Launching Futures: NASA Gets a Firsthand Look at SCPS Innovation

What does it take to prepare today’s students for careers and opportunities that are rapidly evolving, or in some cases, don’t even exist yet?

That question was at the heart of a recent visit to Lyman High School, where an impressive group of national, state, education and industry leaders came together to see firsthand how Seminole County Public Schools is preparing students for life beyond graduation.

The distinguished group included Elaine Ho, Associate Administrator for NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement; Florida Senator Jason Brodeur; workforce leaders from Space Florida; and representatives from the UF Semiconductor Institute, Amazon, Cyber Florida and FloridaMakes. They were joined by SCPS School Board Chair Dr. Robin Dehlinger, Superintendent Serita Beamon and district leaders.

But the real stars of the visit were the students.

Guests toured Lyman High School’s Academy of Engineering and Academy of Building Trades, where students are doing much more than learning about potential careers; they are gaining hands-on experience, developing real-world skills, and earning industry-recognized certifications that can open doors after graduation.

The visit highlighted SCPS’s continued focus on ensuring every student graduates ready for what comes next, whether that means employment, enlistment, or enrollment in postsecondary education.

That work was strengthened in Spring 2025 when SCPS entered a strategic partnership with Space Florida and became a Space Florida Designated District. Through the partnership, SCPS is intentionally connecting education with some of Florida’s fastest-growing and most critical workforce sectors, including aerospace and aviation, advanced manufacturing, construction, cybersecurity, semiconductors and logistics.

Those connections matter. By bringing education, industry, government and higher education leaders to the same table, SCPS can better understand the skills tomorrow’s workforce will require and ensure students have opportunities to begin developing those skills today.

From engineering and cybersecurity to construction, advanced manufacturing and beyond, SCPS students are discovering that there is no single definition of success after high school, and no single pathway to get there.

Visits like this one are also an important reminder that preparing students for the future is bigger than any one classroom, school, or organization. It takes strong partnerships, innovative programs, and a community committed to creating opportunities for young people.

And at Lyman High School, some of Florida’s leading voices in workforce development had the opportunity to see that future taking shape...one student at a time.

Hard Hats On: Building Math Skills One Number at a Time!

Third graders in Mrs. Spencer’s math classes are putting on their hard hats and getting to work building strong math skills from the ground up!

Students are learning how to decompose numbers, breaking larger numbers into smaller, more manageable parts to better understand place value, number relationships, and mathematical thinking.

Much like builders use individual materials to create something bigger, these young mathematicians are discovering how numbers can be taken apart and put back together in different ways.

With plenty of hands-on practice, problem-solving, and a little construction-themed fun, students aren’t simply learning how to find the right answer; they’re developing the critical-thinking skills that will serve as the foundation for more complex math concepts in the years ahead.

Way to go, Roadrunners!

Bobcats Roll Up Their Sleeves for Campus Beautification

Students at Jackson Heights Middle School are putting their learning into action and demonstrating the qualities we hope to see in every SCPS graduate along the way!

Mrs. Woodward’s Ecology students recently rolled up their sleeves and got to work spreading mulch around campus as part of JHMS’s ongoing beautification efforts. Beyond making their school a little more beautiful, students demonstrated several of the characteristics found in the SCPS Portrait of a Graduate, including being powerful collaborators and being rooted in character.

By working together toward a shared goal and taking pride in the place where they learn each day, these Bobcats showed that some of the most meaningful learning happens beyond the classroom.

The project was also a wonderful example of school-community partnership. Members of the Bobcat community donated more than 60 bags of mulch to support the beautification effort, providing students with everything they needed to get to work.

Thank you to Mrs. Woodward, her Ecology students, and the many community members who contributed. These students aren't just helping their campus look its best; they're developing the skills, character, and sense of responsibility that will help them make a difference wherever they go.

Resolution Recognizing Hagerty High's State Champions in Class 7A Softball

A championship season deserves a championship celebration! The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners recently recognized our Hagerty High School State Champion Softball Team with a special resolution celebrating their incredible achievement.

We love seeing our community come together to recognize the hard work, dedication, teamwork, and excellence of our outstanding student-athletes. Congratulations to our Huskies on an unforgettable season, and thank you to our County Commissioners for helping us celebrate these amazing champions! 

K9 Bailey Celebrates Her Birthday in Style

The SCPS and Lake Brantley High families wish K9 Bailey, one of our awesome weapon-detection K9 officers, a fabulous birthday with all the belly rubs and good treats she can have! We are pretty sure she loves a good tennis ball toss too!

We are so thankful for Officer Shapiro, K9 Bailey, and the Altamonte Springs Police Department for all they do to support our Patriot students, staff, and families.

Who's a good girl? Bailey is!

Carillon Second Graders Welcome Special Guest

Mrs. Ross’s second-grade squirrels had the incredible opportunity to welcome the Mayor of Oviedo to their classroom nest! Her visit was the perfect real-life connection to their Social Studies lesson on community problem solvers.

Students asked so many thoughtful (and fun!) questions, from what happens at City Hall and her favorite part of being a community problem solver to her favorite foods (garbanzo beans), animal (bunny), and color (green)!

We are so grateful she took the time to share her time and knowledge with our learners and help ensure the lessons they learn in the classroom are happening all around us in our own community. What an amazing experience for our students! 

Rainbow Elementary Students Author First Place Book

Last year, Mrs. Dershimer’s class participated in the Amazon Studentreasures National Book Challenge. Their class book, Animal Cracker Adventures, won first place out of over 77,000 books submitted!

Congratulations to these award-winning authors for this special achievement! We are so proud of you! A special thank you to Mrs. Coleman (SCPS dividend) for volunteering your time to help make this book a success.

Action Church Helps Sanford Middle’s Garden Grow

At SCPS, some of our best learning spaces don’t have four walls, and thanks to the generosity of Action Church, one of those spaces at Sanford Middle School is looking it's best for the new school year!

Volunteers from Action Church recently rolled up their sleeves to spruce up Sanford Middle’s garden, helping refresh a space that serves as much more than a beautiful addition to campus. Their time, energy, and commitment show the tremendous difference our community partners make for students and schools.

Sanford Middle is a Math, Science & Technology Magnet where students are encouraged to connect and apply STEM principles to solve real-world problems. The school's garden extends that mission, giving students an outdoor environment where they can study the relationships between living organisms and their surroundings.

In the garden, lessons can truly come to life. Biology is found in the plants and ecosystems taking shape before students' eyes. Students can explore chemistry through nutrients and soil composition. Math comes into play through measuring garden beds, spacing plants, tracking growth, and analyzing data. Students can investigate the importance of sunlight and water, learn about sustainable food sources, explore pollinators and plant life cycles, and better understand how the choices we make impact the environment around us.

Most importantly, the garden gives students the opportunity to learn by doing — asking questions, solving problems, collaborating, and seeing firsthand how concepts from different subjects connect in the real world.

Community partnerships help make experiences like these possible. When organizations such as Action Church invest their time and talents in our schools, they aren't simply improving a garden; they're helping create meaningful spaces where students can explore, discover, and grow.

Calling All Volunteers - Become a Dividend Today!

The Seminole County Public Schools 2026-27 Dividend Volunteer Application is now open! Dividend Volunteers must reapply each school year in order to support our students on campus, chaperone a field trip, help in a classroom, etc.

Please be sure to click on the button below or visit our Community Involvement website to apply.

Thank you for supporting our students and schools!