Wekiva Elementary's 4th Grade STEM Carnival

Recently, our 4th graders at Wekiva Elementary hosted their annual STEM Carnival, and it was a tremendous success!



Students proudly showcased their hard work to peers, parents, and other classes. From creative designs to problem-solving challenges, every station was alive with excitement and hands-on learning.

Thank you to Wekiva Elementary's dedicated students and teachers for making this event so memorable. It is wonderful to see curiosity and collaboration in full effect!

Jackson Heights Middle's Spirited STEAM Night

Jackson Heights Middle School recently hosted an exciting STEAM Night! With 776 attendees, the campus was buzzing with energy, curiosity, and creativity.

Families enjoyed hands-on activities across science, technology, engineering, art, and math, including experiments and design challenges, robotics, coding, and student showcases.

A special thank you to our many community sponsors who shared their inspirational STEAM careers. Your support helps students make real-world connections to what they are learning every day.

It sounds like an incredible evening of exploration, learning, and community. Go Bobcats!

Millennium Middle School's Recording Arts Class

2027 SCPS Teacher of the Year Finalists

SCPS proudly announced the three grade-level finalists who are now competing for the prestigious title of being named the SCPS District Teacher of the Year.

District Teacher of the Year Grade-Level Winners:

Elementary: Christie Rey, Geneva Elementary School

"Mrs. Christie Rey was selected for her unwavering dedication and exceptional practice as our self-contained ESE teacher. Her background in the United States Navy instills the discipline and organizational mastery that creates a high-achieving, structured, and resilient learning environment."

- Dr. Keith Erickson, Principal

Middle: Cianetta Saunders, Indian Trails Middle School

"Ms. Saunders consistently demonstrates instructional excellence, eagerly shares her expertise, and willingly supports colleagues and school initiatives whenever needed. Her passion for our Trailblazer students and all stakeholders shines through in everything she does."

- Patricia Elkharchafi, Principal

High: Trevor Southworth, Lake Mary High School

"Mr. Trevor Southworth brings unmatched expertise to our students, with professional experience in NYC and ongoing community theatre involvement. He is a transformative educator whose passion and leadership have elevated arts education across our district."

- Dr. Mickey Reynolds, Principal

"These three educators exemplify the passion, innovation, and commitment that make Seminole County Public Schools an 'A' rated, academically high-performing district," said Serita Beamon, Superintendent of Seminole County Public Schools. "They are leaders in their schools and their classrooms, shaping the lives of students every day. We are incredibly proud to celebrate them and their achievements."

The overall SCPS District Teacher of the Year will be announced at our annual Teacher of the Year event in late January. The district winner will go on to represent Seminole County at the state level.

Oviedo High Junior Earns 3rd Place at Central Florida Auto Dealers Association Competition

Junior Dylan Calderyo, an Oviedo High School student, earned 3rd place in the Central Florida Auto Dealers Association competition on Saturday, November 29. The event took place at the Central Florida International Auto Show at the Orange County Convention Center.

The competition included two parts:

• A written exam taken by approximately 100 students
• A hands-on skills challenge for the top 20 scorers, lasting over six hours

Dylan excelled in both rounds, finishing 3rd overall among the top 20 competitors.

Having completed Auto 1, Auto 2, and now Auto 3, Dylan’s dedication and hard work have truly paid off.

Please join us in congratulating Dylan on this outstanding achievement!

Goldsboro Elementary Makes Paper Poinsettias for Meals on Wheels' Sanford Community

The Student Council at Goldsboro Elementary spent an afternoon crafting handmade paper poinsettias to share with the Meals on Wheels Sanford community. Each flower will be tucked into holiday baskets delivered this season, adding a bright, personal touch for the recipients. It’s a small gesture, but one that brings joy and warmth to everyone who receives a flower.

We are proud of our students for spreading holiday cheer in such a meaningful way! Go Gems!

Sanford Middle School Student Earns 1st Place at the Florida Department of Health's Annual Radon Poster Contest

Join us in congratulating Tyler, one of our amazing Warriors at Sanford Middle School, for earning 1st place in the Florida Department of Health’s Annual Radon Poster Contest!

Tyler’s creativity and determination truly shine, and we’re thrilled to share that he is now enrolled in the national competition! We’ll keep you updated on those results.

Tyler’s name is also officially featured on the FLDOH website. What an incredible achievement!

Let’s give Tyler a big round of applause for his incredible skills!

SCPS Giving Tree

SCPS is asking our community to partner with us once again in support of the annual SCPS Giving Tree program. This vital initiative is dedicated to ensuring that the most vulnerable students within the district experience the magic of the holidays by receiving gifts, including toys, bikes, and essential hygiene items. The SCPS Giving Tree directly supports students who might otherwise go without during the holiday season, offering them and their families a moment of joy and relief.

All donations need to be dropped off by Friday, December 12, 2025, at the SCPS district office. Drops-offs are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Ways to Give:

• Direct Drop-Off Donations: Bring new, unwrapped items to the Education Support Center located at 400 E. Lake Mary Blvd. Sanford, FL 32773
• Shop directly from Amazon Wishlist. Items purchased are shipped directly to Community Involvement.
• Monetary Donations: We can accept cash, checks (made payable to SCPS with the Giving Tree), or online donations to purchase items for our secondary students (middle and high school).

