Over the weekend of April 5th and 6th, the Premiere Orchestra performed in the inaugural UCF Orchestra Invitational! (Panther success story below) | | |
Hello Mark,
April is National Volunteer Month with this designation serving as a reminder of the valuable contributions made by our individual volunteers and our Partners in Education. This past week we officially celebrated these groups, both formally and informally. April is also when our annual family survey will normally close as is the case after this coming Tuesday, April 15. The 2025 family survey consists of only two multiple choice questions plus one question where parents may share their thoughts on school improvement and general operations. Thank you to those of our parents & guardians who have already completed the survey. If this applies to your household, I ask that you kindly take just a couple of minutes and share your views today. Thank you for your feedback which will be used in our school improvement plan.
| | | Friday, April 4th was School Librarian Appreciation Day and the administration team wanted to show their love to Ms. Sanchez! | | | DP celebrating National Volunteer Month with a small token of appreciation to all of our ADDitions Volunteers. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers for your service in support of our Panthers, teachers, and staff during the 2024-2025 school year. You have played a very important role and your service has been greatly appreciated. | | | |
Here is what we prepared for our community within this Panther Post. Thank you for reading.
1) Panther Spotlight
2) Volunteer & Partner in Education of the Year
3) Key Dates
4) Testing
5) 2025 Family Survey
6) Special Events
7) 2025-2026 Bus Registration
8) Seniors
9) AFJROTC
10) CIS
11) Art Department
12) Panther Athletics
13) StuCo
14) College and Career
15) OCPS News
16) Policies & Procedures
Thank you for reading.
DP Panthers—Never Less Than The Best
Principal, Jackie Ramsey
Dr. Phillips High School
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Premiere Orchestra performed in the inaugural UCF Orchestra Invitational.
UCF Professor of Music Education Dr. Bob Hasty created this event as part of the national Music for All organization and the "UCF Celebrates the Arts!" annual festival. Premiere was one of 6 orchestras from the central Florida area accepted by blind audition to perform. All participating ensembles were invited to rehearse, perform, and receive an educational clinic from an industry expert following their concert onstage in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, billed "As one of the world's most acoustically perfect spaces"!
This is just one of many accolades earned by the DPHS Orchestra program this year- with an industry-wide, national reputation of excellence in performance, the Dr. Phillips High School Orchestra Program regularly receives invitations to perform and collaborate at state and national events of this nature.
| | Volunteer of the Year / Partner in Education of the Year | | | Last week, OCPS hosted the Crystal Awards, which honors the top Volunteer and PIE of the year from each school. Congratulations to the DPHS Volunteer of the Year, Saudi Izquierdo and Partner in Education of the year, Jose Ortiz of Carrabba's Italian Grill. | | Mrs. Rodriguez, Saudi Izquierdo, Mrs. McKenzie and Jose Ortiz of Carrabba's Italian Grill. | | Mr. Ortiz of Carrabba's Italian Grill standing next to the list of 2025 OCPS Partner in Education Honorees at this year's Crystal Awards held at SeaWorld Orlando on April 4. | | DPHS Volunteer of the Year, Saudi Izquierdo (center) | | |
Apr. 15: Last Day for 2025 Parent Survey
Apr. 16: Class of 2025 Super Scholar form due
Apr. 17: Juniors and Seniors Talent Show
Apr. 17: Blood Drive
Apr. 17: "Mapping Your Future" College and Career Prep event offered by CIS
Apr. 19: FASA ESports Championship, Larry Payne Gymnasium - Tickets
Apr. 23: Last Day for Prom Tickets
Apr. 21-25: Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week hosted by StuCo
Apr. 25: Southwest Middle Festival of the Arts
Apr. 25: Grad Bash, 6PM-2AM
May 02: CIS Celebration Ceremony - Guest of Honor, 6-8PM in the PAC
May 15: Last Day for Seniors / Cap and Gown Distribution
May 22: Class of 2025 Graduation
| | 2025 Family Stakeholder Survey | | | "Mapping Your Future" - College and Career Prep offered by CIS (April 17): | | Southwest Middle School's Festival of the Arts (April 25): | | *** The Dr. Phillips chorus and orchestra will be performing! | | CIS Celebration Ceremony (May 2): | | Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony (May 22): | | 2025-2026 Bus Registration | | | |
Dear Panther Families,
The 2025-2026 School Bus Rider Registration form is now accessible to parents, schools, and Student Enrollment staff via the Skyward portal. Completing this form is mandatory, as it will facilitate the issuance of student bus ID cards. Please refer to the attached document for detailed instructions on how to access and complete the form.
