We announced at the gala a new fundraising initiative that has an immediate need on the Bearss Avenue Campus. Our current playground has turned to dirt.

We are almost halfway to our goal which will allow us to turf the elementary playground field. With your continued generosity, we can fast track this project and improve the recess and athletic experience for hundreds of our students (and their parents stuck with the dirt-caked laundry) each day. Donate now to make this dream a reality!

For more information, contact Michelle Robinson, Director of Advancement at (813) 920-2288 x460.

donate today!

Two great family-friendly shows are coming to CDS this spring!
Elementary Presents
JUNIE B. JONES - THE MUSICAL

Friday, April 29 @ 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 30 @ 7:00 pm

Purchase Tickets

Middle School Presents
YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN - THE MUSICAL

Friday, May 6 @ 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 7 @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Purchase Tickets

There were no positive diagnoses in the past week.

COVID Reporting Form 

Please join us for an Evening of DP Art and Entertainment
Wednesday, April 13
6:00 - 8:00 pm
International Square

Spring has sprung and with it comes a surge in seasonal allergies and more time in the sun. Here are some helpful tips to help identify common symptoms of allergies, COVID, flu and cold along with our school Sun Screen Procedure.

 Symptom comparison chart 

Sun Screen Procedures

SIGN UP TODAY for a summer of fun and learning at CDS!

SUMMER at CDS will include:

• Themed day camps at the ECC and Bearss Avenue campus!
• Enrichment camps at the ECC and Bearss Avenue campus!
• Academic programs for students entering Grades 1 through 12! 

More Information

SIGN UP FOR ECC CAMPS

SIGN UP FOR BEARSS AVENUE CAMPUS CAMPS

SUMMER ACADEMIC COURSES

When you participate in the Amazon Smile program, and have selected Carrollwood Day School as your organization of choice, CDS will get a donation for each item you purchase.  Signing up for Amazon Smile is fast, easy and free, and you can find the details here.

We announced at the gala a new fundraising initiative that has an immediate need on the Bearss Avenue Campus. Our current playground has turned to dirt.

We are almost halfway to our goal which will allow us to turf the elementary playground field. With your continued generosity, we can fast track this project and improve the recess and athletic experience for hundreds of our students (and their parents stuck with the dirt-caked laundry) each day. Donate now to make this dream a reality!

For more information, contact Michelle Robinson, Director of Advancement at (813) 920-2288 x460.

donate today!

Two great family-friendly shows are coming to CDS this spring!
Elementary Presents
JUNIE B. JONES - THE MUSICAL

Friday, April 29 @ 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 30 @ 7:00 pm

Purchase Tickets

Middle School Presents
YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN - THE MUSICAL

Friday, May 6 @ 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 7 @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Purchase Tickets

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, April 20

Lower School will be holding conferences in two weeks!  All conferences will be held in person.

• Toddler, PreK-3, and PreK-4 families will have traditional Parent-Teacher Conferences 
• Kindergarten families will be participating in Student-Led Conferences. Our kindergarten students will be running their conferences in conjunction with the classroom teacher. Student-Led Conferences are a time for your student to present to you what they are learning as well as their progress in academic and non-academic areas. Research has shown that students benefit greatly from this reflective process and are wonderfully honest in their self-assessments.

Sign-up for Conferences

Note: There is no school or childcare available for Lower School students on this day. April 20 is a regular school day for Middle School and Upper School.

SIGN UP TODAY for a summer of fun and learning at CDS!

More Information

SIGN UP FOR ECC CAMPS

SIGN UP FOR BEARSS AVENUE CAMPUS CAMPS

SIGN UP FOR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

• Friday, April 29
  Kindergarten trip to Morean Arts Center
  9:15 am - 1:30 pm

Students will need to bring lunch for a picnic in North Straub Park.

3rd Grade Performance

Thursday, April 14, 2022
6:00 pm  |  CDS Theatre

We are so looking forward to our 3rd grade CHARACTER STREET performance on April 14.

• Parents, please bring your child to meet their teacher at 5:30 pm at the theatre in the main building.
• Please have him/her use the restroom before dropping them off with their teacher

Family and friends are welcome to join us, the performance will begin promptly at 6:00 pm. Guests are welcome to park on the west side (the main building entrance).

Welcome to 6th Grade Parent Coffee
Monday, May 2nd
8:30 - 9:30 am
Wagner Entrepreneurial Center

Join Mr. Maddox along with the MS admin team and 6th grade teachers for a program focused on incoming 6th graders.  We will share about 6th grade classes, schedules,  the IB Middle Years Programme, and much more!  You will also have a chance to ask questions about the middle school experience. We hope to see you there!

