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The Squawk!
'We can achieve all academic missions.'
| | Military headstones honoring armed forces service members are decorated with American flags for Memorial Day. Apopka Memorial Middle School remembers the brave men and women who laid down their lives in service to our great nation. Their sacrifice is the true cost of the freedoms we all enjoy, and it is a debt our country can never fully repay. | | Apopka Memorial Middle School Community Brief Monday, May 26, 2025 | | |
We have two days remaining before the summer break. We will continue to update our community over the summer through various means such as with the website, TalkingPoints, and an occasional issue of The Squawk.
We are asking that students do not bring backpacks with them on Tuesday or Wednesday, however, a drawstring bag will be okay.
As we prepare for summer break and all the fun to come, please remember to keep your student engaged in some reading for pleasure. In fact, OCPS has a summer reading campaign kicking off in a few days — the "Splash Into Stories" summer reading challenge. Our Seahawks are encouraged to continue logging reading minutes using the Beanstack app all along. The Orange County public library also offers amazing activities and classes throughout the summer. Please check out the library's website for more information.
Thank you very much for reading The Squawk this year. A team effort, I hope you found it to be both informational and inspirational. Unfortunately, there is just not enough space to highlight all of the incredible learning and extracurricular events occurring at Apopka each week, but we tried to share at least a few success stories so our community might get a better feel for what a special place Apopka Memorial Middle School truly is.
Here's to a safe, enjoyable, and relaxing summer and CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 8TH GRADERS, THE FUTURE CLASS OF 2029!
Mrs. James
Principal
Apopka Memorial Middle School
'We can achieve all academic missions.'
| | 2025-2026 School Calendar: | | |
Here are a few key points about the Summer BreakSpot Meal Program:
1) Availability: The program will be available starting on June 2 at various locations throughout the district, including schools, community centers, and other designated sites. To find the site locations and the serving times, parents may go to www.Summerbreakspot.org or check the OCPS Website under the Food and Nutrition page.
2) Meal Types: Breakfast and lunch will be provided, ensuring children can have balanced meals twice daily.
3) Cost: All meals are free of charge to children 18 and under, regardless of family income.
For more information, please call the Food and Nutrition Services Summer Program: 407.858.3110 ext. 329-2231.
| | Class of 2029 Awards Ceremony Highlights | | Isabela Shaw, Outstanding Student - STEM | | Selina Huang (left) and Isabela Shaw, both students earned straight A's over all 3 years of middle school. | | National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony Monday, May 12 | | National Junior Honor Society inductees with their sponsor, Ms. Clayton, at their special ceremony earlier this month. | | Ms. Gwendolyn Clayton, NJHS Faculty Advisor | | |
Isabela Shaw, LeAnn Williams, Brismely DeLeon, Khloe Bell and Benedicte Denis
These five students recited the 5 Pillars of the National Junior Honor Society:
Isabela Shaw - Secretary - Recited Leadership, the only officer from last year.
LeAnn Williams - Recited Character
Brismely DeLeon - Recited Service
Khloe Bell - Recited Citizenship
Benedicte Denis - Recited Scholarship
| | Ms. Lawendy’s Algebra class working on their end-of-year project: | | When you look at the students' projects from a math standpoint, you can see how they are laying out a city design where they take their skills to design part of their own city. For instance, notice how angles come into play with street design and the accompanying shape of buildings which brings in a third dimension. | | Dr. Ann Hodge Richbourg rewards her math students for jumping multiple levels on the FAST Assessment (The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking). Here are a few success stories! | | Dominick A. Gonzalez (6th Grade): | | Dominick entered the class as a Level 1 student per the PM3 2024 Statewide Assessment. He was tenacious in his efforts to learn the math content through a rigorous program called ALEKS. He worked diligently to understand his grade level content for 6th grade demonstrating comprehension of 90% of his content that he had to moved up to the 7th grade module on ALEKS. Additionally, Dominick was always open to help and support his classmates in reaching their goals. Dominick is now at proficiency for his grade level as he made a Level 4 on the PM3 2025 Statewide Assessment which is an increase of 38 points. Dominick went the extra mile by being focused every day, showing his work in his portfolio daily, along with supporting his fellow classmates to learn the content as well. He received an additional $5.00 for his service to others totaling $25.00 along with a card with an inspirational message. Dominick will also be receiving another gift card from Apopka Memorial Middle School for all of his hard work. | | Bianca R. Domingo Perez (6th Grade): | | Bianca entered the class as a Level 1 student per the PM3 2024 Statewide Assessment. She worked to complete her ALEKS topics daily. She completed the rigorous lessons for 6th grade. Bianca is now at grade level as she made a Level 4 on the PM3 2025 Statewide Assessment with an increase of 36 points. She received $20.00 along with a card with an inspirational message. Bianca is a sweet and respectful young lady that is always open to learning. | Josue J. Caldera Perez & (left) and Giovanni S. Espino-Ramirez (7th Graders): | |
Josue and Giovanni had a few more barriers than others to deal with in reaching their goals. Josue and Giovanni received $5.00 for their efforts. Giovanni arrived at class on time daily and completed his ALEKS assignments to fidelity. He increased by 11 points.