| | Seniors! Seniors! Seniors! | | | |
Grad Bash
2025 Dr. Phillips High School Grad Bash Information
Saturday, April 25- 6PM-2AM
TICKETS SOLD OUT
● If you have not completed the agreement form, you must come see me first thing Monday morning. (there are only 2 of you who have not)
● ALL participants must meet in the bus loop by 5:45PM. Park in the DPHS Softball field lot. DO NOT park in the student parking lot or the front of the school.
● Tickets & wristbands will be distributed upon arrival at school. Students must not lose their ticket or wristband; both are required for entry to the event. Take a picture of the back of your ticket upon receipt.
● Tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE
** You cannot sell/give your ticket to someone else! All tickets are “attached” to a DPHS student ID.
● You will be assigned a bus (based on alpha), but you may explore the parks with whomever you choose. You MUST ride the SAME bus to and from Universal.
● Students may not leave the parks early or drive themselves and are required to remain for the entire duration of the event. We will return to school at approximately 2:30 AM.
When you purchased your ticket, you agreed to follow Universal Theme Park Rules & Regulations for this event including chaperone instructions. Any behavioral issues during the event will be dealt with by Universal Theme Park Security and/or Orange County Police. If students fail to follow these expectations, the Head Chaperone, school administration, and parents will be notified, AND you may jeopardize your opportunity to participate in prom, graduation, and/or other end of the year senior events.
* Universal’s Security team strictly enforces all dress code regulations for Grad Bash. If you arrive for the event out of dress code, you may be sent home to change your clothes. The following items are NOT permitted; Universal staff will deny entrance if worn.
o School name, logo or mascot (No school shirts or jackets, etc.)
o Clothing that exposes excessive portions of skin that may be viewed as inappropriate (bikini tops, bikini bottoms, crop tops, extreme low cut tops)
o Clothing with obscene, offensive language, graphics, or area codes displayed
o Clothing that is too tight or revealing or with excessive holes or shredding
o Visible undergarments, pants falling below the waist, spandex body suits
o Tops that show midriff or cleavage or matching attire (twinning)
o Short shorts showing too much skin or shredded to high. (no shorter than mid-thigh)
o Nylon basketball shorts
o Accessories like chains, spiked collars, studded/spiked belts, or including sharp objects
o Jerseys of any kind (including college and professional)
o Large backpacks or purses larger than 8.5” x 5.5” (small clutch bags only)
If problems arise during the event, please notify the nearest Universal Orlando employee who will get in touch with DP chaperones.
Questions? See Ms. Golub in room 2-210
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Graduation
Thursday, May 22
Ceremony begins at 8:30 sharp!
Students must report by 7:30 AM and will check in with their guidance counselors at the tables on the ground floor of the GEICO garage.
No tickets needed
Additional information will be shared with the students in the coming weeks.
Graduation rehearsal is still pending. We hope to have this information available soon.
Senior Checkout
Seniors will “check out” during the first two weeks of May through their English classes. Students will be escorted to the media center to return devices, chargers, and text books, to the college and career center, AND to guidance to finalize all end of the year paperwork.
Seniors’ last day of school is May 15.
Cap and gown distribution will also take place on 5/15. Details to follow.
Please watch your email, Canvas notifications, the seniors’ Instagram page, WDOC school news broadcast, and school website for additional information regarding any of the aforementioned topics.
