Indian Trails Middle School Culinary Students Host Annual Pancake Wars

Culinary students at Indian Trails Middle School hosted their annual "Pancake Wars," and we are proud to say that the pancakes leveled up this year!

While this is a friendly competition, Mr. Kiefer was declared the winner. Students created pumpkin pancakes with fresh whipped cream and freshly grated nutmeg on top, which were absolutely delicious! Way to go, Mr. Kiefer and students! That's one sweet title!

Carillon Elementary Hosts Special Event to Honor Veterans

On November 11th, Carillon Elementary proudly hosted a Veterans Day Ceremony to honor the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. The celebration began with a special breakfast for our honored veterans and their guests, providing an opportunity to share stories and connect with our school community.

Following breakfast, the Carillon Kids Choir delivered a heartfelt performance, singing multiple patriotic songs in tribute to the various branches of the military. This meaningful event allowed our students and staff to express gratitude and learn more about the importance of honoring those who protect our freedoms.

Thank you to all who attended and helped make this day a memorable celebration of our heroes!

Sanford Middle School Students Learn Life Saving Skills

7th graders at Sanford Middle School STEM Magnet are learning CPR, and let’s just say their compressions have great rhythm!

They are learning to save lives to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive.” If you hear disco coming from the classroom, don’t worry - it’s just science keeping the heart pumping!

Seminole County Council PTA (SCCPTA) Hosts Special Mental Health and Wellness Event

SCCPTA, alongside the Hagerty, Lyman, and Winter Springs High School PTSAs, hosted STAY: A Night of Impact, a powerful community event centered on mental health and wellness.

Created in response to the growing need for awareness, connection, and support, the evening brought families, students, and educators together for open conversation and valuable resources. Our panelists and community partners shared their expertise and heartfelt messages, reminding everyone that no one walks through life alone.

As we move into the holiday season, this event served as a meaningful reminder to pause, check in, and stay connected. We are grateful to our partnering PTSAs, school administrators, and the many organizations that helped make this night one of hope, unity, and impact.

Oviedo High School: Bioscience and Agricultural Bioscience

2027 SCPS Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalists

SCPS is proud to recognize 12 outstanding educators who have been selected as our 2027 Teacher of the Year district semi-finalists. These teachers exemplify excellence in instruction, dedication to students, and a strong commitment to our schools and community.

Stay tuned for the reveal of the 2027 Teacher of the Year finalists!

Oviedo High Teacher Named Among Top Winners in Prestigious State Competition

Congratulations go out to Nadia Charcap, a dedicated and inspiring educator at Oviedo High School, who was named one of the four winners of the prestigious Florida Excellence in Education Award.

This honor, presented during Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizes educators who have made outstanding contributions to their students, schools, and communities.

Winners were selected from nominations submitted by principals, teachers, parents, and students, and each received a $2,500 award from the Volunteer Florida Foundation.

Ms. Charcap’s passion for Hispanic culture and language shines through in every lesson she teaches. Her classroom is a vibrant space where students are immersed in music, literature, art, and history, fostering a deep appreciation for Hispanic heritage. Her innovative teaching methods and unwavering support empower students to excel academically and personally, with consistently high performance on AP Spanish exams.

Beyond the classroom, Ms. Charcap is a mentor, collaborator, and leader who strengthens her school culture and inspires those around her. Her impact is felt not only in student achievement but also in the lasting relationships she builds with families and alumni. Oviedo High School and SCPS are honored to celebrate Ms. Charcap's well-deserved recognition.

2025 Seminole County Student Arts Showcase

Last week, the Seminole Cultural Arts Council held its first high school art show of the year. We guarantee that you will be amazed at the talent displayed by our students. The winners from the 2025 Seminole County Student Arts Showcase are listed below.

SCPS Giving Tree

As we approach the season of giving, SCPS is excited to launch our annual Giving Tree from November 10th to December 9th, 2025. With your help, we can help make holiday wishes come true for our students in need!

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

AC Ernst Building Corporation's Beneficial Donation to Jackson Heights Middle School

We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to AC Ernst Building Corporation for their generous donation to help Jackson Heights Middle School launch their brand new Bobcat Den!

Their support provided TVs, a PlayStation 5, and other fun additions for our students to enjoy during their time in the Jackson Heights Den.

We’re so grateful for community partners like AC Ernst who help us create a welcoming, engaging space for all of our students to thrive!

This is Dr. Mia Coleman's 14th year as a proud SCPS Principal, currently serving at Sanford Middle School.

When asked about her favorite part of being a principal, she shared, "My favorite part of being a principal is the opportunity to build meaningful connections with students, families, and staff. I love fostering an environment where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Whether it’s cheering them on at events, collaborating on creative ways to enhance learning, or celebrating their successes. Having an open-door (or open-email) policy has been a valuable way to ensure everyone has a voice and feels empowered to share their thoughts. Helping students realize their potential and creating a sense of belonging is, without a doubt, the most rewarding part of my role."

Interesting fact about Dr. Coleman, she has a deep passion for encouraging student leadership and creativity. She loves supporting students as they launch new clubs and projects, such as Student Council, Debate Club, or Campus Clean-Up initiatives. Another fun fact about Sanford Middle School's Principal, she embraces a yin-yang approach to life. She enjoys discovering new seafood and ramen-inspired spots but balances it out by hitting the gym with friends for boxing, HIIT sessions, or group fitness classes. Dr. Coleman says it's all about maintaining harmony and having fun!

Thank you, Dr. Coleman, for continually dedicating your time to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation with our staff and students. We sincerely appreciate you being an integral part of our district.

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

Class of 2026! The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open. Completing the FAFSA is a critical step in accessing federal, state, and institutional financial aid for college, career school, or trade programs.

We encourage all seniors to be proactive. Start your FAFSA application today, and take the first steps in your post-secondary journey!

Please visit https://studentaid.gov/ to access the 2025-2026 FAFSA application!

Take Stock in Children's Class of 2030 Scholarship Applications Now Open

Take Stock in Children - Class of 2030 scholarship applications are open for 8th graders! Take Stock is a scholarship and mentoring program of The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools. 8th -grade SCPS students who qualify for free/reduced lunch and have a minimum 2.5 GPA are eligible to apply. Students accepted into Take Stock are matched with a mentor who provides support throughout high school and are awarded a 2-year Florida Prepaid college tuition scholarship upon high school graduation. Applications are due by November 21, 2025, and can be found at https://foundationscps.org/apply-tsic/.

We are accepting 30 new students this year to provide deserving, low-income students with scholarships, mentors & hope! For more information, email us at tsic_seminole@scps.k12.fl.us.

Pack the Patrol Car 2025

Join Seminole County Sherriff's Offices' School Resource Deputies on 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