The success of the SCPS Giving Tree relies entirely on the kindness and generosity of Seminole County residents, businesses, and organizations. Together, we can ensure every student has a holiday to remember.

Donate a gift or make an online tax-deductible donation by visiting www.scps.us/givingtree

Community Organizations Partner with SCPS to Create Special Holiday Food Drive Bus

We are so thankful for our incredible community partners AdventHealth Orlando, Orlando Magic, Orlando Solar Bears, Florida Citrus Sports, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida for partnering with SCPS to provide a grant for our school food pantries, and creating this special bus which will be out in our community to fill with food to ensure students have food over the holiday break. This is what community in action looks like!

Upcoming Bus Stops:

Christmas in the City Oviedo

1395 Campus View Court
Oviedo, FL 32765

Saturday. December 20, 2025

10 am - 2 pm

Interested in making a donation or attending a bus stop? Visit the AdventHealth website for more information.

This is Patricia May's 26th year with SCPS, and her 11th year as a proud principal, currently serving at Casselberry Elementary.

When asked about her favorite part of being a principal, she shared, "The work we do each day to help students succeed. I love being a part of a team with my staff, parents and community to enrich and care for our students. Each day isn't easy, but it is meaningful."

Interesting fact about Principal May, earlier in her life, she lived overseas. While her dad was in the Navy, she lived in Okinawa, Philippines, and Puerto Rico before settling in the states. 

We’re grateful for your continued service and strong leadership, Principal May. Your diligence positively influences our district every day.

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

Class of 2026, the holiday season is here, and it is the perfect time to wrap up something important for your future. Give yourself the gift of opportunity by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is now open.



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 2025-2026 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.

Pack the Patrol Car 2025

Join Seminole County Sherriff's Offices' School Resource Deputies this Saturday, December 6 from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm, in support of our homeless and economically disadvantaged SCPS students. Please consider purchasing a toy for a student in need of a little holiday magic. Gifts will be provided to SCPS Community Involvement to be matched to families on our annual Giving Tree.

• Enroll your child for VPK or Kindergarten on-site
• Explore fire trucks, police cars, SWAT vehicle, school buses & more
• Free backpack and supplies for the first 100 VPK and Kindergarten students who enroll onsite.
• Learn about school choice options, kindergarten readiness tips, and navigating IEPs and 504 plans

Plus - Storytime, giveaways, food, and a visit from Clifford, the Big Red Dog!

Reserve your free tickets today at https://tinyurl.com/BigWheelsBrightFutures

Retired Educator Spotlight: Rebekah Richey

Rebekah Richey was honored as the Florida Retired Educators' Volunteer of the Year in 2023, and it is easy to see why she deserved that distinction.

Rebekah earned her Master’s Degree in ECE and Education from Antioch College in Washington, D.C. She first taught in Alexandria, Virginia, for two years, then in Louisville, Kentucky, for five years, and then she became the Co-Director & Teacher of a multicultural preschool and daycare in Jamaica, Queens. Finally, before her retirement, Rebekah taught at Eastbrook Elementary for four years, winding down her public education career at Goldsboro from 1998 to 2014. She does, however, continue to work part-time as a tutor at Unity Youth Association & Jeff Triplett for Sanford’s After School Program.

Twenty-five years ago, Rebekah saw a need, had the vision, and created Nanas, Papas, & Friends. This program provides the mutually beneficial opportunity to share the joy of reading with a child. In addition to continuously recruiting and organizing for this program, Rebekah volunteers at least 20 hours each month, actively participating in the activities. The program is open for volunteers to read or tutor a kindergartner or first grader in a one-on-one setting from one to three hours each week at either Goldsboro Elementary or Unity Youth Association.

Rebekah is also a Board Member for the Picnic Project, and volunteers at least 15 hours each month in helping serve individuals and families experiencing nutritional needs. She sings in the choir at First United Methodist Church, Sanford, and serves as a member of their Mission Team volunteering in these activities between 10-12 hours each month. In addition to these commitments, Rebekah is also a Board Member for the Goldsboro Front Porch project and volunteers at least three hours each month in support of the Goldsboro community.

Recently, Rebekah spearheaded the delivery of stuffed animals provided by her Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) organization (of which she is also a member and volunteer champion) to the fire station in Goldsboro. She was accompanied by Deborah Partridge, President of The Seminole County Retired Educators (SCREA), and Lelia Ross, another SCREA member, whose husband was the first black firefighter in Seminole County & whose portrait is painted on the mural in downtown Sanford. Rebekah has inspired SCREA to continue the project originated by DKG and will be volunteering with additional deliveries.

Rebekah is always serving others and is the Volunteer Services Chairperson for SCREA, a position that involves sharing the numerous volunteering opportunities that exist within the public schools of Seminole County and within the community, which impact the families of Seminole County.

Thank you, Ms. Richey. Your continual passion for student success exemplifies the standard of excellence our Seminole County educators strive for every day.