Two great family-friendly shows are coming to CDS this spring!
Elementary Presents
JUNIE B. JONES - THE MUSICAL

Friday, April 29 @ 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 30 @ 7:00 pm

Purchase Tickets

Middle School Presents
YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN - THE MUSICAL

Friday, May 6 @ 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 7 @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Purchase Tickets

We announced at the gala a new fundraising initiative that has an immediate need on the Bearss Avenue Campus. Our current playground has turned to dirt.

We are almost halfway to our goal which will allow us to turf the elementary playground field. With your continued generosity, we can fast track this project and improve the recess and athletic experience for hundreds of our students (and their parents stuck with the dirt-caked laundry) each day. Donate now to make this dream a reality!

For more information, contact Michelle Robinson, Director of Advancement at (813) 920-2288 x460.

donate today!

Guiding Little Patriots

Guiding Little Patriots is a math and English enrichment club for 3rd and 4th graders created and run by CDS upper school students. There is no charge for the club that meets from 3:30 - 4:30 pm on Mondays in Mr. M.'s computer lab. 

MORE INFORMation 

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, April 20

Lower School will be holding conferences in two weeks!  All conferences will be held in person.

• Elementary families (grades 1 - 5) will have traditional Parent-Teacher Conferences 

Sign-up for Conferences

Note: There is no school or childcare available for Lower School students on this day. April 20 is a regular school day for Middle School and Upper School.

Parents are asked to please mark these dates on your calendar and avoid making plans that would prevent your child from being present to complete these important assessments. MAP tests are a valuable tool to help measure academic growth throughout the school year and determine your child's instructional level in reading and math.

Monday & Tuesday, April 25 & 26:

• 2nd & 4th Grades

Wednesday & Thursday, April 27 & 28:

• 3rd & 5th Grades

Friday & Monday, April 29 & May 2:

• 1st Grade

Tuesday - Thursday, May 3-5:

• Finish up reading and math for all grades, as needed

• Thursday, April 14
  4th grade trip to Tampa Bay History Center
  9:15 am - 2:30 pm
  Lunch order due by April 8
• Thursday, April 21
  2nd grade trip to Fat Beet Farm
  9:15 am - 1:15 pm
  Lunch order due by April 18
• Monday, May 9
  3rd grade trip Sensing Nature in Brooker Creek
  8:45 am - 1:30 pm
  Lunch order due by May 4

Students may order box lunch from Flik

If ordering from Flik, students should select a Deli Sandwich combo which will include a sandwich, chips, fruit, and water for $6.50. Flik box lunches will be charged to your child's MySchoolBucks.com account.

Lower School families are invited to show your Patriot Pride at two exciting Middle School games vs. St. John's Episcopal School!
Pizza and water will be served.

4:00 pm at the Wagner Athletic Complex: MS Boys Baseball 

4:00 pm at South Beach: MS Girls Softball

Admission is FREE for students and parents to both games!

RSVP Requested

ECC music teacher, Claudia Totman, is offering private after school music lessons in voice and piano for students in grades 1-12.

Meet Mrs. Totman

contact mrs. totman

Please remember to check in and receive your visitor’s badge when coming on campus during the school day.

We announced at the gala a new fundraising initiative that has an immediate need on the Bearss Avenue Campus. Our current playground has turned to dirt.

We are almost halfway to our goal which will allow us to turf the elementary playground field. With your continued generosity, we can fast track this project and improve the recess and athletic experience for hundreds of our students (and their parents stuck with the dirt-caked laundry) each day. Donate now to make this dream a reality!

For more information, contact Michelle Robinson, Director of Advancement at (813) 920-2288 x460.

donate today!

Two great family-friendly shows are coming to CDS this spring!
Elementary Presents
JUNIE B. JONES - THE MUSICAL

Friday, April 29 @ 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 30 @ 7:00 pm

Purchase Tickets

Middle School Presents
YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN - THE MUSICAL

Friday, May 6 @ 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 7 @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Purchase Tickets

ECC music teacher, Claudia Totman, is offering private after school music lessons in voice and piano for students in grades 1-12.

Meet Mrs. Totman

contact mrs. totman

SIGN UP TODAY for a summer of fun and learning at CDS!

More Information

SIGN UP FOR BEARSS AVENUE CAMPUS CAMPS

SUMMER ACADEMIC COURSES

Please contact Coach Bergin at vbergin@cdspatriots.org if you are interested in being part of the Middle School Cheerleading Squad next year.

