Risse Brothers is offering two 10% off sale days - in store and online!

• Saturday, May 18
  Online Code: CDS10
• Saturday, July 14
  Online Code: CDS102

Sale Flyer

Parents are welcome to drop off used uniforms donations to International Square during May through July. Uniforms should be clean and gently used.

PTO will host a back to school Used Uniform Sale on Monday, August 15 and Tuesday, August 16.

Six positive diagnoses in the past week; elementary and upper school; the individuals are quarantining in accordance with current guidelines.

COVID Reporting Form 

Later in May, the 2022 Back-to-School Page will be published on the school website. This page will contain helpful information and important materials families will need prior to the beginning of the school year — all in one place. You will find summer assignments, school supply lists, technology requirements, and more! This page will continue to be updated throughout the summer.

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

CDS Theatre
Bearss Avenue Campus

Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

Purchase Tickets

It's not too late! Our community has shown such gratitude during a year where we embraced togetherness with the return of beloved events and student traditions. Join us in our efforts to achieve 100% Patriot participation by supporting the Annual Giving Program. All donations received by June 30, 2022 will be recognized in our Honor Roll of Donors in the CDS Talon Magazine. 

Your gift, no matter, the size, will make a difference!

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

RISING KINDERGARTEN & FIRST GRADE FAMILIES!

Risse Brothers is offering two 10% off sale days - in store and online!

• Saturday, May 18
  Online Code: CDS10
• Saturday, July 14
  Online Code: CDS102

Sale Flyer

Current kindergarten parents are welcome to drop off used uniforms donations to the ECC during May through July. Uniforms should be clean and gently used.

PTO will host a back to school Used Uniform Sale at the Bearss Avenue campus on Monday, August 15 and Tuesday, August 16.

Parent Input
As we begin to plan for the upcoming school year, we would like to gather some information on your child and family. This information will be added to the extensive knowledge of your child as a learner which will be used by teachers and administration to help guide class placement, helping to ensure a successful experience for the 2022-2023 school year.  Please complete the form below to help us in this area.  All submissions must be collected by 5:00 p.m. on May 15 to be considered for the upcoming school year.

PARENT INPUT FORM

Virtual Informational Parent Meeting
Tuesday, May 17
6:30 pm
This year we have compiled both optional and mandatory summer work for students entering grades 1 through 5. This will enable your child to avoid the summer slump and be better prepared for next school year. We will hold a virtual informational meeting for families May 17 at 6:30 p.m. to go over this and answer any questions you may have. Look for more details in the near future.

Plan to join us as we celebrate our PreK-4 and Kindergarten classes.

Please note change in date and time for these programs.

PreK-4 End-of-Year Program
Tuesday, May 10
5:30 - 6:30 pm NEW TIME
CDS Theatre - Bearss Avenue Campus

Kindergarten End-of-Year Program
Tuesday, May 10 NEW DATE
6:30 - 7:30 pm
CDS Theatre - Bearss Avenue Campus

Lower School Student Council is partnering with District One of the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office and Feeding Tampa Bay in an effort to collect cereal for children over the summer. Many kids in our community go without breakfast over the summer and this initiative will help our school’s police district collect the most boxes of cereal to help our community. Please help us collect cereal from Friday, April 29-Thursday, May 5th. Bins will be placed in each grade level as well as at the ECC. Also, to show our appreciation to our Hillsborough Sheriff Officers, LS students and ECC students will be making cards to thank them for their service.

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, May 6, 2022
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Theatre & Elementary Courtyard
NOON DISMISSAL - Elementary ONLY
***After Care for elementary students is available at 12:00 Noon - RSVP Requested

Spring Fling is a showcase of all of the elementary students' experiences and accomplishments in music and visual art during the school year. We invite all families to join us for our Spring Fling musical and art show on Friday, May 6, 2022. The musical performances will begin in the Theatre at 9:00 am. We welcome you to view the children's artwork displayed in the hallways outside of the classrooms of the elementary school after the music performance.

Reminder: Students are asked to wear a Disney shirt and khaki school uniform bottoms.

After Care Registration
Friday, May 6

In an effort to staff our Friday After Care appropriately, we are asking that you fill out and submit this form if you plan on having your child attend After Care on Friday.

Students staying for after care are reminded to bring a bag lunch.

Sign up FOR AFTER CARE

Can you hep Ms. Rodriguez's class with their Exhibition project? 

IB @ CDS Service Showcase
Tuesday, May 10
8:30 - 9:30 am
Wagner Entrepreneurial Center

This coffee will showcase service activities and provide ideas for summer.

As an IB World School, CDS is dedicated to building a community prepared and inspired to better the world. Students in all divisions are encouraged to look for ways to take action to create the world they would like to inhabit.

• In middle school, we encourage each student to participate in community and service with a suggested number of hours each year. 

