Sanford Middle School's Applied Robotics

The Applied Robotics & Engineering class at Sanford Middle School has spent the last month building a SeaPerch ROV (remote operated vehicle) that operates underwater. The U.S. Navy's Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division provided SeaPerch kits through a grant for the class to build. 

The students first learned to solder using training kits, making spinning tops that light up. Student subject-matter experts took a leadership role, training their peers in soldering.

Then they formed teams to start building a SeaPerch. Students had three design builds to choose from. They built the frame, cutting and drilling PVC pipes; soldered the controller and tested the electronics; waterproofed the motors; assembled the whole thing; and tested the buoyancy of their ROV. Along the way, they had many opportunities to solve problems. Teams also completed a Technical Design Report describing their design process.

The class recently took a field trip to Lyman High School to test out the ROVs in the pool. Each student got to drive their ROV in the pool. The teams also tried a practice obstacle course where the ROV navigated through rings, and a practice mission course to test picking up objects with the attachments they designed for their ROV. Students were also able to take a tour of the Building Trades building at Lyman. 

Many of the students from seven of the teams will take their SeaPerch to compete in the upcoming Central Florida Regional SeaPerch Competition. Great work, Warriors!

Indian Trails Middle Students' Hands-On Gold Rush Simulation

Indian Trails Middle's eighth grade U.S. History students recently stepped back in time for an exciting, hands-on learning experience inspired by the 1849 California Gold Rush! Students had the opportunity to try their hand at gold panning, gaining a deeper understanding of what life was like for the hopeful prospectors known as the “49ers.”



Through this immersive activity, students not only searched for “gold,” but also experienced some of the challenges and hardships that miners faced during this historic era. From patience and persistence to the uncertainty of striking it rich, the activity brought history to life in a memorable way.

After collecting their findings, students were able to exchange their “gold” for various rewards, adding an extra layer of fun and motivation to the experience.

If your child participated in gold panning, we encourage you to ask them about their adventure and what they learned! Go Trailblazers!

Celebrating Our Artists: Lake Mary Heathrow Festival

We are proud to celebrate the incredible talent of our students who participated in the Lake Mary Heathrow Festival of the Arts on March 7–8. This inspiring event showcased more than 1,500 works of art created by students in grades K–12, transforming the weekend into a vibrant celebration of creativity and expression.

Our high school artists had the opportunity to take their skills to the next level by participating in a formal judging process. Students competed across a variety of categories, including Painting, Drawing, Expanded 2D Media, Photography/Digital Arts, Sculpture, and Functional Arts, demonstrating both technical ability and artistic vision.

Seminole High School's Nole Choir Recognized as Bach Festival Society of Winter Park Choir of Distinction

The Seminole High School Nole Choir has been named one of two recipients of the prestigious “Choirs of Distinction” award by the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, one of Central Florida’s longest-running performing arts organizations.

Launched in 2023, the Choir of Distinction competition recognizes one high school choir from Orange County Public Schools and one from Seminole County Public Schools that demonstrate exceptional potential in musicianship, sight-reading, and presentation. This year, Seminole High School shares this honor with Innovation High School.

The selection process is highly competitive. Participating choirs first submit recorded auditions that are reviewed by a panel of college choral directors. Finalists are then evaluated based on their live performances before the winners are chosen.

As part of this distinguished recognition, the Nole Choir will take part in a nine-month program that includes advanced choral instruction, workshops, and performance opportunities alongside the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra. Students will further develop their skills in areas such as music theory, vocal technique, musicianship, and performance practice.

This honor reflects not only the dedication and talent of the student performers but also the outstanding leadership of their director. The Choir of Distinction program highlights the Bach Festival Society’s commitment to inspiring and cultivating the next generation of musicians through meaningful educational experiences.

We are incredibly proud of the Seminole High School Nole Choir for this remarkable achievement and look forward to seeing their continued growth and success!