Mark these dates on your calendar:

Tuesday, April 19: MS Cheer Parent Information Meeting
on Zoom at 6:00 pm (Zoom link will be provided when Coach Bergin receives your email to sign up for cheer.)

Wednesday, April 20: 
Uniform Fitting after school. 

MS French Honor Society
Les Jeunes Amis de Français Induction Ceremony
May 5, 2022
8:00 - 8:30 am
Wagner Entrepreneurial Center 

SAVE THE DATE! 
8th Grade Moving Up & Awards Ceremony
NEW DATE:  Wednesday, May 25
6:30 - 8:30 pm
CDS Theatre

The 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony will be in the Theatre followed by a reception and slide show in the Quad and Student Union.

Thursday, April 14
8th grade field trip to MOSI
8:15 am - 2:45 pm

Eighth-grade students will go to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) on Thursday, April 14, 2022. In addition to exploring the museum, students will participate in two structured activities: Ridiculous Reactions (Chemistry) and Kinetic Art (Engineering). This field trip connects directly to the Physical Science curriculum as we have just completed investigations into chemical reactions and will be exploring forces and motion.

Attire
Students should wear their CDS uniforms

Lunch
FLIK will be offering boxed lunches.  Orders must be placed by April 12. You may also pack a lunch from home.

MOSI does not have concessions so food must be brought with you. MOSI does, however, partner with Pepsi, Healthy Vending, and MiniMelts vending which accept credit cards and cash in denominations of $1 or $5. MOSI is unable to supply change for vending so please plan accordingly.

If ordering from Flik, students should select a Deli Sandwich combo which will include a sandwich, chips, fruit, and water for $7.25. Flik box lunches will be charged to your child's MySchoolBucks.com account.

Students may order box lunch from Flik

Drop-off 
Students are to be dropped off at the normal CDS time. Students are to report to the Student Union at 8:15 am.

Pick-up 
Students will return to school for regular dismissal at 3:00 pm.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mrs. Alison Richards.

We announced at the gala a new fundraising initiative that has an immediate need on the Bearss Avenue Campus. Our current playground has turned to dirt.

We are almost halfway to our goal which will allow us to turf the elementary playground field. With your continued generosity, we can fast track this project and improve the recess and athletic experience for hundreds of our students (and their parents stuck with the dirt-caked laundry) each day. Donate now to make this dream a reality!

For more information, contact Michelle Robinson, Director of Advancement at (813) 920-2288 x460.

donate today!

11th Grade Boston Trip 
April 25 - 28, 2022
Parent Zoom Meeting: Monday, April 11 at 6:00 pm

The 11th grade trip to Boston is two weeks away! We are hosting a parent meeting at 6:00 pm on Monday, April 11th via Zoom to discuss important information, safety and trip expectations. This meeting is only for parents, we will meet with students at school the following week. 

The Zoom link is in today's Thursday Folder email and will be emailed to parents on Monday morning.

11th Grade Trip Info

Questions? Please contact Ms. O'Neill.

Parents of the Class of 2022 should have received their Countdown to Graduation packet in the mail this week. This mailing included invitations to the Senior Honoring Reception and your tickets to graduation.

Here are some important reminders and deadlines for senior parents:

• Thursday, April 14: Senior Parent Reflections and photos for Senior Slide Show are due.
  • Senior Parent Reflections should be emailed to Mrs. Nolen
    • Sample Reflections
  • Pictures should be emailed to seniorpictures@cdspatriots.org
• Friday, April 25: Deadline to make reservations for Senior Honoring Reception. Reservations
• Please donate to the class gift - Campus Signage - to help create a legacy from your graduating senior.
  Donate to Class Gift

There is still time to order graduation announcements from Balfour.

MORE INFORMATION

SIGN UP TODAY for a summer of fun and learning at CDS!

SUMMER ACADEMICS and enrichment programs for upper school students include:

• Reading/Writing SAT class and the English/Reading ACT class
• Math SAT class
• Math/Science ACT class
• Personalized Learning Path
• Speech & Debate

More Information

SUMMER ACADEMIC COURSES

Please join us for an Evening of DP Art and Entertainment
Wednesday, April 13
6:00 - 8:00 pm
International Square

Spanish Honor Society
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica Induction Ceremony

On Saturday, April 2, the Language Acquisition Department at CDS celebrated the 15th Induction Ceremony for Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica at the Columbia Restaurant.

The purpose of the SHH is to recognize high achievement in Spanish by students of secondary schools and to promote continuity of interest in Hispanic studies. The SHH is classified as a national and international academic honor society in the study of high school Spanish and is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese.

Congratulations to the 2022 new inductees.

