# data[].attributes.headline
Financial Aid Events! Click the link/picture

# data[].attributes.subject
Financial Aid Events! Click the link/picture

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Advocates in maximizing student academic achievement, social/emotional development and college and career readiness through systemic change.

# data[].attributes.headline
Happy birthday Shantell! Turned 40 on September 15th!

# data[].attributes.subject
Happy birthday Shantell! Turned 40 on September 15th!

# data[].attributes.body
September Events at the library!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Month Calendar | Lee County Library System

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Events Calendar for Lee County Library System

# data[].attributes.body
https://forms.gle/W7MZEY7RWqDbTYox6

# data[].attributes.headline
UPCOMING: Wednesday, September 25th at 11:30AM

# data[].attributes.subject
UPCOMING: Wednesday, September 25th at 11:30AM

# data[].attributes.headline
Happy birthday Mariah and Jariah! Mariah turned 10 on August 14th and Jariah turned 11 on August 2nd!

# data[].attributes.subject
Happy birthday Mariah and Jariah! Mariah turned 10 on August 14th and Jariah turned 11 on August 2nd!

# data[].attributes.headline
Happy birthday Giavahzzy! Turned 7 on August 7th!

# data[].attributes.subject
Happy birthday Giavahzzy! Turned 7 on August 7th!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Blue and Teal Modern Bus Charter Services Flyer

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
After School Program with AFCCAM Center. Transportation from Colonial Elementary starting August 19th!

# data[].attributes.body
Virtual or in-person meetings on 8/17 (past), 8/31 (past), 9/14 (past), and 9/28. Will announce October/November meetings in the next newsletter.

# data[].attributes.headline
Small Business & Entrepreneur Interest Form (Fort Myers)

# data[].attributes.subject
Small Business & Entrepreneur Interest Form (Fort Myers)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Small Business & Entrepreneur Interest Form (Fort Myers)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Small Business & Entrepreneur Interest Form (Fort Myers)

# data[].attributes.body
STARS After school | Fort Myers, FL - Official Website (cityftmyers.com)

Transportation from the following schools to STARS: Colonial Elem, Franklin Park Elem, Allen Park Elem, Edison Park Elem, Edgewood Academy, James Stephens Academy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Episode 3: Education: How Seeing Beyond the Grades is Better for Your Child and for You

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A bell schedule specifies the start time and duration of one or more instructional periods on each day.

# data[].attributes.headline
Spots open at Renaissance Preserve! Register at the website below:

# data[].attributes.subject
Spots open at Renaissance Preserve! Register at the website below:

# data[].attributes.body
Trax Online Registration (traxsolutions.com)

# data[].attributes.body
Our boxing program is geared towards ages 8 to 17 years of age and uses boxing as a platform to encourage hard work, discipline, integrity, and respect. We are teaching boxing fundamentals and self-defense techniques and promoting the development of physical fitness and healthier lifestyle habits.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Lee County Sheriff's Office - Southwest Florida Lee County Sheriff's Office

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
COACH JOE TRUBILLA

Joe Trubilla credits the sport of boxing with saving his life. As a teenager, amateur boxing matches kept Joe out of trouble and helped him focus on his health and physical fitness.

Joe became a certified trainer and conditioning coach in 2016 to inspire others to achieve their goals while helping individuals make positive changes. Joe hopes that sharing his knowledge and experience will help other younger youth stay away from trouble while fostering a strong work ethic, discipline, and increased self-esteem.

Over the years, Joe has developed knowledge and had the opportunity to work with boxers of varying experience and skill levels. Joe believes that if boxing is implemented correctly, it possesses the power to positively impact lives and build champions for the community.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Youth Boxing Program - Lee County Sheriff's Office

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Youth Boxing Program Under International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) and USA boxing certified Coach Joe Trubilla, the Lee County Sheriff's Office Youth Boxing Program is designed to create a strong foundation of athletic and motivational skills that can be applied in and out of the ring.

