based on Christian walk, academic achievement and service to the community. 

Computers for Education:
We are ALWAYS in need of new computers for our classrooms or updated computers. Many thanks to Edison College, FGCU, families and friends of the school for their donations. If you have a computer that you may want to donate, please contact the school. Any money donated in this area will help us update the software licensing and  hardware systems for our students so that they will be trained and prepared for the technology they will face in the future. Make a donation, click here.

Endowment Fund
In 1995, the Development Council and the School Board agreed that we needed to establish an Endowment Fund. An Endowment Fund is one in which monies are donated and the capital is invested. We did not want to become so focused on the day-to-day operation that we would overlook the future. We wanted to provide a way in which an individual could give a gift that would go on giving well beyond his own life. The monies are invested through the well established Southwest Florida Community Foundation. The foundation is comprised of community leaders throughout Southwest Florida. A memorial plaque will be on display in the school in order to recognize the gifts given in memory of a loved one.

Shop at Office Depot!
When doing your back to school shopping, consider Office Depot. Tell them you are from Ft. Myers Christian Christian School (FMCS) and 5% of your purchase will go back to FMCS! Keep an eye on those Sunday Flyers! THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Do You Shop at Target?
If you use your Target credit card, Target will donate 1% to our school. Use your REDcard and Target will double their contribution to FMCS. Currently over 250 cardholders have supported our school and over $6770 has been raised! Click here or the Target logo for more info!

Boxtops for Education!
This is one of most successful programs over the years that has provided supplies for our school – thanks to the support of our parents. Turn in those General Mills boxtop labels to the front office of the school or your child’s teachers. Your support through the school year will help us to continue to improve our school’s technology program. Last year, over $1800 was raised and over the years, over $9000 has been brought in from this program! For more information, go to http://www.boxtops4education.com.