Josue made 100% on all of his assignments and was placed from the 7th to the 8th grade module on ALEKS after completing over 90% of the topics to be learned. He entered as a Level 1 student per the PM3 2024 Statewide Assessment and is now on grade level at a Level 3. Even though Spanish is his dominant language, he worked using the bilingual portion of the program to help himself and then he reached out to help other bilingual students. Josue will be receiving another surprise from Apopka Memorial Middle School for his outstanding scholarship.
| Haily P. Redondo Varela, Gianna K. Garcia, Devin W. Honeycutt, and Mike M. Newalda (8th Graders): | | |
Haily, Gianna, and Devin received $20.00 each along with a card with words of inspiration. All three of these students entered the class as Level 1 students per the PM3 2024 Statewide Assessment. They worked to complete their ALEKS topics daily, being over 80% on the program. They now are at proficiency level at a Level 4 on the PM3 2025 Statewide Assessment with an increase of 44 points for Haily, 39 points for Giana, and 49 points for Devin. Devin also received a big prize from Apopka Memorial Middle School last Wednesday.
We had two other students to receive $20.00 cash and cards. Sophia Perez and Noel Ortiz Maldonado. They both went up from a Level 1 to a Level 4. Sophia increased by 50 points and Noel by 43 points.
Now for the big prize winner! "MIKE NEWELDA" (far right in photo).
Mike received $50.00 along with words of inspiration. He entered the class as a Level 1 student per the PM3 2024 Statewide Assessment. He worked to complete his ALEKS topics daily, being at 83% on the program. He now over the proficiency level at a Level 5 on the PM3 2025 Statewide Assessment with an increase of 44 points. This is what we call "LASER FOCUSED." Mike worked without ceasing.
| | Highlights from Ms. Tillman's Math Celebration: | | Summer Zone - FREE for Apopka Middle Students | | |
Summer Zone Registration is now open to everyone interested in attending at Wolf Lake Middle (Rising 6th – exiting 8th). SPOTS ARE LIMITED! Please register as soon as possible. There is NO COST for the Summer Zone that runs June 2nd - July 24th. Monday - Thursday from 8:30am - 5:00pm. Breakfast, Lunch and an Afternoon snack will be provided every day. *Free Field Trips maybe included* See flyer below for more information. contact: Mr. Palmer at 59168@ocps.net
Note: Held at Wolf Lake Middle this summer.
| | Food for Thought: Monday, May 26 | | Here at the end of the 2024-2025 school year, read inspirational quotes for our Seahawks about striving for kindness, sticking to your principles and finding strength during tough times. | | |
Wilma Rudolph On Goals
Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion. The potential for greatness lives within each of us.
~ Wilma Rudolph, sprinter
Annie Lennox On Compassion
Ask yourself: Have you been kind today? Make kindness your daily modus operandi and change your world.
~ Annie Lennox, singer-songwriter
Samuel L. Jackson On Integrity
You will, undoubtedly, meet people who will try to shut you up or entice you to compromise your principles. Don't let them; it's just not worth it.
~ Samuel L. Jackson, actor
Vaclav Havel On Purpose
Work for something because it is good. Not just because it stands a chance to succeed.
~ Vaclav Havel, statesman
Christopher Reeve On Courage
A hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
~ Christopher Reeve, actor
Brad Stevens On Self-Improvement
When you compete against everyone else, no one wants to help you. But when you compete against yourself, everyone wants to help you.
~ Brad Stevens, NBA executive
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'We can achieve all academic missions.'
Mrs. James, Principal
Apopka Memorial Middle School
Monday, May 26, 2025
| | Apopka Memorial Middle Leadership Team | | This communication may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure, and intended only for the use of the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, please note that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Anyone who receives this message in error should notify the sender immediately by telephone or by return e-mail, and delete the message from their computer and any printout thereof. Please note that OCPS utilizes spam and junk e-mail filtration applications in its e-mail systems. That filtering process may prevent or delay delivery of certain e-mail communications. If you do not receive a timely response to an e-mail communication, please contact the intended recipient by phone. | |
Copyright Notice
Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS - Apopka Memorial Middle School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and especially Apopka Memorial Middle School. Please contact Ms. Lisa James at lisa.james@ocps.net with any questions related to the program.
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Apopka Memorial Middle | Ms. James, Principal | 407.884-2208 | AMMS Website
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