# data[].attributes.body
The Junior Cadet Leadership program is an after school elementary program geared towards 4th and 5th-grade students offered by first responders. For more information, please see your School Resource Officer (SRO).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Lee County Sheriff's Office - Southwest Florida Lee County Sheriff's Office

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Safe Students, Safe Schools - Lee County Sheriff's Office

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Lee County Sheriff's Office is committed to the safety and welfare of Lee County's students. Services are provided to students and schools by the Youth Services Division, the School Threat Enforcement Team, and the Community Response Unit.

# data[].attributes.body
The Cadet Leadership program is an after school program that offers middle school students the opportunity to positively interact with law enforcement while amplifying their leadership and problem-solving skills.

For more information, please see your School Resource Officer (SRO).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Lee County Sheriff's Office - Southwest Florida Lee County Sheriff's Office

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Safe Students, Safe Schools - Lee County Sheriff's Office

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Lee County Sheriff's Office is committed to the safety and welfare of Lee County's students. Services are provided to students and schools by the Youth Services Division, the School Threat Enforcement Team, and the Community Response Unit.

# data[].attributes.headline
Lee County Parks & Rec After School Programs

# data[].attributes.subject
Lee County Parks & Rec After School Programs

# data[].attributes.body
After school programs and classes with Lee County Parks & Rec

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Summer Camps and After School Programs

Weekdays after school - $100 per semester
The school day is done; time to join Club Rec. This program provides children an outlet to burn off the stress of the school day through organized games, activities, clubs, sports, crafts and homework time. Participants will learn the benefits of recreation, healthy lifestyles, teamwork and caring for/understanding the environment/nature. Club Rec expects children to participate in planned activities as well as maintain a steady attendance. Children regularly missing more than two unapproved program days per week will be dropped from Club Rec in order to open a spot for another child. Club Rec is offered only on days when school is in session that are not a county holiday. This program is for children in second to eighth grade.
Click here to register for classes and programs online

Teacher In-Service Days - $15 per day,
Spring Break - $75 per week
Come spend your teacher in-service days and spring break having fun with friends. Day may include games, swimming, crafts, music or field trip. Call the center for the day's itinerary. Price does not include field trip cost (when applicable). Hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please bring a bagged
lunch, snacks and a water bottle.
Click here to register for classes and programs online

Lee County Parks & Recreation offers a variety of camp programs to help make the summer fun. Many camps fill quickly, so register early. Camps are offered on a weekly basis. Register for the camps that interest you, on the weeks that work for you.
Click here for more information about summer camp.

Classes, Programs and Special Events

There are four community pools which offer swimming lessons for all ages, as well as a variety of water exercise classes and aerobics classes. Check out the swimming pools website to find a pool near you and to browse which classes are available.

Guided Walks and Nature Programs

Click here to download the free guided walks schedule

Classes and lectures are held regularly at several of the large regional parks. Call 239-533-7275 for more information.

Parks & Recreation also partners with the UF/IFAS extension program to offer a variety of nature courses and programs. For more information visit the UF/IFAS Lee County Extension Services website or call 239-533-IFAS(4327).

The Great Calusa Blueway is a 190-mile trail guides canoeists and kayakers using easily identified brown/white signs through shallow areas away from powerboat traffic. Click here for more information about the paddling trail.

UF/IFAS Extension Services offers customized education and training in agriculture/natural resources, horticulture, 4-H/youth development, marine education, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods, and family and consumer sciences. 239-533-IFAS(4327). For more information visit the UF/IFAS Lee County Extension Services website or call 239-533-IFAS(4327).

Sports and Athletics Programs

Open recreation sports are played at our parks and recreation centers during designated times. Our four large recreation centers offer open recreation times in their large gymnasiums and many of the parks feature outdoor facilities available for use.

Public courts are located at various Lee County parks, which are typically open everyday, dawn to 9:30 p.m.