Lower School Student Council is partnering with District One of the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office and Feeding Tampa Bay in an effort to collect cereal for children over the summer. Many kids in our community go without breakfast over the summer and this initiative will help our school’s police district collect the most boxes of cereal to help our community. Please help us collect cereal from Friday, April 29-Thursday, May 5th. Bins will be placed in each grade level as well as at the ECC. Also, to show our appreciation to our Hillsborough Sheriff Officers, LS students and ECC students will be making cards to thank them for their service.

Thank you to all the 5th grade parents who attended the Welcome to MS coffee with Mr. Maddox and MS faculty on Monday. Here is a recording of the meeting for those who were unable to attend or may want to review the information presented. 

The curriculum guide and the course selection form are included below. Parents should complete the course selection form with their children. Responses are due by May 20, 2022. You will also find the middle school quick contact card below, so you know where to direct your questions.

MS Curriculum

MS Course Selection Form

MS Quick Contact Card

Parent Input
As we begin to plan for the upcoming school year, we would like to gather some information on your child and family. This information will be added to the extensive knowledge of your child as a learner which will be used by teachers and administration to help guide class placement, helping to ensure a successful experience for the 2022-2023 school year.  Please complete the form below to help us in this area.  All submissions must be collected by 5:00 p.m. on May 15 to be considered for the upcoming school year.

PARENT INPUT FORM

Virtual Informational Parent Meeting
Tuesday, May 17
6:30 pm
This year we have compiled both optional and mandatory summer work for students entering grades 1 through 5. This will enable your child to avoid the summer slump and be better prepared for next school year. We will hold a virtual informational meeting for families May 17 at 6:30 p.m. to go over this and answer any questions you may have. Look for more details in the near future.

Middle School Football
Spring Training
Grade 5 Boys

May 9-12, May 16-19
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Please wear your PE uniform and meet on the football field

Bring sunscreen & a LARGE jug of water

Please make sure your sports forms are complete:

• CDS Sports Conduct
• EL2/Sports Physical
• EL3/Consent & Release
• Mandatory sports injury prevention videos

More Info Here

PARENTS MEETING
Monday, May 9
4:30 pm  |  By the concession stand

Coach Jojo asks that the parents park when they pick up their boys on Monday, for a brief parents meeting near the concession stand.

• Monday, May 9
  3rd grade trip Sensing Nature in Brooker Creek
  8:45 am - 1:30 pm
  Students who did not preorder a lunch from Flik will need to bring a bag lunch.

• Tuesday, May 10
  Ms. Rodriguez's 5th grade class trip to Humane Society of Tampa Bay
  9:30 am - 1:00 pm
  Students will need to bring a bag lunch.

IB @ CDS Service Showcase
Tuesday, May 10
8:30 - 9:30 am
Wagner Entrepreneurial Center

This coffee will showcase service activities and provide ideas for summer.

As an IB World School, CDS is dedicated to building a community prepared and inspired to better the world. Students in all divisions are encouraged to look for ways to take action to create the world they would like to inhabit.

• In middle school, we encourage each student to participate in community and service with a suggested number of hours each year. 
• Upper School must complete 100 hours of community service hours by graduation.  Students are recommended to complete 25 hours each year in US.

Thursday, May 12
8:45 - 9:45 am
Wagner Entrepreneurial Center

Class of 2022 Results

We will review how our class of 2022 seniors fared in their college application process. We will discuss the following items:

• Application data: how many total applications were submitted and what was our acceptance rate? Where are our seniors attending college next year? What types of schools are our students interested in (private or public)?
• Geographic statistics: where did our students apply? We will discuss our results from both out of state and in-state schools.
• Standardized testing: what were our ACT and SAT test score averages?
• Merit/academic scholarships: what were our totals and the percentage of students who received a merit-based award?
• Popular application destinations: what were the frequent fliers among our seniors?
• US News and World Report: a discussion on the caliber of schools our students were admitted to.

Middle School Football
Spring Training
Grade 6 & 7 Boys

May 9-12, May 16-19
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Please wear your PE uniform and meet on the football field

Bring sunscreen & a LARGE jug of water

Please make sure your sports forms are complete:

• CDS Sports Conduct
• EL2/Sports Physical
• EL3/Consent & Release
• Mandatory sports injury prevention videos

More Info Here

PARENTS MEETING
Monday, May 9
4:30 pm  |  By the concession stand

Coach Jojo asks that the parents park when they pick up their boys on Monday, for a brief parents meeting near the concession stand.

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

CDS Theatre
Bearss Avenue Campus

Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

Purchase Tickets

Thursday, May 12
6:30 - 9:00 pm
CDS Theatre

8th Grade Exams will be held on Monday, May 23 - Wednesday, May 25. Exams and required activities will end at 11:30 am on Monday and Tuesday and at 10:00 am on Wednesday. There will be NO early bus. Regular FLIK lunch and supervision will be available for students who need to remain on campus until the regular 3:00 pm dismissal time. Busses will follow the regular afternoon schedule.

