Last week, the school board proclaimed February 2022 as Black History Month in Orange County, recognizing the contributions of our fellow Americans of African and Caribbean descent. As person of Hispanic and African American descent, I am proud to be part of a district where each year, the month of February is recognized as a time to learn more about black history; build awareness to social causes affecting not just “people of color”, but society as a whole, and celebrate the progress, richness and diversity of African-American achievement.

It is my honor to represent your voice and listen to your concerns, with my office staff below, we are here to assist you in your preferred language.

If you are in need of assistance, guidance or direction to the appropriate office to address your concerns, please do not hesitate to text me or email me at [email protected]. For immediate assistance, please call our office at 407-317-3236, we’re open Monday – Friday, from 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

 Marilin Gutierrez

Diana Joaquin Mejia

OCPS celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Congratulations to NorthLake Park Community School students of 3rd and 4th grade,

 winners of Cambridge Assessment International Education.

Juniors and Senior from Lake Nona High School participated in the

Shakespeare competition. Each student performed a monologue

from one of Shakespeare’s plays.

Congratulations to Timber Creek High School athletic students

for winning 1st and 3rd place at the Knockout Wrestling Tournament.

The Colonial High School Competitive Cheer Team won a

bid in Nationals for the first time in school’s history!

Students from Roberto Clemente Middle School performed

holiday music to residents of the Brookdale Living community.

Like other magnet programs within OCPS, East River HS' First Responder Academy prepares students for a career. Click the video above to watch this story and learn more about the program and how it benefits students. Check out the virtual magnet fair to learn about the many specialized options within OCPS schools. Magnet applications are due February 15.

Innovation MS' Jesse Cohen encourages his students to break out of their shells and shine onstage. See how he's making an impact in his students' lives and why a parent nominated him as an A+ Teacher.

Participants will learn to use strategies to help cope with the stress of the pandemic. This session was designed for the Southwest Learning community but ALL Orange County Public Schools families are welcomed to attend. Click the link below to register for this specific training on our Engage 360 webpage: https://www.ocps.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=54703&pageId=1531429 

Parents will be provided strategies to help their children identify individual strengths, build self-confidence and self-awareness in order to accelerate learning. This session has been designed for the West Learning Community but ALL Orange County Public Schools families are welcomed to attend. Click the link below to register for this specific training on our Engage 360 webpage: https://www.ocps.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=54703&pageId=1531429

Orange County Public Schools is pleased to announce its 2022 Stellar Awards ceremony. This employee recognition event has been designed to honor those who dedicate their time and energy to lead students to success. The event will be hosted at the Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando on Friday, April 8, 2022.

The session topic is “Finding Your Fit: Making Choices for the Next School Year.” Families will learn how to help their students find their best fit by exploring innovative school choice options, such as magnet programs, Orange County Virtual School, open enrollment transfer options, family and student scholarships, charter schools, school-to-work programs and more! Click the image above to watch the video on Facebook live.

Parents will be able to identify better practices for Parenting Skills with their children. Families

will have an opportunity to embrace an abundant mindset relationship with their children

at home. To join the meeting, go to: https://bit.ly/feb23virtualworkshop2022

Parents will be armed with the tools on effective communication and listening skills. We will

begin with an activity that exemplifies various forms of communication and how they make us

feel, shifting speech perspective: What to say and how to say it and active listening techniques. To join the meeting, go to: https://bit.ly/march23virtualworkshop2022

First Lady DeSantis is inviting students to participate in academic and creative contests throughout the month. Students in grades K-3 can participate in an art contest and students in grades 4-12 can participate in an essay contest. Additionally, students, parents, teachers and principals are invited to nominate full-time educators of all student grades for the Black History Month Excellence in Education Award. All entries must be received by 5:00 PM (ET) on Friday, February 18, 2022. Click the image above to learn more.

Magnets have been established at elementary, middle and high schools to provide an opportunity for students to engage in intensive study in specific areas. Magnets offer the opportunity for students to discover their talents and explore their interests while focusing on academic rigor. Click image to access the virtual fair!

ATTN High School Students & Families: The OCPS College and Career YouTube Channel has various videos on the college admissions process as well interviews with guests from all over the country to touch on important college related topics. Click the image above or the button below to learn more.

Seniors can still fill the FAFSA® and determine their eligibility for federal and state financial aid. Plus, students who complete the FAFSA by February 28 can become eligible for $500 College Board Opportunity Scholarships!

College Board has partnered with Benefits Data Trust—a national nonprofit—to connect Opportunity Scholarships participants with Wyatt℠, a free FAFSA assistance chatbot that answers questions via text message. Your students can receive around-the-clock help from Wyatt. All seniors can sign up for Wyatt using the link at the top of the Opportunity Scholarships homepage . By confirming completion of the FAFSA, your seniors can enter drawings for $500 scholarships! Click on the link above, or go to:https://opportunity.collegeboard.org for more information.

www.ocfl.net/coronavirus: Orange County's COVID-19 Information page with resident resources, testing site information, executive orders, and Orange County newsroom updates.

www.facebook.com/OrangeCountyPublicSchools: the best resource for up to date, reliable information regarding Orange County Public Schools.

https://www.pcanorangecounty.com: the Primary Care Access Network in Orange County may be able to assist underinsured and uninsured residents with access, quality, and coordination of health care services