Visit Lee County Community Tennis Association

Lee County Parks & Recreation does not organize or manage the operation of youth sports at athletic fields but there are many partner organizations that do. Each one of these organizations must meet standards and code of conduct, and background checks for coaches are conducted.
Click here for contact information for youth leagues in the community

Lee County Parks & Recreation hosts two Major League Baseball teams at its facilities for spring training. The Boston Red Sox play at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. The Minnesota Twins' spring "playground" is at Lee County Sports Complex in south Fort Myers. Both teams are competing in state-of-the-art facilities managed by Parks & Recreation staff. For tickets and information visit www.RedSox.com or www.twinsbaseball.com.

During summertime, Lee County Sports Complex is home to the Fort Myers Miracle, a Florida State League Team affiliated with the Minnesota Twins. Parks & Recreation also maintains the Player Development Complex on Edison Avenue and Terry Park Sports Complex on Palm Beach Boulevard-all of which host a variety of smaller nationwide tournaments.

Special Needs and Specialized Recreation Programs

Club Sunshine (Club Rec After School Activity) - ages 6-22 Variety Club (Daytime adult social) - any adult age
Hours
Address

Pre-registration is required for all our programs. Please download the special needs Registration Packet and email it to the Special Needs Coordinator or mail-in/drop-off to Karl Drews. Space is limited in certain programs, so register early! Individuals requiring personal care and/or medical assistance may need to bring a caregiver with them to participate in programs and activities.

Fall Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. & Friday 12 p.m.-9 p.m.

Sum mer Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Special Needs Coordinator

(239) 267-2181

Click here to learn more about adaptive sports in Lee County

Go to: https://www.specialolympicsflorida.org/westcoast for complete information

Lee County Parks & Recreation Special Olympics Coordinator - Don Payne
239-738-5222, dpayne@leegov.com

Special Olympics County Director - Justin Copertino
754-264-9158, justincopertino@sofl.org
Community Programs

Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition to children and adults 8 years of age and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Our athletes are also invited to participate in Athlete Leadership and Healthy Athletes programs.

We currently offer Nine Sports: Athletics (Track & Field), Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Golf, Stand Up Paddle, Swimming & Tennis

We currently serve 1,382 athletes throughout Lee County including School Based Programs.

Over 480 people from our community give their time to volunteer each year including School Based Programs.

School Based Programs

School Based Programs begin at age 2 and continue until age 22. These programs provide the opportunity to transition to, or simultaneously participate in the Community Programs.

Young Athletes Program - Ages 2-7

Little Elites - 2nd - 5th Grade

Motor Activities Training Program

Unified Sports & Unified Champion Schools

Fit 5 Plan

Forms

ADA Accessible Amenity Search

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Visit Leegov.com to find useful information for residents, businesses and visitors of Lee County in Southwest Florida

# data[].attributes.body
Football, Cheerleading, Boxing, Basketball, and many other programs in leadership and law enforcement.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
PAL PROGRAMS

What is PAL?

PAL PROGRAMS

Fort Myers PAL's yearly Boxing program has Local, State & National recognition.

Football & Cheer coed program serves as a Elite core sport for the spring & fall season

Police Explorers Program - Teens aspiring to pursue a career in Law enforcement

Dare 2 Understand - Law enforcement camp to bridge youth understanding of law enforcement

Fort Myers PAL's yearly Boxing program has Local, State & National recognition.

Football & Cheer coed program serves as a Elite core sport for the spring & fall season

Police Explorers Program - Teens aspiring to pursue a career in Law enforcement

Dare 2 Understand - Law enforcement camp to bridge youth understanding of law enforcement

(officiated by police officers)

YDP (Youth Directors Program) Creating real aspiring youth leaders that desire to give back by performing community service. Learn how to utilize unhidden talent by learning life skills, public speaking & leadership skills.