| | On Saturday and Sunday, April 5th and 6th, our Air Force JROTC cadets served the Lakeland community at the annual Sun And Fun Airshow. Most of the kids worked 12 hour days on both days, but they did get to enjoy the airshow, and the feature act, the Navy’s Blue Angels!! | | Our cadets from Air Force JROTC FL-881 traveled to Osceola High School on Saturday March 29 for a Drill Competition that included Physical Fitness. We competed in multiple marching events, showcased two unique Color Guard routines, and had a strong Physical Fitness team. Almost every single cadet from our drill team made it to IDR finals. Cadet Feliciano also deserves a big congratulations for performing the solo armed exhibition. While we didn't take home any trophies this time, our cadets showed outstanding effort, discipline, and teamwork throughout the event | | On Friday, April 4th, the Air Force JROTC program had its annual Unit Evaluation given by Headquarters Air Force JROTC. The unit did great with a perfect score of 100, which the Air Force calls “Exceeds Standards”. All the cadets in the program did a great job preparing for and executing their respective parts of the evaluation led by the Cadet Wing Commander Luis Encarnacion. A huge shout out to the cadets recognized by Headquarters as “Top Performers”, which only goes to 2% of the unit; they truly earned it!! Mayra Feliciano, Nicolas Hernandez, Anastasia Caplunova, Maria Ramirez, Van Borysiewicz and Jacob Sharon. | | Center for International Studies | | | Freshman CIS students spent the day exploring the historic Kennedy Space Center for their 2024-2025 field trip. This marked their first adventure with fellow magnet peers, as each grade level embarks on its own designated trip. From walking among towering rockets to discovering the brilliant minds behind space exploration, students were captivated by the stunning sights and inspiring stories. They gained a deeper understanding of not only American achievements in space exploration but also the global contributions that shaped the space race. | | An update from last week’s issue, from the Art Department: | | | |
WE HAVE FOUR FINALISTS!!!
A huge CONGRATULATIONS to our incredibly talented Dr. Phillips High School art students who have been named 2025 Finalists in the prestigious Florida High School Art Awards, presented by SACSN!
This prestigious recognition honors exceptional artistic talent and creativity among high school students across the state of Florida. We commend these students for their dedication to the visual arts and for representing Dr. Phillips High School with excellence.
Congratulations to our 2025 Finalists:
• Katalina Maliza-Kaye Melchoir, 10th grade – Finders Keepers
• Tyler Scarborough, 12th grade – Life Well-Lived
• NaTecsha-Amani Holloway, 12th grade – Metamorphosis
• Nathania Miller, 11th grade – Decoración de interiores (featured last week as well)
Their work will be featured in the 1st Annual Florida High School Art Awards and Metaverse Exhibition, taking place May 2–9, 2025. Hosted by SACSN (Student Arts Community Service Network) in Palm Beach, Florida, this groundbreaking charity event celebrates Florida’s top young artists by providing them with a national platform in a fully immersive virtual gallery powered by IMX3 Metaverse technology.
Finalists’ submissions were reviewed by a panel of distinguished art professionals, and their work will now be showcased in a digital exhibition accessible via smartphone, desktop, tablet, or VR headset. Visitors can even create avatars to explore the exhibit in an engaging, interactive experience—perfect for sharing with friends, family, teachers, and classmates.
This initiative reflects SACSN’s mission to empower young creatives, foster their artistic growth, and support their future success. Scholarship awards will be announced soon!
A special thank you to the event’s charitable partners: PGA Tour Charities, Children’s Health Care Charity, The Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches, and Birdies for Charity.
We celebrate their achievements and look forward to their continued success in the arts. Their creativity, passion, and hard work have truly paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder!
SACSN Mission: The SACSN ARTS program provides engaging, innovative and uplifting experiences that support many diverse families, children, young adults, and communities that we serve through our alliance of orphanages, children’s hospitals and community centers.
SACSN Programs: The Arts are utilized to transform any environment and create opportunities for expression, connection, and self-identity. SACSN ARTS is committed to engaging high-quality arts learning through a variety of art media.
| | Katalina Maliza-Kaye Melchoir, 10th grade – Finders Keepers | | NaTecsha-Amani Holloway, 12th grade – Metamorphosis | | Tyler Scarborough, 12th grade – Life Well-Lived | | Nathania Miller, 11th grade – Decoración de interiores | | This week in Panther sports: | | |
Track Record Breaker!
Sophomore student Peyton Castell is an extraordinary track athlete! Breaking not one but two longstanding Dr. Phillips High school records this year is a remarkable achievement. This past week at Metro West Championship, Peyton ran an impressive record time of 11.89 in the 100-meter dash, and 24.14 in the 200-meter dash. These personal record times clearly highlight her talent and dedication.
