Cell Phones & Wireless Communication Device Usage at School

State law dictates how and when students can use cell phones and other wireless communications devices during the school day. This legislation is intended to support focused learning in the classroom and applies to all Florida public schools.

Pursuant to Florida Statute 1006.07, a student may possess a wireless communications device while the student is on school property or in attendance at a school function; however, they must follow the guidelines for use during the school day as outlined for each grade level below:

-Elementary and Middle school students may not use a cell phone or other wireless communication device (cell phone, tablet, ear buds, smart watch, smart glasses, etc.) at any time during the school day. The school day is defined as the school’s posted student hours.

-High school students may not use a cell phone or other wireless communications device (cell phone, tablet, ear buds, smart watch, smart glasses, etc.) during instructional time, unless authorized by the teacher solely for educational purposes.

This law does provide exceptions for accommodations related to the medical or educational needs of individual students. 

We appreciate your understanding and support as we follow this statewide requirement. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school directly.

Getting to Know ParentSquare

SCPS has adopted a new school and district to home communication tool called ParentSquare. This system is a direct response to your feedback on our parent survey, desiring more interaction with your child's teachers and schools, as well as having information in one convenient platform. We are so excited to roll this out district-wide, and invite you to visit the videos below in English and Spanish to better understand the features and tools that will help make your communications easier, more efficient, and timely.

Forms to be Completed by August 8th

Seminole County Public Schools respects that families have the right to make educational decisions for their child. In addition, as required by Rule 6A-1.0955(8)(m), F.A.C., Education Records, the district is required to use a student's legal name in school, or a parent approved nickname. Parents/legal guardians have the opportunity to view the district’s Student Discipline & Code of Conduct, provide name deviation consent, and acknowledge the online applications that the district utilizes throughout the school year. These documents are now available online for completion for the 2025-2026 school year. 

The parent/guardian Consent for Name Deviation, the SCPS Code of Conduct, and Healthcare Consent Form can be now found in Skyward Family Access. Please click here to login and complete the necessary form by August 8th, 2025. 

Meal Benefit Applications Now Open

Red Apple Dining would like to announce that meal benefits applications are open for the 2025-2026 school year. We encourage SCPS families to apply to see if your student(s) qualify for free or reduced-priced meals. Complete your online application here.

As a reminder, the federal government requires an application to be completed each year to determine eligibility. There is no deadline to apply for benefits; however, families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Watch this helpful video available in English or Spanish with step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Please note, if you have already received a meal benefit approval letter for 2025-2026 school year, you do not need to apply.

Please visit RedAppleDining.com or call 407-320-0226 for more information.

In partnership with Deliver Ed, Seminole County Public Schools is embarking on an important strategic planning process to guide our priorities and goals for the next five years (SY 2026–27 through SY 2030–31). This new plan will serve as our collective roadmap for student and district success.

SCPS belongs to all of us, and your voice matters. This process will reflect the best thinking of district leadership and the School Board of Seminole County, alongside the insights of parents, staff, students, and community members. Together, we’ll identify what’s working, where we can grow, and how we can accelerate student achievement for all.

We invite you to take part by completing a short online survey, now open through August 22, 2025. You’ll have the opportunity to share feedback on current programs and services, highlight areas for improvement, and suggest ideas for the future.

Survey responses will be collected and analyzed by Deliver Ed. All responses are anonymous, no personally identifiable information will be shared. (If you're interested in participating in a future focus group, a separate form will be available to share your contact information.)

Your perspective is essential. Together, we can build a bold, student-centered future for SCPS.

Reminder - Inclement Weather Protocols

This is the time of year when we often have stormy weather in the afternoons, which can lead to delayed dismissals. While they may be inconvenient, please know that the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority, and all decisions made to delay dismissal are made in an effort to keep children and staff safe.

We wanted to share information about the safety protocols during inclement weather, so we have listed out the steps taken by schools during inclement weather. 

Detect

Schools monitor weather conditions 15 minutes prior to dismissal to check for lightning or weather in the area.  

Delay

Delayed dismissal protocols will be activated should there be severe weather warnings, lightning, or deteriorating conditions. During a delayed dismissal, students are in a safe, permanent, and supervised location. Families will be notified of delayed dismissal as soon as possible and will continue to communicate the status every 15-20 minutes during the delay until the weather has been deemed safe for dismissal.

Dismiss

Once the weather conditions have improved enough for safe dismissal, families will be notified. 

It is important to note that prior to the conclusion of delayed dismissal protocols, students will only be released to an approved caretaker if:

• The approved caretaker presents proper identification and signs the child out in the front office, and
• The child is on campus in a location that will not require outdoor exposure prior to being delivered to the custody of the approved caretaker.
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Should weather conditions deteriorate during dismissal, a weather delay will be activated, however, messaging for families may be delayed until all students and staff are safely indoors.

We would like to thank you for your consistent patience, support, and understanding as we care for your children and our staff during inclement weather while they are on our campuses.

Absence Request Procedure Update

As a district, we are committed to improving student attendance and making it easier for families to share with us if your child needs to miss school. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, absence requests can be submitted through your Skyward Family Access Portal.

Medical and doctor’s notes, court documents, or religious instruction will still need to be provided for documentation along with the absence request. If your family does not have internet access, paper notes are still acceptable in this situation.

This will help us keep accurate records and make the process faster and more efficient for everyone. Regular school attendance is crucial for academic achievement, and we want to partner with our families to ensure every student has as much time in class as possible.  

To learn how to submit an absence request, please see the buttons below.

What counts as an “excused” absence?

After you submit the absence request, school staff will review it to ensure it meets the board policy for an excused absence. Here are the most common reasons that may be excused:

• Your child is sick (Illness that lasts longer than 5 consecutive days may require a doctor’s note)
• Doctor or medical appointments
• Required court appearances
• Death in the immediate family
• Religious holidays or instruction
• Approved school activities or events
• Therapy appointments (speech, occupational, ABA, etc.)
• Attendance at a DCF-supervised program
• Significant community events (with principal’s prior approval)
• Other special situations approved by the principal
• Insurmountable conditions, like extreme weather or public health concerns

Each absence request will be reviewed in accordance with School Board Policy 5200.

If you have questions or need help accessing Skyward, please connect with your school directly. We’re here to help!

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s success through regular attendance and open communication.