Winter Springs High Gospel Choir's Inaugural Lip Sync Contest

Winter Springs High School's Gospel Choir recently held its inaugural Gospel Choir Lip Sync competition filled with energy, excitement, and most of all, fun!

We extend our kudos to all of the talented performers who took the stage and entertained the crowd with their creativity and enthusiasm. Each act contributed to the lively and joyful atmosphere that made the night so special.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Mrs. Williams-Johnson, Gospel Choir Director, for her outstanding planning and organization in bringing this event to life.

Events like these highlight the vibrant spirit of our school community and the power of the arts to bring people together. Go Bears!

Seminole High Student Wins Magnet Schools of America Student Poster Contest

SCPS is proud to celebrate Jocelyn Hertz, a Seminole High student, who was named the national high school winner of the 2025-2026 Magnet Schools of America Student Poster Contest. This is an extraordinary achievement that brings great pride to our district and community.

This recognition is a testament to the talent, dedication, and creativity of our students, as well as the strength of our magnet programs here in Seminole County Public Schools.

Congratulations, Jocelyn, on this outstanding accomplishment and thank you for representing SCPS with excellence!

Calling All Dividend Volunteers

Living On My Own, a financial literacy program presented in collaboration with our partners at UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County, is being presented this spring at six area middle and high schools. We are grateful for the support of our Dividends, community partners, and staff who assist with hosting these events.

Living On My Own is a hands-on, real-life simulation where students learn about money management and consumer choices that can impact their future. In this activity, students role-play with an assigned 25-year-old identity (i.e. married or single, children, or without children), an occupation, and a monthly income. Students visit tables and make spending decisions on transportation, housing, insurance, rent/mortgage, utilities, etc. Stations for the simulation represent real life businesses, and volunteers assist students in understanding the costs involved and making informed choices. Please select one of the following options to register for your two-hour volunteer timeslot.

• Greenwood Lakes MS – Friday, 4/10/2026

• Hagerty HS – Monday, 4/20/2026 – Tuesday, 4/21/2026

• Indian Trails MS – Wednesday, 4/29/2026 – Thursday, 4/30/2026

Sanford Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC Sponsors 4th Annual Finding Your Voice Girls Summit

Seminole County Public Schools extends a heartfelt thank you to the Sanford Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for their generous sponsorship of the 4th Annual Finding Your Voice Girls Summit, held at UCF.

This impactful event continues to empower and inspire our students, providing meaningful opportunities for growth, leadership, and self-expression. The ongoing support from community partners like the Sanford Alumnae Chapter plays a vital role in making these experiences possible.

We are grateful for their dedication to uplifting and supporting our students. Thank you for helping our students find and use their voices with confidence!

Coming Soon - Annual Voice Surveys

Coming soon, the annual voice surveys for parents, students, staff, and community!

This is Debbie Jose's 11th year as a proud SCPS principal, currently serving at Spring Lake Elementary.

When asked about her favorite part of being a principal, she shared, "visiting classrooms and watching students interacting with each other and discussing content."

Interesting fact about Principal Jose: she was born in Ontario, Canada. Canada is officially bilingual, with English and French as its two official languages. Since students in Canadian schools are exposed to both languages and required to participate in French class every day, Principal Jose has a working knowledge of French!



Thank you, Principal Jose, for your commitment to excellence and the positive impact you continue to make on your campus each day.

The SCPS VPK application is open for the 2026-2027 school year. To be eligible for VPK, a child must be four years of age by September 1, 2026. SCPS VPK offers a high-quality program designed to prepare students to enter Kindergarten ready to learn! Full-day and half-day programs are available. For more information, visit the SCPS VPK website.

2026-2027 Kindergarten Registration

The Kindergarten application period for the 2026-2027 School Year at SCPS locations is currently open! For more information please visit the enrollment page on the SCPS website.

Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment is Here – Start Saving Smarter

Saving for college just got easier! Florida Prepaid’s annual Open Enrollment is now live, and new tools make planning simple and affordable.