In Class 4A Region 2, Peyton is ranked #1 in the 100-meter dash, #2 in the 200-meter dash, and # 3 in the 400-meter dash. This is no small feat; it shows her versatility and dominance across multiple distances.
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Panther ESports
Come on out to support our Rocket League and Mario Kart teams as they battle for a state championship on Saturday, April 19th ! Tickets are available now for $10 dollars at teachtix.com/dphs/fasa-esports-state-championship-spring-2025/saturday Along with the matches, we will be hosting multiple tournaments that are included with admission including College Football 25, NBA 2K 25, and Super Smash Bros.
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Alumni Spotlight
Please join us in giving a huge congratulations to Dr. Phillips High grad Denzel Aberdeen who just won the 2025 National Basketball Championship with the Florida Gators!!!
| | College and Career Center | | | On April 2nd, Ms. Henry and Mrs. Bynum attended the Central Florida Women’s league scholarship luncheon. Two students received a scholarship of $3,000 each, Kharymel Walker and Gabrielle Vuini. | | Ms. Henry and Ms. Bynum with Kharymel Walker | | Ms. Henry with Kharymel Walker and Gabrielle Vuini | | Superintendent's Weekly Message: | | |
April 7, 2025
Feeling the end-of-year whirlwind? You're not alone!
This week on Mondays with Maria presented by Addition Financial, Dr. Vazquez is bringing the calm to the chaos for parents and teachers. We're talking about how to help students power through those final tests with confidence, make good choices when the excitement is high and enjoy all the end-of-year fun. Let's finish STRONG!
To hear more on this topic, listen to the Mondays with Maria Podcast, wherever you get your podcasts!
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* Please remember that due to being a fire and trip hazard, blankets are not allowed on school campus. A staff member will first give a warning to put away and not to bring back. If the student refuses, the blanket will be stored in building 700 (Discipline Office) for students to pick up after school.
* Per OCPS: Delivery of food or beverages from off campus to students is not allowed during the school day. This includes food delivery from services such as Uber Eats or DoorDash. All students are able to eat free lunch and breakfast in our cafeteria every single day. After-school meals are also available for students who attend after-school programs. Parents/Guardians are not to bring food or drop off to students, unless documented as a dietary restriction or medical condition. Please reach out to drphillips_hs@ocps.net with any questions or concerns. https://drphillipshs.ocps.net/school_information/food_services
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* Students who arrive after 7:20am will come through the front office (not the gate) and receive a green late pass to 1st period.
* Students, please remember that you are not allowed to leave your classroom in the first or last 10 minutes of every class period.
* Students, your job here at school is to attend class and succeed in your studies and extracurriculars. Please make sure you are arriving to ALL of your classes on time and are attending each of your classes throughout the day, every day. Poor attendance, skipping, and tardiness can and will have a negative impact on your grade. If you are absent for a doctor's visit or anything else that warrants an excused absence, please make sure to submit a signed note to the front attendance office as soon as possible once you return to school.
If you have 5 unexcused absences in a calendar month or 10 in 90 days you are considered truant and can lead to school and legal consequences (driver license revoked for example).
* Panther Parents and student drivers, please remember that there is only ONE (1) lane to turn right into the student parking lot and student drop off lanes. Please do not cut off other cars or attempt to turn right from the center lane. This not only can cause an accident but endangers yourself, the other drivers around you and anyone walking in the immediate area. As a reminder, you should also NEVER be dropping your students off ON Turkey Lake Road. This is extremely dangerous, especially in the dark mornings and could cause you or your student to be harmed if other cars do not anticipate your stop or see your student. The only place your student can be dropped off is in the drop off lane on DPHS campus. Remember, arriving early means your student can be dropped off quicker and safer. Please plan accordingly!
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DPHS —Never Less Than The Best!
Ms. Ramsey, Principal
Dr. Phillips High School
Sunday, April 13, 2025
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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 - Dr. Phillips High School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and especially Dr. Phillips High School. Please contact amanda.stavdal@ocps.net with any questions or for further information.
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Dr. Phillips High School
6500 Turkey Lake Road,
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone 407-355-3200
Fax 407-355-3288
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