PAL JR. NBA Winter & Summer Basketball

Visit www.fortmyerspal.net for schedules

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
3280 Marion Street Fort Myers, FL 33916 PAL is the Largest & Oldest Crime Prevention Program in America

# data[].attributes.body
Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) is a FREE community service that offers information and referral lists to all families that are looking to find care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, before and after care for school-age children and summer camp information.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Importance of School Readiness - Early Learning Coalition of SouthWest Florida

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Parents are responsible for keeping their contact information current with the Early Learning Coalition. If you have questions about Child Care Assistance or need to update your contact information, please contact one of our locations by calling 239-935-6100 in Glades, Hendry or Lee County or 239-213-1137 in Collier County.

# data[].attributes.body
The VPK program is a free prekindergarten program for 4 and 5-year-olds who reside in Florida! Click on the link to apply!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) – Early Learning Coalition of SouthWest Florida

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The VPK program is a free prekindergarten program for 4 and 5-year-olds who reside in Florida. Participating children must be 4 years of age on or before September 1. Parents can enroll their child in the state’s free, voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) education program that year or wait until the following year when their child is 5. You will also need to show (upload):

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Lee County Library System - Early Literacy Calendar of Activities

# data[].attributes.headline
Lee County Library Early Literacy Calendar

# data[].attributes.subject
Lee County Library Early Literacy Calendar

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
​

Early Literacy Calendar of Activities

Check out these fun ideas and activities to help keep the learning going all month long.

Calendars:

Building Early Literacy Skills

There are six early literacy skills children need to develop to become good readers.

Oral language: speaking, listening, and communication skills

Phonological awareness: ability to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words

Print awareness: knowledge that print has meaning and how to handle a book

Letter knowledge: knowing that letters have different shapes and represent sounds and that letters are different from shapes or numbers

Vocabulary: knowing the meanings of words

Background knowledge: prior knowledge about the world before a child enters school

Here are five simple practices you can incorporate into your daily routine that support the development of these skills. The bonus is that this is also quality bonding time with your child:

Talk: Talking with children helps them learn words. Talking is one of the most critical early literacy skills. Children learn about language by listening to parents talk and joining in the conversation. For babies, this may start off as babbling and evolves into full sentences by the time your child is five.

Sing: Singing with children helps develop the sounds that make up words. Singing slows down spoken words so children can hear the different sounds that make up the words.

Play: Playing is one of the best ways for children to learn language and literacy skills. Building with blocks or kicking a ball help them put thoughts into words and talk about what they are doing.

Read: Reading together helps with building vocabulary and comprehension and can nurture a love for reading. Asking questions while reading a story with your child helps them find a greater meaning in the words and illustrations.

Write: Children become aware that printed letters stand for spoken words as they see words used in their daily lives. Tracing letters on their hand or writing words down on paper helps your little one make this connection.

How to Build Early Literacy Skills

Watch examples of easy ways to incorporate early literacy practices with your little one.

Early Literacy Spotlight: SING

Enfoque de alfabetización Temprana: CANTAR

Early Literacy Spotlight: WRITE

Enfoque de alfabetización Temprana: ESCRIBIR

Early Literacy Spotlight: PLAY

Setting Children Up for Success

Sign your little one up for the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, watch Storytime Anytime! and explore the Early Literacy Calendar.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is a fun, exciting and free program that encourages the love of reading. Children can earn fun rewards while caregivers learn important tips that can help their child become successful readers.

Start Reading 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.

Enjoy a prerecorded storytime at home or on the go. These videos offer a condensed version of our in-person storytimes. Programs include a variety of songs, stories and caregiver tips designed to promote and reinforce literacy and language development.

Watch Storytime Anytime!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Lee County Library System, founded in 1964, serves Lee County residents with 13 branches and circulates more than 6 million items per year.

# data[].attributes.headline
LCSO Explorer Program: 14-20 years old - NEXT MEETING: 10/7

# data[].attributes.subject
LCSO Explorer Program: 14-20 years old - NEXT MEETING: 10/7

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.sheriffleefl.org/explorers/

The first Monday of every month, starting promptly at 6pm.

This is a career exploration program, for boys and girls ages 14-20, who express interest in a career with law enforcement. Contact your school resource officer or call 239-258-3200 for more information.