Parents are asked to complete this form indicating dismissal plans for their 8th grade student on exam days.

8th grade exam Dismissal Form

Monday, May 23

• 8:30 - 10:00 am
  Language Acquisition
• 10:00 - 10:15 am
  Break
• 10:15 - 11:30 am
  FLEX for upcoming exams 
• 11:30 am
  Early dismissal or lunch and supervised study halls 
• 3:00 pm
  Regular Dismissal

Tuesday, May 24

• 8:30 - 10:00 am
  Mathematics
• 10:00 - 10:15 am
  Break
• 10:15 - 11:30 am
  Moving Up Ceremony Practice
• 11:30 am
  Early dismissal or lunch and supervised study halls 
• 3:00 pm
  Regular Dismissal

Wednesday, May 25

• 8:30 - 10:00 am
  Science
• 10:00 - 10:15 am
  Break or Early dismissal
• 10:15  - 11:30 am
  Make-up Exams or Study Hall
• 11:30 am
  Early dismissal or lunch and supervised study halls 
• 3:00 pm
  Regular Dismissal

Thursday, May 26

• 8:15- 10:00 am
  Make-up Exams
• 10:15 - 11:30 am
  As needed per arrangements with Ms. Killion
• No school on Thursday for 8th grade students who do not need to make up a test or complete work

Friday, May 27

• All students attend school for a last day celebration with their friends. 8th graders should be prepared for our traditional shaving cream fight. Towels and goggles are recommended! Dismissal is at 11:30 am.

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

More Information

SIGN UP FOR BEARSS AVENUE CAMPUS CAMPS

SUMMER ACADEMIC COURSES

Avoid getting stressed about exams. Use this exam-prep calendar from Mrs. Hollingsworth to help you be well-prepared.  Make a copy of the calendar and then customize it to your needs.  See Mrs. Hollingsworth if you need help!

Exam Prep Calendar

Here is the calendar for the Upper School Final Exams:

Monday, May 23

• 8:30 - 10:00 am
  Block A
• 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
  Block B   

Tuesday, May 24

• 8:30 - 10:00 am
  Block C
• 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
  Block D 

Wednesday, May 25

• 8:30 - 10:00 am
  Block E
• 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
  Block F 

Thursday, May 26

• 8:30 - 10:00 am
  Block G
• 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
  Block H 

More Information

Here are some important reminders and deadlines for senior parents:

• Senior parents,  f you are available we would love your help at the 12th grade IB Exam Cafe there are still a few openings! Please use the link below to sign up for a slot to provide snacks for our IB exam takers!
  Volunteer for IB Exam Cafe

• Please donate to the class gift - Campus Signage - to help create a legacy from your graduating senior.
  Donate to Class Gift

Thursday, May 12
6:30 - 9:00 pm
CDS Theatre

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

CDS Theatre
Bearss Avenue Campus

Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

Purchase Tickets

IB @ CDS Service Showcase
Tuesday, May 10
8:30 - 9:30 am
Wagner Entrepreneurial Center

This coffee will showcase service activities and provide ideas for summer.

As an IB World School, CDS is dedicated to building a community prepared and inspired to better the world. Students in all divisions are encouraged to look for ways to take action to create the world they would like to inhabit.

• In middle school, we encourage each student to participate in community and service with a suggested number of hours each year. 
• Upper School must complete 100 hours of community service hours by graduation.  Students are recommended to complete 25 hours each year in US.

Thursday, May 12
8:45 - 9:45 am
Wagner Entrepreneurial Center

Class of 2022 Results

We will review how our class of 2022 seniors fared in their college application process. We will discuss the following items:

• Application data: how many total applications were submitted and what was our acceptance rate? Where are our seniors attending college next year? What types of schools are our students interested in (private or public)?
• Geographic statistics: where did our students apply? We will discuss our results from both out of state and in-state schools.
• Standardized testing: what were our ACT and SAT test score averages?
• Merit/academic scholarships: what were our totals and the percentage of students who received a merit-based award?
• Popular application destinations: what were the frequent fliers among our seniors?
• US News and World Report: a discussion on the caliber of schools our students were admitted to.

To help with our CDS Summer Camp Program

Want to get a head start on your volunteer hours? Join us over the summer for a fun filled time with kids. Click below to fill out the Junior Summer Camp Staff Questionnaire. All volunteers are required to attend the Junior Summer Camp Staff Orientation on Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 - 10:00 am.

For additional information, please email Mr. Wolfinbarger or Ms. Olivier.

Junior Summer Camp Staff Questionnaire

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.