Here’s what’s new:

• A redesigned website to help you build a personalized plan in minutes
• Flexible Prepaid Plan options - pay for one year at a time or choose what fits your budget
• Low monthly payments starting at just $29

The sooner you start, the more you save. Lock in today’s college costs and take the first step toward your child’s future with a Florida Prepaid 529 Plan.

Learn more

After-School CTE Courses

Seminole County Public Schools is excited to once again offer After‑School Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses for the 2026–2027 school year. These programs provide high school students the opportunity to explore hands‑on career fields while earning high school credit. The courses are open to all rising SCPS 9th-12th-grade students.

Course requests for introductory levels are now open. We invite our families to plan by viewing the CTE Course Information Guide. Classes will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:30 PM, beginning the second week of school in August. No transportation is provided.

Course offerings for 2026–2027:

 • Automotive Maintenance at Oviedo High School

 • Aviation Maintenance at Seminole High School

 • Building Trades & Construction Design at Lyman High School

 • Cosmetology at Lake Howell High School

 • Welding Technology Fundamentals at Lyman High School

Please take a look at CTE's Frequently Asked Questions. If you have any additional questions, please email ePathways@scps.k12.fl.us.

Attention Class of 2026: The FAFSA Application is Now Open!

Class of 2026, a new year brings new opportunities and fresh beginnings. Start 2026 by investing in your future. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), now open, and take the next step toward your goals.



Filling out the FAFSA is an important step in exploring federal, state, and institutional financial aid options for college, career school, or trade programs.



We encourage all seniors to stay proactive this season. Start your FAFSA application today and take the first steps toward your post-secondary goals.

Please visit https://studentaid.gov/ to access the 2026-2027 FAFSA application!

Understanding FFAA vs. FAFSA

We want to remind students and families about the difference between the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).


• FFAA is used to apply for state financial aid, including the Bright Futures Scholarship.
• FAFSA is completed for federal financial resources, such as grants and loans.


Important: If you are applying for Bright Futures, you must submit your application through the FFAA website floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org.

Class of 2026: Show us the Money!

Hey Seniors! Have you earned scholarship money for college? We want to celebrate your hard work and achievements! Make sure Seminole County Public Schools knows about your scholarships by completing the scholarship reporting form.

Sharing your scholarship awards helps us recognize your accomplishments and highlight the incredible success of our graduating students.

Don’t miss the chance to have your achievements celebrated, let us know about your scholarships today!

SCPS Night with the Orlando Magic - Tuesday, March 31st at 7:00pm

Get ready for an unforgettable night, SCPS Families! Join us at the Kia Center as the Orlando Magic take on the Phoenix Suns for a special SCPS Community Night packed with school spirit, exciting moments, and fun surprises. Visit the SCPS District Night page for discounted tickets and a portion of every ticket sold goes back to the school you select. Share with your friends and join us for this fun family event!

SCPS Retired Educator: Ida Boston

Not all educational heroes are in the classroom, and Ida Boston is a prime example. Mrs. Boston faithfully served SCPS in the transportation department as a SCPS bus driver for 25 years!

Hailing from Alabama, Mrs. Boston moved here with her family in 1953 and has resided here ever since. She and her late husband of 64 years were proud to have raised their three children within our school system. Mrs. Boston stated that the Boston family is, in fact, one of the oldest members of the Seminole black community.

Mrs. Boston loves to travel and has had the opportunity to visit six continents. She still wants to visit the Antarctic region and hopes to make that wish come true, but in the meantime, she’ll continue traveling with friends within her International Baptist Convention. Mrs. Boston loves spending time with her family, which includes her eight grandchildren. She rarely misses a Sunday attendance at the Antioch Mission Baptist Church (which happens to be the oldest black congregation church in Seminole County). She remains an active member of the Seminole County Retired Educators Association and said she thoroughly enjoys the camaraderie within the group.

Mrs. Boston has memories of many students she saw daily during her 25 year career and stated that, despite rising at 4 a.m. each morning, she truly misses watching each day’s sunrise as her day began.