French Honor Society
Société Honoraire de Français Induction Ceremony
April 12, 2022
4:00 - 5:00 pm
Wagner Entrepreneurial Center 

ECC music teacher, Claudia Totman, is offering private after school music lessons in voice and piano for students in grades 1-12.

Meet Mrs. Totman

contact mrs. totman

Junior - Senior Prom
Saturday, April 9
Florida Aquarium

Parent volunteers are needed to help set up and breakdown after the Junior-Senior Prom at the Florida Aquarium.

parent volunteers

Prom tickets are on sale now. 
Single tickets are $50/each
Two tickets are $90/pair

Prom Tickets

2022 Senior Send-Off
April 26  | 1:00 pm
Hayes Family Gymnasium

1st and 12th Grade Patriot Buddies and their Parents are invited to a special reception in The Scaglione Family Pavilion following the 2022 Senior Send-Off.

Due to space constraints 1st & 12 grade parents only are invited to attend these events.

A link will be provided to view a livestream of the Senior Send-Off for those unable to attend in person and to share with family and friends.

RSVP 

Mr. McGrath has made a refresher course video with tips and tricks on how to use PikMyKid. (Click on the image below to watch the video.)

Middle School teachers offer FLEX support/help sessions before school, during lunch, and after school. Click the link below to find charts with morning and afternoon help sessions for the arts and academics.

MIDDLE SCHOOL FLEX SCHEDULE

CDS believes some of the best learning happens outside the classroom. Middle School students can choose from a variety of clubs to create enthusiasm for learning while building creativity, imagination and positive social skills. 

MS ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

All members of the CDS community: faculty and staff, parents, and students, have a shared responsibility to keep our school in good health by committing to adhere to school policies and public health directives both in and out of school. To prevent early dismissals, classroom closings, building closings, and potential school wide closing we ask all stakeholders to comply with our sick day guidelines.

CDS SICK DAY POLICY

If your child becomes ill or is injured at school, it is imperative that we are able to get in touch with you or your designated contact person immediately. Please inform the office if there is a change in your emergency contact or procedure, even if the change is just for one day.

The administration has approved these calendar dates for the 2022-2023 school year:

Mon & Tues, Aug 15 & 16: 
MS and US Orientation (Attendance is mandatory)

Mon - Wed, Aug 15 - 17: 
ECC & Elementary Meet Your Teacher (ECC: Small group visits; Elementary: Individual meetings)

Wednesday, August 17: 
First day of classes for MS and US

Thursday, August 18: 
First day of classes for LS (ECC & Elementary)

Mon - Fri, Nov 21 - 25: 
Fall Break

Monday, December 19 - Wednesday, January 4: 
Winter Break for students

Thursday, January 5: 
Classes resume

Mon - Fri, March 13 - 17: 
Spring Break

Friday, May 26: 
Last day of school

Always check the website calendar for the most accurate information.

The Lower School offers early morning care beginning at 7:30 am and an after care program until 6:00 pm daily. 
(There is no fee for early drop-off at the Bearss Avenue campus; there is a fee for all other extended day programs.)

Please be mindful of these hours and drop-off and pick-up your children only during these hours.

ECC students may also be dropped off at 7:30 am at the Bearss Avenue campus with their siblings. Parents can register their ECC children to ride the shuttle bus between the Bearss Avenue campus and the Early Childhood Campus. There is a fee for the shuttle bus service.

Here is  a sample schedule for After Care at the ECC:

2:15 pm
Aftercare begins

• Counselors will escort students outside for outdoor free play.
• Physical distancing will be required.

3:00 pm
Snack

3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Indoor free play

• Students will be split into cohorts by grade.
• Individual games will  be provided to the students.
• Supplies will not be shared.
• Physical distancing will be required.

6:00 pm
Aftercare ends

Rainy Day Plan
Students will start out in designated classrooms, per grade, where they will engage in indoor activities such as dance with "go noodle."

Here is  a sample schedule for After Care at the Bearss Avenue campus:

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Dismissal - All students dismiss from their class room

3:30 pm
Aftercare begins.

• Aftercare counselors will report to their assigned elementary grade level suite to start aftercare. Students are asked to remain within their grade level suite and use their designated classroom bathroom, if necessary. Activities and games can be played within the grade level suite. Physical distancing required.
• Homework can be done by the student in their classrooms. Counselors will be there to help assist, if needed.

4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Snack/Outdoor time for all grades

4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

• Each grade level will rotate into the multipurpose room to participate in a craft related to our weekly theme, led by Ariana Cruz, Auxiliary and Summer Programs Assistant.
• Outdoor time, by grade level, is an option.

6:00 pm
Aftercare ends.

Rainy Day Plan

• Students will start out in their grade level suite, per usual. Homework is encouraged between the time of 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm.
• At 4:00 pm students will be led to the multipurpose room for a movie. Social distancing will be required.

Schoology is a web-based learning management system that  provides a secure and safe, easy-to-use, way for teachers, students, parents, and administrators to seamlessly communicate and collaborate to enhance students’ learning and success.

The access codes and instructions for creating parent Schoology accounts will be sent home with MS and US students. 

Read more...

College Counseling is thrilled to invite upper school students to visit them in their spacious new suite on the renovated first floor of the main building.

College Rep visits have begun and students in grades 10-12 are invited to attend these session.

Please check the College Counseling calendar each week on this page for a schedule of upcoming visits. Students must register on Naviance as well as obtain permission from their teacher to attend. Registration closes 24 hours prior to the visit.

Stay Informed with SeeSaw

Seesaw is the primary communication tool used by ECC teachers.  Seesaw provides a secure and safe, easy-to-use, way for students, teachers, and parents to seamlessly communicate and collaborate to enhance students’ learning and success. Seesaw is a digital portfolio that students will use to showcase what they are learning and doing at school and share with their family. 

Once Seesaw is activated for this school year, returning families will use their same account. Access codes and instructions for creating parent Seesaw accounts will be sent home to new ECC parents during the first two weeks of school. Here is a quick introduction to how Seesaw will connect you to your child's learning and classroom!

Middle School and Upper School students are welcome to remain on campus after dismissal. After school policies have been established to enable students to remain on campus after school and participate in athletic team practices/games and other supervised afterschool activities. No student will be allowed to "hang out" on campus unsupervised after dismissal. Students who are not participating in an athletic team practice session are not allowed to be in the gymnasium or fitness center after school. These facilities are fully booked by the athletic teams.

Supervision for Middle School students will begin at 3:00 pm. Supervision for Upper School students begins at 3:30 pm. Following dismissal, all students must be in an extracurricular activity (working with a teacher, attending an after school program, athletic team practice, drama/music rehearsal, etc.) or report to the MS Study Hall which is held in the MS Student Lounge and Design Tech classrooms or to the US Student Lounge for US Study Hall. Teachers staffing study hall this year are Mr. Jannereth and Ms. Polezhaeva.

• There is no charge for students to attend the MS/US After School Study Hall.
• Normal study hall hours are until 6:00 pm every school day.
• All students reporting to MS/US study hall must sign in and sign out.
  • Students will be allowed to sign themselves out of study hall when their ride home arrives or to go to a sports event; parents will not need to come in to sign out their child. Parents should call or text students once they have arrived on campus. Some cell service does not work inside the school building; if you are unable to contact your child directly, parents should call the school (813.920.2288) and the Welcome Center will notify the study hall supervisor to dismiss your child.
  • Once a child is signed out of study hall, he/she will not be allowed to return. Once children are signed out of study hall, they will no longer be supervised by CDS faculty.
• The expectation is for a "quiet" study hall, but the teacher supervising may allow exceptions for groups working together on school projects or assignments.
• Study hall areas must be left as clean as found.
• All school rules/policies apply during study hall hours. Behavior issues will be reported to the parent. Repeated behavior issues will be referred to the Middle School administration.

Questions? Please contact Mr. Jannereth, MS/US After School Study Hall Coordinator.

Flik serves scratch prepared entrees, including a vegetarian option, a daily grill special, chef prepared specialty salads, and deli sandwiches with in-house roasted deli meats.  Breakfast is  available every day beginning at 7:30 a.m. and fresh fruit, yogurt parfaits, assorted snacks and beverages are available for purchase during MS and US snack breaks.

Cash is not accepted in the lunch line. 

Be sure to set up a declining balance account for ALL students!

• Flik uses a no-cash system. ECC, Elementary, Middle School, and Upper School parents can set up and fund a payment account for each child at MySchoolBucks.com for daily purchases made through the cafeteria line. (ECC and elementary lunches ordered on Nutrislice are also paid for using the MySchoolBucks account.) To create accounts, parents must enter their child's name and birthdate. Accounts can be funded three ways:
  • Make a one-time payment
  • Set up autopay
  • Send a check payable to "Flik" to the school office 
  • If a student's account becomes overdrawn, the student will be served a Sunbutter and jelly sandwich for $3.50 which will be deducted from the student's account balance. We recommend that parents set up auto pay on their MySchoolBucks.com account to ensure their children get to have the lunch of their choice.